Foxy Cisticola

Small marsh bird, very difficult to see as it creeps through dense grass. Far more easily heard: listen for a loud descending chatter that lasts several seconds. If you are lucky enough to spot one, look for the combination of rich rufous neck and sides of breast, whitish throat, and barred black-and-white flanks. Favors damp pastures and marshes, where it usually stays hidden but occasionally runs through open areas.

Fairly small kingfisher, unique with its green back and entirely rufous belly. Most similar to American Pygmy Kingfisher but nearly twice as large, and without American Pygmy's white lower belly. Sexes similar, but female has speckled green band across chest. Found singly along slow-moving streams or swamps. Usually seen perched inconspicuously just above the water.

Nest parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of Red-billed and Brown firefinches. Breeding males are glossy black, while females and non-breeding males are streaky and brown on the back and pale below, with a bold facial pattern. The color of the bill is red in southeast Africa and whitish in western, northern, and central Africa. Found in savanna, scrub, farmland, and towns. Mimics the vocalizations of its host firefinches: low rattling series and high-pitched whistled notes. In southeast Africa, can be separated from other indigobirds by its red bill. Very similar to other indigobirds elsewhere on the continent. Breeding males can be separated by their all-black wings that lack a pale brownish panel. The mimicked vocalizations of its host species can also help confirm identification. In non-breeding plumage, similar to non-breeding Pin-tailed Whydah but separated by red legs.