25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)

The black phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) is a passerine bird in the tyrant-flycatcher family. It breeds from southwest Oregon and California south through Central and South America. It occurs year-round throughout most of its range and migrates less than the other birds in its genus, though its northern populations are partially migratory. Six subspecies are commonly recognized, although two are occasionally combined as a separate species, the white-winged phoebe.

The black phoebe has predominantly black plumage, with a white belly and undertail coverts. The sexes are identical in color, and juveniles have brown feather tips and brown wing-bars. Its song is a repeated tee-hee, tee ho. It lives in a variety of habitats but is always near water. It is mainly insectivorous and waits on a perch before sallying out and catching its prey in the air. It makes an open cup nest which is placed under a cliff or a bridge and cemented in its place with mud.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)

The torrent tyrannulet, Serpophaga cinerea, is a diminutive member of the tyrant flycatcher family. This sprightly bird measures a mere 10 to 11.4 centimeters in length and tips the scales at approximately 8 grams. The male is distinguished by its pale grey upperparts and a greyish white underbelly, transitioning to pure white at the throat and lower belly. A striking feature is the black cap above the eye level, which conceals a secret white crown patch, while the wings and tail exhibit a blackish hue adorned with two slender grey-white wing bars. The female mirrors the male in plumage, albeit with a greyer head and a smaller or sometimes absent crown patch. Juveniles can be recognized by their browner cap, a brownish wash over the upperparts, and broader, more yellowish wing bars.

When attempting to identify the torrent tyrannulet, look for its pale grey and white plumage, the concealed white crown patch on the males, and the characteristic wing bars. The bird's small size and agile movements are also key identification features.

The torrent tyrannulet is an inhabitant of rocky mountain streams, thriving at elevations ranging from 300 to 2200 meters. It is less frequently encountered at lower altitudes where the water currents are gentler. Notably, there has been a nesting record in Costa Rica at an elevation as low as 35 meters, potentially due to displacement by hydroelectric projects along the Sarapiquí River.

23-3-2017 TROGON LODGE COSTA RICA - EMERALD SWIFT LIZARD (MALE) (Sceloporus malachiticus)

Sceloporus malachiticus, the emerald swift or green spiny lizard, is a species of small lizard in the Phrynosomatidae family, native to Central America.

Sceloporus malachiticus, the emerald swift or green spiny lizard, is a species of small lizard in the Phrynosomatidae family, native to Central America.

Emerald swifts are distinctly bright green in color, with males typically being more striking than females, having bright blue patches on either side of the belly. They grow from 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in length. Like other species in the genus Sceloporus, their scales tend to be fairly stiff and heavily keeled, giving them a spiny texture.

Emerald swifts are diurnal, arboreal lizards. In the early morning, they forage for insects, and then spend much of the day basking in the sun. They will retreat to a burrow, or under a rock or log if the temperature becomes too high or to sleep. Their life spans are believed to be between three and five years. Unlike most iguanid lizards, emerald swifts are ovoviviparous, giving birth to six to fifteen young yearly.

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

The rufous-tailed hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl, is a medium-sized member of the hummingbird family, Trochilidae, known for its distinctive chestnut-brown tail. This avian jewel measures between 9 to 11 cm in length and weighs around 5 grams, with males and females exhibiting slight variations in plumage.

Adult males of the nominate subspecies boast a green crown and upperparts, save for the chestnut-brown lores and uppertail coverts. The tail is predominantly chestnut-brown with bronze-green tips. The throat and upper breast shimmer with green, and the lower breast transitions to gray, leading to a white belly and chestnut-brown undertail coverts. Females have a paler gray lower breast and more pronounced scalloping on the throat. Juveniles display a cinnamon wash on the lower breast and sides, with cinnamon-tipped lower back and rump feathers. The bill is a striking combination of black and red, with the outer half of the maxilla black and the inner half red, while the mandible is red with a black tip.

This species thrives in open landscapes such as clearings, gardens, and forest edges, as well as in low, brushy secondary forests. It is also a frequent visitor to feeders.

The rufous-tailed hummingbird is found from east-central Mexico through Central America and Colombia, extending into Ecuador and Venezuela. It occupies a range of elevations from sea level up to 2,500 meters in Ecuador, though such high altitudes may be seasonal or local.

Renowned for its territorial nature, the rufous-tailed hummingbird is a fierce defender of feeding territories, including flower patches and feeders, where it will chase away other hummingbirds and large insects.

