Gray-hooded Gull

Large, pale-eyed songbird of lower and middle elevations of montane forests. Male blood red with inky black head and wings and dark bill; female similar but less richly colored. Juvenile brown above, pale with dark stippling below, paler bill, and tawny undertail coverts. Birds in Taiwan and central Vietnam are much brighter red overall. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, sometimes with mixed-species flocks. Pairs often engage in an ethereal duet: male gives a series of melodic notes, to which the female responds with a long, airy whistle. Also gives harsh, rasping calls.

A distinctive swift of lowland forest with a square tail and bulging wings that are “pinched” at the body and widest in the center. Wings, back, and throat are blackish, while belly, tail, and rump are white. Could be confused with Cassin’s Spinetail, but Sabine’s Spinetail’s tail extends out beyond the wings, giving it a typical swift appearance. Call is a high-pitched twitter. 

Long-tailed brownish warbler. White below with clean dark barring. Found in broadleaf woodland: miombo, mopane, and Zambezi teak. Usually found in pairs or small groups. Often raises its tail in wren-like fashion. The song consists of three metallic notes, often repeated, reminiscent of a telephone ringtone. Similar to Barred Wren-Warbler, but found in different habitat, and the dark barring on the underparts contrasts more strongly with the white base color.