Egyptian Nightjar

A bulbul-sized olive-brown bird that sports a diagnostic all-red bill and a red eye surrounded by a fleshy yellow wattle. The juvenile lacks the bright bill and eye coloration. Small groups occur in savanna and farmland, where they require large wild ungulates and domestic stock to forage on; they clamber agilely over host mammals, gleaning ticks, mites, and other ectoparasites, and occasionally drinking host blood. As they fly between large mammals, they give a distinctive “tsik-tsik” call. The similar Yellow-billed Oxpecker differs from Red-billed Oxpecker by having a yellow bill base and pale rump and lacking an eye-wattle.

The only strongly patterned, black-and-white tit in its range. The upperparts from forehead to tail are glossy black, with a prominent white patch on the lower nape and upper mantle. The cheeks and the rest of the underparts are white, with a wide black central band running from throat to vent. The wings have a large white patch with a few black bars. Female and juvenile retain the same basic pattern, with duller black and dingier white. A habitat specialist found only in dry thorny forests. Seen in pairs or small family groups; quite vocal, commonly gives a 2- to 5-noted high-pitched “psi-psi-psi” ending in a harsh churrr.

The brown-and-gray head of this barbet sets it apart from the bright facial patterns of most other species. Specks of blue, red, and yellow on the face are visible at close range. Body is emerald green with some tan-yellow hints on the underside and a red vent. Pale lower bill and pale throat give the head an oddly long appearance. Inhabits forests from lowland regions up into montane areas. Gives succinct mellow whistles at regular intervals, typically from sheltered perches up in the forest canopy.