The species' vocalizations include a high, thin, and squeaky song composed of chirps and tsi sounds, as well as hard, smacking calls and dry chips that can merge into a rattling sound.

The rufous-tailed hummingbird is polygynous and may nest in loose colonies. The female single-handedly constructs a cup nest from plant fibers, leaves, and spiderwebs, adorned with lichens and mosses. She lays two white eggs, which she incubates for 15 to 19 days, with fledglings leaving the nest after another 18 to 22 days.

While there are several subspecies of the rufous-tailed hummingbird, they can be distinguished by size, bill shape, and coloration details. For example, A. t. handleyi is larger and darker, while A. t. fuscicaudata is smaller with a shorter bill.

The diet consists primarily of nectar and small insects. This hummingbird is a common sight in coffee and banana plantations and is known to frequent sugar water feeders.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - MONTEZUMA OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius montezuma)

The Montezuma oropendola, Psarocolius montezuma, is a strikingly dimorphic bird, with males significantly larger than females. Adult males boast a chestnut body contrasted by a blackish head and rump, and a vivid yellow tail save for two central dark feathers. Their facial features include a bare blue cheek patch and a pink wattle, with a brown iris and a long bill that is black at the base and red at the tip. Females are similar in plumage but are smaller with a less prominent wattle. Juveniles appear duller with a paler bill. This species is known for its remarkable sexual size dimorphism, with males being twice the body mass of females.

When identifying the Montezuma oropendola, look for the male's large size, about 50 cm in length, and the bright yellow tail with dark central feathers. Females are notably smaller, measuring 38 cm. The distinctive blue cheek patch, pink wattle, and two-toned bill are key features to observe.

This tropical bird inhabits the forest canopy, edges, and old plantations, preferring the Caribbean coastal lowlands and some Pacific slopes.

The Montezuma oropendola ranges from southeastern Mexico to central Panama, with notable absences in El Salvador and southern Guatemala. It is also found in Nicaragua, Honduras, and parts of Costa Rica.

Males exhibit a female-defence mating system, where the dominant male mates with most females in a colony after an elaborate bowing display. They are known to be aggressive in defending receptive females from other males. Females forage on thinner branches, while males prefer thicker branches, likely due to their size difference.

The male's song is an "unforgettable" series of bubbling and gurgling sounds, ending in a loud gluuuuu. Both sexes emit loud cack and crrrk calls. Males at breeding sites may alter the lowest peak frequency of their song to out-compete rivals.

Montezuma oropendolas are colonial breeders, with females constructing the nests. These woven nests hang from trees and can be up to 180 cm in length. The dominant male in the colony mates with most females. Females lay two dark-spotted eggs, incubating them for 15 days, with fledging occurring in 30 days.

The chestnut-headed oropendola shares some of its range but is smaller, mainly black with a chestnut head, and lacks the colored facial patches, making confusion unlikely.

Omnivorous, these birds forage for small vertebrates, large insects, nectar, and various fruits, including bananas and Cecropia spikes. They are often seen in flocks outside the breeding season, indicating some mobility and seasonal movements.

The Montezuma oropendola is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant threats.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - SUMMER TANAGER (FEMALE) (Piranga rubra)

The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage, belonging to the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). Adult males are resplendent in rose red, while females don a more subdued palette of orangish underparts and olive upperparts, with olive-brown wings and tail.

To identify the Summer Tanager, look for the stout pointed bill and the striking sexual dimorphism in coloration. Males are entirely rose red, a hue not found in many other birds. Females, on the other hand, are more camouflaged with their olive and orange tones. The species measures approximately 17 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 28 to 30 cm.

These tanagers favor open wooded areas, particularly those with a generous sprinkling of oak trees. They thrive in the southern reaches of the United States, where the canopy provides both shelter and sustenance.

During the breeding season, the Summer Tanager can be found across the southern United States, extending as far north as Iowa. Come winter, they migrate to the warmer climes of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They are considered extremely rare visitors to western Europe.

The Summer Tanager is often a hidden gem, foraging high in the treetops and occasionally darting out to snatch insects in mid-flight. They exhibit a preference for bees and wasps, deftly plucking them from the air with remarkable agility.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - GREY HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps)

The grey-headed chachalaca, Ortalis cinereiceps, is a medium-sized bird that bears a resemblance to turkeys, with its small head, robust legs, and an elongated, broad tail. Adults typically measure between 48 to 58 cm in length and weigh between 490 to 540 grams. Their plumage is rather understated, with grayish-brown tones dominating the upper parts and a paler hue below. A distinctive dark grey head is complemented by a red dewlap, while the blackish tail features a buff tip. The primary flight feathers exhibit a striking bright chestnut color. Juvenile birds present a more uniform brown coloration, particularly on the head.

