African Desert Warbler
Curruca deserti
Very small Sylvia warbler of sandy desert with scattered low shrubs. Plumage is a pale warm buff-brown overall; warmer than the closely-related Asian Desert Warbler that has more prominently-patterned tertials. Note the deep rusty-colored tail, yellow eyes, and yellowish legs. Often forages on the ground, sometimes following wheatears. Song a short sequence of rattles and a flutey note. Call a low "trrrrr."
Identification
It is a small bird, marginally the smallest in the genus, 11–12 cm long, and 7–10 g weight. The sexes are almost identical in colour, pale sandy yellow-brown above and whitish below; the bill and legs are yellowish, and the eye has a yellow iris; it differs from the Asian desert warbler in its more yellowish overall colour.
Taxonomy
Until recently it was considered conspecific with the Asian desert warbler (and called just "desert warbler"), but is now given specific status. The two are still each other's closest living relatives, and their relationships to other typical warblers are not clear; they may be fairly close to the common whitethroat. But it seems that all these three taxa are fairly basal members of the genus.
- Scientific name
- Curruca deserti
- Authority
- (Loche, 1858)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sylviidae
- Genus
- Curruca
Range and habitat
The warbler breeds in the deserts of north-western Africa south of the Atlas Mountains from southern Morocco east to western Libya and south to Mali and Niger. It winters in the same area, and does not migrate other than short distances.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Taiwan Bamboo-Partridge
Bambusicola sonorivox
Medium-sized, mostly brownish terrestrial bird with a slate-gray head and neck, dark orange throat, and rusty spots on sides and wings. Endemic to Taiwan., where it inhabits lowland and foothill forests with undergrowth and densely vegetated edges, where difficult to see. Forages on the ground, usually in pairs, sometimes in small groups. Song is an accelerating squeaky series of notes reminiscent of a bathtub toy-- “rik-a-yeeee!”
Large Hawk-Cuckoo
Hierococcyx sparverioides
This species’ maddening song can be likened to the phrase “brain-FEVER,” which adequately describes what this bird gives birders trying to see one as it sings high up in the forest canopy. If seen well, note hawk-like appearance, with a long barred tail, brown upperparts, and patterned white underparts. Orangish flush on chest apparent in adults. Favors hill and montane forests when breeding; often found at lower altitudes and in forest edge and scrubby areas when migrating and on wintering grounds.
White-collared Oliveback
Nesocharis ansorgei
Tiny olive-green, gray, and black member of the waxbill family. Males have a narrow white collar and an olive-green breast, while females lack the collar and have all-gray underparts. Found in dense, moist habitats, including forest edge, scrub, and cultivation. Often in small flocks. The call is a short, wispy trill. Overall coloration similar to Gray-headed Oliveback, but smaller, with a black head.
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