Golden Greenbul
Calyptocichla serinus
A golden-green bird of forest and forest edge, often seen high above the ground in fruiting trees with other species. Mostly uniform golden-yellow below and yellow-green above with a distinctive pale pinkish bill that is often darkest towards the tip. Gives a drawn out, descending “TSCHEEeeeeew!”, often preceded by a sharp “chup!”
Identification
The golden greenbul is brightly coloured for a greenbul due to its bright yellow belly and white throat; otherwise it is not particularly distinct in plumage, with unmarked olive upperparts, tail and wings. It has a long slender pinkish-brown bill, a feature not shared by other greenbuls.
Taxonomy
The golden greenbul was originally described in the genus Criniger. It is not closely related to any of the other greenbul species, forming a separate clade from the two main clades which make up the bulbul family Pycnonotidae. Alternate names for the golden greenbul include the serene bulbul and serene greenbul.
- Scientific name
- Calyptocichla serinus
- Authority
- (Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1855)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Calyptocichla
Range and habitat
The species is found in forests from Sierra Leone to Ghana; south-eastern Nigeria and western Cameroon to Central African Republic and extreme north-western Angola.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Steel-blue Whydah
Vidua hypocherina
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Black-cheeked and Black-faced Waxbills. As with other whydahs, breeding males are distinctive, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are glossy blue-black with elongated central tail feathers. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, a heavily striped face, and a whitish bill and legs. Generally uncommon in rather dry savanna and woodland. Non-breeding male and female can be cautiously separated from other whydahs and indigobirds by their pale bill and legs. Not very vocal, but does imitate the waxbills that it parasitizes.
Red-necked Nightjar
Caprimulgus ruficollis
Resembles Eurasian Nightjar, but larger with a rufous collar and upper breast and lacks the dark “forearms” seen on Eurasian Nightjar. Note the prominent pale tips on the wing coverts. Most active at dusk when hawks for flying insects. Voice is a distinctive repetitive “tuok-tuok-tuok” rising and falling in volume. Haunts sparsely to moderately vegetated open areas such as rocky hillsides, pinewoods, and semidesert in the breeding season and winters in similar habitats in West Africa.
Lark-like Brushrunner
Coryphistera alaudina
Distinctive ovenbird with a bold face pattern and a spiky crest. Heavily streaked with a broken white eye-ring. Forages on the ground in light woodland and scrub with scattered trees. Often encountered in family groups, and in the non-breeding season may associate with mixed-species flocks. The song is a trembling trill.
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