Immaculate Cupwing
Pnoepyga immaculata
Tiny, tailless, long-legged ball of a bird. Dark morph is brown all over with black spots on the breast; pale morph’s breast is marked with black-and-white scaling. Very similar in appearance to Pygmy and Scaly-breasted Cupwings; note unspotted wings, faint black moustache stripe, and longer-billed profile. Not exceptionally shy, but difficult to see in the dense undergrowth; listen for its song, a steadily descending phrase of high thin notes.
Identification
The Nepal cupwing is small, measuring 8.5cm—10cm in length, and is brownish-olive in colouration. It has dark scaling on the upperparts and paler scaling on the underparts, a scaly breast with brown central feathers, pale edging on the flight feathers, and a very short tail. External morphology is very similar to the other species, to a degree where identification within the field relies upon vocalizations. The song is distinctive, being higher pitched than the other species in the genus and consisting of a steady series of thin, short, rapid, modulated whistles that descend in pitch.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pnoepyga immaculata
- Authority
- Martens, J & Eck, 1991
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pnoepygidae
- Genus
- Pnoepyga
Range and habitat
This species is native to the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a regular resident in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Nepal, and an uncommon resident around Zhangmu in Tibet. Preferred habitat is dense understorey in median and low mountain elevations. It is not migratory, but altitudinal movements do occur, as they winter down to 250 metres. It occurs regularly between 1800 and 2200 metres, and possibly breeds as high as 3100 metres. Generally, this species prefers dark forest and keeps to the forest floor. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Ploceus grandis
A spectacular enormous weaver endemic to São Tomé, with a robust barbet-like bill and a bulky head. Adult male has a black head and a chestnut collar that extends to the breast. Female is dull, with a buff wash on the breast. Juvenile is like the female, but browner on the upperparts. Fairly common in forest, forest edge, and plantations. Found in pairs and small groups. Song is a winding gurgle that ends with a wheezing fizzle: “drrt-drrt-drrt-grrzzzztztztztz.” Other weavers on São Tomé are much smaller, and their males lack chestnut coloration.
Crimson-naped Woodpecker
Dryobates cathpharius
Fairly small, stout black-and-white woodpecker with buffy underparts. Male is brightly marked with the namesake crimson nape, and a dull orange vent. Also has a bright red, but inconspicuous patch on the chest. Females are duller, but sometimes have a paler orange neck and breast patch. Similar in coloration to Darjeeling and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, but Crimson-breasted is noticeably smaller and stouter. Inhabits mid- to high-altitude broadleaf forests. Gives a loud “chik!”, as well as a descending rattle.
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Eremophila bilopha
A beautiful, elegant desert lark. Head pattern striking with a black Zorro-mask, a black throat, and narrow black “horns” or ear tufts. Overall pale sandy, but note that males have a sharper head pattern than females. In flight its long tail is prominently dark. Inhabits sandy or stony desert plains and low hills. Breeds on the ground under a bush. Male gives a melodic high-pitched whistle often during display flights, “Tsu tsi tsu-tsu, tsu-tsu.”
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