A Tropical Birding CUSTOM tour COSTA RICA. Tour Leader: Sam Woods

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1 A Tropical Birding CUSTOM tour COSTA RICA 29 th July 8 th August 2015 Tour Leader: Sam Woods The cantankerous Magnificent Hummingbird loves nothing more than a fight with its rivals! NB. All of the photos were taken on this tour by Sam Woods. (The species in the photos are highlighted in RED) info@tropicalbirding.com 1

2 INTRODUCTION This was by no means typical of many of the Costa Rica tours we run, designed, specifically for two people of limited mobility. The main scope of the tour was to have good sets of feeders almost everywhere for the photographer in the party, make sure we got cracking looks at Scarlet Macaws, as this species was a major wish for both the participants; and to ensure we had some easy going birding for the other person in the group. Thus this tour was part photo tour, part birding tour, but essentially at a laidback speed throughout. The tour was relaxed with shorter days than typical of our usual Costa Rican offerings, but in spite of this we saw plentiful birds, with superb feeders almost everywhere, and excellent birding enjoyed during our shorter days in the field, which shows just what can be seen in Costa Rica while birding at a sensible, and relaxed pace. Among the many highlights were a handful of male Resplendent Quetzals, an assortment of incredible hummingbirds, including the outstanding Fiery-throated; very close encounters with both Blackbreasted and Spotted Wood-Quails; a troop of Fiery-billed Aracaris around our hotel reception near Carara; and the amazing experience of watching 120 Scarlet Macaws pass overhead in an hour spell. And that s just the birds, we also enjoyed Red-eyed and Golden-eyed Treefrogs, and Strawberry and Green-and-black Poison Frogs for a great all round birding, natural history, and photography experience. Day 1: Hotel Bougainvillea, Alajuela (near San Jose airport) This was supposed to be nothing more than an arrival day, and rest up for the next day s activities. However, a well concealed, though intriguing sign in our sprawling hotel garden had us out there with flashlights after dinner, to try and find some of the fascinating frogs adorning these signs. Betty quickly located a Forrer s Leopard-Frog (next page) or two dotted about one of their more info@tropicalbirding.com 2

3 prominent ponds, while in another, well hidden pool we found some wonderful Golden-eyed Treefrogs (page before) clasped to some plant stems at the edge. Day 2: El Tapir Hummingbird Garden & Nature Pavilion After a walk around our lovely hotel gardens, although this time in daylight, and checking out the local pair of Whiteeared Ground-Sparrows, we breakfasted and headed up into the nearby hills. Our destination was the famous El Tapir Hummingbird Garden, where a hedge of blooming violet verbena flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds. And so it proved on this day, with a male Snowcap darting in and out regularly in the sunshine, (although proving difficult to capture in film), along with Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, plentiful Rufous-tailed Hummingbirds, and the odd Violet-headed Hummingbird too. Our time there was not solely about these winged gems though, as we also got cracking looks at Emerald and Silver-throated Tanagers, although an enticing calling Yellow-eared Toucanet would not show itself. After a short period in the morning here, and some lunch at a nearby buffet with a bewildering selection of food items, we headed down into the lowlands, and the excellent Nature Pavilion, near the town of Puerto Viejo. Nature Pavilion gets an extraordinary write up on its own website, and so it should, it is a remarkable place to observe birds at close range, with excellent feeders designed with photographers in mind. Off the feeders we had good looks at a series of perched parrots resting in the afternoon rain including Red-lored, White-crowned and Brown-hooded Parrots. To complete the theme of exotic birds showing well, we also enjoyed both Black-mandibled Toucan and Keel-billed Toucan that lingered in the scope for some time info@tropicalbirding.com 3

4 At the feeders, owner David had to keep up with the birds that were busy clearing the bananas away, as fast as he could lay them out! Blue-gray and Palm Tanagers were the dominant species here, but others nipped in and out too, like the Crimson-collared Tanager for which this must, surely be the best place to observe the species at close range. Other visitors included Great Kiskadee, (below) Green Honeycreeper, Golden-hooded Tanager, Gray-headed Chachalaca, and Collared Aracari. We also found two more rather dashing frogs for our trip list, first a pair of Strawberry Poison Frogs, then later Green-and-black Poison Frogs too, hopping around behind the feeders! After an unforeseen delay in getting to our hotel a mere five miles away, caused us to drive through agricultural lands on what appeared to be a wild goose chase, we finally parked up at the wonderful Selva Verde Lodge. After dinner, once again, we went out in search of frogs, and quickly were faceto-face with one of Costa Rica s most iconic frog species, the striking Red-eyed Treefrog (below) info@tropicalbirding.com 4

