29-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER, COSTA RICA - BLUE CAPPED MOTMOT (Momotus coeruliceps) (COURTESY MRS VALERIE FISHER)

The Blue-capped Motmot, also known as the Blue-crowned Motmot, is a vibrant near-passerine bird adorned with a distinctive blue crown. This species, scientifically named Momotus coeruliceps, is a member of the Momotidae family and is recognized for its striking appearance.

This bird can be identified by its unique blue crown, which sets it apart from its relatives within the former species complex. It also features a black eyemask that contrasts with its colorful plumage. The Blue-capped Motmot has a body length that ranges from 38 to 43 cm (15 to 17 inches), making it a relatively large bird.

The Blue-capped Motmot inhabits forests and woodlands, where it can often be found perched silently within the dense foliage.

This species is native to the eastern regions of Mexico, where it resides in the lush forested areas.

The Blue-capped Motmot is known for its tendency to sit still, which, coupled with its forest habitat, can make it a challenge to spot despite its size.

The call of the Blue-capped Motmot is a distinctive low, owl-like "ooo-doot," which can be heard echoing through its forest home.

In line with many Coraciiformes, the Blue-capped Motmot nests in tunnels dug into banks. During the breeding season, it lays a clutch of about three or four white eggs.

The diet of the Blue-capped Motmot consists of small prey such as insects and lizards. Additionally, it regularly consumes fruit, making its diet quite diverse.

The Blue-capped Motmot is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - FOUR STRIPED LEAFTAIL DRAGONFLY (Phyllogomphoides stigmatus)

Phyllogomphoides stigmatus, the four-striped leaftail, is a species of clubtail in the dragonfly family Gomphidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

The IUCN conservation status of Phyllogomphoides stigmatus is "LC", least concern, with no immediate threat to the species' survival. The population is stable. The IUCN status was reviewed in 2017.

31-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - HALLOWEEN PENNANT DRAGONFLY (Celithemis eponina)

The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to eastern North America, as well as the West Indies.

The Halloween pennant's wings are entirely orange-yellow in color with dark brown bands, the Halloween inspiration for its common name. Dragonflies of its genus perch at the tips of plants, waving in the breeze like pennants. The young has yellow markings, including a stripe on its back. The adult male and female may develop pale red markings, especially on the face. This species is about 38 to 42 millimetres long. It is orange.

This species occurs in eastern North America. In the southern part of its range of The Bahamas and Cuba, it is in season all year round. In northern latitudes it can be seen from mid-June to mid-August. It ranges as far north as southern Canada and as far west as the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, in New Mexico and Colorado. It lives in wet habitat types such as ponds, marshes and lakes, where it perches on vegetation.

The female lays eggs in the morning on open water with the male still attached at the head. This method is known as exophytic egg laying. Sexual activity normally occurs between 8:00 and 10:30 am. Males rest on vegetation to await the females' arrival. They usually rest upon the leaves of the American Holly Bush which help to stimulate arousal encouraging the males to develop erections.[citation needed] This species is not territorial.

The Halloween pennant enjoys perching on top of taller plants, and if they find the plant adequate, they will most commonly return many times.

The Halloween pennant feeds on other insects. It is able to fly in rain and strong wind. On hot days, it will often shade its thorax using its wings.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)

The variegated squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides ) is a tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus found in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, southern Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Fifteen subspecies are recognised. It is a common squirrel and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it a "least-concern species". Variegated squirrels kept as pets in Germany have been implicated in the transmission of a bornavirus to humans from which three people have died.

Variegated squirrels are medium-sized tree squirrels. The are several subspecies recognised which differ in appearance. There is even often a considerable variation between the appearances of individuals in the same population. The dorsal colouration varies between dark brown to yellowish grey. The neck tends to be darker than other parts and there is often a paler patch behind the ears. The underparts are usually some shade of cinnamon. The tail is long and densely bushy; in Mexico it is black, sometimes with white tips to the hairs giving it a frosted appearance. In Nicaragua and Costa Rica, some individuals have pale underparts and tails.

Variegated squirrels are native to Central America. Their range extends from Mexico southwards through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Habitats in which these squirrels occur include both dry deciduous forest and evergreen forest, secondary growth, and plantations.

Variegated squirrels are solitary and diurnal animals. They seldom descend to the ground and spend the night in a nest. Sometimes they build nests in a hole in a tree but more often construct them of leaves and build in the fork of a branch close to the trunk. These squirrels don't hibernate and spend most of their time in the trees. They are very agile and leap from one branch to another with ease. When threatened Variegated squirrels make chucking sounds and sometimes produce harsh chatter.

