Chirping Cisticola

A medium-sized woodpecker of forest edge, often seen probing and prying into wood for insects. Shows a solid green back and upper tail, a red crown, dark cheeks, and heavily spotted or streaked underparts. This combination of plumage characteristics is unique within its range, where other green-backed woodpeckers co-occur. Call is a buzzing “z-zeep” or a repeated harsh “zaa zaa.”

Diminutive swallow of grasslands and savanna, particularly near water, where it occurs on its own or in small groups. Note the cinnamon head and breast contrasting with a brown back and white belly. Told from the larger Southern Rough-winged Swallow by the cinnamon head and darker rump.

Relatively colorful, mid-sized, long-tailed cisticola of wetlands. Note the brown back with thick black streaks, rufous on the wing and cap, and whitish underparts. Shows geographical variation in overall richness of color, including rufous cap and wing patch. Found in wetland habitats, especially reedbeds, and locally in wet scrub. Song varies across the range. Most populations give a high, rising trill. Some sing with rough “chyup” notes. Similar to Levaillant’s Cisticola, but Winding has a gray or brown tail and an unstreaked rump. Relatively bold colors separate the two from other cisticolas.