Black-throated Babbler
Stachyris nigricollis
Like many other babblers, this is a handsome bird but difficult to see well, as it forages in dense vegetation. Bright rufous above and gray below, with a black throat and bright white brow and circular spot at the base of the bill. Inhabits primary and secondary growth, including wet, swampy areas and weedy plantations from lowlands up into the foothills. Song is a series of rapidfire, resonant-sounding hoots. Calls include an array of loud, insistent chattering and rattling notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Stachyris nigricollis
- Authority
- (Temminck, 1836)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Stachyris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-necklaced Partridge
Arborophila gingica
Striking small game bird of heavily forested hills and mountains. Typically shy and difficult to see in the dark understory, but its loud, haunting song carries across long distances. This species has a prominent white necklace, but its orange throat, blueish-gray belly, and bright wing stripes are often more visible from a distance.
Roraiman Nightjar
Tepuiornis whitelyi
A medium-sized, dark nightjar of tepui highlands, difficult to identify by plumage alone. Cryptically patterned with dark brown and gray accented with buffy and whitish bars and spots. Male has a white band in the wing, which the female lacks. Uncommon, found in humid forest and edges, as well as humid scrub close to forested areas. Distinctive voice is a hoarse whistle “whoEEuuu”, given repeatedly. Larger than the similar Band-winged Nightjar, and smaller than Blackish Nightjar, but best identified by voice and habitat.
Kungwe Apalis
Apalis argentea
Plain apalis with gray upperparts and white underparts. Very localized and poorly known species of montane forest of the Albertine Rift. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations are not well documented, but does give a single, repeated “trrik” note as well as a more two-part “tri-ka” note. Very similar to Gray Apalis, but separated by the paler head which lacks brown tones.
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