Blue-throated Brown Sunbird
Cyanomitra cyanolaema
Large, dark, long-billed sunbird. The male has an iridescent blue patch on the forehead and throat, though this can be hard to see in poor light. The yellow shoulder tufts are usually hidden. The female is drab, but has a distinctively white-striped face. Found in the canopy of low- and middle-elevation rainforest. Distinctive call is a quick, descending series of several high notes. Male is separated from similar sunbirds by more restricted blue on the face.
Identification
The blue-throated brown sunbird (Cyanomitra cyanolaema) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is widespread across the African tropical rainforest.
Taxonomy
Genus: Cyanomitra; Family: Nectariniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Cyanomitra cyanolaema
- Authority
- (Jardine & Fraser, 1852)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cyanomitra
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
African Hawk-Eagle
Aquila spilogaster
A medium-sized, boldly-patterned, dark-and-white eagle. In flight the underwing is brown and white with a thick black hind edge, and the tail is mostly pale gray with a thick dark bar at the end; these combine to give it a unique plumage pattern in flight. Immature birds have entirely rufous underparts, including the underwings. Resident in semi-arid rangelands, savanna, and riverine forest, where it primarily hunts birds; francolins and guineafowls are favored. Fairly quiet, but occasionally utters a distinctive melodious “klooeee”.
White-chinned Prinia
Schistolais leucopogon
Unusual, broad-tailed prinia with a white throat. Also note the black cheek and white in the outer tail. Found in the thick understory of forest, overgrown cultivation, and edge habitats. Usually in small, active groups. The vocalizations include high-pitched “tew” and “tsik” notes which are usually repeated rapidly in chorus by a whole group. Similar to some apalis species, but distinguished by the gray underparts with a well-defined white throat.
Bare-eyed Antbird
Rhegmatorhina gymnops
Fantastic-looking antbird with a bold whitish bare eye-ring and a restricted range. Males have a black head and breast, and are otherwise cinnamon-brown; females are duller around the head, but otherwise also cinnamon. Occurs in the understory of humid forest, where almost invariably found attending army-ant swarms. Song is a short series of high descending notes, ending in a harsh “churr.”
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