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NOTES ON  BIRD IDENTIFICATION FOR SURVEYS ON BUTON ISLAND

by Mark Catterall with call files added by Dr Dave Kelly

• Raptors
• Pigeons and Doves
• Parrots and Kingfishers
• Cuckoos and Cuckoo-shrikes
• Warblers, Flycatchers, Starlings and Mynas
• Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, White-eyes, Munias
• Swifts
• Hornbills and Woodpeckers
• Drongos, Orioles and Crows
• Babblers and Wood Swallows

RAPTORS

HAWKS AND EAGLES - FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE - medium to very large hook-billed birds with powerful talons or claws. Have generally blunt, more rounded wings than falcons. Eagles are specialised for soaring on air currents and hunt largely from the air, whereas hawks hunt from perches, but also sometimes soar. Some hawks hover over intended prey. Inhabit a wide range of habitats from coastal areas to open grassland and dense forest.

· OSPREY (PANDION) - medium-sized bare-legged eagle. Dark above with much white on head, usually near water. Long rather narrow wings have characteristic 'crooked' appearance in flight.

· BAZAS (AVICEDA) - small to medium-sized birds of prey with boldly barred underparts and long crest. Woodlands and forest.

· HONEY-BUZZARDS (PERNIS) - rather large long tailed raptors with weak slightly decurved bills. Wings heavily barred. Lores covered with scale like feathers, claws slender slightly curved. Chiefly in forest or woodlands.

· SMALL KITES (ELANUS) - small slender bodied kites with pointed wings and small bill (wide base and narrow tip). Legs are long, three quarters feathered, with small slender feet. Tail square. Flight buoyant, frequently hovers.

· MEDIUM-SIZED KITES (HALIASTUR) - medium to large kites with long wings that are distinctly bent at the carpal joint. Long squarish tail, red-backed, white-headed. Legs are short, claws not strongly curved. Often near water.

· SEA-EAGLES (HALIAEETUS) - large bare-legged eagles with no feathers on tarsus. Wings are long and broad; tail short. Bill large; talons large and very powerful.

· FISH-EAGLES (ICHTHYOPHAGA) - rather large bare-legged raptors, chiefly brown, grey and white in colour. Talons very long and curved. Usually near water.

· SNAKE-EAGLES (SPILORNIS) - bare-legged medium-sized raptors; dark brown above. Tail has three pale bands; wings relatively long and rounded, very strongly banded in flight. Whole of head black; nape feathers elongated forming full crest when erect. Sides of face naked, bright yellow in colour.

· HARRIER-HAWKS (CIRCUS) - slender, medium to rather large raptors with long narrow wings and tails. Dimorphic, females differently coloured and much larger than males. Face with an owl-like ruff. Seen flying low over open country alternately flapping and gliding.

· GOSHAWKS & SPARROWHAWKS (ACCIPITER) - small to medium-sized birds of prey with broad rounded wings and long tails. Females larger or much larger than males. Chiefly inhabit forest and woodland; fast-flying, active and dextrous among trees.

· BUZZARDS (BUTASTUR) - medium-sized raptors with long broad somewhat pointed wings, when folded wings often exceed tail tip. Brown in colour, often with chestnut patches on wings, prominent yellow or white eyes. Bill rather weak. Chiefly found in open country; seen soaring or perched in trees.

· HAWK-EAGLES (SPIZASTUR) - booted (feathered to toes), buzzard sized eagles with rather short rounded wings and long tail. Bill rather long and slender; talons slender and deeply curved.

· MEDIUM-SIZED EAGLES (HIERAAETUS) - medium to largish, robust, booted eagles. Swift eagles with fairly slender pointed wings and moderately long tails. Head crested; upper mandible markedly curved. Legs feathered; long talons.

· BLACK EAGLE (ICTINAETUS) - rather large, slenderly built, booted eagle. Long wings and tail; wholly black plumage with some white below eye and on uppertail-coverts. Weak-footed birds with long, little curved talons. Bill rather short, upper mandible deeply curved, cere extended.

 

FALCONS - small to medium sized birds of prey with long pointed, sickle-shaped wings. Females always larger than males. Short strongly hooked upper mandible with marked tooth. Flight usually rapid and direct; some species hover. Genus can be subdivides into fairly distinct groups.

· KESTRELS - mainly small bird and insect eaters. Tail rather long and rounded. Tarsus feathered on upper half, as long or slightly longer than middle toe. Outer and inner toes almost equal.

· HOBBY GROUP - slim, long-winged, mostly hunting insects or birds in flight; long pointed wings, relatively short or medium-long tail.

· PEREGRINE - specialist aerial hunters, chiefly birds. Tarsus powerful, toes long, outer toe longer than inner toe.

Adult: 55-61cm. Dark brown upperparts, white crown and broad blackish eye-line; white underparts and usually dark breast band. In flight shows striking white underwing and black carpal patches, blackish flight feathers and ban along margin with coverts. Underside of tail whitish with dark bars. Long thin wings held angled at carpal joint characteristic, bowed below horizontal; often hovers over water with heavy wingbeats. Iris yellow; bill black; cere grey; legs grey.

Immature: upperparts lighter brown, feathers fringed creamy white; lacks broad terminal band of adult.

Habitat: feeds exclusively on fish caught by plunge-diving. Common around the coast, also lakes and fish-ponds.

Adult: 41-48cm. In flight resembles small buzzard; appears broadwinged; quills whitish from below contrasting with chestnut barred under-wing coverts. Male crown & nape rich rufous streaked black; long crest. Chest, face, side of neck & forehead chestnut; breast and belly white heavily barred chestnut. Chin and throat whitish with a rufous wash; black mesial throat stripe. Undertail-coverts white. Upperparts and wings dark brown; tail lighter with dark subterminal band plus 2-3 other bars. Tail whitish below & barred. Female upperparts lighter; 3 bars on tail; chestnut areas replaced by pale fawn. Long pale crest. Iris yellow to red; bill black; cere pale blue-grey; legs yellow.

Habitat: a very elusive bird on Buton with few records; usually in pairs. Frequents forest, forest clearings and the forest edge; also mature plantations. Most often seen circling above the forest canopy or above clearings; flight sluggish.

Voice: when soaring produces a mew pee-ow, tu-weeee kikiya-kikiya, repeated often.

Pair of Bazas observed for some 20 minutes in a cashew nut plantation. The description below was taken during this time and does not match anything available to-date - this could represent a new subspecies.

Adult: c.45cm. Male - head grey including crown as far as crest; crest black, long. Nape to mantle brown, streaked with black. Back and wings greyish-brown. Uppertail brown with two broad black bands; terminal band white. Chestnut brown breast with no markings; chin and throat browner than breast with dark grey mesial throat stripe. Mesial throat stripe edged white. Distinct division between throat and breast. Belly heavily barred white and chestnut; bars continue onto thighs. Ventral area white. Undertail white with single grey band near tip, terminal band white. Underwing; flight feathers greyish-white, underwing-coverts white barred chestnut. Female - slightly larger with brown head and dark brown 'mask'. Crown brown, crest black; nape and mantle chestnut-brown with black streaks. Back and wings greyish-brown, slightly darker than male. Uppertail brown with black sub-terminal band. Underparts as male, but division between throat and breast not clear. Mesial throat stripe black only narrowly edged white.

Adult: 51-56cm. Very similar to Sulawesi Hawk Eagle, but more weakly built; yellow legs unfeathered. Crown & nape black; feathers on nape form short crest. Remainder upperparts & wings sepia to pale sepia, some buff streaking on mantle. Tail blackish brown with broad pale band and narrow obscure brown bands towards base; pale tip. Sides head streaked sepia & pale brown. Throat & chin white narrowly streaked black; broad black median line and black edges. Upper breast buff to pale rufous streaked blackish brown. Underwing and tail quills grey strongly barred dark brown especially on primaries. Iris yellow to brown; cere & feet yellow; bill black.

Immature: above much paler than adult. Underside like adult but barring and streaking much less distinct.

Habitat: most frequently encountered along the forest edge or soaring high above the forest during the middle of the day; singly or in pairs. Inconspicuous and easily overlooked, but perches regularly on exposed branches along forest roads. Away from forest roads keeps to dense foliage in tall trees. A mostly silent and usually wary raptor which seldom allowed a close approach.

