23-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - BALTIMORE ORIOLE (MALE) (Icterus galbula) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small colorful bird that received its name from the resemblance of the male's colors to those on the coat-of-arms of Lord Baltimore. It is the state bird of Maryland. It is also the namesake and mascot for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.

The adult male of this species is orange on the underparts shoulder patch and rump. All of the rest of the male's plumage is black. The adult female is yellow-brown on the upper parts with darker wings, and dull orange-yellow on the breast and belly. Adult birds always have white bars on the wings. The juvenile oriole is similar-looking to the female, with males taking until the fall of their second year to reach adult plumage.

Baltimore orioles are found in the Canadian Prairies and eastern Montana in the northwest eastward through southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and New Brunswick, and south through the eastern United States to central Mississippi and Alabama, and northern Georgia. They migrate to winter in the Neotropics as far north as Mexico and sometimes the southern coast of the United States, but predominantly in Central America and northern South America. These birds prefer large, leafy deciduous trees, but do not generally reside in deep forests. They can be found in open woodland, forest edge, and partially wooded wetlands or stands of trees along rivers. They are very adaptable and can breed in a variety of secondary habitats. In recent times, they are often found in orchards, farmland, urban parks, and suburban landscapes as long as they retain woodlots. In Mexico, Baltimore orioles winter in flowering canopy trees, often over shade coffee plantations.

23-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER

The Rivoli's hummingbird, or Eugenes fulgens, is a striking member of the hummingbird family. This species, also known as the magnificent hummingbird, is one of the largest hummingbirds found in the United States, sharing the title with the blue-throated hummingbird. Males are slightly larger than females, with a body length ranging from 11 to 14 cm and a wingspan of approximately 18 cm. They weigh between 6 to 10 grams. The Rivoli's hummingbird is a dazzling creature, particularly when sunlight illuminates its iridescent plumage, revealing a spectrum of vibrant colors.

The male Rivoli's hummingbird boasts a green-bronze dorsal side that transitions to a more bronzed hue on the black-tipped tail. Its crown shimmers with violet, while the throat gorget glows with a bright blue-green. The rest of the head is black, save for a white spot behind the eye, and the chest mirrors the green-bronze of the back, leading to a grayish belly. The female, on the other hand, is bronze-green dorsally with a dull gray underside and a distinctive white stripe behind her eye. Immature birds resemble the female but are darker and browner.

This species thrives in the mountainous regions, making its home in the interior and edges of pine-oak forests and cloud forests, from about 1,500 meters up to the timberline. It can also be found in secondary forests, grasslands, and is known to frequent bird feeders.

Rivoli's hummingbird has a breeding range that extends from the southwestern United States through to Honduras and Nicaragua.

Partially migratory, the Rivoli's hummingbird is a year-round resident from north-central Mexico to northern Nicaragua. It breeds in southeastern Arizona and possibly in southwestern New Mexico and other Mexican states but does not overwinter there. It is subordinate to the larger blue-throated hummingbird but coexists with various other hummingbird species.

The breeding season in the U.S. spans from May to July and may occur year-round in El Salvador. The female builds an open cup nest adorned with lichen, using soft feathers and moss bound with spider silk. The nest is typically placed on a horizontal branch or in a fork, often above streams and at least 6 meters off the ground. The female incubates two white eggs, with the incubation and fledging periods resembling those of other hummingbirds.

Rivoli's hummingbird feeds on nectar from a diverse array of flowering plants, with the specific varieties varying by season, elevation, and latitude. In some parts of Mexico, males defend feeding territories. The species also consumes small insects, which constitute a significant portion of its diet compared to other North American hummingbirds.

19-3-2017 BUTTERFLY WORLD, COCONUT GROVE, MIAMI - RED BILLED FIREFINCH (MALE) (Lagonosticta senegala)

The Red-billed Firefinch, also known as the Senegal Firefinch, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the Estrildidae family. Measuring a mere 10 cm in length, the male is resplendent in scarlet plumage, save for his brown wings, and sports a pink bill complemented by a yellow eye-ring. The female, in contrast, is adorned with brown upperparts and buff underparts, with a modest red patch before each eye and a similarly pink bill.

