Marsh Widowbird
Euplectes hartlaubi
Breeding males are mostly black with a long tail. Varies geographically, with northern birds having a shorter tail and mainly orange shoulder patch, while southern birds have a longer tail and a yellow-and-orange shoulder patch. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown, though males retain their colorful shoulder. Breeds in marsh habitats, and uses a variety of open habitats in non-breeding season. Vocalizations include low rasps and twittering and sizzling calls. Northern breeding males similar to Fan-tailed Widowbird, but longer-tailed. Female can be confused with several other species, but is usually identified by association with orange-shouldered males.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Euplectes hartlaubi
- Authority
- (Barboza du Bocage, 1878)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Ploceidae
- Genus
- Euplectes
Range and habitat
It is found in Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Dusky-faced Tanager
Mitrospingus cassinii
Subtly attractive tanager, fairly large with striking pale eye. Slaty gray back with olive-yellow crown and belly, dark blackish face. Usually seen in small flocks moving quickly through the understory of forests and edges, seldom sitting still for long. Sometimes joins mixed flocks. Conspicuous call is an explosive chipping, often given repeatedly.
Nightingale Wren
Microcerculus philomela
Small, dark brown wren of humid evergreen forest in tropical lowlands and foothills; most often detected by its distinctive song. Usually stays low, on or near the forest floor in shady understory, and is difficult to see well. Note the small size, long bill, overall plain plumage, and stubby tail.
Henderson Petrel
Pterodroma atrata
A typical uniformly grayish-brown petrel with pale mottling at the base of the bill that gives it a somewhat “frosted” facial appearance. Pale bar along the leading edge of the underwing between the body and elbow is evident in flight. Highly pelagic, visiting land only to nest. Similar to Kermadec Petrel, but lacks the white primary shafts in the upperwing of that species and is overall more uniformly colored. Providence Petrel is similar but appears much heavier-chested and paler-faced, with more extensively mottled gray-brown tones across the body. Herald Petrel is very similar, but has much more contrasting dark-and-light underwing pattern. Henderson Petrel is silent at sea.
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