Red-backed Sierra Finch

A typical small martin with brown upperparts, pale underparts, and a diffuse gray-brown breast band. Resident and extremely localized, restricted to the Congo River and a handful of its tributaries, breeding colonially in sandbanks. Despite being fairly common, the species’ vocalizations are unknown. Sand Martin is larger than Congo Martin and has a bolder breast band delineating a white throat; Brown-throated Martin has a dark throat. 

A sparrow-like weaver. The mostly scarlet, yellow-bellied breeding males are distinctive, but females and non-breeding males are drab. Found in scrub, mangroves, and woodland on the island of Aldabra in the Seychelles. Similar to Red Fody, which recently reached Aldabra, and they have hybridized. Breeding males easily separated by their yellow belly. Females and non-breeding males very similar to those plumages of Red Fody, but can be cautiously separated by a stronger yellow wash, especially on the underparts and head. Calls are high, silvery notes, given in long series as a song. 

A distinctive large, spectacularly-marked pigeon. Green with a conspicuous pale gray head, a red eye-ring around a beady yellow eye, a dark neck and chest, a bold white belly, a chestnut base to the undertail, and a broad white band in the otherwise dark tail. Shows subtle bronze tones in some parts of the plumage, such as the nape. Singles, pairs, and small groups inhabit the upper levels of forests and forest edges, mostly in the hills and mountains, less often lower down. Gives a very deep, two-noted call, descending on the second note: “woop-mooo.” Also gives single “woop” notes.