To identify the Red-billed Firefinch, look for the male's striking scarlet body and brown wings, and the female's more subdued brown and buff coloration with red eye patches. Both sexes have a distinctive pink bill, which is quite useful for identification.

This species thrives in proximity to human settlements and can often be found mingling with other species such as the Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu. It favours open grasslands and cultivated areas, adapting well to environments altered by humans.

The Red-billed Firefinch is a resident breeder across much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been introduced to Egypt, where it has since become extinct, and to southern Algeria, where it is currently expanding its range.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, 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.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (MALE) (Cyanerpes caeruleus)

The Purple Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes caeruleus, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the tanager family Thraupidae. This Neotropical avian jewel is adorned with a striking plumage; the male boasts a deep purple hue with contrasting black wings, tail, and underbelly, and sports vivid yellow legs. The female and immature birds present a more subdued palette, with green upperparts and yellowish-buff underparts streaked with green. A cinnamon throat and a distinctive blue moustachial stripe complete their attire. Both sexes have a long, black, decurved bill, with the Trinidadian subspecies C. c. longirostris exhibiting a notably longer bill than its mainland counterparts.

When identifying the Purple Honeycreeper, look for the male's unmistakable purple and black coloration and the female's green and buff streaked appearance. The long, curved bill is a key feature for nectar feeding, and the bright yellow legs of the male are quite distinctive. Juveniles resemble females but may lack the blue moustachial stripe.

This species is primarily a denizen of the forest canopy, but it also adapts to human-altered landscapes such as cocoa and citrus plantations. It thrives in a variety of forest types, including low-growing premontane rainforests rich in epiphytes and mosses, as well as elfin forests and páramo at higher elevations.

The Purple Honeycreeper is found across northern South America, from Colombia and Venezuela through the Amazon Basin and the Guianas. Its range extends west of the Andes to parts of southern Panama and reaches the western fringes of the Pantanal. It is generally seen at elevations up to 1,000 meters above sea level but has been recorded as high as 2,300 meters.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (FEMALE) (Cyanerpes caeruleus)

The purple honeycreeper (Cyanerpes caeruleus ) is a small Neotropical bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It is found in the tropical New World from Colombia and Venezuela south to Brazil, and on Trinidad. A few, possibly introduced birds have been recorded on Tobago.

The purple honeycreeper is 4.5 in (11.5 cm) long, weighs 0.42 oz (12 g) and has a long black decurved bill. The male is purple with black wings, tail and belly, and bright yellow legs. Females and immatures have green upperparts, and green-streaked yellowish-buff underparts. The throat is cinnamon, and there is a blue moustachial stripe. The call of purple honeycreeper is a thin high-pitched zree. The Trinidadian subspecies C. c. longirostris has a longer bill than the mainland forms.

The species is a bird of northern South America, and besides the Amazon Basin and the Guianas, a coastal range occurs west of the Andes, including parts of southern Panama. In the south, its range extends to the extreme western Pantanal. Though it is most frequently seen in the lowlands up to 3,300 ft (1,000 m) ASL or so, it has been encountered as high as 7,500 ft (2,300 m) ASL.

This is a forest canopy species, but also occurs in cocoa and citrus plantations. At the upper limit of its altitudinal range, it frequents premontane rainforest, usually rather low-growing (33–50 ft/10–15 m) and full of epiphytes and mosses, and even elfin forest and páramo.

The purple honeycreeper is often found in small groups. It feeds on nectar (particularly from bromeliad and similar flowers, to which its bill shape is adapted), berries and seeds (i.e., Trema and Clusia ), fruit (i.e., bananas and papayas) and insects, mainly in the canopy. It is a bold and inquisitive bird, responding readily to the call of the ferruginous pygmy owl (Glaucidium brasilianum ) by coming out of cover and searching for the presumed predator to mob it. The female purple honeycreeper builds a small cup nest in a tree, and incubates the clutch of two brown-blotched white eggs.

