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.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nigrita luteifrons
- Authority
- Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1851
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Nigrita
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Spizocorys fremantlii
An unusual and distinctive lark with a large bill and a short tail. Note the black “tear” mark below the eye. Plumage varies geographically; this lark is sandy brown in the northern part of the range and dark brown in the south. Found in dry, short grassland, usually within savanna environments, generally in small flocks. Somewhat similar to Thekla Lark, but has a larger bill and a shorter tail, and lacks a crest. The song includes short series of well-spaced slurred whistles. The typical call is a nasal whistle.
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A dull, dark brown, gregarious understory brownbul with dark red eyes and a whitish throat. Small groups of 4-6 individuals skulk in thickets and in lowland and montane forest up to 2100 meters. They hop and sneak through the undergrowth, flicking dead leaves and looking for insects and small vertebrates, giving a series of harsh nasal “ugk-ugk-ugk-ugk” chuckling notes that draw attention to themselves. The similar Northern Brownbul differs from the Terrestrial Brownbul by having warmer reddish tones on the tail and rump, and by lacking a white throat.
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