Common Ostrich

Robust, big-headed, and rather short-tailed parrot endemic to Papua and Cape York (Australia) and introduced to Solomon Islands, where it inhabits lowland and foothill forests. Male bright green with red underwings and orange bill, female bright red with violet belly and dark bill. Usually seen flying above forests at first light, squawking loudly. Calls include an ear-shattering, high-pitched squawk, as well as a lower, rasping caw. Formerly grouped with other closely related species under “Eclectus Parrot.”

A chunky, grayish-brown waxbill with a plain back, boldly barred and scalloped underparts, and a white-tipped outer tail. The head and throat of the male are characteristically red, while the female is uniform gray-brown. Pairs breed in arid thorn scrub, but in the non-breeding season they flock and become nomadic and irruptive, also occupying grassland, broadleaf woodland, and cultivation. The call is a sparrow-like dry chipping. The female Cut-throat looks similar to the larger female Red-headed Finch, but its barred (not plain) head and lack of a white-tipped outer tail differentiate it.

A medium-sized warm brown reed warbler with a thin straight bill and very rounded wings. Head, shoulders, and back are rufous tinted. Shows a strong pale eyebrow. Found in gardens, coastal scrub, and escarpment forest. Voice little known, but song apparently melodious and thrush-like.