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Yip the habitat isn't typical for Levaillant's there, but for some reason there are plenty of Lavaillant's Cisticolas in that area of Suikerbosrand. It is very likely that you did hear Wailing there, as you do get them there quite regularly, but there are definitely more Levaillant's there. You must be very careful with IDing Cisticolas at Suikerbosrand.

You learn something new every day.
Thanks Matt and Johan

So am I understanding right that bird 1 is a Levaillant's and 2 is a Lazy Cisticola?
It looks right to me, except that a Lazy cisticola is not supposed to show a rufous wing panel, according to my LBJ book, and this one sort of looks like it does? Maybe its some rufous, just not a whole panel?
The rest all fit, especially the tail and crown.

Thank you. It's always educational to pop in here. It is one of my favourite threads on the forum.

I'm struggling hectically with a raptor for the ID challenge so I'll now go hang out on the raptor thread, looking for inspiration.

mel123 I will post the picture here.... to ID for us

mel123 I've actually spoken to Doug (one of the co-authors of the LBJ book) about that exact issue regarding Lazy Cisticola and he agreed that it's a bit inaccurate and Lazy Cisticola can actually show a rufous wing panel. Besides that you should still get to Lazy with that book. Like it's been said many times before these field guides shouldn't be followed 100% and you should use as many sources as possible. I find photos on the internet to be particularly helpful (just make sure you use reliable websites)

Thank you, that is very interesting.

Thanks for all your help guys I am sure that there then must be many misidentified Wailings from this spot

These LBJ`s ! ! ! Just when you think you have them figured out and then

You are so right Roan. Perhaps its time to invest in this new book all abt the identification of LBJ's.
I am stuck with this one. Please any takers to help me. Taken near Lower Sabie. Thanks

It looks like a tawny flanked prinia to me.

A non breeding black chested prinia (with the band missing) has more yellow on the chest.

As you can see I am no expert but this also looks like a Tawny-flanked Prinia to me

Tnx Adrian and Trevor for your help. I can not tell you how many times I stopped at this prinia's image in my Sasol Guide (with real photos) and cld not make the ID. Now that I look at it agn I am sure its correct. Tnx agn.guys

In this picture you can really see why it's called a Tawny-flanked Prinia.

Hi johanclassen.
Jip! Seems to be a Tawny-flanked prinia alright. With the help all these other 'mites' I turned into an instant genius on LBJ`s

Seen in Grootkolk camp in Kgalagadi in April



also somewhere in KTP in April

These LBJ is really difficult to ID (for me )