Hinde's Pied-Babbler
Turdoides hindei
A dark babbler with abundant scaly markings and red-orange eyes. The exact pattern and coloration are extremely variable. The underparts can be mostly black with white scaling, or mostly white with dark scaling. There is often rufous on the rump and undertail, and sometimes elsewhere. Found very locally at middle elevations in central Kenya, in thickets, remnant natural forest, and scrub dominated by exotic species. Almost always in small groups, which feed by hopping across the ground. Easily separated from other babblers in its range by the abundant and variable scaling. Usually located by the raspy babbling call, typically given by a whole group in chorus.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Turdoides hindei
- Authority
- (Sharpe, 1900)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Leiothrichidae
- Genus
- Turdoides
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Philippine Eagle-Owl
Ketupa philippensis
A large owl of lowland and foothill forest, including secondary habitat and plantations. Warm brown with a heavily marked back, a heavily streaked rufous head and chest, and a more sparsely streaked pale belly. Note the square-shaped head with flattened ear tufts and the yellow eyes. Unmistakable. No other owls of similar size occur in its range. Gives a long, drawn-out, spooky whistled note whose pitch rises slightly, then falls at the end.
Peruvian Martin
Progne murphyi
Scarce, local, and poorly known large swallow of lowland deserts and coastal areas. Usually seen as singles or small groups, usually apart from other swallows. Often flies rather high overhead, soaring easily and swooping more powerfully than small swallows. At times perches on desert slopes above agricultural valleys. Male is wholly blue-black, while female is dusky grayish overall with blue-black back and wings. No other martins occur regularly within its range.
Ash-colored Tapaculo
Myornis senilis
Moderately distinctive as far as tapaculos go, with its pale gray color, pale tawny undertail coverts, and notably long tail. Found in the Andes from Colombia to Peru, where it is difficult to see in the dense understory. Especially fond of areas with bamboo. Listen for the song: a long, often stuttered trill, usually with some harsh introductory notes.
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