Blue-moustached Bee-eater
Merops mentalis
An easily overlooked forest bee-eater of West and Central Africa, often found in the forest interior and near forest edge or tree-fall gaps. Dark overall, with a bluish to blue-purple head, belly, and tail, a red throat, a dark eye-line, and a reddish back. May overlap locally with Blue-headed Bee-eater in South-West Region, Cameroon, but Blue-moustached Bee-eater has a dark forehead and a noticeable eye-line. Calls include a seldom-heard, two-parted “ji-up!”
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Merops mentalis
- Authority
- Cabanis, 1889
- Order
- Coraciiformes
- Family
- Meropidae
- Genus
- Merops
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Long-tailed Myna
Mino kreffti
An unmistakable very large starling. Mostly glossy purplish-black with stunning large bright yellow bare facial skin and bill. In flight, white rump and white wing patches are obvious. Found in forest edge, forest, and secondary growth below 1000 meters of elevation. Voice consists of a varied chorus of whistles and squawks.
Black Guan
Chamaepetes unicolor
Large chickenlike bird found in montane forests. Entirely black plumage with blue facial skin, red eye, and reddish legs. Sexes similar. Unlikely to be confused: smaller and blacker than Crested Guan; lacks curled head feathers of Great Curassow; also found at higher elevations. Can be seen on the ground or in trees, usually in pairs or small family groups. Feeds on fruit.
White-tailed Shrike
Lanioturdus torquatus
Odd and distinctive terrestrial batis. Has long legs, an upright posture, and a white tail with a black dot near the tip. Found in dry woodland and savanna, often in rocky areas. Spends most of its time on or near the ground, though it will perch up in bushes. Usually in pairs. Vocalizations include piercing whistles, low croaks, and ratcheting calls. Similar to batises, but terrestrial habits and white tail easily identify it.
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