Wilson's Indigobird
Vidua wilsoni
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Bar-breasted Firefinch. Breeding males are glossy purplish-black with a pale brownish panel in the wings, while females and non-breeding males are brown and streaky on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is white and the legs pinkish. Found in a wide variety of open habitats including open woodland, thickets, savanna, cultivated areas, and scrub. Breeding males can be identified with care by their vocalizations and purple gloss. Non-breeding males and females cannot be separated visually from other indigobirds. Imitates the vocalizations of its host firefinches: a low “chip” call and an up-and-down twittering song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vidua wilsoni
- Authority
- (Hartert, EJO, 1901)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Viduidae
- Genus
- Vidua
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Yellow-throated Toucan
Ramphastos ambiguus
Large conspicuous bird with oversized bill. Mostly black overall with yellow throat and face. Note bicolored bill: dark below and yellow above. Found in pairs or small groups, often parading through the canopy in search of fruit. Sometimes perches very obviously at the top of a tree. Favors forested areas, but can also be found in gardens and edges. Yelping call helps distinguish from similar looking species.
Wetar Figbird
Sphecotheres hypoleucus
A distinctive oriole confined to Wetar. A medium-sized, heavyset songbird with a stout bill. Male is striking, with a black head, obvious red skin around the eye, an olive upperside, and clean white underparts. Female is entirely gray-brown with extensive bold streaks on the underside. Juvenile resembles a poorly-streaked female. Groups occur in forest, edge, scrub, and cultivated areas. Male is unmistakable; heavily streaked underparts and bulky shape of female unlike any other species in range. Complex, chattering, buzzing starling-like song contains imitations of local birds. Call is a strident “WICK!”
Sharp-tailed Tyrant
Culicivora caudacuta
A handsome tiny flycatcher with a long spiky tail. Note the conspicuous broad white eyebrow and white chin. It has black-and-brown streaking down its back and rusty sides. Inhabits tall grasslands in the lowlands that are rarely disturbed; can be hard to spot in the tall vegetation. Not very vocal; the song is a series of weak and short “tweee tweee tweee” notes.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.