28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - YELLOW CROWNED NIGHT HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is a stocky wading bird, with a robust build and a notable large head in proportion to its body. It possesses a hefty bill, set deep under its eyes, and exhibits a wingspan of 101 to 112 cm. The species displays sexual dimorphism, with females slightly smaller than males.

Adults are characterized by a smooth grey-blue body with a black scaled pattern on the wings. Their long legs, which turn coral, pink, or red during courtship, are initially yellow. The head is strikingly black and glossy, with white cheeks and a pale yellow crown that extends from the bill, between the eyes, to the back of the head. This distinctive feature gives the bird its common name. In flight, the Yellow-crowned Night Heron can be distinguished by its long, slow wing beats and legs that extend straight below the tail.

This heron favors shallow waters such as marshes, wooded swamps, and lakeshores for inland populations, and thickets, mangroves, and cliff-bound coasts for coastal populations. It is also found in periodically flooded areas and tolerates a range of water types from fresh to brackish and saline.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is endemic to the Americas, with a distribution that closely follows the availability of crustaceans. Its range extends from the southeastern United States to Peru and Brazil in coastal regions.

This species is known for its nocturnal feeding habits, particularly during the breeding season when it feeds its young. It is territorial when foraging but will tolerate others at a safe distance. The heron selects prey visually, employing various hunting strategies, including stalking and standing still before lunging with its bill.

The heron's vocal repertoire includes a loud, sharp squawk used as an alarm or aggression call, a soft chu-chu-chu by begging chicks, and a range of calls during courtship, such as the yup-yup greeting and a concluding whoop from the male.

Breeding is synchronized with the emergence of crabs in spring, varying geographically. The heron forms mating pairs, with some arriving at breeding grounds already paired. Nesting occurs in trees, bushes, or on rock ledges, with both parents involved in nest-building and care of the young.

Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Herons can be confused with juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons. However, the former tend to stand straighter, have heavier bills, longer legs, and finer spots and streaks on their plumage.

The diet is predominantly crustaceans, with crabs and crayfish being the mainstay. It also consumes insects, fish, worms, amphibians, molluscs, lizards, snakes, small rodents, and birds. The heron's bill size and shape are adapted to the specific prey available in its region.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population trend. However, it faces threats such as habitat loss, human disturbance, and in some regions, illegal hunting. Conservation efforts are generally part of broader wetland conservation projects.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - AMERICAN WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)

The American white ibis (Eudocimus albus) is a striking wader of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. It is a medium-sized bird with a predominantly white plumage, which contrasts with its bright red-orange down-curved bill and long legs. The tips of its wings are black, a detail most apparent when the bird is in flight. Sexual dimorphism is present, with males being larger and possessing longer bills than females.

Adult American white ibises have distinctive pink facial skin and black wingtips visible in flight. In non-breeding condition, their bill and legs are a vivid red-orange. During breeding, the bill darkens at the tip and the legs take on a purple hue. Juveniles are brown and white, with the white becoming more prevalent as they mature. The species is relatively short-legged and bulky for its size, with a wingspan ranging from 90 to 105 cm.

The American white ibis frequents a variety of wetland habitats, including shallow coastal marshes, mangrove swamps, and inland wetlands such as marshes, ponds, and flooded fields. It adapts well to both natural and man-made water bodies.

This ibis is found from Virginia through the Gulf Coast of the United States, extending south through the coastal New World tropics. Its breeding range includes the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, as well as the coasts of Mexico and Central America. The non-breeding range extends further inland and includes the Caribbean and parts of South America.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)

The snowy egret, a small white heron, graces the wetlands with its pure white plumage, save for the striking yellow lores that sit between its long black bill and piercing eyes. Its legs are a dark black, contrasting with its bright yellow feet. During the breeding season, the bird boasts elegant, long, shaggy plumes, known as aigrettes, that adorn its nape and neck. The immature birds, while still white, have a less vibrant appearance with greenish legs.

