Sao Tome Thrush

A small, inconspicuous bird, much more often heard than seen. Most easily recognized by its striking pale orange eyes; also note gray face and longish bill with pale mandible. Yellow crown patch, though large, is difficult to see in the field. One of the characteristic bird species of white sand forests, occurring in both scrubby and taller forest types. Feeds on fruit and may be seen at fruiting trees and shrubs, though it tends not to be as numerous as other manakins. Best detected by its incessant call: a nasal barking, rather similar to call of Dusky-chested Flycatcher. Display song of male is a bizarre series of twangs, unlike any other bird species in range. Distinguished from Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin by paler, oranger eye and by yellower belly.

The bright scarlet-red chest of the otherwise bumblebee-colored male glows in the gloom of the forest like a demon’s eye. Female is much more modestly-colored, with a gray head, a yellow breast, whitish flanks, and a dull brownish-yellow back. Female Yellow-rumped Flowerpecker has more evenly yellow underparts. A generally uncommon species, found patchily in forest and forest edge in lowlands and foothills. Gives buzzy “tzeeps” as well as high-pitched trills.

Large, chunky robin with a reddish-brown back, a dark face, and bright white underparts. Found in the understory of forest: exclusively montane forest in the northern part of the range, but found down to sea level in the south. Extremely shy and elusive. Most likely to be detected by voice: a slow series of mournful, vibrating whistles.