Schalow's Turaco
Tauraco schalowi
Spectacular green, crested turaco. Shows large crimson wing patches in flight. Found in forest and dense woodland. Acts like a typical turaco, bouncing through the trees, and flying occasionally with short bursts of wingbeats and long glides. Call is a gruff, accelerating series of “kow” notes. Similar to Livingstone’s and Knysna Turacos, but minimal overlap in range, and has a longer crest and a purplish tail.
Identification
Schalow's turaco (Tauraco schalowi) is a frugivorous bird in the family Musophagidae. This bird's common name and Latin binomial commemorate the German banker and amateur ornithologist Herman Schalow.
Taxonomy
Genus: Tauraco; Family: Musophagidae; Order: Musophagiformes.
- Scientific name
- Tauraco schalowi
- Authority
- (Reichenow, 1891)
- Order
- Musophagiformes
- Family
- Musophagidae
- Genus
- Tauraco
Range and habitat
It is distributed mainly in Zambia, central Angola, the southern DRC, and the uplands of southern Kenya, northern and western Tanzania and western Malawi. It occurs very locally in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, where it frequents riparian habitats of the Zambezi and Cuando Rivers. It occurs in the forested uplands and wooded inland plateaus of south central Africa. It is replaced in the eastern lowlands by Livingstone's turaco, which is comparable in appearance and behavior.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray Laughingthrush
Garrulax maesi
While this is a predominantly gray laughingthrush, the black mask, brownish throat, and white patch behind the ear are all more eye-catching. Overall coloration is similar to that of Black-throated Laughingthrush but note pale eyebrow connected to small white ear patch, and that the black mask does not extend down to the upper breast. Highly social; found in medium-sized and large flocks, which give cacophonous laughing calls as they forage in the undergrowth of lowland and foothill broadleaved forests.
Cretzschmar's Bunting
Emberiza caesia
Very similar to Ortolan Bunting, but note that the base color of the head is gray and not green, and the throat is orange and not yellow. Adult males are brighter and more deeply-colored compared to females and young. Call is a sharper “tzip.” Song is a tri-syllabic, melancholic, and high-pitched whistled “si-si-siiii.” Breeds on open rocky slopes in Mediterranean climates. Winters in dry, open habitats such as fields, savannas, and wadis.
Clamorous Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus stentoreus
Large brown reed warbler with a long, powerful-looking bill. Birds in the Middle East and northeastern Africa average warmer brown than in southern Asia. Most readily confused with other large reed warblers. Oriental Reed Warbler has a “rough-looking,” vaguely streaked throat unlike the clean throat of the Clamorous Reed Warbler. Worn birds may not be identifiable to species level, especially if seen poorly. Great Reed Warbler is similar, but has pink instead of gray legs. Breeds in a wide range of wetland habitats, including freshwater marshes, lakeshores, and mangroves; even in cultivation in some areas. Non-breeding habitats also include drier areas. Song is a loud and jumbled series of harsh grating sounds. Calls include loud, forceful, and hard-sounding chuck’s and churrs.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.