Biak Megapode

This medium-sized wren is warm brown above with a bright white throat. This abruptly gives way to a black belly with thin white bars, which are difficult to see from a direct front view. Also note the thin white eyebrow. Sexes similar. Secretive, likes to stay hidden in tangles and thickets in forests, edges, or second growth; difficult to get a clear look at. Listen for low, liquid whistled song.

A medium-sized owl of wooded areas on the island of Cebu. Head and upperparts dark brown and indistinctly barred. Underparts orange-brown. Shows some white speckling in the wing, a pale bar behind the shoulder, bright yellow eyes, and white eyebrows forming an arching V-shape. Note the large white throat patch. Unmistakable. No other owls occur in its range. Song is a distinctive “wip! Doo-wip! Doh” with the middle notes falling then rising, and the final note falling. Also gives single “wip” notes and rasps.

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.