Pallid Honeyguide
Indicator meliphilus
Small and nondescript honeyguide. Note the short but chunky bill and the white patches on the sides of the tail. Found along forest edge, in forest, and in thick woodland, where it is uncommon and inconspicuous. The main call is a slowly repeated “twee-ya.” Very similar to Least and Lesser Honeyguides, but has a smaller bill and a paler head that lacks a dark facial stripe. Similar to Wahlberg’s and Green-backed Honeyguides, but has a thicker bill.
Identification
The pallid honeyguide (Indicator meliphilus) is a species of bird in the family Indicatoridae. The species is also known as the eastern least honyeguide. It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Taxonomy
The species is very closely related to Willcocks's honeyguide, and the two species are very similar in size, and this species will even respond to recordings of the Willcocks's honeyguide's voice. Another species, Indicator narokensis has been described from the border of Kenya and Tanzania, this appears to been described from a juvenile pallid honeyeater and is not accepted as a valid species.
- Scientific name
- Indicator meliphilus
- Authority
- (Oberholser, 1905)
- Order
- Piciformes
- Family
- Indicatoridae
- Genus
- Indicator
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Large owl, mottled brown and white. Rounded head lacks ear tufts. Black eyes. Listen for its instantly recognizable “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all” call. Favors large, mature forests with deciduous and coniferous trees, often near water. Hunts small animals at night; however, is more active during the day than other owls.
Spotted Wood-Quail
Odontophorus guttatus
Elusive dark quail found in the interior of humid tropical forest in lowlands and foothills. Forages stealthily in forest interior, usually in pairs or small groups, and usually runs rather than flies when disturbed. Sexes look alike, with erect crest, blackish throat, and white polka dots on breast. Sometimes in same areas as the much smaller Singing Quail, which is much more easily seen.
Raja Ampat Pitohui
Pitohui cerviniventris
A medium-sized bird of lowland forest on the northwest islands. Rusty below, gray head, chest and back with brown wings. No other birds in range share this color scheme. At a glance, other species may appear similar although Little Shrikethrush is smaller, and Rusty Pitohui is larger with a white eye. Voice, a series of short, spaced phrases. Some, medium-pitch, bulbullike warbles and other sharp “wik!” notes.
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