Rachel's Malimbe
Malimbus racheliae
A beautiful malimbe locally distributed in Central Africa and restricted to lowland primary forest and its edges, where it is often found high above the ground in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of malimbe. Both males and females are wholly black with yellow vents and orange chests that fade to yellow at the edges. Males also have an orange crown and neck, giving them a collared appearance. Overlaps with several other species of malimbe, but distinguished by the yellow vent and orange chest with yellow edges. Calls are short, mechanical squeaks, while the song is a longer series of notes that incorporates dry rasps, similar to the songs of other weavers and malimbes. Rachel’s Malimbe appears to be particularly fond of musanga trees, also known as corkwood or umbrella trees.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Malimbus racheliae
- Authority
- (Cassin, 1857)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Malimbus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Oriental Pied-Hornbill
Anthracoceros albirostris
A small black-and-white hornbill with a whitish-yellow bill and “helmet.” Primarily black, but with a white belly, facial patch, and wing and tail edges. Sexes are similar, but males have a much larger “helmet” than the female. More tolerant of human habitation than other hornbills and can sometimes be found in large city parks as well as open forests and edges. Noisy and social, often giving loud yapping calls to flockmates.
Andean Negrito
Lessonia oreas
Tiny little terrestrial flycatcher, fairly common locally in open habitats of the high Andes, especially bogs and lakeshores. Feeds mainly by hopping on the ground, but perches readily on posts and fences. No similar species in range: male is black with a bright rusty back; female is dark sooty brown with a dull rusty back. In flight both sexes show whitish flash in wings (absent in Austral Negrito, which occurs in lowlands to the south).
Painted Quail-thrush
Cinclosoma ajax
A medium-sized and localised ground-dwelling bird of foothill forest and lowland gallery forest. Brown tail, back and crown stripe, black mask, white belly and rufous sides. Male has a black throat and chest, and an obvious white stripe on the face, whereas the female has a white throat and thin whitish eye-brow. Overlaps with the similar-sized Blue and Chestnut-backed Jewel-babblers but Painted Quail-thrush lacks any blue plumage. Song, three descending whistles, 2 short and 1 long, followed by an explosive “Whip!”.
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