Southern Hyliota
Hyliota australis
Mid-sized, generic-looking warbler-like bird. Males have a matte black back, a white wing patch, and very pale yellowish underparts. Females are similar, but browner on the back. Found mainly in broadleaf savanna, and locally in humid forest. Usually in pairs or small groups, which will join mixed-species feeding flocks. The quiet vocalizations include chatty calls and trills. Very similar to Yellow-bellied Hyliota. In most of the range, Southern males distinguished by the smaller white patch on the wing, and females by their browner upperparts. In Uganda and Kenya, males are extremely similar, but Southern can still be recognized by its non-glossy black back.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Hyliota australis
- Authority
- Shelley, 1882
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hyliotidae
- Genus
- Hyliota
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Flightless Steamer-Duck
Tachyeres pteneres
A large heavily built duck that is uncommon to fairly common along rocky seacoasts; not found on lakes, unlike Flying Steamer-Duck. Both sexes are steely blue-gray overall, brighter than Flying Steamer-Duck, with a stouter and deeper-based bill. The bill of both male and female is bright orange in the southern parts of its range, but is orange with a greenish distal patch around Chiloé Island (likely a different species). The bill of juvenile birds is duller grayish to dull yellowish; attains adult color by winter.
Spectacled Duck
Speculanas specularis
A handsome, generally uncommon, and rather shy duck of quiet vegetated lakes, forested rivers, and marshy wetlands; no similar species in range. Usually found in pairs or family groups, sometimes associating with other ducks but as often slightly separate. Sexes look alike with a bold white face patch (“spectacle”), a white collar, and orange legs. The large purplish or bronzy wing panel is often hidden when swimming (an old name for this bird was Bronze-winged Duck).
Gray-headed Dove
Leptotila plumbeiceps
Retiring, terrestrial dove of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Heard more frequently than seen. Like other members of the genus, it can be found walking quietly on shady roadsides and trails, especially early and late in the day. It often flushes explosively and flies to a low perch in the understory. Told from White-tipped Dove and Gray-chested Dove by blue-gray crown and hindneck. In flight, all Leptotila doves show white tail corners and rusty under the wings.
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