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.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - FLAME COLOURED TANAGER (MALE) (Piranga bidentata)

The Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata, is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage. Males are adorned with a striking red-orange hue, while females exhibit a more subdued yellowish-orange. This species, once known as the stripe-backed tanager, belongs to the family Cardinalidae.

The Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata, is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage. Males are adorned with a striking red-orange hue, while females exhibit a more subdued yellowish-orange. This species, once known as the stripe-backed tanager, belongs to the family Cardinalidae.

Adult males are characterized by their red-orange head and underparts, transitioning to a yellower tone near the vent. A distinctive brown patch is present below the eye, extending from the bill to behind the eye. The mantle and back are dusky orange with an olive tint, and the rump is paler with minimal streaking. Females share a similar pattern but with a yellow head and underparts, and an olive back marked with black streaks.

The Flame-colored Tanager is typically found in the canopy of humid montane forests, as well as in large trees within non-forested areas such as pastures, coffee plantations, and gardens. It also frequents open oak and pine-oak woodlands and is generally a bird of the mountains, although it can be found at sea level in Guatemala.

This species ranges from Mexico through Central America to northern Panama. It is occasionally sighted in the United States, with rare nesting occurrences. The four recognized subspecies have distinct geographical distributions within this range.

The Flame-colored Tanager is largely resident, though it may move to lower elevations during winter. It typically forages alone or in pairs and may join mixed-species flocks. It is known to sally out for flying insects and descend to the ground for fruit.

The song of the Flame-colored Tanager resembles that of a vireo, described as a rich, musical series of notes. Its call is noted as "per-dick" or "chi-dick".

Nesting occurs in dense foliage or isolated trees and shrubs in more open areas. The nest is an open cup made of coarse material lined with fine grass. Breeding has been documented in the spring months.

The diet consists of small arthropods and various berries. This tanager has been observed ambushing swarms of army ants to feed on the insects they carry.

The IUCN has classified the Flame-colored Tanager as Least Concern. It is found in several protected areas and is less sensitive to environmental disturbance compared to many other species.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - FLAME COLOURED TANAGER (FEMALE) (Piranga bidentata)

The Flame-colored Tanager, Piranga bidentata, is a medium-sized songbird of vibrant plumage. Males are adorned with a striking red-orange hue, while females exhibit a more subdued yellowish-orange. This species, once known as the stripe-backed tanager, belongs to the family Cardinalidae.

Adult males are characterized by their red-orange head and underparts, transitioning to a yellower tone near the vent. A distinctive brown patch is present below the eye, extending from the bill to behind the eye. The mantle and back are dusky orange with an olive tint, and the rump is paler with minimal streaking. Females share a similar pattern but with a yellow head and underparts, and an olive back marked with black streaks.

The Flame-colored Tanager is typically found in the canopy of humid montane forests, as well as in large trees within non-forested areas such as pastures, coffee plantations, and gardens. It also frequents open oak and pine-oak woodlands and is generally a bird of the mountains, although it can be found at sea level in Guatemala.

This species ranges from Mexico through Central America to northern Panama. It is occasionally sighted in the United States, with rare nesting occurrences. The four recognized subspecies have distinct geographical distributions within this range.

The Flame-colored Tanager is largely resident, though it may move to lower elevations during winter. It typically forages alone or in pairs and may join mixed-species flocks. It is known to sally out for flying insects and descend to the ground for fruit.

The song of the Flame-colored Tanager resembles that of a vireo, described as a rich, musical series of notes. Its call is noted as "per-dick" or "chi-dick".

Nesting occurs in dense foliage or isolated trees and shrubs in more open areas. The nest is an open cup made of coarse material lined with fine grass. Breeding has been documented in the spring months.

The diet consists of small arthropods and various berries. This tanager has been observed ambushing swarms of army ants to feed on the insects they carry.

The IUCN has classified the Flame-colored Tanager as Least Concern. It is found in several protected areas and is less sensitive to environmental disturbance compared to many other species.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - 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.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA 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.

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.

There are no major threats to Variegated squirrels at present.

According to IUCN, the Variegated squirrel is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - LARGE FOOTED FINCH (Pezopetes capitalis)

The Large-footed Finch, Pezopetes capitalis, is a robust, terrestrial bird, notable for its impressive stature among its kin. Adults measure around 20 cm in length and weigh approximately 56 grams, making them one of the heaviest in the Passerellidae family. They exhibit a slate grey head, with the throat, forehead, and crown sides transitioning to black. The upper parts are a dark olive, while the wings and tail are black with olive fringes. The underparts are a vivid olive, with a brownish hue on the flanks and lower belly.

When identifying the Large-footed Finch, look for its slender bill, modestly sized tail, and particularly its very large and powerful feet and legs. The adult's coloration is distinct, with the contrast between the slate grey head and the black throat area being quite prominent. Juveniles can be recognized by their streaked dark olive head, blackish scaling on the upperparts, and buff-olive underparts.

This species thrives in the undergrowth of mountain forests, second growth, and bamboo clumps. It is also found in scrubby pastures and the scrubby páramo, at altitudes ranging from 2150 meters to 3350 meters.

Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama, the Large-footed Finch is a common sight in locations such as Cerro de la Muerte.

Typically observed in pairs, the Large-footed Finch is a ground-dweller. It is known for its powerful double scratches when foraging, capable of sending debris up to 30 cm away. This bird is also known to pick berries from low bushes.

The male Large-footed Finch serenades with a song composed of whistles, warbles, chatter, and mimicry, often performed from the ground or a low perch. Additionally, the species emits a thin 'seet' call.

The female constructs a large, loose cup-shaped nest from plant material, usually situated less than 2 meters above ground in bamboo or a dense shrub. The typical clutch consists of one or two brown-marked white or blue-white eggs. The female incubates these eggs alone for a period of 12 to 14 days before they hatch.

The diet of the Large-footed Finch includes insects, spiders, and seeds, which it extracts from the leaf litter. It also consumes berries, which it gathers from low-growing vegetation.

23-3-2017 SAN GERARDO DE DOTA COSTA RICA - 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.

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.

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 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.

The Clay-colored Thrush may be confused with other Turdus species, but its unique coloration, reddish irises, and regional song variations help distinguish it from its relatives.

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.

23-3-2017 TROGON LODGE COSTA RICA - EMERALD SWIFT LIZARD (FEMALE) (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.

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.

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 fifteen young yearly.

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

The species was, for a time, considered to be a subspecies of the Mexican emerald spiny lizard, Sceloporus formosus, but more modern research has returned it to full species status, though some sources still refer to it as a subspecies.

Emerald swifts are frequently found in the exotic pet trade. Their striking coloration and ease of care make them popular captives. They feed readily on commercially available crickets and can be maintained in a relatively small vivarium, though they do require adequate UV lighting.