Crested Francolin
Ortygornis sephaena
A medium-sized buff-brown francolin with an occasionally-raised bushy crest. There is a broad “string-of-pearls” collar around the white throat. It frequents savanna and riverine forest. Heralds the dawn and dusk with a repeated, rapid, cheery “cheer kirk-kik” call usually given as a synchronized duet between a pair. Walks confidently with a cocked tail, giving it a chicken’s gait.
Taxonomy
Formerly, the crested francolin was classified in its own genus Dendroperdix, but phylogenetic analysis indicates that it groups with the grey francolin (O. pondicerianus) and swamp francolin (O. gularis). As a result, all three species were reclassified into the genus Ortygornis.
- Scientific name
- Ortygornis sephaena
- Authority
- (Smith, A, 1836)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Ortygornis
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Turquoise Jay
Cyanolyca turcosa
Noisy and well-named jay of Andean cloud forest. Range is mostly confined to Ecuador, but it does reach adjacent areas of Colombia and Peru. Plumage is bright turquoise-blue with a black mask, black breast band, and whitish forecrown. Very similar to Black-collared Jay (limited range overlap), but brighter blue, especially on crown and throat. Told from Beautiful Jay by the breast band and lack of dark gray on back and breast. Small groups move conspicuously through the forest giving an impressive variety of calls, including screeches, churrs, and mews.
Plain-backed Sparrow
Passer flaveolus
Male resembles a faded blend between House and Russet Sparrows, with a black throat, gray crown and nape, and dusty reddish brows and back. Female has a thin pale brow and is overall very plain and unmarked. House Sparrow females have a broader, more prominent brow stripe and are overall more strongly-marked. Both sexes of Russet Sparrow are likewise much more contrastingly patterned. Gives typical sparrow chirps and chirrups. Inhabits edge habitats including farmlands and gardens. Primarily a lowland species, but gets up into the foothills where it overlaps with Russet Sparrow.
Antipodean Albatross
Diomedea antipodensis
Huge albatross of the Southern Ocean. Two subspecies: “Gibson’s” breeds primarily on Auckland Island and ranges at sea around New Zealand and eastern Australia; “Antipodean” breeds mostly on Antipodes and Campbell Islands and ranges mainly across Pacific to Humboldt Current off Chile. Plumage highly variable, starting chocolate-brown with a white face and gradually becoming whiter over many years. Younger birds separated from Southern Royal Albatross by darker tail, brown markings on head and back, and lack of black “lips” on cutting edge of bill. Older birds more difficult to separate; focus on more coarsely marked upperwings, often with conspicuous white patch in center of wing, and lack of black “lips”. Often shows orange stain on cheek, never shown by Southern Royal. Identification from other Wandering-type Albatross is extremely difficult and often presumed by range. Older “Antipodean” often retain complete dark cap, tail, and upperwings.
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