Vanuatu Petrel
Pterodroma occulta
Rare and difficult to identify, this petrel is known to breed solely on the steep vegetated slopes of Vanua Lava, in northern Vanuatu. Most frequently reported in the seas surrounding Vanuatu, it likely ranges much further afield in the southwest Pacific; unfortunately, its similarity to other petrel species and the sparse coverage of that region make determining this difficult. Note neat black cap, bright white hindcollar, and black “M” across the uppersides of the wings. Extremely similar to White-necked Petrel; Vanuatu averages slightly smaller and smaller-billed overall, and with minimal amounts of white on the undersides of the primaries compared to White-necked. However, some Vanuatus can show significant white “tongues” in the primary undersides, and as such, identification remains extremely difficult away from the species’ core range in northern Vanuatu. Juan Fernandez Petrel can also be very similar, but lacks the bright white hindcollar and has even more extensive white tongues on the primary undersides. Typically solitary at sea, but can congregate in feeding flocks, sometimes with other species.
识别特征
This species resembles the white-necked petrel, but is slightly smaller at 40 centimetres (16 in) in length and 300–350 grams (11–12 oz) in weight. It has a black cap, white rear neck, dark grey back, wings and tail, and a darker rump. The underparts are white with dark bases to the primary feathers. Like the white-necked petrel, the upperparts of worn birds become darker.<p>It is very difficult to differentiate the Vanuatu petrel from the white-necked petrel at sea.
分类信息
- 学名
- Pterodroma occulta
- 命名信息
- Imber & Tennyson, 2001
- 目
- Procellariiformes
- 科
- Procellariidae
- 属
- Pterodroma
行为
This is a solitary pelagic species of the open seas of the south-west Pacific. It has an effortless graceful flight with few wing beats, and does not follow ships. It feeds on the wing, picking fish and squid from near the surface.
照片
其他鸟类
Echo Parakeet
Psittacula eques
Fairly large, long-tailed bright green parakeet of the island of Mauritius. Males have a red bill, a black chin, and a pink-and-black collar. Females are duller, with a black bill. Endangered; found locally in and around remnant patches of humid forest. The call is a honking, nasal “kraa” that is usually repeated in quick sequence, lower-pitched than the typical high-pitched shrieks of Rose-ringed Parakeet. Very similar in appearance to that species, but separated by vocalizations, richer green overall plumage, and shorter and broader wings; females are easily separated by their black rather than red bills.
Olive-striped Flycatcher
Mionectes galbinus
A small, energetic flycatcher found in humid forest; most common along lower slopes of mountains, and also ranges into lowlands in some areas. Note its olive-green coloration, streaky underparts, and pale spot behind the eye. Overlaps with the very similar Streak-necked Flycatcher at middle elevations of the Andes. Olive-striped typically has a much greener head, lacking strong gray coloration on the forehead face, and throat, though it may show a gray tinge on its crown. Plucks berries from fruiting trees while hovering like a hummingbird and often seen with mixed species flocks. Song is an extremely high-pitched and often hard to discern series of whistles; the exact pattern of notes varies significantly throughout its range. Birds from Costa Rica and far western Panama are now considered a separate species, Olive-streaked Flycatcher.
Gray's Lark
Ammomanopsis grayi
A stocky, pale, plain buffy-white lark that frequently matches the color of the stony terrain it lives in. Its dark-tipped pale gray-blue bill and white-fringed dark tail distinguish it. Pairs and flocks of up to 30 are resident and nomadic in barren gravel plains with sparse cover of grass and shrubs. Mostly at night, it sings a soft tinkling “tink tink” with upslurred “swee” whistles interspersed. Gray’s Lark is most similar to Tractrac Chat, but the latter flicks its wings and has a pale rump; Stark’s Lark has a crest and streaked upperparts, and female sparrow-larks have dark belly patches.
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