Red-winged Gray Warbler
Drymocichla incana
A plain pale gray warbler, slightly darker above, with distinctive brick-red wing panels and, if seen well, pale gray-green eyes and pinkish legs. Juvenile is washed brownish on the underparts. Pairs and small groups occur in woodland, especially favoring riverine forest and margins of swamps. Gives a loud cheerful duet “chi-weer, chi-weer, chi-weer” and other strident notes that often draw attention to it. Other co-occurring warblers are warmer brown or streaked.
Taxonomy
The Red-winged Grey Warbler is a species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It is monotypic within the genus Drymocichla.
- Scientific name
- Drymocichla incana
- Authority
- Hartlaub, 1881
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Drymocichla
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The Red-winged Grey Warbler bird mainly eats insects especially, beetles, spiders, and tiny insect larvae. It catches its prey while flying through the vegetation or hovering mid-air. This method of hunting helps it find and target its prey accurately. Though small, the creature needs this diet to survive and maintain its ecosystem's balance.<p>Male and female Red-winged Grey Warblers engage in breeding during the rainy season, spanning from spring (around May) to fall (October). To signify their partnership, they often sing in unison. Following hatching, the fledgling Red-winged Grey Warblers display a distinct appearance, with a reddish wing patch, reddish belly, and a yellowish base on their bill.<p>Male birds are known for their loud and lively singing. They typically produce sounds that resemble "chwee" or "chwit weer-weer-weer," sometimes repeating a note to extend their melody. Female birds are recognized for their repeating "tchwee" sound. When male and female birds are paired, they occasionally harmonize in unison, usually initiated by the female bird.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Taita White-eye
Zosterops silvanus
A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the olive-green back, the yellow throat and undertail, and the ridiculously broad white spectacles around the eyes. Found in the Taita Hills of southeast Kenya, in montane forest, forest edge, exotic tree plantations, and lush gardens and scrub. Usually in hyperactive pairs or flocks. Separated from similar broad-ringed white-eyes by range. Somewhat similar to African Yellow and Pale White-eyes, but found at higher elevations, and eye-ring is much broader. Song is a subdued, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Calls include a high-pitched rising rattle, chattering notes, and “chew” notes like those from the song.
California Quail
Callipepla californica
Small and rotund with obvious teardrop-shaped plumes protruding from forehead. Looks gray and brown at a distance, with white streaks on the sides and a scaly belly. Males have black face and longer, more curled crest than females. Usually seen in flocks running on the ground in open, scrubby habitats. Listen for frequent, three-noted call, audible at long distances. Separated from similar Gambel’s Quail by range; also note California has scaly belly with rusty (not black) patch and duller brown crown and sides. Native to western North America including Baja California; well-established introduced populations in Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
Tongan Megapode
Megapodius pritchardii
A plump, mostly ground-dwelling bird with long yellowish legs and a dark gray body with slightly browner wash on the wings and back. Head mostly dark gray, with bright orange beak and whitish crest. Good views may show blood-red bare skin around the eye and throat. Found in mature woodland with open understory. Nests on crater lake islands. Resident, with no record of vagrancy. Very vocal, most frequently heard in groups giving chorus of loud piping whistles and shrill cries. Calls are usually a staccato one-note whistle. Unmistakable, as it is the only scrubfowl in its range.
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