26-3-2017 CATIE CENTER, COSTA RICA - BANDED PEACOCK BUTTERFLY (Anartia fatima)

Anartia fatima, the banded peacock, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is commonly found in south Texas, Mexico, and Central America but most studied in Costa Rica. This butterfly prefers subtropical climates and moist areas, such as near rivers. It spends much of its time in second-growth woodlands.

Its larvae feed on plants in the family Acanthaceae, while adults primarily feed on flower nectar from Acanthus species. The species is diurnal. These butterflies face interspecies competition for nectar with other butterflies and must also compete with hummingbirds, who will chase them away.

The eggs are laid in low-lying host plant leaves and flower bracts. Several hundred are laid by a single female within the span of a few days, with only a small percentage of the eggs surviving to adulthood. Eggs take five days to hatch and the larvae complete six instar phases before pupation. After pupation is complete, adults emerge and fly off within 1–2 hours.

This butterfly is not toxic to predators. It is the victim of predation by many bird, lizard, frog, and arthropod species. However, this butterfly is so ubiquitous that losses from predation do not endanger the species.

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Although Anartia fatima has been recorded once as far north as Kansas, its range generally begins in southern Texas and continues south through Mexico and all of Central America and Panama. It is ubiquitous throughout its range. In South America, A. fatima is no longer found and a closely related species, Anartia amathea, becomes prevalent.

This butterfly prefers subtropical open areas and previously disturbed places, such as second-growth areas, from sea level to 1,500 meters. Its host plants of preference are herbaceous and are primarily restricted to the species in a single family, Acanthaceae. Some common examples of its host plants are Blechum, Justicia, Dicliptera, and Ruellia. The banded peacock exists in extensive tracts of forest in small populations along the banks of rivers. This suggests that individuals disperse across long distances.

From late morning until early afternoon, males perch on low vegetation and chase other male butterflies away from their territory. The males fly in a slow zig-zag pattern between 0.3 and 0.6 meters above ground to patrol the area around their territory and seek females. In this territory, the male will search for mates and receive most of his nutritional requirements from flowers.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, 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.

20-4-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)

Glossy Ibises occur in flocks, both at nesting colonies and when foraging. They typically feed by lowering the bill into water, mud, or soil, to feel for prey, and they often feed among many other species of wading birds.

The plumage appears dark, almost blackish, at a distance or in poor light. At close range, much of the body is maroon, with the wing coverts showing metallic green, bronze, and violet tones.

Glossy Ibises occur in flocks, both at nesting colonies and when foraging. They typically feed by lowering the bill into water, mud, or soil, to feel for prey, and they often feed among many other species of wading birds.

Glossy Ibises frequent almost any wetland environment with shallow water or exposed mud and also readily feeds in farm fields or open areas where soils are moist.

The glossy ibis is a heron-like bird with a long, curving beak. They breed in parts of southern and southeast Europe and are occasional visitors to the UK. However, in recent decades sightings here have become more common, mirroring an increase in their breeding population in southwest Europe.

Glossy Ibises are highly gregarious throughout their lives, feeding and resting in flocks and nesting in tight colonies where nests are usually no more than 2 feet apart. Pairs defend the immediate vicinity of their nest, attacking other ibises or herons that come too close, but otherwise are rarely aggressive.

Glossy Ibis are known to live for approximately eight years (Scott 1997), though the oldest record of the species is 14 years and 3 months (Clapp et al. 1982). Like other waterbirds, the species is likely to be sexually mature by one or two years of age (Scott 1997).

Predators of the Glossy Ibis are Birds of Prey and alligators.

The call is a long croak. The Australian white ibis reaches sexual maturity in three years, and can reach twenty-eight years of age.

The average Glossy Ibis is about 1.2 lbs and 23 in. in length with a 36 inch wingspan. The Glossy Ibis is a transient, found in Northern Virginia during migration. It inhabits wooded wetlands near the coast.

Basic Description. At distance, Glossy Ibises look uniformly dark, but a close look in good light reveals stunning colors: deep maroon, emerald, bronze, and violet. This long-legged, long-billed bird forages in flocks through wetlands and wet agricultural fields, searching for insects, small fish, and seeds.

The Glossy Ibis is the most cosmopolitan ibis, occurring in most of the world's tropical and temperate zones (Hancock et al. 1992). It is nowhere abundant, and in most parts of its range it is rare or locally common. Nevertheless, the world population is considerable, probably in the 100 000s (Rose & Scott 1994).

