Sooty Thicket-Fantail
Rhipidura threnothorax
A medium-sized, long-tailed bird of lowland forest thickets, often near streams. All over sooty-gray plumage, with a short white eye-brow, white throat and a black chest with white dots. Likes to stay in cover, where it often twitches and fans its tail. Similar to Black and White-bellied Thicket-Fantails but Sooty has a black belly, and lacks the white wing bars and white tips to the tail. More often heard than seen. Most commonly given call is three explosive, downslurred notes “tyu-tyu-tyu!”.
Taxonomy
According to IOC there are 2 recognised subspecies. In alphabetical order, these are:
- Scientific name
- Rhipidura threnothorax
- Authority
- Müller, S, 1843
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Rhipiduridae
- Genus
- Rhipidura
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Ethiopian Black-headed Oriole
Oriolus monacha
A mostly yellow bird with a black hood and a red bill. The tail pattern varies geographically; it can be largely plain olive-and-yellow, or it can show black patches. Found in lush woodland and montane forest at middle elevations in the Abyssinian highlands. Very similar to African Black-headed Oriole, but usually separated by habitat and range. Further distinguished by the wing pattern, which is plainer, with a long gray patch, and without bold white feather edgings. Song is a series of slurred, liquid whistles, and calls include raspy notes.
Large Woodshrike
Tephrodornis virgatus
Nondescript large-billed bird with a bandit’s mask. Very similar to Common Woodshrike, but note heavier bill and lack of white eyebrow. A species of lowland and hill forests. Forages slowly and quietly, often in upper levels of forest and frequently with mixed-species flocks. Song is a rapid monotone series of whistles, the first one or two notes sometimes lower. Also frequently gives a harsh rattling call.
Thick-billed Siskin
Spinus crassirostris
Scarce and local throughout its range, and rarely encountered. Found in varied scrubby montane habitats, especially Polylepis groves. Feeds in shrubs and on the ground, often in pairs and small groups; associates readily with other siskins. Both sexes resemble the much commoner and more widespread Hooded Siskin (absent in central Chile), but Thick-billed Siskin is stockier with a relatively large, deep bill. Varied songs and calls overall rather similar to other siskins.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.