Little information is known about the mating habits in Variegated squirrels. The breeding season occurs in April-May. Females build nests high up in the trees where they give birth to 2-8 kittens. The gestation period lasts around 33-46 days. Young are born blind and naked. Fur starts growing after 2 weeks and in 30-32 days kittens open their eyes. Young stay in the nest within 6 weeks and become weaned at 10 weeks after birth. They are independent after 15 weeks and reach reproductive maturity between 12 and 15 weeks of age.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - GREEN BASILISK (Basiliscus plumifrons)

The plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons ), also called the green basilisk, double crested basilisk, or Jesus Christ lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is native to Central America.

The plumed basilisk's native range spans southern Mexico and northern Colombia. B. plumifrons inhabits hot, humid rainforests that contain streams, rivers or other water bodies.

The physical appearance of the plumed basilisk is striking: it sports a bright green color along its body with black and white streaks along its neck and back. Their physical appearance differs by sex, as they are sexually dimorphic; males have a distinct crest on the back and tail and large plumes on top of their heads, while females typically only have a singular, much smaller, crest on their head.

The green crested or plumed lizard is unique in its ability to run across water with speed and the method it employs to do this. It displays the behaviour as a threat response, when fleeing predators. High speed is maintained in order to prevent sinking.

This lizard is extraordinarily territorial and is known for its aggressive behaviour to the extent that multiple male lizards cannot be maintained within the same enclosure. However, they do exist in the wild in large groups that allow for multiple males.

The Plumed basilisk is a species of lizard native to Central America. Adults are brilliant green in color, with bright yellow eyes, and small bluish spots along the dorsal ridge. Males have three crests: one on the head, one on the back, and one on the tail, while females only have the head crest. Juveniles are less conspicuously colored and lack the characteristic crests.

Plumed basilisks range from eastern Honduras, through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to western Panama. They live in tropical rainforests usually near bodies of water.

Plumed basilisks are semi-arboreal and semi-aquatic creatures. They are active during the day spending much of the time basking or foraging for food. Males are very territorial; a single male may keep land containing a large group of females with whom he mates. Plumed basilisks are able to run short distances across the water using both their feet and tail for support. In Costa Rica, this has even earned these lizards the nickname "Jesus Christ lizards." They are also excellent swimmers and can stay under the water for up to an hour.

29-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA,COSTA RICA - WHITE WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)

The White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) is a robust bird, notable for its size among doves, measuring approximately 29 cm from beak to tail with a wingspan ranging from 48 to 58 cm. Its plumage is primarily brownish-gray to gray, with a striking white edge on its wings, visible even when perched. The species is adorned with a blue eyering and possesses red eyes, though juveniles display brown eyes and a duller plumage.

To identify the White-winged Dove, look for the distinctive white wing patch, visible at rest and in flight, which sets it apart from similar species. Adults feature a blue, featherless skin around the eyes and a dark facial mark. Males may exhibit a more iridescent purple hue on the crown, neck, and nape, and a more pronounced ear spot, though these differences are subtle. The species has a short, rounded tail, contrasting with the long, pointed tail of the Mourning Dove.

The White-winged Dove is found in a variety of environments, including deserts, scrubs, urban areas, and agricultural landscapes. It has adapted well to human-altered habitats and can be seen in high concentrations near sources of water and food.

Native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, the White-winged Dove's range has expanded due to human agricultural practices. It is now a year-round resident in places like Texas and has been observed as far north as Canada and Alaska.

29-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGAINVILLEA,COSTA RICA - HOFFMANN'S WOODPECKER (Melanerpes hoffmannii)

The Hoffmann's woodpecker, a striking avian species, is a medium-sized woodpecker measuring 18 to 21 cm in length and weighing between 62 to 84 grams. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in its head pattern. The male is adorned with a bright red crown and a yellow or orange nape, while the female sports a more subdued white crown and a pale yellow nape. Both sexes share a drab yellowish-gray face and throat, with a back and upper rump barred in black and white. The lower rump and uppertail coverts are a pristine white, and their flight feathers are black with white bars and spots. The tail is predominantly black with white accents. The underparts are a mix of dull grayish to yellowish white, with a central belly of bright yellow and flanks of dull yellowish white barred with black. Their bill is a stark black, eyes a hazel hue, and legs range from bluish gray to gray.

This woodpecker favors dry and deciduous forests, as well as more open landscapes such as shade coffee plantations, urban parks, and residential gardens.

