Crescent-chested Babbler

A medium-sized, pale francolin with large patches of red bare skin around the eyes. Heavily marked with black and pale buff on the back, neck, and underparts. Found locally in a variety of savanna habitats and adjacent agricultural areas, often in pairs or small groups. Separated from most other francolins by the red facial skin. Similar to Harwood’s Francolin, but much paler overall, with a mostly black rather than red bill. The call is a rough “kreeya” that is repeated several times.

This remarkable flycatcher occurs in both rufous and white morphs, but it always has grayish underparts and a strong crest. The breeding male has ludicrous central tail feathers, twenty centimeters long, that trail like the ribbon of a rhythmic gymnast, while the female lacks the tail streamers and has a smaller crest. Singles and pairs occasionally join flocks in open woodland, riverine forest, and thickets, avoiding lowland evergreen forest. Very vocal, often giving a repeated grating “dzee-zwee” call and a sweet melodic “willie-willie-willie-wee-wooo” song. The very similar Rufous-vented Paradise-Flycatcher differs from African Paradise-Flycatcher by having a rufous undertail and a shorter crest.

Tiny, round quail of lowland plains, grassy hillsides, and farmland. Generally uncommon and often glimpsed only briefly as it flushes from almost underfoot. Male gorgeously attired, with a blue head and breast, deep cinnamon belly, and neat black-and-white throat markings. Female brown with a paler belly and a plain face; compare to the strong white brow of the larger Japanese Quail. Males give a descending, plaintive whistle, “tew-tew”, and a raspy, snoring call.