Moheli Brush-Warbler
Nesillas mariae
A medium-sized yellowish-brown bird with a long tail. Endemic to the island of Moheli in the Comoros. Found in remnant montane forest scraps, as well as locally in secondary habitat down to low elevations. Feeds mainly at middle levels and in the lower part of the canopy. Occurs alongside Madagascar Brush Warbler, but rarely skulks in the undergrowth, and can be further distinguished by its shorter tail and its paler and plainer yellowish coloration, without strong streaking on the breast. The song is a series of scratchy notes and squeaks that is reminiscent of a sunbird, though lower-pitched. The calls are “chek” and “veet” notes often given in a series.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nesillas mariae
- Authority
- Benson, 1960
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acrocephalidae
- Genus
- Nesillas
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
David's Fulvetta
Alcippe davidi
Rather plain, social bird of hilly and montane forests. Brown with a gray head and bright white eyering. Very similar in appearance to Huet’s and Yunnan fulvettas, both of which have a prominent black brow stripe; this feature is either extremely faint or absent in David’s. Forms large flocks, often with other species, which move around in the middle levels of forests. Gives chattering call notes.
Bay Coucal
Centropus celebensis
A reddish-brown cuckoo with a long, often shaggy-looking tail. Juvenile shows a pale eye and a paler breast and throat than adults. The species favors vine tangles within forest and forest edge in lowlands and foothills, where it is usually encountered singly or in pairs. The entirely brown body, lacking black, separates this species from Lesser Coucal. Song is a series of “hoot” notes that often encourages other nearby coucals to respond. Alarm call is a harsh, short rasping “burr.”
Boa Nova Tapaculo
Scytalopus gonzagai
Small, uncommon, shy tapaculo. Described only in 2014, but its populations are already threatened and declining. Inhabits dense, dark low vegetation of humid, montane evergreen forests, generally primary forests, especially in areas with bamboo outcrops. Most often detected by its voice, a long-continued series of downslurred nasal notes given at a pace of about 4/second.
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