Black-headed Gonolek
Laniarius erythrogaster
Boldly patterned black-and-red bushshrike with pale eyes. The immature has pale underparts with fine dark bars. Found in thick woodland, lush scrub, and overgrown cultivation, where it usually skulks in the undergrowth. The male gives a rising, whistled “wheeo-eo,” and the female a low ratcheting call. These two are often given in a perfectly synchronized duet. Similar to Papyrus and Yellow-crowned Gonoleks, but has an all-black rather than yellow crown.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Laniarius erythrogaster
- Authority
- (Cretzschmar, 1829)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Malaconotidae
- Genus
- Laniarius
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pohnpei Kingfisher
Todiramphus reichenbachii
The only kingfisher on Pohnpei. Dashing, with a dark greenish-blue back, snow-white underparts and collar, and orange crown. Favors open wooded habitats such as forest edge, gardens, and early-successional forest. Pounces on prey from a low and exposed perch. Gives a loud, insistent series of “kweep”s.
South Georgia Diving-Petrel
Pelecanoides georgicus
A very small, chunky petrel. Note the short broad wings and the pale white throat and underside. Look for whitish rump patches and gray feathering behind the eyes. Breeds on islands in the circumpolar subantarctic zone. Most populations nest on rocky slopes or flat land, but the population on Codfish Island, New Zealand, nests in burrows within unstable sand dunes no more than 100 meters from the sea; this population is sometimes split as a different species. Difficult to distinguish from Common Diving-Petrel at sea due to subtlety of plumage differences.
Greater Hoopoe-Lark
Alaemon alaudipes
A unique, large desert lark. On the ground, plumage is unimpressive with spotted breast and overall sandy tones, but in flight a magnificent white-and-black pattern is exposed. Males are slightly brighter-patterned than females. Bill is long and downcurved. Constantly runs on its long legs. Breeds on sandy and stony plains and low hills. Resident or nomadic. Song is a beautiful ascending series on flutey whistles followed by a descending trill; often given in a dramatic vertical display flight.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.