Javan Fulvetta

A large, fairly long-tailed bird of montane forest on the Bird’s Head of New Guinea. All black plumage with iridescence on the head, fairly long bill, distinctive, yellow wattle between the eye and the bill. Note the blue line and a small purple dot below the base of the mouth. Feeds on fruit but also probes mossy branches for insects. Other similar sized black birds co-occur, but none have the yellow face wattle. Voice, a long, mournful, monotone whistle.

Male distinctive, with bright yellow head, yellowish underparts. Female is drab and streaky, usually with yellowish wash to face, and often found with bright males. Note bright rusty rump. White outer tail feathers flash in flight. A species of heathland, forest clearings, and farmland with hedges. Male sings from a prominent perch, giving a dry and uninspired “dzidzidzidzidzi.” Forms flocks in winter, feeding mainly on ground in search of seeds. A native of Eurasia, introduced to New Zealand and a few adjacent islands.

Spectacular flycatcher with a long and deeply forked tail. Grayish overall with a white throat and a black half collar that is continuous with the eye stripe. The wings are black with a cinnamon patch. Females have a slightly shorter tail. Usually found around palm groves, marshes, and grasslands near water. The call is sharp but melodic “djewp,” and during their hilarious noisy duet display, they cheerily raise and lower their head and raise their tail with wings open.