Gray-headed Bullfinch

Large, plump finch of the boreal forest. Adult males are pink overall with two white wingbars and pale gray highlights. Immature males and females are not so bright but still subtly pretty; gray body with olive, yellow, or burnt-orange head and rump. Stubby bill with rounded edges. Song consists of rich, mellow warbles; listen for musical flight calls. Breeds in open coniferous forests. Winters in a variety of wooded habitats, especially around fruiting trees including crabapple and mountain ash. Often extremely tame, allowing close approach.

A small bird with a long blue tail that is held cocked. Breeding males are usually brilliant sapphire blue with bright white wing patches. Females and nonbreeding males are very plain pale gray, and the patch between the eye and bill (lores) is also pale (compared to Purple-backed Fairywren which has very dark reddish lores). This species is typically found in very open and arid country with sparse bushes, where it often perches on the very top of bushes. Its call is a very fast trill.

A distinctive large, long-tailed flocking pigeon. Note the conspicuous red skin around the eye, as well as the pale tail tip, cream breast, dark belly, and blue-gray upperparts, head and throat.  Juveniles show a rufous forehead and brown chest. Gregarious, often seen in high-flying flocks above the forest canopy. Principally found in the mountains and foothills, but also in lowlands. Flocking behavior, extensive red facial skin, pale tip to tail, and cream color on breast distinguish this species from Metallic Pigeon. Generally quiet, but sometimes utters a deep “woooom” and a tremulous whistle.