20-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - INDIAN SILVERBILL (Euodice malabarica)

The Indian silverbill, or white-throated munia, is a diminutive passerine bird adorned with a conical silver-grey bill. It boasts buff-brown upperparts and pristine white underparts, with buffy flanks and a contrasting dark plumage on its wings. The rump is a striking white, and the tail is a deep black. The tail feathers taper in length from the center outwards, giving it a pointed appearance. Both sexes share a similar plumage, while the juveniles can be distinguished by their buff underparts and shorter tails.

When attempting to identify the Indian silverbill, look for its silver-grey bill and the stark contrast between its white rump and dark wings. The bird measures approximately 11 to 11.5 cm in length. The pointed tail and the uniform coloration of adults versus the buff tones in juveniles are also key identification markers.

The Indian silverbill is a bird of dry, open habitats. It is commonly found in scrublands, fallow fields, and areas of cultivation, sometimes venturing near bodies of water. It is a species that thrives in the plains but can also be encountered up to elevations of around 1200 meters in certain sub-Himalayan regions.

This species is native to the Indian Subcontinent and parts of the Middle East. Its range extends across Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, and Israel. The Indian silverbill has also been introduced to other parts of the world, where it has successfully established populations in countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United States, and parts of southern France.

Indian silverbills are sociable creatures, often seen in flocks that can number up to 60 individuals. They forage primarily on the ground or among low shrubs and grasses. A distinctive trait is their constant, soft cheeping or chirping calls as they move about in search of food. They exhibit a rapid sip-and-swallow technique when drinking water.

The Indian silverbill communicates with a soft, cheeping or chirping sound, which serves as a contact call within the flock.

Breeding seasons for the Indian silverbill vary by region, with southern India seeing nests in winter and northern India after the summer. Their nests are rather untidy balls of grass with a side entrance, often placed in thorny Acacia shrubs. They have also been known to utilize old nests of baya weavers and sometimes build beneath the platform nests of larger birds such as vultures or storks. The species is known for intraspecific nest parasitism, where females lay eggs in the nests of other pairs. Clutches typically contain 4 to 8 white eggs, incubated by both parents for about 11 days. Helpers may also assist in the nesting process.

The diet of the Indian silverbill is predominantly seed-based, including a variety of grass seeds and occasionally crop species. They have also been observed feeding on insects and visiting nectar-bearing flowers, such as those of Erythrina trees.

20-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - BOAT TAILED GRACKLE (FEMALE) (Quiscalus major)

The boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major) is a striking bird, with the male boasting a glossy, iridescent black plumage and a distinctive keel-shaped tail, measuring 37–43 cm in length. The female, considerably smaller at 26–33 cm, is cloaked in tawny-brown with darker wings and tail. Both sexes exhibit a robust physique, but it is the male's long dark bill and pale yellowish or brown iris that often catch the observer's eye.

Adult males are entirely black with a shimmering iridescence and a pronounced tail. Females are smaller, with a shorter tail and brownish coloration. The wingspan ranges from 39–50 cm. Juvenile males resemble the adults but lack the iridescence, while immature females are duller with possible blotches on the breast. Eye color varies geographically, with Gulf Coast and inland birds having dark eyes, and Atlantic birds pale eyes.

The boat-tailed grackle is a coastal denizen, favoring saltwater marshes and, in Florida, inland waters. It is not uncommon to find them in urban settings, rummaging through refuse or perched in parking lots.

This bird is a permanent resident along the coasts of the Southeastern United States, with a presence that extends to several Gulf Coast cities and towns.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - MALLARD X MUSKOVY DUCK (Anas platyrhynchos × cairina moschata)

Mallard breeds can be somewhat confusing. They can be larger than normal or much smaller, darker or lighter, all white or all black. Watch for the little curled feathers on the back of the male, above the tail. Only the Mallard and its domestic descendants have those.

The domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus ) or domestic mallard is a variety of mallard that has been domesticated by humans and raised for meat, eggs, and down feathers. A few are also kept for show, as pets, or for their ornamental value. Almost all varieties of domesticated ducks, apart from the domestic Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata ), are descended from the mallard.

