Mrs. Moreau's Warbler
Scepomycter winifredae
An unusual warbler with a restricted range in the central Tanzanian mountains. Mostly gray, darker on the back, with a rich rufous head and breast. Females are duller. A shy and skulking bird of the understory of montane forest. Usually found in pairs. Somewhat similar to African Tailorbird and Chapin’s Apalis, but chunkier, with more extensive rufous on the head and breast. Normally detected by voice: the male sings a well-spaced series of long, pure whistles, sometimes accompanied in a duet by the female, who gives lower whistles in simple patterns.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Scepomycter winifredae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Macrosphenidae
- Genus
- Scepomycter
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-eyed Bulbul
Iole propinqua
Drab, undistinguished-looking bulbul. Predominantly gray-brown with a white throat and slight rufous tones on the wings and tail. Pale eye and unmarked head distinguish it from other plain brownish bulbuls within its range. Tends to be seen solitarily or in pairs but will occasionally join mixed flocks or forage in larger groups at fruiting trees. Unmusical; gives a loud, ringing nasal note, often repetitively.
Rufous Mourner
Rhytipterna holerythra
Overall rusty-colored, medium-sized flycatcher of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Favors middle to upper levels inside forest, where sits still for long periods and sallies out for insects and other small critters. Call is a distinctive slow wolf-whistle—“whee-wheeu,” given at infrequent intervals and easily imitated. Note the overall rusty plumage, slender bill, and behavior. Can be confused with slightly larger Rufous Piha, which has a bushier face, paler throat, and a very different voice.
Blue-headed Coucal
Centropus monachus
Huge coucal with a hefty bill. The head often looks black, but can show a blue sheen. Found close to water in marshes, swamps, and wet scrub. Fairly skulking, though occasionally seen in the open. Massive size is obvious in flight. The call is a slow, deep version of the typical coucal descending and accelerating series of “boop” notes. Very similar to Coppery-tailed Coucal, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and Blue-headed is smaller, with a blue sheen to the head. Similar coloration to Senegal Coucal, but much larger.
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