Adult: 28-35cm. Pale ashy-grey upperparts with black shoulder patch diagnostic; white underwing with black underside to primaries. Slender, pointed wings held in steep V while gliding; frequently hovers. Iris red; bill black with yellow cere; legs yellow.

Immature: upperparts tinged brownish and scaled whitish; slight dark streaking on underparts, nape and hindneck.

Habitat: an uncommon and localised raptor frequenting open country including cultivated areas. Usually solitary, occasionally in pairs. Observed catching mice and large skinks.

Adult: 48-55cm. Dull brown kite with diagnostic forked tail (often appear square when at height). Pale patch at base of primaries contrasts with blackish wing tips. In flight appears to float on long drooped wings with prominent spread 'fingertips'. Tail twisted and tilted in flight. At rest note dark mark around eye, pale forehead and throat, plus fawn band across 'shoulders'. Iris red; bill black with yellow cere; feet yellow.

Immature: Lighter than adults plus streaked and spotted fawn on head and underparts.

Habitat: An uncommon resident on mainland Sulawesi inhabiting open areas and towns. A single 1998 record from Buton.

Adult: 43-51cm. Distinctive bright chestnut upperwing, back, tail and belly, contrasting with white head, neck and breast. Wing tips black. Wings usually held horizontally when gliding or soaring. Iris brown; bill and cere greenish-grey; legs dull yellow.

Immature: dull brownish plumage with buff spots and streaks; white patch on underside of primaries. Appears longer-tailed than adult.

Habitat: wide ranging species; coastal areas, mangroves, open areas, forest edge and cultivation. Common to locally abundant resident. Occasionally seen snatching fish from water.

Voice: nasal, drawn-out, slightly undulating kyerrh.

Adult: 60-69cm. Pure white head, neck and underparts. Upperparts greyish-brown. Underwing distinct; lesser and median wing-coverts white contrasting with black flight feathers. Wings narrow towards tip, lifted in a pronounced V while soaring. Short, strongly wedge-shaped tail, white with black base. Has a characteristic upright posture when perched. Iris brown; bill and cere grey; legs pale grey.

Immature: pale brownish head and underparts; upperparts dark brown; primaries black. Underwing-coverts cream with scattered brownish markings. White patch at base of primaries (reduces with age). Tail creamy white, distal third brownish.

Habitat: seacoasts, islands; occasionally inland. Sparsely distributed along most of Buton coast, although frequently seen. Singly or in pairs. Most often encountered flying along the beach or perched on the top of a dead tree overlooking the water.

Adult: 51-64cm. Dark brownish-grey upperparts with grey head and neck. Breast dark brown; belly, thighs and undertail-coverts white. Underwing shows dark brown coverts and secondaries with darker primaries. Tail dark brown with slight white mottling at base. Iris yellow or brown; bill dark grey; legs grey.

Immature: similar to Grey-headed Fish-Eagle but underparts buffier without distinct paler streaks; usually lacks the pale eyebrow.

Habitat: forest streams; also lakes. Uncommon resident. Silent along forested rivers, but very vocal around the two lakes. At Lake Togomotonu observed diving at and chasing an Osprey in an attempt to steal its catch. Single nest found next to Lake Amboua; large untidy structure of sticks and small branches situated in the fork of a large isolated tree (surrounding forest recently cut down) about 50 feet up.

Adult: 61- 74cm. Uniformly dark brownish-grey wings and body; primaries black. Head and throat grey grading to brown on breast. Belly, thighs and undertail-coverts white. Tail white with clear-cut black terminal band (brown in Lesser Fish-Eagle). Iris brown to yellow; bill and cere grey; legs white to yellow.

Immature: upperparts paler and browner than adult. Pale brown head and breast with buffy supercilium. Creamy-white markings on underwing-coverts and bases of flight feathers; wing tips darker. Tail light brown with dark brown terminal band. Distinct whitish shaft streaks on breast.

Habitat: seacoasts, large rivers, lakes. Very rare; only two records from Buton.

Adult: 41-45cm. Medium sized dark brown, bare legged (yellow) eagle. In flight shows strikingly barred wings. Crown, nape black with concealed white feather bases; sides of head, chin and throat grey to black. Throat clearly defined from upper breast, which is rich dark rufous brown with faint black shaft streaks. Lower breast & belly, underwing plus undertail-coverts chocolate brown, barred and spotted white. Tail blackish brown above with 2 broad pale brown bars and white tip; undertail is grey with 2 darker bars, and a broad whitish band and white terminal bar. Large eye, cere and bare facial skin are yellow. Bill black; legs yellow.

Immature: head & neck creamy streaked black. Wing coverts and back are blotched light and dark brown; flight feathers are dark brown. In flight rufous under-wing coverts are noticeable. Chin and throat white; breast white with dark brown spots; belly and thighs white streaked rufous.

Habitat: on Buton seems to prefer forest edge habitats where it sits motionless on exposed or concealed perches. Often found along the road-side. Common throughout the island, even in thick forest.

Voice: repeated fli-wi-keek; also keek.

Adult: 50-61cm. Smoky grey above with fine white spots on wings; tail grey with narrow black bands. Face and underparts rich chestnut, latter finely spotted white. Legs long and yellow. Flight - slow wing beats; prominent black 'fingertips'; prominently and narrowly barred underside of flight feathers and tail; trough-shaped pointed tail.

Immature: very different; dark brown above. Head buff or pale rufous with dark streaking; dark rufous mask; buff mark on centre of nape. Wings and tail dark; tail strongly barred. Prominent rufous spots/streaks on shoulder. Rump often whitish.

Habitat: open grassy areas. An uncommon species with only one record from Siumpu.

Adult: 48-56cm. Male - very distinct; throat, neck, breast, mantle and upperwing-coverts streaked black and white. Face black. Belly and undertail-coverts white; tail pale grey unmarked. Back, scapulars and inner wing-coverts blackish-brown with white or rufous spots; outer primaries black remainder grey.

Female - dark brown with buff crown, nape, throat and leading edge of wing. Crown and nape streaked dark brown. Face dark brown with black supercilium. Belly, thighs and undertail-coverts rufous. Tail brown usually barred. Have brown uppertail-coverts.

Immature: like female but darker with pale rump, crown and nape.

Habitat: very uncommon frequenting open grassland and paddi fields; only one record of a juvenile seen over paddi fields north of Bau-Bau.]

Adult: 33-38cm. Head, nape and sides of face dark grey; slight crest. Remainder upperparts warm brown with slight purplish gloss. Wing quills faintly barred black. Below creamy white; throat white with central black streak; breast & belly heavily streaked brownish-black. Thighs are conspicuously barred white and black. Underwing white; tail grey banded black (4 bands). Iris orange-yellow; cere dull yellow; bill black, grey at base; legs yellow.

Immature: head and upperparts brown; crown & upper back mixed with rufous and white. Below creamy white with rufous spots; thighs lightly spotted or barred rufous.

Habitat: an uncommon bird on Buton occurring in forest, mangroves and forest edge.

Voice: call high pitched rather faint cry uttered slowly tsee-tsee.

Adult: 30-36cm. Upperparts slaty-grey; slightly lighter on head. Underparts whitish, usually unbarred, with vinous-grey to pinkish-orange suffusion on breast. Central tail feathers uniform dark slaty; some females show 3-4 dark bands. Underwing whitish with extensive blackish wing-tips; lacks barring on wing-coverts. Iris red or brown; bill grey with black tip; cere orange; legs orange.

Immature: upperparts brown with dark bars on tail. Underparts white, streaked on breast and barred brown on chest and thighs. Underwing-coverts whitish with brownish wash; flight white feathers banded black.

Habitat: open forests and scrub country. Uncommon species only recorded in 1995.

Adult: 29-31cm. Above slaty bluish grey, crown slightly darker. Tail black with 2 broken white bars on uppertail and more continuos bars below. Sides of face paler grey than crown, blending into pale grey throat. Breast and mid abdomen pale pinkish buff; lower abdomen and undertail-coverts white. Iris chocolate brown; cere orange; bill black; legs chrome yellow.

Immature: bright tawny above; crown heavily streaked black; upper back variably scalloped with black. Tail as adult but more tawny.

