Black-throated Apalis
Apalis jacksoni
Attractive and boldly marked apalis. Shows a throat pattern of dark and white stripes. Males have a black mask and are more colorful overall. Their crown color varies geographically from gray to black. Females have mostly olive-green upperparts. Found primarily in montane forest, though locally in lower humid forest in West Africa. Pairs feed actively in the canopy and sometimes join mixed-species flocks. The song is a distinctive, ringing up-and-down series of “juu-jee” couplings. Separated from all similar species in its range by the yellow underparts.
Identification
The black-throated apalis (Apalis jacksoni) is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is native to the Western High Plateau, the Albertine Rift montane forests and the east African montane forests and isolated lowland areas of Cameroon, the DRC and Angola.
Taxonomy
Genus: Apalis; Family: Cisticolidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Apalis jacksoni
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1891
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Apalis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Tepui Swift
Streptoprocne phelpsi
Large, dark swift of tepui highlands. Note generally dark appearance, broad wings, and forked tail. If seen in good light, chestnut collar of adult is diagnostic; otherwise this species may be difficult to distinguish from other large swifts, especially at a distance. Found around the tepuis and down to at least 400 meters in the surrounding region. Forages high for insects, often with other swifts; may descend to just above treetop level to feed on swarms of emerging winged ants and termites. In poor light, most similar to White-chinned Swift but has more deeply forked tail.
Berylline Hummingbird
Saucerottia beryllina
Medium-sized hummingbird, usually fairly common in foothills. Favors oak woodlands, adjacent brushy thickets, and shade-coffee plantations, in both drier and more humid situations. Feeds at all levels and often rather aggressively chases off most other hummingbirds. Note the bright rusty wing patch and rusty tail (which often has purple and bronze highlights). Lower bill is red, but is often hard to see. Sexes similar, but female has duller, less buffy belly; birds from Chiapas south have a green belly.
American Goshawk
Astur atricapillus
Powerfully-built forest-dwelling hawk, scarce across much of range. Adults are distinctive if seen well: bulky and broad-winged, gray above and whitish below with fine barring, prominent pale eyebrow, and dark reddish eye. Immature very similar to Cooper's Hawk, but larger and more powerful, with broader wings and tail, usually more obvious pale eyebrow (but Cooper’s can have this, too!), and heavy streaking below extending onto undertail coverts. In most suburban areas, Cooper's is much more likely; goshawk typically requires extensive mature forest. Very aggressive around the nest. Feeds on large prey such as hares and grouse.
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