White-collared Monarch

An unusual small crow-like bird with gray, black, and white plumage. There is bright blue bare skin around the eye, and sometimes a small pink patch is also visible behind the eye. The black-and-gray wings show lots of contrast in flight. Found very locally in dry savanna and cultivated areas in southern Ethiopia, usually in small groups. Reminiscent of Wattled Starling, but much larger, with paler underparts and without a conspicuous white rump patch. The calls are high-pitched and babbler-like, unlike those of typical crows. 

A tiny gray finch with a red tail and rump and a purplish bill. Male is bright silvery-gray all over with a pale throat and chest. Female is similar, but has darker underparts. Sometimes joins flocks with other small finches. Inhabits thickets in open areas such as hillsides and field edges. Call is a high, thin “see”, often given in series. Native to western Africa; introduced to Hawaii island, where it inhabits brushy and grassy areas.

A common understory bird found in the undergrowth or on the ground in forests of all types, from the lowlands into the foothills. The reddish-brown back and tail are noticeable when the bird flies away in the undergrowth, but look also for the white undersides, dark gray legs, and gray face. This alethe’s fiery crest is hard to see in the field and often appears as a reddish-brown crown stripe. Sometimes imitates other species, including illadopsises. Distinguished from Brown-chested Alethe by its plain gray face, dark legs, and reddish crown stripe. Gives a distinctive two-parted whistle, “go where?”, with a distinct pause between the notes.