Moheli Bulbul
Hypsipetes moheliensis
A medium-sized greenish-gray bird with a black cap and a carrot-colored bill, endemic to the middle and high elevations of the mountains of the island of Moheli in the Comoros. Found in humid forest scraps and in adjacent plantations and secondary areas. Often in small, noisy groups. Very similar in appearance to Madagascar Bulbul, and they overlap at moderate elevations, especially in degraded habitats. Moheli Bulbul is separated by the slightly larger size and larger bill, the olive tint to the plumage, especially on the back, and the yellowish tint to the underparts. The song is an unmusical series of rattling and scraping notes, often given from a high perch, similar to Madagascar Bulbul’s, but slightly lower-pitched. The calls include a long, whining note.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Hypsipetes moheliensis
- Authority
- (Benson, 1960)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Hypsipetes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Olive Straightbill
Timeliopsis fulvigula
A small honeyeater of mid-montane forest. All over olive plumage, richer on the chest. Straight, dagger-shaped bill with a pale line along the inside edge and orange eye. Joins mixed-species flocks in which it forages for insects. Similar to scrubwren species, but Olive Straightbill is slightly larger with olive rather than brown plumage, a paler eye and sharper bill. Voice, an incessant scolding call given whilst foraging.

Spix's Guan
Penelope jacquacu
Large, stocky brown bird. Largely arboreal, but often seems too large or clumsy for its tree-dwelling habits. Calls loudly when flushing from a tree and makes crashing noises as it lands roughly in another tree. Found around forest edges and young forest as well as in more mature forests. Typically found singly or in pairs, occasionally in larger groups. Larger and darker than chachalacas with more prominent red skin on throat.

Malagasy Brush-Warbler
Nesillas typica
Medium-sized brown bird with a long, spiky tail. Found in a wide variety of moist and woody habitats, including rainforest, wet scrub, plantations, and gardens. Absent or very local in much of west and southwest Madagascar. Skulks in thick undergrowth. Incessantly given call is a Geiger counter-like ticking. Darker brown than Subdesert Brush-Warbler, with a lower-pitched call and little overlap in range. Similar to Madagascar Swamp-Warbler, but has less distinct breast streaking and white eyebrow, and is generally found in scrub rather than marsh.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.