Curl-crested Jay

A pretty, intricately marked medium-sized francolin with a brown back, rufous underparts, and a white throat bordered with black spots. The wings show large rufous patches in flight. Found at high elevations in alpine grassland and heath, often in small groups. Similar to Shelley’s Francolin, but found in different habitat at higher elevations, and separated by many details, including the more solidly rufous underparts without heavy black barring on the belly. The vocalizations include a series of “squee-chee” notes, and a squealing call often given in flight.

A remarkably patterned quail, uncommon and difficult to spot as it runs through open grassy woodlands in dry regions of the southwest U.S. and Mexico. Male looks like he’s are wearing a black-and-white helmet; otherwise look for bold spots and streaks covering body and wings. Female is more subtly patterned with shades of brown; look for rounded, puffy head shape. Between bursts of running, often crouches motionless and becomes nearly invisible. Rarely flies unless flushed at very close range; most often seen crossing a road or trail. Male song is a rich descending whistle with unique ethereal tone like an incoming spaceship.

A common bowerbird of montane forest on the Bird’s Head and Neck of New Guinea. Stocky with drab brown plumage. Unlike other related species, the male lacks a crest and resembles the female. Most easily observed at the bower; a spectacular tent-shaped construction which it adorns the front of with colorful objects. No other drab-colored bowerbirds co-occur, and the female Masked Bowerbird has a yellow rather than brown belly and is found at lower elevations. Voice, various loud buzzes, shrieks and squawks.