Somali Short-toed Lark
Alaudala somalica
A relatively small and plain lark. Coloration varies regionally, ranging from dark brown to paler brown to rufous, but always look for a pale eyebrow and eye-ring, streaking on the breast, and a completely or partially pale bill. Found in dry grassland and semi-desert habitats, usually in flocks. Similar to Singing Bushlark, but has a slightly buffy rather than pure white outer tail, and lacks rufous patches in the wings. The flight song is a long and complicated jumble that can include imitations of other species. The call is a quick “chidup,” often given in flight.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Alaudala somalica
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Alaudidae
- Genus
- Alaudala
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ocellated Poorwill
Nyctiphrynus ocellatus
Dark brown nightjar of humid forests. Smooth reddish brown overall with small black spots, a clean white throat band, and white tail corners. In flight, appears dark brown overall with white tail corners but no white wing patches. Look for it in mature rainforest, with or without dense understory. Song is a single quavering, reverberating note, “PEEur,” like plucking a taut string.
White-winged Widowbird
Euplectes albonotatus
The breeding male is black with a pale blue bill, brightly-colored shoulder epaulets (chestnut in northeast Africa, yellow elsewhere), and diagnostic white wing panels that are most obvious in flight. The distinctive display is a slow butterfly-like flapping. The non-breeding male is buffy and streaky, but retains the shoulder epaulets and wing panel. The female lacks the wing pattern and has a pale unstreaked belly. Pairs and flocks are resident with local movements in open savanna, brushy grassland, swamps, and cultivated areas.
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulus
Plump, smooth-plumaged bird with a sleek crest and white and yellow markings on wings. Mostly clean gray with brighter rusty wash on the face. Look for rich rufous undertail. Breeds in open coniferous forests at high latitudes across the Northern Hemisphere. Winter range depends on fruit crops; sometimes descends much further south in large numbers. Often found in flocks feasting on fruiting trees like crabapple and mountain ash. Listen for their ringing trills, often given while flying overhead. Compare with Cedar Waxwing in North America and Japanese Waxwing in Asia; Bohemian is larger and grayer, with a different wing pattern and no yellow on the belly.
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