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

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Forest Bittern

Zonerodius heliosylus

A large, shy bird of forest streams in the lowlands and foothills. Strong barring apart from white belly. Note the dagger-shaped bill with a broad base, striking yellow eyes and yellow legs. Solitary and feeds on small fish and crustaceans in streams. Flies up and perches in trees when flushed. Similar to the juvenile Rufous Night-Heron but found in more forested environments and has barring rather than streaks and spots. Normally silent.

Channel-billed Toucan

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Ramphastos vitellinus

Large toucan, widespread across South American lowlands. Mostly black with a dark bill (although some populations have a yellow ridge on top of the bill). Significant plumage variation across range: throat color varies from white to orange; bare skin around eye varies from blue to red. In the western part of its range, appearance is very similar to White-throated Toucan, but note voice: a grating croak, not a clear yelp. Singles, pairs, or small flocks are found in the forest canopy, often around fruiting trees. Named for the groove along the upper part of the bill, which is difficult to see in the field.

Puvel's Illadopsis

Puvel's Illadopsis

Illadopsis puveli

A mid-sized, chunky, drably colored babbler. Has a white throat and pale gray underparts that are usually washed with buff. Found in the understory of gallery forest and thick bush, usually in pairs. Shy and skulking, and rarely seen unless searched for. Similar to other illadopsises, and best located and distinguished by voice. Visually most similar to Rufous-winged Illadopsis, but found in different habitat, slightly larger, and usually buffy on the underparts. Paler below than Brown or Pale-breasted Illadopsises. Most often detected by distinctive voice: a series of several whistles in an up then down pattern that is weirdly reminiscent of trying to start a car, similar to the song of Rufous-winged Illadopsis, but higher-pitched and slightly more rambling and variable, with more notes in each phrase

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