Pale-fronted Nigrita
Nigrita luteifrons
An easily overlooked gray finch of forest edges and farms, occurring in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, often with other species of nigrita. Males are largely gray above and black below, with dark gray wings and a very pale whitish forehead. Females are largely gray all over with darker wings, a black face mask, and a pale whitish forehead. Both males and females have pale pinkish legs. Occurs with all three other nigrita species, and males can be confused with Gray-headed Nigrita, but note Pale-fronted Nigrita’s lack of spots on the wings and pale forehead. Calls include soft “tew” notes and four descending whistles, “twe-tee-tee-tee.” The song is a longer series of descending whistles.
Identification
The pale-fronted nigrita (Nigrita luteifrons) is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,500,000 km2. It is widespread throughout the African tropical rainforest (although more sparsely throughout the Upper Guinean forests). The IUCN has classified the species as being of least concern.
Taxonomy
Genus: Nigrita; Family: Estrildidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Nigrita luteifrons
- Authority
- Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1851
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Nigrita
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-bellied Cuckooshrike (Manus)
Coracina papuensis ingens
A fairly large gray bird with a heavy bill, a prominent black blotch between bill and eye, and a white underside. Found singly or in pairs in forest edges and open environments with trees, avoiding dense forest. The smaller Manus Cicadabird is the only other cuckooshrike in its limited range on the Admiralty Islands; the cuckooshrike can be distinguished from the cicadabird by its white belly. Gives “kitcheek” or “sh-zick” calls.
Mountain Fulvetta
Alcippe peracensis
A plain fulvetta, fairly similar in appearance to the “Gray-cheeked Fulvettas”. Range of the northern subspecies overlaps slightly with that of Yunnan Fulvetta, from which it can be distinguished by duller, more olive-green upperparts, a bolder black line above the eye, and colder gray-washed underparts. Southern subspecies, found in peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand, is richer brown above with a whiter belly. Fast twittering song is comparable to that of Yunnan Fulvetta but somewhat quicker and shorter. Dry churring rattles are likewise similar to those of Yunnan Fulvetta. Despite its name, does not necessarily inhabit higher altitudes than Yunnan Fulvetta, and altitudinal ranges do overlap.
New Caledonian Crow
Corvus moneduloides
Celebrated as being among the most intelligent of birds, this species is known for making and using its own tools. A relatively small crow, mostly unremarkable looking with black plumage overall. The bill is oddly wedge-shaped for a crow, and it is known to use twigs as tools while foraging. Found throughout New Caledonia, but most abundant in higher-quality forest. Most common call a quick, nasal rising note.
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