19-3-2017 BUTTERFLY WORLD, FLORIDA - MALACHITE BUTTERFLY (Siproeta stelenes)

Siproeta stelenes (malachite) is a Neotropical brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae). The malachite has large wings that are black and brilliant green or yellow-green on the upperside and light brown and olive green on the underside. It is named for the mineral malachite, which is similar in color to the bright green on the butterfly's wings. Typically, the wingspread is between 8.5 and 10 cm (3.3 and 3.9 in). The malachite is found throughout Central and northern South America, where it is one of the most common butterfly species. Its distribution extends as far north as southern Texas and the tip of Florida, to Cuba as subspecies S. s. insularis (Holland, 1916), and S. s. biplagiata, and south to Brazil.

Adults feed on flower nectar, rotting fruit, dead animals, and bat dung. Females lay eggs on the new leaves of plants in the family Acanthaceae, especially Ruellia. The larvae are horned, spiny, black caterpillars with red markings, The pupal stage is green, with sharp, gold spines that can puncture predators.

Malachites often are confused with the heliconiine Philaethria dido. They have similar coloration, but their wing shapes are different.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - ZEBRA LONGWING BUTTERFLY (Heliconius charithonia)

Heliconius charithonia, the zebra longwing or zebra heliconian, is a species of butterfly belonging to the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1767 12th edition of Systema Naturae. The boldly striped black and white wing pattern is aposematic, warning off predators.

The species is distributed across South and Central America and as far north as southern Texas and peninsular Florida; there are migrations north into other American states in the warmer months.

Zebra longwing adults roost communally at night in groups of up to 60 adults for safety from predators. The adult butterflies are unusual in feeding on pollen as well as on nectar; the pollen enables them to synthesize cyanogenic glycosides that make their bodies toxic to potential predators. Caterpillars feed on various species of passionflower, evading the plants' defensive trichomes by biting them off or laying silk mats over them.

The zebra longwing, Heliconius charithonia (Linnaeus),was designated the state butterfly of Florida in 1996.  However, mass spraying of naled has decimated the zebra longwing population in Miami-Dade County, Florida. There has been mass collapse of the colonies with impacts on the balance of the ecosystem.

The caterpillars are white with black spots and have numerous black spikes along their body. Adult butterflies are monomorphic of medium size with long wings. On the dorsal side, the wings are black with narrow white and yellow stripes, with a similar pattern on the ventral side, but paler and with red spots. The wingspan ranges from 72 to 100 mm.

H. charithonia is found in South America, Central America, the West Indies, Mexico, south Texas and peninsular Florida. Adults sometimes migrate north to New Mexico, South Carolina, and Nebraska during the warmer months. The geographic distribution of H. charithonia overlaps with the ranges of other butterflies which sometimes leads to conflict. For example, the ranges of H. charithonia and the gulf fritillary overlap; in some cases, gulf fritillaries can sometimes be subjected to competition and fighting from Heliconius charithonia vazquezae when those species have breeding populations in similar areas and within the same geographic range. It was declared the official butterfly for the state of Florida in the United States in 1996. The species frequents tropical hammocks, moist forests, edges, or fields.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - RED POSTMAN BUTTERFLY (Heliconius erato)

Heliconius erato, or the red postman, is one of about 40 neotropical species of butterfly belonging to the genus Heliconius. It is also commonly known as the small postman, the red passion flower butterfly, or the crimson-patched longwing. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

H. erato exhibits Müllerian mimicry with other Heliconius butterflies such as Heliconius melpomene in order to warn common predators against attacking, which contributes to its surprising longevity. It also has a unique mating ritual involving the transfer of anti-aphrodisiacs from males to females.

Recent field work has confirmed the relative abundance of this butterfly.

H. erato is a neotropical species, found from southern Texas to northern Argentina and Paraguay, and resides on the edges of tropical rainforests. It is philopatric, having a particularly restricted home range. In areas of dense population in Trinidad, some home ranges are only separated by 30 yards, but H. erato rarely travels to neighboring home ranges.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - BANDED PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Anartia fatima)

23-3-2017 TROGON LODGE COSTA RICA - LONG TAILED SILKY FLYCATCHER (Ptiliogonys caudatus)

The long-tailed silky-flycatcher, Ptiliogonys caudatus, is a passerine bird of notable elegance. This species, akin in size to a thrush and weighing approximately 37 grams, is adorned with soft, silky plumage reminiscent of the waxwing family to which it is related.

