Red-chested Flufftail

An amazing and distinctive red-throated and green-backed pheasant with different-looking sexes: male is blue-black below with a white crest, and female has russet underparts and crest. Africa’s only pheasant, unlikely to be confused with other birds. Very rare, skittish, and seldom seen, restricted to the central Congo Basin of Democratic Republic of Congo, which is difficult to access. Pairs duet, often at night, with a “goway-gowaa” and also a guttural “kuw-kuw” contact call. 

A pallid, medium-small, compact lark with a pale stout bill that appears swollen and a streaky crest that is often raised. The upperparts are sandy brown with indistinct dark streaks, the face is plain with a distinct eyebrow, and the breast shows very diffuse streaking on whitish underparts. Highly nomadic; small to very large flocks can appear after rains, sometimes associating with sparrow-larks or buntings, preferring arid grasslands on plains and gravel rather than sandy substrates. The species performs an aerial display with trills, whistles, and chirps. Often it rests in shade during the heat of the day with the crest raised, mouth open, eyes half shut, and wings drooped to aid in cooling.

The breeding male is black with a pale blue bill, brightly-colored shoulder epaulets (chestnut in northeast Africa, yellow elsewhere), and diagnostic white wing panels that are most obvious in flight. The distinctive display is a slow butterfly-like flapping. The non-breeding male is buffy and streaky, but retains the shoulder epaulets and wing panel. The female lacks the wing pattern and has a pale unstreaked belly. Pairs and flocks are resident with local movements in open savanna, brushy grassland, swamps, and cultivated areas.