A cryptic species of treehunter from northeastern Brazil, a small passerine bird from the Brazilian state Bahia and two tiny birds from Indonesia are among new species of birds described in the past year.

1. Cryptic treehunter (Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti) from Brazil:

The Cryptic treehunter is a member of the South American bird family Furnariidae (ovenbirds).

It is about 22 cm long, with the tail accounting for more than one-third of the length, and weighs about 48 g.

According to ornithologists, it is one of the rarest birds in the world.

It is known from only two sites in northeastern Brazil – the type locality at Murici in the state of Alagoas, and Frei Caneca in the state of Pernambuco.

Based on intensive fieldwork at Murici as part of the conservation project of BirdLife International Brazil Programme, the ornithologists said, we estimated that a maximum of 5-10 pairs may have existed in the entire reserve in 2004; however, the number of birds remaining is likely lower. At Frei Caneca, we estimate that no more than one or two pairs survive.

2. Sulawesi streaked flycatcher (Muscicapa sodhii) from Indonesia:

The Sulawesi streaked flycatcher belongs to Muscicapa, a genus of passerine birds in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.

This species has a body weight of about 12.5 g. The wing length (flattened) is 6.4 cm and the tail length is 4.5 cm.

It is widely distributed in lowland and submontane forest throughout the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

3. Bahian mouse-colored tapaculo (Scytalopus gonzagai) from Brazil:

The Bahian mouse-colored tapaculo measures an average of 12 cm in length and weighs an average of 15 g.

It belongs to Scytalopus, a genus of small passerine birds in the family Rhinocryptidae.

It is a difficult-to-see creature living mostly among the dark, dense plant cover of humid places.

4. Wakatobi flowerpecker (Dicaeum kuehni) from Indonesia:

The Wakatobi flowerpecker belongs to Dicaeum, a genus in the flowerpecker family Dicaeidae.

It is a very tiny songbird, measuring 12 cm and weighing 7 g. It is endemic to the Wakatobi Islands of Indonesia.

5. Elachuridae, a new bird family from Asia:

Elachuridae is represented by just one species – the Spotted wren-babbler (Elachura formosa).

This species is a small perching bird found in China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

It measures about 10 cm in length and has a short tail. It is brown above, white below, with rufous wings. It also has white speckles all over its body.