Pygmy Swiftlet

A drab sparrow of northeastern Africa. The head and underparts are gray, the wing and back are brown, and the rump is rufous. Generally common within its range in all habitats except closed-canopy forest. Fond of human habitation. Very similar to Northern Gray-headed Sparrow, but there is little overlap in range, and Swainson’s has darker underparts. Also very similar to Parrot-billed Sparrow, but slightly smaller and slimmer-billed, with paler underparts. The call is a ringing “churp.” 

Tiny kingfisher of shady forest streams and mangroves. Often darts away when disturbed, but can be confiding if approached quietly and usually perches fairly low over the water. About half of the size of Green Kingfisher, and easily distinguished by rusty underparts and poorly contrasting pale neck collar (bright white on Green Kingfisher). Female has a narrow green breast band, lacking on male.

Dull brown babbler with yellowish-tinged underparts, a faintly gray face, and a warmer orange-brown crown. Throat and chest are faintly streaked, but not as evident as that of the very similar Pin-striped Tit-Babbler, from which Gray-faced can also be distinguished by its grayer face and less contrast between the more warmly-colored crown and duller upperparts. Forages in noisy flocks in the middle and lower levels of the forest. Ranges from lowlands up into the foothills. Mellow-sounding song contrasts with rather nasal, chattering calls.