5 Day 3: Nature Pavilion to Bosque de Paz (via Catarata del Toro) Nature Pavilion proved a big hit with the photographer half of the couple on this tour, and so we returned to see the throngs of birds there for the next morning too, photographing and/or ogling, among others Crimson-collared, Golden-hooded, Blue-gray, and Palm Tanagers, as well as Redlegged Honeycreeper, and a superb Montezuma Oropendola (page 6) that posed out front near eye level. The hummer feeders were also buzzing with regulars like Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, and White-necked Jacobin, and the ever-present Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. After a satisfying morning s photo shoot, we returned to Selva Verde Lodge for lunch, and then hot the road, heading west, and up, into the mountains and another wonderful Costa Rican lodge, Bosque de Paz. However, before we rolled in there in the late afternoon, we stopped in at a lesserknown reserve, Catarata del Toro, just down the road from Bosque, where hummingbirds and a truly breathtaking waterfall are center stage. Plentiful new hummingbirds were seen, like Green info@tropicalbirding.com 5

6 Hermit, Brown Violetear, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Green-crowned Brilliant, and the country endemic, Coppery-headed Emerald. That was not though, as we found the scarce Golden-bellied Flycatcher during a short forest walk, along with Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush and Slatethroated Redstart. However, excitement was most heightened when a Resplendent Quetzal flew in and landed beside the feeders; it was beautiful all the same, but was sadly, the duller of the sexes, a female. We also saw our first Violet Sabrewings; always a special moment, and always a popular bird. We had the joy of having Bosque de Paz all to ourselves in this, the low season in Costa Rica. The lodge has a narrow rushing river that runs right past the front of the property, and feeders that draw in Central American Agouti and Black Guans, both of which were waiting for us on arrival! Day 3: Bosque de Paz to Monteverde A full morning was spent combining walks within the nearby forest at Bosque de Paz, with time with the assortment of hummingbirds visiting their busy feeders. A short morning walk saw us admiring a Silver-throated Tanager admiring its own reflection in the window, and finding a very co-operative Spangle-cheeked Tanager, which remained preening in the scope for some time. A Dark Pewee in the same area was less helpful soon flying off out of sight after being located by its call. Deeper info@tropicalbirding.com 6

7 inside the beautiful forest that swathes the property, Sam and Laura bumped into some good bird activity, where they located Streak-breasted Treehunter, Spotted Barbtail, Slaty Antwren, and both Golden-crowned and Three-striped Warblers. The corn feeder on site attracted the usual mob of Black Guans in attendance (photo page 24), with a regular troop of rowdy White-nosed Coatis (photo page 25) dropping by from time to time too, as well as a trio of Chestnut-capped Brush-Finches. At the feeders and around the garden we enjoyed a regular procession of glittering hummingbirds, like Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Green-crowned Brilliant, and everybody s favorite, the striking Violet Sabrewing (photo below). Away from the feeders though was another stunning hummer, as a male Scintillant Hummingbird (page 8) regularly darted in and out of the blooming verbena hedge, and perched in plain sight too. After another delicious meal at the lodge, we reluctantly bid farewell to the lodge; although we were merely swapping one fantastic Costa Rican location for another, and another mountain lodge, this time in the decidedly more famous Monteverde area. Our drive there as dogged by heavy rains making the journey not a lot of fun, until we emerged out of the road cloud and headed up the final stretch to Monteverde, finding a small troop of White-throated Magpie-Jays on the way up, as well as a cloud of 100s of Whitecollared Swifts, and several circling Swallow-tailed Kites. On arrival in the late afternoon at Monteverde, we were greeted by the high winds that so often characterize this mountain site, located near the country s Continental Divide. We checked in and enjoyed a superb meal in a local Italian restaurant, one that we were only too pleased to re-visit the next night info@tropicalbirding.com 7

8 Day 4: Monteverde & Curi-Cancha The day opened as it had closed the evening before; with high winds making our initial birding around our mountain lodge rather quiet, save for a lone Steely-vented Hummingbird regularly visiting the lodge garden s flowers over breakfast. After breakfast, having received some interesting information from some other lodge guests, we changed our original plan of visiting Monteverde, and went to another, nearer, reserve instead, the wonderful Curi-Cancha. The reason for our change in plan? Simple, in a word: QUETZAL. News had reached our ears that this spot was quite reliable for Resplendent Quetzals, and so we traveled there after breakfast, all of ten minutes from our hotel. The joy of this small reserve is that it can often hold numbers of people also searching for quetzals in close proximity, meaning that lots of eyes are around, and the local people often share their sightings openly. What this means for visitors is that few leave without a quetzal, as was the case for info@tropicalbirding.com 8