Habitat: by far the commonest accipiter on the island being recorded from 45% of the squares. Found in a wide range of habitats from primary forest to mangroves and scrubby areas with some large trees. Usually stays in thick cover but will cross open areas between forest patches.

Voice: regularly heard on surveys; call is a distinct note like a hee repeated 4-6 times pausing between each note. Also a miaowing cry.

Adult: 23-28cm. Back bluish slate; primaries barred blackish, clearest on paler underwing. Tail grey barred black. Below rufous to vinaceous cinnamon, becoming white on undertail-coverts. Thighs white. Underwing-coverts buff often stippled grey. Very similar to A.rhodogaster but differs in size, and in adults by having white not grey thighs; tarsi and toes orange-yellow not greenish-yellow. Barring on the uppertail is said to be bolder than that of A. rhodogaster, and is visible in flight. Iris orange-yellow; bill black; cere yellowish-green; slender yellow legs with long middle toe.

Immature: crown, sides of head blackish brown with narrow chestnut margins. Back, wings and tail bright rufous; tail rufous barred black. Below creamy white sparingly streaked on breast and sides with black. Iris & cere yellow-green; feet light yellow.

Habitat: seems to be confined to primary and dense secondary forest. On Buton has been recorded from near sea-level, and is thus not confined to montane areas as previously thought.

Voice: call thin high pitched kiliu at considerable intervals followed by extra sharp rapid kikikiki.

Adult: 28-33cm. Male - dark slaty grey above, crown slightly darker. Sides of head paler grey, especially in A. r. butonensis; throat whitish. Breast and belly deep vinous rufous; lower belly & undertail-coverts white or grey. Underwing-coverts white or buffy mottled with grey. Wing and tail quills below grey barred blackish. Female - much larger; similar but underwing-coverts spotted blackish; throat & thighs more noticeably streaked grey. Iris & feet yellow; bill black; cere yellowish-green.

Immature: above deep rufous boldly marked & barred with black as are wings and tail. Crown blacker. Below creamy to buff white much streaked with dusky brown or blackish brown, except on throat. Underwing washed rufous. Cere, iris, legs yellow.

Habitat: forest at all altitudes, also mangroves; occasionally in semi-open areas.

Voice: call repeated hihihihihi deeper less piercing than A. nanus.

Adult: 41-46cm. Rufous-brown or grey-brown breast and belly with whitish barring.

Upperparts brown, streaked and barred blackish; tail rufous-brown with bold black bars (3 above 4 below). Sides of head blackish-grey; chin and throat white with black mesial throat streak and moustache. Forehead and supercilium white. Upperwing has a rufous patch at base of primaries; underwing white heavily barred. Long narrow wings almost reach tail-tip when perched. Long tail broadly fanned when soaring. Soars on flattish wings. Iris yellow; bill grey; cere yellow; legs yellow.

Immature: browner head, streaked whitish; whitish supercilium and white streaked nape. Entire underparts whitish, narrowly streaked brown.

Habitat: forests, secondary growth, plantations and open areas. Uncommon winter visitor.

Adult: 69-78cm. All blackish plumage with little or no contrast between flight feathers and coverts of underwing; usually pale crescents at base of primaries and indistinct tail barring. Uppertail-coverts sometimes show a small pale area. Glides and soars on level or slightly bowed wings; tail usually held closed appearing narrow. Iris brown; bill black with grey tip; cere yellow; feet yellow.

Immature: browner than adult; paler underwing-coverts and body are streaked dark brown.

Habitat: evergreen forest plus open areas near to forest edge. Uncommon resident.

Adult: 51-61cm. Upperparts, crown and cheeks blackish. Black cheeks contrast with white throat and upper breast. Lower breast, belly and underwing-coverts dark rufous; belly streaked black. Often shows dark border to underwing-coverts. Tail dark brown with black bars and white tip. Flight feathers of underwing mainly whitish. In flight shows conspicuous rounded pale grey patch at base of primaries, visible from above and below. Short crest when perched. Usually glides and soars on level wings. Iris red; bill blackish; cere yellow; feet yellow.

Immature: upperparts uniformly blackish-brown; head dark brown with large black eye patch, white eyebrow. Underparts white; flanks brown with black streaks.

Habitat: uncommon resident in evergreen forested foothills.

Adult: 56-69cm. Back and wings blackish brown with a slight purplish cast; primaries barred dusky above. Tail grey with 3 darker narrow bars and a thick terminal bar; tail tip white. Sides of head and breast rufous brown streaked black - narrowly on cheeks, broadly on breast. Throat white, flanked black plus with black medial stripe. Belly, legs and wing linings barred dull black and white.

Immature: head, underparts and under-wing coverts white; sometimes streaked brown on crown, neck and breast. Sides barred brown. Back plus wings dusky brown with paler edges and some concealed white. Tail brown with 5 paler bars and white tip.

Habitat: forested areas from lowlands to mountains, often over more open country. Often seen soaring above the tree-tops.

Adult: 30cm. Male - upperparts and crown rich dark chestnut, narrowly streaked on crown and nape, strongly banded and spotted with black. Underparts dark rufous broadly streaked black. Tail bluish grey with broad subterminal band and white tip. Female - slightly larger; tail similar to male but also has numerous narrow bars. Iris brown; bill blue-grey with black tip; cere yellow; legs yellow.

Immature: paler than adult with brown banded tail.

Habitat: uncommon resident of open habitats.

Adult: 28-33cm. Unmarked dark rufous underparts and underwing-coverts; chin buffy. Upperparts slaty with black hood and mantle. Iris brown; bill grey; cere yellow; legs yellow.

Immature: paler rufous-brown underparts with bold drop-like streaks on body and dense spots and bars on underwing-coverts.

Habitat: forest and secondary forest.

Adult: 45cm. Large, compact falcon with short tail and sharply pointed rather short wings. In this form the upperparts, head and cheeks are black. Throat and upper breast white washed rufous; rest of underparts and underwing-coverts whitish heavily barred black; flanks and thighs blackish. Iris black; bill grey; cere yellow; legs yellow.

Immature: browner with streaked belly.

Habitat: very uncommon bird observed over forest and forest edge.

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PIGEONS, DOVES AND FRUIT-DOVES

Well represented on Buton with 19 species - 6 endemics.

Rather plump round bodied birds with small heads, small stout bills and short legs. Wings narrow to broad, pointed to round. Flight fast and direct with characteristic flapping noise. Often fly long distances to find food - fruit, seeds, berries etc. Mostly gregarious forming large noisy flocks in fruiting trees.

· TURTLE-DOVES - (1, possibly 2, species) narrow pointed wings and long wedge-shaped tail. Ground-feeding dove confined to open habitats.

· ZEBRA DOVE - (2 species) small slender ground-dwelling dove.

· CUCKOO-DOVES - (2 species) medium sized species, distinguished by their long tails and swift graceful flight. Plumage rich brown or black and white. Found in pairs and small flocks in forest and forest edge; also more open areas.

· GREEN-WINGED PIGEONS - (2 species) plump rather short-tailed, brightly coloured ground-doves with predominantly green and reddish chestnut plumage. Frequents forest or secondary growth including thick scrubby areas, keeping to dense shade. Usually seen flying very fast and low through the forest.

· GREEN PIGEONS - (2 species) strictly arboreal, medium sized pigeons with predominately green plumage and characteristic yellow wing bars, and black flight feathers; underwing slaty grey. Sexes differ, males having brightly coloured breasts or shoulders. Have beautiful soft whistling calls; often hard to seen in the canopy.

· FRUIT-DOVES - (2 species) small, arboreal birds which are difficult to observe due to their green colouration and concealment in the foliage. Have no wing bars. Relatively shy, usually solitary birds.

· IMPERIAL PIGEONS - (7 species) large robust pigeons with broad rounded wings and tails. Strictly arboreal, feeding on fleshy fruits in the canopy. Less gregarious than other pigeons, but form small flocks at favoured fruiting sites. Have deep booming calls. A number of species are small island specialists.

· SOMBRE PIGEON - an enigmatic rather drab species which is endemic to Sulawesi.

