African Finfoot

Podica senegalensis

A dark, elongated, duck-like, aquatic bird with neon orange bill and legs. The back and underparts are variably spotted and barred. The throat is gray in the male and white in the female. It swims slow and low in the water with its tail held on the surface. This secretive bird moves in pairs on perennial rivers, swamps, and quiet clear backwaters, foraging under overhanging cover for invertebrates, frogs, and fish. The short, thick neck and bright-colored bill and feet differentiate it from darters and cormorants.

识别特征

The African finfoot is an underwater specialist with a long neck, a striking sharp beak, and bright red, lobed feet. The plumage varies by race, generally pale underneath and darker on top. The males are usually darker than the females. It superficially resembles South America's torrent duck.

分类信息

学名
Podica senegalensis
命名信息
(Vieillot, 1817)
Gruiformes
Heliornithidae
Podica

分布与栖息地

迁徙
Resident species

保护状况

The African finfoot's conservation status is hard to determine, given its elusive nature. It is not considered threatened, as it is not persecuted or targeted by hunters, and while scarce, it is very widespread. However, there is concern that it may become threatened, as wetlands are cleared and watercourses altered and polluted. It is also thought to tolerate only minimal disturbance. This and increased habitat fragmentation mean that the species needs to be monitored to safeguard it. There are currently no African finfoots in captivity.

种群趋势
declining

照片

分布

鸟叫声

其他鸟类

Sao Tome Green-Pigeon

Sao Tome Green-Pigeon

Treron sanctithomae

Chunky, medium-sized pigeon that has a green back and gray underparts. Also note the purple shoulders and the whitish bill with a red base. Flight is fast and direct. Sometimes alone, though more often in small groups. The species clambers around clumsily like a parrot but can remain well hidden. Found in the canopy of rainforest, secondary forest, and plantations. Most common at middle elevations. Voice is a quiet but maniacal combination of sputters, whistles, and cackles. Easily identified, as it is the only green pigeon on the island of Sao Tome. 

Black-faced Pitta

Black-faced Pitta

Pitta anerythra

A long-legged, plump-bodied, mostly ground-dwelling bird with bluish-green wings and back, a pale aqua shoulder patch, a light peach-tawny underside and chest, a white throat, and a deep black head. On Choiseul and Santa Isabel, has a light ruddy brown crown. On Bougainville, has a black crown and brown streak behind the eye. Resident in primary forest and forest edge habitats. Unique within its range. Voice is a series of short, rising growling sounds, similar to a kettle boiling.

Golden-collared Manakin

Golden-collared Manakin

Manacus vitellinus

A small, plump, and short-tailed manakin with a restricted range in Panama and western Colombia. Males are striking with a bright yellow throat and collar, a black cap, and a black back with greenish rump and belly. Females are entirely olive-green with red legs and dark bill and eye. Hybridizes with White-collared and White-bearded Manakins; hybrid males typically have yellow upper backs. Apparently no range overlap with similar Orange-collared Manakin. Occurs in dense understory of forest, second growth, and edges. Males gather in groups to display for females; otherwise most likely to be found at a fruiting tree or sitting quietly in the lower levels of forest.

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