White-throated Robin
Irania gutturalis
Large, long-billed robin that spends much of its time on the ground with tail cocked. The male has bluish upperparts, a dark face, a white supercilium, a broad black tail, and bright orange underparts. The female has gray underparts, a faintly mottled breast, a whitish throat, and orange sides. Breeds on high-altitude mountain slopes covered with dense scrub. On migration shows up in a variety of scrubby habitats. Calls similar to nightingales, including clear whistles and a low croak.
Identification
This species is larger than the European robin, having a length of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) and a wingspan of 28 centimetres (11 in). The breeding male has lead-grey upperparts, a black face with a white throat and supercilium, and orange underparts. The tail is black, as is the strong bill. Females are plainer, mainly grey apart from a black tail, hints of orange on the flanks, and some white throat streaks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Irania gutturalis
- Authority
- (Guérin-Méneville, 1843)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Irania
Range and habitat
It is a migratory species, breeding from Turkey to Afghanistan in western Asia, and wintering in East Africa. In East Africa they are found in closed thicket in dry country, typically Acacia-Commiphora woodland on the dry central plateau. Small numbers reach the Usangu Plains of Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, which is normally their southern limit. In dry years however, some may move still further south, and reach moister uplands at 1,600 metres. It is also a very rare vagrant to Europe.
- Breeding range
- PAL : Turkey to Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Iran
- Non-breeding range
- ne, e AF
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-crowned Flatbill
Tolmomyias poliocephalus
Small, stocky flycatcher with broad, flat bill. Occupies canopy and midstory of forest edges, gardens, and tall second growth in humid lowlands. Has gray crown, pale yellow underparts, and yellow edgings to wing feathers (but not wingbars). Very similar to a few other species of flycatchers, particularly Yellow-margined and Yellow-olive Flycatchers; best distinguishing features include its pale eye, lack of a yellow patch at the base of the primaries, and voice. Call is a loud, quickly rising whistle: “tuee?”, higher and cleaner than similar calls from species like Brownish Twistwing and Blue-backed Manakin, but not as high as the “twee-twee” of Purple-throated Euphonia.
Nile Valley Sunbird
Hedydipna metallica
Tiny sunbird with a relatively short bill. Male is unmistakable with a glossy green head, throat and back, a bright yellow belly, and extremely long thin tail. Females are yellowish below with a short tail and a whitish throat. Breeds in gardens, plantations, oases, and acacia scrub. Vocalizations similar to Palestine Sunbird, but both calls and song have a buzzing quality.
Pied Bronze-Cuckoo
Chalcites crassirostris
Striking small cuckoo endemic to the Tanimbar, and Kai and Tayando Islands (where rare) of the southeastern Moluccas. Male is dark iridescent green above and white below, with a bright red patch of bare facial skin around each eye, and a large white wing patch. Female is similarly patterned but duller. Usually observed in thicker vegetation at the edges of dense forest or in regenerating growth. Has two primary vocalizations: a fast, slightly descending trill, and a short series of high-pitched piping notes that trail off.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.