When identifying the snowy egret, look for the following characteristics:

Body length: 22.1–26.0 inches (56–66 cm)

Weight: 13.1 ounces (370 g)

Wingspan: 39.4 inches (100 cm)

Adults are pure white with yellow lores, black legs, and yellow feet.

Immature birds have duller greenish legs.

During breeding, look for the distinctive long, shaggy plumes on the neck.

Habitat

The snowy egret is a versatile inhabitant of wetlands, including marshes, riverbanks, lakesides, pools, salt marshes, and estuaries. It is not typically found at high altitudes or directly on the coast.

This bird is native to the Americas, with a year-round presence in South America, the West Indies, Florida, and coastal regions of North and Central America. In the southern United States, it is migratory, breeding in various states. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in Europe, Iceland, Scotland, the Azores, and South Africa.

Snowy egrets are active foragers, often seen running or shuffling their feet in shallow water to flush out prey. They may sway their heads, flick their wings, or vibrate their bills to disturb prey. They are also known to hover, or "dip-fish," and sometimes forage in mixed species groups.

During the breeding season, snowy egrets form mixed colonies with other heron species. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract mates. They defend their nesting territory vigorously and participate in nest building with materials provided by the male. Clutches typically consist of up to six pale bluish-green eggs, with chicks hatching after about 24 days and leaving the nest after approximately 22 days.

The diet of the snowy egret includes fish, crustaceans, insects, small reptiles, snails, frogs, toads, and worms. They employ various hunting techniques, from active pursuit to ambush, and are known to forage in open fields alongside domestic animals.

Once hunted to dangerously low levels for their plumes, the snowy egret is now protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States. Populations have since rebounded, and the species is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with a stable and increasing population trend.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)

The Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja, is a striking member of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. This species is notable for its vibrant pink plumage and distinctive spoon-shaped bill. Adult birds exhibit a bare greenish head, which takes on a golden buff hue during the breeding season. Their neck, back, and breast are white, with a central tuft of pink feathers when breeding. The rest of the body is a deep pink, and the bill is grey. The Roseate Spoonbill measures 71–86 cm in length, with a wingspan of 120–133 cm, and weighs between 1.2 and 1.8 kg.

To identify the Roseate Spoonbill, look for its elongated legs, bill, neck, and spatulate bill. The adult's greenish head and white neck contrast with its pink body. In flight, unlike herons, spoonbills keep their necks outstretched and alternate between stiff, shallow wingbeats and glides.

The Roseate Spoonbill is typically found in shallow fresh or coastal waters, where it can be seen swinging its bill from side to side while walking steadily, often in groups.

This species is locally common in Texas, Florida, and southwest Louisiana in the United States. Its range extends through South America, primarily east of the Andes, and into coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and the Gulf Coast of the United States. The bird's range has expanded in the 21st century, with sightings as far north as South Carolina and occasional reports in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The Roseate Spoonbill is a gregarious bird, often seen feeding in groups. It sifts through mud with its bill to find food, and its presence can attract other bird species that benefit from the spoonbill's foraging.

Roseate Spoonbills nest in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, and lay two to five whitish eggs with brown markings. Immature birds have paler pink plumage, white feathered heads, and a yellowish or pinkish bill.

The diet of the Roseate Spoonbill includes crustaceans, aquatic insects, mollusks, frogs, newts, and very small fish. It competes for food with other freshwater birds and may be followed by egrets that take advantage of the spoonbill's foraging.

Once nearly driven to extinction by plume hunting, the Roseate Spoonbill is now considered to be of Least Concern.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)

The Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotos, is a small, migratory wader with a distinctive appearance. In its breeding plumage, the adult boasts a grey-brown back, with the hue ranging from brownest in summer males to grayest in winter. A sharp demarcation line on its grey breast gives this bird its common name, and is particularly noticeable when the bird faces an observer. The species measures approximately 21 cm in length, with a wingspan of 46 cm. Its legs are a yellowish color, and it has an olive bill with a darker tip. Juveniles display a more vivid pattern with rufous tones and white mantle stripes.

