Neumann's Starling
Onychognathus neumanni
A large glossy-black starling with a wedge-shaped tail and brick-red windows in the wings that are striking in flight. The male and female have black and gray heads respectively. Pairs and flocks prefer rocky outcrops, cliffs, and gorges, within the savanna zone. Similar to Chestnut-winged Starling, but found in different habitat, and separated by being chunkier, with a much heavier bill and broader tail. The vocalizations are characteristic loud liquid oriole-like contact calls and other musical whistles and warbles.
Identification
This 25 cm long species is similar to other Onychognathus starlings, showing the characteristic rufous primary wing feathers, very obvious in flight. The iris is dark red, and the bill and legs are black. The male plumage is otherwise mainly glossy black, and the female is ash grey with darker streaking. The juvenile resembles the male, but is less glossy than the adult, and has brown rather than dark red eyes.<p>The song is a too-whee-oo, and the alarm call is a harsh air, air.<p>Western populations from western Mali and the Ivory Coast are smaller and shorter-tailed than the nominate form, O. n. neumanni, and are assigned to the subspecies O. n. modicus.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Onychognathus neumanni
- Authority
- (Alexander, 1908)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sturnidae
- Genus
- Onychognathus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The red-winged starling builds a nest of grass on a ledge in a sheltered site such as a cave. It is also associated with human settlement, and some related red-winged starling species are known to use man-made structures as nest sites.<p>This species is territorial, aggressive and intolerant when nesting, and will attack other species, including birds of prey.<p>Like other starlings, the Neumann's red-winged starling is an omnivore, taking a wide range of fruit, including figs, and some invertebrates. It is highly gregarious, and will form large flocks when not breeding.
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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An all-dark, pigeon-sized petrel. Very bulky, with broad wings and a heavy, dark bill. Similar to Bulwer’s Petrel, but Jouanin’s appears heavier overall with a shorter tail, a larger bill, and no white on the wings. Strong flier, gliding often with occasional wingbeats, and staying close to the water.
Qilian Bluetail
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A newly described species endemic (at least as a breeder) to a few pockets of northern China. Essentially visually identical to Red-flanked Bluetail: adult male is sky-blue above and pale below, with orange sides and a small white eyebrow. Female and juvenile are more subdued, but still have the rufous flanks and blue tail. Breeds in humid montane forest, often favoring mossy, damp areas. Wintering range and habits essentially unknown, but probably overlap those of Red-flanked Bluetail. Can be hyperactive, moving quickly across the forest floor, stopping to flick the tail downwards. Best identified by range and distinctive song: a short, descending sweet yet burry phrase repeated regularly, very different from the song of Red-flanked Bluetail. Also has a variety of calls that are less distinctive, including a rising “sweet”, a descending “seet”, and a series of low, dry notes.
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Pternistis afer
Large, chunky francolin with bare red skin on the throat and around the eye. There is much geographical variation in the presence or extent of white on the face, black-and-white streaking below, and black on the belly. Found in a wide range of habitats, including moist savanna, grassland, thickets, cultivation, and forest edge. The call is a series of rough “krek” notes, sometimes with a rollicking introduction. Bare red throat separates it from most other francolins. In areas of overlap with Swainson’s or Gray-breasted Francolins, Red-necked can be identified by black-and-white striped underparts.
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