Laggar Falcon

A nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of pytilias. As with other whydahs, breeding males are spectacular and bizarre, whereas non-breeding males and females are drab and inconspicuous. Breeding males are mostly black, with a rufous collar and a long tail with an odd widened area at its base. Non-breeding males and females have a brownish back, pale underparts, and a reddish bill. Generally scarce and local in broadleaf woodland and lush savanna. Breeding male similar to other paradise-whydahs, but has a longer tail than Sahel Paradise-Whydah, a shorter and thicker-based tail than Togo Paradise-Whydah, and a slightly shorter tail and more rufous collar than Eastern Paradise-Whydah. Non-breeding male and female can be cautiously identified by their combination of a reddish bill, pinkish legs, and simple facial pattern. Not very vocal, but does imitate pytilia vocalizations. 

Medium-sized forest-dweller that is often seen in pairs or with mixed flocks. Male has a yellow tinge to the head and a triangular black patch with a deep blue center extending down from between the eye and the base of the bill. Female is green all over with a small blue throat smudge. Both sexes have vivid blue highlights on the wings, which help to distinguish it from other similar leafbirds in its range such as Greater Green and Lesser Green Leafbirds, both of which have plain green wings. Vocalizations very varied, including a rather slow, simple song consisting of whistles and warbles, a repetitive and strident “weet weet weet”, and a sweet “wi’weep.”

Medium-sized flycatcher found in a variety of dense scrubby habitats often close to water. Note the pale wingbars and eyebrows that contrast with the gray-brown back and yellowish belly. Several distinctive subspecies differ in plumage tones, extent of the eyebrow, bill color, and call. Similar to Euler's Flycatcher, but with a strong eyebrow. The song is a sharp “jet-jet-pew-pew,” with more emphasis on the last note.