Lesser Wagtail-Tyrant

Beautiful blue-and-white vanga – the only member of this mainly Malagasy family that is found in the Comoros. Male is bright blue, with a blue bill; female duller blue, with faintly peach underparts, and a dark bill. Found in remnant humid forest on the Comorian islands of Mohéli and Grand Comoro. Usually found in pairs, often in mixed flocks with other bird species. Call is a rasping scold that is repeated incessantly. Colorful bird that is unmistakable within its restricted range.

A tiny bird of wooded areas from the lowlands to the mountains. Has a fairly long, curved bill, a white belly, an olive wing, and a yellow patch on the back. Male has a yellow throat and chest, a purple ear spot, and a purple mustache stripe tipped with green. Note the green forecrown and pointed tail. Male somewhat resembles Metallic-winged Sunbird and other similar species, but Handsome has a red face and back. The drab female is similar to many other species, but is tiny and relatively short-billed. Voice includes a high-pitched jumbled song and a repeated sharp “chik!”

Burly long-tailed cuckoo. Adult is coal-black with bright rufous wings and back. Juvenile is messier-looking, with extensive pale barring over much of the upper body. Very similar in appearance to Greater Coucal, but Short-toed is smaller and shorter-tailed. Prefers dense lowland and foothill rainforest but can also be found in scrubby or grassy areas with extensive cover. Gives sad muffled hoots.