Red-headed Malimbe
Malimbus rubricollis
A striking black-and-red forest malimbe lacking a breastband in either sex. Male has red from the forehead to the upper back, with spurs creating a half-collar on the neck. Female is like the male but the forehead is black to the center of the crown. Juvenile is like the female, with a paler bill and a brown forehead. A common resident in its range, preferring the canopy of primary and secondary lowland forest, farmbush, woodland, and occasionally gardens. Forages nuthatch-style in pairs and small groups and often dangles upside down, clinging to branches and examining crevices. Vocalizations include whistles accelerating into sizzling notes “whetdoteew-dzrsrsrrrr.”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Malimbus rubricollis
- Authority
- (Swainson, 1838)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Malimbus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chatham Islands Parakeet
Cyanoramphus forbesi
Medium-sized bright green parakeet mainly restricted to Mangere and Little Mangere Islands on the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. Note distinctive yellow crown above a red forehead. Due to hybridization with Red-crowned Parakeet, some birds have red extending to and beyond the eye and a crown that varies from yellow-orange to orange-red. Males are larger than females. Will feed out in the open on flowering flax as well as in forest habitats. Commonly seen on the ground, scratching the surface like a chicken. Chatters quietly while feeding and often calls in flight. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Red-crowned Parakeet is present in the same habitat but lacks yellow on crown and has an obvious red band extending to, and beyond, the eye.
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Melithreptus brevirostris
Small honeyeater with brown cap. Primarily gray-brown with olive back and lighter underparts. Eye patch and band leading from the eye to back of the head are cream-colored. Juveniles have pale blue coloration around the eye and a yellow bill. Take care to separate from juvenile White-naped Honeyeater, which lacks the pale half collar around the side of the neck. The plumage of this species varies geographically. Common in eucalypt forests, where it is usually very vocal and active. Forages in small groups.
Mourning Wheatear
Oenanthe lugens
Rather large and powerful-looking for a wheatear. Sexes similar. Differs from Pied and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears by stronger bill, short wings, prominent white tail flash (visible only in flight), and and evenly broad black terminal tail band. Undertail coverts always buff or rusty. Feeds on arthropods on rocky slopes and in desert wadis; in winter descends to plains and valleys. Male sings a soft, flutey, and musical verse from a prominent rock or in flight.
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