Himalayan Shortwing

Spectacular and distinctive raptor of tropical lowlands, often seen perched on prominent bare snags, from which it hunts for snakes. Occurs in forest and also in open country with scattered trees. Note the creamy head and underparts with a broad black "bandit mask." Does not soar, and flies with hurried, stiff wingbeats, when rusty patches show on the wings. Named for its far-carrying laughing calls.

Large flycatcher of grasslands and savannas, occasionally venturing into urban areas. Note the red eyes, white eyebrow, and black-and-white mustache. It has a white throat and belly, a gray breast and back, and a black tail. In flight shows a broad white wing band. Usually seen in pairs foraging on the ground or perching prominently on top of bushes, fences, or wires.

This red-eyed masked-weaver has a plain olive-green back and pink-brown legs. The breeding male has a black face mask, with the black band on the forehead above the bill varying from broad in the south to narrow farther north. Female and juvenile are dull and inseparable from other masked-weavers. Pairs and colonies are localized residents of reedbeds, wetlands and adjacent woodland, in a narrow global range between northeastern Zambia and southeastern DRC. The breeding males of Katanga and Southern masked-weavers are very similar, but the former are smaller, have some saffron around the masks, and have darker green backs and rumps; breeding male Tanganyika and Lake Lufira Masked-Weavers have more burnt-orange around the face and underparts, and ranges do not overlap.