Growling Riflebird
Ptiloris intercedens
A large bird of lowland and foothill forest in eastern New Guinea. The bill is fairly long, slightly curved and more feathered in the base than its sister species. Male is mainly black with a blue breast shield, bordered with a pale line below. Female and juveniles are brown above and pale below with dark barring. Almost identical to the more widespread Magnificent Riflebird but does not co-occur. Female similar to female Twelve-wired Bird-of-Paradise, but has a striped rather than black head. More often heard than seen. Voice, a growled “raahh! raooo!”.
Identification
The male is a velvet black and green bird-of-paradise with black flank plumes, black curved bill, yellow mouth, blackish feet and dark brown iris. It has an iridescent greenish blue on its crown, throat, breast shield and central tail feathers. The female is a rufous brown bird with barred buff below.<p>Its appearance resembles, and it is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of the magnificent riflebird. It is differentiated by the lower breast and abdomen coloration, the male's distinctive growling song, and feathered culmen base.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ptiloris intercedens
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1882
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paradisaeidae
- Genus
- Ptiloris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Black-and-white Bulbul
Microtarsus melanoleucos
While highly distinctive, this bulbul can be irruptive and moves in flocks over a wide range; it is thus infrequently encountered. Both sexes are dark with white shoulder patches; female is slightly browner. Moves through lowland and foothill evergreen forest and forest edge. Forages throughout all forest levels, but most common in upper levels, where it often gathers in the crowns of fruiting trees. Occasionally gives abrupt metallic ‘ching!’
White-bellied Canary
Crithagra dorsostriata
A pretty canary with an olive-green back, a well-marked head, a yellow breast and rump, and a white belly. Males are brighter overall and unstreaked below, while females are duller with thick streaks on the underparts. Found in dry and moderately moist savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas, often in small flocks. Similar to Yellow-fronted Canary, but separated by the white belly and the less boldly marked face. Can look similar to Yellow-crowned Canary, but found in different habitat and has a more heavily marked face. Found in the same habitat as grosbeak-canaries, but smaller and darker-billed. The song consists of musical whistles and trills, sometimes given in a continuous stream and sometimes divided into distinct phrases.
Golden Vireo
Vireo hypochryseus
Small, rather chunky but long-tailed bird of tropical forest and woodland in lowlands and foothills; endemic to western Mexico. Feeds at all levels, often at fruiting trees and bushes with other vireos and fruit-eating birds. Like most vireos, generally rather sluggish. Bright yellow-and-greenish plumage, plus cocked tail, strongly suggest smaller and more lightly built Wilson’s Warbler, but note the vireo’s broad pale eyebrow, stouter bill, and stronger blue-gray legs.
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