Sooty Babbler

Chunky, generally uncommon, rather grouselike bird of the high Andes. Found in pairs or small groups on bogs, stony slopes, and in bleak moorland of puna and páramo zones. Lacey “chainmail” pattern to upperparts is beautifully cryptic, and birds sometimes freeze when alarmed making them more difficult to see. No similar species in range; note the short stout bill and rusty underparts. Flight strong and fast, and flushes with loud shrieking choruses.

Slim, pretty, long-tailed member of the cisticola family that sports gray upperparts and buffy underparts with a black chest band. Common in montane forest of the Albertine Rift. Usually in pairs or small groups, readily joining mixed-species flocks. Vocalizations include a ringing “svink” and a lower “veet” which are often given in duet by a pair. Not known to overlap in range with Black-collared Apalis, and differs in having a buffy rather than white throat, and no white in the outer tail.

An inconspicuous little bird (plumage blends well with bark) of woods, forests, and gardens with larger trees. Usually seen as singles or pairs, creeping along trunks and branches using its tail for support, like a mini-woodpecker. Probes in crevices for insects and spiders, and often spirals up then drops to low on the next tree and spirals up again. In areas where Short-toed Treecreeper also occurs, the two species are often not safely distinguished without considerable experience; look for “uneven steps” on the wing, whiter sides, and slightly shorter bill. Listen for high, thin “tseee”s and trills. Song is a lovely series of falling whistles, typically preceded by short trills and concluded with a flourishing rising whistle.