Geelvink Pygmy-Parrot

Small cisticola that is pale and buffy below, and dark on the back. The crown, back of the neck, and back are heavily streaked. Note specific habitat preferences, which can help with identification: found in seepage zones of seasonally wet grasslands, alongside but in wetter situations than Wing-snapping Cisticolas, but avoiding the seasonally flooded habitat of Pale-crowned Cisticola. Very similar to Wing-snapping and Pale-crowned Cisticolas, but longer-tailed than both, and further distinguished from Pale-crowned in breeding plumage by the streaked crown. Also similar to Zitting and Desert Cisticolas, but has a different voice, and is darker on the back. Song consists of nasal notes, given from a low perch (termite mound or grass stem) or occasional brief display flight at grass top height. In contrast to other small cisticolas, it does not have a true aerial display flight.

Endemic to Great and Little Nicobar Islands, where it inhabits lush forests. A jewel of a bird, with an emerald-green body, black head, scarlet lower belly, and chestnut crown. Like other pittas, forages on the forest floor, where it can be difficult to see. Listen for its song, a series of three to four barking notes. Formerly grouped together with several other closely related species as “Hooded Pitta.”

Brown hornbill with a white belly and an orange bill. The white corners of the tail are conspicuous in flight. Note the black mask around the eye. Found in woodland, especially those dominated by mopane and Zambezi teak. Usually solitary or in pairs, occasionally small flocks. Call is a long, insistent series of piping notes. Fairly similar to Monteiro’s Hornbill, but lacks white in the wings, and has small white corners to the tail rather than completely white outer tail feathers. Also similar to Crowned Hornbill, but separated by paler overall coloration, paler orange bill without a casque, and lack of white streaks on the head.