Slender-billed Greenbul
Stelgidillas gracilirostris
Slim, long-tailed greenbul with an olive-brown back and gray underparts. When seen well, shows a red eye. Found in the canopy of humid forest. Can be found singly, in pairs, or in small groups. The most common vocalization is a long, descending whistle: “teeeiow.” The contrast between the dark upperparts and gray underparts make this a distinctive species by greenbul standards.
Taxonomy
The slender-billed greenbul was formally described in 1844 by the English naturalist Hugh Edwin Strickland under the binomial name Andropadus gracilirostris from a specimen collected on the island of Fernando Pó (now Bioko) off the west coast of Africa.<p>A molecular phylogenetic study of the bulbuls published in 2007 found that Andropadus was non-monophyletic. In the subsequent rearrangement to create monophyletic genera, the slender-billed greenbul was moved to the genus Stelgidillas that had been introduced by Harry C. Oberholser in 1899. Alternate names for the slender-billed greenbul include the Cameroon sombre greenbul and Cameroon greenbul. The latter name should not be confused with the species of the same name, Arizelocichla montana.<p>Formerly, some authorities also considered the following species (or subspecies) as species within the genus Stelgidillas:<p>Two subspecies of the slender-billed greenbul are recognized:
- Scientific name
- Stelgidillas gracilirostris
- Authority
- (Strickland, 1844)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Genus
- Stelgidillas
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Dusky-blue Flycatcher
Bradornis comitatus
A dapper slate-colored flycatcher with a distinctly pale throat and eyebrow, often found at the forest’s edge along roads, in clearings, and even in farmlands. A widespread but sometimes overlooked resident, sometimes occurring up into the mountains, that builds its own nest inside old abandoned weaver nests. Can be confused with other African flycatchers, but note Dusky-blue Flycatcher’s upright posture, habitat, and pale throat and lores. Song is variable, consisting of clear whistles and other calls given in groups of 2-10 notes. Calls include high-pitched “sip sip” and buzzy “zrt” notes.

Madagascar Scops-Owl
Otus rutilus
Typical scops-owl, with small ear tufts that can be hidden, especially when roosting during the day. Color varies from gray to brown to rufous, with rufous birds more prevalent in the eastern rainforest. Inhabits both moist and dry habitats throughout Madagascar, including rainforest, dry deciduous forest, spiny forest, scrub, and plantations. Often found on day roosts in low tangles. Song varies geographically. In the east, it is a punctuated “tru-tru-tru…”. In the west it is a more rolling “trrr-trrr-trrr…”. Intermediate vocalizations can be heard in transitional zones, such as far northern Madagascar. Much smaller than all of Madagascar’s other owls.

Parasitic Weaver
Anomalospiza imberbis
Odd little short-tailed and chunky-billed member of the indigobird family. The male is yellow, with dark wings and tail, while the female is brown and streaky on the back and buff on the face and underparts. Found in moist grassland and open savanna. Uncommon across its range. Indistinct song consists of short, rasping phrases. Male could be confused with canaries but has an all-black bill. Female resembles female bishops but has a shorter and thicker all-black bill.
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