To identify the Pectoral Sandpiper, look for the clear dividing line on its breast, a weaker supercilium, and a grayer crown compared to similar species. The bird's yellowish legs and olive bill with a darker tip are also key identification features.

The Pectoral Sandpiper is found in freshwater habitats during migration and winter. It prefers grasslands and mudflats where it can forage for food.

This species is a long-distance migrant, with breeding grounds in the boggy tundra of northeast Asia and North America, ranging from Alaska to central Canada. In the winter, it migrates to South America, southern Australia, and New Zealand. It is also a regular migrant to western Europe, including Ireland and Great Britain.

The Pectoral Sandpiper is known for its remarkable migration patterns, which may be shifting due to global warming. It forages by sight on grasslands and mudflats, sometimes probing for food. The male performs a courtship display by puffing up his breast, which contains a fat sac during the breeding season to enhance his performance.

The species constructs a steep-sided scrape nest lined with a substantial amount of material. The nest is deep enough to protect the eggs from heat loss due to cool breezes in its breeding latitudes. The female typically lays a clutch of four eggs.

The Pectoral Sandpiper can be confused with the sympatric Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata), but can be distinguished by its breast pattern, weaker supercilium, and grayer crown.

The diet of the Pectoral Sandpiper consists mainly of arthropods, including flies, their larvae, spiders, crustaceans, and other invertebrates, as well as seeds.

Despite being listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Pectoral Sandpiper has experienced a significant decline in numbers, with a 50% decrease since 1974.

28-3-2017 CARARA NAT PARK, COSTA RICA - COMMON BASILISK (Basiliscus basiliscus)

The Common basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) is a type of lizard that lives in Central America and South America. It is also known as the Jesus Christ lizard for its ability to run on the surface of the water.

The Common basilisk can be distinguished from similar species within its range by its large size and the high fin-like crest along its back. Most common basilisks are brown and cream in color. Males also have high crests on the head and tail. Both sexes are brown to olive, and have a white, cream, or yellow stripe on the upper lip and a second stripe along either side of the body; these stripes have higher contrast in juveniles and fade as the lizards age. The common basilisk has a large mouth with saw-like teeth on the inner sides of the jaw. While it is most known for its ability to run on water, it is also an excellent climber and swimmer, and has been known to stay underwater for up to half an hour.

Common basilisks are found throughout Central America and in northwestern South America. They range from southwestern Nicaragua to northwestern Colombia on the Pacific side, and from central Panama to northwestern Venezuela on the Atlantic side. In Costa Rica, they are mostly found on the Pacific side of the country. Common basilisks inhabit tropical dry lowland forests, and wet and moist forests near streams, lakes, and rivers.

Common basilisks are solitary and diurnal lizards. They spend their time foraging or basking in the sun. At night, they sleep in trees up to 20 m (66 ft) high. While Common basilisks are most known for their ability to run on water, they are also excellent climbers and swimmers and can stay underwater for up to half an hour. When disturbed, Common basilisks escape by speeding to the nearest edge of the water - and continue sprinting. They run on only their hind legs in an erect position, holding their forelegs to their sides. Common basilisks are adroit on water because their feet are large and equipped with flaps of skin along the toes that allow them to catch tiny air bubbles. When moving quickly, basilisks can cross the surface of the water before sinking. On the water, they run an average speed of 24.1 km/h (or 15 mph), which is just a little slower than their speed on land. Younger basilisks can run 10-20 m (33-66 ft) on water, while adults cross only a few meters before sinking. Adults do not move slowly, but they weigh more and cannot sprint for as long a time. Once a basilisk submerges, it continues swimming until it is sufficiently far from its pursuer - if the predator has followed past the bank. Although Common basilisks stay close to water to escape terrestrial predators, they swim only when necessary because some other aquatic animals would eat them given the chance.

