Streamer-tailed Tyrant

Gubernetes yetapa

Spectacular flycatcher with a long and deeply forked tail. Grayish overall with a white throat and a black half collar that is continuous with the eye stripe. The wings are black with a cinnamon patch. Females have a slightly shorter tail. Usually found around palm groves, marshes, and grasslands near water. The call is sharp but melodic “djewp,” and during their hilarious noisy duet display, they cheerily raise and lower their head and raise their tail with wings open.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Gubernetes yetapa
Authority
(Vieillot, 1818)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Gubernetes

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Madagascar Buttonquail

Madagascar Buttonquail

Turnix nigricollis

Tiny, complexly patterned quail-like bird. Female has rufous sides, gray underparts, and black facial markings. Male is duller and browner. Found on the ground in a wide variety of habitats, including grassland, scrub, spiny forest, and western deciduous forest. Somewhat shy, though more approachable than quail. The song is a quick, pulsing series of low “hwo” notes. Male is similar to female quail, but smaller, and has weaker and less direct flight when flushed.  

Reischek's Parakeet

Reischek's Parakeet

Cyanoramphus hochstetteri

A medium-sized, emerald-green parakeet endemic to the Antipodes Islands, including smaller outer islands. Recognized by its distinctive bright red crown and small red patches behind the eyes. Green body plumage has a slight yellowish tint. Males are larger than females. Most commonly found in areas of low vegetation and open areas along the coast. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Calls are a distinctive parakeet chatter. Distinguished from Red-crowned Parakeet by lack of range overlap and the more yellow-green body plumage. Easily distinguished from larger, all-green Antipodes Island Parakeet.

Crowned Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing

Vanellus coronatus

A large, alert-looking, white-bellied, brown lapwing with a distinct white “halo” around the dark crown. The immature is duller, but it retains the distinctive crown pattern. Small groups occupy open dry country, preferring cropped and recently burnt grasslands, where they forage for termites, ants, and other invertebrates. Commonly resident, but it also disperses when conditions become unfavorable. It gives a series of noisy, scratchy “kirre” calls that are distinctive.

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