Finsch's Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula finschii
A relatively plump and squat imperial-pigeon with a deep chestnut underside, a bright green back and wings, a pale pinkish chest, a gray neck, and a white eye-ring. White tail band sandwiched between two black tail bands is diagnostic. An unobtrusive pigeon that often sits motionless in the canopy of old-growth forest. Rarely seen flying above the canopy. Juvenile Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon could cause confusion, but lacks the bold tail pattern. Voice of Finsch’s little known, but the species has been heard giving a long gruff coo reportedly similar to a steam engine’s whistle.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ducula finschii
- Authority
- (Ramsay, EP, 1882)
- Order
- Columbiformes
- Family
- Columbidae
- Genus
- Ducula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Sao Tome Oriole
Oriolus crassirostris
Old World oriole that is unusual in nearly lacking yellow in its plumage. There is a dark hood which is solid in males and streaky in females. A small white mark on the wing and pale yellow marks in the outer tail can be conspicuous in flight. Found in the canopy of rainforest at low and middle elevations. Song is a series of slurred, low-pitched liquid whistles. Calls include a harsh, upslurred nasal scold. Easily identified, as it is the only oriole on the island of Sao Tome.

Buffy Hummingbird
Leucippus fallax
Medium-sized brown-and-green hummingbird. Upperparts pale green, underparts warm buff; bill medium-sized; has dull white spot behind eyes and boldly white tipped, rounded tail. Locally fairly common; territorial. Restricted to desert scrub, dry forest edges, and mangroves in northern Venezuela and extreme northeastern Colombia. Ruby Topaz female similar but with rufous tail and shorter bill.

Kofiau Monarch
Symposiachrus julianae
A medium-sized bird of lowland forest interior on Kofiau. Slate-gray above, white below, black face and silver-gray bill. Undertail is white with a black band in the base and thin black line at the tip. Forages actively at all levels. Unlikely to be mistaken. Northern Fantail has a dark chest band and Black-browed Triller has white marks in the wing. Voice, buzzy notes similar to Spot-winged Monarch.
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