9 us; we spotted two different Resplendent Quetzals that morning, one a female and another a sparkling green male. After much of the morning had gone, we headed over to the famed Monteverde reserve, an area of lush cloud forest, with great hummingbird feeders, and great birds held within its tall forests. We started off in admiration of the local hummingbirds at their frantic feeders; Purple-throated Mountain-Gems buzzed in and out regularly, as did Coppery-headed Emeralds; the odd Stripetailed Hummingbird (photo above) nipped in too, as did further Violet Sabrewings. Also around the feeders we found a pair of White-naped Brush-finches. In the afternoon, after lunch in a local café, Betty returned to the hummingbirds, where she felt most at home, and Laura and I took one of our longer walks of the trip. Our initial walk inside the cloud forest of Monteverde appeared a poor decision, with seemingly little calling and little present, until a surprise encounter with a very confiding Black-breasted Wood-Quail at extreme close quarters. From that point forward the action heated up, and we had some great birds. Shortly after our only Prong-billed Barbet of the tour, and had a peak at the ultra-secretive Silvery-fronted Tapaculo. Just after we were patting ourselves on the back from our good tapaculo fortune, a remarkable thing info@tropicalbirding.com 9

10 happened. A flurry of wings burst in beside us and something fairly large landed very close to us, but was slightly obscured. We carefully maneuvered into a better position and were shocked to see a Barred Forest-Falcon (photo below) staring back at us! Once the falcon had come to its senses and once more melted back into the cloud forest we continued along the trail, and continued to bump into bird after bird; Laura found a pair of Tufted Flycatchers, and further along the trail we admired a wonderful and close Azure-hooded Jay. We headed back to our confortable lodging in the late afternoon more than satisfied with a great day s birding and photography. Day 5: Curi-Cancha to Carara Laura and I started out pre-breakfast with a walk around the Cala Lodge property, and walked straight into a Great Curassow, one of which had been hanging around the area in recent weeks. Also during our very short walk were Rufous-capped Warbler, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, and Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. After breakfast, Betty spotted an Emerald Toucanet sitting out the front of the lodge, before we departed, once more, for Curi-Cancha. With Resplendent Quetzals info@tropicalbirding.com 10

11 (photo page 12) on our mind, and the wish to get further views of one of the World s most spectacular birds, we visited Curi-Cancha again; and we were glad we did We got our best views yet of several gaudy males as they fed in their favored fruiting trees. By the end of the morning we had racked up some five different quetzals, mostly males, with repeated views of some of the best looking ones. We also spent time at their hummingbird feeders (stopping for a Gray-crowned Yellowthroat en-route), located at a scenic lookout, where six different species were in attendance (Green Violetear, Green-crowned Brilliant, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Steely-vented Hummingbird, and Coppery-headed Emerald) info@tropicalbirding.com 11

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13 After a pizza in a local restaurant, we set off for the next site on our itinerary, Carara, home of the Scarlet Macaw that the participants so desperately wanted. By the end of our journey we had already eyeballed several of these giant parrots passing low overhead in the evening. While, after checking into the lovely Hotel Villa Lapas (named after the macaws), Betty and I continued with some more frogging, finding another Red-eyed Treefrog, and a confiding Masked Treefrog (photo page 11) info@tropicalbirding.com 13

