Ethiopian Siskin
Serinus nigriceps
An attractive seedeater of the Ethiopian highlands. The distinctive males have a black head and an olive-green and yellow body. Females are duller and heavily streaked, though less so below. Both sexes have a black wing with bold white wingbars. Found in a wide variety of montane habitats including forest edge, grassland, heath, cultivated areas, and areas of human habitation, usually in small flocks. The male is distinctive, but females can be confused with African Citril or Yellow-crowned Canary. They are distinguished by their lack of a pale eyebrow, darker overall coloration, stronger wingbars, and reduced streaking below. The song is a rapid jumble of twitters and whistles.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Serinus nigriceps
- Authority
- Rüppell, 1840
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Serinus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Brown-winged Kingfisher
Pelargopsis amauroptera
Chunky large orangish kingfisher with an oversized head and a scarlet dagger of a bill. No other large kingfisher in its range has dark brown wings. Bright blue-green rump patch most obvious in flight. Restricted to coastal habitats such as mangroves and estuaries. Gives loud, fluid-sounding whistles as well as harsh grating rattles.
New Britain Rail
Gallirallus insignis
A round-bodied and short-tailed rail with long pink legs. Mostly chestnut above and black below with white barring. Almost flightless. Prefers damp thick forest and mountain valleys, but also occurs in swampy grass and agricultural areas. Similar to Pale-vented Bush-Hen and Buff-banded Rail, but differs from both in its black throat with white barring, and from Buff-banded by its lack of a prominent white eyebrow. Vocally poorly known, but reported to give wheezing nasal barks and screams.
Polynesian Storm-Petrel
Nesofregetta fuliginosa
A very large storm-petrel with large broad wings and a long forked tail. White rump and throat patch are often strikingly obvious, even with brief views. Pelagic, but occurs in groups near colonies. Combination of stark black-and-white plumage, relatively large size, white throat patch, and long gliding flight with periodic surface bounces is diagnostic. Silent at sea.
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