Camiguin Bulbul

A beautiful short-tailed parrot of high elevations in the Andes of Colombia and Venezuela. Mostly green body with a rusty face, orange-brown or yellowish-green chest, red shoulder, blue primaries, and red tail with blue tip. Sexes similar. Rare, in pairs or small groups flying, perched, or eating in canopy at high elevations of cloud forest. Calls in flight are loud and metallic. No similar species.

This unique and charismatic large flightless bird is the flagship species of New Caledonia. Now sadly limited to a handful of locations with high-quality forest. A bit larger than a domestic chicken, but with longer legs and a more upright posture. Overall powdery-blue colored with a large, expressive crest that can be raised or lowered; legs and bill are bright red. Intricate banded pattern in wings normally not visible except during displays. Very noisy, giving a prolonged nasal hooting and cackling series, often in duet, and most vociferously in the pre-dawn hours.

This subtly handsome finch is unique in its range; warm sandy brown with bright pink and silver flashes in the wings. Sexes are similar, but the male boasts a restricted black mask extending from the front of the eye to the base of the stout charcoal-black bill, which the female lacks. Not restricted to deserts but generally does prefer dry, open areas in middle to high altitude regions. Frequents villages, towns, and even cities. Gives a tumbling series of random-sounding notes, usually with a rather hoarse, buzzy quality. Calls include “chip” and “chink” notes and buzzy wheezes.