Northern Puffback
Dryoscopus gambensis
Mid-sized bushshrike in which males and females are very different. Males are mostly black and white, with gray on the rump and shoulder. Females are brown on the back and buffy below. Found in a variety of savanna habitats, plus woodland, mangroves, and along forest edge. Generally common and conspicuous bird that often joins mixed-species flocks. The most common vocalization is a rising “kyeeewu,” but also gives scolding and ratcheting calls. Males separated from Black-backed Puffback by the gray rump and shoulder. Females separated from Pringle’s Puffback by their larger size and all-dark bill.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Dryoscopus gambensis
- Authority
- (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Genus
- Dryoscopus
Range and habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical mangrove forests, and moist savanna.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Senegal Thick-knee
Burhinus senegalensis
Very large shorebird that is similar to Eurasian and Water Thick-knees, but with a longer and heavier bill. Also note the gray mid-wing panel without a black-and-white upper border. Immature Eurasian Thick-knees can also have a simpler wing pattern similar to Senegal, and identification of those birds best determined by structure and habitat. More connected to aquatic habitats than Eurasian Thick-knee, but not as much as Water Thick-Knee. Noisy, especially at night, producing a variety of loud whistles and trills.
Yellow-throated Chlorospingus
Chlorospingus flavigularis
A relatively dull, tanager-like sparrow found in the foothills and subtropical zone of the Andes from Colombia to Peru. Olive above and grayish below with a bold yellow throat and undertail coverts. Compare with Short-billed Chlorospingus, which shows more flared yellow whisker (not entire throat) and gray (not brownish-red) eye. Fairly common, usually found in small groups that often follow mixed-species flocks. Occurs from around 700–1,800 m.
Hispaniolan Pewee
Contopus hispaniolensis
A small drab inhabitant of woodlands including orchards and coffee plantations; typically “flycatches” from a low perch and returns to the same perch. This species is perhaps most notable in its lack of field marks, including lack of wingbars and facial markings. The Stolid Flycatcher is much larger and has wingbars and the Greater Antillean Elaenia has bold wingbars and a dull eyering. Rather unvocal for a pewee; most common call is a repeated mellow “pip”.
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