Highland Rush Warbler
Bradypterus centralis
A nondescript long-tailed, long-billed warbler of wetlands. Rusty-brown overall with blurry streaking on the breast. Found in wetland habitat, primarily reedbeds. Extremely secretive and skulking. Most often seen when it sits up to sing or gives a short display flight. Song starts with slow, hesitant, buzzy metallic notes that speed up, then ends with a trill made by beating the wings together at incredible speed. The variably streaked breast separates it from reed-warblers and swamp-warblers. Very similar to Little Rush Warbler, but there is little or no overlap in range, and Highland sings a much higher-pitched song.
Identification
The highland rush warbler (Bradypterus centralis) is a species of Old World warbler in the family Locustellidae. Although mainly present in the Albertine rift montane forests and the East African montane forests, it is sparsely distributed from Ghana to Ethiopia and Tanzania.
Taxonomy
Genus: Bradypterus; Family: Locustellidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Bradypterus centralis
- Authority
- Neumann, 1908
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Locustellidae
- Genus
- Bradypterus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus armatus
A smart-looking gray, black, and white lapwing; white crown and black face and breast. Immatures are mostly brownish. It is a common breeding resident that is strongly tied to wetlands, although it may also disperse into flooded grassland and adjacent dryland habitats to forage. Bold and brave parents, Blacksmith Lapwings have been known to launch defensive attacks on African Elephants and harass aerial threats like rollers or raptors in order to protect their young. A loud ringing “tink-tink-tink” call is uttered in series, like a blacksmith hammering on an anvil.
Roraiman Nightjar
Tepuiornis whitelyi
A medium-sized, dark nightjar of tepui highlands, difficult to identify by plumage alone. Cryptically patterned with dark brown and gray accented with buffy and whitish bars and spots. Male has a white band in the wing, which the female lacks. Uncommon, found in humid forest and edges, as well as humid scrub close to forested areas. Distinctive voice is a hoarse whistle “whoEEuuu”, given repeatedly. Larger than the similar Band-winged Nightjar, and smaller than Blackish Nightjar, but best identified by voice and habitat.
Pied Shrike-Babbler
Pteruthius flaviscapis
Stout medium-sized bird of foothill and montane forests. Endemic to Java, where it is the only “white-browed” shrike-babbler. Male is dark above and white below, with a bold yellow wing panel and bright white eyebrow. Female averages duller than the male, with grayish upperparts, olive-yellow wings, and a weaker white eyebrow. Hops about in the middle and upper levels of forest, gleaning prey from branches and leaf clusters. Sometimes with mixed flocks. Song is a bright but rather bland series of 3-5 notes: “wi-chew-chew” or “wi-chew-ba-chew-ba.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.