Samoan Flycatcher

A fairly small bird of grasslands and swamps from the lowlands to mid-mountains. Large for a munia. Black head and underparts, rufous back and sides blending to yellow tail. Note the large silver-blue bill. Juvenile all brown but still with a large bill. Distinguished from other co-occuring munia species by its larger size and much thicker bill. Call, sharp, metallic “tink” notes.

Chunky, mid-sized robin-like bird. Males are gray and orange, with a rufous back, while females are rich brownish. Highly localized Madagascar endemic that is found only in humid forest on the slopes of Amber Mountain, in the far north. Perches for long periods in the forest understory and mid-story. Variable whistled song is easy to imitate. Female similar to female Madagascar Magpie-Robin, but smaller and without a white patch in the wing.

Medium-sized, bright rail. Overall orange with red bill and legs, gray cheek, and black stripes on back. Similar to King Rail at first glance but much smaller; gray cheek distinctive. Mostly found in freshwater marshes but also found in brackish and saltwater; prefers extensive cattails or reeds but also found in shrubbier marshes. Shy and not often seen, but sometimes wanders along the edge of reeds. Most easily detected by voice. Male "song" is a series of doubled "kiddik, kiddik" notes; most common call is a descending, accelerating series of grunts.