African Citril
Crithagra citrinelloides
A small seedeater with a sharp bill and a forked tail. The upperparts are olive-green and the underparts yellow. Males have a black face and plain yellow underparts. Females have a plain face, but are heavily streaked below. Found at middle and high elevations in a variety of habitats including forest edge, gardens, cultivation, moist scrub, and woodland. Usually in small flocks. Similar to Southern Citril, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and the male is easily separated by its black face. The song is a fast jumble of high-pitched twitters and whistles.
Identification
The African citril (Crithagra citrinelloides), also known as the Abyssinian citril, is a species of finch. It is found from Ethiopia and Eritrea to western Kenya. It is closely related to the western and southern citril, to which it was formerly considered conspecific.
Taxonomy
Genus: Crithagra; Family: Fringillidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Crithagra citrinelloides
- Authority
- (Rüppell, 1840)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Crithagra
Range and habitat
This bird was studied in the Degua Tembien massif, and observed to be a breeding resident of woodland edges, scrubland and forest edges.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Short-billed Minivet
Pericrocotus brevirostris
Brilliantly colored and long-tailed inhabitant of the forest canopy. Males are bright red and black, and females are gray and yellow. Both sexes are very similar to their counterparts in other red-and-black minivet species. Males have a simple pattern on the wing that resembles a “V” or a lightning bolt; lacks the extra blotches of the slightly larger Scarlet Minivet. Females have less gray on the head than the females of the otherwise identically colored Long-tailed and Gray-chinned Minivets. Typically intermediate in altitude between Long-tailed and Scarlet Minivets. Gives high thin whistles.
Band-tailed Antshrike
Thamnophilus melanothorax
A rarely encountered large antshrike. Both sexes are distinctive; male is mostly black with a broad white tail band, whereas female is mostly rusty-colored with a black face and throat. Pairs inhabit disturbed areas in forested regions and are especially fond of dense vine tangles. May ascend into midstory but usually remains in undergrowth where they are difficult to see. Song is a slow series of hollow notes, much slower than other antshrikes in range; also harsh churring in alarm. Range incompletely known.
Black-headed Lapwing
Vanellus tectus
An attractive lapwing with a black-and-white head, a brown back, and pale underparts. There is a thin black crest and a black line down the center of the breast. In flight, reveals broad white bands across the wings. Found in dry savanna habitats. Mostly active at night, early in the morning, and late in the day. Often in pairs or small groups. Not easily confused with other lapwings. The call is a strident, wooden, repeated “krep.”
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