White-throated Bee-eater
Merops albicollis
Slim pretty bee-eater with very long central tail feathers. The bold white throat and eyebrow distinguish this species from all other bee-eaters. Breeds in arid savanna, but occurs in a wide range of habitats on migration and when not breeding, including moist savanna, forest edge, and cultivation. Often in groups, which are sometimes large. The call is a dry, high-pitched rattle.
Identification
This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is predominantly green, but its face and throat are white with a black crown, eye stripe, and neckband. The underparts are pale green shading to blue on the breast. The eye is red and the beak is black.<p>The white-throated bee-eater can reach a length of 19–21 cm, excluding the two very elongated central tail feathers, which can exceed an additional length of 12 cm. They weigh between 20 and 28 grams. Sexes are alike, except that the male has longer tail feathers. The call is similar to European bee-eater.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Merops albicollis
- Authority
- Vieillot, 1817
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Meropidae
- Genus
- Merops
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- AF : Mauritania and Senegal to e Sudan, Eritrea, Yemen and Somalia
- Non-breeding range
- Senegal to Kenya and Gabon
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Vanellus resplendens
Large, boldly patterned shorebird of high Andean bogs, wetlands, and lakeshores; also ranges into grassy pastures in the northern part of its range. Usually in pairs or loose flocks, feeding with typical stop-start action of plovers. Little or no range overlap with Southern Lapwing of lowlands and foothills. Note dove-gray head and breast (no crest) and pink bill and legs (duller on immature). In flight shows bold black-and-white pattern on wings and tail. Often noisy, especially when flushed.
Peruvian Recurvebill
Syndactyla ucayalae
Reddish-brown bird with a distinctive upturned bill. Found almost exclusively in bamboo thickets, but occasionally also in dense viny areas. Forages singly or in pairs in the under- and midstory, using its bill to pry open holes in dead bamboo to find insects. Its song is a deep accelerating rattle “tick-ti-tr-trrrrrrrrrrrrr” that crescendos.
Blue-black Grosbeak
Cyanoloxia cyanoides
Chunky, stout-billed bird of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands. Usually found in pairs, often skulking at low to middle levels in lush vegetation. In typical views, looks simply dark. Note the large size relative to buntings, very stout bill, and broad tail, which can be twitched side to side. Male is deep blue-black overall. Female is rich dark brown overall. Sharp squeaky call often doubled and rather distinctive.
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