Western Nicator
Nicator chloris
An unusual bushshrike-like bird with a heavy hooked bill, olive-green above and pale below with bold white spotting on the wings. The yellow corners of the tail can be conspicuous in flight. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, thickets, lush secondary habitat, and dense woodland. Skulking and secretive, usually remaining in tangled understory and mid-level vegetation. Very similar to Eastern Nicator, but their ranges do not overlap. Also similar to Yellow-throated Nicator, but larger, without a bright yellow throat and streak above the eye. Very vocal and most often detected by voice; the song is a quick jumble of wooden notes, and the common call is a penetrating “chaak.”
Identification
It is very similar to the eastern nicator, but the sides of the face and crown are olive green. It is best identified by its range and some of its vocalizations.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nicator chloris
- Authority
- (Valenciennes, 1826)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nicatoridae
- Genus
- Nicator
Range and habitat
It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical swamps. It prefers well-established secondary growth forest from 700 to 1,850 metres. It is mainly native to the African tropical rainforest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mangrove Robin
Melanodryas pulverulenta
Small round songbird of dense mangrove areas, particularly the large stilt-rooted mangroves. White below, dark gray above, with blackish wings and white patches on sides of black tail. Distinctive species, much more rotund than other white-chinned bird species in this habitat (e.g., female Shining Flycatcher). Voice is a plaintive, slow, whistled note, usually repeated.
Allen's Hummingbird
Selasphorus sasin
Extremely similar to widespread Rufous Hummingbird; identical in plumage except for males' solid green back (which can be shown by Rufous too). Breeds only along a narrow strip of coastal California and southern Oregon. On females and immature males, the only way to separate them from Rufous is by the shape of the tail feathers, which is extremely difficult to determine without good photographs.
Louisiade White-eye
Zosterops griseotinctus
A small, rather plain yellow-olive white-eye. Yellowest on the head and neck with a clear white eye-ring and a long, slightly decurved pinkish-colored bill. Found in most forested or vegetated habitats. Common call is a loud repetitive “chip-chip-chip.”
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