Southern Crag-Martin
Ptyonoprogne fuligula
A hefty brownish member of the swallow family. Darker on the back and paler below. Note the slightly forked tail with white spots. Nests in canyons, escarpments, and gorges, as well as towns and villages; frequently in arid areas. Often seen in pairs or small groups; in winter congregates in larger flocks. Not very vocal, but sometimes gives a short, dry trill. At a distance, can be confused with “Riparia” martins; look for this species’ bright white tail patches. Separation from Red-throated Crag-Martin may be tricky, but there is little or no overlap in range.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ptyonoprogne fuligula
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Hirundinidae
- Genus
- Ptyonoprogne
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Eurasian Griffon
Gyps fulvus
Massive tricolored vulture with whitish head and neck, pale brown body, and contrasting dark flight feathers. Juveniles similar but with a pale brown rather than white neck ruff. Nests in colonies on cliff ledges; often seen in loose flocks soaring over valleys and mountainsides but always in search of updrafts and thermals. Still the commonest vulture over much of its breeding range. Some populations are resident while others are highly migratory.
Volcano Hummingbird
Selasphorus flammula
Male throat varies from steely grayish-purple to bright magenta; note short straight bill and rufous in tail. Female similar to Scintillant Hummingbird but with dark central tail feathers. Small hummingbird that feeds on small flowers in gardens, second growth, and forest edges, mostly above 2000m.
Javan Black-capped Babbler
Pellorneum capistratum
Chunky, thickset brown babbler with a dark crown, an orange breast, and a bright white throat. Also note long eyebrow, orangish-brown on the front and white on the back. Endemic to Java, where it inhabits lowland and foothill forests. Scurries about on the forest floor like a rodent, rummaging through leaf litter, either singly or in pairs. Gives a high-pitched “jiwee”, sometimes with a raspy, descending third note. Also gives loud, harsh, nasal rasping calls.
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