This flashy year-round resident presents itself frequently at the ground level performing its “double-scratch” foraging technique as it hops quickly forward and backward searching for seeds and insects in the leaf litter. I’m most attracted by its large size, suddenly darting out of ground cover ahead of you on a footpath for an instant before diving back into the brush, momentarily flashing black, white and chestnut color…and yes, if you’re lucky, a bright red eye. Springtime singing males may perch openly atop shrubs singing its striking whistled, then buzzy song. Look, listen and be astonished. 

– Photos by James Kendal

Bird gallery

Bird of the month flyer