Yellow-bellied Longbill

Pretty little gray waxbill with a black tail and a red rump which is conspicuous in flight. The male has red and black under the tail, while the female is much paler and grayer below. Both sexes have pink in the bill. Found in arid woodland and savanna, including mopane woodland. Shy and inconspicuous; usually in small flocks. Calls include rising whistles. Very similar to Black-tailed Waxbill, but prefers drier habitat and is paler gray, with pink on the bill.

Noisy, conspicuous, and often a common scavenger in habitats ranging from towns and cities to open forest, farmland, and beaches; ecological counterpart to crows. Often in groups, locally of tens or even hundreds, feeding on the ground or tumbling and sailing with agile flight; often chases and mobs larger raptors. Plumage brownish overall, often with gingery tones, and with variable paler dappling above and fine barring below. Bold creamy white wing panels and tail base striking in flight.

Tiny, even for a hummingbird, this species occupies most habitats with flowers, except dense woodlands. Note the plain coloration of both males and females as well as the relatively short bill. The female Hispaniolan Emerald and Streamertail are similarly patterned but are distinctly larger, longer tailed and proportionately longer billed. This species is often heard before seen. Its song is a series high-pitched, squeaky “swee” and “swee-ip” notes. Calls include a variety of high squeaky notes and occasionally buzzes.