Cameroon Indigobird
Vidua camerunensis
A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of African and Black-bellied Firefinches and Brown and Dybowski's Twinspots. Breeding males are glossy black with blue iridescence and a pale brownish panel in the wings. Females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The bill is whitish and the legs very pale purplish. Found locally in lush woodland, savanna, and cultivated areas. Given current knowledge, can only be confidently identified by mimicked vocalizations. Each male parasitizes only one of the four host species and imitates its vocalizations, often mixing them into a scratchy jumble of high-pitched notes.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Vidua camerunensis
- Authority
- (Grote, 1922)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Viduidae
- Genus
- Vidua
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Cameroon indigobirds are known for song determination and mimicking the songs of other bird species. The males pick which songs to mimic; however, when one male chooses a song from a host bird, the other males mimic other songs from a different host species. This is an effective way to differentiate males when mimicking the songs. There are several distinct host species that the indigobirds mimic from; the most common are the black-bellied firefinch (Lagonosticta rara) and African firefinch (L. rubricata).<p>The variation in how indigobirds mimic different songs is based on the host species. Researchers have thought that because different indigobird species sing different songs, they must be reproductively isolated. However, when a paternity test was done between the different species, it was found that the birds were not reproductively isolated. They concluded that indigobirds switch songs among several different hosts, but that this switching does not mean that the species are biologically different. In fact, they are very much related to one another in which they are not isolated from other species. Reproductive isolation cannot be determined just by the shifts of song mimicry from different hosts.<p>The indigobirds also use song mimicry for sexual and natural selection. Male indigobirds are most territorial and aggressive when they hear their own song or the host song that they mimic. These birds know and recognize which song is the one they mimic, compared to what other species mimic. For natural selection, it is in the bird's favor to mimic another song compared to other species. They save resources because they do not have to fight with others to mark their territory, thus decreasing their aggressiveness. As for sexual selection, females are attracted to males that master the art of mimicry. A female decides to mate with the male who sings the song that is most known to the females. The eggs are laid in another host's nest instead of their own.<p>Song discrimination is also very important in the young. They learn to sing and mimic songs in their sensitive period. It is very important in establishing their mimicry for the best fit in natural selection and reproduction with sexual selection.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Javan Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus glaucinus
Chunky dark blue bird. Brightest blue on the nape and shoulder. Readily distinguished from similar species by shape, uniform plumage, and dark bill. Often spreads its short tail in a rather unimpressive gesture. Endemic to Java and Bali, where it inhabits foothill and montane forests at 800-2400 meters. Typically encountered close to or on the ground, but will also perch up on branches at mid-height. Favors areas with rocky outcrops, sometimes (but not always) near water. Can be quite tame, especially in areas frequented by people. Gives a sharp, resonant “tsee-chk-chk!”
West Solomons Owl
Athene jacquinoti
A rather small orange-eyed owl with lightly spotted brown upperparts and paler underparts. Prefers well-developed forest, mainly in lowlands, but up to 1500 meters of elevation. Unlikely to overlap in range with any similar species. Vocal range poorly known, but a series of monotone “poop” or “chong” notes is regularly reported. Found from Bougainville, Buka, and Choiseul in the north to Florida Island in the south. Formerly lumped with Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira Owls under the name “Solomons Boobook.”
Atoll Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus coralensis
A colorful dove, mostly green with a yellow belly, green wings, a silver neck and chest, and in the male, a limited magenta forehead patch. Similar to Makatea Fruit-Dove, but with much more washed-out coloring and pink instead of dark legs. The two species are unlikely to be found on the same islands. Call is a rising and falling series of typical dove-like coos.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.