Pale-olive Greenbul
Phyllastrephus fulviventris
A drab, long-tailed brownish greenbul. The tail is rufous and the throat paler buff, and there are pale crescents above and below the eyes. Found in gallery forest, secondary forest, plantations, and lush woodland. Very similar to Cabanis’s Greenbul, but has a darker bill and legs, and is browner, darker, and duller overall. Similar to Terrestrial Brownbul, but the throat patch is much duller, less bright white, and the pale eye crescents are more distinct. The vocalizations are a variety of chatty, nasal low-pitched notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phyllastrephus fulviventris
- Authority
- Cabanis, 1876
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Pycnonotidae
- Genus
- Phyllastrephus
Range and habitat
It is found in western Angola, Gabon, southern Congo and extreme western Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and moist savanna.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Black-capped Tanager
Stilpnia heinei
Small, active tanager with notably different male and female plumages. Male is steely blue overall with slightly darker wings. Look for sea-green throat and cheek, streaked upper breast, and contrasting black cap and nape. Female is mostly lime green with pale bluish head and breast; she has just a ghosting of the male’s black cap. Usually found in pairs, often following a mixed-species flock in the canopy. An Andean species, found in subtropical forest, edges, and gardens. Visits fruit feeders.
Great Barbet
Psilopogon virens
This largest of the barbets is colorful, but often appears all-dark from a distance. No other barbet in its range combines the features of a massive pale bill, black head, and dark olive back. Sluggish and shy; tends to stick to dense forest canopy, where it is difficult to see. Its loud hooting song (typically a series of two repetitive notes) is often the only indication of this species’s presence. Also gives a harsh, screaming “karrrrr” that has a gull-like quality.
White-crowned Lapwing
Vanellus albiceps
This striking lapwing is best identified by its long yellow wattles, white belly, and gray head split down the center by a broad white crown stripe. In flight, the distinctive wings are almost entirely white with black tips. It prefers breeding and foraging on large permanent rivers with extensive sand banks but will also wander to smaller streams and pans. It utters a loud “kriiip” call when alarmed or defending its territory. The similar Wattled Lapwing differs from White-headed Lapwing by having a dark belly and red-based wattles.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.