TORTUGUERO BIRD MONITORING STATION PROTOCOL

for

The Tortuguero Integrated Bird Monitoring Program

C. John Ralph, Margaret Widdowson, Bud Widdowson, Brian O’Donnell, and Robert I. Frey

Draft 4 January 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS MONITORING SITES ...... 1 Materials and Supplies...... 2 Banding kits ...... 2 Bird bags...... 2 Net Repairs ...... 2 Moisture-Sensitive and Expensive Equipment ...... 2 SITE PREPARATION...... 3 Establishing net sites...... 3 Preparation of poles and support rope ...... 3 OPERATIONS...... 4 Mist Netting / Banding...... 4 Net set up and take down...... 4 Site specific information...... 5 Scheduling of Monitoring Sites ...... 7 Start time and net rounds ...... 8 Efficient Banding Station Set Up...... 8 Processing ...... 9 Importance of age ...... 9 Recording How Aged and How Sexed ...... 10 Priority of data ...... 10 Recording data ...... 10 Recording Notes ...... 11 Recording Molt...... 12 Empidonax flycatchers...... 12 Hummingbirds ...... 12 Manufacturing the Bands...... 13 Applying the Band...... 13 Processing...... 14 Delicacy of Hummingbirds and the Tools Used...... 14 Rare birds...... 15 Photographs ...... 15 Safety (of the birds and you)...... 16 Special reminders...... 16 Use of personnel ...... 16 Instructions for special situations...... 17 Visitors...... 17 Interruption by rain...... 17 High winds...... 18 How to handle waves of birds...... 18 Recording minimal data...... 19 Migration Counts ...... 19 Area Search census ...... 20 COMPLETING FORMS & DATA MANAGEMENT ...... 21 Daily Journal Form ...... 21 Banding Data Form...... 22 Area Search Form ...... 22 Migration Count Form...... 23 Data Tracking ...... 23 CHECKING DATA...... 23 CONDUCT ...... 23 MAKING PROTOCOL CHANGES ...... 25 CONTACT PEOPLE...... 25 LIST OF APPENDICES...... 27 TORTUGUERO BIRD MONITORING STATION PROTOCOL for The Tortuguero Integrated Bird Monitoring Program

By C. John Ralph, Margaret Widdowson, Bud Widdowson, Brian O'Donnell, and Robert I. Frey

We welcome you to the bird monitoring project at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. This is a cooperative effort, involving many partners, cooperators, and volunteers. Keep in mind that everyone is contributing their best to this effort, and that we will all try to help you in any way possible. Most of all, have fun, and enjoy the birds as they reveal themselves to you in this pioneering effort!

Please note that the bird monitoring effort is strictly at the invitation of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation people. They generously provide you with room and board during your stay, and every effort must be made to accommodate their personnel and to assist them in their daily operations. Please volunteer to help whenever possible. Don't act like a pampered guest, act as a partner, helping out on all tasks. Take a few minutes after using the lab to sweep up, keep your living space clean, and help every day for at least 15 - 20 minutes to keep the common areas tidy, including the bathrooms. Offer to assist with turtle surveys at least once a week or more. Help out in the Museum whenever needed. Please read and respect the enclosed guidelines on conduct (page 21). If we are viewed as a positive force, and not a time sink, it is far more likely the program will be successful. Most of all.... be sure and enjoy yourself. You are in a spectacular place doing important work!

MONITORING SITES

Currently, we are operating five primary sites in both primary and secondary forest habitat. While the CCC site is our flagship, operated the most often, the other sites contribute a great deal to our understanding of the birds of the area. For each site, we have a map showing net locations, migration count location, landmarks, etc. (Appendix A). Visitors, both local resident and tourists, will be encountered at all of the sites, and regularly at a few. Please take advantage of these opportunities to explain what you are doing, conservation issues concerning the birds of the region (especially the migrants), and most of all, share the birds with these visitors. You may make a lasting and meaningful impact. Remember that we are guests at all of our study sites, please be respectful and mindful of how our activities are perceived by everyone.

