West African Crested Tern
Thalasseus albididorsalis
A large tern found strictly in coastal areas. Very pale, with a long forked tail. Shows a black cap and orange bill in breeding plumage, and a white cap, black back of the head, and yellow-orange bill when not breeding. Feeds in open ocean and saltwater bays, where it flies above the water looking for small fish. Rests on beaches, often in mixed groups with other tern species. Separated from most other terns by large size; only slightly smaller than Caspian. Separated from Caspian by the thinner orange bill (usually not deep red), shaggier crest, longer tail, and in flight the much paler wing, without a large panel of solid black. Similar to Lesser Crested Tern, but significantly larger and chunkier.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Thalasseus albididorsalis
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1921)
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Laridae
- Genus
- Thalasseus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- AF : coasts of Mauritania to Guinea (w Africa)
- Non-breeding range
- to coasts of Morocco in n and s to Namibia
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Amazilia yucatanensis
Green hummingbird with red bill, orange tail, and buffy patch on belly. The namesake belly patch can be difficult to see; tail and bill color are better ways to separate it from other hummingbirds. Males and females similar. Common in Mexico; limited range in U.S. Found in a variety of wooded or shrubby habitats, usually around flowers. Visits hummingbird feeders.
Donaldson Smith's Nightjar
Caprimulgus donaldsoni
A small, pretty nightjar with rufous tones in the plumage. Both sexes have small pale marks in the outer wings and at the corners of the tail. These are larger and whiter on males, and smaller and more buffy in females. Locally common in dry savanna and thornscrub. Smaller, more heavily patterned, and more rufous than other nightjars in its range, but most easily identified by voice. Distinctive call is a plaintive “chuu-we-cheo” that is quickly repeated, sometimes for a long time.
Jambu Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus jambu
The plum-red face and pink “blush” on the white chest of the cartoonish-looking male are unique. Plainer female and juvenile can be difficult to separate from female Black-naped Fruit Dove; look out for Jambu’s bright white eye-ring and orange bill. Generally uncommon and nomadic; roams widely across lowland and foothill forests, where it seeks out fruiting trees. Forages quietly in the canopy, typically singly or in pairs.
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