Yellow-throated Cuckoo

Chrysococcyx flavigularis

A small green-backed forest cuckoo of West and Central Africa. Males have a distinctive bright yellow throat and a brown-and-black barred belly, while females lack the yellow throat and have a brown-and-black barred face, throat, and breast. Can be located by its distinctive song, which is a series of up to 10 or more rapidly delivered clear whistles that speed up before quickly fading. Alternate call is an often overlooked “dwuit-tew” or “wait here.” Usually outnumbered by African Emerald Cuckoo, in which males have yellow bellies and green heads and females have more of a black-and-white barred appearance.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Chrysococcyx flavigularis
Authority
Shelley, 1880
Order
Cuculiformes
Family
Cuculidae
Genus
Chrysococcyx

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Black-throated Thrush

Black-throated Thrush

Turdus atrogularis

A dark, somberly-colored thrush of middle to high-altitude forests. Usually winters at higher elevations, but will occasionally move into foothill and lowland areas as well. Male is unmistakable, with a gray back, white belly, and a pitch-black throat and chest. Females are streaky brown below and may be confused with Red-throated Thrush, but Black-throated females do not show orange on the throat or the sides of the tail; the only warm colors on either bird are the orangish underwings. In areas of overlap, beware hybrids that may show features of both species. Song consists of various repeated phrases; call includes a low “chekchekchek” and high, thin “tseee.”

Gola Malimbe

Gola Malimbe

Malimbus ballmanni

A striking black-and-yellow malimbe; the female lacks the yellow nape of the male. Juvenile has a pale bill and yellow on the crown and chin. A scarce and patchily distributed endemic resident of Upper Guinea, preferring the middle levels and canopy of tall primary and secondary lowland forest. Joins flocks, often with other malimbes, and gleans leaves and thin twigs looking for insects in the manner of a tit. Vocalizations are poorly known but include varied swizzling and chittering notes. Other malimbes in range have red rather than yellow highlights in their black plumage.

Pirre Chlorospingus

Pirre Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus inornatus

Fairly small tanager-like sparrow with an extremely tiny range in the foothills of eastern Panama, from around 800–1,200 m. Distinctive in range: olive-brownish overall with brighter yellow-ochre underparts, darker blackish face, and staring pale eye. Like other chlorospingus, typically found in small groups, often with a mixed-species flock. Usually sticks to the understory or middle levels of humid forest.

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