Gray Pratincole
Glareola cinerea
A compact, elegant pratincole, mostly pale gray above with a warm buffy nape that sometimes extends to the breast and a striking black-and-white face pattern; the legs and base of the bill are reddish. In flight, the striking black-and-white patterning in the wings and tail is unique. Juvenile is scalier and buffier than adult. Flocks prefer wide slow-flowing rivers, where they sit on open sandbanks or forage with swooping flight on long wings, displaying typical pratincole aerial prowess. May move away from regular haunts as a result of floods or drought. Calls include a high-pitched trilling “tre-tre-tretretretretret-teet-teet--teet” that accelerates and then decelerates. The similar Rock Pratincole is darker than Gray, with a different head pattern; Egyptian Plover could be confused in flight, but its dark head and facial pattern and direct flight low over the water differentiate it.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Glareola cinerea
- Authority
- Fraser, 1843
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Glareolidae
- Genus
- Glareola
Range and habitat
It is found on the continent of Africa, in the countries of Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Togo, and Burundi.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Streptopelia turtur
Medium-sized dove with spotted wings, a distinctive striped neck patch and a bold white tip to the rounded tail. Found in wooded and semiopen habitats, especially farmland and heath with hedges and scattered trees. Usually rather shy; seen mainly in flight, but at times perched on utility wires. Feeds on ground, where it may associate with other pigeons. Appreciably smaller and slimmer than much commoner and overall paler Eurasian Collared-Dove. Extremely similar in plumage to Oriental Turtle-Dove, but has less extensive dark centers to the wing feathers and averages pinker on the breast.
Bannerman's Shearwater
Puffinus bannermani
A small black-and-white shearwater with relatively broad wings and a long rounded tail. Underwing very white, contrasting with darker smudgy marks along the leading edge of the wing. Two dark smudge marks are often visible at the collar, extending down from the hood. Somewhat similar to Bryan’s Shearwater, but much larger, and white does not extend above the eye, creating a darker-faced appearance. Also lacks the distinctive rapidly fluttering flight of Bryan’s.
Friendly Bush Warbler
Locustella accentor
Though frequently derided for the reputed inaccuracy of its name, this mouse-like bird can prove quite confiding. It is, however, generally quite difficult to see in dense undergrowth; best detected by its song, a series of three piercing whistles, the last of which is long and grating. If seen, note dark brown plumage, speckled gray throat and chest, and long broad tail. Found on only a handful of forested mountaintops in Borneo’s Crocker Range, where it skulks about in tangled mossy areas with extensive fallen debris.
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