Jambandu Indigobird
Vidua raricola
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Zebra Waxbills. Breeding males are glossy black with green or blue iridescence and a pale brownish panel in the wings. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is whitish and the legs very pale purplish. A scarce and poorly known species. Found in wetlands, moist grasslands, and cultivation. Given current knowledge, can only be confidently identified by vocalizations. Imitates the “svet” calls of its host, Zebra Waxbill, and often mixes them into a scratchy jumble of high-pitched notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vidua raricola
- Authority
- Payne, 1982
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Viduidae
- Genus
- Vidua
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Gray-headed Batis
Batis orientalis
A typical black, white, and gray batis. Note the chest band, which is black in males and chestnut in females. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub, often in pairs. Very similar to Western Black-headed Batis, and best distinguished by voice, but usually shows a paler gray crown. Also similar to Pygmy Batis, but larger, and the white eyebrow extends well behind the eye. The distinctive song is a descending series of several whistled notes.
Long-tailed Tapaculo
Scytalopus micropterus
Small, mouse-like bird of Andean cloud forest. Often looks all gray in the dark forest understory it inhabits, but it does have rusty lower underparts with dark barring. Female may show a brown tinge on her back. Similar to other tapaculo species, and best identified by range and voice. Stays near the ground and is usually hard to see. Typical song is a “ker-chick!” repeated over and over.
Yellow-browed Antbird
Hypocnemis hypoxantha
Rather small antbird with a disjunct distribution. Males have a yellow face and underparts with a black crown, eye-line, and streaks on the breast. Females have a yellow streaked crown. Southeastern subspecies has ochraceous lower underparts. Song is a descending and decelerating series of fluted notes becoming harsher at the end. Found in the understory of humid forests, often in areas of transitional forest or poor soils. Rarely accompanies mixed-species flocks. The similar Spix's and Peruvian Warbling-Antbirds have white breasts, and the song of Peruvian is somewhat slower-paced.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.