Togian Golden-Bulbul

A beautiful small flycatcher. Mostly pale whitish gray below and dark blue above. Crown and cheek vivid sky blue, throat chestnut, and bill bright red. Prefers native mature forest in hills, avoiding regrowth. Similar to Vanikoro Flycatcher, but distinguished by vivid blue head markings and reduced rufous below. Almost identical to Chestnut-throated Flycatcher, but range does not overlap. Song is a repetitive whistled “weet-weet-weet.” Calls include churring and buzzing notes.

Large flycatcher found at all levels of humid forests; occasionally accompanying mixed-species flocks. The head is gray while the upperparts and breast are rufous and the underparts are yellowish. The subspecies in Bahia has a partially rufous throat and a white chin. Similar to the smaller Rufous-tailed Attila, but lacks the rufous throat. Typically sits motionlessly before flycatching. Its voice is a far-carrying series of “wee” whistled notes repeated for long periods.

Seemingly dark and dull at a distance, males sport a spectacular color pattern when seen up close. Note red nape and throat, brilliant blue forehead, purplish cheek, and red arcs behind the eyes. Body is rich purple set off by a blue rump. Female is exceptionally plain. She is a warm, medium-brown with very few markings, distinguished from other female buntings by plainer wings and belly and curved top of the bill. Prefers brushy habitats often with steep slopes, especially riparian areas and desert washes. Generally uncommon. Listening for their song, a low, rough warble, is often the best way to find them.