Hoffmann's woodpecker is native to Central America, with its range extending from southwestern Honduras through Nicaragua on the Pacific slope to central Costa Rica. There is also a single recorded sighting in El Salvador.

A year-round resident, Hoffmann's woodpecker is known to forage from the forest understory to the canopy and has been observed feeding on the ground. It is a territorial bird, especially during the breeding season, when it aggressively defends its nesting site.

29-3-2026 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA - GREY COWLED WOOD RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)

The grey-cowled wood rail or grey-necked wood rail (Aramides cajaneus) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae, the rails. It lives primarily in the forests, mangroves, and swamps of Central and South America. Of the two subspecies, A. c. avicenniae is found in southeastern Brazil, while the nominate is found throughout the portion of the range not occupied by the other subspecies. The species as a whole is usually found at elevations from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft), although some have been found above that. This bird's large extent of occurrence along with its population is why it is considered to be least-concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In some places, it is occasionally hunted and kept for food.

This bird, large for a wood rail, has both a grey head and neck. In the nominate, the back of the head has a brown patch. The upperparts are olive-green to dark brown. The chest and flanks are a rufous colour, with the belly, rump, and tail being black. The legs are coral-red, the bill is a bright greenish-yellow, and the eyes are red. The sexes are similar. The juveniles can be differentiated by their duller look, and the chicks have a black, downy appearance, brown head, and black beak. The subspecies avicenniae can be differentiated by its smaller size, lack of a brown patch at the back of the neck, and its lower back being toned slightly olive. The underparts are also pale.

A monogamous bird, pairs can be found together throughout the year. During the breeding season, which usually lasts from March to August, the grey-cowled wood rail builds nests that can be found on flat branches and in thickets, usually at heights between 1 and 3 metres (3 and 10 ft). In these nests, there is a clutch consisting of three to seven eggs, incubated by both sexes. The chicks that hatch are precocial, able to move soon after hatching. This rail feeds on a wide range of foods, from molluscs to seeds. It is also known to feed on the feces of giant otters.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - MANGROVE BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus ssp. subtilis)

The mangrove black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus subtilis) is a neotropical bird of prey in the family Accipitridae native to South and Central America. Briefly treated as a distinct species, Buteogallus subtilis, recent evidence strongly suggests it should be considered a subspecies of the common black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus). 

Range and habitat

The mangrove black hawk is a resident breeding bird from eastern Panama, through western Colombia and Ecuador, to far north-western Peru. Previously, it was incorrectly believed to occur as far north as Mexico, but all individuals from western Panama and northwards are nominate common black hawk. 

This is a mainly coastal bird of Pacific mangrove swamps, estuaries and adjacent dry open woodland, which builds a large stick nest in a mangrove tree, and usually lays one dark-blotched whitish egg.

Characteristics

The adult mangrove black hawk is 43–53 cm long and weighs around 930 g. It has very broad wings, and is mainly black with a brownish cast to the upper-wings. The short tail is black with a single broad white band and a white tip. The bill is black and the legs and cere are yellow.

Sexes are similar, but immature birds are dark brown above with spotting and streaks. Their underparts are buff to whitish with dark blotches, and the tail has a number of black and white bars.

The call of the mangrove black hawk is a distinctive piping spink-speenk-speenk-spink-spink-spink.

Diet

The mangrove black hawk feeds mainly on crabs, but will also take small vertebrates and eggs. This species is often seen soaring, with occasional lazy flaps, and has a talon-touching aerial courtship display.

29-3-2017 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA - OCELLATED CRAKE (Rufirallus schomburgkii)

The ocellated crake (Rufirallus schomburgkii) is a small terrestrial species of bird in the family Rallidae that is native to the grassland and savanna habitats of Central America and South America. Though it is not often seen, it is easily recognizable by its cinnamon plumage with black and white mottling. This species was formerly placed in its own genus Micropygia .

The ocellated crake has a very scattered distribution, and is found primarily in South America, but the northern edge of its range extends into Central America. It is found in Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. A population was also recently found to inhabit Argentina. The known range of the ocellated crake has been expanding in recent years, in part because in the past its vocalizations have been difficult to distinguish from other closely-related species of rails including those of the Laterallus and Anurolimnas genera.

Rails are notoriously difficult to observe due to their small size and difficult to access habitat, so they are easier to identify through their trills, which are their most distinctive type of vocalization. Increasing recognition of the trill, along with more access to recordings and the ability to use the playback technique have made the species easier to detect, leading to a more comprehensive distribution.

