Leaf-love
Phyllastrephus scandens
A large and relatively colorful greenbul of humid forests. The back is rusty-brown, the underparts buffy, the tail brick red, the head mostly gray, and the throat white. Found in rainforest, swamp forest, and gallery forest, mostly in wet areas near water, usually in small groups that vocalize frequently. The vocalizations, often given in chorus, are a series of gabbling “chowp” notes and a faster, babbler-like series. The voice can be very similar to those of Yellow-throated and Swamp Greenbuls.
Taxonomy
Although originally described in the genus Phyllastrephus, the red-tailed leaflove was briefly transferred to the former genus Pyrrhurus (now subsumed into Phyllastrephus) during the period 2009-2010 by the IOC. Some other authorities continue to classify the red-tailed leaflove in the genus Pyrrhurus. Alternate names for the red-tailed leaflove include the African leaflove, common leaflove, leaflove and plain leaflove.<p>Two subspecies are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Phyllastrephus scandens
- Authority
- Swainson, 1837
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Phyllastrephus
Range and habitat
The red-tailed leaflove is found across western and central Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and moist savanna.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black Lark
Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
Adult male is coal-black in worn plumage--unique amongst larks; in fresh plumage blackish feathers are edged in pale scaling. Female is duller and less distinctive: streaky gray-brown overall with a paler throat and belly and a stoutly pointed pinkish bill. Found in grassy steppe, particularly in areas interspersed with scattered shrubbery or wet patches; generally does not use agricultural lands, but can be found in association with domesticated livestock in the winter. Forages on the ground and flocks during colder months. Song is a long-winded series of drawn-out whistles, warbles, and chatters. Calls include various buzzy and squeaky notes.
Paperbark Flycatcher
Myiagra nana
A sturdy songbird with fairly long tail, substantial bill. Glossy black above, bright white below. Female may show a buffy patch on upper breast. Similar to Restless Flycatcher; best identified by range. Inhabits wetlands, foraging near the ground/water. Compare Willie Wagtail. Calls loudly with a clear whistled "tui-tui-tui” and an incomparable buzzing scissors-grinder sound.
Rufous-naped Bellbird
Aleadryas rufinucha
A medium-sized, plump bird of mid-montane forest understory. Distinctively patterned with an olive body, yellow throat, black moustache, white chest and gray face with rufous at the back of the head. Note the pale, beady eye. Some areas have a white forehead. Unique adult coloration with no similar species. Juvenile is olive above and rufous below. Voice, various piping notes, including a flat note repeated quickly like Piping Bellbird, or an upslurred one. Also rasping notes.
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