Pohnpei Flycatcher

A robust, elongated thrush-like lark with dark, lightly scaled upperparts, heavily streaked pale underparts, and a boldly marked face. Pairs breed (July-October) in open broadleaf woodland, often in recently burned areas. Small post-breeding flocks disperse south and occupy suitable habitat in an unpredictable manner, sometimes irrupting. Pairs or loose flocks walk on the ground foraging for insects and seeds, flicking their wings. The Groundscraper Thrush differs by being larger and having a plain (not scaled) back.

An unmistakable, little-known, strikingly patterned small flycatcher confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Male is jet black above with a striking white eyebrow, wing patch, and sides to uppertail. Below, shows a tangerine chest and a white belly. Female is undescribed. Found in understory of forest in both lowland areas and in the foothills. Song is a complex high-pitched warble lasting a few seconds, and rising and falling regularly. Calls include a very high “sweee” and a soft, grating “grrr-it.”

A beautiful bunting of dry country. Note the black-and-white facial pattern, the gray back with russet streaks, the gray rump, and the yellow breast with pale sides. Found in dry thorn savanna, often in pairs. Similar to Golden-breasted Bunting, but found in drier habitat, and range overlap is minimal; look for Somali Bunting’s overall paler coloration, narrower black stripes on the face, grayer back and rump, and pale sides. The song is usually a short series of the same two-note whistled phrase, repeated. One call is a long, ascending whistle.