Black-headed Myzomela

A large grayish tit with a black-and-white head pattern and a black bib. Pairs and small groups favor arid savanna and thorn trees, but also occur in riverine and broadleaf woodland, foraging for insects in small groups or mixed-species flocks. The song is typically a series of short, repeated musical notes “treeuw-treeuw-treeuw-treeuw,” with chattering, trills, or dry buzzing interspersed. The Ashy Tit is similar to two other tits: Miombo Tit is paler gray with a smaller bill and prefers miombo woodland; Gray Tit is browner with buffier underparts and a shorter tail, and inhabits drier coastal scrub and Karoo.

Brightly-colored male is unmistakable with his black mask, sky-blue head, and orange rump and underparts. Female is gray-brown with scaled underparts and faint white eye crescents; similar to larger female Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush, but lacks prominent white “ear crescents”, has less densely-patterned underparts, and averages paler overall. Breeds in hilly and montane areas, particularly open dry forests and rocky slopes with scattered trees. Descends in the winter; favors secondary forests and plantations. Forages in trees and on the ground; often searches for prey from snags or telephone wires. Moves with mixed-species flocks in the winter.

Boldly patterned thrush is bright rusty-brown above with black spots on the white belly. Smaller than a robin, but larger than Hermit Thrush. Sticks to wooded areas, often hopping on the ground. More often heard than seen: listen for its incredible, flute-like song. Population is declining; winters in Central America.