Common Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre)

So named because of its Cicada-like buzzing calls. Widespread in Eastern Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia this highly variable member of the Cuckooshrike family (Campephagidae) exhibits strong sexual dimorphism. The male is almost entirely gray but females are geographically variable. This female has an overall rufous brown plumage and lacks barring below. Based on range it is presumably the race "E. t. obiense" However it has a gray crown which is a feature of "E. t. pelingi" of Banggai Is (Peleng, Banggai) off E Sulawesi. This subspecies group is sometimes split as a full species under the name "Obi Cicadabird." There is apparently no published information on the diet of this population but we observed this one eating a katydid. Sometimes called Slender-billed Cicadabird and formerly placed in the genus "Coracina".