Vigors's Sunbird
Aethopyga vigorsii
This medium-sized sunbird of the Western Ghats is similar in appearance to Crimson Sunbird, but the two ranges do not overlap. Male is bright red with a gray belly and iridescent blue-green tail and head markings. Female is dull gray overall with a paler belly. Young males are similarly dull, but often have dull red patches, particularly on the breast. Forages actively in small flocks in upper levels of foothill forest and forest edge. Squeaky song and high “seep” calls comparable to Crimson Sunbird.
Identification
Vigors's sunbird (Aethopyga vigorsii), Sahyadri sunbird, or western crimson sunbird, is a species of sunbird which is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. It has been considered as a subspecies of the crimson sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja) but it does not have the central tail as elongated and is restricted in its distribution. The male has a scarlet throat and breast, while the rest of its under parts are uniformly grey. Its wings are grey-brown and lack yellowish-olive edges. However, it is yellow on the lower back and tail is bottle green. The female's upperparts are dark olive, while its underparts are grey. A male who has not yet matured is similar to the female, but it has a dull scarlet throat and breast. The species is distributed mainly in the northern Western Ghats but has been reported from the Nilgiris. It was named after Irish-born zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors by Colonel William Henry Sykes.
Taxonomy
Genus: Aethopyga; Family: Nectariniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Aethopyga vigorsii
- Authority
- (Sykes, 1832)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Aethopyga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Small, fast-flying swift of humid tropical lowlands. Usually seen in pairs flying low over the forest canopy, but also ranges out over adjacent open areas, lakes, and rivers. Often in loose association with other small swifts, especially Vaux’s. Note the very narrow wings and long swallow tail, which is usually held closed in a long fine point rather than being spread to show the fork. The small size and bright white throat that contrasts with the black cap and body are distinctive.
Mountain Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus sindianus
Very similar to Common Chiffchaff, but distinctly darker brown, and lacks any green or yellow tones including uppertail coverts and fringes to wing feathers. Note the brownish wash to underparts, especially the flanks, the rather contrasting whitish throat, and white eyebrow. Bill and legs distinctly black. Short primary projection. Breeds in forested mountains, valleys, and foothills, including low-stature mixed forest; winters in lower elevation scrub, including acacia and tamarisks. Call similar to Siberian Chiffchaff: a high-pitched, slightly downslurred "Piiu." Song similar to Common Chiffchaff but faster and less “organized.”
Collared Palm-Thrush
Cichladusa arquata
Odd and distinctive thrush. Note the gray head, pale eye, rufous back, and black mark outlining the throat. Found locally in thickets within palm savanna. Distinctive song consists of an emphatic series of airy, wailing notes. Also gives chattering and rasping calls. Spotted Morning-Thrush is similar, but Collared is separated by its pale eye, bright rufous back, and lack of spotting below. Somewhat similar to nightingales and scrub-robins, but easily separated by its black throat markings.
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