To identify the grey-headed chachalaca, look for its dark grey head and red dewlap, which are key distinguishing features. The chestnut primaries are also quite noticeable, especially in flight. The bird's overall dull plumage and robust body shape are characteristic of the species.

This species thrives in humid environments where dense vegetation is prevalent, such as thickets, secondary forests, brushy fields that have been abandoned, and forests that have been thinned. It tends to avoid the dense interiors of forests but may be found along their edges. Its habitat range extends from sea level up to 1,700 meters in elevation.

The grey-headed chachalaca is native to a region stretching from Mosquitia in eastern Honduras through eastern Nicaragua, across most of Costa Rica and Panama, and into Colombia's Chocó Department. It is also found on Isla del Rey in Panama, where it may have been introduced by indigenous peoples.

These birds are typically observed foraging in groups ranging from six to twelve individuals, but occasionally groups may swell to as many as twenty. They forage primarily in vegetation but will also search for food on the ground. During the dry season, they are known to frequent riversides for drinking in the mornings and evenings.

The grey-headed chachalaca is somewhat less vocal than some of its relatives. Its song can be described as a soft "cha-cha-lac-ah," while its flock calls are a raucous "kloik, kleeuk kraahk." Additionally, it emits a variety of screams, sharp alarm calls, and a subdued purring sound.

The breeding season for the grey-headed chachalaca coincides with the dry season, typically spanning from January to May. The female constructs a broad, shallow nest from twigs and vines, usually situated 1 to 2.4 meters above the ground and often concealed by vines. She lays three dull white eggs and is solely responsible for their incubation.

The diet of the grey-headed chachalaca is predominantly fruit-based, constituting about 75% of its intake. Leaves make up around 17%, and invertebrates about 8%. The bird's foraging habits are adapted to its varied diet.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the grey-headed chachalaca as Least Concern. While it is considered fairly common to common throughout its range, in some areas, populations have been significantly impacted by hunting. Nonetheless, the species shows a good degree of adaptability to certain types of habitat disturbance.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - CHESTNUT HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)

The chestnut-headed oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) is a New World tropical icterid bird. The scientific name of the species commemorates Johann Georg Wagler, who established Psarocolius, the oropendola genus.

The male is 35 cm (14 in) long and weighs 225 g (7.9 oz); the smaller female is 28 cm (11 in) long and weighs 125 g (4.4 oz). The wings are very long. Adult males are mainly black with a chestnut head and rump and a tail which is bright yellow apart from two dark central feathers. The iris is blue and the long bill is whitish. Females are similar, but smaller and duller than males. Young birds are duller than adults and have brown eyes. The populations south of an area around the border of Honduras and Nicaragua are sometimes separated as a subspecies P. w. ridgwayi, but the separation of this form has been questioned.

The distinctive songs of the male include a gurgle followed by a crash guu-guu-PHRRRRTTT. Both sexes have loud chek and chuk calls.

It is a resident breeder in the Caribbean coastal lowlands from southern Mexico to central Costa Rica, both slopes of southern Costa Rica and Panama, and the Pacific lowlands of Colombia and north-eastern Ecuador. Though it usually stays below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) ASL, it has also been recorded as much as 1,300 m (4,300 ft) ASL, for example in the Serranía de las Quinchas of Colombia. It may in be more common at such high altitudes at particular times or in particular places, but its altitudinal movements are insufficiently understood.[2] The species is common across its large range and is not considered threatened by the IUCN.[1]

The chestnut-headed oropendola inhabits forest canopy, edges and old plantations. It is a quite common bird in parts of its range, seen in small flocks foraging in trees for large insects, fruit and berries.

It is a colonial breeder which builds a hanging woven nest of fibres and vines, 60–100 cm (24–39 in) long, high in a tree. There may be 40–50 females and only 4–5 males in a colony. The female lays two dark-marked pale blue eggs which hatch in 17 days and fledge in 30. Botflies (Oestridae) are the main cause of nestling mortality, but brood parasitism by giant cowbirds (Molothrus oryzivorus) also occurs, and the young cowbirds will feed on the fly larvae.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BROWN JAY (Psilorhinus morio)

The brown jay (Psilorhinus morio ) is a large American jay which has the habitus of a magpie, but is slightly smaller and with a shorter tail, though the bill is larger.

