Archbold's Nightjar

Slightly smaller version of the familiar cartoon Greater Roadrunner, but usually the two species do not occur in the same places. Favors dry brushy woodland and overgrown weedy fields in tropical lowlands and foothills. Can be very elusive, but at other times runs out in the road or sits quietly sunning itself on a fence post or bush top in the early morning. Note that the center of the throat and breast are plain rich buffy, without the dense dark streaking of Greater Roadrunner.

A slim, pretty waxbill with a bold black face mask. Found mainly in dry thorn scrub and woodland, especially in grassy areas, usually in pairs and small flocks. Difficult to separate from Black-faced Waxbill in the narrow zone of overlap in East Africa, but note that Black-cheeked Waxbill usually shows less black on the belly, a completely pale chin, and paler overall coloration. Calls include a dry “tsip” and “see” which are often doubled, and a whimsical, rising “tew-tweee.” 

Adult is unique, a vision in glossy black and pale pink. Juvenile is brown with an orange bill. Breeds in colonies on steppes and winters in open and wooded habitats. Gathers in huge numbers to roost, often mixing with other species at roost sites. Flocking birds keep up a constant cacophony of dry chattering calls.