The male of the species measures 24 centimetres in length and is distinguished by a pale grey forehead and a crested head. The neck, throat, and lower belly exhibit a vibrant yellow, while the back, lower breast, and upper belly are cloaked in blue-grey. The flight feathers and elongated, pointed tail are a stark black, with the outer tail feathers punctuated by white spots. The female, slightly smaller at 21 centimetres, presents a more subdued palette with a darker grey forehead, olive body, and a shorter, less vivid tail. Immature birds echo the adult's appearance but with shorter central tail feathers and less distinct white tail markings.

This bird graces the mountain forests of its range, favouring altitudes from 1,850 meters up to the timberline.

The long-tailed silky-flycatcher is found exclusively in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.

Outside the breeding season, these birds are sociable, often seen foraging in small flocks. They exhibit a flycatching technique to capture insects and are also known to consume small fruits, with a particular fondness for mistletoe. They frequently perch in a conspicuous manner atop high, exposed twigs.

The species communicates with a distinctive call, a repeated "chee-chip" that punctuates the mountain air.

The breeding pair demonstrates a penchant for neatness, constructing a cup-shaped nest adorned with lichen, placed 2 to 18 meters above the ground in a tree. At times, they may nest in loose colonies. Both parents share the duty of incubating the two grey eggs, which are beautifully blotched with brown and lilac. Post-hatching, the fledglings take their first flight between 18 to 25 days, during which time they are nurtured by both parents.

The long-tailed silky-flycatcher's diet consists of insects, which it catches in flight, and small fruits, with a preference for mistletoe berries.

The IUCN Red List classifies the long-tailed silky-flycatcher as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)

The green honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) is a small bird in the tanager family. It is found in the tropical New World from southern Mexico south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. It is the only member of the genus Chlorophanes.

The green honeycreeper is 13–14 cm (5.1–5.5 in) long and weighs 14 to 23 grams (0.49 to 0.81 oz), averaging about 19 grams (0.67 oz). It has a long decurved bill. The male is mainly blue-tinged green with a black head and a mostly bright yellow bill. The female green honeycreeper is grass-green, paler on the throat, and lacks the male's iridescence and black head. Immatures are plumaged similar to females. The call is a sharp chip.

This is a forest canopy species. The female green honeycreeper builds a small cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs for 13 days. It is less heavily dependent on nectar than the other honeycreepers, fruit and seeds being its main food (60%), with nectar (20%) and insects (15%) as less important components of its diet.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - RUFOUS TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)

The Roadside Hawk, Rupornis magnirostris, is a relatively diminutive bird of prey, with a length ranging from 31 to 41 cm and a weight between 250 to 300 grams. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, females are approximately 20% larger than their male counterparts. This species is characterized by its brown or grey plumage, which can vary significantly among its twelve recognized subspecies. A notable feature is the occasional rufous tint on the wings, particularly visible in flight. The underparts are typically barred brown and white, and the tail displays four or five grey bars. The adult's eyes are a striking whitish or yellow, and the species is aptly named for its relatively large beak.

In the field, the Roadside Hawk can be identified by its long tail and disproportionately short wings, which are distinctive in flight. The bird often soars but does not exhibit hovering behavior. Its high-pitched, piercing squeak is a reliable auditory cue for identification.

The Roadside Hawk is a versatile species, inhabiting a range of ecosystems from Mexico through Central America and into South America, east of the Andes. It is well-adapted to most environments, with the possible exception of dense rainforests, and is also a common urban dweller.

This species is widespread, found from the northern Caribbean coast of South America to the northeastern parts of Argentina. It is the most common raptor in many parts of its range and has even been recorded as a vagrant in Texas, United States.

The Roadside Hawk is a conspicuous bird, often seen in urban areas. It is known for its aggressive behavior when nesting, to the extent of attacking humans who venture too close to its nest.

The call of the Roadside Hawk is a distinctive, very high-pitched squeak that can be heard over considerable distances.

The species constructs a bulky stick nest lined with leaves, typically placed near the top of a tree. The female incubates a clutch of one or two eggs for about 37 days, starting after the laying of the first egg.

The diet of the Roadside Hawk primarily consists of insects, squamates, and small mammals, including young common marmosets. It occasionally preys on small birds but is not considered a significant threat to mixed-species feeding flocks in open cerrado habitats.

The Roadside Hawk is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or extinction.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - CLAY COLOURED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)

The collared aracari or collared araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus) is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found from Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela.

