Eastern Olivaceous Flatbill

Unusual and pretty member of the waxbill family. Shows fine olive-green barring below, yellow edges to the wing feathers, and red on the tail. Generally scarce and inconspicuous. Found in the understory of moist habitats, including miombo and other lush woodland, and in forest edge. Usually seen singly or in pairs. Calls include inconspicuous “tew”, “tip”, and rasping notes. Similar to Green-winged Pytilia but found in moister habitats and separated by finer barring below, yellow wing edges, and different pattern of red on the face of the males.

Small, plump, and short-tailed. Unmistakable male is glossy black with clean white cap. Female is dull olive-green and similar to other manakins; look for contrasting grayish head and brownish-red eye. Found in the lower or middle levels of forest, often at a male display site or a fruiting tree. Widespread from Costa Rica through much of northern South America.

Medium-sized, streak-backed cisticola of uplands. Varies geographically: gray-backed and streak-breasted in the south, and rufous-backed and plain-breasted in the north. Found in fynbos and karoo habitats, usually in areas with a mix of rocks, shrubs, and grass. Generally inconspicuous; seen singly or in pairs. Song is a short, explosive, accelerating trill. Calls include a rising, two-part “chu-cheee”. Very similar to Wailing Cisticola, but has a different voice, a smaller bill, less buffy underparts, and doesn’t show rufous in the wing.