Gray-backed Tachuri

Polystictus superciliaris

A small rare and endemic flycatcher with a conspicuous white patch in front of the eyes and a short white eyebrow. Also note its gray crown and a brownish-gray back and cinnamon washed breast and sides. Inhabits rocky grasslands with scattered shrubs. The song is an accelerated trill “pilrup-pilrup-pilrup” and the call is a series of squeaky “eek-uk” notes.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Polystictus superciliaris
Authority
(Wied-Neuwied, M, 1831)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Tyrannidae
Genus
Polystictus

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

White-winged Nightjar

White-winged Nightjar

Eleothreptus candicans

Small, distinctive nightjar, pale gray overall with dark brown spots. Note the white eyebrow and moustachial stripe. In flight, males exhibit white underwings and undertail and black flight feathers. Found at a precious few open savanna grassland sites with scattered trees, especially those with numerous termite mounds known as earthmound fields.

Spotted Whistling-Duck

Spotted Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna guttata

Small whistling-duck with strongly pale-spotted neck and flanks, dark bill, and gray face. Similar to Wandering Whistling-Duck, but lacks warm rusty coloring, and has pale-spotted rather than dark-spotted breast. Found in small flocks in coastal wetlands and lagoons. Australia range slowly expanding southwards from Cape York region, with regular records now from the Wet Tropics.

Ethiopian Siskin

Ethiopian Siskin

Serinus nigriceps

An attractive seedeater of the Ethiopian highlands. The distinctive males have a black head and an olive-green and yellow body. Females are duller and heavily streaked, though less so below. Both sexes have a black wing with bold white wingbars. Found in a wide variety of montane habitats including forest edge, grassland, heath, cultivated areas, and areas of human habitation, usually in small flocks. The male is distinctive, but females can be confused with African Citril or Yellow-crowned Canary. They are distinguished by their lack of a pale eyebrow, darker overall coloration, stronger wingbars, and reduced streaking below. The song is a rapid jumble of twitters and whistles. 

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