Somali Grosbeak
Rhynchostruthus louisae
Handsome chunky gray-brown finch with a massive dark bill, dark-brown cap, and blackish face mask extending to the throat. Female has a paler forehead and crown. Juvenile is streaky with a more diffuse mask. Ecology is poorly known but presumed to be similar to that of Arabian Grosbeak, with pairs and small groups frequenting thorn-scrub and riverine vegetation up to 1400m in the northern Somali mountains, where it is a scarce endemic. Vocalizations largely unknown, but presumed to be similar to those of Arabian Grosbeak. In addition to range, other “golden-winged” grosbeaks differ from Somali in having pale ear-patches.
Identification
The males are grey-brown overall with a black bill that is smaller than in the other golden-winged grosbeaks. It has a dark face mask and large, bright yellow patches on the wings and tail. The females are similar to the males though somewhat duller, and the juveniles are rather streaky and the face mask is indistinct.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Rhynchostruthus louisae
- Authority
- Lort Phillips, 1897
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Rhynchostruthus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Somali golden-winged grosbeak is typically found between 1,060 and 2,800 metres ASL in forested wadis and areas of scrub, namely in relict East African Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests. The juniper fruit appear to form the bulk of its diet.<p>This bird is the least-known of the golden-winged grosbeaks. Even before the start of the Somali Civil War in the late 1980s, little ornithological fieldwork was being done in this country. While no estimate of population size exists, it seems fairly certain that since the 1930s the birds have declined in numbers, perhaps due to habitat loss and more recently, declining rainfall in the region. Therefore, when it was first evaluated as a distinct species for the 2008 IUCN Red List, it was categorized as a Near Threatened species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Oriental Pratincole
Glareola maldivarum
Twisting and turning on long, angular wings, this relative of the sandpipers and plovers gives a swallowlike impression in flight. Adults are brown overall with an elegant black necklace and pale yellow throat. When in flight, note dark flight feathers, chestnut underwing coverts, bright white trailing edge to the wings, and a flashing white rump. Juveniles are a mottled gray-brown above and lack the adult's necklace. Flight call a harsh “tarrack.”
White-rumped Swallow
Tachycineta leucorrhoa
A small swallow usually seen flying low over open and semiopen areas near water. Glossy blue-green above and white below. Note the white forehead and rump. Similar to White-winged Swallow, but lacks white in wings (although juvenile White-winged can show limited white). Told from Chilean Swallow by the presence of a white forehead.
Greater Lophorina
Lophorina latipennis
A fairly large bird of mid-montane forest, including disturbed areas with Casuarinas. Male, mainly black plumage with 2 remarkable erectile fans which are lifted up over the head during its display, metallic, blue-green, trapezium-shaped breast shield and patches above the eyes. Female has a gray-brown back with rufous flight feathers, barred underparts, a broad, black eye-stripe and white eye-brow. Female similar to female parotias, but is slightly smaller and has a dark eye. Female also similar to female Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise but is larger and has a black bill. The male’s yellow-green interior of the mouth is visible whilst it gives its piercing nasal screech.
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