Red-shouldered Vanga
Calicalicus rufocarpalis
Small vanga that is built like a chickadee or tit. Male is colorful and female plain brownish. Madagascar endemic that is found very locally in spiny forest growing on limestone. Only described to science in the 1990s. Most common vocalization is a two- or three-part rising whistle. Separated from much more widespread Red-tailed Vanga by its pale eye and additional red on the shoulder.
Identification
Like many of the vangas, this species is sexually dimorphic; the male is the more colorful of the two. He has a pale gray crown, nape and mantle, with white on the ear coverts and forehead. Other than a black bib, which extends from the beak partway down the breast and up the sides of his neck, his underparts are principally whitish, tinged with pink on the breast and flanks. His flight feathers are brown, his wing coverts are brick-red, and his tail is a pale brick-red. His beak is black, his irides are yellow, and his legs and feet are pinkish-gray.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Calicalicus rufocarpalis
- Authority
- Goodman, Hawkins & Domergue, 1997
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vangidae
- Genus
- Calicalicus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The species has been rated as Vulnerable by the IUCN, based on its low population numbers and very small range.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Little Bee-eater
Merops pusillus
A small, mostly grass-green bee-eater with a canary-yellow throat separated from buff underparts by a black line across the throat. Singles and pairs occupy grassy savanna and wetland edges. They often perch lower than 1.5 m above the ground, and dart around hunting flying insects, then returning to the same small twig. Calls include a sibilant “s-lip” and other high-pitched notes. The Blue-breasted Bee-eater is slightly larger and has a white patch on the cheek. The much larger Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater has burnt orange underparts, and it prefers highland forest above 1800 m.
Little Pied Cormorant
Microcarbo melanoleucos
Small black and white cormorant with stubby yellow bill. In most of range has completely white undersides, lacking black "trousers." In New Zealand underparts coloration more variable, and can be anywhere from white to mostly black with a white throat and face. Take care to identify from Pied Cormorant, which has a long ivory bill and contrasting black “trousers” on the flanks near the legs. Found in a wide range of watery habitats, including small ponds, creeks, and dams.
Ambon White-eye
Zosterops kuehni
A small songbird with a conspicuous white eye-ring, a green face and upperparts, a bright yellow throat, a white belly, and a yellow base to the undertail. Pairs and small groups occur in the lowlands in forest, edge, sparsely wooded areas, and gardens. Restricted to Ambon, except for a few records from Seram. Separated from Warbling and Lemon-bellied White-eyes by its white belly, and from Seram White-eye by its green face and forecrown. Song comprises a rapid, pleasant warble. Also gives penetrating “tzew” notes.
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