Gorgeous Sunbird

A glossy-black starling with a big permanently raised crest that gives it a unique, broad-headed profile. Also note prominent whitish markings on sides of neck and breast, which appear like one large patch. Juvenile shorter-crested, with a brown chin and a bicolored bill. Frequents the canopy of lowland and hill forest in small groups or pairs, preferring pristine areas, but straying into edges and degraded patches too. Complex song involves whirring “weee-ow-weee-ow” mixed with “chur” and “chip” notes. Also gives a single, strident metallic “chip” call.

Dark, compact, medium-sized falcon. Blue-gray on the back, black on the head, and rufous below. The adults have faint or no streaking below, while immatures have broad streaks. Flight is fast, direct, and powerful. Most active at dawn and dusk. Local and uncommon in a wide variety of habitats, including forest, forest edge, woodland, and savanna. Sometimes hunts over very open habitats like grassland. Gives “kwe” and “keek” calls. Similar in coloration to Taita Falcon, but has a rufous throat and a longer tail. Separated from Eurasian Hobby by the completely rufous underparts.

Common antwren of mixed-species flocks in forest canopy, but sometimes found away from them; heard frequently but seldom seen. From below, note clean white underparts, long tail, and rather heavy bill. Moves sluggishly along branches and examines leaf clusters. Often occurs in the same flocks as Spot-tailed Antwren and is not safely separable from that species under most viewing conditions, except by voice. Song is distinctive and given throughout the day, often when other species are quiet.