19-3-2017 BUTTERFLY WORLD, FLORIDA - DORIS LONGWING BUTTERFLY (Heliconius doris)

Heliconius doris, the Doris longwing or Doris is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is known for being a polymorphic species which participates in various Müllerian mimicry rings throughout Central America and the Amazon rainforest. It is a species of special interest in biological science for the genetic basis and role of polymorphism (biology) in ecology and evolution.

It is commonly found from sea level to 1200 metres in forest clearings.

The larvae primarily feed on granadilla species. Adults feed on nectar from Lantana flowers, with the females also collecting pollen from Psiguria and Psychotia flowers.

19-3-2017 BUTTERFLY WORLD, FLORIDA - RED BORDERED PIXIE (Melanis pixe)

 Melanis pixe, the red-bordered pixie, is a species in the butterfly family Riodinidae. It was described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1836.

Melanis pixe has a wingspan of about 40 millimetres (1.6 in). The upperside of the wings is black. The tip of forewing is yellow orange and the base has a red spot. The hindwing outer margin has a band of red spots. Eggs are laid in groups of 10 to 30 on the host tree leaves, stems, or bark and the caterpillars feed on the leaves.

This species is found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas south to Costa Rica.

The larvae feed on Albizia caribea, Inga species and Pithecellobium species (including Pithecellobium dulce).

Subspecies

pixe Mexico sanguinea (Stichel, 1910) Costa Rica - Panama

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - BOAT TAILED GRACKLE (MALE) (Quiscalus major)

The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major) is a striking bird, with the male boasting a glossy, iridescent black plumage and a distinctive keel-shaped tail, measuring 37–43 cm in length. The female, considerably smaller at 26–33 cm, is cloaked in tawny-brown with darker wings and tail. Both sexes exhibit a robust physique, but it is the male's long dark bill and pale yellowish or brown iris that often catch the observer's eye.

Adult males are entirely black with a shimmering iridescence and a pronounced tail. Females are smaller, with a shorter tail and brownish coloration. The wingspan ranges from 39–50 cm. Juvenile males resemble the adults but lack the iridescence, while immature females are duller with possible blotches on the breast. Eye color varies geographically, with Gulf Coast and inland birds having dark eyes, and Atlantic birds pale eyes.

The boat-tailed grackle is a coastal denizen, favoring saltwater marshes and, in Florida, inland waters. It is not uncommon to find them in urban settings, rummaging through refuse or perched in parking lots.

This bird is a permanent resident along the coasts of the Southeastern United States, with a presence that extends to several Gulf Coast cities and towns.

The boat-tailed grackle is a ground forager but will also search for food in shallow waters and shrubs. It exhibits a boldness, at times pilfering food from other birds.

The vocal repertoire of the boat-tailed grackle includes a harsh "jeeb" and an array of grackle-like chatters and squeaks, each call as distinctive as the bird itself.

Nests are well-concealed cups situated in trees or shrubs near water, with an average clutch size slightly exceeding three eggs.

The great-tailed grackle is similar but has a longer tail and lacks the domed head of the boat-tailed grackle. The common grackle is smaller, with a shorter tail and no domed head, and often shares habitat with the boat-tailed grackle along the Atlantic coast.

An omnivorous bird, the boat-tailed grackle's diet includes insects, minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, grain, and occasionally small birds.

The boat-tailed grackle is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

28-3-2017 CARARA NAT PARK, COSTA RICA - CLAY COLOURED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)

The clay-colored thrush (Turdus grayi) is a common Middle American bird of the thrush family (Turdidae). It is the national bird of Costa Rica, where it is well known as the yigüirro (Spanish: [ʝi'ɣwiro]). Other common names include clay-colored robin.