20-4-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

Little egrets are sociable birds and are often seen in small flocks. They are diurnal birds and feed mainly in the early morning and in the late afternoon. They use a variety of methods to procure their food; they stalk their prey in shallow water, often running with raised wings or shuffling their feet to disturb small fish, or may stand still and wait to ambush prey. Little egrets also make use of opportunities provided by cormorants disturbing fish or humans attracting fish by throwing bread into the water. On land, they walk or run while chasing their prey, feed on creatures disturbed by grazing livestock and ticks on the livestock, and even scavenge occasionally. Little egrets are silent birds in general, however, at their breeding colonies, they make various croaking and bubbling calls. When disturbed, they produce a harsh alarm call.

20-4-2017 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster)

 

The European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. As their name suggests, these brightly-colored birds predominantly eat flying insects, especially bees and wasps, which they catch on the wing from an open perch.

The European bee-eater is a richly coloured, slender bird. It has brown and yellow upper parts, whilst the wings are green and the beak is black. Sexes are alike. Female tends to have greener rather than gold feathers on their shoulders. Non-breeding plumage is much duller and with a blue-green back and no elongated central tail feathers. The juvenile resembles a non-breeding adult but with less variation in the feather colours. Adults begin to moult in June or July and complete the process by August or September. There is a further moult into breeding plumage in winter in Africa.

19-4-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SIERRA NEVADA OCELLATED LIZARD (Timon nevadensis)

Timon nevadensis, the Sierra Nevada lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. It is endemic to Spain. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the ocellated lizard.

Formerly, Timon nevadensis had been regarded as subspecies of Timon lepidus but it has been put into species rank in 2013. Its distribution range is limited to the Sierra Nevada and the Spanish east coast, reaching the Alicante Province in the north.

The Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard is an impressive but terribly shy Lacertid. In particular, adult specimens may have flight distances of more than 20 meters. These lizards occur in high altitude mountain areas as well as in coastal dunes and agricultural land.

 

Adult specimens differ from Timon lepidus by the grey or brown basic coloration with no or reduced black markings.

The coloration of the Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard is truly captivating. Its body is predominantly green, with varying shades ranging from bright emerald to olive green. The scales on its back are usually patterned with intricate markings, which resemble a series of ocelli or “eye spots.” These ocelli are typically black or dark brown, surrounded by a lighter ring. This unique pattern serves as camouflage, helping the lizard blend into its natural environment.

Juveniles and subadults of Timon nevadensis frequently show dark edges on the labial scales which lack in juvenile Timon lepidus. However, there seem to exist populations with intermediate characteristics.

 

Within its distribution range, Timon nevadensis cannot be confused with other lizards, due to its big size of adults and the distinct white spot pattern of the juveniles.

The Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard, also known as the Iberian Ocellated Lizard or the Western Ocellated Lizard, is a reptile that belongs to the Lacertidae family. This lizard is native to the southwestern parts of Europe, specifically the Iberian Peninsula, including Portugal and Spain. It is a medium-sized lizard with a distinct physical appearance.

In terms of size, the Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard can grow to an average length of around 30 to 40 centimeters (12 to 16 inches), with males generally being larger than females. The body of this lizard is slender and elongated, allowing it to move swiftly and gracefully. It has a relatively long tail, which makes up a significant portion of its overall length.

The head of the Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard is triangular in shape, with a slightly pointed snout. Its eyes are large and round, providing excellent vision for detecting prey and potential predators. The iris of the eye is often golden or brown, adding to the lizard’s overall striking appearance. This species also possesses a row of small, sharp teeth, which it uses to catch and consume its prey.

When it comes to weight, the Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard is relatively lightweight compared to other reptiles. Adult individuals typically weigh between 100 to 200 grams (3.5 to 7 ounces). Despite its relatively small size, this lizard is agile and capable of quick movements, allowing it to evade predators or capture prey efficiently.

Overall, the Sierra Nevada Ocellated Lizard is a visually stunning reptile. Its slender body, vibrant green coloration, and intricate ocelli patterns make it a remarkable sight in its natural habitat. With its adaptability and unique physical features, this lizard has successfully thrived in the diverse ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.

