Green-breasted Bushshrike
Malaconotus gladiator
A large, robust bushshrike with a massive head, a chunky hook-tipped black bill, and a pale eye; plumage is dull uniform olive, paler underneath, and head is gray. An uncommon resident endemic to the Cameroon-Nigeria highlands, found singly and in pairs in the canopy and at middle levels of primary hill and montane forest between 930 and 2300 meters of elevation, preferring steep slopes. Gives a low-pitched extended sorrowful “whhooooooo-lwe” song up to 10–15 times in succession, along with harsh clicks and rasps. Other similar large bushshrikes are yellow or orange underneath.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Malaconotus gladiator
- Authority
- (Reichenow, 1893)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Genus
- Malaconotus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bougainville Crow
Corvus meeki
A medium-sized entirely black crow with bluish gloss on the head and purple gloss on the upperparts. Bill very large with a strongly arched top edge. Tail relatively short and narrow. Found in rainforest up to 1600 meters of elevation, commonly along forest edge, sometimes in coconut plantations. Most common calls are high-pitched caw notes.
Puerto Rican Owl
Gymnasio nudipes
A small nocturnal species of most wooded habitats including suburban areas and parks. During the day it roosts in tree cavities or dense vegetation. Note that this species comes in two color forms: rust and gray. Both morphs have prominent eyebrows and the facial discs are bordered below and behind by white. The “ears” are not always visible. Occasionally sings during the day. Song is a low tremulous trill, typically growing louder towards the middle and softer towards the end, which is sometimes followed by a low cackle. Pairs sometimes duet; female song is higher-pitched. No similar species within its range.
Madagascar Owl
Asio madagascariensis
Fairly large, brown owl with long ear tufts. Endemic to Madagascar, where it is found locally in all forest types, and sometimes in scrub and plantations. Usually roosts high in a tree, often in an introduced pine tree. Call is a series of nasal barks, similar to White-browed Owl but less quick and emphatic. Similar in size to Marsh Owl, but has prominent ear tufts and a pale chest with fine streaks. Much larger than Malagasy and Torotoroka Scops-Owls.
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