Straw-tailed Whydah
Vidua fischeri
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Purple Grenadiers. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab. Breeding males are mostly black, with golden-buff coloring on the cap, the belly, and the elongated central tail feathers. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, a golden-buff head, and a red bill. Found in rather dry savanna and cultivated areas. Non-breeding male and female can be identified by their red bill and their almost unmarked plain buff head. Not very vocal, but does imitate Purple Grenadier, and gives a quick jumble of high-pitched whistled notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vidua fischeri
- Authority
- (Reichenow, 1882)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Viduidae
- Genus
- Vidua
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blue-mantled Thornbill
Chalcostigma stanleyi
Very dark hummingbird with a long tail and a short straight bill. Dark brownish overall with a steely-blue iridescence on the back and tail. The iridescent green-and-pink throat patch is only visible at some angles. Occurs at very high elevations from Ecuador to Bolivia, especially at the edge of Polylepis woodlands and other shrubby areas above 3,600 m. Occasionally feeds from flowers on the ground, but more often seen perched atop a shrub. Few other hummingbirds occur at such high elevations, so this thornbill is unlikely to be confused.
Savannah Sparrow
Passerculus sandwichensis
A medium-sized, short-tailed sparrow. Extensive plumage variation across range, but always streaky. Usually shows distinctive yellow patch in front of eye, but this can be indistinct or absent on some individuals. Some populations in California and Baja have larger bills and more muted gray streaking; others are very dark and boldly streaked. “Ipswich” Sparrow on the Atlantic Coast is paler with unique buffy-pinkish tones. Almost always found in open areas, from meadows and hayfields to tundra and coastal dunes. Tends to be found in more open habitats than Song Sparrow; also smaller and shorter-tailed.
Calabarzon Babbler
Sterrhoptilus affinis
A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge; endemic to Luzon, though lumped with Visayan Babbler under “Black-crowned Babbler” by some taxonomies. Has a gray back and cheek with fine pale streaks, dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, white underparts, a pale rufous throat, and a black crown. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to Green-backed Whistler, especially from below, but smaller, with a pale rufous throat and a black crown. Voice includes a medium-pitched “poo piuu!” with the second note downslurred.
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