26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - GREY HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - CLAY COLOURED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)

The Clay-colored Thrush, Turdus grayi, is a bird of modest plumage, its feathers a subtle palette of brown hues, lighter on the flanks and faintly streaked on the throat. This bird, similar in size to the American Robin, measures approximately 23 to 27 centimeters in length and weighs between 74 to 76 grams. The young are distinguished by a faint mottling on their backs and underparts. Notable identification features include a greenish-yellow bill with a dark base, pinkish or flesh-colored legs, and reddish irises.

When identifying the Clay-colored Thrush, look for its brownish plumage, which is lighter below and lightest on the flanks. The throat bears faint streaks, and the bird's bill is greenish-yellow with a dark base. The legs are pinkish or flesh-colored, and the irises are a distinctive reddish color. Juveniles may exhibit faint mottling on their back and underparts.

The Clay-colored Thrush is a familiar sight in yards and gardens, much like its relatives the American Robin, the Eurasian Blackbird, and the Song Thrush. It thrives in a variety of habitats, from South Texas to northern Colombia, often found in human-altered landscapes where fruiting trees are present.

This bird's range extends from South Texas, where it is expanding its territory, to northern Colombia. It is predominantly found on the Atlantic slope west and north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with an isolated population around Oaxaca City, Mexico.

The Clay-colored Thrush is known to forage on the ground or near it, usually alone or in pairs, though it may gather in flocks in fruiting trees. It is also known to follow army ants to capture small prey disturbed by the ants' movement.

The song of the Clay-colored Thrush is a series of slurred musical phrases, often repeated irregularly at a slow, steady tempo. Its flight call is a harsher version of the American Robin's "tock." During the dry season, its mating call varies significantly across regions.

The breeding season for the Clay-colored Thrush spans from March to July. It constructs a sturdy cup nest from grass, moss, feathers, leaves, and mud, often utilizing human structures for support. The female lays 2 to 4 pale blue eggs adorned with red-brown and gray markings and may produce two broods per season. The species is known for its aggressive defense of its nest, even against large raptors.

This thrush primarily feeds on fruit and invertebrates, foraging on the ground or in trees. It is opportunistic, sometimes taking advantage of disturbances caused by army ants to find prey.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Clay-colored Thrush as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - WHITE NECKED JACOBIN (MALE) (Florisuga mellivora)

The white-necked jacobin (Florisuga mellivora ) is a medium-size hummingbird that ranges from Mexico south through Central America and northern South America into Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. It is also found in Trinidad & Tobago.

Other common names are great jacobin and collared hummingbird.

The white-necked jacobin is 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) long. Males weigh 7.4 to 9 g (0.26 to 0.32 oz) and females 6 to 9.2 g (0.21 to 0.32 oz). The male is unmistakable with its dark blue head and chest and white belly and tail; the tail feathers have black tips. A white band on the nape separates the blue head from the bright green back and long uppertail coverts. Females are highly variable, and may resemble adult or immature males. The majority of females have green upperparts, a blue-green throat and breast with white "scales", a white belly, and a mostly green tail with a blue end. Immature males vary from female-like, but with more white in the tail, to male-like with more black there. Immature females also vary but usually have less white in the tail and are somewhat bronzy on the throat and chest.

The nominate subspecies of white-necked jacobin, F. m. mellivora, is found from southern Veracruz and northern Oaxaca, Mexico, through southern Belize, northern Guatemala, eastern Honduras and Nicaragua, eastern and western Costa Rica, and Panama into South America. In that continent it is found in much of Colombia and Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, most of Venezuela, the Guianas, the northwestern half of Brazil, and the island of Trinidad. F. m. flabellifera is found only on the island of Tobago. The nominate has been recorded as a vagrant in Argentina and on the islands of Aruba and Curaçao.

The white-necked jacobin inhabits the canopy and edges of humid forest and also semi-open landscapes such as tall secondary forest, gallery forest, and coffee and cacao plantations. It is usually seen high in trees but comes lower at edges and in clearings. In elevation it usually ranges from sea level to about 900 m (3,000 ft) but has also rarely been seen as high as 1,500 m (4,900 ft).

The white-necked jacobin's movement pattern is not well understood. It apparently moves seasonally as flower abundance changes, but details are lacking.

The white-necked jacobin feeds on nectar at the flowers of tall trees, epiphytes, shrubs, and Heliconia plants. Several may feed in one tree and are aggressive to each other, but they are otherwise seldom territorial. Both sexes hawk small insects, mostly by hovering, darting, or sallying from perches.