Adult: 27.5-30cm. Pinkish-brown dove with elongated graduated tail; outer tail feathers black broadly tipped white. Face, forehead & crown light grey, tinged pink. Nape sides of upper neck, throat & breast vinaceous pink; lower belly buff. Narrow black stripe through lores. Pale grey area on greater coverts and contrasting blackish flight feathers. Conspicuous black patch on hindneck, finely spotted white. Back, most of wing, uppertail-coverts, central tail feathers dull brown. Outer wing-coverts blue-grey forming patch on wing-edge; underwing-coverts blue-grey. Iris orange; bill black; legs red.

Habitat: very common in most open areas, including scrub, cultivation and around habitation.

Voice: melodious gentle ter-kuk-kurr the last note being stressed.

[ISLAND COLLARED-DOVE Streptopelia bitorquata

Adult: 30-33cm. Crown & nape blue-grey; forehead pale grey. Broad black half-collar edged white; rest neck & upper mantle dark wine-pink. Breast mauvish-pink; flanks grey, belly whiter. Back, inner wing-coverts & inner secondaries drab brown; outer wing-coverts blue-grey. Primaries, primary-coverts & outer-secondaries black. Rump dark blue-grey. Central tail feathers brown, outermost entirely grey; undertail greyish-white, basal third black. Iris yellow or orange-red, orbital skin red; bill black; legs reddish.

Habitat: open areas, grassland, scrub, woodland, cultivation. Single captive bird recorded from Siumpu Island (south west of Buton), caught locally according to islanders.]

Adult: 21cm. Small slender dove with strongly graduated long slender tail. Forecrown, throat and sides of head grey contrasting with brown hindcrown. Hindneck finely barred whitish brown & blackish. Upperparts greyish-brown with irregular black bars. Secondaries & primaries dark greyish-brown; underwing-coverts pale rufous barred blackish. Central tail feathers grey, outer tail feathers blackish tipped white. Underparts buffy, strongly barred with black on sides of neck and upper breast and sides. Centre of breast mauve-pink becoming white on belly & undertail-coverts. Bare orbital skin pale blue. Iris blue-grey; bill horn; legs dark maroon.

Habitat: solitary or in small groups foraging on the ground in open areas. Only recorded from Siumpu Island south west of Buton.

Voice: musical, bubbling mellow high-pitched and monotonous doodaloo.

Adult: 22-25cm. Differs significantly from G. striata in having a broad bright yellow orbital ring plus narrow white stripe running down the neck from behind the eye. Also slightly larger, more brown in colour with no pinkish wash on the breast & are more strongly barred. The crown and nape are brown with no grey present. Extensive chestnut areas on wing quills; underwing-coverts deep chestnut.

Habitat: Only recorded from Siumpu Island. Observed within a few hundred yards of G. striata in open scrub and cultivation. Two birds were observed caring nesting material into a thicket. This is the first occurrence of these two species from the same island.

Voice: advertising call falsetto, disyllabic ooo-loo repeated monotonously at 3 second intervals; also a donslurred purring prrrrrr.

Adult: 34-37cm. Male - upperparts cinnamon chestnut, darkest on wing coverts. Primaries & secondaries brownish-black. Cream coloured forehead, grey tinged crown. Mantle dark red-brown. Sides and back of neck dark red-brown with broad iridescence silvery-green or silvery-pink fringes. Throat pale yellow-brown. Breast golden brown strongly barred black with very pale tips to barred feathers (no pink tinge). Belly & undertail uniform chestnut. Long central tail feathers red-brown; shorter outer tail feathers chestnut with broad black sub-terminal bands. Bill black or brown; feet brownish-purple or bright red. Iris - inner ring grey or blue outer ring red or orange. Female - lacks iridescence on neck; generally redder and more barred above. Distinct pale streak under eye (lacking in male). Lacks cream forehead, red-brown like crown.

Habitat: a common bird throughout Buton, in pairs or small groups. Frequents forest, small clumps of trees and strips of woodland fringing streams in open grassland; also over-grown plantations.

Voice: repeated up-slurred wu-up at 2 second intervals.

Adult: 36-40cm. Forehead, face and throat white. Rest of plumage slaty black with intense green or purplish iridescence on neck; slight iridescence on breast. Broad moderately long tail. Iris light red or purplish-red; orbital skin purplish-red; legs blackish.

Immature: duller; face suffused with grey.

Habitat: lowland forest and areas of secondary forest and scrub up to 800m. Mainly keeps to cover, but often feeds along roads and on the edge of forests.

Voice: a 3 note pu ku-ku the second note accentuated - similar to European Cuckoo.

Adult: 23-27cm. Male - crown and nape grey with white forehead and eyebrow. Mantle, face and underparts dark purplish-brown; belly paler. Back and wings iridescent green; small white-patch on shoulder; primaries & outer secondaries black; underwing chestnut. Tail black with broad white tips to outer feathers. Two black and grey bands on rump conspicuous in flight. Female - grey on head replaced by brown. Iris brown; bill red with orange tip; legs red.

Habitat: keeps to dense cover, generally in drier more open habitats than C. stephani. Singly or in pairs. Wings make a loud clap on take-off.

Voice: deep soft, mournful, drawn-out call tu-hoop, emphasis on second note.

Adult: 24-25cm. Male - general plumage rich chestnut-brown, darkest on scapulars and central tail feathers. Conspicuous whitish forehead appears to be lacking in Buton birds. Back & sides of neck have reddish purple sheen. Lower back blackish with 2 buff bands on rump. Shoulder-patch rich brown as are primaries and tail (outer tail feathers grey tipped black). Tail rounder than C. indica. Iridescent emerald green on wing-coverts and some inner secondaries. Whole underside rich brown; underwing chestnut; underside of tail blackish. Female - forehead is greyish.

Immature: lacks grey or white on forehead.

Habitat: frequents thicker areas of secondary growth and forest than C. indica.

Voice: faint slightly rising series of boo notes repeated at 3-4 second intervals.

Adult: 23.5-28cm. Male - head blue-grey; sides of neck, lower nape and band across upper breast vinous-pink to pinkish-mauve. Lower breast (not sides) bright tawny orange. Underparts yellowish-green, yellow on vent; flanks grey-green some feathers edged yellow; undertail-coverts cinnamon. Back & wing-coverts bright olive-green some feathers edged yellow. Wings blackish with contrasting yellow edges to greater wing-coverts. Tail grey with subterminal black bar and pale grey rim; uppertail-coverts bronze-ochre. Female - green; lacks grey, pink and orange colouring of male. Iris pink; bill blue-grey with green cere; legs reddish.

Habitat: populations seem to fluctuate from year to year. Frequents coastal forest, secondary forest and open habitat.

Voice: curious chuckling cooing whistle Ooo-ooo, cheweeo-cheweeoo-cheweeo.

Adult: 25cm. Forehead, crown and cheeks bluish-grey; bare area around eye green. Light green throat and neck. Wing-coverts, scapulars and upper back green in female but maroon in male. Flight feathers blackish with bright yellow edges; orange shoulder patch. Underparts and lower back mostly green with rufous undertail-coverts in male; under tail-coverts whitish in female, spotted with green. Male has pinkish gold patch (often obscure) on side of lower neck. Tail green with pale grey terminal bar. Iris red; bill yellow with dark green cere, female bill and cere green; legs red.

Habitat: inhabit forest, forest edge and cultivation, congregating in large flocks at fruiting trees. Keeps to the canopy were they can be very inconspicuous. Movements of this species must occur between Buton and mainland Sulawesi as this species was uncommon in 1995 but very common in 1996.

Voice: quiet, deep ringing haw-haw-haw.

Adult: 33-36cm. Male - head, neck & most of underparts pale silvery-grey; tinged with green on hindneck and flanks. Large buffish yellow patch on lower breast. Undertail-coverts and vent dark chestnut. Upperparts rich green, including tail, darker and bluer on primaries. Narrow pale terminal bar on tail; underside of tail grey. Small dark chestnut patch on upper throat. Iris orange-red or brownish-orange; orbital skin blue. Female - neck more strongly and extensively tinged green. Bill yellow; feet red or purplish-red. Immature - greener on hindneck and crown.

Habitat: very rare on Buton with only one record during the 1996 survey. Inhabits primary lowland forest to 600m on mainland Sulawesi. Keeps to dense foliage in tall trees so probably overlooked.

