Brown-rumped Minivet

This striking Celeus is widespread across the Amazonian lowlands of northern South America, with a disjunct population in southeast Brazil. Overall rufous with a shaggy crest like most other members of the genus. Distinctive and unlikely to be confused. Some variation across the range: most have extensive black markings on upperparts and belly, but largely unmarked in the northeastern part of range. All birds have solid black breast. Sexes are similar, but males have a red mustache. Occurs in mature forest and edges, often detected by its series of loud, strident whistles.

A brownish-gray dumpy-bodied bird with a long scruffy tail, a reddish back, brown ears, a brown crest, and pale eyes. Occurs in small sociable groups in forest edge, woodland, thorn scrub, and cultivated areas along the Angolan escarpment, where it is endemic. One of the most familiar and beloved birds of Angola, where it is known as the “Rabo-de-junco”. Scrambles through bushes and tangles, creeping on short legs. In flight, it appears heavy, fluttering rapidly. Calls include a harsh “chee” and twittering notes like those of Speckled Mousebird, which differs from Red-backed by being lightly barred on the breast and mantle, having a brown back, and in the area of overlap in northern Angola, having dark eyes.

A small, very long-billed warbler with a conspicuous yellow-orange underside to bill. Note broad yellow eyebrow, dark crown with pale central stripe, olive upperparts, single faint wingbar, and extensive yellow underparts. Singles and pairs inhabit canopy in forest patches and woodlands at all altitudes. Unusually for leaf warblers, regularly probes bark for insects. Restricted to Rote, where it is the only regular leaf warbler. Exceptionally long bill, central crown stripe, weak single wingbar, and yellow-flushed underside separate it from Arctic and Kamchatka Leaf Warblers. Calls similar to those of other regional leaf warblers. Song is a high-pitched, rising and falling warble, “chit-swee-swer-swoo.” Also gives a disyllabic “tchewit” call.