Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler

A fairly large bird of lowland and foothill forest. Small for a hornbill. Bill fairly short with black bands, and with bare skin around the eyes and chin. Male has pale underparts and head with a black cheek, a pale buffy tail with a black tip, and pale blue facial skin. Female is entirely black with a buffy band through the center of the tail and darker blue facial skin. Rufous Hornbill occurs in some of the same areas, but has a red bill. Samar Hornbill’s voice is a short, medium-pitched honk, reminiscent of a squeaky toy, often given in rapid series.

A small brown bird with a heavy blue bill, rufous underparts, and white spotting across the head, back, and breast. The pale buff rump is conspicuous in flight. Found in tall grassland, bamboo, savanna, and forest edges, often in pairs or small flocks. The calls are metallic “veek” and “vik” notes. The song is a fast, high-pitched metallic jumble of notes. Similar to Streak-headed Munia but paler overall, especially on the underparts, and shows large white spots across the back. Somewhat similar to Black Mannikin, but paler, with abundant white spotting.

Combination of a bright red face, staring pale eyes, and chunky bicolored bill lends this lowland and foothill forest species a clownlike countenance. Dark glossy greenish above and rich chestnut-brown below, this oversized cuckoo clumps about amongst foliage, looking rather squirrel-like in its movements. Sometimes joins mixed flocks. Gives a range of strange calls, including hollow knocks and hoarse crowing and mewing notes.