Domestic ducks (mainly mallard, Anas platyrhynchos domesticus, with some Muscovy ducks, Cairina moschata domestica) are ducks that have been domesticated and raised for meat and eggs. A few are kept for show, or for their ornamental value. Most varieties of domesticated ducks, apart from the Muscovy duck and hybrids, are descended from the mallard, which was domesticated in China around 2000 BC.

Duck farming is simplified by their reliable flocking behaviour, and their ability to forage effectively for themselves. Over 80% of global duck production is in China. Breeds such as White Pekin are raised for meat, while the prolific Indian Runner can produce over 300 eggs per year. In East and Southeast Asia, polycultures such as rice-duck farming are widely practised: the ducks assist the rice with manure and by eating small pest animals, so that the same land produces rice and ducks at once.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - SOOTY CAPPED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus pileatus)

The Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, also known as the Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, is a diminutive passerine that boasts a modest length of 13.5 cm and a weight of a mere 20 grams. This bird is adorned with a blackish head, complemented by a striking white supercilium and a grey throat. Its upperparts are cloaked in an olive hue, while the underparts are a vibrant yellow, transitioning to white on the belly. A particular population near the Irazu-Turrialba region exhibits a greyer plumage with an absence of yellow on the underparts.

To identify the adult Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, look for its darker head and pronounced supercilium, which set it apart from the common Chlorospingus. Immature birds present with a browner head, a less vivid olive-tinged supercilium, and a duller coloration below.

This species thrives in the mossy mountain forests, secondary growth, and adjacent bushy clearings, typically found from 1600 meters altitude to regions above the timberline.

The Sooty-capped Chlorospingus is an endemic resident breeder, gracing the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama with its presence.

These birds are sociable creatures, often seen in small groups or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - DOMESTIC MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata var. domestica)

The Muscovy or Barbary is the domesticated form of the wild Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata. There are a number of local or regional breeds, and drakes of these are commonly cross-bred with domestic ducks to produce the hybrids called mulards.

The Muscovy had been domesticated by various indigenous peoples of the Americas well before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Domestic Muscovy drakes weigh some 4.5–6.3 kg. The duck is much smaller, typically about half the size of the drake, with a weight of 2.3–3.2 kg. 

Recognised colour varieties include five solid colours – black, blue, chocolate, lavender and white  – and eight 'magpie' colours, in which the whole back from the tail to the shoulders and the underside from below the tail to the breast is coloured black, blue, chocolate or lavender, the remainder being white. In the standard magpie colourings the crown of the head is also coloured; in the white-headed magpie colours the head is white.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - GREYLAG GOOSE (Anser anser)

The Greylag goose (Anser anser) is a large goose in the waterfowl family Anatidae. Its distribution is widespread, with birds from the north of its range in Europe and Asia migrating southwards to spend the winter in warmer places. It is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic goose, having been domesticated at least as early as 1360 BC.

The Greylag is the largest and bulkiest of the grey geese of the genus Anser, but is more lightly built and agile than its domestic relative. It has a rotund, bulky body, a thick and long neck, and a large head and bill. It has pink legs and feet, and an orange or pink bill with a white or brown nail (hard horny material at the tip of the upper mandible). The plumage of the Greylag goose is greyish brown, with a darker head and paler breast and belly with a variable amount of black spotting. It has a pale grey forewing and rump which are noticeable when the bird is in flight or stretches its wings on the ground. It has a white line bordering its upper flanks, and its wing coverts are light-colored, contrasting with its darker flight feathers. Its plumage is patterned by the pale fringes of the feathers. Juveniles differ mostly in their lack of black speckling on the breast and belly and by their greyish legs. Adults have a distinctive 'concertina' pattern of folds in the feathers on their necks.

