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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Collared Aracari is a member of the toucan family, Ramphastidae, known for its striking appearance and large bill. This near-passerine bird exhibits a vibrant plumage and can be observed in lengths ranging from 38 to 41 cm, with a weight between 175 to 250 grams. Both sexes share similar coloration, but the female's bill is notably shorter than the male's.

Adult Collared Aracaris are characterized by their glossy black upperparts and a distinctive cinnamon rufous collar at the nape's base. Their lower back, rump, and uppertail coverts shine in bright red, while their underparts are primarily yellow with a central black spot and a red wash over the breast. The bill is a striking feature, with a vertical white line at its base, a buffy white maxilla darkening towards the base, and a black tip and culmen. Juveniles are duller, with a sooty-black head and chest and brownish olive upperparts.

The Collared Aracari favors the interiors and edges of evergreen primary forests, mature secondary forests, and plantations of coffee, cacao, and fruit. It can also be found in semi-arid regions within gallery forests.

Three subspecies of the Collared Aracari are distributed across various regions:

P. t. torquatus ranges from east-central Mexico through Central America to northwestern Colombia.

P. t. erythrozonus inhabits southeastern Mexico, including the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize, and northern Guatemala.

P. t. nuchalis is found in northern Colombia and Venezuela.

Behaviour

Collared Aracaris are social birds, often seen in groups of six to fifteen, sometimes including other toucan species. They exhibit communal roosting habits, with several individuals sharing a cavity overnight.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The great kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, is a vibrant and robust member of the tyrant flycatcher family, Tyrannidae. It is the sole representative of its genus, easily recognized by its size, which ranges from 25 to 28 cm in length, and its weight between 53 to 71.5 grams. The species exhibits a striking head pattern with a black crown, a bold white supercilium, and a hidden yellow crown stripe. The upperparts are a warm brown, while the wings and tail display rufous fringes. Its bill is notably short, thick, and black.

To identify the great kiskadee, look for the distinctive head pattern, the strong white supercilium, and the concealed yellow crown stripe. The brown upperparts, rufous fringes on the wings and tail, and the stout black bill are key characteristics. It can be distinguished from the similar boat-billed flycatcher by the latter's more massive bill and olive-brown back.

The great kiskadee is quite adaptable, inhabiting open woodlands with tall trees, areas of human habitation, and even urban environments. It thrives in a variety of settings, from grasslands to cultivated lands.

This species has a broad range, found from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas through Central America, and down to southern Argentina. It has been introduced to Bermuda and Tobago, where it has established populations.

The great kiskadee is quite adaptable, inhabiting open woodlands with tall trees, areas of human habitation, and even urban environments. It thrives in a variety of settings, from grasslands to cultivated lands.

This species has a broad range, found from the Lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas through Central America, and down to southern Argentina. It has been introduced to Bermuda and Tobago, where it has established populations.

The great kiskadee is an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder, known for its aggressive and alert demeanor. It hunts from perches, sallying forth to catch insects in flight or pouncing on small vertebrates. It is also known to dive into shallow waters for aquatic prey. Its presence is often announced by its loud and exuberant calls.

The call of the great kiskadee is a distinctive and exuberant "BEE-tee-WEE." Its vocalizations have inspired its onomatopoeic name in various languages, such as "bem-te-vi" in Brazil and "bien-te-veo" in Spanish-speaking countries.

Great kiskadees are monogamous and territorial during the breeding season. They construct large, domed nests with side entrances, often in exposed locations. The female lays a clutch of 3 to 4 light yellowish cream eggs, which are incubated solely by her while the male stands guard.

The great kiskadee's diet is varied, including insects, small vertebrates, and occasionally seeds and fruit. It has been observed feeding on a range of prey, from small snakes and lizards to spiders, millipedes, and land snails. It is also known to visit feeding stations for supplementary food.

The great kiskadee is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. It is not a common target for the pet trade and has proven adaptable to various environments, contributing to its stable population status.

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

The Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius, is a small and sprightly shorebird, easily recognized by its brown upperparts and white underparts adorned with distinctive black spots during the breeding season. These spots, which can indicate the bird's health, are most pronounced in females and tend to diminish in size and become more irregular with age. The species exhibits a white supercilium and has short yellowish legs paired with an orange bill that features a dark tip.

Adult Spotted Sandpipers can be identified by their unique plumage and behavior. Look for the all-brown back and tail, lacking the black found in many other sandpipers, and the white edges along the wings. In flight, their wing pattern appears somewhat washed out compared to their Eurasian counterpart, the Common Sandpiper. Their legs are typically light yellow, and they exhibit a characteristic bobbing walk, with their tails rhythmically moving up and down.

The Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularius, is a small and sprightly shorebird, easily recognized by its brown upperparts and white underparts adorned with distinctive black spots during the breeding season. These spots, which can indicate the bird's health, are most pronounced in females and tend to diminish in size and become more irregular with age. The species exhibits a white supercilium and has short yellowish legs paired with an orange bill that features a dark tip.

Adult Spotted Sandpipers can be identified by their unique plumage and behavior. Look for the all-brown back and tail, lacking the black found in many other sandpipers, and the white edges along the wings. In flight, their wing pattern appears somewhat washed out compared to their Eurasian counterpart, the Common Sandpiper. Their legs are typically light yellow, and they exhibit a characteristic bobbing walk, with their tails rhythmically moving up and down.

These birds favor breeding habitats near freshwater across North America, often selecting sites with some vegetative cover. They are not social birds and are rarely seen in flocks.

Spotted Sandpipers breed throughout most of Canada and the United States. They are migratory, wintering in the southern United States, the Caribbean, and South America. They are also rare vagrants to western Europe.

The Spotted Sandpiper is known for its polyandrous breeding system, where females may mate with multiple males and leave the incubation to them. Males dutifully care for the eggs and chicks, with incubation lasting about 20-23 days. The species is also known for its distinctive stiff-winged flight just above the water's surface.

The Spotted Sandpiper's vocalizations include a series of sharp, whistled notes. Their calls are often heard during flight or when the birds are agitated.

Females typically establish territories before males and may use successful breeding sites repeatedly. Males may father chicks from multiple clutches due to sperm storage within the female reproductive tract. Testosterone levels are notably higher in males during the pre-incubation period and in mated females compared to unmated ones.

These sandpipers forage on the ground or in shallow water, visually picking up food items such as insects, crustaceans, other invertebrates, small fish, and occasionally carrion. They are also known to catch insects mid-flight.

Eggs and chicks of the Spotted Sandpiper are preyed upon by raptors, mustelids, mice, and gulls.

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

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

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

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

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BARE THROATED TIGER HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum)

The Bare-throated Tiger Heron, known scientifically as Tigrisoma mexicanum, is a striking wading bird belonging to the heron family, Ardeidae. It is a creature of considerable size, measuring 80 cm (31 in) in length and tipping the scales at 1,200 g (42 oz). The species is distinguished by its bare throat, which exhibits a greenish-yellow to orange hue across all plumages.

Adults of this species can be identified by their black crown and the light grey sides of their head. The neck and upperparts are predominantly blackish, narrowly barred with buff. A distinctive white-bordered black median stripe adorns the fore-neck, while the underparts are a dull cinnamon brown. Juveniles, on the other hand, display a buff coloration coarsely barred with black, with more mottling and vermiculation on the wings. Their throat, median underparts, and belly are predominantly whitish.

The Bare-throated Tiger Heron favors more open environments compared to its Tigrisoma counterparts, often found along the banks of rivers and lakes.

This species has a range that extends from Mexico to northwestern Colombia. There has been a recorded sighting in the United States, specifically in Hidalgo County, Texas.

The Bare-throated Tiger Heron is known for its often motionless stance as it waits for suitable prey, such as fish, frogs, or crabs, to venture within striking distance of its long bill. It is a solitary breeder, not typically associating with heron colonies.

The flight of the Bare-throated Tiger Heron is described as heavy. Its vocalizations include a hoarse "howk-howk-howk" and, in males, a booming "hrrrowwr!" particularly around sunset. During the latter call, the beak opens wide, and undulations are visible along the throat.

This heron breeds alone, constructing a small, flattish stick platform in a tree for its nest. The clutch usually consists of 2–3 green-tinged white eggs.

While there are no specific similar species mentioned, the Bare-throated Tiger Heron can be differentiated from other herons by its unique throat coloration and barring patterns.

The diet of the Bare-throated Tiger Heron includes fish, frogs, and crabs, which it captures with its long bill.

The IUCN Red List has classified the Bare-throated Tiger Heron as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - SUN BITTERN (Eurypyga helias)

The Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias, is a unique and solitary bird, the only representative of its family, Eurypygidae. It exhibits a rather subdued plumage of black, grey, and brown, with strikingly patterned wings that reveal vivid eyespots of red, yellow, and black when spread. These eyespots are not merely for beauty; they play a crucial role in the bird's behavior, being used in courtship, threat displays, and to startle predators.