27-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - SNOWCAP HUMMINGBIRD (Microchera albocoronata)

This is a tiny hummingbird, 6.5 cm long and 2.5 g in weight, with a short black bill and black legs. The adult male snowcap is unmistakable. It has the shining white cap which gives this species its English and scientific names, a deep purple body, and white outer tail feathers. The adult female is bronze-green above, dull white below, and has dull white outer tail feathers. She has more white below than other female hummingbirds. Juvenile snowcaps resemble the adult female, but are duller, have greyer underparts, and bronzed central tail feathers. The purple plumage of young males starts on the underparts as a striking dark central line.

It is a resident breeder in Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama. Its habitat is the canopy and edges of wet forest, and it will also use adjacent more open woodland. It occurs mainly on the Caribbean mountain slopes, breeding mainly at heights of 300–800 m. After breeding, most descend to the adjacent lowlands, but some may wander up to heights of 1400 m.

The male snowcap defends his feeding territory against others of the same species, but is readily displaced by larger hummingbirds. They usually visit small flowers of vines, trees and epiphytes for nectar, and also take some insects, especially when feeding young.

The nest is a small cup of plant down and cobwebs decorated with green moss or lichen, which is attached to a small twig or vine. The two white elongated eggs are incubated for just over two weeks, and the female feeds the young on regurgitated nectar and insects.

27-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)

The Streaked Flycatcher, Myiodynastes maculatus, is a medium-sized passerine bird, a member of the tyrant flycatcher family. It measures approximately 22 cm in length and weighs around 43 grams. Its plumage is characterized by a strong black bill, a brown head with a hidden yellow crown patch, and a distinctive white supercilium above a dusky eye mask. The bird's upperparts are brown with darker streaks on the back, while the wings are adorned with rufous and white edges. The rump and tail boast wide chestnut edges. Its underparts are a yellowish-white, streaked with brown.

When identifying the Streaked Flycatcher, look for its strong black bill and the concealed yellow crown patch on its brown head. The white supercilium and dusky eye mask are also key features. The upperparts display darker brown streaks, and the underparts are yellowish-white with brown streaking. The sexes appear similar, but juveniles can be distinguished by their brown, rather than black, coloration. The subspecies M. m. solitarius exhibits black streaking above and below, rather than brown.

This species is typically found at the edges of forests and cocoa plantations, where it can be seen perching conspicuously.

The Streaked Flycatcher breeds from eastern Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, southward to Bolivia and Argentina. The southern subspecies, M. m. solitarius, migrates to Venezuela and the Guianas during the austral winter, from March to September.

The Streaked Flycatcher is a conspicuous bird, known for its noisy sqEEE-zip call. It is an adept aerial hunter, performing a variety of aerobatic maneuvers to catch insects in mid-flight or off plants. It occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks, capitalizing on prey flushed by other birds.

The call of the Streaked Flycatcher is a distinctive and noisy sqEEE-zip, which can be heard across its habitat.

The female Streaked Flycatcher constructs an open cup nest made of twigs and grasses, often placed in a tree hollow or sometimes within a bromeliad. She incubates a typical clutch of two to three creamy-white eggs, marked with red-brown spots, for about 16 to 17 days until hatching. Both parents are involved in feeding the chicks, which fledge after another 18 to 21 days.

The Streaked Flycatcher closely resembles the less widespread Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. However, it can be differentiated by its heavier bill, lighter yellow belly, pink basal half of the lower mandible, and a creamy supercilium, as opposed to white.

The diet of the Streaked Flycatcher consists mostly of large insects such as cicadas, locusts, and beetles, but it also includes lizards and berries. During the winter, the southern migrants seem to consume a considerable amount of fruit, such as those from the Tamanqueiro tree.

The Streaked Flycatcher is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not currently considered threatened.

27-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BLACK CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)

The black-cheeked woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani ) is a resident breeding bird from southeastern Mexico south to western Ecuador.

This woodpecker occurs in the higher levels of wet forests, semi-open woodland and old second growth. It nests in an unlined hole 6–30 m (20–98 ft) high in a dead tree. The clutch is two to four glossy white eggs, incubated by both sexes.

The binomial commemorates the French zoologist Jacques Pucheran.

The black-cheeked woodpecker feeds on insects, but will take substantial quantities of fruit and nectar.

This common and conspicuous species gives a rattling krrrrrl call and both sexes drum on territory.