It ranges from South Texas (where it is rapidly expanding its range) to northern Colombia. West and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, it is limited to the Atlantic slope, except for a population around Oaxaca City, Mexico that probably originates from escaped cage birds. In much of its range it is familiar in yards and gardens, similar to some other thrushes such as the American robin, the Eurasian blackbird, and the song thrush.

In general appearance and habits it resembles other Turdus thrushes such as the American robin. It is about the same length or slightly smaller: 23–27 cm (9.1–10.6 in), and weighs 74–76 g (2.6–2.7 oz) on average. The plumage is brownish, somewhat lighter below than above, lightest on the flanks. Birds from humid regions are darker than those from dry regions. The throat is faintly streaked. Immature birds have faint mottling on the back and underparts. The bill is greenish-yellow with a dark base, the legs are pinkish or flesh-colored, and the irises are reddish—all useful identification points.

The clay-colored thrush (Turdus grayi ) is a common Middle American bird of the thrush family (Turdidae). It is the national bird of Costa Rica, where it is well known as the yigüirro (Spanish: ). Other common names include clay-colored robin.

Clay-colored robins are diurnal birds that are permanently resident in warm climates of their range. They usually forage on the ground or near it, singly or in pairs, but may also gather in flocks to feed high in fruiting trees. Clay-colored robins move on the ground by hopping, and upon landing, they often flick their tails back and forth. Their song, rather low-pitched and with a slow steady tempo, consists of many slurred musical phrases that are often repeated irregularly. The flight call is like the American robin's but harsher.

28-3-2017 CARARA NAT PARK, COSTA RICA - CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)

The Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata ) is a species of agouti from the family Dasyproctidae. The main portion of its range is from Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula (southern Mexico), through Central America, to northwestern Ecuador, Colombia and far western Venezuela. A highly disjunct population is found in southeastern Peru, far southwestern Brazil, Bolivia, western Paraguay and far northwestern Argentina. The disjunct population has been treated as a separate species, the brown agouti (Dasyprocta variegata ), but a major review of the geographic variation is necessary. The Central American agouti has also been introduced to Cuba and the Cayman Islands.

Though some populations are reduced due to hunting and deforestation, large populations remain and it is not considered threatened.

The Central American agouti is a large South American rodent. It is typically reddish, orange, or yellowish grizzled with black. Populations that live in northern Colombia, western Venezuela, and on the Atlantic slope of Costa Rica and Panama have brownish or blackish grizzled with tawny or olivaceous foreparts; their mid-body is orange, and the rump is black or cream. In western Colombia and Ecuador, some have tawny foreparts and yellowish to the rump. Agoutis from the disjunct southern population (Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina) are grizzled brown, yellowish, and black, or grizzled black and orange.

Central American agoutis occur from Chiapas and the Yucatan Peninsula (southern Mexico), through Central America, to northwestern Ecuador, Colombia, and far western Venezuela. A highly disjunct population is found in southeastern Peru, far southwestern Brazil, Bolivia, western Paraguay, and far northwestern Argentina. Central American agoutis live in tropical moist forests and cultivated areas such as plantations and rural gardens.

In the wild, Central American agoutis are shy animals. They live in pairs and are active during the day. Each pair occupies territory with fruiting trees usually near water. Males defend their territory and drive off intruders through fighting, aggressive displays, or vocally emitting dog-like barks. Agoutis conceal themselves at night in hollow tree trunks or in burrows among roots. Active and graceful in their movements, their pace is either a kind of trot or a series of springs following one another so rapidly as to look like a gallop. They also take readily to water, in which they swim well. When feeding, agoutis sit on their hind legs and hold food between their fore paws. They frequently hoard fruits and seeds in small, buried stores for later consumption or when food is scarce. If threatened, they typically stay motionless although they are very fast animals and can move with remarkable speed and agility.

