Mottled Swift
Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Huge swift with powerful, falcon-like flight. Overall coloration is gray with a paler throat and mottling on the belly, but often looks blackish when seen in flight overhead. A darker, blackish population nests in Luanda, Angola, and wanders widely. Found over a wide variety of habitats, though often in the vicinity of rock outcroppings. Near breeding colonies, gives an exuberant trilled call. Similar in size and shape to Alpine Swift, but separated by the dark rather than white belly. Separated from all other swifts by large size.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tachymarptis aequatorialis
- Authority
- (Müller, JW, 1851)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Tachymarptis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Southern Cordonbleu
Uraeginthus angolensis
A small gray-brown and powder-blue waxbill with a blue-gray bill. The male is bright with extensively blue underparts, while the female is paler, often with a grayish belly. Pairs and small flocks are resident in dry savanna, cultivation, and rural villages close to permanent water for drinking. The species may disperse during drought. It frequently gives a loud and distinctive high-pitched “tsee-tsee-tsee” call, especially when flushed. The similar male Red-cheeked Cordonbleu has a diagnostic red cheek patch and pinkish bill, but hybrids have been recorded.
South Moluccan Cicadabird
Edolisoma amboinense
Small cuckooshrike with a restricted range, found only on the South Moluccan islands. Males are grayish. More distinctive female is grayish on the back, and buff below, with fine barring. Found in wooded habitats. Vocalizations apparently unknown. Female easily distinguished from much grayer Pale Cuckooshrike, which also has unbarred underparts.
Short-billed Canastero
Asthenes baeri
Medium-sized, rather nondescript bird, plain dull brown with a tail that is usually held cocked. Note the orange throat patch. Inhabits arid areas with scrub and woodlands, where it forages both in trees and on the ground. The song is a high nasal trill. The similar Sharp-billed Canastero has a longer bill and tail and an indistinct eyebrow.
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