Sulphur-throated Finch

This all-black bird has a long, slim bill, and a fairly long tail. In flight, white bars across the wings are revealed. Birds in the eastern part of the range also have white in the outer tail, while the western birds have all-black tails. Found in a variety of savanna habitats. The call is a series of fluted, rising “wheet” notes; similar to Common Scimitarbill, but higher-pitched. Also similar in appearance to Common Scimitarbill, but there is little overlap in range, and Black is separated by its straighter bill and slightly shorter and less pointed tail. Separated from woodhoopoes by its shorter, less floppy, and squarer tail.

Handsome chunky gray-brown finch with a massive dark bill. Brown hood, white ear-patches, and brightly contrasting golden stripes in the dark wings and tail make this an easily recognizable species. Female has a less well-defined hood than the male, and less yellow in the tail. Juvenile is buffier (including ear-patches) and more streaky. An uncommon resident of woodland, dry scrubby rocky terrain, slopes and river beds, restricted to the southern Arabian Peninsula. Typically forages singly, in pairs, or in groups of up to 30, either on the ground, or in trees where they occasionally dangle by their feet like parrots. Song is a pleasant rolling series of sweet notes, with an almost thrush-like quality. Call a quick whip-like “weet.”

A finch-billed Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the island of Laysan; does not occur in the main Hawaiian Islands. An introduced population occurs on Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Unlikely to be confused with any other species; the only other passerine bird on Laysan is the Millerbird, which lacks the Laysan Finch’s heavy bill. Males have a bright yellow head. Females are paler yellow and streaked.