The collared aracari inhabits the interior and edges of evergreen primary forest and mature secondary forest and also coffee, cacao, and fruit plantations. In the semi-arid parts of northern Colombia and Venezuela it also occurs in gallery forest. In elevation it is found from sea level to about 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

Like other toucans, the collared aracari is brightly marked and has a large bill. Adults are 38 to 41 cm (15 to 16 in) long and weigh 175 to 250 g (6.2 to 8.8 oz). Males and females have the same coloration of the bill and plumage but the female's bill is shorter than the male's. The three subspecies' bills are alike. The adult's bill has a narrow vertical white line at its base. Its maxilla is buffy white darkening to dull reddish brown at its base. Its tip and culmen are black. The maxilla has black and yellowish white notches. The bill's mandible is black. Adults of the nominate subspecies have mostly glossy black upperparts with a narrow cinnamon rufous collar at the base of the nape and bright red lower back, rump, and uppertail coverts. Their head, throat, and uppermost breast are greenish black. Their lower breast, belly, and undertail coverts are yellow. The breast has a variable red wash and a black spot in its center; the upper belly is crossed by a narrow red and black band. Their thighs are cinnamon to rufous. Juvenile collared aracaris are much duller than adults, with a sooty-black head and chest and brownish olive upperparts. The red rump and yellow underparts are paler, and the breast spot, belly band, and bill pattern are indistinct.

Subspecies P. t. erythrozonus is similar to the nominate but smaller and has a much smaller breast spot or none at all. P. t. nuchalis is also similar to the nominate, but its breast spot is usually larger and the white basal line on the bill is wider.

The most common call is described as "a high, sharp, squeaky, note, such as seek, pseek, pink or penk, or a two-parted pi-cheet or squi-zeek." They also make a "purr" and an "“aggressive, rasping grhhrr". A rattle call "bddddddt" may actually be non-vocal. Collared aracari's wings make an audible whir during flight.

Collared aracaris typically travel in groups of about six to 15 individuals that sometimes include other toucan species. They also roost communally; up to seven may occupy a cavity overnight.

The collared aracari's diet is mostly fruit but it also feeds on large insects, the eggs and nestlings of other birds, and other small vertebrates. It mostly forages from the forest's mid level to the canopy but will feed on fruits in the understory. They glean fruit by stretching from a perch, bending, and even hanging upside down. They regurgitate large fruit seeds which often remain viable.

The collared aracari's breeding season is from January to May in most of its range. It nests in tree cavities, usually those excavated by large woodpeckers but also natural ones. They may enlarge the cavity, which can be up to 30 m (98 ft) above the ground. The clutch size is usually three eggs but can be as large as five. The incubation period is 16 to 17 days and both parents incubate. Fledging occurs 26 to 30 days after hatch. The parents and often up to three other adults provision the nestlings. They are fed mostly with insects when young.

The IUCN has assessed the collared aracari as being of Least Concern. It has an extremely large range but an unknown population size that is believed to be decreasing. No immediate threats have been identified. "Although it tolerates secondary forest, it nonetheless is very susceptible to deforestation" and is hunted by indigenous peoples.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - LESSON'S MOTMOT (Momotus lessonii)

Lesson's motmot (Momotus lessonii) or the blue-diademed motmot, is a colorful near-passerine bird found in forests and woodlands of southern Mexico to western Panama. This species and the blue-capped motmot, whooping motmot, Trinidad motmot, Amazonian motmot, and Andean motmot were all considered conspecific.

The central crown is black and surrounded by a blue band. There is a black eyemask. The call is a low owl-like ooo-doot.

These birds often sit still, and in their dense forest habitat can be difficult to see, despite their size. They eat small prey such as insects and lizards, and will also regularly take fruit.

Like most of the Coraciiformes, motmots nest in tunnels in banks, laying about three or four white eggs.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - BLACK STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris)

The black-striped sparrow (Arremonops conirostris) is a passerine bird found from eastern Honduras to western Ecuador, northern Brazil, and Venezuela.

It is a stocky sparrow with grey body, green back and black stripes on the head. Separated from other sparrows and finches by head pattern. Sexes alike. Found singly or in pairs in vines and thickets, usually at forest edges or in secondary forest shrubs. Listen for loud, sweet calls and quickening song.

The black-striped sparrow (Arremonops conirostris) is a passerine bird found from eastern Honduras to western Ecuador, northern Brazil, and Venezuela.