Greylag geese breed in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, northern Russia, Poland, eastern Hungary, and Romania. They also breed locally in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and North Macedonia. The eastern race extends eastwards across a broad swathe of Asia to China. European birds migrate southwards to the Mediterranean region and North Africa. Asian birds migrate to Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and eastward to China. In North America, there are both feral domestic geese, which are similar to greylags, and occasional vagrant greylags. Greylag geese seen in the wild in New Zealand probably originated from the escape of farmyard geese, same as in Australia, where feral birds are now established in the east and southeast of the country.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar. Similar looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

The Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), also known as the common coot, or Australian coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and parts of North Africa. It has a slaty-black body, a glossy black head and a white bill with a white frontal shield. The sexes are similar. Similar looking coot species are found throughout the world, with the largest variety of coot species living in South America.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - BLACK REDSTART (FEMALE) (Phoenicurus ochruros)

The Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) is a small, charismatic passerine bird, exhibiting a blend of dark and vibrant plumage. Males are distinguished by their dark grey to black upperparts and breast, with a striking orange-red rump and tail. Females and juveniles are more subdued in color, with grey to grey-brown feathers and the same vivid tail coloration that is the hallmark of the species.

Adult males are easily identified by their dark upperparts and black breast, contrasting with the orange-red lower rump and tail. The belly and undertail may vary from blackish-grey to orange-red, depending on the subspecies. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with overall greyer tones and a distinctive orange-red rump and tail. The presence of pale fringes on the secondaries forms a whitish wing panel in some subspecies.

The Black Redstart has adapted remarkably to urban environments, often found nesting in crevices or holes within buildings. Originally a dweller of stony mountainous regions, it now thrives in industrial areas with similar structural features.

This species is widely distributed across south and central Europe, Asia, and north-west Africa. It is a resident in milder regions, while populations in the northeast migrate to warmer areas during winter.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula)

The European robin (Erithacus rubecula), known simply as the robin or robin redbreast in Great Britain and Ireland, is a small insectivorous passerine bird, a member of the chat subfamily of the Old World flycatcher family. It is a plucky little bird, with a length of about 12.5–14.0 cm and a weight of 16–22 g. Both sexes are similarly adorned with an orange breast and face, lined with grey, brown upper-parts, and a whitish belly.

Adult robins can be identified by their orange breast and face, bordered by a bluish-grey on the sides of the neck and chest. The upperparts are brownish, or olive-tinged in British birds, and the belly is whitish. The bill and eyes are black. Juvenile robins are distinguishable by their spotted brown and white plumage, with patches of orange gradually appearing as they mature.

The European robin is a bird of diverse habitats, found in woodlands, gardens, and parks across its range. It is particularly associated with areas where the soil is dug or disturbed, allowing it easy access to its invertebrate prey.

This bird has a wide distribution across Europe, extending east to Western Siberia and south to North Africa. It is sedentary in most of its range except the far north, where it is migratory.

The robin is diurnal and is known for its boldness in human presence, often seen investigating gardeners at work. It is territorial, with males known to fiercely defend their territory. The robin's diet is primarily composed of insects and worms, but it will also consume berries and fruit, especially in autumn and winter.

The robin's song is a delightful fluting warble, more plaintive during the winter months. Both sexes sing, with the male's song typically starting before dawn and ending after dusk. Urban robins may sing at night, possibly to avoid noise pollution during the day.

Robins are versatile in their choice of nesting sites, often opting for unusual locations such as nooks in machinery or even discarded clothing. They typically lay two or three clutches of eggs per season, with the eggs being cream, buff, or white and speckled with reddish-brown.

The European robin is unique among the Erithacus genus, with its closest relatives being the Japanese robin and the Ryukyu robin, which are now placed in a different genus.

Robins primarily feed on insects, spiders, and worms. During colder months, their diet is supplemented with berries and fruit. They are also known to visit bird tables for seed mixtures and suet.

The European robin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and possibly increasing population. It does not face any significant threats that would warrant concern for its long-term survival.

24-1-2018 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a statuesque wading bird belonging to the family Ardeidae. It is a familiar sight in both rural and urban settings, often seen standing stoically along the water's edge. An adult Grey Heron is a large bird, reaching up to 100 cm in height, with a wingspan between 155 to 195 cm. It weighs between 1 to 2 kg. The plumage is predominantly ashy-grey above, with a greyish-white underbelly and some black on the flanks. A striking feature is the white head and neck adorned with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The beak is pinkish-yellow, long, and sharply pointed, while the legs are a brown hue.

