Mayotte Drongo

A fairly small bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge, with a rufous crown and a gray back and cheek, all with whitish streaks. Also has dark wings and tail with white outer tail feathers, and off-white underparts blending to a pale orange throat. Note the slender black bill. Often joins mixed-species flocks and sometimes hangs upside down while feeding. Somewhat similar to Brown Tit-Babbler, but slightly larger, with a rufous crown and a white belly. Flocks give a jumble of squeaky chattering notes.

A slaty-gray mousebird with naked red facial skin and a buffy forehead. In flight, the streamlined tail is sleek and long, and a pale patch can be seen on the rump. Pairs and small groups occur in a wide range of wooded habitats, where they are resident and nomadic. In flight it gives a distinctive high-pitched melodious “ti-wii-wii” call.

Very long-tailed prinia of hilly and montane areas, descending to foothills in winter. Note rufous crown, warm brown upperparts and sides, and gray cheeks and pale belly. Breeding adult’s white moustache stripe, black throat and chest are unmistakable. Non-breeding has prominent white brow, pale throat, and finely streaked chest. Favors scrubby, open areas. Non-breeding plumage somewhat similar to Striated Prinia, but Rufous-crowned has unstreaked upperparts and white eyebrow. Song is a repetitive series of “plik” notes. Call is a mournful, descending “piuu”.