Elfin Myzomela

A very distinctive mostly green parrot with a yellow face, a yellowish belly, and orange-red thighs. Note the dark upper bill. Tends to prefer drier and more open areas than most other large parrot species in its range, but also found in savannas and dry forests (caatinga). Flight call is repeated screeching “crrreeh.”

A large robin-chat with striking fiery orange underparts and collar, and a dark mask and crown split by broad white eyebrows. The back and wings are olive-gray. Pairs prefer forest thickets in well developed woodland, where they forage on the ground and sing from mid-canopy. Basic variations of the bold duetted “puu-deet, puu-deet, puu-deet” song get louder and louder in a characteristic crescendo, often incorporating varied jumbled notes and imitations of other species. The similar Rüppell's Robin-Chat is smaller than White-browed Robin-Chat, has black (not brown) central tail feathers, and prefers montane forest. The lowland forest-loving Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat is smaller yet, and has a diagnostic iridescent bluish forewing.

A medium-sized woodshrike with grayish-brown upperparts, black facial mask, white rump, and gray tail with white outer tail feathers. Bill strongly hooked, dark grayish-brown in color. Underparts white. Similar to Malabar Woodshrike and Large Woodshrike, but generally found in drier forests; also note prominent white supercilium. Usually found in dry forested areas and shrublands. Bright, fast-paced song starts out with two strident “wheeet” notes, followed by a descending series of shorter notes. Calls vary, but usually sound like isolated fragments of song.