TORTUGUERO C o s t a R ic a 1

Materials and Supplies Banding kits There are two banding kits, the 'CCC kit used when banding at the CCC site, and a 'traveling' kit used at the remaining sites. Each kit should have all necessary equipment, so there should never be a need to shift gear from one kit to the other. See Appendix B for the checklist list of equipment and materials comprising a complete kit. Sugar for the eye dropper bottle (for hummingbirds) is available in the comedor. Miscellaneous equipment includes nets, tools, machetes, etc. that are used for the bird program. Let us know about equipment needs as quickly as possible. The Primary Bander (the bander in charge) should keep a journal of needed supplies and regularly update RSL. If necessary, we can ship things to Costa Rica, but that can be both slow and costly... with enough advance notice we’re often able to have incoming banders bring needed items with them.

Bird bags Bird bags should be laundered regularly (ask the CCC staff for current laundry procedures). Turn bags inside out and shake out debris. Loosely fill a mesh laundry bag with bird bags and wash on the gentle cycle in hot water with a small amount of detergent and chlorine bleach. Leave bags inside the washing bag for drying or line dry. After washing, reverse the bags so that the raw edge of the seams is on the outside. If a diseased bird is captured, it is important to put that bag aside until it has been washed and disinfected. Also take the time to wash and disinfect your hands with the disinfectant provided before handling other birds. Periodically take the time to clean you hands during the banding session. Never put more than one bird in a bag.

Net Repairs Repair any damaged nets using the net repair tools. Instructions and guidelines for mist net repair are described in Appendix D. Realize that nets cost almost $50, so a half-hour of repair is worthwhile. If you do not have time to repair the net immediately or sometime during the banding session, while closing the net, mark any damaged nets with flagging with notes written in sharpie pen indicating the size and location of damage. These nets should be removed from the banding kit as soon as possible. It is expected that banders are skilled in mist net handling and avoid unavoidable damage.

Moisture-Sensitive and Expensive Equipment Electronic scales, radios, and cameras are delicate electronic equipment. The moist, humid, and salty air of Tortuguero can ruin these in a few days. We cannot afford to replace them regularly, and the difficulty of transport precludes this as well. They must remain at all times in sealed plastic buckets with silica gel (desiccant), except during use at the capture site . Keep the radios, scale and camera equipment needed for the ‘travel kit’ in a ‘travel bucket’. Make sure that the items are surrounded by foam padding and to minimize the times that the bucket is opened. When you return to the CCC station from the field, store them in a safe place, preferably one that is air-conditioned (if available). When the silica gel turns pale- blueto grayish-pink, is has become saturated with moisture and needs to be dried. See Appendix F for proper use and care of the silica gel (including drying instructions). This equipment, and others, such as binoculars, also could be very tempting to people moving through the area, and should not be left out in the open whenever you are away from the banding site. At the AERO 2 and PARQ sites, this danger is especially high, and all such equipment should be guarded or taken in a small backpack on your net rounds.

SITE PREPARATION

Establishing net sites Net lane preparation and maintenance are ongoing tasks. The net lanes have already been established and used, so vegetation within the lane may be minimal. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain the lane free of anything that can snag the net. This includes clearing and clipping the lane floor of deadfall, plants, duff, etc. Keeping the net lane clear of obstructions is an on- going process, so banders should always have a machete and hand clippers at the site. It is often useful to carry hand clippers around on the slower net runs for trimming. Equipment and hardware needs are cane net poles and rope. Cane stalks for net poles is always a bit hard to get locally - if a large supply of poles is needed, then they should be harvested from one of the big stands of cane in the local area. Consult with the CCC station manager about this, and be prepared to pay a small amount. Keep a good supply at CCC - store them elevated in the sun, or they will sprout or rot quickly. Always have several spare poles stashed at each site (stored upside-down so they don’t sprout!) so that broken or rotten poles can be quickly replaced. Also keep a good supply of rope in the kit/net pack to replace broken or stolen net ropes. