Spotted Fantail

Small brownish wren found only on St. Lucia. Drab brown above and white below, with a faint eyebrow, and dark barring on the wings and tail. Generally more arboreal than mainland “House Wrens”, occurring in dense brushy woodland throughout the island. Often perches conspicuously when singing, but otherwise fairly secretive. Listen for loud song of chatters and clearer trills, as well as harsh scolding calls.

An unusual and distinctive forest weaver with a long, thin bill. Males have a black hood and a yellow belly. Females much duller, with a yellow-olive head. Both sexes have yellow edges to the wing feathers. Found very locally in Kenya in the canopy of coastal forest and lush woodland. Usually in active flocks. Somewhat similar to Forest Weaver, but separated by many details, including the yellow wing edges. Vocalizations are typical of weavers: “chek” notes and a squealing, sizzling “radio static” song, often given by a whole group in concert. 

An odd, thrush-like warbler; extremely shy and seldom seen as it lurks about in dense undergrowth. The largest grasshopper-warbler, with a distinctly robust appearance. Matte brown with pale brow, throat, and belly. Complete lack of streaking distinguishes this species from Middendorff’s and Pallas’s grasshopper-warblers; white throat and pale brow distinguish Gray’s from the much browner Pleske’s Warbler. Slightly warmer-colored Sakhalin Grasshopper-Warbler is extremely similar but has a whiter throat, a thicker brow, and more extensive brown on the underside.