Sao Tome Spinetail
Zoonavena thomensis
Small gray swift with a pale gray rump and belly that are marked with black streaks. With a very good view, tiny spines on the tail can be seen. Seen in flight over all habitats on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe. The call is a high-pitched “sip.” Similar in size and shape to Little Swift, but separated by the pale belly and grayish rather than bright white rump. Also similar in size to African Palm Swift, but has a much shorter square tail and a pale belly and rump.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Zoonavena thomensis
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1900)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Apodidae
- Genus
- Zoonavena
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Arizelocichla kikuyuensis
Medium-sized chunky greenbul with a broken pale eye-ring. Note the gray head, softly striped cheek, and olive-green underparts. Common and conspicuous in montane forest. Often joins mixed flocks with other bird species. The song is a short series of barking and mewing notes.
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher
Todirostrum nigriceps
Tiny bird that tends to stay high in canopy; difficult to spot. Mostly black head with white throat, yellow belly, and olive back. Proportionally large head, broad bill, and short tail. Very similar to Common Tody-Flycatcher, but typically found in taller forest. Also note dark eye and white throat. Listen for series of chip notes that could easily be passed off as an insect.
Hooded Mountain-Toucan
Andigena cucullata
Beautiful toucan of Andean cloud forest that is found mainly in Bolivia, though it also reaches far southeastern Peru. Very colorful, with greenish wings, mostly blue underparts, an azure collar, and a yellow bill with a black tip and black spot near the base. It occurs south of the range of Gray-breasted Mountain-Toucan, which has a very different bill pattern. Typically encountered in pairs or small groups in the forest canopy, where it sometimes gives rising squeals, short yaps, and harsh rattles.
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