Plumbeous Euphonia

A striking little bird, shaped like a robust gnatcatcher. Note the bold black-and-buff head pattern, black chest fading to rufous flanks, and bright rufous on the wings. Tail is long and narrow. Unmistakable if seen well, but compare with Marañon Crescentchest, which has silvery wing edges and more richly-colored underparts. Secretive; singles or pairs skulk in dense thickets and understory of dry woodland and second growth, up to 2,300 m. More often detected by song; listen for a series of loud, popping chip notes.

A large pipit-like bird that is much less colorful than other longclaws, with a dull pinkish-buff throat, cinnamon-tawny underparts and extensive dense dark streaking elsewhere. During the breeding season the throat and belly may flush brighter pink, and a small white shoulder patch may be visible. Pairs are localized residents, preferring short grass on floodplains and dambos (seasonally flooded wetlands); retreating to wettest habitats where other longclaws co-occur. Calls an extended series of high-pitched trilling or buzzing notes that sound insect-like, different from other longclaws. Similar but smaller Rosy-throated Longclaw differs from Grimwood’s by having a bold black gorget and brighter pink throat and underparts.

A rather small, demure understory denizen resembling a cross between a robin and a flycatcher. Mostly dull brownish-olive with a rusty rump and a paler throat and belly. Juvenile is more mottled. A local and endangered bird found singly and in pairs in thick undergrowth of primary and secondary forest, thickets, and coffee plantations, resident in a narrow range along the Angolan escarpment between 810 and 1300 meters of elevation. Sits for long periods, sallying to catch insect prey. Calls include a soft series of descending whistles. May be mistaken for a flycatcher, but its furtive nature and preference for thick understory are unique within its range.