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
Bahia Tapaculo
Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
Small, retiring bird, gray above and white below with an unbarred cinnamon vent. Occurs in a few remaining fragments of humid forest with dense understory, often near water, across a very restricted range. The song is a low trill, repeated continually.
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Lalage melanoptera
Male has dark slaty-gray head, neck, and upper breast; rest of the body is pale gray, with white on the belly. Wings darker than mantle. Female lacks the black hood, and has a whitish supercilium, brownish-gray upperparts with lightly barred back and rump, and buff-white underparts with wide brown bars. Juvenile is similar to female, but upperparts barred white. Immature similar to female. Song is a series of clear, loud whistles: “pee-pe-pe-pe-pe-twe-twee.” Some notes can be omitted, or additional notes added.
Crestless Curassow
Mitu tomentosum
Large, terrestrial bird of flood-prone lowland rainforest; generally shy and difficult to see. Note all-dark appearance and small, red bill. Found in seasonally flooded forest, gallery forest in savanna, and near oxbow lakes. Forages on the ground for fallen fruit; usually alone or in pairs. Roosts in canopy and may flush into trees when disturbed. Told from other curassows in range by chestnut (not white) belly; Black Curassow is larger and has yellow knobs at base of bill. Song is a low humming, often given at night.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.