28-3-2017 CARARA NAT PARK, COSTA RICA - GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)

The Great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) is a noisy perching bird, a member of the tyrant flycatcher family. It lives in the Americas and was described and illustrated in 1648 by the German naturalist Georg Marcgrave. The part of its scientific name is Latin and means 'sulphur', describing the yellow color of the underparts of the bird.

The adult Great kiskadee is one of the largest of the tyrant flycatchers. The head is black with a strong white supercilium and a concealed yellow crown stripe. The upperparts are brown, and the wings and tail are brown with usually strong rufous fringes. The bill is short, thick, and black in color.

Great kiskadees occur from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas south through Central America to southern Argentina. They do not occur in Chile. These birds live in a wide range of habitats, from open grassland with scattered trees to urban areas. They like to breed in open woodland with some tall trees, including cultivation, and around human habitation.

Great kiskadees are diurnal and noisy birds. They hunt like a shrike or flycatcher, waiting on an open perch high in a tree to sally out and catch insects in flight or to pounce upon rodents and similar small vertebrates. They will also glean and jump for seeds and fruit from vegetation or ripping it off in mid-hover; they can also occasionally dive for prey in shallow water, making it one of the few fishing passerines. Kiskadees like to hunt on their own or in pairs, and they do not join mixed-species feeding flocks very often. When they do, they hunt in a similar manner. Kiskadees are alert and aggressive and have a strong and maneuverable flight, which they use to good effect when they feel annoyed by raptors. They can attack even much larger birds, usually by diving down or zooming straight at them while they are in mid-air. Harsh calls are also often given during these attacks, alerting all potential prey in the area of the predator's presence.

Great kiskadees are monogamous; they form strong pair bonds that defend their territory. Both partners build a large domed nest that has a side entrance. It is composed of grasses and small twigs but can also incorporate lichen, string, and plastic. The birds can even steal material from other nests. The nest is placed in a wide range of sites, often in an exposed position high up in a tree or on man-made structures. Occasionally the nest is placed in a cavity. The female then lays a clutch of 3-4 eggs and incubates them alone; the male guards the nest while she leaves the nest to feed. The eggs hatch after 16-17 days. The chicks are blind and helpless when they hatch. They are fed by both parents and fledge at the age of 17-18 days.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - CHESTNUT MANDIBLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos ambiguus ssp. swainsonii)

The chestnut-mandibled toucan or Swainson's toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii) is a subspecies of the yellow-throated toucan which breeds from eastern Honduras to northern Colombia to western Ecuador.

The scientific and alternative English names commemorate the English ornithologist and artist William Swainson. Since 2009, the chestnut-mandibled toucan has been considered a subspecies of the yellow-throated toucan.

Like other toucans, the chestnut-mandibled is brightly marked and has a large bill. The male is 56 cm long, while the smaller female is typically 52 cm long. Weight ranges from 599 to 746 grams (1.3–1.6 lbs).

The sexes are alike in appearance, mainly black with maroon hints to the head, upper back and lower breast. The face and upper breast are bright yellow, with narrow white and broader red lines forming a lower border. The upper tail is white and the lower abdomen is red. The legs are blue. The body plumage is similar to that of the smaller keel-billed toucan, but the bill pattern is quite different. The chestnut-mandibled toucan's bill is diagonally divided into bright yellow on top and maroon on bottom.

Juvenile birds are sooty-black, and have duller plumage, particularly with respect to the bib, red border, and lower mandible. They are fed by the parents for several weeks after leaving the nest.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - THICK BILLED SEED FINCH (FEMALE) (Oryzoborus funereus)

The thick-billed seed finch, Sporophila funerea, presents a striking sexual dimorphism. The male is cloaked in an almost uniform black plumage, save for a small, conspicuous white patch on the wing. In contrast, the female is adorned in a rich, uniform brown. Both sexes boast a robust bill, notable for its size and straight culmen, which sets them apart from their avian kin.

