Grauer's Broadbill
Pseudocalyptomena graueri
A unique dumpy green flycatcher-like broadbill with a buffy crown, a black eye-stripe, and a powder-blue throat and vent. Juvenile duller. A scarce resident found singly and in pairs in the lower canopy and at middle levels of primary Albertine Rift Forest between 1760 and 2500 meters of elevation, preferring the edges of clearings. Highly localized, occurring in two isolated populations in Bwindi (Uganda) and Itombwe/Kahuzi (Democratic Republic of Congo), and inexplicably absent from ideal intervening habitat. May join flocks, but inconspicuous unless calling its soft high-pitched tinny “tsit-tsit,” repeated multiple times, and a rapid “tseet-tsit-tsit-sit-sit-it-it” in flight.
Identification
It is bright green with a blue throat and vent and a small bill, quite unlike those of other broadbill species. Adults have finely black-streaked buff crowns and narrow black eyestripes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pseudocalyptomena graueri
- Authority
- Rothschild, 1909
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Calyptomenidae
- Genus
- Pseudocalyptomena
Range and habitat
It occurs in tropical moist montane forest, and is endemic to the Albertine Rift Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. In Uganda it is a rare resident at 2,100 to 2,200 metres in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Density is probably less than one individual per km2.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Altai Accentor
Prunella himalayana
Gray-brown overall with orange streaks on the breast and a white throat bordered by a thin black outline. Similar to Alpine Accentor, but darker and more extensively streaked. A common inhabitant of rocky alpine plateaus, meadows, and mountain slopes. Typically forages singly, but is often found in high numbers around campsites and towns where they scrounge for scraps.
Buckley's Forest-Falcon
Micrastur buckleyi
Elusive falcon of lowland and foothill rainforest east of the Andes. Note black upperparts, white underparts, white hindcollar, and dull yellow face. Female may show white spots on wings. Immature is barred underneath with brownish nape. Adult is very similar to pale morph Collared Forest-Falcon but slightly smaller; ID is best confirmed by voice. Typical song of Buckley’s is “kawah, koh”, sometimes followed by a lower “koh” note. Usually stays inside forest and is infrequently seen.
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus regina
Tiny green and yellow dove. Yellow-orange belly and vent (note Superb Fruit-Dove has a white belly and vent). Pink forehead, gray face and neck, and often a pinkish area on upper belly. Found in rainforests, but also in coastal vine forest. This species calls frequently, and typically with a long series of gradually accelerating notes.
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