Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow
Gymnoris pyrgita
A large, remarkably nondescript sparrow of dry country. Note the pale bill, the white eye-ring, the gray-brown back, the paler underparts, and the white throat. The small yellow throat spot is difficult to see. Found in dry thorn savanna, woodland, and lightly cultivated areas, often in small groups. Similar to Sahel Bush Sparrow, but lacks a distinctive eyebrow mark. Also similar to Pale Rockfinch, but has less patterning on the wing and a clearly defined white throat. The calls are cheerful chirps, often given in a quick series.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Gymnoris pyrgita
- Authority
- (Heuglin, 1862)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passeridae
- Genus
- Gymnoris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Green Malkoha
Ceuthmochares australis
Odd, dark, green-and-gray cuckoo with a bright yellow bill. Found in thick habitats including forest, forest edge, and thickets. Skulks in the thickest parts of the mid-story, especially preferring vine tangles. Call starts with a hesitant series of high “kik” notes, eventually followed by a long, accelerating trill. Dark coloration and yellow bill are distinctive. Range does not overlap with the similar Blue Malkoha.
Black-throated Wattle-eye
Platysteira peltata
Small black-and-white bird with a patch of bright red bare skin above the eye. Females have a black hood, and males a white throat and black breast band. Found in forest, thick woodland, and mangroves. Generally local and uncommon. The unmusical song is usually given as a duet: a mix of low-pitched rasping notes and higher bleating notes. Similar to Brown-throated Wattle-eye but never shows white in the wing, and the female has a black rather than brown throat. Separated from batises by the red wattle and lack of white in the wing.
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Regulus satrapa
Tiny, hyperactive songbird usually found in conifer trees. Look for black stripes on the head and bold wing pattern. The namesake golden crown is usually just a small stripe, but can be flared into an expressive fiery-orange crest when agitated. Breeds in coniferous forests, usually staying high in trees. In migration and winter, often joins mixed flocks of other songbirds in a wider variety of wooded habitats. Very active; often hovers and flicks wings as it forages. Listen for extremely high-pitched call notes.
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