White-bellied Thicket-Fantail

Typical tit with a black, white, and gray pattern. The black hood continues as a dark stripe down the center of the underparts. There are white edgings on much of the wing and the outer tail. Found in middle and high-elevation humid forest of the Albertine Rift. Usually in pairs or small groups, readily joining mixed-species flocks. Gives typical tit vocalizations including the classic “dree di-di-di” call and other whistled and chatty calls.

Local but often quite common in the Andes, favoring dry and rather open scrubby habitats, and also agricultural areas with hedges and taller trees. Large, bulky stick nests are often conspicuous in cacti and even in taller Eucalyptus trees. Often in pairs, foraging low to high in bushes and trees and running well on the ground with tail held cocked. Best identified by plain pale breast with variably contrasting rusty to buffy flanks and rump and a mostly dark tail. Plumage and voice vary regionally and multiple cryptic species likely involved.

A cute, dumpy, colorful flycatcher-like bird lacking chestnut in the wings. Sexes differ: the male has a broad black chest band and a white throat; the female has a chestnut band and a large chestnut throat spot that gives the species its name. The Chinspot Batis is common in savanna, broadleaf woodland, and edges of montane forest, where it can be found solitarily or in pairs, often joining mixed-species flocks. It flits actively between trees, gleaning and hawking insects. Gives a characteristic downslurred three-note “three-blind-mice” call, which is occasionally accompanied by clicking and bill-snapping.