Buff-throated Apalis

A common, nondescript bird found near the ground in grassy areas in fields, in towns, along roads, and even in larger treefall gaps in lowland rainforest. Small and warbler-like, with a white throat, dingy white underparts, a brownish red cap, and brownish upperparts. Similar to many other species of cisticola, but note Chattering Cisticola’s song and generally uniform coloration. Song is a dry churring “kur-kur-kur-kur-kur!”, sometimes given with introductory notes. 

A small to medium-sized honeyeater of lowland and foothill secondary forest on New Britain. Dull gray plumage which is darker on the head and in flight has white underwings. Found in the understory where it usually forages for epiphytic flowers. Co-occurs with Sclater’s, Red and Black-bellied Myzomelas but Ashy is larger and lacks red. Similar to Bismarck Black Myzomela and Black Sunbird, but Ashy is larger and gray rather than black. Call, a scratchy, nasal “rek” given in an uneven rhythm.

Elusive pheasant-like ground-dwelling bird, remarkably attractive when seen in good light: bluish gray above, pale gray below, with red bill and legs, pale eye surrounded by blue skin, dark hood and long tail that both show blue and violet tones. Forages on or close to the ground in dense cover of lowland and foothill forests, where it can be difficult to see despite its size. Male gives a haunting call, a long, sonorous whistle that rises at the middle and falls off toward the end.