Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Pogoniulus chrysoconus
A tiny barbet with strongly speckled and streaked upperparts, uniformly lemon-colored underparts, and a distinctive yellow-gold forehead patch. Pairs occupy dry savanna, broadleaved woodland, and montane forest, where they forage mostly for small fruit. It has a distinctive repetitive “pok-pok-pok” call that can last for minutes and is often the first sign that a bird is present. Red-fronted Tinkerbird is almost identical but has a bright red (not yellow-gold) forehead patch, and its similar call is faster-paced and higher-pitched.
Identification
The yellow-fronted tinkerbird is approximately 11 cm (4.3 in) in length. It is plump, with a short neck, large head, and short tail. The adult has black upperparts heavily streaked with yellow and white. Its head has a strong black and white pattern, with a yellow forecrown spot. The underparts and rump are lemon yellow. Both sexes are similar in appearance, but young birds have a differentiating dark crown that lacks the distinct yellow spot.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pogoniulus chrysoconus
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1832)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Lybiidae
- Genus
- Pogoniulus
Range and habitat
The yellow-fronted tinkerbird is a widespread and frequently common resident breeder in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It is associated with mesic, open to closed broadleaved or mixed woodlands and scrub. It is found in riparian vegetation but occurs only sparsely in dry savanna and teak woodlands.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Brown-necked Raven
Corvus ruficollis
Large and black, almost as big as Common Raven. Its namesake brown neck is only visible at close range in specific lighting conditions. Bill is slightly thinner, tail shorter and less wedge-shaped, and the call is less deep and throaty compared to Common Raven. Found exclusively in arid zones where it breeds on cliffs, trees, and pylons. Moves around in pairs or small groups, but may congregate at abundant food sources in larger groups.
Bahia Tapaculo
Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
Small, retiring bird, gray above and white below with an unbarred cinnamon vent. Occurs in a few remaining fragments of humid forest with dense understory, often near water, across a very restricted range. The song is a low trill, repeated continually.
Pale-vented Pigeon
Patagioenas cayennensis
Large pigeon of marshy savannas, riversides, open areas with scattered trees, locally even in towns, such as Villahermosa, Mexico. Gray head contrasts with pinkish body, and whitish belly does not contrast strongly with plain grayish tail; compare darker Red-billed Pigeon, which often occurs in same areas but prefers drier and more forested habitats. Also note black bill of Pale-vented, and subtly distinctive song: after long introductory coo, repeated phrase is typically a 3-syllable "who’koo-koo", unlike 4-syllable "oo’koo-koo-koo" of Red-billed.
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