It occurs from Mexico south into Central America on the Gulf slope. The northernmost extent of the bird is in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Brown jays vary in plumage geographically: there are two main groups. Northern birds are almost completely dark brown, with lighter brown on the underparts. Southern birds are white-bellied and have bright white tips to the outer tail feathers. The intergrade zone is in Veracruz, Mexico.

Adults in both populations have black bills, legs, and feet. Immatures have yellow bare parts, including yellow eye-rings.

The voice is a loud but low-pitched pee-ah call and is often modified to suit its situation or mood.

In Central America, the brown jay is not found in El Salvador; the range is on the Pacific side of Central America in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama. It does not extend into South America.

Food is sought largely in trees but brown jays also take some food from the ground. They are rather indiscriminate feeders. Insects and a wide range of other invertebrates are taken, also lizards, nectar, and fruit (e.g. that of Trophis racemosa (Moraceae)). Though they will take eggs and nestlings, they appear not to if there is plenty of other food available.

The nest is built in a tree or large shrub with both sexes helping in construction. There are normally three eggs laid but six is not unusual. Incubation is between 18 and 20 days. Only the female broods but the male feeds her while doing so.

Sometimes the offspring from a previous season will help in raising the chicks. If a helper bird returns with food, it will give it to one of the resident parents to feed the chicks.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BLUE GREY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)

The blue-gray tanager (Thraupis episcopus ) is a medium-sized South American songbird of the tanager family, Thraupidae. Its range is from Mexico south to northeast Bolivia and northern Brazil, all of the Amazon Basin, except the very south. It has been introduced to Lima (Peru). On Trinidad and Tobago, this bird is called blue jean.

The blue-gray tanager is 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) long and weighs 30–40 g (1.1–1.4 oz). Adults have a light bluish head and underparts, with darker blue upperparts and a shoulder patch colored a different hue of blue. The bill is short and quite thick. Sexes are similar, but the immature is much duller in plumage.

The song is a squeaky twittering, interspersed with tseee and tsuup call notes.

The breeding habitat is open woodland, cultivated areas and gardens. The blue-gray tanager lives mainly on fruit, but will also take some nectar and insects. This is a common, restless, noisy and confiding species, usually found in pairs, but sometimes small groups. It thrives around human habitation, and will take some cultivated fruit like papayas (Carica papaya ).

One to three, usually two, dark-marked whitish to gray-green eggs are laid in a deep cup nest in a high tree fork or building crevice. Incubation by the female is 14 days with another 17 to fledging. The nest is sometimes parasitised by Molothrus cowbirds.

Two birds studied in the Parque Nacional de La Macarena of Colombia were infected with microfilariae, an undetermined Trypanosoma species, and another blood parasite that could not be identified. Two other birds, examined near Turbo (also in Colombia), did not have blood parasites.

Widespread and common throughout its large range, the blue-gray tanager is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - GREEN BREASTED MANGO (Anthracothorax prevostii)

The Green-breasted Mango, known scientifically as Anthracothorax prevostii, is a hummingbird of striking poise. This species, with its iridescent plumage, measures between 10.3 to 12.1 cm in length and tips the scales at a delicate 5.7 to 7.0 grams.

Adult males of the Green-breasted Mango boast a metallic bronze-green crown and upperparts, with a velvety black stripe running down their chin and chest, flanked by metallic bluish-green. Their tail feathers shimmer with purple hues. Females, while similar, have less metallic green and their tail feathers are blue-black with a purple base and white tips. Both sexes have a slightly decurved dull black bill.

This species thrives in a variety of lowland tropical landscapes, from semi-open to open environments. These include shrublands, savannas, secondary forests, and mangroves, as well as human-altered areas such as parks and gardens.

The Green-breasted Mango is found from eastern Mexico through Central America, and into Colombia and Venezuela. It has also been recorded as a vagrant in the United States.

The Green-breasted Mango is mostly sedentary, though some northern populations migrate to the Pacific slope during the non-breeding season. It is known to forage at all levels of its habitat, from understory to canopy.

This species is not overly vocal, but its song is a distinctive buzzy repetition of "tsi si-si-si si-si-si," while its calls range from sharp "sip" or "sik" sounds to harsh "chik chik chik" and high, shrill twittering during confrontations.

Breeding seasons vary geographically, with some regions seeing nesting year-round. The female constructs a cup nest on a horizontal branch or even on man-made structures. Clutch size is typically two eggs, with the female solely responsible for incubation and chick rearing.

