Scaly-breasted Illadopsis
Illadopsis albipectus
A chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab babbler. Most birds show some darker scaling on the breast, though this is difficult to see without a good view. Found in the understory of rainforest at low and middle elevations. Shy and skulking; rarely seen unless searched for. Very similar to other illadopsises, and most readily distinguished by voice, though scaly-breasted birds are distinctive. Most often detected by voice. The distinctive song is far less variable than that of many other illadopsis species. It consists of one or two introductory “tek” notes followed by three or four whistles in a rising pattern, often repeated for long periods.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Illadopsis albipectus
- Authority
- (Reichenow, 1888)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pellorneidae
- Genus
- Illadopsis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Reed Cormorant
Microcarbo africanus
A small, speckle-backed cormorant that is common and widespread in fresh water. The adult is blackish with a short black crest above the bill. Immatures are brownish with paler underparts. Although they share the same habitat with Great Cormorant, Long-tailed Cormorants can be separated by their much smaller size, red eyes, and proportionately longer tails. Generally, Long-tailed Cormorant avoids the marine habitats of the similar-looking Crowned Cormorant, which has a larger crest, an unspeckled back, and a shorter tail.
Seychelles Blue-Pigeon
Alectroenas pulcherrimus
Medium-sized chunky pigeon that is dark blue with a pale gray hood and a warty patch of red bare skin on the face. Found in all habitats with trees, especially in areas with fruiting trees, though most common in montane forest. The common vocalization is a long, quick series of short growling notes. Dark blue coloration and pale head easily separate it from all other pigeons in its range.
Taita Apalis
Apalis fuscigularis
A slim, dark, long-tailed member of the cisticola family. Mostly gray-brown with a black throat and a pale gray belly. Also note the white eye and the white outer tail feathers. Inhabits a tiny range in remnant scraps of montane forest on the Taita Hills of Kenya, mostly along forest edge and in the undergrowth. Somewhat similar to Black-headed Apalis, but easily separated by the dark rather than white throat. The typical song is a duet in which the male gives repeated low “chrup” notes while the female gives rapid-fire higher notes.
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