29-3-2017 PUNTARENAS, COSTA RICA - SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)

The savanna hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) is a large raptor found in open savanna and swamp edges. It was formerly placed in the genus Heterospizias. It breeds from Panama and Trinidad south to Bolivia, Uruguay and central Argentina.

The savanna hawk feeds on small mammals, small birds, lizards, snakes, toads, frogs, eels, other fish, crabs, roots, spiders, and large insects (such as grasshoppers). It usually sits on an open high perch from which it swoops on its prey, but will also hunt on foot, and several birds may gather at grass fires.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - AMERICAN GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba ssp. egretta)

Great egrets are found in the Nearctic as far south as Texas, the Gulf coast states, and Florida up the Atlantic coast to Maine and southern Canada, and west to the Great Lakes. (Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2000)

The ideal location for great egrets is near any form of water. Streams, lakes, ponds, mud flats, saltwater and freshwater marshes are inhabited by this beautiful bird. Wooded swamps and wetlands are the preferred location for great egrets and other heron species. (Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2000)

Great egrets are less then 1 meter long from bill to tail, 1 meter tall, have a wingspan of 1.5 meters, and weigh about 912 to 1140 g. On average, males are larger than females. They are completely white with a long yellow bill and dark gray legs. During flight their neck is usually in an “S” shaped curve. They are very elegant birds with plumage resembling lace.

28-3-2017 VILLA LAPAS, COSTA RICA - SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao)

The Scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is a large Central and South American parrot, a member of a large group of Neotropical parrots called macaws. It is native to humid evergreen forests of the Neotropics. In some areas, it has suffered local extinction, but in other areas, it remains fairly common. Like its relative the Blue-and-yellow macaw, the Scarlet macaw is a popular bird in aviculture as a result of its striking plumage.

The very colorful scarlet macaw is a large parrot. The plumage is predominantly scarlet, with light blue feathers on tail covert feathers and rump. The longer upper wing coverts are colored yellow, the upper sides of flight feathers on the wings are a dark blue, and so are the ends of their tail feathers. The undersides of the tail flight feathers and wings are dark red with the iridescence of metallic gold. These macaws have bare white skin surrounding their eyes and as far as the beak. Their upper beak is mostly pale, while the lower is black. Males and females look the same, and the only difference between young birds and adults is that the former have dark eyes while the latter have light yellow eyes.

Scarlet macaws are native to the humid evergreen forests of the American tropics in Central and South America, including Mexico in the east, Guatemala, Belize, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Amazonian Peru. They inhabit humid lowland subtropical rainforests, open woodlands, mangrove vegetation, river edges, and savannas.

Scarlet macaws are diurnal birds that gather in flocks at night. In the morning they will often fly a long distance to find food, flying in small groups or pairs, often calling to each other in hoarse raucous voices. They make nests in tree hollows. If in their nest and danger presents itself, they will cautiously examine the scene until the danger has gone. If their nest is directly threatened, the birds quietly escape to a place of safety. Scarlet macaws often use their left foot when handling food and grasping other objects. They communicate by means of a range of postures and vocalizations.

28-3-2017 TARCOLES RIVER, COSTA RICA - OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus), /ˈɒspri, -preɪ/,[2] also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.

The osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all continents except Antarctica, although in South America it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant.

As its other common names suggest, the osprey's diet consists almost exclusively of fish. It possesses specialised physical characteristics and unique behaviour in hunting its prey. Its unique characteristics classify it in its own taxonomic genus, Pandion, and family, Pandionidae.

The osprey is the second most widely distributed raptor species, after the peregrine falcon, and is one of only six land-birds with a worldwide distribution. It is found in temperate and tropical regions of all continents, except Antarctica. In North America it breeds from Alaska and Newfoundland south to the Gulf Coast and Florida, wintering further south from the southern United States through to Argentina. It is found in summer throughout Europe north into Ireland, Scandinavia, Finland and Great Britain though not Iceland, and winters in North Africa. In Australia it is mainly sedentary and found patchily around the coastline, though it is a non-breeding visitor to eastern Victoria and Tasmania.

There is a 1,000 km (620 mi) gap, corresponding with the coast of the Nullarbor Plain, between its westernmost breeding site in South Australia and the nearest breeding sites to the west in Western Australia. In the islands of the Pacific it is found in the Bismarck Islands, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, and fossil remains of adults and juveniles have been found in Tonga, where it probably was wiped out by arriving humans. It is possible it may once have ranged across Vanuatu and Fiji as well. It is an uncommon to fairly common winter visitor to all parts of South Asia, and Southeast Asia from Myanmar through to Indochina and southern China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The osprey is piscivorous, with fish making up 99% of its diet. It typically takes live fish weighing 150–300 g (5.3–10.6 oz) and about 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) in length, but virtually any type of fish from 50 g (1.8 oz) to 2 kg (4.4 lb) can be taken.[22] Even larger 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) northern pike (Esox lucius) has been taken in Russia. The species rarely scavenges dead or dying fish.

