Somali Courser
Cursorius somalensis
A plain, pale courser with black lines behind the eyes that make a “V” when seen from behind. In flight, the wings are partially black with a white trailing edge. Found in dry savanna, thornscrub, and desert. Usually in small groups, which tend to flee from disturbance on foot. Very similar to Cream-colored Courser, but browner and shorter-winged, with partially pale rather than completely black underwings in flight. Fairly similar to Temminck’s Courser, but paler overall, lacks chestnut in the crown, and has a paler underwing. Calls include a quiet “whit” and a louder “trow.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cursorius somalensis
- Authority
- Shelley, 1885
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Glareolidae
- Genus
- Cursorius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Pterodroma alba
A long-winged petrel, predominantly dark with a gleaming white belly. Throat patch often shows pale speckling, and birds sometimes appear distinctly pale-throated. Key identification feature is the prominent pale bar at the leading edge of the dark underwing between the elbow and body. Similar in pattern to Tahiti Petrel, but much smaller-billed and sometimes shows a pale throat. Usually flies with wings bent at the elbow, unlike the remarkably straight-winged Tahiti Petrel. Silent at sea.
Jelski's Chat-Tyrant
Silvicultrix jelskii
Small flycatcher found in the Andes of Peru and southwestern Ecuador. Like other chat-tyrants, it has an obvious white eyebrow. Separated from similar species in range by the yellow forehead, rusty wingbars, and brown back. Typically stays low near the edge of scrubby forest, and it is usually quiet and easily overlooked. Occasionally gives soft squeaks and trills.
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.
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