3-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - MALLARD (FEMALE) (Anas platyrhynchos)

The Mallard, or wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos), is a familiar and widespread dabbling duck with a presence across temperate and subtropical regions of the Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa. It has also been introduced to parts of the Southern Hemisphere. The male is renowned for its iridescent green head and white collar, while the female sports a brown-speckled plumage. Both sexes boast a speculum—a patch of feathers with iridescent purple or blue hues bordered by white. The Mallard's length ranges from 50 to 65 cm, with a wingspan of 81 to 98 cm, and it typically weighs between 0.7 and 1.6 kg.

Males during the breeding season are unmistakable with their glossy green heads, white collars, and purple-tinged brown breasts. Females are mottled brown with buff cheeks and an eye-stripe. Both sexes have the distinctive speculum on their wings. The male's bill is yellowish-orange tipped with black, while the female's is darker, ranging from black to mottled orange and brown.

Mallards are found in a variety of wetlands, including parks, small ponds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. They prefer water depths less than 0.9 meters and are drawn to areas with aquatic vegetation.

This species is distributed across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, from Alaska to Mexico, the Hawaiian Islands, across the Palearctic, and down to southeastern and southwestern Australia and New Zealand.

Mallards are social birds that often form large flocks outside the breeding season. They are adaptable and can thrive in urban areas. The species is migratory in the northern parts of its range.

The female Mallard is known for its quintessential "quack," while the male's call is a quieter and deeper version of the female's. Vocalizations can vary by region, with urban ducks being louder than their rural counterparts.

Breeding pairs form in the fall, with the female laying 8 to 13 creamy white to greenish-buff eggs. Incubation lasts 27 to 28 days, and ducklings are precocial, swimming immediately after hatching.

Mallards are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of foods including seeds, plant matter, insects, crustaceans, and small animals. Their diet varies with the season and breeding cycle.

3-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

The Common Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, is a medium-sized warbler measuring approximately 13 cm in length with a wingspan ranging from 17 to 21 cm. It exhibits an unstreaked brown back with buff underparts. Both sexes are identical in appearance, which is typical for warblers. Juveniles can be distinguished by their richer buff underparts. The species is characterized by a flattened forehead and a robust, pointed bill.

When identifying the Common Reed Warbler, look for its brown, unstreaked back and buff underparts. The bird's supercilium is less pronounced than that of the larger Great Reed Warbler. In flight, observe the wing-span and listen for its distinctive song.

This species is almost exclusively found in reed beds, often with interspersed bushes, providing it with the necessary cover and nesting sites.

The Common Reed Warbler breeds across Europe into the temperate western Palaearctic and is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also a resident species in large parts of Africa.

Males typically arrive at breeding grounds a few weeks before females. The species is generally monogamous, with pairs raising up to two broods per season. It is known to be brood parasitized by the Common Cuckoo.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)

The yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a New World warbler species. Yellow warblers are the most widespread species in the diverse genus Setophaga, breeding in almost the whole of North America, the Caribbean, and down to northern South America.

The genus name Setophaga is from Ancient Greek ses, "moth", and phagos, "eating", and the specific petechia is from Italian petecchia, a small red spot on the skin.

As usual for members of the Parulidae, yellow warblers nest in trees, building a small but very sturdy cup nest. Females and males rear the young about equally, but emphasize different tasks: females are more involved with building and maintaining the nest, and incubating and brooding the offspring. Males are more involved in guarding the nest site and procuring food, bringing it to the nest and passing it to the waiting mother, which does most of the actual feeding. As the young approach fledging, the male's workload becomes proportionally higher.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)

The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a diminutive member of the wren family, Troglodytidae, with a widespread presence across the Americas. This bird is recognized by its small stature, typically measuring 11 to 13 cm in length with a wingspan of 15 cm, and weighing between 10 to 12 grams. Its plumage varies considerably among subspecies, ranging from dull greyish-brown to rich rufescent-brown on the upper parts, and from brown to buff, pale grey, or pure white on the underparts. All subspecies exhibit blackish barring on the wings and tail, and some also on the flanks.

