Olive-backed Forest Robin

Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus

Localized species found only in lowland rainforest south of the River Ogooué in Gabon, and possibly also in adjacent Congo. A short-tailed understory robin with a bright orange throat. Also shows a dark-green back, mostly gray face, pale-yellow belly, and a white spot in front of the eye. Vocalizations seem to differ from other forest robins, though more study is needed. One vocalization is a chirp note, followed by a series of modulated notes. Another is a series of phrases, which are continually repeated. May occur alongside very similar Orange-breasted Forest Robin, but distinguished by the green rather than brownish back, and the yellowish rather than whitish belly. Can also be confused with Lowland Akalat, but always distinguished by the white spot in front of the eye, as well as the dark-green rather than rufous-brown back, and the yellowish rather than white belly.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Stiphrornis pyrrholaemus
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Modulatricidae
Genus
Stiphrornis

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Rock Firefinch

Rock Firefinch

Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis

A small brown and reddish waxbill with a blue-gray and black bill, and black under the tail. There are a few white spots along the shoulder. Found mainly in dry, rocky habitat with grass and bushes, but also ventures into savanna and galley forest habitats during the dry season. Usually in pairs or small groups. Very similar to African Firefinch, but has a more two-toned bill, is brighter overall, and has a more reddish back in both sexes. Also similar to Black-bellied Firefinch, but has less extensive black on the belly, and males are further separated by the gray patch on top of their head. Vocalizations include soft “teew” whistles, a descending trill, “tep” notes, and “pit-pit-pit” calls. 

Black-crowned Monjita

Black-crowned Monjita

Neoxolmis coronatus

Large flycatcher of open grasslands. Usually easily detected, as it perched on top of fences, wires, bushes, and exposed branches of small trees, and sometimes forages on the ground. Note the blackish wings and top of the head, and the dark lines between the eyes and the ear-coverts, which distinguish it from the other species of the genus in the region. 

Violaceous Quail-Dove

Violaceous Quail-Dove

Geotrygon violacea

A plump ground-dwelling dove with a large but patchy distribution from Nicaragua to southern Brazil. Relatively plain-looking for a quail-dove, with pale underparts and a blank face. Note rufous wings and purple sheen on nape and back. Ruddy Quail-Dove is darker, richer brown, especially on the head and underparts. Shy and infrequently seen, although may be seen walking along quiet trails early and late in the day. Somewhat arboreal, often perching up in the lower to middle levels. Typically found in mature forests or adjacent second-growth.

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