Northern Sooty-Woodpecker

A fairly large, common raptor of forest and more open wooded areas from the lowlands to the lower mountains. Dark brown with white speckles on the crown and upperparts, rufous-brown below with large white spots. Note the gray cheek and yellow eye. Differs from other raptors in its range by its bare yellow skin between the bill and eye, and in flight by its dark terminal band to the wings and tail. Often gives a whistled “weeeeeuuuu weu weu” in flight, or sometimes just a single note.

Slim flycatcher that is mostly gray, with black wings and tail. Found along rainforest streams and rivers at low and moderate elevations. Usually perches on rocks or low on dead branches. The quiet song is a mix of rasps, trills, and high-pitched whistles. Water-loving habits usually separate this species from other gray flycatchers. Similar to Dusky-blue and Ashy Flycatchers, but plainer on the face than those species.

A drab sparrow of northeastern Africa. The head and underparts are gray, the wing and back are brown, and the rump is rufous. Generally common within its range in all habitats except closed-canopy forest. Fond of human habitation. Very similar to Northern Gray-headed Sparrow, but there is little overlap in range, and Swainson’s has darker underparts. Also very similar to Parrot-billed Sparrow, but slightly smaller and slimmer-billed, with paler underparts. The call is a ringing “churp.”