Gray-chested Babbler

Kakamega poliothorax

Unusual thrush-like bird with bright reddish-brown upperparts and gray underparts. Found in the understory of montane forest, often in thick and moist areas. Sometimes follows ant swarms. Generally very shy and difficult to see. Usually detected by song, a pretty series of pinched whistles; also gives quick series of agitated “jray” calls. Similar to illadopsises, but distinguished by the brighter back coloration and completely gray underparts.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Kakamega poliothorax
Authority
(Reichenow, 1900)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Modulatricidae
Genus
Kakamega

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pohnpei Flycatcher

Pohnpei Flycatcher

Myiagra pluto

Small monarch flycatcher with uniformly dark glossy plumage. Endemic to Pohnpei Island, where it is the only small all-dark bird on the island; male Micronesian Starling is also glossy and dark, but is much larger, with yellow eyes. Inhabits forests and forest edges, often “flycatching” from a perch close to the ground. Gives a series of bright rising whistles, as well as a squeaky descending chatter and harsh rasping notes.

White-throated Screech-Owl

White-throated Screech-Owl

Megascops albogularis

Large screech-owl found in temperate forests, typically from around 2,300–3,400 m. Quite dark brown overall with small pale spots and bars covering head, back, and wings. Belly is paler tawny with dark streaks. White throat patch is usually obvious. Sexes similar. Strictly nocturnal and thus more often heard than seen; listen for a fairly short and slow series of toots that descends in pitch, often given as a duet.

Preuss's Weaver

Preuss's Weaver

Ploceus preussi

A yellow-and-black weaver with a distinctive golden-chestnut crown and a yellow back that extends to the upper tail. The forehead of the male is golden-chestnut, while that of the female is black. Juvenile has a yellow-olive head and a pale bill. An uncommon resident in primary and secondary forest, often joining mixed-species flocks and clambering along tree trunks like a nuthatch. Often found in pairs. Mostly silent, but a harsh “chwep” call has been recorded. Yellow-capped Weaver is similar to Preuss’s but has a dark lower back and rump and does not creep along branches and trunks; Brown-capped Weaver has a dark crown and prefers the mountains. 

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