The adult is 18.5 cm (7.3 in) long and weighs 63 g (2.2 oz). It has black upperparts with white barring on the back, white spotting on the wings and a white rump. The tail is black with some white barring, and the underparts are pale buff-olive with a red central belly. There is a black patch through the eyes and on the cheeks, a yellow forehead, and a red nape. The crown is red in the male and black in the female. Young birds are duller, have less white above and less red on the belly.

Medium-sized woodpecker of evergreen forests and their edges in tropical lowlands. Less numerous than the larger and more conspicuous Golden-fronted Woodpecker, which occurs in the same areas. Distinctive, with a large black mask, white patch behind the eyes, black upperparts with narrow white bars and a large white patch on the rump. The male has an entire red crown. In the female the front is greyish and the back is red.

The  Central American woodpecker  or  black-faced woodpecker  ( Melanerpes pucherani ) is a Neotropical bird of the genus Melanerpes whose range extends from Mexico to Peru (recently discovered in the latter country). Its scientific name is a tribute to the French zoologist Jacques Pucheran.

This species is a rather noisy bird and is often seen in large family groups. Its name  Melenerpes  means black woodpecker and is derived from the Greek roots  melas =  black  and herpes =  climber . 

The male is 17–19 cm long and weighs 42–68 g. It has a long, black bill with a paler base of the lower mandible and a slightly curved culmen. The iris of its eyes is brown, it has brown to grey orbital skin and greenish-grey legs. The male has a golden-yellow forehead, a red crown and nape, and a broad black mask that surrounds the eyes and continues down the cheeks to the back. It has black upperparts with white barring on the mantle and white spots on the wings. Its rump is white and its tail is black with the central feathers variably barred with white. It has a small white postocular spot, cheeks, chin and upper throat of the same colour. Its breast and lower throat are olive-buff with a grey tint. The rest of its underparts are barred with buff and black with the centre of the belly red. The underside of its wings is also barred with black and white and its tail is yellowish-brown. The female is slightly smaller than the male, with a buff-white to yellow forehead, black rest of the crown and red nape. Juveniles are duller and brownish with more diffuse barring above and paler and less extensive red on the belly.

27-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - WHITE NECKED JACOBIN (FEMALE) (Florisuga mellivora)

The white-necked jacobin (Florisuga mellivora ) is a medium-size hummingbird that ranges from Mexico south through Central America and northern South America into Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. It is also found in Trinidad & Tobago.

Other common names are great jacobin and collared hummingbird.

The white-necked jacobin is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long. Males weigh 7.4 to 9 g (0.26 to 0.32 oz) and females 6 to 9.2 g (0.21 to 0.32 oz). The male is unmistakable with its dark blue head and chest and white belly and tail; the tail feathers have black tips. A white band on the nape separates the blue head from the bright green back and long uppertail coverts. Females are highly variable, and may resemble adult or immature males. The majority of females have green upperparts, a blue-green throat and breast with white "scales", a white belly, and a mostly green tail with a blue end. Immature males vary from female-like, but with more white in the tail, to male-like with more black there. Immature females also vary but usually have less white in the tail and are somewhat bronzy on the throat and chest.

The nominate subspecies of white-necked jacobin, F. m. mellivora, is found from southern Veracruz and northern Oaxaca, Mexico, through southern Belize, northern Guatemala, eastern Honduras and Nicaragua, eastern and western Costa Rica, and Panama into South America. In that continent it is found in much of Colombia and Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, most of Venezuela, the Guianas, the northwestern half of Brazil, and the island of Trinidad. F. m. flabellifera is found only on the island of Tobago. The nominate has been recorded as a vagrant in Argentina and on the islands of Aruba and Curaçao.

The white-necked jacobin inhabits the canopy and edges of humid forest and also semi-open landscapes such as tall secondary forest, gallery forest, and coffee and cacao plantations. It is usually seen high in trees but comes lower at edges and in clearings. In elevation it usually ranges from sea level to about 900 m (3,000 ft) but has also rarely been seen as high as 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

The white-necked jacobin's movement pattern is not well understood. It apparently moves seasonally as flower abundance changes, but details are lacking.

