Village Indigobird
Vidua chalybeata
Nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Red-billed and Brown firefinches. Breeding males are glossy black, while females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The color of the bill is red in southeast Africa and whitish in western, northern, and central Africa. Found in savanna, scrub, farmland, and towns. Mimics the vocalizations of its host firefinches: low rattling series and high-pitched whistled notes. In southeast Africa, can be separated from other indigobirds by its red bill. Very similar to other indigobirds elsewhere on the continent. Breeding males can be separated by their all-black wings that lack a pale brownish panel. The mimicked vocalizations of its host species can also help confirm identification. In non-breeding plumage, similar to non-breeding Pin-tailed Whydah but separated by red legs.
识别特征
The village indigobird is 11–12 cm in length. The adult male is entirely greenish-black or bluish-black except for his orange-red legs and conical white bill. The female resembles a female house sparrow, with streaked brown upperparts, buff underparts, a whitish supercilium and a yellowish bill, although she also has red legs. Immature birds are like the female but plainer and without a supercilium.<p>Many of the indigobirds are very similar in appearance, with the males difficult to separate in the field, and the young and females near impossible. Helpful pointers with the village indigobird are the association with its host species, the red-billed firefinch, and its presence near human habitation.
分类信息
- 学名
- Vidua chalybeata
- 命名信息
- (Müller, PLS, 1776)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Viduidae
- 属
- Vidua
分布与栖息地
It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. This indigobird is found in many open habitats including open woodland, scrub and cultivation, but, as its name implies, it is most readily seen near villages.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
The male village indigobird is territorial, and he has an elaborate courtship flight display. The song is given from a high perch, and consists of rapid sputtering and churring intermingled with mimicry of red-billed firefinch's song, especially the characteristic chick-pea-pea-pea.<p>The diet of this species consists of seeds and grain.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- stable
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Orinoco Softtail
Thripophaga cherriei
Distinctive rounded-tailed rufous-brown bird of riverine habitats. Narrow buffy eyebrow and buffy streaks on cheeks and breast. Upperparts rufous-brown and underparts olive-brown; rich chestnut in chin, wings, rump, and tail. Rare, usually in pairs, found from understory to mid-level in riverine forest in very restricted range. Voice consists of repeated “CHEUP” notes, mostly in duet. Similar to Delta Amacuro Softtail (no range overlap), which is more streaked (including the head) and lacks buff eyebrow; Speckled Spinetail has a buffy (not orange) chin, paler head and breast with dark speckling, and a rufoud cap. Endemic to the Orinoco River and nearby tributaries in southwestern Venezuela and eastern Colombia.
Whistling Kite
Haliastur sphenurus
Large sandy-colored raptor. In flight it has a strong underwing pattern, and holds its wings in a bent M-shape. Tail is relatively long and slightly rounded. Calls loudly with a distinctive repeated whistle. Common along coasts and waterways where it scavenges for fish.
Tongan Megapode
Megapodius pritchardii
A plump, mostly ground-dwelling bird with long yellowish legs and a dark gray body with slightly browner wash on the wings and back. Head mostly dark gray, with bright orange beak and whitish crest. Good views may show blood-red bare skin around the eye and throat. Found in mature woodland with open understory. Nests on crater lake islands. Resident, with no record of vagrancy. Very vocal, most frequently heard in groups giving chorus of loud piping whistles and shrill cries. Calls are usually a staccato one-note whistle. Unmistakable, as it is the only scrubfowl in its range.
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