14 Day 6: Carara & Tarcoles River Cruise This day was rather like a game of two very different halves; in the morning a walk was taken around the lodge property, followed by a longer walk along the excellent River Trail in nearby Carara National Park, and in the afternoon we all took a macaw-filled boat trip along the Tarcoles River. On the lodge property a pair of smart Riverside Wrens featured, as did a trio of spritely Buffrumped Warblers foraging on the ground; a Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher showing surprisingly well, and an Orange-billed Sparrow hopping around near our breakfast table. After breakfast we took an entire morning walking very little distance at all along Carara National Park s revered River Trail; the birds were so non-stop, and so we did not realize it was lunchtime when it had arrived. The area is rich in wrens, and following on from the Riverside Wrens at our hotel, we also got Rufous-and-white and Rufous-breasted Wrens along the trail too. It is also a great place for antbirds, and this was proved through the morning, when we added Chestnutbacked and Dusky Antbirds, Dot-winged Antwren, and Black-hooded, Russet, and Barred Antshrikes. Costa Rica is one of the best countries in the world to rack up a good trogon list, and we tucked into a couple of nice ones on this day, with the orange-breasted Baird s Trogon along the trail, which remained glued to our scope view for some time, and later in the morning, while returning to the hotel, we ran into a pair of nesting Gartered Trogons. Back along the trail, we stumble into a number of cryptic, subdued birds, like Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Rosethroated Becard, and a female Orange-collared Manakin, but also the more dramatic too, like Pale-billed Woodpecker, which we watched for some time. By the time we arrived back at the hotel, to reconnect with Betty who spent the morning in the hotel pool, it was already lunchtime. We took lunch, and then headed out on a relaxing afternoon boat ride along the Tarcoles River. This is always a great experience, with birds coming at you left right and center, while gently cruising along the river. On the trip we ran into a number of shorebirds, like Collared and Wilson s Plovers, and Western and Least Sandpipers; and eight species of heron, including the smashing Boat-billed Heron, (photo page before), thanks to the help of the boatmen/local guide. Of course, any boat trip would not be complete without kingfishers, and we saw several Green Kingfishers before the cruise finished. Other waterbirds seen included Wood Stork, White Ibis and Roseate Spoonbill, while overhead Magnificent Frigatebirds were seen circling. As we drifted along, Mangrove Swallows conspicuously circled the boat, which eventually worked its way into a wide creek, flanked by tall mangrove forest. This was very deliberate for a selection of birds are best looked for in the mangroves; while there we saw Mangrove info@tropicalbirding.com 14

15 Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo, Mangrove Yellow Warbler, Panama Flycatcher and Rufousbrowed Peppershrike, and a perched Common Black-Hawk (formerly known as Mangrove Black Hawk). Then, come late afternoon, we maneuvered our boat into position, for a very special appointment. It was Laura and Betty s express desire on this trip to get good looks at Scarlet Macaws, and the Tarcoles River is one of the best places to see the species, especially in the late afternoon, when parties of these giant parrots cross from the mainland forest blocks to come roost in the mangroves. Our experienced positioned us well; by the end of the afternoon we had counted as many as 120 different Scarlet Macaws (photo below) passing low overhead, many of which were in magical afternoon sunlight. While we took in the dozens of macaws making our day, we also noted a handful of Yellow-naped Parrots too. Soon after we docked the boat at the end of the afternoon, we managed to see a few Lesser Nighthawk, which had just emerged to hawk insects on the wing over the river. Day 7: Carara to Savegre The day was one of contrasts; we started out within the lowlands, spending time birding our vast hotel grounds again, then taking the morning to work another national park trail in Carara, before we checked out of our hotel, and headed north into the mountains and the cloud forest cloaked info@tropicalbirding.com 15

16 valley of Savegre. The grounds of the Hotel Villa Lapas were lively this morning; virtually the first find of the day was a male Slaty-tailed Trogon, quickly followed by a party of Crested Guans feeding in a fruiting tree that also held the always popular Squirrel Cuckoo and several Blackmandibled (Chestnut-mandibled) Toucans, which were all outstaged by a small troop of Fierybilled Aracaris by the hotel reception! A Lineated Woodpecker in the garden was also new for us. Moving to another very easy trail (part of it is actually concrete, and perfectly flat), the floodgates of another stellar morning in the park were soon opened with a male Blue-black Grosbeak. Flocks not far from it yielded Dot-winged Antwren and White-shouldered Tanager. Checking the trail closely we managed to eke out White-whiskered Puffbird, another Baird s Trogon, Streaked Flycatcher, and the scarce White-flanked Antwren. Best of all though, we stumbled into a Black-faced Antthrush feeding beside the trail! Along the further sections of the trail, we found a noisy Rufous Piha, and a superb Golden-crowned Spadebill, although a Stub-tailed Spadebill showed only to Sam. On the way back for another slightly delayed lunch (due to birds), we noticed a tourist admiring something by the trail that just so happened to be a Laughing Falcon! After lunch back at our hotel, we were ready to move on again, this time into the highlands again, and the valley of Savegre. We made good time, and were winding our way down towards the town of San Gerrardo de Dota, where we were to stay, with some daylight left, and so made a few stops. This proved successful with some much-appreciated Flame-throated Warblers, Black-capped Flycatcher, Sooty-capped Chlorospinguses, Large-footed and Yellow-thighed Finches found from these short stops. Checking into the hotel, we were soon admiring Magnificent Hummingbirds, Green Violetears, and White-throated Mountain-Gems at the excellent lodge hummer feeders. Day 8: Savegre & Paraiso Quetzal Before a massive breakfast spread at our lodge in Savegre, we took a walk around the lodge gardens, quickly picking up a series of highlands species, we had not yet seen, like Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Yellow-winged Vireo (photo page 17), and Collared Redstart, while at the lodge feeder we saw our first burnt orange male Flame-colored Tanager. Other species seen around the grounds included Acorn Woodpecker, Slaty Flowerpiercer, and Silver-throated Tanager. After breakfast, we got in the vehicle and drove up the valley, where a small crowd of people revealed the existence of a Resplendent Quetzal in the trees overhead. After spending some time with the quetzals, and being frustrated that the male seen were lacking tales (something that can happen at this time of year, when they start their molting process), we headed up and out of the valley, and made an extended morning visit to Paraiso Quetzal, a nearby private reserve, which is especially good for hummingbird photography. That was our main reason for going there, to photograph the info@tropicalbirding.com 16

