Ussher's Flycatcher

Chunky, large-billed bird of rainforest canopy; easily identified by black-and-white plumage, relatively large size, and staid demeanor. Most often seen perched high in bare branches, sometimes near arboreal termite nests, in which it digs its own nest cavities. May also forage at lower levels. Sits motionless for long periods, sallying to vegetation for large insects. Superficially resembles Pied Puffbird but is much larger with a solid black crown and more white on the forehead.

A slim, pretty, long-tailed member of the cisticola family with gray upperparts and mostly white underparts, a black chest band, and rufous flanks. Found in the understory and along the edges of montane forest. Usually in pairs or small groups, readily joining mixed flocks. Not known to overlap in range with Rwenzori Apalis, and differs by having a white rather than buffy throat, and white in the outer tail. Has a black chest band like Black-capped Apalis, but separated by many details, including the gray back and rufous flanks. Vocalizations include a ringing “svink” and a lower “veet” which are often given in duet by a pair.

A unique dark swallow of lowland rainforest, less commonly seen at forest edge and in montane foothills. The only swallow that can be found flying bat-like under the canopy in closed forest. Overall a dark sooty brown, with some birds, especially adult males, having brighter rufous throats. Small and compact with a short, mostly squared tail. Often found nesting under boulders, in caves, or in similar locations in the rainforest. Very similar to Square-tailed Sawwing, and some individuals are best left unidentified. Note Forest Swallow’s unique, bat-like flight, and in good light, its more brownish plumage and sometimes more rufous throat. Despite its visual similarity to sawwings, this species is most closely related to house-martins. Voice is a short, buzzy call note.