Voice: usually silent, but has a barking ko-ko-ko-ko call.

Adult: 21-27cm. Male - upperparts and most of underparts green with yellow lower abdomen and red undertail-coverts. Head silvery grey with black nape and yellow throat patch. Females - on Buton are a dull green with no red or yellow on vent and undertail-coverts. Iris pale yellow; bill greenish; legs red.

Habitat: a shy species usually in pairs or flocks at fruiting trees. Keeps to the foliage of the canopy where difficult to see.

Voice: monotonous ringing owook-wook owook-wook.

Adult: 42.5-51.5cm. Male - head pale grey shading to white on forehead and throat. Lower breast and belly white, tinged cream or pinkish; upper breast emerald green. Undertail-coverts chestnut. Broad pale grey band narrowly edged blackish across the centre of the tail. Remainder of plumage rich emerald-green or golden-green. Mantle looks purplish; strong coppery tinge on hindneck; feathers on back edge silver. Female grey parts slightly darker. Iris orange or yellow with red outer ring; bill black; legs and feet purplish. Juvenile undescribed.

Habitat: dense secondary and primary hill and montane forest; on Buton recorded down to 60m.

Voice: very deep loud monosyllabic cooing - very similar to a booming bittern!

Adult: 36-39cm. Male - head, sides of neck, breast and underparts pale grey, becoming mixed with dull chestnut on flanks and belly. Undertail-coverts chestnut. Blackish purple area on hindneck. Mantle, back, wings and tail richly iridescent - blackish-purple are on hindneck plus reddish-purple iridescence on mantle, scapulars and inner secondaries; bronze-green shot with coppery red elsewhere. In some lights upperparts appear emerald green. Tail has a central grey band edged black. Underwing dark greyish; undertail blackish with central grey band. Female - grey slightly darker; little or no purple or red sheen on upperparts except on mantle. Back and wings appear emerald green mixed with bluish green. Iris orange, with red outer ring; bill black; cere dark grey; legs purple or purplish-red.

Habitat: an uncommon and very localised pigeon on Buton, which is confined to areas of hill forest. Forages in middle storey and canopy.

Adult: 40-47cm. Head, upper mantle, breast & belly pale greyish-pink (some white feathers at base of bill and around eye). Upperparts rich metallic green; outer secondaries, primaries & tail grey with greenish iridescence. Undertail-coverts dark chestnut; underwing dull grey. This form has a large rusty patch on nape. Iris & narrow orbital skin red; bill bluish grey, purplish at base; feet carmine red.

Habitat: Common, even abundant, on Buton, with records from 68% of the squares. Closely associated with fruiting fig and palm trees occurring in forested areas and open country wherever these trees are present.

Voice:

Adult: 43cm. Very similar to Green Imperial Pigeon. White feathers at base of bill form narrow ring between blackish bill and greyer face. Forehead, face, band over eye, neck & breast very pale silvery-grey. Crown and nape very pale salmon-pink. Hindneck, upper-mantle and rest of underparts pale silvery grey, tinged pink. Wings, back & tail shinning green intermixed with blue especially on wing and tail feathers. Undertail-coverts chestnut. In flight entirely black underwing contrasts with grey breast. Iris golden; bill black/blue-grey, pale tip; legs red. Female darker on grey and pink parts.

Habitat: small island specialist; rare in coastal areas on Buton.

Voice: loud guttural almost barking ur aow.

Adult: 39-40cm. Head, including upper throat (not lower throat) pale mauve-pink or salmon-pink with a mauve tinge. Whitish ring around eye plus white band at base of bill. Most of throat and neck pale grey. Upper breast pinkish grey shading to pale mauve pink on lower breast and belly. Upperparts iridescent bronze-green and bluish-green washed with silvery-grey. Primaries blackish, strongly washed silver grey when new. Tail blackish-green. Undertail-coverts chestnut. Iris dark brown, eyelids scarlet; bill blue-grey with red or purple cere; legs crimson.

Habitat: small island specialist inhabiting forest with fruit trees. Uncommon to rare visitor to Buton, especially in coastal areas.

Voice: series of owoo notes descending in scale.

Adult: 35-42cm. Entire plumage creamy-white, except for conspicuous black flight feathers and terminal tail-band. Distinguished from White Imperial Pigeon by pure black flight feathers; tertials white. Iris brown; bill grey; legs blue-grey.

Habitat: a migratory and nomadic species confined to small islands and coastal areas, especially mangroves. Uncommon and localised species occurring infrequently on Buton. More commonly encountered on nearby off-shore islands.

Voice: loud deep chuckling hu-hu-hu-hu.

Adult: 38-48cm. Very similar to Pied Imperial Pigeon but slightly larger. Differs in having silvery-grey flight feathers with black edges, not pure black; plus many feathers of the tibial & ventral areas are largely black giving spotted effect. Tertials are grey not white as in D. bicolor.

Habitat: common throughout Buton, often abundant around fruiting figs and palms. Inhabits lowland forest, forest edge, cultivated areas plus open areas with scattered trees.

Voice: loud deep booh.

Adult: c.46cm. Head, neck & breast grey, palest on forehead and lower breast, darkening towards mantle. Belly suffused brownish; flanks dark brownish with rusty buff edgings to feathers - producing mottled and barred effect. Undertail-coverts blackish with broad creamy buff edges. Mantle, back, rump, uppertail-coverts and wings blackish-olive with faint bronze-green gloss. Underwing blackish with central chestnut patch. Longish tail is dull black tipped buffish white. Bill bluish-grey, purplish at base; iris blood red; legs red.

Habitat: hill and montane forest; usually solitary. Flight heavy. One unconfirmed report from Buton - a shy and secretive species which may be present on the island.

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PARROTS AND KINGFISHERS

Eight species so far recorded from Buton - 5 endemic.

Large and varied family, ranging in size from 10-40 cm in length; mostly green in colour with brighter areas on the head and rump. Highly vocal birds which have a fast direct flight on pointed wings. Feed on nectar, fruit and seeds obtained in the forests, plantations, and cultivated areas. Arboreal in habits with short legs for clambering about in the branches and often large powerful beaks. Despite their gaudy plumage and very raucous voices they are often very difficult to see in the forest canopy. A number of birds are regularly trapped, making them nervous, weary and difficult to approach.

· COCKATOOS - large parrots with erectile crests; crest is raised immediately after alighting or when excited or alarmed. Have strong, heavy bills capable of dealing with seeds, nuts and fruits. Noisy, but wary birds.

· LORIKEETS - brightly coloured parrots with glossy plumage. Found in noisy flocks moving between stands of flowering trees, where they feed on pollen, nectar and fruit. Strictly arboreal.

· HANGING-PARROTS - small parrots with extremely fine pointed bills, and very short rounded tails (tail is sometimes completely hidden by tail-coverts). Hanging-Parrots roost by hanging upside down.

· RACKET-TAILED PARROTS - distinguished by elongated central feathers in the form of bare shafts terminating in spatules; tail otherwise squarish. Medium-sized, stocky birds, with robust and proportionately large bills. Sexual dimorphism is strong in Sulawesi birds. Young birds resemble, or are duller, than females, but lack rackets.

· LARGE-BILLED PARROTS (TANYGNATHUS) - medium to large parrots with very large, heavy bills and proportionately short slightly rounded tails, giving them a 'top-heavy' appearance, especially in flight. Sexual dimorphism is slight; young birds are duller than adults.

Adult: 33-35cm. A large wholly white parrot with a long FORWARD-CURVING yellow crest and yellow cheeks. Underwing and undertail suffused with yellow. Iris red in male, dark brown in female; bill black; legs dark grey. Immature - iris pale grey.

Habitat: a large, extremely noisy and conspicuous parrot, which inhabits forest and forest edge; localised. Endangered throughout its range, and is under enormous pressure on Buton. 34 birds were recorded during 1996 from 9 squares, all in the south of the island. In 1995 19 birds were recorded from 4 squares, including the only northern record for this species - 5 birds seen near Maligano. The total population of this species on Buton could be between 50-100 birds, but numbers are decreasing due to trapping.