The white-necked jacobin feeds on nectar at the flowers of tall trees, epiphytes, shrubs, and Heliconia plants. Several may feed in one tree and are aggressive to each other, but they are otherwise seldom territorial. Both sexes hawk small insects, mostly by hovering, darting, or sallying from perches.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - ORANGE BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris)

The orange-billed sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris) is a species of bird in the family Passerellidae. In Central America it is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. In northwestern South America the orange-billed sparrow is found in Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. The species are black and as the name suggests, have an orange bill. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

The Orange-billed Sparrow, Arremon aurantiirostris, presents a striking appearance with its contrasting plumage and distinctive bill coloration. This bird is a member of the Passerellidae family, known for its robust build and skulking behavior.

When observing this species, look for the characteristic black plumage that adorns its body. The most notable feature, from which it derives its name, is the vibrant orange bill, a vivid splash of color against the darker feathers.

The Orange-billed Sparrow favors the lush environment of subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. These verdant habitats provide the cover and resources it requires.

This bird has a broad range across Central and South America. It can be found in the forests of Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Its range extends into northwestern South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (FEMALE) (Icterus galbula)

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small icterid blackbird, a migratory breeding bird common in eastern North America. The male's vibrant orange and black plumage is reminiscent of the coat-of-arms of the 17th-century Lord Baltimore, hence the name. This medium-sized passerine typically measures 17–22 cm in length with a wingspan of 23–32 cm. Adults are characterized by white bars on the wings, with males boasting a more pronounced orange hue on the underparts, shoulder patch, and rump, while females and juveniles display a more subdued yellow-brown and dull orange-yellow coloration.

Males are distinguished by their black head and back with bright orange to yellow-orange underparts and a solid black tail. Females and juveniles are less boldly colored, with a mix of brown and orange hues. All adults have distinctive white wing bars, which are useful for identification from a distance or in flight.

Baltimore orioles favor open woodland, forest edges, and partially wooded wetlands. They are also found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban areas with woodlots. During winter, they inhabit flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

The Baltimore oriole breeds from the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana eastward through southern Canada and the eastern United States, migrating to winter in Central America and northern South America. They are rare vagrants to Western Europe.

Outside of mating season, Baltimore orioles are solitary. They are monogamous, though extra-pair copulation is not uncommon. Males establish territories in the spring and perform various displays to attract females. After mating, the female weaves a remarkable hanging nest where she lays her eggs.

The male's song is a series of sweet whistles, while calls include a nasal "veeer" and a low chatter. Females also sing, especially when defending their nests. Both sexes emit specific warning calls during confrontations.

Baltimore orioles are generally monogamous and solitary outside the breeding season. The female constructs a hanging, pouch-like nest at the end of a branch, where she lays 3-7 eggs. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after about two weeks.

The Baltimore oriole may be confused with the Bullock's oriole, but the latter has a more western distribution. Other similar species include the Scott's and Audubon's orioles, which differ in their coloration and range.

Orioles primarily feed on insects, berries, and nectar. They are adept at foraging in trees and shrubs and are known to sip at hummingbird feeders. They play an important ecological role by consuming pests such as the forest tent caterpillar moth.

The Baltimore oriole is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, its population has experienced a decline due to factors such as habitat loss and Dutch elm disease, which has reduced nesting sites.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

The Great egret (Ardea alba) is a large, widely distributed wading bird. Like all egrets, it is a member of the heron family, Ardeidae, and its close relatives are pelicans. The Great egret is sometimes confused with the Great white heron of the Caribbean, which is a white morph of the closely related Great blue heron.

This elegant heron is completely white with its magnificent plumage, reminding lace. The bill of the Great egret is sharp, long and yellow in color. The bird has long, black feet and legs. During the breeding season, the bill becomes a bit darker while the legs get lighter. This bird possesses a very long neck, exceeding the length of its body. The bird has a notable kink of its neck, curving the necks into a "S" shape when flying. Male and female egrets generally look similar, though females are a bit smaller than males. Young egrets usually look like non-breeding adults. During the breeding season, these birds grow long, lacy shaped feathers known as "aigrettes”, stretching them in an impressive display.

These birds are widely distributed throughout the world including North and South Americas, Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. In Africa, they can be found only outside the breeding season. Great egrets prefer living near any water body, occurring along streams, lakes, in saltwater and freshwater marshes, muddy areas, and ponds. Just like other heron species, these birds are most frequently found in wetlands and wooded swamps.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER COSTA RICA - YELLOW CROWNED NIGHT HERON (JUVENILE) (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.

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.