House Wrens possess a faint eye-ring and eyebrow, a long, thin bill with a blackish upper mandible and a black-tipped yellowish or pale grey lower mandible. Their legs are pinkish or grey, and they are known for their short, often cocked tail.

In North America, House Wrens favor floodplain forests in the western great plains, utilizing woodpecker holes for nesting. In Central and South America, they adapt to virtually any habitat and are frequently found in close proximity to human settlements.

The House Wren's range extends from Canada to the southernmost regions of South America, making it the most widely distributed native bird in the Americas. It is particularly common in suburban areas within its range.

These birds are active foragers in vegetation, primarily consuming insects such as butterfly larvae, beetles, bugs, as well as spiders and snails. They are known for their feisty and pugnacious nature, sometimes destroying the eggs of other birds within their territory.

The House Wren's rich bubbly song is a familiar sound during the nesting season, with notable geographical variation. The song differs significantly between populations from the far north and south of the species' range.

House Wrens construct large cup nests in cavities, lined with various materials such as feathers, hair, and moss. The female lays a clutch of two to eight red-blotched cream-white eggs, which she incubates for about 12 to 19 days. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after approximately 15 to 19 days.

House Wrens actively forage for insects and other small invertebrates within vegetation. They are adept at hunting down their prey, which includes butterfly larvae, beetles, bugs, spiders, and snails.

The House Wren is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, some island populations are rare, endangered, or possibly extinct, primarily due to habitat destruction, predation by introduced species, and natural disasters.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - 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.

Variegated squirrels are herbivores (granivores, frugivores). They primarily are seed-eaters, but also consume fruits, some insects and nestlings. They try to avoid hard shelled seeds but do consume acorns.

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.

2-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUSIA - EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT (FEMALE) (Remiz pendulinus)

The Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus, is a diminutive passerine, a member of the Remizidae family. It is adorned with a light grey head, a distinctive black "mask" through the eye, and a back of rich chestnut brown. Both sexes are remarkably similar, though the male boasts a broader mask and a more rufous back. This bird measures between 10 and 11.5 centimeters in length, with a finely pointed bill and a tail that is relatively elongated.

When attempting to identify the Eurasian penduline tit, look for its small size, the pointed bill, and the long tail. The male's mask is broader and the back more rufous compared to the female. The bird's light grey head and black eye mask are key distinguishing features.

The Eurasian penduline tit is known to favor habitats with thin, long branches of trees such as willow, elm, or birch, often choosing locations above water. It is also found in reed beds, where it may construct its unique nests.

This species is relatively widespread across the western Palearctic. It exhibits migratory behavior in the northern parts of its range, while populations in the southern regions tend to be resident.

The Eurasian penduline tit is known for its elaborate hanging nests, which are a marvel of avian architecture. These nests, once repurposed as children's slippers in Central Europe, are suspended from branches or reeds. The species is migratory in the north and resident in the south of its range.

Breeding occurs from the end of April to the beginning of July. The nest is a large, free-hanging pouch with an entrance tube, constructed from plant fibers, grass, hair, and wool. Both sexes partake in the 20-day construction process. The clutch typically contains 6 to 8 white eggs, with incubation starting after the last egg is laid and lasting for 14 days. The young are cared for by one parent and fledge at around 22 days.

The diet of the Eurasian penduline tit primarily consists of insects, spiders, and seeds, particularly from willows. It forages in trees and reeds, adeptly using one foot to cling while the other manipulates food sources.

The Eurasian penduline tit is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. With a large range and a population estimated at 420,000–840,000 individuals in Europe, and signs of population increase, the species does not currently face significant threats to its survival.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BLACK AND WHITE SEED-EATER (Sporophila luctuosa)

The black-and-white seedeater (Sporophila luctuosa) is a species of bird in the family Thraupidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.

Well-named seedeater found from Venezuela to Bolivia. Male is all black above with a white patch at base of primaries and white belly. Could be confused with Yellow-bellied Seedeater, but that species lacks the wing patch and the belly is pale yellow. Females are brown and extremely similar to other seedeaters; look for accompanying males to help you identify! Generally an Andean species, found up to about 2,500 m, but sometimes wanders into adjacent lowlands. Uncommon in grassland or edge scrub, often in flocks with other seedeaters.

