Unusual song and collected poo confirms obscure Asian bird species brown-streaked flycatcher found in Australia

It started with a strange song, but it was only after a DNA test of a poo that bird researchers have been able to confirm Australia’s first record of an obscure Asian bird, rarely seen even in its native range.

In October 2020, Parks and Wildlife conservation scientist Bruce Greatwich was at Sandfire Roadhouse, a rugged and heat-blasted speck on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, 300 kilometres south of Broome.

He was taking a break from his work when he…