Google Earth map: (updated July 2009)


red: geo-referenced ORNIS record

white: user-generated record

Vidua purpurascens

Purple Indigobird


Subspecies and distribution:

monotypic - southern and East Africa


Morphology: (Payne 1996)

Plumage - dull purple

Bill - white

Legs - pale purple

Wing - brown


Host:

Jameson’s Firefinch (Lagonosticta rhodopareia)


Host song mimicry: (Payne 1973, 1993, 1996)

Most distinctive mimicry is the “purr alarm, which has more than 22 notes per second and can sound like a purring cat. Also mimics slow and fast trills, a two-part “t’we t’we” whistle, and the “feeew” whistle of the female Jameson’s Firefinch.

Google Earth map: (updated July 2009)

View interactive map HERE (requires plug-in)


red: geo-referenced ORNIS record

white: user-generated record

Fry, C. H. and Keith, S. (Eds). 2004. The Birds of Africa. Vol VII. Christopher Helm, London.

Quicktime video of scrolling sonogram featuring the

purr” alarm mimicry.

www.indigobirds.com

Hosted by: Boston University

Email: indigos@bu.edu

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