Newton's Sunbird
Anabathmis newtonii
A small sunbird with dark olive upperparts. Male has an iridescent green-purple throat and upper breast; female has a dull scaly olive throat and yellowish underparts. Juvenile lacks yellow underneath. A common endemic resident in almost all habitats below 1800 meters across São Tomé. Pairs and small groups frequently join mixed-species flocks. Gives a typical rapid, rambling high-pitched sunbird song and a shrill “tseeet” call.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Anabathmis newtonii
- Authority
- (Barboza du Bocage, 1887)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Anabathmis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds

Jambu Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus jambu
The plum-red face and pink “blush” on the white chest of the cartoonish-looking male are unique. Plainer female and juvenile can be difficult to separate from female Black-naped Fruit Dove; look out for Jambu’s bright white eye-ring and orange bill. Generally uncommon and nomadic; roams widely across lowland and foothill forests, where it seeks out fruiting trees. Forages quietly in the canopy, typically singly or in pairs.

Bougainville White-eye
Zosterops hamlini
Small social songbird, often encountered foraging in upper levels of forest. Mostly olive-green above with a yellow undertail. Belly, chest, and throat gray. Note the smudgy black patch in front of the eye and bright white eye-ring. Found in forest and forest edge from around 900 to 1950 meters of elevation. Similar to Yellow-throated White-eye, but upperparts less yellow and throat gray. Common calls include a loud mellow “peeeu” and high-pitched “peep-peep” foraging calls.

Wallcreeper
Tichodroma muraria
Unmistakable, but difficult to spot on rock faces. Spectacular in flight, with broad black, red, and white-spotted wings resembling a giant butterfly. Usually found on rock faces in high mountainous regions, but also breeds in steep gorges lower down and can even be found on tall buildings in winter. Breeding male has a black throat; winter males and all females have white throats. Rarely-heard song is a steadily rising whistle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.