Pale Spiderhunter

Elegant, long-tailed bird with a brownish back, pale underparts, and a black chest band. White outer tail is conspicuous in flight. Found in most open habitats, especially those near water. Feeds by walking along the ground, bobbing its tail constantly. Call is a buzzy “tseeei” that is often doubled. Song is a complex jumble of different repeated notes. Similar to Mountain Wagtail but has brown rather than gray upperparts, and Cape has less white in the wings and tail. Also similar to juvenile African Pied Wagtail but lacks a white panel in the wing.

Small flycatcher with a broad flat bill, although the bill shape can be difficult to see. A rare inhabitant of the undergrowth of humid forests and old second growth. Note the white spot on an olive-brown crown, a prominent buff eyebrow, and pale ear patch. The back is olive-brown in contrast to the cinnamon wings, white throat, and buff belly. The call is a very sharp whistled “tchew-tchew.”

Little-known thrush endemic to the Philippine island of Mindoro, where it is restricted to montane forest generally above 1200 meters. Handsomely patterned, with a gray head, black back and tail, and dark rufous sides. Also note bright orange bill, eyering, legs, and feet. Behavior poorly known, but likely forages at all levels of forest, much like other Island-Thrushes. Vocalizations obscure; other Island-Thrushes in the Philippines give beautiful songs consisting of warbles and trills, as well as explosive rattles and chup notes.