Solomons Brush Cuckoo

Large, spectacular, and solidly built hummingbird of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in mountains; uncommon. Feeds at all levels on flowers and sometimes perches on prominent high twigs. Most striking feature is the bright rusty wings, which typically flash brightly as it hovers at flowers; also note the big white spot behind the eye. Male often looks blackish below; the pink throat rarely catches the light. Female is dusky grayish below.

Essentially a desert-dwelling cardinal, found in brushy areas of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Shaped much like a Northern Cardinal but with a longer, thinner crest and more rounded bill shape. Plumage is mostly gray with red highlights on the face, crest, belly, wings, and tail. Bill color is usually yellowish, but grayer on immatures. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, often visiting bird feeders. Song is similar to Northern Cardinal but higher-pitched and more piercing.

A large, long-tailed green fruit-dove with pale grayish underparts, except for a deep maroon undertail and a small dark throat patch. A bird of the canopy and subcanopy of forested lowlands and less often foothills. Can be seen in company with other fruit-doves. In its limited range, the mostly gray underside and deep chestnut undertail render it unmistakable. Repetitive song is a long series of soft, deep “woop” notes given around 10 times in succession.