Red-headed Bluebill
Spermophaga ruficapilla
Pretty member of the waxbill family that has a massive, conical bill. Males have a black belly and females a spotted one, and both sexes show an all-red head. Found in rainforest, gallery forest, thickets, and secondary habitats. Usually in pairs or small groups, in areas with thick undergrowth, and usually some grass. Sometimes on roads and paths. Vocalizations include a quiet “schpit” call and a rarely-heard whistled song. Similar to Grant’s Bluebill, but separated by all-red head. Male similar to male Black-bellied Seedcracker, but separated by its black tail and its red-and-blue rather than all-blue bill.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spermophaga ruficapilla
- Authority
- (Shelley, 1888)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Spermophaga
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous Motmot
Baryphthengus martii
Large forest-dweller that likes to sit motionless. Head and breast rufous-orange with black mask and breast spot. Green back and long tail. Most similar to smaller Broad-billed Motmot; note larger size, rufous chin, and more extensive rufous on belly. Often found singly or in pairs inside forest, usually below canopy. Listen for deep hooting call, “woo-doop”, sometimes given as a single call or sometimes as ongoing hooting laughter.
Bahia Tapaculo
Eleoscytalopus psychopompus
Small, retiring bird, gray above and white below with an unbarred cinnamon vent. Occurs in a few remaining fragments of humid forest with dense understory, often near water, across a very restricted range. The song is a low trill, repeated continually.
Himalayan Swiftlet
Aerodramus brevirostris
Gray-brown swiftlet with a pale gray rump and a squared-off tail. The westernmost ranging species in the genus and the only member throughout much of its range. Smaller than most other swifts in range except for House Swift, which is black overall with a sharp white rump and throat. Tends to travel in small to medium-sized flocks, often swooping low over bodies of water. Builds dark bowl-shaped nests in closely-clustered colonies under rocky overhangs, in caves, and in old buildings. Gives clicking calls and twitters, especially when near colonies.
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