White-throated Mountain-Babbler

Chunky, mid-sized, remarkably drab bird. Found in the understory of montane forest, usually in small groups. Very shy and skulking, rarely seen unless expressly searched for. Most often detected by voice: a descending series of whistles, usually given together by a group of birds, some of which add lower “chuk” notes. Similar to African Hill Babbler, but has a dull-brown rather than rich rufous-brown back. Also very similar to other illadopsises, but generally found at higher elevations, and has a less distinct white throat.

Tiny, short-tailed bird with a thin, slightly upturned bill. All plumages show yellow eyering and heavy dark streaks on the back and belly. Different subspecies vary tremendously in head pattern, ranging from black-headed to white-headed, streaked to unstreaked. Inhabits montane rainforest, where usually seen in small flocks that methodically clamber along tree trunks, probing for insects in bark. Birds give frequent “chip-chip” call as they forage.

A little-known small drab bird of lowland and foothill forest. Gray-brown above, darker in the wing, with a gray-brown chest blending to a white belly and a small white throat patch. Note the bicolored bill, black above and orange below. Similar to Furtive Flycatcher, but slightly larger, with an orange lower bill, no rufous outer tail feathers, and no black band on the end of the tail. Song consists of very high-pitched short phrases repeated at intervals.