Gray Emutail

Endemic to the Lesser Antilles. A brilliantly colored, tiny, and active species of dense woodlands where it feeds at middle to upper levels, primarily on mistletoe berries. Sometimes joins mixed flocks. Easy to miss despite bright colors and flitting movements. Note small size, short tail, and small (though rather thick) bill. Male has a blue helmet, olive-yellow underparts (brighter yellow on throat), a dark mask, and an olive-green back. Female is more uniformly olive-green; note distinctive blue helmet and small yellowish forehead patch. Calls include a lively “beep” given singly or in series, a rapid “whip-ip,” a rough “djip,” and a plaintive “wheee.” Song is a rapid jumble of tinkling, squeaky, and whistled notes.

This all-black bird has a long, slim bill, and a fairly long tail. In flight, white bars across the wings are revealed. Birds in the eastern part of the range also have white in the outer tail, while the western birds have all-black tails. Found in a variety of savanna habitats. The call is a series of fluted, rising “wheet” notes; similar to Common Scimitarbill, but higher-pitched. Also similar in appearance to Common Scimitarbill, but there is little overlap in range, and Black is separated by its straighter bill and slightly shorter and less pointed tail. Separated from woodhoopoes by its shorter, less floppy, and squarer tail.

A medium-sized, chunky parrot of forest from the lowlands to the mid-mountains. Reddish forehead, orange crown, yellow cheek and blue or purple band across the chest. Races differ and considered separate species by some. Similar-sized Edward’s & Salvadori’s Fig-Parrots not thought to co-occur, but Large Fig-Parrot has an orange rather than green crown. Somewhat similar to Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, but Large Fig-Parrot is larger and has yellow-orange cheek and a breast band. Fairly vocal. Call, a sharp, loud “tshek!” or sharp, slurred phrase sounding like a rusty-hinged door.