Adult Sunbitterns can be distinguished by subtle variations in the feather patterns on their throat and head. They possess a long, pointed bill, black on the upper side, and a short hallux, similar to shorebirds and rails. The upperparts of the South American subspecies are predominantly brown, while the legs and lower mandible are a striking orange-yellow. The other subspecies are greyer above, with legs and bill sometimes showing a redder hue.

The Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias, is a unique and solitary bird, the only representative of its family, Eurypygidae. It exhibits a rather subdued plumage of black, grey, and brown, with strikingly patterned wings that reveal vivid eyespots of red, yellow, and black when spread. These eyespots are not merely for beauty; they play a crucial role in the bird's behavior, being used in courtship, threat displays, and to startle predators.

Adult Sunbitterns can be distinguished by subtle variations in the feather patterns on their throat and head. They possess a long, pointed bill, black on the upper side, and a short hallux, similar to shorebirds and rails. The upperparts of the South American subspecies are predominantly brown, while the legs and lower mandible are a striking orange-yellow. The other subspecies are greyer above, with legs and bill sometimes showing a redder hue.

The Sunbittern is a denizen of humid Neotropical forests, favoring areas with open understories and in close proximity to water bodies such as rivers, streams, ponds, or lagoons.

This species ranges from Guatemala to Brazil. The nominate race, E. h. helias, inhabits the lowland tropical regions of South America, including the Orinoco and Amazon basins and the Pantanal. The E. h. meridionalis subspecies is found along the East Andean slope in south-central Peru, while E. h. major ranges from southern Guatemala through Central America and the Chocó to western Ecuador.

Sunbitterns are cryptic and elusive, often revealing their presence only when they display their large, eye-patterned wings in response to a threat. This behavior serves as a defense mechanism, startling potential predators.

A versatile predator, the Sunbittern feeds on a variety of animal prey, including insects, crabs, spiders, shrimps, earthworms, fish, tadpoles, toads, frogs, eels, and lizards. Remarkably, it has been observed using bait or lures to attract prey within striking distance, a behavior that is considered a form of tool use.

The breeding season commences with the onset of the wet season. Sunbitterns engage in aerial displays high in the forest canopy before nesting. They construct open nests in trees and lay two eggs adorned with blotched markings. The precocial chicks remain in the nest for several weeks post-hatching.

Due to its unique appearance and behaviors, the Sunbittern has few similar species within its range. However, its bittern-like stature may cause initial confusion with members of the heron family.

The Sunbittern is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it does not face any immediate threat of extinction in the wild.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - SUN BITTERN (FEMALE) (Eurypyga helias)

The Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias, is a unique and solitary bird, the only representative of its family, Eurypygidae. It exhibits a rather subdued plumage of black, grey, and brown, with strikingly patterned wings that reveal vivid eyespots of red, yellow, and black when spread. These eyespots are not merely for beauty; they play a crucial role in the bird's behavior, being used in courtship, threat displays, and to startle predators.

Adult Sunbitterns can be distinguished by subtle variations in the feather patterns on their throat and head. They possess a long, pointed bill, black on the upper side, and a short hallux, similar to shorebirds and rails. The upperparts of the South American subspecies are predominantly brown, while the legs and lower mandible are a striking orange-yellow. The other subspecies are greyer above, with legs and bill sometimes showing a redder hue.

The Sunbittern is a denizen of humid Neotropical forests, favoring areas with open understories and in close proximity to water bodies such as rivers, streams, ponds, or lagoons.

This species ranges from Guatemala to Brazil. The nominate race, E. h. helias, inhabits the lowland tropical regions of South America, including the Orinoco and Amazon basins and the Pantanal. The E. h. meridionalis subspecies is found along the East Andean slope in south-central Peru, while E. h. major ranges from southern Guatemala through Central America and the Chocó to western Ecuador.

Sunbitterns are cryptic and elusive, often revealing their presence only when they display their large, eye-patterned wings in response to a threat. This behavior serves as a defense mechanism, startling potential predators.

A versatile predator, the Sunbittern feeds on a variety of animal prey, including insects, crabs, spiders, shrimps, earthworms, fish, tadpoles, toads, frogs, eels, and lizards. Remarkably, it has been observed using bait or lures to attract prey within striking distance, a behavior that is considered a form of tool use.

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - WHITE NECKED JACOBIN (MALE) (Florisuga mellivora)

The White-necked Jacobin, scientifically known as Florisuga mellivora, is a medium-sized hummingbird adorned with a striking plumage. The male is particularly distinctive, boasting a dark blue head and chest, contrasted by a pure white belly and tail, the latter tipped with black. A white band graces the nape, setting apart the blue head from the vibrant green back and elongated uppertail coverts. Females exhibit a more variable appearance, often showing green upperparts and a blue-green throat, with white "scales" and a white belly. Their tails are mostly green with a blue terminal band.

