Usambara Greenbul
Phyllastrephus albigula
A very small, warbler-like greenbul with an olive-green back, pale underparts, an olive-washed gray cap and nape, and a yellow or orange eye. Found in montane forest at middle elevations. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Very similar in appearance to Tiny Greenbul, but found at higher elevations and darker overall, with an olive-green wash to the crown and nape. Similar in overall coloration to Yellow-streaked Greenbul, but much smaller, with a pale eye. Voice apparently very similar to Tiny Greenbul’s. The call is a rough chattering trill that is often mixed with the song: an accelerating, syncopated series of low nasal notes.
Taxonomy
The lowland tiny greenbul was originally described in the genus Macrosphenus. Until 2009, the montane tiny greenbul was considered as conspecific with the lowland tiny greenbul as the tiny bulbul. Some authorities continue to consider the two species as conspecific. Alternate names for the montane tiny greenbul include the green-crowned greenbul, Usambara bulbul and Usambara greenbul.
- Scientific name
- Phyllastrephus albigula
- Authority
- (Grote, 1919)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Phyllastrephus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Nelicourvi Weaver
Ploceus nelicourvi
Dark olive-green forest-dwelling weaver. Male has a black cap and yellow collar; female plainer. Both sexes have a chestnut undertail. Madagascar endemic that is found in eastern and northern rainforest, and sometimes in scrub and gardens. Usually seen solo or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed feeding flocks. Elaborate woven nest has a long entrance tunnel, and hangs conspicuously in an open area. Song is a high-pitched sizzling; call is a husky, repeated “chey.”
African Thrush
Turdus pelios
This widespread thrush shows a large amount of geographical variation. The upperparts are generally gray-brown, while the underparts can be buff, gray, or rufous. All across the range, shows a yellow bill. Found in a range of habitats, including forest edge, woodland, gardens, and cultivation. In areas without Abyssinian Thrush, also occurs in montane forest. The song is a pretty, variable series of chatty whistles and trills which can continue for a long time without a pause. Similar to Abyssinian Thrush, but found at lower elevations in areas of overlap, and is generally paler, with a paler yellow bill.
Long-billed Bush Warbler
Locustella major
Extremely rare, large, elongated brown warbler with a long slender bill. Fairly similar in appearance to West Himalayan, Chinese, Baikal, and Spotted Bush Warblers, but breeding ranges do not overlap. Like other bush warblers, typically very skulking and furtive, preferring to run instead of fly when threatened. Emerges onto small bushes to sing, producing a dull clicking that would underwhelm a grasshopper. Breeds in weedy and bushy slopes in open alpine and subalpine areas; wintering habitat poorly understood but presumed to be similar habitat at lower altitudes. Very few sightings in recent years.
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