Red-tailed Bristlebill

Brilliantly colored kingfisher with a heavy crimson bill and a large puffy head. Male is bright blue with an orange face, white chin, light orange breast, and black-and-blue banded wings and tail. Female is striped like a tiger, with orange and black patterning across her entire body. Perches quietly and absolutely motionless at various levels of the forest, usually mid-height to low, where it can be difficult to detect. Inhabits lowland and hill forests. Gives away its presence with a long haunting whistle followed by a series of mellow whistles.

Long, curved bill. Adults mostly dark with iridescent green and reddish tones. Very thin white border surrounding the dark facial skin. Dark eyes. Usually gregarious, it is found mainly in salty marshes and shallow wetlands. Unmistakable in most of its range, though American birds are best distinguished from White-faced Ibis by distribution and facial pattern.

Male distinctive, with bright yellow head, yellowish underparts. Female is drab and streaky, usually with yellowish wash to face, and often found with bright males. Note bright rusty rump. White outer tail feathers flash in flight. A species of heathland, forest clearings, and farmland with hedges. Male sings from a prominent perch, giving a dry and uninspired “dzidzidzidzidzi.” Forms flocks in winter, feeding mainly on ground in search of seeds. A native of Eurasia, introduced to New Zealand and a few adjacent islands.