Northern Shrike-tit

Striking tuxedoed babbler with a slightly downcurved banana-yellow bill and bright white eyebrows. A foothill and montane species of forest, forest edge, and dense scrubby growth. Clambers and bounces about along branches and in the undergrowth, typically in pairs or small flocks. Song variations include brief series of hooting calls, accelerating and jumbled in the second half. Calls include various rattles and hoots; often duets.

A small dark blue-black swallow with rufous-chestnut on its face and a short tail. Except for a black triangular eye-stripe extending to the bill, the entire forehead, chin, throat, and upper breast are rufous-chestnut, without any dark necklace like that of Barn Swallow, the main confusion species. Hill Swallow’s dark upperparts have a blue-green sheen that is only visible when seen up close, while the underparts are dingy white with ashy-gray on the flanks. Juveniles have duller chestnut on the face. Mainly inhabits open areas such as grasslands, reservoirs, and tea estates in the high hills above 500 meters of elevation; very rare at lower elevations. Often seen wheeling and looping in the air after insects, with a swift flight action reminiscent of a Barn Swallow with a shorter tail.

A long-legged, plump-bodied, mostly ground-dwelling bird with bluish-green wings and back, a pale aqua shoulder patch, a light peach-tawny underside and chest, a white throat, and a deep black head. On Choiseul and Santa Isabel, has a light ruddy brown crown. On Bougainville, has a black crown and brown streak behind the eye. Resident in primary forest and forest edge habitats. Unique within its range. Voice is a series of short, rising growling sounds, similar to a kettle boiling.