2-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUSIA - EURASIAN PENDULINE TIT (MALE) (Remiz pendulinus)

The Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus, is a diminutive passerine, a member of the Remizidae family. It is adorned with a light grey head, a distinctive black "mask" through the eye, and a back of rich chestnut brown. Both sexes are remarkably similar, though the male boasts a broader mask and a more rufous back. This bird measures between 10 and 11.5 centimeters in length, with a finely pointed bill and a tail that is relatively elongated.

When attempting to identify the Eurasian penduline tit, look for its small size, the pointed bill, and the long tail. The male's mask is broader and the back more rufous compared to the female. The bird's light grey head and black eye mask are key distinguishing features.

The Eurasian penduline tit is known to favor habitats with thin, long branches of trees such as willow, elm, or birch, often choosing locations above water. It is also found in reed beds, where it may construct its unique nests.

This species is relatively widespread across the western Palearctic. It exhibits migratory behavior in the northern parts of its range, while populations in the southern regions tend to be resident.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - ASIAN BLUE QUAIL (MALE) (Synoicus chinensis)

The king quail (Synoicus chinensis), also known as the blue-breasted quail, Asian blue quail, Chinese painted quail, or Chung-Chi, is a species of Old World quail in the family Phasianidae. This species is the smallest "true quail", ranging in the wild from southern China, South and Southeast Asia to Oceania, south to southeastern Australia, with 9 different subspecies. A failed attempt was made to introduce this species to New Zealand by the Otago Acclimatisation Society in the late 1890s. It is quite common in aviculture worldwide, where it is sometimes misleadingly known as the "button quail", which is the name of an only very distantly related family of birds, the buttonquails.

Male king quail occur in many colors, including blue, brown, silver, maroon, dark brown, and almost black. They have orange feet that are hard and able to withstand a continuous life on the ground like many other game birds. Females are similar to the males, but do not occur in shades of blue. They can live up to 13 years in captivity but typically only 3–6 years.[citation needed] In the wild. they may live only 1.5 years. The eggs of king quail are a light, creamy-brown colour and slightly pointed at the "top", roughly ovular in shape.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)

The Tennessee warbler, a small bird of the New World warbler family, is a modestly adorned species. It measures approximately 11.5 cm in length, with a wingspan nearing 19.69 cm, and tips the scales at roughly 10 grams. The breeding male is characterized by an olive back, shoulders, rump, and vent, with flight feathers of a brownish-black hue. A slate grey adorns its neck, crown, and eyeline, while its underside is a muted gray-white. Females echo the males in pattern but are tinged with yellow and olive, particularly on the underside, presenting a much duller appearance. Both sexes boast long wings, a short tail, and a thin, pointy bill, with white undertail coverts persisting throughout the year.

When identifying the Tennessee warbler, look for the long wings and short tail, as well as the thin, pointy bill. The breeding male's slate gray neck, crown, and eyeline contrast with its olive back and gray-white underside. Females and juveniles are duller with yellow and olive tinges. In fall and winter, adult males show more yellow below, and the gray areas turn olive green. The yellow supraocular line is a distinctive feature on the face.

The Tennessee warbler is partial to coniferous forests, mixed conifer-deciduous woodlands, early successional habitats, and boreal bogs. These environments provide the resources necessary for its survival and breeding.

This warbler breeds from the Adirondack Mountains in New York to northern Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and across much of Canada. It is also found in northeast Minnesota and northern Michigan. Come winter, it migrates to southern Central America, the Caribbean, and northern regions of Colombia and Venezuela, with some venturing as far as Ecuador. It is named after Tennessee, a place it frequents during migration and is a rare visitor to western Europe.

The Tennessee warbler exhibits a nervous and quick demeanor while foraging, creeping along branches at various heights. It is solitary during nesting but joins mixed flocks post-breeding. Its population fluctuates with the abundance of the spruce budworm, a favored food source.

