Somali Thrush
Turdus ludoviciae
A typical thrush in shape and size, but with unusually dark coloration. Mostly blackish with a paler gray belly and yellow-orange bill, eye-ring, and legs. Females are slightly paler and show some mottled streaking on the throat and breast. Found locally in juniper and hagenia woodland in the mountains of northern Somalia. The vocalizations are poorly known, but it gives a typical thrush song and harsh “chk-chk” calls.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Turdus ludoviciae
- Authority
- (Lort Phillips, 1895)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Turdidae
- Genus
- Turdus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Marsh Tapaculo
Scytalopus iraiensis
Small, dark ash-gray tapaculo. Note the unbarred dark brown vent. Occurs in marshy areas with dense tall grasses and sedges, where usually devilishly difficult to see. The song is a long (c. 30 seconds) repetition of “tchek” notes.
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Hydrobates furcatus
Unique among storm-petrels in having an entirely silvery-gray plumage. Aside from overall plumage color, look for contrasting dark underwings, dark mask around eye, and deeply forked tail. Breeds on offshore islands across the North Pacific, from Japan to California. Fairly common over cool water, often not far from shore. Found singly or in large flocks, often mixed with other storm-petrels.
Jameson's Antpecker
Parmoptila jamesoni
A small, slender-billed, warbler-like waxbill with pinkish-brown legs and different-looking sexes: the male has a red forehead, dull brown upperparts, and a rusty-chestnut face and underparts, while the female has a tawny-brown face and cheeks, pale buff underparts with scattered dark chevrons, and dull brown upperparts. Pairs and small groups forage by themselves or in mixed-species flocks, in the understory and middle levels of primary, secondary, and gallery forest, often near water. Eats insects, with a fondness for ants. Call is a high-pitched, downslurred “whseet.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.