Adult: 23-25cm. Forehead, crown & upper ear-coverts purple-blue; cheeks & lower ear-coverts bright orange-red. Yellow band on side of neck behind ear-coverts. Occiput red, feathers tipped dusky blue; throat & breast orange-red with feathers margined blue-black giving barred appearance. Abdomen plus vent green variably marked greenish-yellow. Hindneck to tail bright green; undertail dull yellow. Underwing-coverts yellow. Bill orange-red; iris dark orange; legs greenish-grey.

Immature: occiput green lightly marked red; narrower bluish margins to breast feathers. Abdomen strongly marked yellow. Bill brownish; iris brown.

Habitat: common throughout Buton in secondary forest, forest edge and cultivation.

Voice:

Adult: 21cm. General plumage green. Forehead and crown olive-yellow; ear-coverts, cheeks & chin dusky green, each feather margined yellow. Nuchal collar brownish; throat breast & upper abdomen yellow, feathers edged dark green giving scalloped appearance. Underwing-coverts yellowish-green. Vent & uppertail-coverts yellowish-green with dark margins. Tail green above dull yellow below. Bill orange; iris orange-yellow; legs grey.

Immature: all yellow more greenish; tail faintly barred with dark-green near tip.

Habitat: rare and localised on Buton where it appears to prefer areas of mature forest; a shy species keeping to thick foliage. On mainland Sulawesi found between 500-2000m, but thinning of forest is thought to limit distribution not altitude.

Voice: harsh dra-dra-dra in flight.

Adult: 15cm. Male - general plumage green, paler more yellowish on underparts. Forehead & crown red; nape & mantle tinged orange-yellow. Red patch on chin & throat; red marking on edge of forewing. Dark red rump & uppertail coverts, latter extending to tip of tail. Underside of flight feathers greenish-blue. Tail, above green tip paler, below greenish-blue. Female - forehead and crown green with occasionally red bases to feathers. Iris pale yellow in male, brown in female; bill black; legs orange.

Immature: like female, throat patch yellow suffused with red. Edge of forewing greenish-yellow; bill horn coloured; legs yellowish-brown.

Habitat: much commoner than L. exilis, inhabiting lowland forest, forest edge, coconut plantations and cultivation.

Adult: 10.5cm. General plumage green; yellowish on underparts, darker on wings. Elongated spot of red on throat (reduced or absent in female) surrounded by greenish-blue. Rump and uppertail-coverts bright red, broadly suffused yellow. Underside tail & wings yellowish-blue. Tail green above. Bill coral-red; iris yellow (female brown); legs orange.

Immature: no red on throat; bill yellowish-brown; iris pale brown; legs yellowish

Habitat: lowland forest, mangroves; movements depend on flowering trees.

Adult: 37-39cm. General plumage green, paler more yellowish on lower underparts and sides of head. Neck olive-yellow extending down to breast and mantle. Crown and occiput blue with central red patch. Green underwing-coverts, underside of flight feathers greenish-blue. Central tail feathers above green with black spatules; lateral tail feathers green tipped black. Entire underside of tail greenish-blue. Bill pale bluish-grey becoming white towards tip. Female - has no red on crown and less extensive blue. Considerably larger than P. platurus. Iris dark brown; legs bluish-grey.

Immature: like female; blue of crown only edging to few feathers.

Habitat: so far not recorded from Buton, but may occur. On mainland Sulawesi inhabits primary hill and montane forest below 1000m.]

Adult: 28-33cm. Male - general plumage green, paler more yellowish on lower underparts. Long undertail-coverts yellowish-green bordered yellow. Dull pink-red markings on hindcrown bordered by pale-purple extending down nape. Variable orange-yellow band across upper mantle; lower mantle bluish-grey. Wing-coverts dull grey; pale yellow margins to inner webs of secondaries. Underwing-coverts green, flight feathers greenish-yellow. Central tail feathers above green; lateral tail feathers green tipped black & blue. Entire undertail greenish-blue. Bill pale bluish-grey becoming dark grey towards tip. Female - entire upperparts green; shorter tail rackets; bill as male. Iris dark brown; legs greenish-grey.

Immature: like female, central tail feathers have pointed tips - no rackets.

Habitat: on Buton locally common to abundant, especially in north; mostly in pairs or small flocks flying at height. Very difficult to seen well, keeping to the tree tops. Birds freeze when disturbed, before exploding out of the tree screeching loudly. Active and noisy at night.

Voice: harsh screech with alternating pitch; very similar to a squeaky wheel.

Adult: 33-43cm. Huge red bill. Bright green head, upper mantle & uppertail-coverts. Feathers of lower mantle dull green tipped pale blue. Back and rump pale blue. Underparts greenish-yellow; thighs green. Underwing-coverts & sides breast yellow; yellow across underside of flight feathers. Scapulars and lesser wing-coverts black broadly margined yellow; greater wing-coverts green edged greenish-yellow; primaries and secondaries blue, outer webs narrowly edged green. Tail above green, tipped green-yellow, below dusky yellow. In flight narrow wings are bright yellow with thin tapered tail. Iris yellow-white; legs green-grey.

Immature: little or no black on wings.

Habitat: favours coastal forests including mangroves; far less common than Muller's Parrot; coastal areas only.

Adult: 32cm. Male - general plumage green brighter on head & uppertail-coverts; more yellowish on mantle & underparts. Rump and lower back rich blue. Lesser & primary wing-coverts green margined with blue; median & secondary wing-coverts green margined yellow-green. Underwing-coverts yellowish-green. Tail above green tipped yellowish-green; below dusky yellow. Bill red paler towards tip. iris pale yellow; legs greenish-brown. Female - mantle darker green, less yellowish; little blue on margins of lesser wing-coverts. Bill white. Easily confused with the larger Great-billed Parrot if not seen clearly. Iris pale yellow; legs greenish-brown.

Habitat: lowland forest, especially forest edge & trees in cultivation; tends to avoid dense forest. Active and noisy at night.

Voice: in flight harsh ki-ek...ki-ek.

Another well represented family on Buton with 8 species recorded to date - 3 endemic.

Small to medium sized birds characterised by large heads, long bills, short legs and tiny feet. Most species are predominantly blue, with white or reddish-brown underparts. Occupy a wide range of habitats, usually aquatic, from mangroves and beaches to the forest interior. Mostly solitary occasionally in pairs. Some species are highly vocal. Sexual dimorphism is usually slight or absent.

Adult: 31cm. Short scarlet bill. Male - dark green back, wings and tail. Broken narrow rufous hindneck and collar. Underparts rufous; chin and throat white. In this form head & hindneck are black (not turquoise-blue). Female - like male except forehead and short superciliary stripe light orange-rufous; ear coverts & cheeks dark chestnut. Black moustachial stripe. Iris dark brown; legs red.

Immature: like female but duller; chin dirty buff; bill yellowish horn.

Habitat: lowland forest where very unobtrusive and difficult to see. Prefers forest with little understorey. Recorded from 4 widely scattered sites.

Adult: 25cm. Head, back, wings and tail rufous tinged violet. Underparts slightly lighter rufous with no tinge. This form is endemic to Sula and Buton islands and has a lustrous pale blue rump; conspicuous in flight. Iris brown; bill bright red; legs red-orange.

Habitat: shy and uncommon species keeping to forested streams, and creeks in mangroves; difficult to spot despite bright colours. Probably more widespread than records suggest.

Adult: 35cm. Underparts, head, mantle, rump creamy-white; buff yellow wash on belly. Lores dusky. Forehead, cheeks & ear-coverts have a dusky brown appearance. Back, scapulars, wings & tail dark dull greenish-brown. Huge black bill, small red spot at base. Iris dark brown; legs red-brown.

Immature: similar to adult; feathers of hindneck & breast narrowly fringed dark brown.

Habitat: coastal areas, mangroves, creeks and large rivers. Wary and difficult to approach. Common along certain, less disturbed coasts.

Adult: 24cm. Crown, wings, back and tail bright iridescent greenish-blue. Black stripe through eye; some birds on Buton show black extending onto crown and nape. Clean white collar and underparts distinguish from H. sancta. Iris brown/black; bill dark grey, base of lower mandible pale grey; legs grey.

Immature: white parts faintly washed buff; freckled on neck and breast.

Habitat: common too abundant throughout Buton occurring in almost all habitats including forest edge and forest clearings. Very aggressive towards H. sancta where the two occur together.