The white-necked jacobin breeds in the dry to early wet seasons, which vary across their range. The nest is a shallow cup of plant down and cobweb placed on the upper surface of a leaf where another leaf provides a "roof". It is typically 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) above ground and sometimes near a stream. Males display and chase in the canopy and along edges during the breeding season. Females use a fluttering flight to distract predators.

23-4-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PAINTED LADY BUTTERFLY (Vanessa cardui)

Vanessa cardui is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is commonly called the painted lady, or formerly in North America the cosmopolitan.

V. cardui is one of the most widespread of all butterflies, found on every continent except Antarctica and South America. In Australia, V. cardui has a limited range around Bunbury, Fremantle, and Rottnest Island. However, its close relative, the Australian painted lady (V. kershawi, sometimes considered a subspecies) ranges over half the continent. Other closely related species are the American painted lady (V. virginiensis) and the West Coast lady (V. annabella).

Vanessa cardui spring migration between North Africa and Europe

V. cardui occurs in any temperate zone, including mountains in the tropics. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Britain and Europe in May and June,[10] occasionally reaching Iceland, and from the Red Sea basin, via Israel and Cyprus, to Turkey in March and April. The occasional autumn migration made by V. cardui is likely for the inspection of resource changes; it consists of a round trip from Europe to Africa.

For decades, naturalists have debated whether the offspring of these immigrants ever make a southwards return migration. Research suggests that British painted ladies do undertake an autumn migration, making 14,500 km (9,000 mi) round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle in a series of steps by up to six successive generations. The Radar Entomology Unit at Rothamsted Research provided evidence that autumn migrations take place at high altitude, which explains why these migrations are seldom witnessed. In recent years, thanks to the activity of The Worldwide Painted Lady Migration citizen science project, led by the Barcelona-based Institute of Evolutionary Biology (Catalan: Institut de Biologia Evolutiva), the huge range of migration has begun to be revealed. For example, some butterflies migrated from Iceland to the Sahara desert, and even further south.

23-4-2017 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EURASIAN HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH (Macroglossum stellatarum)

The hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species of hawk moth found across temperate regions of Eurasia. The species is named for its similarity to hummingbirds, as they feed on the nectar of tube-shaped flowers using their long proboscis while hovering in the air; this resemblance is an example of convergent evolution.

The hummingbird hawk-moth was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. As of 2018, its entire genome and mitogenome have been sequenced.

The hummingbird hawk-moth is distributed throughout the northern Old World from Portugal to Japan, but it breeds mainly in warmer climates (southern Europe, North Africa, and points east). Three generations are produced in a year in Spain.

t is a strong flier, dispersing widely in the summer. However it rarely survives the winter in northern latitudes (e.g. north of the Alps in Europe, north of the Caucasus in Russia).

Moths in the genus Hemaris, also of the family Sphingidae, are known as "hummingbird moths" in the US, and "bee moths" in Europe. This sometimes causes confusion between this species and the North American genus.

The forewings are brown, with black wavy lines across them, while the hindwings are orange with a black edge. The abdomen is quite broad, with a fan-tail of setae at the end. The wingspan is 40–45 millimetres (1.6–1.8 in).

In the southern parts of its range, the hummingbird hawk-moth is highly active even when temperatures are high, and thoracic temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) have been measured. This is among the highest recorded for hawk-moths, and near the limit for insect muscle activity.

Two or more broods are produced each year. The adult may be encountered at any time of the year, especially in the south of the range, where there may be three or four broods. It overwinters as an adult in a crevice among rocks, trees, and buildings. On very warm days it may emerge to feed in mid-winter. Unlike other moths, they have no sexual dimorphism in the size of their antennal lobes.  

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - THOAS SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Papilio thoas)

Papilio thoas, the king swallowtail or Thoas swallowtail, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in the southernmost United States, Mexico, Central America and South America (as far south as Argentina and Uruguay). The species is easily confused with the giant swallowtail, which it closely resembles in both larval and adult stages. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of citrus plants (Rutaceae). They have also been reported as feeding on a member of the genus Piper.

