Pale-shouldered Cicadabird

A small, fork-tailed, sooty-brown swallow with different plumages for the sexes: distinctive male has a pure white head and narrow black eye stripe; female has a mostly ashy head with white throat. Immature lacks white on the head. Pairs use clearings and edges of evergreen forest, open woodland, and cultivation. Resident in East Africa, but an intra-African breeding migrant in Zambia and Malawi between October and May. Superficially more similar to swifts than other swallows. Note the differences in flight style: flightier with deep wing beats and rapid changes of direction, as opposed to the more stiff-winged flight of swifts.

Minute woodpecker of lowland and foothill forests, where it forages in areas with dense low vegetation at the lower and middle levels. Predominantly rusty orange, with an olive-green crown and wings and a small but bright white eyebrow; the very similar Rufous Piculet lacks a pale brow. Male White-broweds have a bright yellow patch on the forehead which females lack. Often solitary, but can be found in small flocks and mixed-species foraging groups. Gives an explosive, squeaky, often descending chatter and sharp “chip” notes. 

Plump, smooth-plumaged bird with distinctive thin, high-pitched call. Adults have a sleek crest, black mask, pale yellow wash on the belly, and yellow-tipped tail. Juveniles are drabber than adults, with coarse streaking on the breast and a reduced mask. Widespread and fairly common in open woodlands, orchards, and shrubby areas throughout most of North America. Winter range is variable and somewhat dependent on fruit crops; sometimes ventures as far south as Panama. Often gathers in large flocks, especially around fruiting trees. Compare with Bohemian Waxwing in the northern part of range; Cedar is smaller, browner, and has a white (not rufous) undertail.