Taita Apalis
Apalis fuscigularis
A slim, dark, long-tailed member of the cisticola family. Mostly gray-brown with a black throat and a pale gray belly. Also note the white eye and the white outer tail feathers. Inhabits a tiny range in remnant scraps of montane forest on the Taita Hills of Kenya, mostly along forest edge and in the undergrowth. Somewhat similar to Black-headed Apalis, but easily separated by the dark rather than white throat. The typical song is a duet in which the male gives repeated low “chrup” notes while the female gives rapid-fire higher notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Apalis fuscigularis
- Authority
- Moreau, 1938
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Apalis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Green-faced Parrotfinch
Erythrura viridifacies
A small bird of montane forest and scrub. Feeds on seeding bamboo. Green above with bright red rump and uppertail, pale blue underparts, and a whitish lower belly. Note the pinkish legs and thick black bill. Female is similar to the male but slightly duller. The only bird of a similar size and color in its range is Philippine Hanging-Parrot, which has a hooked red bill. Gives quiet “chink” calls.
Emerald Tanager
Tangara florida
Well-named tanager, mostly emerald-green with trapezoidal black cheek patch, back streaking and wing markings. Small and active, usually found in pairs following mixed feeding flocks in foothill forests and edges. Feeds on fruit. Sexes alike.
Long-tailed Myna
Mino kreffti
An unmistakable very large starling. Mostly glossy purplish-black with stunning large bright yellow bare facial skin and bill. In flight, white rump and white wing patches are obvious. Found in forest edge, forest, and secondary growth below 1000 meters of elevation. Voice consists of a varied chorus of whistles and squawks.
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