African Penduline-Tit
Anthoscopus caroli
Tiny, nondescript, gray bird with a small, sharp bill. Most notable for its lack of distinct marks or coloration! The underparts vary geographically, from whitish to rich buff. Found in savanna and broadleaved woodland. Usually in small, active flocks. Most common vocalization is a series of high-pitched “tsu-tsu-tsii” triplets. Similar to Mouse-colored and Southern penduline-tits, but paler below and browner above than Mouse-colored, and lacks the black facial marks of Southern.
Taxonomy
The grey penduline tit was formally described in 1871 by the English ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe from a specimen that had been collected in the Ovaquenyama or Oukwanyama district of Damaraland. This is now northern Namibia. Sharpe coined the binomial name Aegithalus caroli. This tit is now placed in the genus Anthoscopus that was introduced in 1851 by the German ornithologist Jean Cabanis. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek anthos meaning "blossom" or "flower" with skopos meaning "searcher". The specific epithet caroli is from Late Latin Carolus for "Charles". This was chosen to honour the Swedish explorer Karl Johan Andersson. <p>Eleven subspecies are recognised:<p>The race A. c. sylviella, found in parts of Kenya and Tanzania, is sometimes regarded as a separate species, the buff-bellied penduline-tit.
- Scientific name
- Anthoscopus caroli
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1871)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Remizidae
- Genus
- Anthoscopus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pangani Longclaw
Macronyx aurantiigula
A large and relatively colorful member of the pipit family with a black necklace, a yellow-orange throat, a yellow breast, and whitish sides with long streaks. The white corners of the dark tail are conspicuous during its weak, fluttering flight. Found in grassland with some bushes and trees. Similar to Yellow-throated Longclaw, though there is only minor overlap in range; orange-throated birds are easily identified, but some individuals have a yellow throat, and these can be separated by their paler and much more heavily streaked flanks. Brownish immatures can be confused with pipits, but are larger and more robust. Not very vocal, but gives a high-pitched whistle and a simple song of doubled phrases.
Lawrence's Thrush
Turdus lawrencii
Accomplished song mimic of lowland rainforest. Dark brown thrush with yellow bill and bold yellow eye ring. Sings from a perch high in a tree, often quite difficult to see. Song is composed of imitations of songs and calls of other birds; a single individual can have more than 70 sounds in its repertoire. Found in tall forest, especially around streams.
Dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
Heavily built, flat-headed dark blue bird with a short bright red bill. In flight has a characteristic white circle, or ‘dollar’, on each underwing. Juvenile lacks red bill. May resemble mynas in flight, but note longer wings, larger head, and more powerful, less frantic flight. Nests in cavities; typically tree hollows. Frequently perches on power-lines or in the tops of tall dead trees.
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