17 Fiery-throated and Magnificent Hummingbirds from their balcony, which we did at length. However, there was plenty more besides. Nearby we watched a Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush hopping around at close quarters, and found a confiding pair of Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatchers (photo page 19) foraging in a fruiting tree. However, the star performer of the morning was something much larger indeed; standing by the hummingbird feeders, we heard the sound of a male quetzal calling softly closeby. Laura and I moved closer to the forest and then suddenly Laura gestured beside us, where a magnificent male Resplendent Quetzal, with its long, long tail trailing below it (photo next page); superb and our best quetzal we saw on this trip info@tropicalbirding.com 17

18 In the afternoon we birded closer to the lodge, enjoying the stream of hummingbirds at the feeders, including a fine male Volcano Hummingbird (photo page 22) and also enjoyed other birds like Ruddy Treerunner, (photo page 23) Spangle-cheeked Tanager and Collared Trogon in and around the lodge info@tropicalbirding.com 18

19 Day 9: Savegre & Paraiso Quetzal to San Jose For our final morning of this custom tour, we opted to spend some early morning birding time near the lodge, then take breakfast and spend the rest of the morning principally photographing the amazing hummingbirds at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, as we d enjoyed it so much the day before. Around the lodge at Savegre we enjoyed some good luck, we bumped into another Collared Trogon, and then had a brief encounter with a Scaled Antpitta (although this was only seen by Sam). Then, as we searched for the antpitta, the rollicking calls of Spotted Wood-Quail (photo page 20) reached our ears, and soon after we were able to observe a covey of these amazing birds calling right beside us, and raising their fiery-yellow crests, a magical experience and a great bird for our last day. Just before we got back for breakfast we also tracked down a calling Black-thighed Grosbeak info@tropicalbirding.com 19

20 After breakfast Betty and Sam headed up for some quality time with the Fiery-throated (photo below) and Magnificent Hummingbirds (photo page 21) at Paraiso Quetzal, and also saw further Long-tailed Silky-Flycatchers a pair of Black-cheeked Warblers, and a Black-thighed Grosbeak there too. After returning to Savegre Lodge to pack up following a great final photo session, we left for San Jose, stopping briefly for a Barred Becard on the way out of the valley. As a final parting gift, Betty and I took a nighttime stroll around our Alajuela hotel on this final night, once again admiring the Golden-eyed Treefrogs in the garden; a great way to end what had been a fantastic introduction to some of Costa Rica s best areas for birds and bird photography. Spotted Wood-Quail (above) & Fiery-throated Hummingbird and Magnificent Hummingbird (next page) info@tropicalbirding.com 20

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23 Flame-colored Tanager & Volcano Hummingbird; page before. Ruddy Treerunner below

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26 BIRD & MAMMAL LISTS The taxonomy of the bird list follows: Clements, James F., White, Anthony W., and Fitzpatrick, John W. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Cornell, This list is up to date with the major changes published by Cornell up until August Regional endemic bird species are indicated in RED (mostly shared with W Panama). H indicates a species that was HEARD only. GO indicates a species recorded by the GUIDE ONLY. SITES each species were recorded at are denoted on the right hand side, with sites abbreviated: CV ET NP CAT BOS MON CUR CAR TAR SAV PAR ER MANY Central Valley area (i.e. San Jose/Alajuela zone) El Tapir hummingbird garden Nature Pavilion Catarata del Toro Bosque de Paz Monteverde Curi Cancha Carara Tarcoles river cruise Savegre Paraiso Quetzal En-route (during a journey) Many sites info@tropicalbirding.com 26

