Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler

Small, uniformly gray swift. With a very good view, pale rump and tiny spines on tail can be seen. Flies rigidly with wings pushed forwards. Seen in flight over and adjacent to all types of forest. On Madagascar, often nests and roosts in cavities of baobab trees. Similar in size and shape to Little Swift, but doesn’t show a bold white band on the rump, and has weaker flight. Similar in size to Malagasy Palm Swift, but has a much shorter square tail. Smaller and shorter-tailed than Madagascar Swift, with much weaker flight.

An inhabitant of woodland, forest, parkland, and gardens with larger trees, especially oaks. Note stout black bill, thick black mustache, and black-and-white wing pattern with a patch of blue on the shoulder. White rump usually obvious in flight. Varies significantly across wide geographic range. Typically rather shy and difficult to see well, but sometimes feeds out on open ground; often seen flying across roads. Wide vocal repertoire: typical call a dry “scaaaaak,” as well as varied warbling and hooted notes.

Tiny, round, short-tailed yellow-bellied bird with a thin curved bill. Males are blue on the back and have bright bare skin around the eye in breeding plumage. Rare Madagascar endemic that is found very locally in eastern and northern rainforest at middle and high elevations. Usually in the canopy of stunted forest along ridgelines. Hyperactive nectar feeder that constantly flits from flower to flower. Call is a series of quiet and very high-pitched “tip” notes. Similar to Common Sunbird-Asity, but has brighter yellow underparts and a smaller, less curved bill. Smaller than Souimanga Sunbird, with a thinner bill and shorter tail.