A large species (12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in) wingspan. The wings are narrow. The forewings are mostly brown. A yellow band runs from the tip, becoming narrower towards the back. There is also a row of yellow arcuate spots on the underside of the wing edge. The hind wings are predominantly brown, toothed and have a long caudal process. This carries a yellow core. There is a row of yellow arcuate spots at the edge of the hind wings. A broad yellow band runs through the first half of the wing. Inside sits a black eyespot with blue-white dusting. The yellow regions are more pronounced on the undersides of the wings. Blue-white arcuate spots adjoin the yellow arcuate spots on the upper side. The eyespot is only weakly pronounced. The body of the king swallowtail is yellow.- Seitz "- P. thoas. The spatulate tail has a yellow spot in the middle. The species occurs from Texas and the West Indian Islands southwards to Buenos Aires, but is wanting on the Lesser Antilles. It. is everywhere common and flies in the open country, in gardens and plantations. thoas is a very bold flier, which often mounts high in the air.. The larva lives on Piperaceae and Citrus. — melonius R. & J. is the subspecies from Jamaica: it has no cell-spot on the upper surface of the forewing. 

Adult Thoas swallowtails fly year round in the tropics, feeding on nectar of a variety of flowers, including Lantana, Stachytarpheta, and Bougainvillea among other species.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA, COSTA RICA - RUBY SPOTTED SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Papilio anchisiades)

Papilio anchisiades, the ruby-black phoenix Anhisiadi or ruby-spotted swallowtail or red-spotted swallowtail, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found from southern Texas south to Argentina. Rare strays can be found up to Kansas, southeastern Arizona, and western Texas.

The wingspan is 70–100 mm.

The larvae feed on various species of the family Rutaceae, including Citrus, Casimiroa, and Zanthoxylum species. The adults feed on flower nectar.

23-3-2017 SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - BAEOTIS ZONATA BUTTERFLY (Baeotis zonata ssp. zonata)

 

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - CROWNED WOOD NYMPH (Thalurania colombica)

The Crowned Woodnymph, known scientifically as Thalurania colombica, is a dazzling species of hummingbird belonging to the emeralds tribe, Trochilini. This avian jewel exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males adorned in violet and green, while females wear a more subdued palette of greens and grays.

Male Crowned Woodnymphs measure between 9.5 to 11.5 cm in length and weigh a mere 4 to 5.5 grams. They boast a violet forehead, crown, upper back, and belly, with a dark bronzy green nape and a bluish green lower back and rump. Their throat and chest shimmer in glittering green, and they possess a deeply forked, blue-black tail. Females, slightly smaller at 8.5 to 9.2 cm and weighing 3.5 to 4.2 grams, have bright green upperparts and a pale gray underbelly, with their tails featuring blue-black with white-tipped outer feathers.

These birds favor the interiors, edges, and clearings of humid primary and mature secondary forests. They are also found in semi-open landscapes such as coffee and cacao plantations and gardens, but avoid open scrublands.

The Crowned Woodnymph is found from Belize and Guatemala to far-northern Peru, with seven recognized subspecies distributed across this range.

This species exhibits altitudinal movement post-breeding in Costa Rica and local movements to follow flowering events. Both sexes defend rich nectar sources, with females showing more aggression in territory defense.

The presumed song of the Crowned Woodnymph is a monotonous, plaintive squeaky chip, "ksit…ksit…ksit..", and it also produces short dry chips that can form a trill or chatter.

Breeding seasons vary geographically, with nests being cups of treefern scales and plant down, adorned with lichen and moss, and typically placed under a leaf on a horizontal twig. The clutch size is two eggs, though incubation and fledging periods are not well documented.

The Crowned Woodnymph feeds on nectar from various flowering plants, preferring to forage in covered or semi-open areas. It also consumes small arthropods, capturing them by hawking from a perch or gleaning from foliage.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA, COSTA RICA - MONTEZUMA OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius montezuma)

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

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

26-3-2017 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.

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.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - RUFOUS TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The IUCN has classified the rufous-tailed hummingbird as Least Concern, with an estimated population of over five million mature individuals. The species may even benefit from certain human activities that create open spaces suitable for its habitat.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - PASSERINI'S TANAGER (Ramphocelus passerinii)

The scarlet-rumped tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii ) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder in the Caribbean lowlands from southern Mexico to western Panama. This species was formerly known as the scarlet-rumped tanager, but was renamed when the distinctive form found on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama was reclassified as a separate species, the Cherrie's tanager, Ramphocelus costaricensis. While most authorities have accepted this split, there are notable exceptions (e.g. the Howard and Moore checklist). It was renamed back to the scarlet-rumped tanager in 2018 when Cherrie's Tanager was lumped back into the species.

This species was named for Carlo Passerini, a professor at the Museum of Zoology of the University of Florence.

The adult Passerini's tanager is 16 cm long and weighs 31 g. The adult male is mainly black except for a scarlet rump, silvery bill and dark red iris. The female has a grey head, olive upperparts becoming brighter and paler on the rump, brownish wings and tail and ochre underparts. The female's plumage is the one that differs most from Cherrie's tanager. Immatures have an orange tint to the underparts and rump, and look like a paler and duller female Cherrie's tanager.

