Inca Dove

A small, sharp-billed warbler-like bird. Note the mostly yellow underparts, the broad chestnut flanks, and the bold white spectacles around the eye. Common on the island of Mayotte in habitats with woody vegetation, including mangroves, plantations, woodland, scrub, and gardens. Also present in remnant forest patches, though less common. Usually found in hyperactive flocks. In its small range, easily identified by the white spectacles. The most common call is a descending “chew” note, which is also the main component of the quiet, chatty song. 

A large, robust, ungainly cuckoo with rufous wings and a long, broad tail. Shows a solid dark cap and back of the head, and white underparts. Unlike other coucals, shows an obviously barred rump and upper tail coverts. It often moves clumsily, preferring to clamber about in rank vegetation or walk on the ground foraging for insects or small vertebrates. Its flight is labored and heavy. This species uses a wide variety of habitats with a thick understory, including savanna, woodland, forest edge, and wetlands. The song is a deep descending bubbling series, “bu-bu-bu bu bu bu bu”, that falls and then rises in pitch.

A small wheatear. Overall lead-gray with a prominent black tail which it fans continuously; often hops on the ground. Lives in rocky deserts and semi-arid zones; often found in desert wadis near trees and bushes and sometimes around human habitation. Can be very tame and bold. Its song is a beautiful, melancholic series of flutey syllables.