Green-backed Twinspot
Mandingoa nitidula
Small, chunky, dark green waxbill with bright white “twin spots” across the black belly. The male has a red face, and the female a yellowish one. Found in and around forest, where it prefers dense tangles and openings with seeding grass. Distinctive call is a short, high trill, often given in flight. The rarely heard song is a complex mix of many different call types. Superficially similar to Green-winged Pytilia, but smaller, prefers forest rather than savanna habitat, and does not have a red tail.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Mandingoa nitidula
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1865)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Mandingoa
Range and habitat
The green-backed twinspot inhabits lowland moist forests of the tropical region. It may also be found in grassland and shrubland habitats.<p>Males are distinguished from females by their bright red facial feathers. Females have an olive-green face and darker (almost black) beak.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-winged Pytilia
Pytilia phoenicoptera
An unusual and pretty member of the waxbill family. Shows fine pale barring below, mostly deep red wings, and a red rump and tail. Females are paler gray. Found in moist broadleaf woodland, savanna, and thickets. Generally uncommon and inconspicuous, singly or in pairs. Sometimes joins flocks with other birds. Similar to Green-winged and Red-faced Pytilias, but separated by the red wing. The calls are short trills and a rising “spink” note. The song is a mix of higher whistles and lower growling notes.
Willard's Sooty Boubou
Laniarius willardi
Mid-sized bushshrike that is completely black with pale blue-gray eyes. Found in the undergrowth of humid forest at moderate elevations. A skilled skulker that is most often detected by voice. The most distinctive vocalization is a series of four bell-like whistles; also gives low scolding notes. Very similar to Albertine Boubou, but prefers lower-elevation forest and has a pale eye.
Greater Hoopoe-Lark
Alaemon alaudipes
A unique, large desert lark. On the ground, plumage is unimpressive with spotted breast and overall sandy tones, but in flight a magnificent white-and-black pattern is exposed. Males are slightly brighter-patterned than females. Bill is long and downcurved. Constantly runs on its long legs. Breeds on sandy and stony plains and low hills. Resident or nomadic. Song is a beautiful ascending series on flutey whistles followed by a descending trill; often given in a dramatic vertical display flight.
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