Principe Golden-Weaver

Unique, chunky finch. Note the massive bill (steely gray in summer, pinkish in winter) and blue-gray hindneck, like a shawl on an orangey head. Broad white tail tip and white wing band show mainly in flight. Despite distinctive appearance, shy and easily overlooked. Favors mixed and deciduous mature woodland, especially with beech, oak, and hornbeam, where tends to feed and perch quietly, high in the canopy. Also feeds on the ground in autumn and winter, sometimes forming single-species flocks. Gives high-pitched “tsik!” and lower ticking calls.

Chunky green bird with coral red bill and legs. Males have a black hood, a yellow collar, and a green body with a scaled pattern underneath; females are entirely green with a similar scaly belly pattern, and typically a complete yellow eye-ring. Found singly or in pairs in montane forest. Similar but slightly larger than Green-and-black Fruiteater, which lacks the black terminal tail band and white tail tips of Band-tailed. Male Band-taileds are also typically more heavily patterned underneath than that species, and females have a more prominent eye-ring.

A large, grayish, naked-faced hawk with broad wings. The small, bare, yellow (sometimes flushed red) face, white-banded black tail, and underwing pattern distinguish it. The immature is blotchy brown with yellow-green facial skin and barred flight feathers. Harrier-hawks are specialists, foraging on eggs and nestlings, and they have double-jointed knees which allow them to access nest holes and other confined spaces. They are often seen clumsily clambering around on cliffs and trees when foraging. Although similar to chanting-goshawks, African Harrier-Hawk’s long but small angular head, broad wings, and tail pattern are diagnostic.