Rufous-chested Tanager

A chunky, large-billed lark of desolate sandy deserts and open arid plains in northern Africa. Plain sandy-brown above and paler below, with faint and indistinct white markings on the face. Also note the pinkish bill and the inky black outer tail feathers, most apparent in flight. Runs about on the ground, stopping abruptly. Found singly or in pairs when breeding, gathering in larger groups only during the non-breeding season. The song is a sequence of whistles and dry notes, given both from the ground and in song flight. Generally similar to other dry-country larks such as Desert Lark, Bar-tailed Lark, and Kordofan Lark, but combination of unmarked upperparts, black outer tail feathers, and the uniformly pink and bulbous bill is diagnostic.

Large chickenlike bird. Restricted to central Colombia; the only chachalaca in its limited range. Plain brown with scaly neck and breast, bare red skin on throat, and rufous outer tail feathers. Sexes similar. Found in forested habitats, including open woodlands and scrubby edges. Usually in small family groups or pairs. Listen for raucous calls, similar to other chachalacas.

A rather small, neat swallow with a distinctive burnt-orange skullcap extending onto the cheeks like a helmet, a rufous rump, and boldly streaked underparts. It is mostly resident in equatorial Africa, and a wet season breeding visitor to the northwest and southeast parts of its range. Pairs and small groups forage over grassland, woodland, and cultivation, generally at lower elevations than Greater Striped Swallow. The flight is fairly strong, much like that of a Barn Swallow. The larger Greater Striped Swallow is similar to Lesser Striped Swallow but with fewer and finer streaks, especially on the throat and ears, giving it a more open-faced appearance.