African Yellow-Warbler
Iduna natalensis
Mid-sized, long-billed warbler with rich yellow underparts and an olive-green back. The color of the cap varies geographically. In some subspecies, it is black, while in others, it is olive-green like the back. Found in wet scrub, often adjacent to wetlands. Generally skulks in thick undergrowth. Distinctive song is a couple of quick introductory chips followed by a vibrating trill. Other yellow-warblers are similar, but have a paler cap and are found in different habitats.
Identification
The African yellow warbler is a medium-sized warbler in which the whole of the upperparts and tail are yellowish-brown, with a slightly browner crown and yellower rump. The wings have brown feathers edged with yellow. The underparts are bright yellow with an olive wash on the sides of the breast, flanks and lower belly. The bill is pale on the upper mandible and blackish on the lower, and the legs are blackish. Females have duller underparts, and the juveniles are similar to the males but are buffier. The total length is 13 cm (5.1 in) and the birds weigh between 10 and 15 g (0.35 and 0.53 oz).<p>The song of the African yellow warbler is a rapid series of throaty and varied notes preceded by a few raspy notes, for example, "chip-chip-chip- whee-lee-wheeo". The alarm call is a sharp "tsk" or "chirr".
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Iduna natalensis
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1847)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acrocephalidae
- Genus
- Iduna
Range and habitat
The African yellow warbler is a bird of rank vegetation and occurs in reeds, overgrown waterside vegetation and forest edges, especially where these are integrated with wetter vegetation.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Eurasian Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
Brightly-colored inhabitant of wooded and forested habitats, parks, gardens, and hedges in farmland. Plumage distinctive, with blue cap, white face with dark line through eyes, yellow underparts. Smaller and more active than Great Tit, which often occurs alongside Eurasian Blue Tit but has a very different head pattern, different calls. Juvenile (seen in summer–early autumn) has yellowish wash to face, drabber plumage overall. Often visits bird feeders and uses nest boxes. Listen for variable high-pitched vocalizations, as well as harsh scolding calls.
Mediterranean Short-toed Lark
Alaudala rufescens
A small pale lark with a short, finch-like bill. Usually seen foraging on the ground in open country with shrubs, grasses, and extensive bare soil. Stays low to the ground and runs quickly. The extremely variable song is made up of a long series of phrases containing a mix of many different types of notes, often including imitations of other bird species. Sings shorter song phrases than Turkestan Short-toed Lark, with shorter pauses between them. Visually, can be difficult to separate from Greater Short-toed Lark; best features are the heavily streaked breast and flanks and the lack of a well-defined eyebrow. Also extremely similar to Turkestan Short-toed Lark. Separation in overlap zone is difficult and poorly understood, and is complicated by both geographic and individual variation. Mediterranean is slightly more rufous overall, with broader streaks on the breast.
Kikuyu White-eye
Zosterops kikuyuensis
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the olive-green back, the yellow underparts with broad olive flanks, and the very broad white spectacles around the eyes. Found in the highlands of central Kenya, in montane forest, forest edge, exotic tree plantations, and lush gardens and scrub. Usually in hyperactive pairs or flocks. Separated from similar broad-ringed white-eyes by range. Somewhat similar to African Yellow and Pale White-eyes, but found at higher elevations, and eye-ring is much broader. Song is a subdued, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Calls include a high-pitched rising rattle, chattering notes, and “chew” notes like those from the song.
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