The Passerini's tanager's call is a sharp wac. Its song consists of a few clear pleasant notes, delivered in shorter phrases than that of its Pacific relative.

It is very common from sea level to 1200 m altitude, and occurs occasionally up to 1700 m. The preferred habitat is semi-open areas including light second growth, woodland edges, gardens and pasture with bushes.

Passerini's tanagers occur in pairs, small groups, or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock, and up to a dozen birds may roost together in dense thickets at night. This species feeds on certain small fruit, usually swallowed whole, insects and spiders.

The cup nest is built up to 6 m high in a tree. The normal clutch is two pale blue or grey eggs, marked with black, brown or lilac. This species will sometimes raise two broods in a season.

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)

The palm tanager (Thraupis palmarum ) is a medium-sized passerine bird. This tanager is a resident breeder from Nicaragua south to Bolivia, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It also breeds on Trinidad and, since 1962, on Tobago. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is known by colloquial names such as the "palmiste" on American Spanish countries (Colombian pronn: "pūlmist "), Brazil Pipira-verde (Portuguese pronn: "pəəpəərā-værd ") and the "green jean" in American English.

Adult palm tanagers are 19 cm (7.5 in) long and weigh 36 g (1.3 oz). They are grey to dull olive-green. The flight feathers are blackish, and the long tail is blackish edged with green. A yellow wingbar shows in flight. Sexes are similar, although females may be somewhat paler.

It occurs in semi-open areas including cultivation and gardens. The bulky cup nest is built in a tree, usually a palm, or under the eaves of a house, and the female incubates three, sometimes two, brown-blotched cream eggs for 14 days, with another 17 days to fledging.

Palm tanagers are social, restless but unwary birds which eat a wide variety of small fruit. They also regularly take some nectar and insects, including caterpillars. The song is fast and squeaky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26-3-2017 RANCHO NATURALISTA - CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica)

The chestnut-sided warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica ) is a New World warbler. They breed in eastern North America and in southern Canada westwards to the Canadian Prairies. They also breed in the Great Lakes region and in the eastern United States.

Countries

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Canada, United States, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela 

This species is a moderately-sized New World warbler. Despite having very different plumage, it is thought to be closely related to the widespread yellow warbler.

In the summer, male chestnut-sided warblers are unmistakable in appearance. They display dark-streaked gray backs, white faces, black eyestripes and yellow crowns. Their underparts are white, with chestnut flanks, and they also have two white wing bars. The adult females resemble washed-out versions of the summer male, and in particular, the females lack the strong head pattern, and also have little to no chestnut coloring on their flanks.

26-3-2017 CATIE CENTER, COSTA RICA - TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

The turkey vulture, known scientifically as Cathartes aura, is a bird of prey that is the most widespread of the New World vultures. It is a large bird, with a wingspan of 160–183 cm (63–72 in), a length of 62–81 cm (24–32 in), and weight ranging from 0.8 to 2.41 kg (1.8 to 5.3 lb). The adult turkey vulture is recognized by its bald red head, dark plumage, and a relatively short, hooked, ivory-colored beak. The underwing coverts are silvery-gray, providing a contrast against the darker wing linings.

When observing the turkey vulture in flight, look for its distinctive silhouette with wings held in a shallow V-shape. The bird often rocks or tips from side to side, allowing the silvery-gray flight feathers to catch the light. The small, red head is proportionally small compared to its body, and the beak is short and hooked. The legs and feet are pinkish in color, often stained white due to urohidrosis, a cooling behavior where the bird defecates on its own legs.

Turkey vultures inhabit a variety of open and semi-open areas, including subtropical forests, shrublands, pastures, and deserts. They are often found in areas that juxtapose with woodlands, which are important for nesting and roosting.

The turkey vulture's range extends from southern Canada to the southernmost tip of South America. It is a permanent resident in the southern United States, with northern populations migrating as far south as South America.

Turkey vultures are gregarious and roost in large community groups. They are known for their soaring flight, utilizing thermals to stay aloft with minimal flapping. On the ground, they have an ungainly, hopping walk and require significant effort to take flight. They are also known for their horaltic pose, where they spread their wings to dry, warm their body, or bake off bacteria.

Lacking a syrinx, the turkey vulture's vocalizations are limited to grunts or low hisses.

Breeding season varies with latitude, starting in March in the southern United States and extending into August in northerly latitudes. Turkey vultures nest in protected locations such as cliffs, caves, or hollow trees, laying one to three cream-colored eggs with brown or lavender spots. Both parents incubate and care for the altricial chicks by regurgitating food.

