Van Dam's Vanga
Xenopirostris damii
Large, big-billed vanga with white underparts. Males have a black hood, and females only a black cap. Rare Madagascar endemic that is found very locally in dry deciduous forest in the north and northwest. Can be found solo or in pairs, sometimes in flocks with other vangas. Most common vocalizations are long, penetrating whistles and a short scold. Separated from Lafresnaye’s and Pollen’s Vangas by range. Separated from Madagascar Cuckooshrike by much larger bill and white rather than gray underparts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Xenopirostris damii
- Authority
- Schlegel, 1865
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vangidae
- Genus
- Xenopirostris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Dryobates callonotus
Small, colorful woodpecker of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Most common in dry, deciduous forest and scrub, but also inhabits degraded rainforest. Both sexes have red back and white underparts that may show very faint barring. Male’s cap is red and female’s is black. Typical song is a long, rattling trill.
Tanimbar Flycatcher
Ficedula riedeli
An unmistakable, little-known, strikingly patterned small flycatcher confined to the Tanimbar Islands. Male is jet black above with a striking white eyebrow, wing patch, and sides to uppertail. Below, shows a tangerine chest and a white belly. Female is undescribed. Found in understory of forest in both lowland areas and in the foothills. Song is a complex high-pitched warble lasting a few seconds, and rising and falling regularly. Calls include a very high “sweee” and a soft, grating “grrr-it.”
Dusky-cheeked Fig-Parrot
Nannopsittacus melanogenia
A small, short-tailed parrot of lowland forest and edge, mainly at low elevations. Green body with dark blue in the wing, and a dark forecrown and cheek. Males have a white line separating the cheek, crown and bill, and usually an orange chest. Female has a darker face, less orange on the breast, and an orange patch behind the dark cheek. Usually found in small groups. Most similar to Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, but Dusky-cheeked has blackish instead of red forecrown and cheek, and an orange breast. Calls a sharp, high-pitched “tsik!” or excited twittering which often betrays their presence in a tree.
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