Lühder's Bushshrike

Laniarius luehderi

Distinctive and attractive mid-sized bushshrike. Adults have black upperparts with a white slash across the wing. The top of the head and the breast are orange, and the belly white. Found in forest openings, thick woodland, dense scrub, and overgrown cultivation, where it skulks in thick tangles. The vocalizations include a quick vibrating trill, frog-like notes, ratchets, and low scratchy notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Laniarius luehderi
Authority
Reichenow, 1874
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Malaconotidae
Genus
Laniarius

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

White-throated Pewee

White-throated Pewee

Contopus albogularis

Small, inconspicuous, locally-distributed flycatcher. Both sexes are entirely dark gray with exception of prominent white throat patch. Inhabits rainforest, usually in areas with numerous rock outcrops, inselbergs, or bauxite plateaus. Found alone or in pairs, in canopy or just beneath it; sallies from perches to catch insects in mid-air, often returning to the same perch. Much darker than Tropical Pewee or Eastern/Western Wood-Pewee; range does not overlap with those of other dark pewees, all of which lack white in throat. Sharp, piping call notes are often overlooked, though they may be given for long periods throughout the day.

Western Capercaillie

Western Capercaillie

Tetrao urogallus

Huge gamebird of conifer forest, adjacent moorland, and clearings with shrubs, mainly in wilder areas. Mostly elusive, but occasional males go "rogue" and attack hikers. Groups of males display just after dawn in early spring, holding their tail raised and fanned like a turkey. Massive male is blackish overall with long tail, white shoulder spot. Female appreciably smaller than male, told from smaller female Black Grouse by unbarred rusty breast and bright rusty tail with black bars.

Spot-fronted Swift

Spot-fronted Swift

Cypseloides cherriei

Little-known swift found mostly in mountainous areas, though flocks occasionally venture into lowlands. All dark with short square tail and angular wings. Namesake white spots on forehead and behind eyes are distinctive, but these can be extremely difficult to see. Many swifts are best left unidentified. Sex and age variation not well known; some birds, maybe juveniles, can show whitish scaling on belly. Occasionally seen singly or mixed with flocks of other swifts, but most often in monotypic flocks of up to several dozen individuals. Voice can be helpful with practice; typically a staccato chatter followed by “pew pew pew” notes like a laser gun.

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