Gray-headed Bushshrike
Malaconotus blanchoti
A large, robust bushshrike with a chunky hook-tipped bill, a bright yellow eye, and a massive gray head with a small pale patch in front of the eye. Singles and pairs inhabit arid thornveld, broadleaf woodland, riverine forest, and thickets, seldom joining flocks. The species forages slowly and deliberately, hopping along branches diligently searching for large insects and small vertebrates. A low-pitched, extended sorrowful “whhooooooo” song is given up to 50 times in succession, along with other harsh clicks and rasps. Other similar large bushshrikes are rainforest specialists and have more pale in front of the eye.
识别特征
The sexes are alike, and measure 22.6 to 25.2 cm (bill to tail). The combination of formidable, black bill and rich yellow iris lends it a distinctive visage. Related bushshrike species have the white lore plumage extending beyond a whitish eye. Immatures are paler generally, while juveniles have pale yellow chest plumage, and brown barring or mottling over the crown. Juveniles are also distinguished by their brown eyes and brownish horn bills. The species occurs in sympatry with the orange-breasted bushshrike, which is similarly plumaged but smaller, with more gracile features.
分类信息
- 学名
- Malaconotus blanchoti
- 命名信息
- Stephens, 1826
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Malaconotidae
- 属
- Malaconotus
分布与栖息地
In the subtropics it occurs in densities of 1 pair per 200 ha, and a breeding pair has a range of some 50 ha. In Zimbabwe it shows a close association with miombo woodland, while occurring more sparsely in semi-arid savannah. It is also found in riparian vegetation and associated tall Acacia, besides lowland evergreen thicket and forest, and the interior of riparian ground-water forest.<p>It is found from sea level to 1,500 metres, up to 1,600 metres in Zimbabwe, and in the tropics, locally up to 3,000 metres. It avoids areas with an annual rainfall below 500 mm. In southern Africa it is absent from Kalahari woodlands, and is largely replaced by the orange-breasted bushshrike in the Okavango Delta. It many areas it occurs in sympatry with the latter species, but may locally be found living in close proximity with several other bushshrike species. It is rarely found in plantations of alien trees, but more commonly in gardens, where it would be overlooked were it not for its frequent call notes.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
Their food consists mostly of insects, but they also prey on mice (swallowed whole), small birds, snakes, lizards and chameleons.<p>The best-known call is the male's uncanny, mechanical-sounding series of hooting notes, which particularly during the pre-breeding period, is frequently repeated. The prolonged sessions of measured, mournful notes may continue for an hour or more. These are delivered from a high perch, and are sometimes preceded by a cluck or tic sounds. His calling ceases once the female starts incubating however, when he begins to provide her with food items. Various softer sounds may also be heard at close quarters, besides a variety of abrupt clicks, ticks or clinks. A harsh alarm note and a duetting call are also known.<p>The grey-headed bushshrike breeds in spring and summer. The pair builds a nest in 10 days, which is placed in the mid to upper stratum of a tree, well-hidden in thicker foliage, tangles or mistletoes. The nest shows some resemblance to that of a small raptor, whose old nests they may also appropriate. A clutch contains 2 to 4 elongate (29 x 21 mm), cream-coloured eggs, irregularly marked with grey and brown spots, that form a slight crown around the obtuse end. The clutch is incubated by the female only, over a period of 17 days. Chicks are reared by the female and leave the nest in three weeks.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- rising
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Delicate Prinia
Prinia lepida
Tiny, disproportionately long-tailed, active, and vocal. The upperparts are gray-brown with heavy dark streaking, the underparts are pale, and each tail feather shows both pale and dark tips. Generally found in rather moist habitats within arid zones, including field margins, riparian woodland, scrub, gardens, and wetlands; can be quite numerous. Very vocal, especially in spring. The song is a rattling series of dry chirps, subtly different from the slower-paced song of Graceful Prinia. Males often sing from obvious perches. Visually extremely similar to Graceful Prinia, but there is little overlap in range. In any areas of overlap, best separated by song, but Delicate is also slightly longer- and narrower-tailed and browner.
Elliot's Pheasant
Syrmaticus ellioti
Pale and stocky-looking pheasant of hill forests with dense undergrowth; generally scarce due to poaching throughout its range. Male is unmistakable: mostly brown above with a white belly, silvery head, bright red face, and a long pale gray tail with thick russet bands. Female is smaller and shorter-tailed with a faded version of the male’s patterning. Can be quite tame in areas where are protected and fed by rural communities.
Great Cuckoo-Dove
Reinwardtoena reinwardti
A large, very long-tailed dove with a dark chestnut-brown back, wings, and tail. Head, neck and underside contrastingly pale throughout range, either white (Moluccas and Biak) or pale gray (elsewhere). Juveniles are sooty above, brown below. Typically found singly, but sometimes in pairs or groups in fruiting trees. Inhabits subcanopy of forest and secondary growth from lowlands to mountains, but most abundant in the foothills. Size, shape, and bicolored appearance make it unique. Song comprises incessantly repetitive two-note “woo-wooook” phrases with a shorter first note and an upslurred second one.
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