Von der Decken's Hornbill

Slim, long-winged, long-tailed falcon that is built for long-distance migration. Adults are all gray, while juveniles have pale, spotted underparts. Breeds on cliffs along the coast or in the desert. During migration and winter, spends most of its time on the wing, and can be seen over any habitat. Quite social, and often seen in loose flocks of dozens or more. Adult is very similar to the dark-morph adult Eleanora’s Falcon, but Sooty is paler gray. Immatures also very similar, but immature Sooty has an unbarred tail without a rufous tip. Much longer wings and tail than Peregrine Falcon. Larger and lankier than other falcons. 

A cute and striking gray, white, and black flycatcher-like bird with a yellow eye, white wingbars, and a white spot above the bill base. Sexes differ: male’s chest band is black and female’s is chestnut. Pairs hunt for insects, sometimes joining flocks, in woodland, dry forest, and dense thickets. Calls include a series of 15–20 clear high-pitched “seeet” notes that slowly descend, and a typical batis churring and croaking. Male Angola Batis looks almost identical to male Chinspot Batis, but the latter prefers drier savanna habitat and calls differently; female Chinspot has a distinctive brown spot on the chin; the larger Black-headed Batis has a complete eyebrow.

A stout-billed, boldly patterned finch of forest understory and overgrown areas near the forest edge, often found near water. Can occur alone or in mixed-species flocks. Note the blue bill, the bright red underparts, and the black back. Males have black heads and bellies, whereas females have red faces and white-spotted black bellies. Western Bluebill is the only bluebill or seedcracker in which the male has a black head. Calls include high-pitched whistles: “psiu.” Songs include longer series of clear whistles with varying pitch.