Rusty-backed Thrush

Shy and unobtrusive dove of lowland and foothill forests, woodlands, and wooded plantations. Rusty brown overall, with a paler, more gingery head. Compare with similar, but distinctly smaller, Little Cuckoo-Dove, which has a paler, buffier chest, and is generally also more tolerant of cultivated habitats. Like many other cuckoo-doves, typically forages quietly in the middle to lower levels of forest, occasionally emerging out into the open to rest or forage. Gives a series of cooing hoots, often with a few quiet connecting notes in between (“WHOOhuhuWHOOhuhuWHOO”), though the latter may be difficult to hear at a distance. Also a more pronounced two-part “huWOO, huWOO.”

Large turkeylike bird found in extensive areas of sagebrush. Both sexes gray overall with very fine patterning, black belly, and long pointed tail. Males have a white breast and a black throat. Spectacular male display involves fanning tail, inflating yellow air sacs on chest, and thrusting them forward to produce liquidy popping noises. Extremely similar to more widespread Greater Sage-Grouse but smaller and no range overlap. Also note lighter tail and longer head plumes on Gunnison when displaying. Most easily seen at display sites in early spring; can be very inconspicuous at other times of year. Tends to forage in wet riparian areas near sagebrush. Population in decline.

A large, mostly dark brown francolin with pale feather-edging that forms a fine scaly pattern on the body. It also has dull red legs and a mostly reddish bill with a dark top and yellow base. The pale eyebrow and throat are emphasized on a dark face. The juvenile is duller. The loud, territorial crowing call (“kak-kaak, kak-keek, kak-keek”) is given from a low perch; it increases in pitch but decreases in volume. Bold and confiding, it is widespread and common in its range; found in fynbos, semi-arid zones, and coastal scrub. Gray-winged Francolin differs by having yellow legs, a rufous-streaked chest, and a gray-and-brown necklacing pattern.