Females construct a cup-shaped nest from dried grasses and moss, lined with finer materials, either on the ground or above a bog. They lay 4–7 white eggs adorned with brown splotches.

The Tennessee warbler can be mistaken for the female black-throated blue warbler, which has a darker cheek and two white wing spots. It also resembles the red-eyed vireo, which is larger, moves more deliberately, and sings almost constantly. The orange-crowned warbler is another look-alike but lacks the white eyebrow, is greyer-brown above, and has yellow undertail coverts.

Diet and Feeding primarily insectivorous, the Tennessee warbler has a particular appetite for the spruce budworm. It also consumes flower nectar, fruit, and some seeds, adapting its diet to the available resources.

The Tennessee warbler is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - MONARCH BUTTERFLY (Danaus plexippus)

The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names, depending on region, include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black-veined brown. It is among the most familiar of North American butterflies and an iconic pollinator,[8] although it is not an especially effective pollinator of milkweeds. Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm (3.5–4.0 in).[10] A Müllerian mimic, the viceroy butterfly, is similar in color and pattern, but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing.

The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn instinctive migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico. During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multigenerational return north in spring. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California, but individuals have been found in overwintering Mexican sites, as well. Non-migratory populations are found further south in the Americas, and in parts of Europe, Oceania, and Southeast Asia.

Like all Lepidoptera, monarchs undergo complete metamorphosis; their life cycle has four phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Monarchs transition from eggs to adults during warm summer temperatures in as little as 25 days, extending to as many as seven weeks during cool spring conditions. During their development, both larvae and their milkweed hosts are vulnerable to weather extremes, predators, parasites, and diseases; commonly fewer than 10% of monarch eggs and caterpillars survive.

The range of the western and eastern populations of D. p. plexippus expands and contracts depending upon the season. The range differs between breeding areas, migration routes, and winter roosts.  However, no genetic differences between the western and eastern monarch populations exist; reproductive isolation has not led to subspeciation of these populations, as it has elsewhere within the species' range.

In the Americas, the monarch ranges from southern Canada through northern South America. It is also found in Bermuda, the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Cuba, and other Caribbean islands,the Solomons, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Australia, the Azores, the Canary Islands, Madeira, continental Portugal, Gibraltar, the Philippines, and Morocco. It appears in the UK in some years as an accidental migrant.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - EMERALD SWIFT LIZARD (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.

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.

The emerald swift is found from Mexico's Yucatan region, to Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

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 15 young yearly.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)

The Inca dove, also known as the Mexican dove, is a small and slender New World dove with a length ranging from 16.5 to 23 cm and a weight between 30 to 58 grams. Its gray-brown plumage is adorned with a unique scaled pattern, and it possesses a long, square tail with white-edged feathers that may become more prominent during flight. Notably, the underwings exhibit a reddish hue, characteristic of ground doves.

When observing the Inca dove, look for its scaled feather pattern and the white edges on its square tail. In flight, the reddish underwings are a distinguishing feature. Additionally, listen for the soft rattling noise produced by its wings upon takeoff.

The Inca dove is a terrestrial bird that forms flocks in deserts, scrublands, cultivated areas, and even urban environments. It is well-adapted to living in close proximity to human settlements, where it often takes advantage of readily available water sources.

This species is found from Costa Rica in the south to the American Southwest in the north. Its range has been expanding in recent decades, although it is not native to the historical lands of the Inca Empire. In the United States, the Inca dove has been observed in Florida, although it is unclear if a self-sustaining population exists there.

Inca doves exhibit communal roosting behavior during winter, forming pyramid-shaped huddles that can include more than ten birds to conserve body heat. They are also known to form large flocks outside their territories, sometimes numbering up to 100 individuals.

The Inca dove's song is a forceful cooing that can be interpreted as "cowl-coo," "POO-pup," or "NO-hope." This vocalization is typically delivered from an elevated perch such as a tree, wire, or even a television aerial.

