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
Variegated Laughingthrush
Trochalopteron variegatum
Soft brown laughingthrush with a yellowish-white cheek patch and a diffuse black mask. Also note small white “teardrop” behind the eye. A species of middle to high elevations, ranging up above the treeline. Favors open forest and forest edge; often closely associated with rhododendrons. Short ringing song has a somewhat slurred, twangy quality.
White-bellied Mountain-gem
Lampornis hemileucus
Medium-sized hummingbird, male mostly green above with purple throat, thin white line behind eye, and bright white belly. Female not quite as colorful but still unique with white belly and line behind eye; she has a spotted throat. A forest hummingbird that also comes out to edges and gardens.
Chilean Skua
Stercorarius chilensis
Rather large, dark, stocky gull-like seabird with big white wing patches (seen in flight). In summer often seen flying over Patagonian steppe or associating with Kelp Gulls at beaches, dumps, river mouths, and lakes near the coast. Also found well offshore, where it chases other birds to steal their food. Usually seen as singles or small groups. Plumage variable, but always with some orange tones—sometimes bright and extensive, sometimes limited to underwing and base of tail. The only skua likely to be seen in Chile and southern Argentina.
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