Rufous-tailed Tailorbird

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.

Dainty but delightful understory forest robin with gray-green upperparts and apricot underparts, with a diagnostic black margined white throat crescent (sometimes hidden) and dark tail. Immature spotted above and duller below. Singles and pairs are scarce residents skulking close to the open understory of mature montane forest, often near streams, mostly between 850–1800m. Song a clear sweet 3-note whistle “tseee-tuu-tuu” and other similar sounds. The alarm call is a dry chattering “trrrrrt”. The larger White-starred Robin is yellower than Swynnerton’s, including in the tail, has small white spectacles (sometimes inconspicuous) in front of the eye, and lacks a white throat crescent.

A tiny, short-tailed songbird. Male is glossy-black above with a scarlet rump, and whitish below with a striking red throat bordered black and a black stripe running down the belly. Female is dull gray above with a red rump and whitish underparts. Juvenile resembles female, but pale-billed. Singles and pairs can be found in forest, forest edge, woodlands, and plantations in lowlands and foothills. Male differs from male Blood-breasted Flowerpecker in white underparts and black border below throat. Female Red-chested Flowerpecker is paler above than female Blood-breasted. Gives a very high-pitched song, “tzit-wut-zoo,” lower-pitched on the last note. Also gives short, sharp “tzit” calls.