Characteristically its tongue often pokes out whilst swallowing food.

Ospreys have vision that is well adapted to detecting underwater objects from the air. Prey is first sighted when the osprey is 10–40 m (33–131 ft) above the water, after which the bird hovers momentarily and then plunges feet first into the water. They catch fish by diving into a body of water, oftentimes completely submerging their entire bodies. As an osprey dives it adjusts the angle of its flight to account for the distortion of the fish's image caused by refraction. Ospreys will typically eat on a nearby perch but have also been known to carry fish for longer distances.

Occasionally, the osprey may prey on rodents, rabbits, hares, other mammals, snakes, turtles, frogs, birds, salamanders, conchs and crustaceans. Reports of ospreys feeding on carrion are rare. They have been observed eating dead white-tailed deer and Virginia opossum.

The osprey breeds near freshwater lakes and rivers, and sometimes on coastal brackish waters. Rocky outcrops just offshore are used in Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia, where there are 14 or so similar nesting sites of which five to seven are used in any one year. Many are renovated each season, and some have been used for 70 years. The nest is a large heap of sticks, driftwood, turf or seaweed built in forks of trees, rocky outcrops, utility poles, artificial platforms or offshore islets. As wide as 2 meters and weighing about 135 kg (298 lb), large nests on utility poles may be fire hazards and have caused power outages.

Generally, ospreys reach sexual maturity and begin breeding around the age of three to four, though in some regions with high osprey densities, such as Chesapeake Bay in the United States, they may not start breeding until five to seven years old, and there may be a shortage of suitable tall structures. If there are no nesting sites available, young ospreys may be forced to delay breeding. To ease this problem, posts are sometimes erected to provide more sites suitable for nest building. In some regions ospreys prefer transmission towers as nesting sites, e.g. in eastern Germany.

Ospreys usually mate for life. Rarely, polyandry has been recorded. The breeding season varies according to latitude; spring (September–October) in southern Australia, April to July in northern Australia and winter (June–August) in southern Queensland. In spring the pair begins a five-month period of partnership to raise their young. The female lays two to four eggs within a month, and relies on the size of the nest to conserve heat. The eggs are whitish with bold splotches of reddish-brown and are about 6.2 cm × 4.5 cm (2.4 in × 1.8 in) and weigh about 65 g (2.3 oz). The eggs are incubated for about 35–43 days to hatching.

The newly hatched chicks weigh only 50–60 g (1.8–2.1 oz), but fledge in 8–10 weeks. A study on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, had an average time between hatching and fledging of 69 days. The same study found an average of 0.66 young fledged per year per occupied territory, and 0.92 young fledged per year per active nest. Some 22% of surviving young either remained on the island or returned at maturity to join the breeding population. When food is scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to survive. The typical lifespan is 7–10 years, though rarely individuals can grow to as old as 20–25 years.

The oldest European wild osprey on record lived to be over thirty years of age. In North America, great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are the only major predators of ospreys, capable of taking both nestlings and adults. However, kleptoparasitism by bald eagles, where the larger raptor steals the osprey's catch, is more common than predation. The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), which is very similar to the bald eagle, may harass or prey on the osprey in Eurasia. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) can be a serious threat to nestlings or eggs if they can access the nest. Endoparasitic trematodes (Scaphanocephalus expansus and Neodiplostomum spp.) have been recorded in wild ospreys.

European breeders winter in Africa. American and Canadian breeders winter in South America, although some stay in the southernmost U.S. states such as Florida and California. Some ospreys from Florida migrate to South America. Australasian ospreys tend not to migrate.

Studies of Swedish ospreys showed that females tend to migrate to Africa earlier than males. More stopovers are made during their autumn migration. The variation of timing and duration in autumn was more variable than in spring. Although migrating predominantly during the day, they sometimes fly in the dark hours particularly in crossings over water and cover on average 260–280 km (160–170 mi) per day with a maximum of 431 km (268 mi) per day. European birds may also winter in South Asia, as indicated by an osprey tagged in Norway being monitored in western India. In the Mediterranean, ospreys show partial migratory behaviour with some individuals remaining resident, whilst others undertake relatively short migration trips.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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