Gray Crow

This large cuckoo has two morphs: (1) entirely black except for white tips to the long tail and sometimes limited white barring elsewhere, and (2) dark-backed with a rufous chest and black-and-white-barred underparts. The latter are more frequently found in West Central Africa. It has a characteristically swerving flight. It is resident and migrant, preferring thicker woodland and forest, It produces a mournful, three-noted call “I’m so saaaaad” call, the last note rising. Similar dark-morph Jacobin and Levaillant’s cuckoos differ from Black Cuckoo in having crests and strong white flashes in the wings.

Very similar to Reed Bunting, but smaller and more slender; also note finer bill, colder pale buffy-brown (instead of rufous) wing coverts, and less extensive streaking on the underparts. Breeding male has a black hood and bright white “moustache” stripe. Female and non-breeding birds are pale sandy brown with a pale but noticeable white “moustache.” Breeds in thickets and vegetation clusters in tundra and winters in reedbeds and tall grassy or brushy areas near water, where often associated with mixed-species flocks. Song is a series of wet buzzy “tsli” notes. “Chlip” calls distinctly sparrow-like.

The default pipit across much of Africa. Brown above and pale below, with a streaked back, well-marked face, and white outer tail feathers. There is considerable geographic variation, from pale and sandy to rich brown and rufous. Found in a variety of open and usually grassy habitats, both near water and in dry areas. Call is a sneezing “tzsht”. Song comprises consecutive series of rattles, given in flight. Very similar to other pipits; some of the key features to look for include the yellow base of the bill, streaked back, and white outer tail feathers.