White-throated Francolin
Campocolinus albogularis
Small and colorful francolin. Males and females are similar, but males have richer coloration, with a streaked breast, while females have a lightly barred breast. There is some geographical variation; the southern birds have much more rufous on the breast. Found on the ground in savanna and woodland habitats with thick grass. Generally shy and retiring, preferring to run away rather than flush. Gives two distinctive calls: a repeated “chur-di” and a short series of cackling notes. Female similar to female Coqui and Schlegel’s Francolins, but distinguished by many details of the head and breast pattern, and in flight by the rufous wings. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Campocolinus albogularis
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1854)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Campocolinus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
The largest nuthatch in North America, with distinctive white face, black cap, and blue-gray upperparts. Also note rusty lower belly and undertail coverts. Females have a slightly paler crown than males. Fairly common and widespread, usually in mature woodlands with large trees. Creeps along tree trunks and branches, often upside-down. Sometimes joins mixed flocks with other songbirds. Visits feeders. Listen for insistent yammering calls. Some subtle variation across range, mainly in the darkness of the sides and back, width of the black crown, and vocalizations.
Gray-necked Bunting
Emberiza buchanani
Medium-sized slender bunting with a relatively long bill. Distinctive; gray head, pale eye-ring, yellow “moustache” and warm underparts that range in color from buffy to rusty-red. Found in dry, rocky habitats such as mountainsides and arid plains. Song is a brief series of high ascending notes, typically ending with a final buzzy burst.
Rufous-banded Miner
Geositta rufipennis
Commonest miner in the mountains of central Chile and adjacent Argentina. Favors open rocky areas, bogs, and roadsides. Often seen in pairs, walking with waddling gait and pumping its tail like most miners. At times found with flocks of sierra-finches and other seed-eating birds. Rather compact and dumpy. Best identified by broad pale eyebrow and warm peachy wash on flanks. In flight note the bright rusty band in the wings and on the base of the tail. Loud buzzy song given from prominent rock and in flight.
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