Solomons Nightjar

Pale-headed starling with dark-tipped wings and an orangish belly and rump. Bill is distinctively colorful: blue with a yellow tip. Inhabits open forests and forest edge, as well as agricultural areas and village outskirts. Like other starlings, social and raucous, often flocking together while noisily churring and whistling. Frequently perches up on exposed perches such as snags and utility lines, but also forages extensively on the ground. Native to southern Asia; introduced to Taiwan.

A small babbler of tropical lowland and foothill rainforest, including secondary growth. Reddish-brown upperparts with a pale gray face and chest, becoming whitish on the belly. Bare, blue skin around the eye, with vocalizing birds also showing blue skin on the neck. Typically encountered in pairs or small flocks, foraging in the midstory. Brown Fulvetta is somewhat similar but lacks the blue skin around the eye. Song is an ethereal, owl-like series of hooting trills, but also gives noisy rattling and chipping call notes.

Common and widespread throughout most of North America, breeding as far north as Alaska and wintering to Panama. A medium-sized swallow, with gleaming white underparts. Adult males are bright iridescent blue-green above; females and immatures are duller brownish with limited or no iridescence. Always note compact shape, fairly broad wings, and slightly notched tail. Occurs in a variety of open habitats including grassy fields, lakes, and marshes. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallows. Breeds in cavities, including human-made nest boxes. Listen for cheery gurgling calls. Compare especially with Violet-green Swallow; note Tree Swallow does not show extensive white wrapping around the cheek or the sides of the rump.