African Shrike-flycatcher
Megabyas flammulatus
A distinctive shrike-like bird of forest and forest edge, often seen perched upright on branches wagging its tail from side to side. Looks like a heavyset flycatcher with a large hooked bill, a big head, a relatively short tail, and a large body. Males are typically white below and black above with a red eye and a white rump patch. Females are white below with strong black streaking and white lores, and generally reddish-brown above with darker primary flight feathers. Similar to Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher, but African Shrike-Flycatcher has a white throat and no crest, and females have streaked undersides. Calls include a descending “PWHEEEeeeer,” single “cherdew” calls, and doubled sets of variable, almost mechanical phrases: “perit-perit, tchledew-tchledew.”.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Megabyas flammulatus
- Authority
- Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1855
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Platysteiridae
- Genus
- Megabyas
Range and habitat
The African shrike-flycatcher is found in the African countries of Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. <p>Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Sooty Babbler
Stachyris herberti
Small dark babbler with a ring of pale exposed skin around the eye. Contrastingly pale bill stands out in the gloom of the undergrowth. Found in limestone forests, often near cliffs, gullies, and ravines. Climbs on vegetation and limestone karst in search of prey, often in both single-species and mixed-species flocks. Calls softly when foraging, but fairly quiet compared to other babblers.
Eyebrowed Thrush
Turdus obscurus
A long, slightly curving white eyebrow gives this species an elegant, sophisticated appearance. Typically keeps to cover on the ground and in mid-levels of trees but occasionally ventures into the open to feed, particularly during migration. Alert and quick to flush. Adult male has gray head, brown back, and orange belly. Females are brownish overall with more faded orange on the underparts. Breeds in eastern Siberian forests, typically in damp areas near water, or areas with dense understory. Winters in more open habitats, such as parks, but not as fond of open spaces as blackbirds. Well-spaced song phrases consist of rich warbling and ringing buzzy whistles. Also gives a high, piercing “tsssst!”
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
Eupherusa eximia
Distinctive, medium-sized hummingbird found in foothills and highlands. Favors humid evergreen forests and shade-coffee plantations. Mainly feeds at low to middle levels, darting quickly among flowers and flashing open its tail to reveal white stripes. Both sexes have a bright rusty panel in the wings, which appears as a blur when hovering. Male is brilliant green overall. Female is pale gray below and has less white in the tail.
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