The black vulture is similar in appearance but can be distinguished by its shorter tail and wings, which make it appear smaller in flight.

Turkey vultures feed almost exclusively on carrion, preferring recently dead animals and avoiding putrefied remains. They have a keen sense of smell and can detect the gases produced by decaying animals, which aids in locating food.

The turkey vulture is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Populations appear stable, and it has not reached the threshold for inclusion as a threatened species.

26-3-2017 CATIE CENTER, COSTA RICA - PURPLE GALINULE (Porphyrio martinica)

The purple gallinule (Porphyrio martinicus) is a swamphen in the genus Porphyrio. It is in the order Gruiformes, meaning "crane-like", an order which also contains cranes, rails, and crakes. The purple gallinule is a rail species, placing it into the family Rallidae. It is also known locally as the yellow-legged gallinule. The specific name martinica denotes "of Martinique".

These birds are found in the southeastern states of the United States during the breeding season. They are resident species in southern Florida, the Gulf and Pacific coast of Mexico, parts of Central America, and the Caribbean. During the non-breeding season, they are found more inland in parts of Central America. They can also be found within South America during migration, and sometimes strays can be found as far north as Canada. The species' habitat is freshwater marsh with dense stands of vegetation.

The species has the greatest pattern of vagrancy amongst rails, with individuals recorded as far west as California and the Galápagos Islands, as far north as Iceland and Labrador, as far south as Tierra del Fuego, and as far east as Great Britain, Portugal and Cape Verde.

The courtship of purple gallinules occurs while they are standing and can be displayed by both sexes. Courtship occurs when the birds of a pair have been separated and then wander close to one another. They then perform the principal display, which is performed by both sexes at the same time. The display entails the bird standing in a slightly bent forward position, with the neck outstretched. The wings are held at an almost right angle to the body and bent at the wrist, so that the primaries are angled down. Following the principal display, one or both of the birds will strut and cut across the path of the other with half-lowered wings, or they will make a deep bow as they approach each other.

26-3-2017 CATIE CENTER, COSTA RICA - NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa)

The Northern Jacana, Jacana spinosa, is a striking wader with a dark brown body, a black head and neck, and distinctive yellow patches on its bill. A yellow wattle adorns its forehead, and its bill is white at the base. When in flight, the bird reveals yellowish-green primary and secondary feathers, along with yellow bony spurs on the wing edges, used for defense. The greenish hue of the wing feathers is due to a rare avian pigment called zooprasinin. Adult females are notably larger than males, with the former averaging 145.4 grams and the latter 86.9 grams. The species measures approximately 241 mm in length and boasts a wingspan of around 508 mm. Juvenile jacanas are adorned with a white supercilium and lores, and their downy plumage displays a mosaic of orange, browns, black, and white. As they mature, their plumage transitions to gray with brownish upper parts.

To identify the Northern Jacana, look for its large feet and claws, which are well-adapted for traversing floating vegetation. The bird's greenish wing feathers and yellow wattle are also key characteristics. Juveniles can be recognized by their white facial markings and variegated down.

This species thrives on floating vegetation found in swamps, marshes, and ponds, predominantly in coastal regions.

The Northern Jacana's range extends from coastal Mexico to western Panama, including parts of the Caribbean such as Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola. It is occasionally found breeding in Texas, USA, and has been recorded as a vagrant in Arizona.

The Northern Jacana is polyandrous, with females overseeing territories that include the domains of one to four males. These birds maintain year-round pair bonds, and relationships persist until one partner is replaced. The species is capable of breeding continuously, provided water levels remain stable.

The vocal repertoire of the Northern Jacana includes "clustered-note calls" used during territorial defense and when eggs or chicks are threatened. The urgency of the situation influences the pattern and notes of the calls. Vocalizations also occur during flight, when a female is absent from the territory for extended periods, or when a male is searching for a missing chick.

Males construct floating nests from plant matter, and females lay clutches of four brown eggs with black markings. The male incubates the eggs for 28 days, and chicks are able to swim, dive, and feed shortly after hatching. The male broods the chicks for several weeks, with the female occasionally assisting. Females provide new clutches when the chicks reach 12-16 weeks of age.

The Northern Jacana's diet includes insects, ovules of water lilies, snails, worms, small crabs, fish, mollusks, and seeds. It competes with other birds, such as the sora, that share a similar diet.

The Northern Jacana is currently classified as Least Concern, but it could become vulnerable due to the potential loss of wetland habitats.