The Green-breasted Mango may be confused with other hummingbirds, but its distinctive coloration and vocalizations aid in its identification.

Nectar and arthropods make up the diet of this hummingbird. It feeds on a variety of flowering plants and is also known to visit sugar water feeders.

The IUCN lists the Green-breasted Mango as Least Concern, with a large range and no immediate threats identified. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - WHITE SPOT SISTER BUTTERFLY (Adelpha demialba)

Adelpha leucophthalma ,  this species of butterfly is from the Nymphalidae family and the diurnal group.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - TOGARNA HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY (Arawacus togarna)

This buttefly has very distinctive stripes. It is interesting that this butterfly has a "false head". In the photo, the head of the butterfly is actually on the right. The hairstreak's hindwing tails look mlike antennae and the black extension on the hindwings looks like a head. Probably a defense against some visual predators that may target the head.

The habitat of this butterfly are openings in Pacific lowland forest.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - SUMMER TANAGER (MALE) (Piranga rubra)

The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage, belonging to the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). Adult males are resplendent in rose red, while females don a more subdued palette of orangish underparts and olive upperparts, with olive-brown wings and tail.

To identify the Summer Tanager, look for the stout pointed bill and the striking sexual dimorphism in coloration. Males are entirely rose red, a hue not found in many other birds. Females, on the other hand, are more camouflaged with their olive and orange tones. The species measures approximately 17 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 28 to 30 cm.

These tanagers favor open wooded areas, particularly those with a generous sprinkling of oak trees. They thrive in the southern reaches of the United States, where the canopy provides both shelter and sustenance.

During the breeding season, the Summer Tanager can be found across the southern United States, extending as far north as Iowa. Come winter, they migrate to the warmer climes of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They are considered extremely rare visitors to western Europe.

The Summer Tanager is often a hidden gem, foraging high in the treetops and occasionally darting out to snatch insects in mid-flight. They exhibit a preference for bees and wasps, deftly plucking them from the air with remarkable agility.

The male's song is reminiscent of the American Robin, a series of melodic units delivered in a steady stream. However, the Summer Tanager's song is more monotonous, sometimes comprising just a few units. It is clearer and less nasal than the Scarlet Tanager's. Their call is a sharp, agitated-sounding "pi-tuk" or "pik-i-tuk-i-tuk."

Summer Tanagers construct a cup-shaped nest on a horizontal tree branch, where they lay their eggs and raise their young in the seclusion of the leafy canopy.

The Summer Tanager can be confused with the Hepatic Tanager, but the latter can be distinguished by its darker bill.

These birds primarily consume insects, with a particular fondness for bees and wasps. They also partake in berries and are known to enjoy the fruit of the Cymbopetalum mayanum tree during their winter stay in the tropics. They are amenable to visiting bird feeders in residential areas.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Summer Tanager as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - SUMMER TANAGER (FEMALE) (Piranga rubra)

The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage, belonging to the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). Adult males are resplendent in rose red, while females don a more subdued palette of orangish underparts and olive upperparts, with olive-brown wings and tail.

To identify the Summer Tanager, look for the stout pointed bill and the striking sexual dimorphism in coloration. Males are entirely rose red, a hue not found in many other birds. Females, on the other hand, are more camouflaged with their olive and orange tones. The species measures approximately 17 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 28 to 30 cm.

These tanagers favor open wooded areas, particularly those with a generous sprinkling of oak trees. They thrive in the southern reaches of the United States, where the canopy provides both shelter and sustenance.

During the breeding season, the Summer Tanager can be found across the southern United States, extending as far north as Iowa. Come winter, they migrate to the warmer climes of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They are considered extremely rare visitors to western Europe.

The Summer Tanager is often a hidden gem, foraging high in the treetops and occasionally darting out to snatch insects in mid-flight. They exhibit a preference for bees and wasps, deftly plucking them from the air with remarkable agility.

The male's song is reminiscent of the American Robin, a series of melodic units delivered in a steady stream. However, the Summer Tanager's song is more monotonous, sometimes comprising just a few units. It is clearer and less nasal than the Scarlet Tanager's. Their call is a sharp, agitated-sounding "pi-tuk" or "pik-i-tuk-i-tuk."

Summer Tanagers construct a cup-shaped nest on a horizontal tree branch, where they lay their eggs and raise their young in the seclusion of the leafy canopy.

The Summer Tanager can be confused with the Hepatic Tanager, but the latter can be distinguished by its darker bill.