27 TINAMOUS: TINAMIDAE H Great Tinamou Tinamus major CAR DUCKS, GEESE, AND WATERFOWL: ANATIDAE Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis TAR Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata TAR GUANS, CHACHALACAS, AND CURASSOWS: CRACIDAE Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps NP Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens NP Black Guan (E) Chamaepetes unicolor BOS Great Curassow Crax rubra MON NEW WORLD QUAIL: ODONTOPHORIDAE Black-breasted Wood-Quail (E) Odontophorus leucolaemus MON Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus SAV STORKS: CICONIIDAE Wood Stork Mycteria americana TAR FRIGATEBIRDS: FREGATIDAE Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens TAR CORMORANTS AND SHAGS: PHALACROCORACIDAE Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus TAR ANHIGAS: ANHINGIDAE Anhinga Anhinga anghinga SA, TAR PELICANS: PELECANIDAE Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis TAR HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS: ARDEIDAE Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum CAR Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias TAR Great Egret Ardea alba TAR Snowy Egret Egretta thula TAR info@tropicalbirding.com 27

28 Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea TAR Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor TAR Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis MANY Green Heron Butorides virescens TAR Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea TAR Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius TAR IBISES AND SPOONBILLS: THRESKIORNITHIDAE White Ibis Eudocimus albus TAR, CAR Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja TAR NEW WORLD VULTURES: CATHARTIDAE Black Vulture Coragyps atratus MANY Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura MANY OSPREY: PANDIONIDAE Osprey Pandion haliaetus TAR HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES: ACCIPITRIDAE White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus TAR Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus BOS, ER Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus TAR Roadside Hawk Rupornis maginrostris ER H Gray Hawk Buteo plagiatus CAR Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus ER Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis SAV PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS: CHARADRIIDAE Collared Plover Charadrius collaris TAR Wilson s Plover Charadrius wilsonia TAR Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus TAR SANDPIPERS & ALLIES: SCOLOPACIDAE Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius TAR info@tropicalbirding.com 28

29 Willet Tringa semipalmata TAR Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla TAR Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri TAR PIGEONS AND DOVES: COLUMBIDAE Rock Pigeon Columba livia MANY Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris MON Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata NP, ER H Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea CC Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris ET Inca Dove Columbina inca ER White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi NP Gray-chested Dove Leptotila cassini CAR White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica ER CUCKOOS: CUCULIDAE Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana ET, CAR Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris MANY OWLS: STRIGIDAE GO Bare-shanked Screech-Owl (E) Megascops clarkii BOS H Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata CAR NIGHTJARS AND ALLIES: CAPRIMULGIDAE Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis TAR SWIFTS: APODIDAE White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris ER HUMMINGBIRDS: TROCHILIDAE White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora NP Green Hermit Phaethornis guy BOS Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae CAT Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus MON, CC info@tropicalbirding.com 29

30 Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti NP Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula CAT, BOS, MON, CC Fiery-throated Hummingbird (E) Panterpe insignis PAR Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens BOS, SAV Purple-throated Mountain-Gem (E) Lempornis calolaemus CAT, BOS, MON White-throated Mountain-Gem Lampornis castanoeventris SAV Purple-throated Mountain-Gem (E) Lampornis calolaemus MON White-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis castaneoventris SAV Volcano Hummingbird (E) Selasphorus flammula BOS, SAV Scintillant Hummingbird (E) Selasphorus scintilla BOS Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti ET Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Phaeochroa cuvierii NP, CAR Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus CAT, BOS, MON, CC Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer Chalybura urochrysia ET, NP Crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica ET Stripe-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa eximia MON, CC, SAV Black-bellied Hummingbird (E) Eupherusa nigriventris CAT Coppery-headed Emerald (E) Elvira chionura CAT, CC Snowcap (E) Microchera albocoronata ET Mangrove Hummingbird (E) Amazilia boucardi TAR Steely-vented Hummingbird Amazilia saucerrottei MON, CC Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl MANY TROGONS: TROGONIDAE Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno CC, SAV Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena CAR Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus CAR Baird's Trogon (E) Trogon bairdii CAR Gartered Trogon Trogon caligatus CAR

