Chestnut-breasted Partridge

Arborophila mandellii

Ornate partridge of east Himalayan foothill forests. Often in areas with dense bamboo stands. Note black-and-white “necklace” and dark rusty-red head and chest. Like many other Arborophila partridges, can be elusive and difficult to see in the gloom of the forest floor; instead, listen for its song, a far-carrying slow series of rising whistles or short whistled phrases, often slightly burry.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Arborophila mandellii
Authority
Hume, 1874
Order
Galliformes
Family
Phasianidae
Genus
Arborophila

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Cameroon Indigobird

Cameroon Indigobird

Vidua camerunensis

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of African and Black-bellied Firefinches and Brown and Dybowski's Twinspots. Breeding males are glossy black with blue iridescence and a pale brownish panel in the wings. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is whitish and the legs very pale purplish. Found locally in lush woodland, savanna, and cultivated areas. Given current knowledge, can only be confidently identified by mimicked vocalizations. Each male parasitizes only one of the four host species and imitates its vocalizations, often mixing them into a scratchy jumble of high-pitched notes. 

African Bare-eyed Thrush

African Bare-eyed Thrush

Turdus tephronotus

A distinctive and attractive thrush of dry country, patterned in gray, rufous, and white. Note the orange bill and bare skin around the eye, and the white throat with black striping. Found in the thick undergrowth of a variety of habitats, including dry thorn savanna, scrub, and woodland. Fairly shy and retiring. There is only minor overlap in range with similar thrushes, such as African Thrush and Kurrichane Thrush, and in those areas, African Bare-eyed Thrush is easily identified by the bare skin around the eye. One common call is a short, low-pitched trill, and the song is a low-pitched combination of chatty whistles and trills, with frequent pauses. 

White-crowned Lapwing

White-crowned Lapwing

Vanellus albiceps

This striking lapwing is best identified by its long yellow wattles, white belly, and gray head split down the center by a broad white crown stripe. In flight, the distinctive wings are almost entirely white with black tips. It prefers breeding and foraging on large permanent rivers with extensive sand banks but will also wander to smaller streams and pans. It utters a loud “kriiip” call when alarmed or defending its territory. The similar Wattled Lapwing differs from White-headed Lapwing by having a dark belly and red-based wattles.

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