Emerald Starling

Lamprotornis iris

A beautiful and distinctive starling that is mainly iridescent green, with a purple iridescent cheek patch and belly. In poor light, can look black. Also note the dark eye. Found locally in lush savanna and woodland, usually in small groups that often perch up in dead trees. Somewhat similar to some other glossy savanna-dwelling starlings, but smaller than most, and easily separated by the bright green plumage and the dark eye. The vocalizations include nasal and squeaky calls. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Lamprotornis iris
Authority
(Oustalet, 1879)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Sturnidae
Genus
Lamprotornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
unknown

Photos

Distribution

Other Birds

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus brevirostris

Rather large headed and overall greenish flycatcher of humid tropical and subtropical forest; infrequently encountered. Inconspicuous, usually perching rather upright and quietly at mid-levels in the forest interior, rarely at edges; does not flick its wings or tail. Plumage relatively distinctive, with a contrasting, complete whitish eyering set in a pale grayish face. Lacks any distinct pale wingbars. Call is a high, shrill, insect-like note that does not draw attention.

Ornate Melidectes

Ornate Melidectes

Melidectes torquatus

A common and fairly large honeyeater of lower and mid-montane forest and clearings. Distinctively patterned with a black back scaled white, white belly with black scalloped flanks, black breast band, black head with large-orange yellow eye wattle, black chin and a small red mark in the base of the bill. Other melidectes co-occur but are larger and none have the white belly and breastband. Call, a loud, hollow “chok!” often followed by a slightly raspy, hollow warble.

Northern Yellow White-eye

Northern Yellow White-eye

Zosterops senegalensis

A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird that is saturated with yellow. Note the yellow underparts, olive-yellow back, and bold white spectacles around the eyes. There is some geographical variation in the overall coloration, darkness of the back, and extent of yellow above the bill. Found in forest, savanna, scrub, gardens, moist woodland, and plantations, usually in hyperactive flocks that can contain many individuals. Often joins mixed flocks with other small birds. Most common call is a high-pitched rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Similar to Pale White-eye, but usually separated by range; shows more yellow above the bill, is more richly-colored overall, and prefers moister habitats. Similar to Green and Forest White-eyes, but slightly paler, and usually separated by its range and preference for drier habitat. Also similar to Southern Yellow White-eye, though usually separated by range; identification in areas of overlap is poorly understood.

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