31 H Orange-bellied Trogon (E) Trogon aurantilventris MON Collared Trogon Trogon collaris SAV MOTMOTS: MOMOTIDAE Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa ER KINGFISHERS: ALCEDINIDAE Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata ER Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana TAR PUFFBIRDS: BUCCONIDAE White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis CAR TOUCAN-BARBETS: SEMNORNITHIDAE Prong-billed Barbet (E) Semnornis frantzii MON TOUCANS: RAMPHASTIDAE Emerald Toucanet Aulacocrhynchus prasinus MON, CC Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus torquatus NP Fiery-billed Aracari (E) Pteroglossus frantzii CAR H Yellow-eared Toucanet (E) Selenidera spectabilis ET Black-mandibled (Chestnut-mandibled) Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii NP, CAR Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus NP WOODPECKERS: PICIDAE H Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus CAR Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus SAV Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani NP Red-crowned x Hoffman's Woodpecker hybrid Melanerpes rubricapillus x hoffmannii CAR Hoffmann's Woodpecker (E) Melanerpes hoffmannii CAR Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus PAR Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus CAT Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus NP, CAR Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis CAR info@tropicalbirding.com 31

32 FALCONS AND CARACARAS: FALCONIDAE Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis MON Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway TAR, ER Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima TAR, ER Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans CAR NEW WORLD & AFRICAN PARROTS: PSITTACIDAE Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola SAV H Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis TAR Brown-hooded Parrot Pyrilia haematotis NP Olive-throated Parakeet Eupsittula nana NP. ER Scarlet Macaw Ara macao TAR Crimson-fronted Parakeet (E) Psittacara finschi NP White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis NP Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis NP Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata TAR White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons ER TYPICAL ANTBIRDS: THAMNOPHILIDAE Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus CAR Black-hooded Antshrike (E) Thamnophilus bridgesi CAR Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus CAR White-flanked Antwren Myrmotherula axillaris CAR Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor BOS, MON Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis CAR Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina CAR Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul CAR GO Bicolored Antbird Gymnophithys bicolor CAR ANTPITTAS: GRALLARIIDAE GO Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis SAV info@tropicalbirding.com 32

33 TAPACULOS: RHINOCRYPTIDAE Silvery-fronted Tapaculo (E) Scytalopus argentifrons MON ANTTHRUSHES: FORMOICARIIDAE Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis CAR OVENBIRDS AND WOODCREEPERS: FURNARIIDAE Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans CAR Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii CAR Plain Xenops Xenops minutus CAR Streak-breasted Treehunter Thripadectes rufobrunneus BOS Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens CC Ruddy Treerunner (E) Margarornis rubiginosus SAV Red-faced Spinetail Synallaxis brachyura MON TYRANT FLYCATCHERS: TYRANNIDAE Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii BOS, MON Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus CC Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus parvus CC, SAV H Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare CAR Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus sylvia CAR Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum CAR Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps CAR Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmyias sulphurescens cinereiceps NP Stub-tailed Spadebill Platyrinchus cancrominus CAR Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus CAR Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius CAR Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus MON GO Dark Pewee (E) Contopus lugubris BOS Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus CAR Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens CC info@tropicalbirding.com 33

34 Black-capped Flycatcher Empidonax atriceps SAV Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans SAV Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus CC Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis CAR Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus MANY Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua MON Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis NP, CAR Golden-bellied Flycatcher (E) Myiodynastes hemichrysus CAT, MON Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus CAR Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris MON Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius MON Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus MANY COTINGAS: COTINGIDAE Rufous Piha Lipaugus unirufus CAR H Three-wattled Bellbird (E) Procnias tricarunculatus MON MANAKINS: PIPRIDAE White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo altera ET White-crowned Manakin Dixiphia pipra BC Orange-collared Manakin (E) Manacus aurantiacus CAR TITYRAS AND ALLIES: TITYRIDAE Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata MON Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor SAV Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus ET, LS H White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polycopterus CAR Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae CAR VIREOS, SHRIKE-BABBLERS & ERPORNIS: VIREONIDAE Mangrove Vireo Vireo pallens TAR Yellow-winged Vireo (E) Vireo carmioli SAV info@tropicalbirding.com 34

35 H Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis CAR Tawny-crowned Greenlet Hylophilus ochraceiceps CAR Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus CAR H Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus CAR Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis TAR CROWS, JAYS, AND MAGPIES: CORVIDAE Azure-hooded Jay Cyanolyca cucullata MON White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa ER Brown Jay Psilorhinus morio CAT, ER, CAR SWALLOWS: HIRUNDINIDAE Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca MANY Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea TAR Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea TAR WRENS: TROGLODYTIDAE House Wren Troglodytes aedon NP Ochraceous Wren (E) Troglodytes ochraceus BOS Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha CAR Rufous-breasted Wren Pheugopedius rutilus CAR Rufous-and-white Wren Thryophilus rufalbus MON, CAR Plain Wren Cantorchilus modestus MON Riverside Wren (E) Cantorchilus semibadius CAR H Bay Wren Cantorchilus nigricapillus NP Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys CAT, BOS, MON GNATCATCHERS: POLIOPTILIDAE H Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus CAR H Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea TAR THRUSHES AND ALLIES: TURDIDAE Black-faced Solitaire (E) Myadestes melanops MON info@tropicalbirding.com 35