Voice: readily identified by characteristic squeaky wheel call, kek-kek kek-kek, uttered from exposed perches at the tops of trees.

Adult: 22cm. Slightly smaller than H. chloris with duller more greenish blue parts; breast and collar washed buff or rufous. Looks like a dirty version of the Collared Kingfisher. Iris black/brown; legs light grey; bill black, base of lower mandible grey.

Immature: freckled cheeks, collar, breast and flanks.

Habitat: strictly coastal on Buton inhabiting mangroves and areas around fish ponds; small population around Lake Togomotonu is unusual in this respect. Birds favour low perches; often concealed perches where two species occur together, regularly attacked by the more abundant H. chloris. Only present during the Australian winter from April to November.

Adult: 12cm. Bright red bill, rufous-brown back. Crown banded blue and black. Cheeks & neck lilac; ear-coverts rufous. White blaze on side of neck. Hindneck, mantle, scapulars dark rufous-brown. Back, rump uppertail-coverts brilliant cobalt blue. Tail black. Wings brown-black. Chin & throat creamy. Breast dark orange; flanks, belly, undertail & underwing-coverts paler orange. Feet orange-red.

Individuals observed on Buton seemed to lack any blue on the crown.

Immature: duller; bill blackish with pale tip.

Habitat: lowland forest away from water. On Buton observed in the forest understorey where the bright red bill draws attention to its presence. Only recorded from 3 sites.

Adult: 17cm. Brilliant blue back & rump; orange rufous underparts. Rufous or buffy loral spot; white neck blaze; creamy-white throat. Crown strongly banded blue, base feathers black. Ear-coverts blue. Wing-coverts spangled paler blue. Bill black with reddish base. Iris dark brown; legs red.

Immature: duller; rufous ear-coverts & cheeks; dusky tips to breast feathers.

Habitat: forest streams, dense mangroves and forested creeks; prefers more heavily wooded areas than A. athis.

Adult: 16cm. This form has blue ear-coverts with blue upperparts (green-blue in other forms). Very similar to A. meninting, but differs in having smaller loral spot, underparts slightly lighter as are upperparts; bill is wholly black only the gap is red. Iris dark brown; legs red.

Habitat: restricted to coastal areas, mangroves and the sluggish lower reaches of rivers. Common along many beaches.

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CUCKOOS, KOELS, MALKOHAS & COUCALS

Large varied, insectivorous, family ranging in size from 15 to 65 cm. Have slender bodies, long wings and tails plus strong decurved bills. Many species are rather hawk like in appearance. Most have loud far reaching calls and are often more readily identified by their calls, sometimes uttered at night.

· TRUE CUCKOOS - arboreal with pointed wings often barred and streaked plumage. Most are shy and difficult to see; all have distinctive calls.

· BRONZE-CUCKOOS - small active and arboreal birds which search for caterpillars in the foliage. Barred below and bronzy green above.

· KOELS - large black and brown birds, which inhabit the forest, canopy feeding on fruit and insects. More often heard than seen.

· CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - very large species with huge horn-coloured bill, long narrow wings and tail. Have barred belly and tail.

· MALKOHAS - rather large arboreal birds with very long tails, long legs and colourful bills. Wings are fairly short, broad and rounded. Creep about in thick tangles of vines and bushes, and have low clucking calls.

· COUCALS - rather large long tailed birds with brown or black and chestnut plumage. Inhabit forest or secondary scrub and long grass; they are poor fliers. Have deep booming calls.

Adult: c.34cm. Back plus wings brown or rusty brown contrasting with grey crown and cheeks. Wings short; outer primaries not barred. Underside white (including chin) with dark breast spots and abdominal barring. Has a large yellow eye-ring. Tail dark brown narrowly tipped white, with rufous bands. Iris brown; feet yellow; bill blackish on upper mandible, pale yellow on lower.

Immature: more rufous above, head black; buffy-white below.

Habitat: an uncommon inconspicuous and very difficult to observe bird; probably more widespread than few records suggest. Most records are from mature secondary hill forest where it keeps mainly to the mid-story. Perches upright in leafy part of mid-story where difficult to see. One bird observed in the canopy of a leafless tree. Juvenile observed being fed by a Drongo in 1998 – this is the first record of the host species.

Voice: far carrying call series of 2 or 3 notes ka-ku or ka-ka-ku with second or third note being lower.

Adult: 29cm. Upperparts including rump and uppertail-coverts dark ashy-grey; blackish-grey unbarred tail, feathers tipped white. Chin and throat pale grey; lower breast & abdomen white barred black; vent creamy-white, little or no barring on undertail-coverts. Orbital ring yellow. Iris yellow; bill greyish with yellow gap; legs orange-yellow. Female - has rufous tinge to breast. Rufous morph, head & upperparts rufous with dark barring.

Immature: upperparts rufous-brown, heavily barred black; underparts whitish broadly barred black; narrow bars on throat and chin. Breast washed rufous.

Habitat: uncommon secretive visitor during the northern winter. Recorded from mature secondary forest where observed in the midstorey and canopy; also in thick scrubby habitats in the drier south of Buton. Flight hawk-like and swift.

[HORSFIELD'S CUCKOO Cuculus horsfieldi

Adult: 30-33cm. Virtually identical to C. saturatus (from which recently split). Larger with larger yellow eye-ring; iris yellow to brown. Bill black. Winters throughout Indonesia and may occur on Buton.]

Adult: 18-23.5cm. Head, throat and upper breast pale grey; mantle and wings darker grey-brown, lightly glossed green. Belly and vent pale rufous-buff; sharp demarcation between pale grey throat & rufous-buff lower breast. Graduated blackish tail with white tips and bars. Iris crimson (no yellow eye-ring); bill blackish above yellow below; legs pale yellow.

Immature: upperparts brown barred black including the crown; underparts whitish with fine black barring.

Habitat: on Buton the common cuckoo of more open habitats, grassland, scrub and open secondary forest. Easily overlooked except when singing.

Voice: usually a mournful rising 3-note whistle tay-ta-tee, followed by series of shorter slurred notes descending in pitch tee-tee-tee-tee-tita-tita-tita-tee.

Adult: 23cm. Head grey; back, wings and tail greyish-brown with a greenish wash. Underparts dark chestnut, feathers of upper breast washed grey; chin and throat greyish. Undertail barred black and buff, tail feathers tipped white. Yellow orbital ring in adults and juveniles. Iris brown; bill black with orange base to lower mandible; legs grey.

Immature: rich brown above with rather broad black barring. Chin to undertail-coverts white with bold black bars.

Habitat: widespread species, which is locally very common, although easily overlooked. Appears to frequents more forested habitats than the Plaintive Cuckoo although both can be found in the same forest.

Voice: c.7-8 mournful descending whistled notes fear-fear-fear (starts high becoming lower), also shrill rising 3-note phrase where's-the-tea.

Adult: 16cm. Greenish-bronze cuckoo; head browner than back. Has a conspicuous white eyebrow, brown curving ear-patch and grey-green eye-ring. Tail greenish-bronze; outer feathers reddish-brown at base. Underparts whitish with greenish-bronze bars on belly and flanks (broken in centre of abdomen) and streaking on throat. Iris brown; bill black; legs grey.

Immature: duller; plain grey-brown below with pale supercilium.

Habitat: recorded only during 1995.

Voice: high-pitched whistle, descending in scale, repeated endlessly feeooo-feeooo.

Adult: 15cm. Upperparts bronze-green, slightly greener on head and browner on wings. Head to mantle have a purplish iridescence; forecrown of male grey-brown. Underparts white with narrow spars bronze bars. Tail pale bronze-green with dark band at tip; undertail shows broad white and black bands on outer feathers. Red eye-ring. Iris red in male brown in female; bill blackish; legs grey.

Habitat: an uncommon bird, which seems to prefer mangroves and open forest. Usually solitary occasionally in pairs. Small active cuckoos which keep to the canopy where they are difficult to see.

Voice: accelerating, descending, high-pitched see-see-see.

Adult: 25cm. An all black cuckoo; in this form the head and wings are strongly glossed violet-purple. Tail square in this form with narrow white barring on underside of outer tail feathers plus on undertail-coverts; white bar on underwing. White thighs and small nuchal patch difficult to see in the field. Iris brown in male yellow in female; bill black (narrow); legs bluish-grey.

