Rosy-patched bush-shrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus (synonym; Telophorus cruentus, formerly; Tchagra cruenta, protonym; Lanius cruentus), also known as the Rosy-patched Bushshrike or the Rosy-patched Shrike, photographed at Awash National Park, Ethiopia (Africa).
Image: Dan Logen, 27 January 2011 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D300s, 600 mm lens, ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/640 sec
Question: This Ethiopian mystery bird is a duet-singing species that cannot be confused with any other bird. Can you identify this bird?
Response: This is a rosy-patched bush-shrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus, an insectivorous songbird of east Africa's desert lowlands. These birds use duet singing to form and maintain their pair bond. When two males vie for the attentions of one female, they will sing as a trio, the female (presumably) choosing her mate based on the one whose song best matches her own. Males and females of the species can be distinguished by the presence of either a black (female) or rosy (male) patch on their throat, atop a rosy patch on their chest and belly.
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