Black-billed Wood-Dove
Turtur abyssinicus
A small, pale dove with an all-black bill and purple iridescent spots on the wing. Most colorful in flight, when rufous wing patches and black bars on the back and tail are revealed. Found in a variety of savanna, woodland, and thicket habitats. Very similar to Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, but slightly paler, especially on the head, and there is little overlap in range. Also similar to Blue-spotted Wood-Dove, but separated by the all-black bill. The song starts with a few hesitant notes, then accelerates into a long series of “boop” notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Turtur abyssinicus
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1902)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Turtur
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black Partridge
Melanoperdix niger
Infrequently-encountered small gamebird. Male is uniquely glossy-black all over, while the female is predominantly chestnut-brown with a pale lower belly. Both sexes have an odd, heavy bill somewhat reminiscent of a finch or parrot. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest, often favoring wetter areas. Forages on the ground, singly or in pairs. Generally quiet.
Bay Coucal
Centropus celebensis
A reddish-brown cuckoo with a long, often shaggy-looking tail. Juvenile shows a pale eye and a paler breast and throat than adults. The species favors vine tangles within forest and forest edge in lowlands and foothills, where it is usually encountered singly or in pairs. The entirely brown body, lacking black, separates this species from Lesser Coucal. Song is a series of “hoot” notes that often encourages other nearby coucals to respond. Alarm call is a harsh, short rasping “burr.”
Masked Duck
Nomonyx dominicus
Reclusive, rarely seen diving duck of tropical lowlands. Feeds mainly at night and spends much of the day sleeping quietly in marshy vegetation, often in small ponds and even in roadside ditches. Rarely seen in flight, but can spring into the air rather than run along the water. Male in breeding plumage has black face mask, bright blue bill, and dark rusty body. Female-plumaged birds are seen much more often: note buffy face with double dark face stripes.
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