Immature: brownish-black with irregular white spots on head, wings & breast.

Habitat: a surprisingly common species on Buton being recorded from many squares surveyed during 1996. Frequents lowland and hill forest, forest edge, forest patches and mangroves. Keeps to the canopy where difficult to spot despite persistent calls.

Voice: loud clear whistles of 4-7 even spaced pi' notes on steadily ascending scale.

Adult: 43cm. Both sexes have black bills. Male - is wholly black with a blue-violet gloss. Female - is polymorphic. Some females resemble males but have a blue-green gloss. Others are brownish with pale malar-streak. Second type is dusky brown above with a rusty-fawn abdomen, with or without blackish barring; throat and chest blackish or grey. Third type has a blackish crown with rusty streaking; upperparts are barred rusty and black; chin is rusty with blackish streaks; underside fawn with blackish bars. Bill black; iris red.

Immature: wholly black or like 3rd type of female with head, neck & throat blue-black.

Habitat: forested lowlands including poor secondary forest and more open woodlands. A shy bird which keeps to dense cover in the canopy and mid-story where very difficult to see despite its size.

Voice: commonly heard in most lowland forests; often very noisy during the night. Most common call rising and falling wrr-wrr-wrr-wrr; also rising series of ko-el' produced by male, and crescendo of excited bubbling calls by both sexes.

Adult: 58-65cm. Huge grey cuckoo with very large conspicuous curved straw coloured bill. Red iris is surrounded by bare red facial skin. Long graduated tail with subterminal black band and white tip. Grey below, flanks barred. Feathers on back and wings tipped black. Legs grey. Immature - head & neck buff, bill dark grey.

Habitat: usually in pairs or small flocks in open forest. Shy bird keeping to tree-tops where often difficult to see despite large size. Attracted to fruiting fig trees. Particularly active in the morning and evening. Hawk-like in flight with slow regular wing-beats; pointed wings and long tail prominent.

Voice: extremely loud raucous calls drawn attention to it. Very loud, drawn-out, rising guttural scream crrRRRRAY, plus bubbling trumpeting.

Adult: 53cm. Throat to upper breast, mantle, back and wing-coverts chestnut. Crown and face grey; red orbital skin around eye. Rump, upper-tail coverts, lower breast and lower abdomen blackish-slate. Flight feathers & very long tail purplish blue-black; undertail-coverts black. Iris red; legs black. Bill strongly arched; yellow above tipped black with white spot, nostrel plus lower mandible red. This form is restricted to Buton: feathers above lores dark rufous not grey.

Habitat: a common to moderately common bird in forested habitats and areas of more mature scrub. Also found in open woodland and cultivation. A large clumsy bird which flops and crashes around in the mid-story searching for insects and lizards. Also noted creeping around in creeper tangles. Frequently associated with Macaques, 39 recorded following one group; also Bay Coucals.

Voice: has a mewing call plus a characteristic rattling call, which rises and falls in pitch. Calls quiet and difficult to hear unless close by.

Adult: 32-38cm. Unmistakable; all black plumage except for pale rufous-brown wings. Non-breeding plumage barred brown above, rufous-white below with dusky bars.

Habitat: common in open country, grassland, scrub and cultivation. Heard more often than seen. Call is characteristic of open areas on Buton - series of hollow booh-booh, breaking into tinkling cadescence.

Voice:

Adult: 44-50cm. Walnut brown, drabber on head and lighter below. Wings and elongated tail wine-rufous. This form head, back & breast more reddish than nominate. Iris reddish-brown; legs black; bill black (paler partly horned coloured in immature). Immature: paler throat & breast; iris light grey.

Habitat: lowland forest, riverine forest plus clumps of trees in open areas. A common bird of the forest understory where it is difficult to see. In pairs or small family groups.

Voice: characteristic sound of Buton's forests. Series of mournful 'boob-boob-boob' notes which vary in pitch and speed; usually truncated abruptly after a few notes. Different groups, plus individuals within groups, competing with each other.

Six (possibly 7) species recorded from Buton - 3 endemic.

Generally dull coloured, grey or black and white with rather long somewhat pointed wings and rather long rounded tails. Frequent tree tops and sub-canopy of forest and secondary growth. All have strong hooked bills for catching insects. Cuckoo-shrikes have soft, fluffy feathers and short legs. Most species are noisy and conspicuous, flocking birds of the forest canopy. Cuckoo-shrikes all flick their wings after perching.

· TYPICAL CUCKOO-SHRIKES - medium sized, usually blue-grey with varying amounts of black. Sexes often differ. Most are easily observed, being seen in noisy flocks.

· TRILLERS - small birds with marked sexual dimorphism. Males are black and white while females are dull grey-brown with little or no black. Arboreal birds keeping to the canopy. Have loud distinctive calls.

(CAERULEAN CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina temminckii

Adult: 30.5cm. General colour dark grey with bluish tinge; primaries black. Lores and chin black. Iris pale yellow or pearl-grey; bill and legs blackish. C. t. rileyi (C & SE Sulawesi) paler blue-grey.

Immature: White tips to tail and inner remiges. Bill tipped horn-coloured.

Habitat: On the mainland inhabits primary and tall secondary hill and montane forest, 100-2200m (mainly above 500m). Forages in the crowns of tall trees. Reported in 1998.)

Adult: male 32cm, female 29cm. Male - unmistakable, glossy black upperparts and tail; white underparts, lower back and rump. Female - wings and tail black; rest upperparts grey. Lores black. Throat and chest pale grey; rest underparts plus lower back & rump white. Flanks and rump flecked with pale grey. Iris brown; bill blue-grey; legs black.

Habitat: canopy of lowland forest and margins; generally in pairs. Local and uncommon.

Adult: 25-29cm. Head, back and wings pale grey; primaries black. Distinct white supercilium; forehead & lores black resembling mask (female lacks black lores and chin). Throat whitish; breast whitish-grey. Belly, under-tail coverts and lower rump white. Tail black. Iris yellow; bill black - straighter and thinner than C. bicolor; legs black.

Immature: has dusky mottling above plus on breast and dark brown iris.

Habitat: common bird of open forest, mangroves, cultivated areas and areas of scrub. Less common in lowland forest. Encountered in pairs and small parties.

Voice: very vocal bird especially in flight; produces harsh shraik shraik' call.

Adult: 24cm. Male - general plumage is bluish-grey; black lores and blackish face plus dusky throat. Secondaries have pale edgings; primaries are black. Tail grey. Differs to C. morio in being larger and blacker; longer-billed; paler edgings to secondaries and wing-coverts. Female - ashy grey crown; pale eyebrow; greyish-brown back; dark brown wings edged light reddish-brown. Greyish rump is faintly barred. Underparts buffy with sparse broken black barring. Iris & feet blackish; slender black bill.

Habitat: similar to C. morio frequenting lowland forest plus more open woodland.

Voice: series of jumbled 3-4 short burry notes ch-ch-ch repeated 3 times per second for 30 seconds.

Adult: 22-25cm. Male - general plumage is a dark bluish-slaty colour. Lores, face and throat black. Flight feathers black, secondaries and wing-coverts edges paler grey. Central tail feathers slaty grey with black terminal band; outer tail feathers black. Female - pale grey above with pale grey edges to wing-coverts and secondaries. Underparts cinnamon or deep olivaceous, barred with black; throat has some white feathers and is finely barred black. Black stripe from lores through and behind eye. Iris dark brown; bill & legs black.

Habitat: lowland forest including margins and forest patches. Usually in pairs in the canopy or midstorey.

Voice: gives a buzzy cicada like call. Also brief bursts of excited high-pitched piercing nasal ki notes. Often more than one bird calling.

Adult: 17cm. Male - upperparts black with bluish gloss; rump white. Underparts are greyish-white. Lesser wing coverts black; greater wing coverts black edged white; secondaries mostly black with few white feathers; primaries black. Tail feathers black edged white. White supercilium plus black eye stripe. Female - black crown plus eye stripe; white supercilium. Mantle, back and upper-wing coverts are brownish-grey. Faint grey barring on sides of breast and flanks. Iris, bill & legs black.

Habitat: lowland secondary forest and forest margins; usually in pairs.