When identifying the thick-billed seed finch, look for the male's black plumage with a white wing patch and the female's all-over brown coloration. The species is characterized by a large bill with a straight upper edge, or culmen. They are relatively small birds, measuring approximately 11.5 cm in length and weighing around 13.5 g.

This bird favors shrubby and grassy areas, where it can be found flitting about or perched conspicuously on a stem.

The thick-billed seed finch has a wide range, extending from southern Mexico through Central America and reaching into the Chocó region of Colombia and Ecuador.

Observations of the thick-billed seed finch reveal a bird that is at home in its grassy domain, actively foraging and interacting with its environment.The thick-billed seed finch is often confused with the all-black Caribbean slope form of the variable seedeater. However, the finch's larger bill with a straight culmen is a distinguishing feature.

As its name suggests, the thick-billed seed finch has a diet that primarily consists of seeds, which it adeptly handles with its robust bill.

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the thick-billed seed finch as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face immediate threats to its survival.

30-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA,COSTA RICA - RUFOUS COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)

The Rufous-collared Sparrow, also known as the Andean Sparrow, is a small, charming bird measuring 13.5–15 cm in length and weighing between 20–25 grams. Adults are recognized by their stubby grey bills and a distinctive grey head marked with broad black stripes on the crown sides, and thinner stripes through the eye and below the cheeks. A notable rufous nape and breast sides complement their black-streaked buff-brown upperparts, and they exhibit two white wing bars. Their throats are white, transitioning to off-white underparts that become brown on the flanks, highlighted by a black breast patch. Juveniles present a more subdued appearance with duller, indistinct head patterns and streaked underparts, lacking the adult's rufous collar.

When identifying this species, look for the rufous collar around the nape and the black stripes on the head. The two white wing bars are also key features. The largest subspecies, found on the tepuis, has grey underparts and a more extensive rufous collar that appears as a band of black freckles across the breast.

The Rufous-collared Sparrow thrives in a variety of open or semi-open habitats, including cultivated lands, gardens, parks, grasslands, and scrubby second growth or cerrado. It is well-adapted to urban and suburban environments but is notably absent from dense Amazonian forests.

This adaptable bird ranges from the extreme south-east of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. In the northern and western parts of its range, it is typically found at altitudes of 600–4,000 meters, while in the southern and eastern parts, it is commonly found down to near sea level.

The Rufous-collared Sparrow is often seen in pairs or small flocks, holding small territories. It is known for its tame and approachable nature, making it a familiar sight across its extensive range.

The male's song is a delightful mix of slurred whistles and trills, varying geographically. Calls include a sharp "tsip." Listen for songs that may include tee-teeooo, e’e’e’e’e, or teeooo, teeeee, often delivered from a low perch.

Breeding is influenced by food availability and rainfall. Nests are open cups of plant material lined with fine grasses, placed in vegetation on the ground or low in a tree or bush. Females lay two or three pale greenish-blue eggs with reddish-brown blotches, which are incubated for 12–14 days. Males assist in feeding the chicks, which fledge after about two weeks. Brood parasitism by species such as the shiny cowbird may occur.

The Rufous-collared Sparrow can be confused with other sparrows, but its rufous collar and distinctive head stripes are key differentiators.

This sparrow forages on the ground for seeds, fallen grain, insects, and spiders. It may join mixed-species feeding flocks and has been observed picking termites from spider webs.

The Rufous-collared Sparrow is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its widespread distribution and adaptability to human-altered environments.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata)

The Spectacled Owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata, is a large, tropical owl with a commanding presence. It boasts blackish-brown upperparts, a head and upper breast of similar hue, and striking white facial markings. The underparts range from whitish to yellowish-ochre, providing a stark contrast to the darker tones above. This species is the only Pulsatrix with yellow eyes, and it has a pale beak. Juveniles are predominantly white, save for a chocolate brown facial disc, making them quite distinctive.

