White-sided Flowerpiercer

Large, big-billed vanga with white underparts. Males have a black hood, and females only a black cap. Rare Madagascar endemic that is found very locally in dry deciduous forest in the north and northwest. Can be found solo or in pairs, sometimes in flocks with other vangas. Most common vocalizations are long, penetrating whistles and a short scold. Separated from Lafresnaye’s and Pollen’s Vangas by range. Separated from Madagascar Cuckooshrike by much larger bill and white rather than gray underparts. 

Aptly named small songbird of lowlands, brownish-olive above, with pale, olive-washed underparts. Pale, unmarked face and large dark eye gives it a “cute” appearance. Lack of distinctive marks is itself distinctive; other flowerpeckers in range are streaked or have patches of bright color. Usually seen hovering around or probing into flowers; especially fond of mistletoe fruits and blossoms. Song is as plain as its appearance; a mid-length, descending series of high-pitched ticks. Also gives lower-pitched, more evenly-spaced ticks.

Small rail of forest understory. Shy and elusive bird that is unlikely to be seen by those not expressly looking for it. Both sexes show a red hood and tail. The rest of the body is black with white spots in the male, and brown with buff barring in the female. Found in the wet understory of thick forest and adjacent scrub and gardens. Call is a series of several hollow hoots, often given repeatedly. Most other flufftails are not found in forest. Separated from Buff-spotted Flufftail by the white spots of the male and the red hood of the female.