Stocky sparrow with grey body, green back and black stripes on head. Separated from other sparrows and finches by head pattern. Sexes alike. Found singly or in pairs in vines and thickets, usually at forest edges or in secondary forest shrubs. Listen for loud, sweet calls and quickening song.

This American sparrow is a common bird in humid lowlands and foothills up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) altitude, in semiopen habitats such as thickets, young second growth, overgrown fields, shady plantations, and gardens.

The large, domed nest, built by the female, is made of coarse plant material and has a wide side entrance. It is normally placed less than 1 m (3.3 ft) up in dense growth, but may be as high as 1.8 m (5.9 ft). The clutch is two, rarely three, unmarked white eggs, which are incubated by the female alone for 12–14 days before hatching.

The black-striped sparrow is a mainly terrestrial species, 16.5 cm (6.5 in) long and weighing 37.5 g (1.32 oz). The adult is distinctive, with a grey head which has broad black stripes each side of the crown and narrower black stripes through each eye. The upperparts are olive, with yellow on the bend of the wing. The underparts are dull white shading to grey on the breast sides and to olive on the lower belly. Young birds have brown stripes on a yellower head, brownish-olive upperparts and yellow-olive underparts.

This species resembles the olive sparrow, but is larger, and the ranges do not overlap. 

The black-striped sparrow feeds on insects, spiders, and seeds taken on the ground, and also picks berries and invertebrate prey from low bushes. It is seen in pairs, never in flocks, and is a shy and retiring species.

Habitats are Forest: Subtropical/Tropical Dry, Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland, Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane; Shrubland: Subtropical/Tropical Moist; Artificial/Terrestrial: Plantations, Rural Gardens, Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Degraded Former Forest

27-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)

The American white ibis (Eudocimus albus) is a species of long-legged wading bird that often flies in long loose lines or V formations. During the breeding season, American white ibises gather in huge colonies near water where males don’t hesitate to pirate food from unmated females and juveniles. Populations of this species in central Venezuela overlap and interbreed with the Scarlet ibis and the two have been even classified by some authorities as a single species.

American white ibises breed along the Gulf and Atlantic Coast and the coasts of Mexico and Central America. Outside the breeding period, the range of these birds extends further inland in North America and also includes the Caribbean. They are also found along the northwestern South American coastline in Colombia and Venezuela. American white ibises live in a variety of habitats, although shallow coastal marshes, wetlands, and mangrove swamps are preferred. They also frequent muddy pools, mudflats, and even wet lawns. Populations that are away from the coast and shoreline, particularly in southern Florida, often reside in marshes, ponds, and flooded fields. In summer, these move to more coastal and estuarine habitats as inland waterways become flooded with summer rains and ibises find the water levels too deep to forage effectively.

The white plumage and pink facial skin of adult American white ibises are distinctive. Adults have black wingtips that are usually only visible in flight. In non-breeding condition, the long downcurved bill and long legs are bright red-orange. During the first ten days of the breeding season, the skin darkens to a deep pink on the bill and an almost purple-tinted red on the legs. It then fades to a paler pink, and the tip of the bill becomes blackish. It is difficult to determine the sex of an adult American white ibis from its external appearance since the sexes have similar plumage. However, there is sexual dimorphism in size and proportion as males are significantly larger and heavier than females and have longer and stouter bills. This species is moderately large for an ibis but is relatively short legged, compact and bulky for a large wader. The newly hatched American white ibis is covered with violet down feathers, deepening to dark brown or black on the head and wings. 

The chest is often bare and there can be a white tuft on the head. The irises are brown. The exposed skin is pinkish initially, apart from the tip of the bill which is dark gray, but turns gray within a few days of hatching. The bill is short and straight at birth and has an egg tooth that falls off between days five and nine, and develops three black rings from around day six, before turning gray by around six weeks of age. The gray to sandy gray brown juvenile plumage appears between weeks two and six, and the face and bill become pink a few weeks later, while the legs remain gray. The irises have turned slate-gray by this stage. Once fledged, the juvenile American white ibis has largely brown plumage and only the rump, underwing, and underparts are white. The legs become light orange. As it matures, white feathers begin appearing on the back and it undergoes a gradual molt to obtain the white adult plumage. This is mostly complete by the end of the second year, although some brown feathers persist on the head and neck until the end of the third year. Juvenile birds take around two years to reach adult size and weight.

