White-cheeked Tody-Flycatcher

Unusual and pretty member of the waxbill family. Shows fine olive-green barring below, yellow edges to the wing feathers, and red on the tail. Generally scarce and inconspicuous. Found in the understory of moist habitats, including miombo and other lush woodland, and in forest edge. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Calls include inconspicuous “tew”, “tip”, and rasping notes. Similar to Green-winged Pytilia but found in moister habitats and separated by finer barring below, yellow wing edges, and different pattern of red on the face of the males.

Medium-sized marsh bird, plump and chickenlike. Slaty gray below and brown above. Note bright red legs and long greenish-yellow bill. Most similar to Plumbeous Rail but lacks red on base of bill. Found in marshy habitats including pastures and rice fields. Secretive but sometimes seen feeding at the edge of dense grasses; flicks tail when it walks. More often heard than seen: listen for loud, grating squeals.

A rather small, neat swallow with a distinctive burnt-orange skullcap extending onto the cheeks like a helmet, a rufous rump, and boldly streaked underparts. It is mostly resident in equatorial Africa, and a wet season breeding visitor to the northwest and southeast parts of its range. Pairs and small groups forage over grassland, woodland, and cultivation, generally at lower elevations than Greater Striped Swallow. The flight is fairly strong, much like that of a Barn Swallow. The larger Greater Striped Swallow is similar to Lesser Striped Swallow but with fewer and finer streaks, especially on the throat and ears, giving it a more open-faced appearance.