Males are unmistakable with their contrasting blue and white plumage. Females and immatures can be more challenging to identify due to their variability, but typically females have less white in the tail and a bronzy hue on the throat and chest.

This species is found in the canopy and edges of humid forests, as well as in semi-open areas like tall secondary forests, gallery forests, and plantations of coffee and cacao. It tends to stay high in the trees but may descend to lower levels at forest edges and clearings.

The White-necked Jacobin ranges from Mexico through Central America and into northern South America, including Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. It is also present in Trinidad & Tobago. The nominate subspecies, F. m. mellivora, is widespread, while F. m. flabellifera is endemic to the island of Tobago.

This hummingbird's movement patterns are not fully understood, but it seems to shift seasonally in response to flowering patterns. It is known to be aggressive towards conspecifics when feeding but is not typically territorial.

The White-necked Jacobin is not a particularly vocal species. Its song consists of a series of high-pitched notes, while its calls include a short 'tsik', a high-pitched 'sweet', and a descending 'swee-swee-swee-swee' during antagonistic interactions.

Breeding occurs during the dry to early wet seasons, with timing varying across its range. The nest is a shallow cup made of plant down and cobwebs, often situated on a leaf and sheltered by another leaf overhead. Males engage in display flights and chases, while females perform fluttering flights to distract predators.

The diet consists primarily of nectar from flowers of tall trees, epiphytes, shrubs, and Heliconia plants. They are also insectivorous, hawking small insects through various aerial maneuvers.

The IUCN has classified the White-necked Jacobin as Least Concern due to its extremely large range. While the population size is not quantified, and trends are unknown, the species is considered uncommon to common throughout its range and is able to adapt to human-modified habitats.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - RUFOUS CRESTED COQUETTE (Lophornis delattrei)

The rufous-crested coquette (Lophornis delattrei) is a species of hummingbird native to the tropical slopes of pacific South America. Due to its small size and population, it is a rare sight even within its native region. Males of the species can be easily distinguished by their striking rufous coloured spiked crests, and females, while less obvious, can be identified by their small size and rufous coloured foreheads.

The species inhabits the Pacific and Caribbean mountainsides of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica; and at least one observation of the species has been reported in western Brazil. The species is primarily found in altitudes of 500m 1,900m above sea level, likely inhabiting higher altitudes when breeding and lower when not. Rufous-crested Croquettes favour humid forests with evergreen or semi-deciduous compositions, and travel large distances within these ecosystems in search of suitable foods. In a homing experiment with frilled coquettes, this genetically similar species was seen to navigate ranges of up to 15 km.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)

The barred antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) is a passerine bird in the antbird family. It is found in the Neotropics from Tamaulipas, Mexico, through Central America, Trinidad and Tobago, and a large part of South America east of the Andes as far south as northern Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. There is one accepted record from southern Texas. It is found in a wide range of wooded habitats (even gardens and parks) in both humid and arid regions. Throughout a large part of its range, it is among the most common antbirds.

25-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - COMMON TODY FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)

The common tody-flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) is a small passerine bird in the family Tyrannidae, the tyrant flycatchers. It is found in Mexico, in every Central American country, and in every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay.

The common tody-flycatcher is a tiny, big-headed bird, 8.8 to 10.2 cm (3.5 to 4.0 in) long, weighing 4 to 8 g (0.14 to 0.28 oz), and with a long, flattened, straight bill. Adult males of the nominate subspecies T. c. cinereum have a glossy black forecrown and a slate-gray hindcrown and nape. Their lores and the area around their eyes are glossy black. Their upper back is slate-gray that becomes dark olive all the way to the uppertail coverts. Their wings are black with yellow edges on the flight feathers and yellow edges and tips on the coverts; the last show as two wing bars. Their tail is black with white tips on the outer feathers. Their entire underparts are bright yellow. They have an all-black maxilla and a black mandible with a pinkish white base. Adult females have a grayer head than males and an entirely pinkish white mandible. Both sexes have a yellowish to white iris and bluish gray legs and feet. Juveniles have dark gray crown and cheeks, a buffy tinge to the wings' yellow parts, a dark iris, and paler yellow underparts than adults.

24-3-2017 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.

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 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.

The Black-cheeked Woodpecker has black upperpart with white-barred mantled and spotted wings. The face and sides of the neck are also black. The throat and breast are brownish-buff with barred belly and central red area. The male has a red cap and nape. Females have only the nape red. It is the only medium size woodpecker with a dark back within its range. Resembles the Yellow-tufted Woodpecker, but their ranges do not overlap.