American white ibises are gregarious birds, however, they are territorial and defend the nesting and display sites against intruders. When threatened or defending a territory American white ibises perform displays that include lunging forward with the bill in a horizontal posture, standing upright, and snapping the bill opposite another bird engaging in the same display. Birds also lunge and bite, often holding onto an opponent's head or wings. American white ibises are active during the day and for the most part, they forage for food by tactile probing. They wade slowly through shallow water and stick their long, downcurved bill into the substrate of the water body and sweep it back and forth across the bottom to pick out suitable food items. Groping with a wide open bill is a technique used by ibis in deeper water when alone, as is head swinging, in which the ibis swings its wide open bill widely in open water. On land, American white ibises locate prey by sight and pecks and do not have to insert their bill into the substrate. When not feeding they spend their time resting, roosting, attending to their nests, and flying. American white ibises fly with necks and legs outstretched, often in loose lines. These lines fly in an undulating pattern as they alternately flap and glide. Soaring in a circular pattern is also seen. Heights of 500 to 1,000 m (1,600 to 3,300 ft) may be reached as birds glide over flights of 20 km (12 mi) or more. More commonly, they fly between 60 and 100 m (200 and 330 ft) above the ground, gliding or flapping. When roosting these birds spend much time preening, biting, and working their feathers with their long bills, as well as rubbing the oil glands on the sides of their heads on back plumage. Before preening ibises often bathe; they squat in water 5-20 cm (2-7.9 in) deep and flick water over themselves with each wing in succession. Hundreds of birds may also bathe together around the time of courtship. The main call of American white ibises is a honking sound, transcribed as ‘urnk, urnk’, or ‘hunk, hunk’. This call is used in flight, courtship, or when disturbed. Birds also utter a muted ‘huu-huu-huu’ call while foraging, and make a squealing call in courtship. Young in the nest give a high-pitched ‘zziu’ as a begging call.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - BUFF THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)

The Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) is a member of the tanager family, Thraupidae, notable for its seed-eating habits. This bird presents a striking figure, measuring on average 20 cm in length and tipping the scales at 42–52 g. The adult boasts a slate-grey head adorned with a white supercilium and a greenish crown. Its upperparts are cloaked in olive green, while the underparts transition from grey to a buff hue on the lower belly. The throat is a distinctive buff color, framed by a black edge. Both the robust, convex bill and the legs are a deep black. Juveniles are somewhat less vivid, with a white-mottled blackish throat and breast, and bear brown markings on their lower underparts.

When identifying the Buff-throated Saltator, look for the characteristic buff throat bordered by black, the white supercilium above the eye, and the greenish tinge on the crown. The olive-green upperparts and grey to buff underparts are also key features. The bird's thick bill is another distinguishing trait.

This species thrives in areas of dense vegetation, where it can often be found foraging.

The Buff-throated Saltator breeds across a wide range, from southeastern Mexico to western Ecuador and northeastern Brazil.

The Buff-throated Saltator is known to forage at low to mid levels, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. It is a bird that is as comfortable in the company of others as it is alone.

The common call of this species is a high-pitched "seeer." Males engage in a melodious duet, with one part warbling a cheery "cheery cheery" and the other responding with "cheery to you."

Breeding Buff-throated Saltators lay two pale blue eggs per clutch, which are notably large for the genus Saltator. These eggs are deposited in a bulky cup nest, which may be situated up to 2 meters high in a tree or bush.

The diet of the Buff-throated Saltator is quite varied, including fruit from trees such as Cymbopetalum mayanum, Trophis racemosa, and gumbo-limbo, as well as buds, nectar, and slow-moving insects.

The Buff-throated Saltator is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

27-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)

27-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - RUFOUS TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)

The rufous-tailed hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl ) is a medium-sized hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found from east-central Mexico through Central America and Colombia into Ecuador and Venezuela.

Like most hummingbirds, the rufous-tailed feeds on nectar and small insects. It is common at sugar water feeders and often seen in coffee and banana plantations. It is extremely territorial and aggressive at feeding sites such as flower patches and feeders, from which it chases other hummingbirds and large insects.

The rufous-tailed hummingbird is polygynous. Though it is aggressive while feeding, the species sometimes nests in loose colonies. Its breeding season varies widely across its range, but is within the February to November span. The female is entirely responsible for nest building, incubation of eggs, and care of nestlings. She lays two white eggs in a compact cup nest constructed from plant fibers, leaves, and spiderwebs covered with lichens and mosses. It is typically placed up to 6 m (20 ft) high on a thin horizontal twig. Incubation takes 15 to 19 days, and fledging another 18 to 22 days.