Nesting primarily occurs in trees and shrubs, with nests averaging about 5 centimeters in diameter. Both male and female doves contribute to nest building, using twigs, grass, weed stalks, and leaves. The nests are often reused and become more solidified with the excrement of the brood.

Inca doves primarily feed on grass seeds. Their presence in urban and agricultural areas suggests they may also consume other seeds and take advantage of water from irrigation systems.

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

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)

The Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus, is a robust member of the tyrant flycatcher family. This avian species is characterized by its pale gray head adorned with a darker eye mask and an orange crown stripe. It boasts a heavy gray bill, a grayish-green back, and brown wings and forked tail. The underparts are a vibrant yellow, transitioning from a pale gray throat to an olive breast. Both sexes share a similar plumage, while juveniles can be distinguished by pale buff edges on their wing coverts.

Adults measure approximately 22 cm in length, weigh around 39 g, and have a wingspan ranging from 38 to 41 cm. Observers should look for the distinctive orange crown stripe and the bird's habit of perching openly, often high in trees.

The Tropical Kingbird favors semi-open areas with an abundance of trees and shrubs. It thrives in gardens, along roadsides, and in other areas where it can find a prominent perch to survey its domain.

This species has a broad range, breeding from southern Arizona and the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas through Central and South America to central Argentina and eastern Peru. It is also found on Trinidad and Tobago. Birds from the extreme northern and southern parts of their breeding range migrate to warmer areas after the breeding season.

The Tropical Kingbird is known for its acrobatic flights to catch insects mid-air, a behavior known as hawking. It may also hover to glean food from vegetation. These birds are fiercely territorial, defending their space against intruders of all sizes, from frigatebirds to hawks.

The call of the Tropical Kingbird is a high-pitched, twittering trill, described as "tree-e-e-e-e-e-e." Males sing a more complex version of this call at dawn.

Pairs of Tropical Kingbirds are monogamous and often remain together throughout the year. They nest high in trees, sometimes near water, constructing a bulky nest of vines, rootlets, and twigs. The female incubates a clutch of two to four eggs for about 16 days, with the young fledging after another 18 to 19 days.

Their diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles, bees, wasps, and dragonflies. They also consume berries and fruits from various plant species, including common guava and gumbo-limbo.

The IUCN lists the Tropical Kingbird as Least Concern, with a population trend that is increasing. Estimates suggest a global breeding population of around 200 million, and the species is considered to have a low conservation concern.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - CLAY COLOURED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)

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

It ranges from South Texas (where it is rapidly expanding its range) to northern Colombia. West and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, it is limited to the Atlantic slope, except for a population around Oaxaca City, Mexico that probably originates from escaped cage birds.

The Clay-colored robin is a common Middle American bird of the thrush family. It is brownish in color, somewhat lighter below than above, lightest on the flanks. Birds from humid regions are darker than those from dry regions. The throat is faintly streaked. Immature birds have faint mottling on the back and underparts. The bill is greenish-yellow with a dark base, the legs are pinkish or flesh-colored, and the irises are reddish.

Clay-colored robins range from South Texas to northern Colombia; west and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Mexico). They inhabit tropical dry forests, rainforests and can often be found in yards and gardens.

Clay-colored robins are herbivores (frugivores) and carnivores (insectivores). They feed on fruit, berries, insects, and occasionally may consume snails, small amphibians, and reptiles.

Little is known about the mating system and reproductive behavior in Clay-color robins. However, it is suggested that they may exhibit monogamous behavior. This means that one male will form a pair bond only with one female. During the breeding season, males attract females with beautiful songs. Pairs build a heavy cup nest of grass, moss, feathers, leaves, and mud on firm support above the ground, which may include human constructions such as windowsills. The female lays 2 to 4 pale blue eggs with red-brown and gray markings between March and July and may produce two broods per season. Incubation usually lasts for 12 to 14 days and is done by the female.

