Ethiopian Thrush

A striking medium-sized species of wooded habitats. The white face framed by the red of its nape and crown and its finely barred black-and-white back is distinctive; resembles no other species in its range. Sometimes first detected by its determined excavation of rotting wood. Vocalizations include an emphatic, slightly rough “urp,” and a burry “urr-urr-urr-urr” given as a rapid rolling burst.

A sleek forest bird that sometimes ventures into gardens and parks in search of flowers and fruit; prefers areas with palms. The adult is distinctive—clothed in black except for patches of yellow on lower belly, shoulders, and rump. No similar species occur within its range. Immatures are muddled yellow, orange, and olive, developing adult plumage over the course of a year. This plumage resembles that of female and young Baltimore Orioles, a scarce migrant and winter visitor to Hispaniola. Similarly attired Baltimore Orioles can be distinguished by their orange underparts and white wingbars. The song is a rapid jumble of squeaky and metallic notes. Calls include a buzzy “jrrrt” and a metallic “zhwee.”

A small broadbill of lowland wet forests, often found near water in thick vines and tangles. Note the compact shape, the white throat, the rufous chest, the thin black streaking on the underparts, and the white spangling on the wings. Males have dark heads and backs. Like other African broadbills, has a white patch on the back that can be concealed by other feathers.  Overlaps locally with both African Broadbill and Gray-headed Broadbill, but note Rufous-sided Broadbill’s habitat, the rufous on its chest, and the white spots on the wings. Most often located by its display sound, a decidedly frog-like trilling “brrrt” that lasts up to half a second, rising in pitch.