Rufous-crowned Prinia

Elusive, chunky brown bird of shady forest understory in humid tropical lowlands. Heard far more often than seen. Haunting, slurred whistle carries well and is easily imitated. Song given irregularly; not steadily repeated. Note the chunky build, drab dark olive-brown plumage with paler eyering accentuating big eye, and rather slender black bill. Tends to perch quietly and upright, then slips off like a ghost and not seen again.

A dull-colored, whistler-like songbird confined to Sulawesi. Mostly dull green with red eyes, a grayish underside, yellowish flanks, and a rusty base to the undertail. Females show throat streaking that is absent in males; the streaks are white in the southwest and yellowish in the north. Juveniles have an olive-brown head and buff-striped olive underparts. Singles and pairs occupy the subcanopy of montane forest. Separated from female Maroon-backed Whistler by yellow flanks, red eye, slim pointed bill, and tendency to sit high in the trees. Calls include a high-pitched thrush-like “tsip” and a nasal “jheeze.” Song comprises very high-pitched, twittering whistles.

Common hummingbird of high elevations. Breeds in open woodland with meadows and scrub. In winter, found at lower elevations. Male is distinctive in range with beautiful rosy-red throat and glistening green upperparts. Female is duller with buffy sides and speckled throat. Note broadly rounded tail feathers with restricted rufous. Feeds on nectar and small insects. Visits feeders.