Black-crowned Fulvetta

A sunbird that is closely tied to water, most often encountered in mangroves, farmlands, and along large rivers as far inland as Mali. Gray-brown above and dingy gray-white below with distinctive bright white spectacles and a relatively large, short bill without much of a curve. Could be confused with other plain-colored sunbirds, but note its distinctive white spectacles and close association with large rivers and coastal areas. Calls and song are similar to those of other sunbirds, consisting of short, metallic whistles.

Very small heron of marshy, well-vegetated water bodies. Adult pale orangish brown or yellow, depending on the light, with a narrow dark cap. Juvenile darker above with pale feather edges. Can be inconspicuous in dense vegetation, but frequently makes short flights; on flying birds, note dark flight feathers contrasting with pale yellowish wing coverts. Typically quiet, but occasionally gives harsh grating calls when flushed.

A large coucal of lowland forest. Note all black plumage and pale bill with red eye. Found in thick cover of humid forest where it is very skulking and difficult to see. Similar to Lesser Black Coucal, but Greater Black Coucal is more often found in forest, and is larger with a red eye and paler bill. Heard far more often than seen. Call, a short phrase of deep hooting notes. A rising and falling ”Boop-bip-boo-boo”.