Silver Teal

This unique and charismatic large flightless bird is the flagship species of New Caledonia. Now sadly limited to a handful of locations with high-quality forest. A bit larger than a domestic chicken, but with longer legs and a more upright posture. Overall powdery-blue colored with a large, expressive crest that can be raised or lowered; legs and bill are bright red. Intricate banded pattern in wings normally not visible except during displays. Very noisy, giving a prolonged nasal hooting and cackling series, often in duet, and most vociferously in the pre-dawn hours.

A distinctive whistler of dark, dingy appearance. Body color is a dank mossy olive, with a slate-gray throat and a black cap. Hood often appears one-colored in forest light. Female is golden below and olive above with a gray head and a white throat. Mainly found in primary forest above 1100 meters of elevation, but does wander lower. Occurs together with Oriole Whistler, but differs in the male’s lack of a bright golden throat, neck, and belly and the female’s olive back and unstreaked underparts. Voice includes a sequence of loud, almost electronic staccato whistles.

Large, colorful barbet with a huge ivory-colored bill. Note the red underparts and red bar across the wing. Usually found in the vicinity of fig trees in a variety of habitats, including woodland, gardens, cultivated areas, and forest edge. Most often in pairs or small groups. The calls are rather insect-like: a very fast, dry trill, and a raspy “crick” note. Similar to Bearded Barbet, but separated by the lack of a black chest band. Separated from Black-breasted Barbet by the red rather than black chest.