Mountain Sawwing
Psalidoprocne fuliginosa
An entirely brownish-black swallow with darker wings and a forked tail. Often encountered in groups at the forest edge and in montane grassland. Only found on Bioko, where it is the only sawwing, and on Mt. Cameroon, where it is the common sawwing of high elevations. Calls are short, liquid “shu-shu” notes. Appears similar to other sawwings, especially to young Black Sawwings, but Mountain Sawwing is completely dark all over, including on the underwing.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psalidoprocne fuliginosa
- Authority
- Shelley, 1887
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Genus
- Psalidoprocne
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Black Shama
Copsychus cebuensis
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Barred Puffbird
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An unobtrusive bird with an oversized head and bill. Look for tiger-striped pattern—warm cinnamon-brown overall with uneven black barring. Also note slightly darker cap and staring pale eye. Uncommon; found around forest edge and secondary woodland in the lowlands from Panama to western Ecuador. Perches still for long periods of time, often on an exposed perch. Frequently detected by distinctive wolf-whistling calls.
Greater Hoopoe-Lark
Alaemon alaudipes
A unique, large desert lark. On the ground, plumage is unimpressive with spotted breast and overall sandy tones, but in flight a magnificent white-and-black pattern is exposed. Males are slightly brighter-patterned than females. Bill is long and downcurved. Constantly runs on its long legs. Breeds on sandy and stony plains and low hills. Resident or nomadic. Song is a beautiful ascending series on flutey whistles followed by a descending trill; often given in a dramatic vertical display flight.
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