Adult Spectacled Owls are unmistakable within their range, save for confusion with other Pulsatrix species. They exhibit a size range of 41 to 52.3 cm in length, with males weighing between 453 to 1,075 g and females slightly heavier at 680 to 1,250 g. The subspecies can be differentiated by variations in the darkness of their plumage and the composition of the breast band.

This species is primarily associated with tropical rainforests, thriving in dense, old-growth areas. They are also known to venture into secondary habitats, such as forest edges, and occasionally into dry forests, treed savanna plains, plantations, and semi-open areas with trees.

The Spectacled Owl's range extends from southern Mexico and Trinidad, through Central America, down to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northwestern Argentina. It is a resident breeder throughout this extensive neotropical range.

Nocturnal and solitary, the Spectacled Owl is a dominant predator, often hunting from a perch and pouncing on unsuspecting prey. It feeds on a variety of mammals, insects, and other small animals, with a particular fondness for nocturnally active creatures.

The vocal repertoire of the Spectacled Owl includes guttural knocking or tapping sounds that decrease in pitch but increase in pace. Males primarily vocalize to proclaim territory, while females also sing with a higher pitch. Duets between pairs are not uncommon. Additionally, females emit a hawk-like scream, and young owls have a distinctive begging call.

Breeding season in Costa Rica occurs during the dry season or at the onset of the wet season. Spectacled Owls typically nest in tree cavities, laying 1-2 eggs that are incubated for about 5 weeks. Chicks are dependent on their parents for several months post-fledging.

The Spectacled Owl can be confused with the Band-bellied Owl and the Tawny-browed Owl, but can be distinguished by size, eye color, and plumage details. Each species also has a unique song.

A versatile predator, the Spectacled Owl's diet includes a wide range of mammals, invertebrates, and occasionally other birds. It is known to take prey that is nocturnally active, including rodents, bats, and even small monkeys.

The Spectacled Owl is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its large range and continued presence in much of its habitat. However, it is susceptible to declines in areas where human activities reduce prey populations and degrade habitats.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)

The green kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) is a species of "water kingfisher" in the subfamily Cerylinae of the family Alcedinidae. It is found from southern Texas in the United States south through Central America, in every mainland South American country except Chile and Trinidad and Tobago.

The green kingfisher inhabits wooded shorelines of streams and freshwater ponds and lakes. It favors still or slow-moving water, and though it requires low vegetation for hunting perches it generally prefers relatively open habitat rather than dense forest. It is a year-round resident throughout its range but roams a territory that may be as much as 1 km (0.6 mi) or more of river.

The Green kingfisher usually hunts from a perch from which it dives into water for its prey. The perch is typically about 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) high; it may be directly over water or within a few meters of its edge. In a study in Amazonia about half of the perches were bare snags and the rest were a mix of leafless and leafy trees and bushes. It usually shifts perches after each foray. Occasionally it hovers before diving, sometimes from as high as 6 m (20 ft). Pairs often defend feeding territories from other green kingfishers but seldom from other kingfisher species.

The prey is mostly small fish but includes crustaceans such as shrimp and also adult and nymph aquatic and terrestrial insects. The size of the fish taken varies, apparently with availability and the presence of other species of kingfishers. Studies have published sizes as 8 to 80 mm (0.31 to 3.1 in), as averages of 19.4 mm (0.76 in) and 41.1 mm (1.6 in) at different sites, and as "seldom exceeding a length of two inches".

The green kingfisher's breeding season varies geographically. In Central America it is during the dry season of spring and early summer. In Suriname and Guyana, it usually extends to August and occasionally to December or beyond. Breeding dates further south have not been documented. Both members of a pair excavate a nest burrow, almost always in an earthen bank of a stream or river. It is up to 1 m (3 ft) long with a small nest chamber at the end. The clutch size varies from two to six. The incubation period is 19 to 21 days; usually the female incubates at night and the parents alternate during the day. The young fledge 26 to 27 days after hatching and the parents chase juveniles from their territory about 29 days after fledging.