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
Long-tailed Wood-Partridge
Dendrortyx macroura
Very elusive, chickenlike bird of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forests in the highlands of central Mexico. Usually in pairs or small groups on the forest floor; may be seen beside quiet trails and roads early and late in the day. Runs away quickly and rarely flies. Note the white stripes on black head, red bill and eyering, and overall gray-brown body; tail often held cocked, like a chicken. Loud rollicking songs are given mainly early and late in the day and most often reveal its presence.
Kidepo Lark
Corypha kidepoensis
A large lark with a long, strong bill and a long tail. Back is scaly-looking and underparts pale, with a black mark on the side of the breast. The wings show rufous in flight. Found locally in dry and open savanna. Similar to Red-winged Lark, from which it was recently split, but does not overlap in range. The song is a variable but repetitive mix of whistled notes and imitations of other species, usually given from the top of a bush, but sometimes in flight.
White-throated Flycatcher
Empidonax albigularis
Rather drab, small flycatcher of marshes and semiopen areas with bushes and hedges; winters mainly in lowland marshes. Flicks tail upward when perched. Looks similar to several other species in the genus Empidonax. Best identified by its distinctive call: a burry, slightly sneezy “rreeah,” quite different from Willow Flycatcher, which often occurs alongside White-throated in winter. Also note the whitish throat, buffy wingbars and flanks, and the lack of a distinct pale eyering.
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