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
Golden-winged Laughingthrush
Trochalopteron ngoclinhense
Restricted to high-elevation forest (above 2,000 meters) in the Annamite Mountains of central Vietnam. Predominantly gray with gold and rusty patches in the wings and tail. Darker centers to feathers on the breast and back give it a delicately scalloped appearance. Forages singly or in pairs in thick vegetation; also sometimes with flocks of Red-tailed Laughingthrushes. Gives a two-part meowing call.
Madagascar Buttonquail
Turnix nigricollis
Tiny, complexly patterned quail-like bird. Female has rufous sides, gray underparts, and black facial markings. Male is duller and browner. Found on the ground in a wide variety of habitats, including grassland, scrub, spiny forest, and western deciduous forest. Somewhat shy, though more approachable than quail. The song is a quick, pulsing series of low “hwo” notes. Male is similar to female quail, but smaller, and has weaker and less direct flight when flushed.
Black-striped Woodcreeper
Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Fairly large and distinctive woodcreeper. Much more boldly marked than any other woodcreeper in range: obvious thick white streaking above and below. Found singly or in pairs, usually in forest, where you might see it hitching up the lower part of a tree trunk. Often follows mixed-species flocks. Listen for voice, a clear descending series of notes, usually stuttered at the beginning.
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