23-3-2017 TROGON LODGE COSTA RICA - MELODIOUS BLACKBIRD (FEMALE) (Dives dives)

The melodious blackbird, Dives dives, presents itself as a medium-sized avian with a rounded tail, cloaked entirely in black with a subtle bluish sheen. The males, slightly larger, measure around 25.5 cm in length and tip the scales at approximately 108 grams. Females, on the other hand, are modestly smaller at 23 cm and 95 grams. Both sexes share the same plumage, while juveniles display a brownish black coloration devoid of the adults' iridescent quality. This species is monotypic, with no recognized subspecies.

To identify the melodious blackbird, look for its entirely black plumage with a bluish gloss, complemented by black bill, legs, and feet. The brown iris stands out against the dark feathers. Juveniles can be distinguished by their lack of gloss and more brownish hue.

The melodious blackbird is an adaptable species, thriving in a variety of environments, though it shuns dense forests and thickets. It has shown a remarkable ability to coexist with humans, often spotted in gardens and lawns.

Native to the tropical New World, the melodious blackbird's range extends from coastal eastern and southeastern Mexico down to Costa Rica. Notably, its territory is on the rise, having spread to El Salvador in the 1950s and eastern Guatemala in the 1960s. It was a rare sight in Costa Rica before 1989 but has since become a common presence as far south as San José, with expectations of reaching Panama.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA, COSTA RICA - SOOTY THRUSH (Turdus nigrescens)

The sooty thrush (Turdus nigrescens ) is a large thrush endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. It was formerly known as the sooty robin.

This is an abundant bird of open areas and oak forest edge normally above 2200 m altitude. It builds a heavy grass-lined cup nest in a tree 2–8 m above the ground, and the female lays two unmarked greenish-blue eggs between March and May.

The sooty thrush resembles other Turdus thrushes in general appearance and habits. It is 24–25.5 cm long, and weighs 96 g on average. The adult male is brownish-black with black wings and tail, and a black area between the orange bill and the eye. The legs and bare eye ring are orange and the iris is pale grey. The female is similar but browner and somewhat paler, and has yellow-orange bare parts. The juvenile resembles the adult female but has buff or orange streaks on the head and upperparts and dark spotting on the underparts.

Two superficially similar relatives share this species' range. The mountain thrush is uniformly brown with dark bare parts, and the clay-colored robin is much paler and yellow-billed.

The sooty thrush behaves like other thrushes such as the American robin. It forages on the ground, singly or in pairs, progressing in hops and dashes with frequent stops. It turns leaf litter seeking insects and spiders, and also eats small fruits, especially Ericaceae and Solanum.

The breeding season song is a gurgling squeaky chuweek chuweek seechrrzit seechrrzit seechrrzit seechrrzit tseeur tseeur tseeur tseeur, and the call is a grating grrrrkk.

1-5-2017 GRANADA, ANDALUCIA - WHITE WAGTAIL (JUVENILE) (Motacilla alba)

The White wagtail is a slender bird with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. There are a number of other subspecies, some of which may have arisen because of partial geographical isolation, such as the resident British and Irish form, the pied wagtail M. a. yarrellii, which now also breeds in adjacent areas of the neighbouring European mainland. The Pied wagtail exchanges the grey colour of the nominate form with black (or very dark grey in females), but is otherwise identical in its behaviour. Other subspecies, the validity of some of which is questionable, differ in the colour of the wings, back, and head, or other features. Some rraces show sexual dimorphism during the breeding season. As many as six subspecies may be present in the wintering ground in India or Southeast Asia and here they can be difficult to distinguish.

White wagtails breed throughout Eurasia, only being absent in the Arctic. They also breed in the mountains of Morocco and western Alaska. These birds are residents in the milder parts of their range such as western Europe and the Mediterranean, but migratory in much of the rest of their range. Northern European breeders winter around the Mediterranean and in tropical and subtropical Africa, and Asiatic birds move to the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. Birds from the North American population also winter in tropical Asia. White wagtails occupy a wide range of habitats but are absent from deserts. They inhabit grasslands, seashores, rocky shorelines, sand beaches, tidepools, rivers, lakeshores, farmland, gardens, and parks. They are also often found in towns and villages. 

1-5-2017 ALHAMBRA, GRANADA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.

