Black Spinetail

Rather graceful-looking brown babbler with a long tail and long legs. Averages paler below than above, but generally unmarked. Inhabits foothill forests with dense undergrowth, where it forages close to or on the ground. Almost completely unmarked appearance distinguishes it from most other babblers in range. Listen for its loud, strident song, a repetitive “wit-wee, wit-wee, wit-wee.” Calls include rattling trills, a harsh descending laugh, and sharp single notes.

Large and gorgeous bee-eater with a mostly carmine body, and blue-green head and belly. The central tail feathers are elongated. In flight, reveals a blue-green rump, and rosy underwings with black trailing edge. Found in a variety of savanna habitats. Usually in flocks, and breeds colonially in riverbanks. Often perches on the backs of mammals and large birds, catching the insects that they disturb. The call is low-pitched and raspy, less musical than most bee-eaters. Similar to Southern Carmine Bee-eater, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and easily separated by the blue-green rather than carmine throat.

Drab brown songbird with a streaky white breast. Also note streaking on crown. Tends to perch rather upright on exposed snags and other perches, often sallying out to snatch insects and returning to the same perch (“flycatching”). Favors open mixed and deciduous woodland with clearings, as well as scrub, parkland, larger gardens, and plantations. Song is composed of high-pitched squeaky single or double notes, often with a trilled quality. Calls include high-pitched “tseet” and descending “djeer” notes.