Timor Heleia

An entirely green lorikeet often seen in flight, with a long, pointed yellow-tipped tail and a small reddish patch on the chin. Bill and feet orange. Widespread but dependent on primary forest, intolerant of disturbed areas. No similar species occur in its range. Call is a high-pitched “tsit” or “tsee.”

Very large for a hummingbird; size alone separates from many other species. Males and females similar: gray below, dusky-greenish back, brown rump, and large dark tail with prominent white corners. Also note white eyebrow and short white mustache stripe. Male has bright blue throat patch, difficult to see unless the light hits it just right. Uncommon in canyons and mountains with mixed pine-oak forests, primarily in Mexico but barely extending into the U.S. Very similar to Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem, especially if you can’t see the throat color. Blue-throated is slightly larger and paler overall with larger white (not gray) tips on the tail feathers; females are plainer, lacking the buffy tones of Amethyst-throated. Also compare with Rivoli’s Hummingbird, especially females; Blue-throated is shorter-billed and plainer (less speckled) on the underparts.

Large, chunky, uniquely marked warbler. Note the black eye line, gray crown, maroon throat patch, olive-green back, and gray underparts. Skulks in the thick undergrowth of various habitats including forest, moist woodland, overgrown cultivation, and marsh. Often near water. Very loud and vocal. The song is an explosive and highly variable mix of pretty whistles and trills.