These birds primarily consume insects, with a particular fondness for bees and wasps. They also partake in berries and are known to enjoy the fruit of the Cymbopetalum mayanum tree during their winter stay in the tropics. They are amenable to visiting bird feeders in residential areas.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Summer Tanager as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)

The Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage, belonging to the cardinal family (Cardinalidae). Adult males are resplendent in rose red, while females don a more subdued palette of orangish underparts and olive upperparts, with olive-brown wings and tail.

To identify the Summer Tanager, look for the stout pointed bill and the striking sexual dimorphism in coloration. Males are entirely rose red, a hue not found in many other birds. Females, on the other hand, are more camouflaged with their olive and orange tones. The species measures approximately 17 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 28 to 30 cm.

These tanagers favor open wooded areas, particularly those with a generous sprinkling of oak trees. They thrive in the southern reaches of the United States, where the canopy provides both shelter and sustenance.

During the breeding season, the Summer Tanager can be found across the southern United States, extending as far north as Iowa. Come winter, they migrate to the warmer climes of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. They are considered extremely rare visitors to western Europe.

The Summer Tanager is often a hidden gem, foraging high in the treetops and occasionally darting out to snatch insects in mid-flight. They exhibit a preference for bees and wasps, deftly plucking them from the air with remarkable agility.

The male's song is reminiscent of the American Robin, a series of melodic units delivered in a steady stream. However, the Summer Tanager's song is more monotonous, sometimes comprising just a few units. It is clearer and less nasal than the Scarlet Tanager's. Their call is a sharp, agitated-sounding "pi-tuk" or "pik-i-tuk-i-tuk."

Summer Tanagers construct a cup-shaped nest on a horizontal tree branch, where they lay their eggs and raise their young in the seclusion of the leafy canopy.

The Summer Tanager can be confused with the Hepatic Tanager, but the latter can be distinguished by its darker bill.

These birds primarily consume insects, with a particular fondness for bees and wasps. They also partake in berries and are known to enjoy the fruit of the Cymbopetalum mayanum tree during their winter stay in the tropics. They are amenable to visiting bird feeders in residential areas.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Summer Tanager as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus)

The least flycatcher (Empidonax minimus ) (also called chebec, or chebecker, after the sound it makes) is a small insect-eating bird. It is the smallest Empidonax flycatcher in eastern North America.

The least flycatcher is hard to distinguish from the other birds of its genus. The bird is one of the smallest of the genus Empidonax, measuring 12 to 14 cm in height with a wingspan of 19 to 22 cm and weighing approximately 10.3 g. Its plumage is dull olive-gray on its back and whitish on its belly, notably brighter than the other Empidonax birds. The least flycatcher's wings are lined with two white bars, and white rings contour its eyes. Its beak is short and the lower mandible is yellowish. The juveniles look similar to the adults except that their wing bars are slightly darker, with tawny/olive hues. Because other flycatchers also have those field marks, the best way to identify the least flycatcher is by its call and habitat.

The least flycatcher inhabits the Eastern Rockies of Canada, and the Central-North and Northeastern United-States. During winter, they migrate to Central America and establish themselves from Mexico to Panama.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BROWN JAY (Psilorhinus morio)

The brown jay (Psilorhinus morio ) is a large American jay which has the habitus of a magpie, but is slightly smaller and with a shorter tail, though the bill is larger.

It occurs from Mexico south into Central America on the Gulf slope. The northernmost extent of the bird is in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Brown jays vary in plumage geographically: there are two main groups. Northern birds are almost completely dark brown, with lighter brown on the underparts. Southern birds are white-bellied and have bright white tips to the outer tail feathers. The intergrade zone is in Veracruz, Mexico.

Adults in both populations have black bills, legs, and feet. Immatures have yellow bare parts, including yellow eye-rings.

The voice is a loud but low-pitched pee-ah call and is often modified to suit its situation or mood.

Food is sought largely in trees but brown jays also take some food from the ground. They are rather indiscriminate feeders. Insects and a wide range of other invertebrates are taken, also lizards, nectar, and fruit (e.g. that of Trophis racemosa (Moraceae)). Though they will take eggs and nestlings, they appear not to if there is plenty of other food available.

The nest is built in a tree or large shrub with both sexes helping in construction. There are normally three eggs laid but six is not unusual. Incubation is between 18 and 20 days. Only the female broods but the male feeds her while doing so.

Sometimes the offspring from a previous season will help in raising the chicks. If a helper bird returns with food, it will give it to one of the resident parents to feed the chicks.