The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitation, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, polar regions, and hot, dry deserts far away from human development. For sustenance, the house sparrow routinely feeds at home and public bird feeding stations, but naturally feeds on the seeds of grains, flowering plants and weeds. However, it is an opportunistic, omnivorous eater, and commonly catches insects, their larvae, caterpillars, invertebrates and many other natural foods.

You can find House Sparrows most places where there are houses (or other buildings), and few places where there aren’t. Along with two other introduced species, the European Starling and the Rock Pigeon, these are some of our most common birds. Their constant presence outside our doors makes them easy to overlook, and their tendency to displace native birds from nest boxes causes some people to resent them. But House Sparrows, with their capacity to live so intimately with us, are just beneficiaries of our own success.

House Sparrows in flocks have a pecking order much the way chickens in a farmyard do. You can begin to decipher the standings by paying attention to the black throats of the males. Males with larger patches of black tend to be older and dominant over males with less black. By wearing this information on their feathers, sparrows can avoid some fights and thereby save energy.

1-5-2017 ALHAMBRA, GRANADA - RED FOX (Vulpes vulpes)

 The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes and one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, being present across the entire Northern Hemisphere including most of North America, Europe and Asia, plus parts of North Africa. It is listed as least concern by the IUCN. Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been introduced to Australia, where it is considered harmful to native mammals and bird populations. Due to its presence in Australia, it is included on the list of the "world's 100 worst invasive species".

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA, COSTA RICA - RUFOUS COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)

The rufous-collared sparrow or Andean sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis ) is an American sparrow found in a wide range of habitats, often near humans, from the extreme south-east of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego, and the island of Hispaniola (split between the Dominican Republic and Haiti) in the Caribbean. It has diverse vocalizations, which have been intensely studied since the 1970s, particularly by Paul Handford and Stephen C. Lougheed (UWO), Fernando Nottebohm (Rockefeller University) and Pablo Luis Tubaro (UBA). Local names for this bird include the Portuguese tico-tico, the Spanish copetón ("tufted") in Colombia, as well as chingolo and chincol, and comemaíz "corn eater" in Costa Rica.

The rufous-collared sparrow is 13.5–15 cm (5+1⁄4–6 in) long and weighs 20–25 g (0.71–0.88 oz). The adult has a stubby grey bill, and a grey head with broad black stripes on the crown sides, and thinner stripes through the eye and below the cheeks. The nape and breast sides are rufous, and the upperparts are black-streaked buff-brown. There are two white wing bars. The throat is white, and the underparts are off-white, becoming brown on the flanks and with a black breast patch.

Young birds have a duller, indistinct head pattern, with brown stripes and a buff ground colour. They lack the rufous collar, and have streaked underparts.

There are between 25 and 29 subspecies. In general, the smaller forms occur in coastal mountains, intermediate birds in the Andes, and large, darker, forms breed on the tepuis. The largest of the tepui subspecies, Z. c. perezchincillae, has grey underparts, and the rufous collar extends as a black band of freckles across the breast. This form might be separable as a distinct species, or it might just be a particularly distinct population due to genetic bottleneck effects.

In the northern and western part of its range, this generally abundant bird is typically found at altitudes of 600–4,000 m (2,000–13,100 ft), but in the southern and eastern part it is commonly found down to near sea level. It can be seen in virtually any open or semi-open habitat, including cultivation, gardens, parks, grassland and scrubby second growth or cerrado. It copes well with urban and suburban environments, but is absent from the densely forested sections of the Amazon Basin.

It is also scarce on the Guiana Shield, occurring mainly on some tepuis and in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana.

The bird was described in 1992 as present on the island of Hispaniola and absence from the rest of the Caribbean, due to a similar theory to the one proposed for the Hispaniolan crossbill (Loxia megaplaga ), a sympatric bird. In that scenario, the bird's ancestors were present across the region during the much cooler climes of the last glacial period, but was left marooned in the highest Hispaniolan mountains (the highest in the Caribbean) once warming began. However, it is known to exist in Aruba and some other Caribbean islands.