Chestnut-bellied Starling
Lamprotornis pulcher
A chunky, short-tailed, colorful savanna starling. Adults have a mostly brown head, a dark green hood and upperparts, and a rufous belly. There is a pale buffy patch in the underwing that is conspicuous in flight. Immatures are duller, with completely pale, buffy underparts. Found in dry savanna and thorn scrub, usually in small flocks, sometimes with other species of starlings. The common call is a short descending trill with a vibrating quality.
Identification
This is one of the rufous-bellied starlings, and the only one in most of its range. The pale eye differentiates it from Hildebrandt's and Shelley's starlings, while the absence of a white breast band separates it from the Splendid Starling. Predominantly glossy dark-green to blue, with a distinct dark (and not glossy) head and breast.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Lamprotornis pulcher
- Authority
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Lamprotornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Eriocnemis mosquera
A fairly large hummingbird of high-elevation forest in the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador. Mostly green with an obvious golden sheen on the breast and white puffs on each leg. Long forked tail is greenish-bronze (not blackish or bluish). Sexes alike. Occurs from around 3,000–3,600 m, where it can be found in forest and edges. Visits feeders.
Spotted Honeyeater
Xanthotis polygrammus
A medium-sized, unique-looking honeyeater of foothill and lower montane forest canopy, and also southern New Guinea savanna. Brown back with small white spots, white underparts with large dark flecks on the belly and dark streaks on the chest. White throat and large area of bare pink facial skin around the eye, wider at the back and a yellow ear patch. Patterning of the underparts and the pink eye-ring distinguish it from other species. Gives a musical repeated, upslurred “wudee”.
Sula Megapode
Megapodius bernsteinii
A dumpy, partridge-like bird with an obvious crest and powerful legs and feet. Uniform reddish-brown with dull orange legs. Immatures buffier, with blackish legs. Terrestrial. Found in pairs or small groups mostly within lowland forest and coastal scrub. Restricted to Sula and Banggai islands, where no other megapodes or similar birds occur. Call is an explosive “KYER-OW-Kyer”, starting strongly and becoming less powerful at the end. Sometimes includes some bubbling notes.
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