Tagula Shrikethrush

The common and widespread bowerbird of montane forests. Fairly large, stocky brown like other closely-related species, but the male has a long, flowing, orange crest from the back of its head. The male builds a “Maypole” bower of sticks from a central pole and has a circular mossy arena at the base. Similar to the Streaked Bowerbird, but MacGregor's Bowerbird is found higher up and is larger and unstreaked. Call, a loud rasping. Various whistles and other sounds made at the bower, including mimicry.

Small hummingbird found in a variety of woodland and brushy habitats. Male distinctive with purple-and-black throat. Female has whitish underparts with almost no buffy tones (perhaps a very light wash on flanks). Tends to pump its tail more than other hummingbirds. Readily comes to sugar water feeders and flower gardens. Common in summer over much of the western U.S., barely into Canada. Winter range extends just south of Mexico City, and increasingly regular on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. Very difficult to distinguish from Ruby-throated Hummingbird, especially females and young males; thankfully limited range overlap. Black-chinned averages somewhat dingier green above, longer-billed with a slight droop, and has slightly broader, more club-shaped outer wing feathers, but these differences are all extremely subtle.

A small, short-tailed parrot of lowland forest and edge, mainly at low elevations. Green body with dark blue in the wing, and a dark forecrown and cheek. Males have a white line separating the cheek, crown and bill, and usually an orange chest. Female has a darker face, less orange on the breast, and an orange patch behind the dark cheek. Usually found in small groups. Most similar to Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, but Dusky-cheeked has blackish instead of red forecrown and cheek, and an orange breast. Calls a sharp, high-pitched “tsik!” or excited twittering which often betrays their presence in a tree.