When identifying the Grey Heron, look for the white head with the black supercilium and crest, the long grey neck, and the ashy-grey wings and back. The underparts are lighter, and the legs are long and brown. Juveniles can be distinguished by their duller grey neck and smaller crest. The beak is a useful indicator of age, being brighter in breeding adults.

Grey Herons are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of watery habitats including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, and coastal environments. They require shallow waters for foraging or areas with shelving margins where they can wade.

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, as well as parts of Africa, the Grey Heron has a broad range. Northern populations may migrate southwards in autumn, while others remain resident year-round. Vagrant sightings have occurred in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and parts of North America.

The Grey Heron exhibits a slow, deliberate flight with its neck retracted in an S-shape. It is known for its solitary foraging habits, often standing motionless or stalking prey through shallow waters. It is also a communal rooster, often found in trees or cliffs at night.

The primary call of the Grey Heron is a loud croaking "fraaank." At breeding colonies, a variety of guttural and raucous noises can be heard, including greeting calls between mates and alarm calls when predators are nearby.

Breeding takes place in colonies, or heronries, typically in high trees near water. Nests are reused and added to each year. The breeding season sees a clutch of three to five bluish-green eggs laid, which both parents incubate. Chicks fledge at 7-8 weeks old.

The Grey Heron can be confused with the larger North American Great Blue Heron or the South American Cocoi Heron. However, it can be distinguished by its size and the coloration of its flanks and thighs.

Grey Herons are apex predators within their ecosystem, feeding on a variety of aquatic creatures such as fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. They have also been known to consume small mammals and juvenile birds.

The Grey Heron is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable and widespread population.

24-1-2018 KINSHAZA, DEM RUPUBLIC CONGO - BONOBO (Pan paniscus)

The bonobo (/bəˈnoʊboʊ, ˈbɒnəboʊ/; Pan paniscus), also historically called the pygmy chimpanzee (less often the dwarf chimpanzee or gracile chimpanzee), is an endangered great ape and one of the two species making up the genus Pan (the other being the common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes). While bonobos are, today, recognized as a distinct species in their own right, they were initially thought to be a subspecies of Pan troglodytes, due to the physical similarities between the two species. Taxonomically, the members of the chimpanzee/bonobo subtribe Panina—composed entirely by the genus Pan—are collectively termed panins.

Bonobos are distinguished from common chimpanzees by relatively long limbs, pinker lips, a darker face, a tail-tuft through adulthood, and parted, longer hair on their heads. Some individuals have sparser, thin hair over parts of their bodies. The bonobo is found in a 500,000 km2 (190,000 sq mi) area within the Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central Africa. The species is predominantly frugivorous, compared to the often highly omnivorous diets and hunting of small monkeys, duiker and other antelope exhibited by common chimpanzees. The bonobo inhabits primary and secondary forest, including seasonally inundated swamp forest. Because of political instability in the region, and the general timidity of bonobos, there has been relatively little field work done observing the species in its natural habitat.

22-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - GENUS BOMAREA (Bomarea costaricensis)

The native range of this species is Costa Rica to Panama. It is a scrambling rhizomatous geophyte and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome.

22-3-2017 HOTEL BOUGANVILLEA, COSTA RICA - GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)

The cinnamon-bellied saltator or northern grey saltator (Saltator grandis) is a passerine bird in the tanager family Thraupidae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the greyish saltator (Saltator coerulescens), but was split as a distinct species by the IOC in 2021. It is found from Mexico to Panama.

In El Salvador, it is well known as dichosofui after the "elaborate" version of its call, which sounds like a drawn-out ¡dichoso fui!, Spanish for "I was happy!"

