Short-tailed Akalat
Sheppardia poensis
Small, fairly plain, brown-and-orange robin-like bird. The tail is uniformly rufous-brown and the face is mostly orange, with a blackish or olive-brown cap. Found in the understory of forest at middle and high elevations. Shy and inconspicuous. The song is a quiet series of several mournful low-pitched whistles. Very similar to Lowland Akalat, but has orange extending further onto the face, more white on the belly, and is found at higher elevations. Also similar to White-bellied and Gray-winged Robin-Chats, but separated from the former by uniform tail, and from the latter by the lack of a strong white eyebrow.
Identification
The short-tailed akalat (Sheppardia poensis) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It has a scattered range throughout Central Africa. Its natural habitats are boreal forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The short-tailed akalat was formerly considered conspecific to Bocage's akalat (Sheppardia bocagei), but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021.
Taxonomy
Genus: Sheppardia; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Sheppardia poensis
- Authority
- (Alexander, 1903)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Sheppardia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Striking and unmistakable in most of range; the only sapsucker in eastern North America. Long, solid white wing patch helps distinguish it from Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Adult male has red cap and throat; females are similar but with white throat; juveniles are messy brownish-gray overall. The namesake yellow belly can be difficult to see and is sometimes almost absent. Often looks disheveled, especially in fall and winter. Compare with the extremely similar Red-naped Sapsucker, which barely overlaps in range. Note male Yellow-bellied has complete black border around red throat patch, and the white markings on the back are more extensive and messy. Occurs in almost any wooded habitat, breeding in the boreal forest across Canada and wintering as far south as Costa Rica. Like other sapsuckers, drills rows of sap wells into tree bark. Listen for irregular drumming (like morse code) and various nasal calls.
Hodgson's Redstart
Phoenicurus hodgsoni
Male very similar in appearance to Daurian Redstart; note more restricted silver on the forehead and less distinct wing panel. Female’s lack of a white wing patch distinguishes her from female Daurian, and she averages paler than female Black Redstart, with a brighter eye-ring. Blue-fronted Redstart female can be similar; Hodgson’s female is colder-toned with a single dark stripe down the tail instead of Blue-fronted’s inverted “T.” Hodgson’s breeds in hilly and montane open forests and forest edge; descends in the winter, favoring scrubby edge.
Pheasant Cuckoo
Dromococcyx phasianellus
Very retiring and elusive cuckoo of tropical forest, heard far more often than seen. Sings mainly in spring and summer, and at other times appears absent from areas where it may actually be fairly common. Feeds mostly on the ground, walking stealthily, but usually sings from mid-upper levels in trees, when it is most likely to be seen. Oddly shaped, with small head (rusty crest often raised and lowered) and very long, fan-shaped, (‘pheasant-like’) tail.
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