Chinese Monal

A mid-sized, green-backed woodpecker. Males have a red crown and moustache; females have a white-streaked black forecrown, a red hindcrown, and a white-spotted black moustache. Varies geographically; in most of the range, the underparts are plain buff with some fine speckling, but in the eastern part of the range, the underparts are white with bold spotting. Found in savanna habitats, including broadleaf Guinea savanna and dry thorn savanna. Usually in pairs, which give a series of “kreek” notes in a loud duet. Very similar to Nubian Woodpecker in the narrow zone where their ranges meet, but Fine-spotted is distinguished by having a less streaked face and less heavily marked underparts. Similar overall to Golden-tailed Woodpecker, but has spotted rather than streaked underparts.

Large black bird found inside forest, usually at middle levels. Reminiscent of a crow with a funky hairdo; unlike any other species in its range. Male’s bare red throat sac is usually visible, even when not inflated. Female lacks the throat sac and the puffy umbrella-like crest, but she is still distinctively large and all-black. Rare and local.

Inconspicuous small flycatcher of humid tropical forest and edge. Usually found at middle levels inside forest and also in adjacent clearings where sometimes suspends its nest under the eaves of buildings, including ruins. Mainly sits quietly and fairly upright; at times sallies to pick insects from foliage. Note the grayish face with a dark ear patch, dark brownish (sepia) crown, and buffy wing edgings. Call is a stuttering froglike trill, given infrequently.