African Green Bee-eater
Merops viridissimus
A small, dainty bee-eater of open woodlands, semideserts, farmland, and around sparse human habitation. Mainly green with a yellowish-green throat, slender black face mask, throat band and long central tail streamers. Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the long tail feathers. In flight, note the rusty underwing with a black trailing edge. Flies gracefully as it catches insects and other prey. Some populations show seasonal movements. Calls are a series of gentle liquid trills or more staccato notes.
识别特征
The most distinctive trait of this species is its light yellowish-green throat, in contrast to the blue throats of M. orientalis and M. cyanophrys. It also differs in its voice.
分类信息
Although initially described as distinct species, the African and Arabian (M. cyanophrys) green bee-eaters were grouped with the Asian green bee-eater (M. orientalis) as the green bee-eater by Charles Sibley and Burt Monroe in 1990. However, in 2014, the IUCN Red List and BirdLife International again split them as distinct species. A 2020 study found significant differences in morphology and voice between all three species, so they were also split from one another by the International Ornithologists' Union in 2021.<p>There are thought to be three subspecies:<p>A 2004 phylogenetic analysis based on plumage recovered the M. viridissimus as sister to M. orientalis, with the clade containing both being sister to M. cyanophrys. However, the IOC classifies it as sister to cyanophrys.
- 学名
- Merops viridissimus
- 命名信息
- Swainson, 1837
- 目
- Coraciiformes
- 科
- Meropidae
- 属
- Merops
分布与栖息地
It is found throughout semiarid regions of Africa, its distribution roughly coinciding with the Sahel. It ranges from coast to coast, reaching its western extent in Senegal and eastern extent in Ethiopia. The species has taken advantage of changes to agriculture and increased irrigation in this region, and has thus increased in abundance, expanding its range along the Nile. It colonized Egypt prior to 2001 and now ranges as far north as the Nile Delta. Due to this increasing population and it benefiting from human habitat modification, it is not thought to be under threat.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- rising
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Helmeted Friarbird
Philemon buceroides
Large brownish honeyeater with bare black facial skin and a long, pointed, black bill topped by a small rounded "horn". Uniformly gray-brown with upperparts a darker shade than the underparts. Care should be taken to distinguish it from Silver-crowned Friarbird (which has an angular edge to the upper rear portion of the black facial skin, as well as a slightly larger "horn" on the bill). Also similar is the Noisy Friarbird (which has a completely bare head). Found along the tropical Queensland and Northern Territory coasts—where it can be common in a variety of habitats including parks, gardens, mangroves, and forests. The "Sandstone" subspecies in Arnhem Land is quite different in habitat; it occurs in inland sandstone areas. Typically very loud, with has a variety of harsh, loud squawks, including the "poor devil" call.
Eared Dove
Zenaida auriculata
South America’s most widespread and abundant dove, found from sea level up to 4,000 m. Appearance much like Mourning Dove of North America: pale grayish-brown overall with iridescent patch on neck, black spots on wing and neck, and reddish legs. Larger than ground-doves; more slender than Leptotila doves and with black wing spots. Found in open and disturbed habitats including agricultural fields, towns and cities, and shrubby areas. Often gathers in flocks.
Willow Flycatcher
Empidonax traillii
Small flycatcher, extremely similar to several other species. Prefers shrubby open areas, especially around marshes. Western population prefers understory in riparian woods. Brownish above and pale below with barely any eyering. Wings dark with distinct white wingbars (brownish in Western population). Nearly identical to Alder Flycatcher; once considered the same species. Also compare with Least Flycatcher, which is very similar but has slightly shorter wingtips and a bolder eyering. Willow is larger, larger-headed, and longer-billed than other species of small flycatcher in the West; also note lack of a distinct eyering. Best identified by voice: song is a sneezing "FITZ-bew"; call is a dry "whit." Silent birds, especially in migration, often best left unidentified.
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