Boat-billed Tody-Tyrant
Hemitriccus josephinae
Tiny, inconspicuous flycatcher with an oversized bill. Plumage generally olive above and yellow below, with faint breast mottling; most readily identified by its large, long bill with entirely pale mandible. A rare resident of tall rainforest, where it seems to prefer areas with many dense vine tangles. Usually encountered alone, sitting deep inside a vine tangle in the mid-story and making short sallies to foliage for insects. Almost always first detected by voice: a series of two or three short hollow notes, somewhat musical and descending in pitch. Unlikely to be confused if seen well, on account of its large bill. Voice is somewhat similar to that of Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant but is deeper and seldom exceeds three notes; the two species occupy entirely different habitats.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Hemitriccus josephinae
- Authority
- (Chubb, C, 1914)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tyrannidae
- Genus
- Hemitriccus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous Mourner
Rhytipterna holerythra
Overall rusty-colored, medium-sized flycatcher of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Favors middle to upper levels inside forest, where sits still for long periods and sallies out for insects and other small critters. Call is a distinctive slow wolf-whistle—“whee-wheeu,” given at infrequent intervals and easily imitated. Note the overall rusty plumage, slender bill, and behavior. Can be confused with slightly larger Rufous Piha, which has a bushier face, paler throat, and a very different voice.
Bat-like Spinetail
Neafrapus boehmi
Extraordinary short-tailed swift with weak, fluttery, bat-like flight. Note the pale underparts and white rump patch. Seen on the wing over woodland, gallery forest, and moist savannah, especially miombo. Often in areas with baobabs, which are favored nesting sites. Usually solo or in pairs. Range does not overlap with that of the similar Sabine’s Spinetail. All other swifts have a longer tail.
Schlegel's Francolin
Campocolinus schlegelii
Small and colorful francolin. Males and females are similar, but males have richer coloration and a barred breast, while females have V-shaped marks across the breast. Found on the ground in savanna and woodland habitats with thick grass. Usually in pairs or small groups. Generally shy and retiring. The distinctive call is a short series of cackling notes, which accelerates, descends, and fades away. Somewhat similar to White-throated Francolin, but distinguished by many details, including the chestnut back, orange throat, and lack of rufous wings in flight. Similar to Coqui Francolin but ranges don’t overlap. Smaller than most other francolins, and bigger than quail and buttonquail.
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