36 Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus racilirostris SAV Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris MON Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater CAT, BOS, MON Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii SAV Sooty Thrush (Robin) E Turdus nigrescens SAV, PAR Mountain Thrush (Robin) Turdus plebejus MON, SAV Pale-vented Thrush Turdus obsoletus ET Clay-colored Thrush (Robin) Turdus grayi MANY SILKY-FLYCATCHERS: PTILOGONATIDAE Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher (E) Phainoptila melanoxantha PAR Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (E) Ptilogonys caudatus SAV, PAR NEW WORLD WARBLERS: PARULIDAE Flame-throated Warbler (E) Oreothlypis gutturalis SAV Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala CC Yellow (Mangrove) Warbler Setophaga petechia bryanti TAR Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons MON Black-cheeked Warbler (E) Basileuterus melanogenys PAR Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus BOS Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus BOS Buff-rumped Warbler Myiothlypis fulvicauda CAR Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus BOS, MON Collared Redstart (Whitestart) E Myioborus torquatus SAV TANAGERS AND ALLIES: THRAUPIDAE Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata CAR White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus CAR Crimson-collared Tanager Ramphocelus sanguinolentus NP, BOS Passerini's Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii NP Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus MANY info@tropicalbirding.com 36

37 Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum NP, CAR Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata ET, LS, ER, CAR Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata ET Spangle-cheeked Tanager (E) Tangara dowii BOS, SAV Emerald Tanager Tangara florida ET Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala ET, BOS, SAV Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta CC Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus LS, CAR Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza NP Slaty Flowerpiercer (E) Diglossa plumbea SAV Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina ER Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina NP Bananaquit Coereba flaveola ET, MON Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus CC, SAV Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens CV Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus NP, CAR BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLD SPARROWS: EMBERIZIDAE Yellow-thighed Finch (E) Pselliophorus tibialis BOS, SAV Large-footed Finch (E) Pezopetes capitalis SAV, PAR Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Arremon brunneinucha BOS Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris CAR White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha MON White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis CV Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda CAR Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis MANY Common Chlorospingus (Bush-Tanager) Chlorospingus ophthalmicus BOS Sooty-capped Chlorospingus (Bush-Tanager E) Chlorospingus pileatus SAV

38 CARDINALS AND ALLIES: CARDINALIDAE Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava MON Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata SAV Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda NP H Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster NP Black-thighed Grosbeak (E) Pheucticus tibialis SAV, PAR Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides CAR TROUPIALS AND ALLIES: ICTERIDAE Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus ER, TAR Melodious Blackbird Dives dives NP Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus MANY Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus ER Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma NP FINCHES, EUPHONIAS, AND ALLIES: FRINGILLIDAE Yellow-crowned Euphonia (E) Euphonia luteicapilla NP Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea MON Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi NP Golden-browed Chlorophonia (E) Chlorophonia callophrys MON OLD WORLD SPARROWS: PASSERIDAE House Sparrow Passer domesticus ER info@tropicalbirding.com 38

39 MAMMAL LIST H Common Opossum Didelphis marsupalis CV Brazilian Long-nosed (Proboscis) Bat Rhynchonycteris naso CAR Mantled Howler Alouatta palliate CAT Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth Choloepus hoffmanni ER Variegated Squirrel Sciurus variegatoides MANY Red-tailed Squirrel Sciurus granatensis MON Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata BOS, MON, CC, CAR White-nosed Coati Nasua narica BOS OTHERS Marine Toad Rhinella marina CV Golden-eyed Treefrog Agalychnis annae CV Red-eyed Treefrog Agalychnis callidryas NP, CAR Masked Treefrog Smilisca phaeota CAR Strawberry Poison Frog Oophaga pumilio NP Green-and-black Poison Frog Dendrobates auratus NP Forrer s Leopard Frog Lithobates forreri CV Common Basilisk Basiliscus basiliscus CAR Spinytail Iguana (Ctenosaur) Ctenosaura similis CAR Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus MANY Reticulated Ameiva Ameiva leptophrys CAR Diamond Water Snake Nothopsis rugosus CAR American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus TAR info@tropicalbirding.com 39