Abd al Kuri Sparrow

A small, dumpy, buff-brownish flycatcher with a pale throat, a short eyebrow in front of the eye, a mostly plain crown, and indistinct mottling on the breast. It prefers thicker woodland and the edges of evergreen and riverine forest, perching at lower and middle levels and sallying to catch insects, or occasionally sitting on the ground. High-pitched “tzeet” and “tsirit” calls often betray its presence. The similar migrant Spotted Flycatcher has a longer tail and wings than the African Dusky Flycatcher, and it also has distinct streaking on the crown. The Gambaga Flycatcher is paler and mostly restricted to arid woodland.

Beautifully patterned but shy laughingthrush of the central Himalayas. Note black neck spots and golden wing and tail panels. Western “Chestnut-crowned” birds have soft orange crowns, while eastern “Black-eared” individuals have dark faces and gray-streaked crowns. Forages in small groups in the dense undergrowth of hill and mountain forests; sometimes gathers in larger numbers in the winter. Song consists of inflected squeaky whistles. Calls include churring, rattling, and slurred squeaking.

Shy, beautifully patterned laughinghtrush of mid to high elevations. Note bold black-and-white head pattern, golden wing and tail panels, and mostly unmarked brown on the rest of the body. Typically found as pairs during the breeding season and small groups in the winter, in the dense undergrowth of hill and mountain forests. Song like many other laughingthrushes, one to three inflected or quavering whistles. Calls include churring, rattling, and slurred squeaking.