Pale-winged Starling
Onychognathus nabouroup
A large glossy-black starling that shows whitish wing patches in flight. Pairs and small groups are resident in semi-desert and desert, where they prefer rocky areas and cliffs, but they also occur in towns and scrubland foraging for fruit and invertebrates. The species breeds semi-colonially on cliffs between October and April. A ringing melodious “preeeeooo” flight call and varied warbling often draws attention to it. The Pale-winged Starling sometimes flocks together with the similar Red-winged Starling, which differs by having brick-red (not whitish) wing patches in flight, a graduated (not square) tail, and dark red (not orange) eyes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Onychognathus nabouroup
- Authority
- (Daudin, 1800)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Onychognathus
Range and habitat
This starling is found in arid and semi-arid areas in South-western Africa, mainly in areas with rocky terrain, cliffs and gorges.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
It is monogamous.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tawny Eagle
Aquila rapax
A medium-large, highly variable eagle that can range in overall color from whitish or creamy dull rufous to grayish-brown, and rarely dark brown. It has a moderately long gape line that stops at the center of the eye and slit-shaped nostrils. Legs are short and heavily feathered, with baggy “trousers.” Juveniles are generally paler than adults, while older immatures can have a dark hood and pale body. Mostly a bird of plains and open scrub; rarely seen over water, and avoids forests. Overall not as heavy looking as the Steppe Eagle, and never has a rich brown color tone.
Collared Owlet
Taenioptynx brodiei
A tiny brown owl of mountains and foothills; descends into valleys and lowlands during the winter. Appears in both rufous and gray morphs, both dark above and white below with long, distinct streaks on the flanks. Tooting song, often given during the day, can be mistaken for that of a barbet, but the Collared Owlet song has four discrete notes, with the second and third notes given close together.
Ringed Woodpecker
Celeus torquatus
This striking Celeus is widespread across the Amazonian lowlands of northern South America, with a disjunct population in southeast Brazil. Overall rufous with a shaggy crest like most other members of the genus. Distinctive and unlikely to be confused. Some variation across the range: most have extensive black markings on upperparts and belly, but largely unmarked in the northeastern part of range. All birds have solid black breast. Sexes are similar, but males have a red mustache. Occurs in mature forest and edges, often detected by its series of loud, strident whistles.
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