Rufous-crowned Elaenia
Elaenia ruficeps
Nondescript flycatcher restricted to savanna scrub on weathered sandy soils. Told from other elaenias by blurry streaking on underparts, relatively indistinct wingbars, and lack of a crest; rufous in crown is difficult to see in the field. Despite localized distribution, may be common in proper habitat. Pairs sit in shrubs or small trees, sallying to foliage for insects and calling frequently. Does not typically associate with other species. Other, similar-sized flycatchers in habitat are clear whitish below. Call is one or two odd, burry, growling notes; members of a pair often answer each other.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Elaenia ruficeps
- Authority
- Pelzeln, 1868
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Elaenia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Papuan Thornbill
Acanthiza murina
A small bird of upper montane and subalpine forest canopy and bushes. Dull brown upperparts, whitish underparts and yellowish tinged head, neck and upper chest. Note the white, beady eye, grizzled cheek and relatively short bill. Forages very actively and constantly, often in mixed flocks with Large and Papuan Scrubwrens. Similar to Brown-breasted Gerygone, but Papuan Thornbill is more common higher up and avoids more open habitats. Voice, various high-pitch chips and squeaks.
Somali Bunting
Emberiza poliopleura
A beautiful bunting of dry country. Note the black-and-white facial pattern, the gray back with russet streaks, the gray rump, and the yellow breast with pale sides. Found in dry thorn savanna, often in pairs. Similar to Golden-breasted Bunting, but found in drier habitat, and range overlap is minimal; look for Somali Bunting’s overall paler coloration, narrower black stripes on the face, grayer back and rump, and pale sides. The song is usually a short series of the same two-note whistled phrase, repeated. One call is a long, ascending whistle.
Gray Currawong
Strepera versicolor
Large, crow-sized bird, gray or black, with large black bill and yellow eye. In flight, white undertail, tail tip, and primary bases distinctive; some subspecies of Pied Currawong very similar, but Gray has narrow pale trailing edge to wing in all plumages. Black Currawong has thicker bill and dark undertail. Loud ringing, clinking song, reminiscent of some lyrebird sounds.
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