Sula Fruit-Dove

A dapper slate-colored flycatcher with a distinctly pale throat and eyebrow, often found at the forest’s edge along roads, in clearings, and even in farmlands. A widespread but sometimes overlooked resident, sometimes occurring up into the mountains, that builds its own nest inside old abandoned weaver nests. Can be confused with other African flycatchers, but note Dusky-blue Flycatcher’s upright posture, habitat, and pale throat and lores. Song is variable, consisting of clear whistles and other calls given in groups of 2-10 notes. Calls include high-pitched “sip sip” and buzzy “zrt” notes.

Small and virtually tailless warbler with a pale gray back and rufous marks on the cheek and breast. The color of the cap and forehead vary geographically, and can be gray or rufous. Found in miombo woodland, mainly in the canopy. Often joins mixed-species feeding flocks. The song is a short, up-and-down warble. Similar in shape to other crombecs, but identified by rufous cheek and breast patches.

This brilliant gem of a bird is, like most pittas, exceedingly shy and difficult to see as it forages on the forest floor. Listen for its song, a long, slightly broken whistle. If seen, its combination of bright red crown, deep purplish-blue back, and sparkling blue wing coverts are diagnostic. Favors wet lowland and lower foothill forests with a dense understory; can occasionally be found in low-quality secondary or modified habitats.