Spotted Ears Trachyphonus

A densely built bird, slightly smaller than an ordinary starling : the length varies from 16 to 19 cm. Four races are described, the variability between which is manifested in size and variation in the general color, shades and patterns of plumage. The mass of subspecies T. d. darnaudii and T. d. boehmi 17–39 g, subspecies T. d. usambiro and T. d. emini 32-51 g ^[4] . The yellow or orange-yellow feathers of the head have dark bases and peaks, which makes the entire surface of the head look mottled. In subspecies T. d. boehmi feathers on the crown of the head and nape are black without marks, form a plain “hat”, in T. d. usambiro and T. d. emini feathers are more likely yellow, without an orange tint. An excited bird raises the feathers of the crown in the shape of a crest. The back, wings and tail are dark brown, almost black, with numerous white spots. On the throat and upper chest there is a black "shirt shirt". The belly is dirty white or yellowish, the undertail is rather red. The beak is rather short, horny, darker in the subspecies T. d. boehmi and T. d. usambiro . Sexual differences are not pronounced. The color of the young is paler, with fewer dark spots on the head ^{[5] [4]} . It flies slowly and clumsily, which makes the bird vulnerable to predators in the open. Vocalist throughout the year, often echoes a duet with a partner ^[6] .

Distributed in the east of the African continent: in southeastern Sudan , Eritrea , Ethiopia , Somalia , northeastern Uganda , Kenya and Tanzania . Inhabits grassy and shrubbery savannas , light forests , glades among thickets of thorny bushes, pastures . Often found on open lawns in rural areas, including abandoned ones. As a rule, it does not rise above 1900 m above sea level, but in the south of the range it is found at an altitude of up to 2100 m above sea level. The coast reaches only in Somalia . It prefers arid landscapes with patches of bare soil, often away from water bodies ^{[7] [4]} .

It feeds mainly on the surface of the earth, less often in the lower tier of the bush. The choice of feed is quite wide, includes food of plant and animal origin. Of the insects, he prefers ants , termites and grasshoppers at all stages of development. Also eats berries and seeds of various plants. In case of danger, hides in burrows or nearby bushes ^{[6] [4]} .

It nests in groups of 3-5 individuals, consisting of the main pair and “helpers,” which, possibly, are descendants from the previous litter. The couple is characterized by a duet, while attempts to sing other members of the group are aggressively suppressed. Like other representatives of the genus, spotted-eared trachyphonus nests in a independently dug hole. The hole, the total length of which varies from 45 to 90 cm, resembles the handle of an umbrella in shape: first there is a vertical tunnel, followed by a branch up with the camera at the end; this configuration avoids flooding in the event of not very heavy rain. Often the entrance to the tunnel is covered with a bunch of grass, but it can be completely open, bushes and other woody vegetation are not used for masking purposes. The nesting chamber is lined with plenty of grass. In clutch there are 2–4 white frosted eggs. The terms of hatching and plumage, as well as the role of assistants, have not been studied ^{[6] [4]} .

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• Short, Lester L .; Horne, Jennifer FM Toucans, Barbets and Honeyguides. - Oxford University Press, 2001 .-- 554 p. - ISBN 978-0-19-854666-5 . (eng.)
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