Taita White-eye

Zosterops silvanus

A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the olive-green back, the yellow throat and undertail, and the ridiculously broad white spectacles around the eyes. Found in the Taita Hills of southeast Kenya, in montane forest, forest edge, exotic tree plantations, and lush gardens and scrub. Usually in hyperactive pairs or flocks. Separated from similar broad-ringed white-eyes by range. Somewhat similar to African Yellow and Pale White-eyes, but found at higher elevations, and eye-ring is much broader. Song is a subdued, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Calls include a high-pitched rising rattle, chattering notes, and “chew” notes like those from the song. 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Zosterops silvanus
Authority
Peters, JL & Loveridge, 1935
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Zosteropidae
Genus
Zosterops

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Russet-capped Tesia

Russet-capped Tesia

Tesia everetti

A small, long-legged, almost tailless brown songbird with a rufous cap and a subtle pale brown eyebrow. An active bird of the lower understory in forests, forest edge, and scrub in the foothills and mountains, most often seen singly. Limited to some islands in the Lesser Sundas, where it is the only small, rusty-capped, near-tailless brown songbird. Song is a warble consisting of seven notes, rapidly rising then falling. Other vocalizations include sharp “chip” notes.

Ochre-fronted Antpitta

Ochre-fronted Antpitta

Grallaricula ochraceifrons

Small, streaky antpitta found only in a small area of the eastern Andes in northern Peru. Note the strongly marked underparts and the white mustache. Male has a chestnut face and forehead; female lacks this and has a much thicker eye-ring. Inhabits the understory of epiphyte-laden cloud forest. Unlike most larger antpittas, it is usually seen on a low perch and only occasionally comes down to the ground. Visits a feeder in at least one private reserve. Song is a short, high-pitched whistle given about every 10 seconds.

Tongan Megapode

Tongan Megapode

Megapodius pritchardii

A plump, mostly ground-dwelling bird with long yellowish legs and a dark gray body with slightly browner wash on the wings and back. Head mostly dark gray, with bright orange beak and whitish crest. Good views may show blood-red bare skin around the eye and throat. Found in mature woodland with open understory. Nests on crater lake islands. Resident, with no record of vagrancy. Very vocal, most frequently heard in groups giving chorus of loud piping whistles and shrill cries. Calls are usually a staccato one-note whistle. Unmistakable, as it is the only scrubfowl in its range.

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