Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird

Photo by obasanmi
Pictured near Lake Manyara in northern Tanzania. Bird pictured is of race affinis.

Pogoniulus pusillus

Identification

9-10.5 cm. Short neck, large head, and short tail. Black upperparts heavily streaked with yellow and white, golden wing patch black and white pattern on head, with a red forecrown spot, yellow underparts and rump. Sexes are similar in appearance, but young birds lack the red forehead.

Distribution

Eastern South Africa, with a separate population from southern Sudan and Ethiopia south to central and eastern Tanzania.

Taxonomy

Pogoniulus pusillus has three subspecies:

• P. p. pusillus

• Southern Mozambique to eastern South Africa

• P. p. uropygialis

• Eritrea to northern and central Ethiopia and northern Somalia

• P. p. affinis

• South-eastern Sudan to south-eastern Ethiopia, southern Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, south-eastern Tanzania

Habitat

Forest, woodland and scrub.

Behaviour

It makes its nest in a tree hole, and 2-3 eggs are laid.

Its diet includes berries and fruit, especially mistletoe, and insects.

External Links

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