Black-and-white Mannikin

Spermestes bicolor

Small, big-billed, short-tailed waxbill. Shows profound geographical variation: a rufous back in southeastern Africa, and a black back in central and western Africa. Black-backed birds vary from having white barring on the wings and tail to having completely black wings and tail. Juveniles are very drab and brown but can usually be identified by their association with adults. Found in forest, moist woodland, and gardens, often in patches of seeding grass. Usually in small flocks. Call is a descending “teew”. Similar to Bronze Mannikin but has an all-blue bill and never shows a brown back.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Spermestes bicolor
Authority
(Fraser, 1843)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Estrildidae
Genus
Spermestes

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Slender-billed Weaver

Slender-billed Weaver

Ploceus pelzelni

Miniscule yellow weaver with an unusually long and slender bill. Breeding males have a clean black face mask and yellow underparts. Females have a clean, pale-yellow head, unlike other weavers. Found in wetland habitats including swamps, marshes, and mangroves, and sometimes in adjacent savanna or scrub. Usually in pairs or small groups; not as social as some weavers. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chet” notes and a sizzling, “radio static” song. Most similar to Little Weaver, but found in different habitat, and has a much longer bill. Separated from all other weavers by its small size and bill shape.

St. Lucia Amazon

St. Lucia Amazon

Amazona versicolor

A stout inhabitant of wet montane forests; sometimes ventures into orchards. This species often appears green with a bluish head, though a variable amount of red is present on the chest and belly. In overflight, a small red patch on each wing can be seen above and below. No other parrots occur within its range, and no parrot commonly kept in captivity resembles this species. Calls include a somewhat sharp “ka-chuck” and plaintive “ay-uh.”

Sangkar White-eye

Sangkar White-eye

Zosterops melanurus

Typical-looking white-eye, with bright yellowish upperparts and bright white “spectacles.” Recently split from Oriental White-eye, to which it may still be referred to as in older literature. Throughout most of its range, this species has a yellow belly, but birds in the far western corner of Java have gray bellies. The only “classic white-eye” throughout much of its range; in areas of overlap with other species, Sangkar’s combination of dark eyes and a prominent dark stripe between the eye and bill base serve to identify it. Found in lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, gardens, and plantations. Calls include bright, descending “deee, deee.” Song is jumbled and high-pitched, and has made this species a sought-after target in the cagebird trade; as such, it is now uncommon or rare in certain areas of otherwise suitable habitat.

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