Santa Marta Wren

Dark, chunky robin-like bird with a rich brown back and tail, a gray chest, and a white belly. Note the gray eyebrow and reddish throat. Found in montane forest along the Albertine Rift. Fairly shy bird of the understory. The variable song consists of simple, repeated, low whistles. Similar to Brown-chested Alethe, but easily identified by its reddish throat.

Supreme understory skulker in montane forest, resembling a hybrid between a thrush and babbler. A dull but distinctive-looking bird if seen well, with brown-olive upperparts and rusty underparts, a bold dull blue-gray eye-ring and black-speckled tawny throat. The bill is dark on top and pale underneath. Immature is paler, lacking the spotted throat. Singles or pairs are highly localized residents flicking through leaf litter or following ants in undergrowth of Eastern Arc montane forest, between 900–2700m; shy and hops or runs quickly across the forest-floor, seldom permitting absorbing looks. Thrush-like song is a varied but distinctive shrill series of whistles and slurs. Calls include a single upslurred sweet “seeuuuiit”, and a scratchy “werrrt” in alarm.

Generally uncommon, rather plain flycatcher of lowland forest canopy. Pale eyes are usually difficult to see; best field marks are smudged gray-and-yellow breast, gray head, and stubby bill. Occurs in pairs or small groups that sometimes follow mixed-species flocks, eating insects and fruit. Resembles Sulphury Flycatcher, but is smaller with shorter bill. Highly vocal and usually first detected by its sharp, mewing calls.