A fairly common, though sometimes shy, bird of tropical lowlands in both dry and moist areas of northern South America. Favors forest edges, second thickets, hedgerows, and tangles, especially where morning glory flowers grow, on which it feeds silently. In Mexico and Central America it can be distinguished from other Saltator species by its grayish (not golden-green) upperparts, more pronounced white eyebrow, and flat breast. Immatures are somewhat different in appearance, with a yellowish streak on both the face and upperparts. Listen for its sweet song of long whistles and babbles.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA, COSTA RICA - TALAMANCA HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes spectabilis)

The Talamanca hummingbird or admirable hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis) is a species of hummingbird in the "mountain gems", tribe Lampornithini in subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.

The Talamanca hummingbird is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long. Males weigh about 10 g (0.35 oz) and females 8.5 g (0.30 oz). Both sexes have a long straight black bill and a small white spot behind the eye.

Adult males have a dull black forehead with a dark green gloss, a metallic violet blue to purple crown, and a dull black nape and upper back. Much of the rest of the face is dark green, and the lores are a deep black. The rest of the upperparts and the tail are bronzy green to golden green; the tail feathers sometimes have grayish tips. The chin and gorget are metallic bluish green. The breast and belly are dark bronzy green, on the belly mixed with brownish gray. The undertail coverts are dull bronzy green with pale buff edges.

Adult females do not have the iridescent crown and gorget of the male. Their upperparts are dull dark green and most of the face is sooty black. The two innermost pairs of tail feathers are also dull dark green and the three outer pairs bronzy green with a black band near the end and brownish gray tips. The throat is brownish gray with buff tips to the feathers, the flanks dark green, and the breast, belly, and undertail coverts dull brownish gray with a dull green wash.

Immature birds are similar to the adult female, but have darker brown underparts with a dull buff scaly appearance. The upperparts' feathers, especially those of the crown and neck, have buffy fringes.

 

The Talamanca hummingbird is found in mountains from central Costa Rica into western Panama. In Costa Rica it occurs in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera de Talamanca and in Panama only in the Volcán Barú massif of Chiriquí Province. It inhabits oak forests and is partial to the forest's edges and clearings, and also is found in nearby secondary forest. In Costa Rica it occurs from 2,000 m (6,600 ft) up to treeline but is most common above 2,500 m (8,200 ft) and is occasionally found as low as 1,850 m (6,100 ft). In Panama it occurs between 2,000 and 2,400 m (6,600 and 7,900 ft).

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

The Sooty Thrush, known scientifically as Turdus nigrescens, is a robust bird endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama. It is a member of the Turdidae family, which it shares with other thrushes. The adult male is a striking brownish-black with black wings and tail, and a distinctive black area between the orange bill and the eye. The legs and bare eye ring are a vivid orange, and the iris is a pale grey. Females are similar but tend to be browner and somewhat paler, with yellow-orange bare parts. Juveniles can be identified by their resemblance to the adult female, but with buff or orange streaks on the head and upperparts, and dark spotting on the underparts.

When identifying the Sooty Thrush, look for its average length of 24–25.5 cm and an average weight of 96 grams. The male's brownish-black plumage, black wings and tail, and the black area between the orange bill and eye are key characteristics. The orange legs and eye ring, along with the pale grey iris, are also distinctive. Females and juveniles are paler, with the juveniles displaying streaks and spotting.

This species thrives in open areas and at the edge of oak forests, typically at altitudes above 2200 meters.

The Sooty Thrush is found exclusively in the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.

The Sooty Thrush exhibits behaviors similar to other thrushes, such as the American Robin. It forages on the ground, either alone or in pairs, moving in a series of hops and dashes with frequent pauses. It is known to turn over leaf litter in search of insects and spiders.

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.

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

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

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

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

24-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, 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.

24-3-2017 TROGON LODGE, COSTA RICA - BANDED MAPWING BUTTERFLY (Hypanartia dione ssp. arcaei)

Hypanartia, commonly called mapwings, is a butterfly genus in the family Nymphalidae found from Mexico to South America.

Morphological data, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA reveal that Hypanartia is a possible sister clade a genera including: Polygonia, Aglais, Nymphalis, and more.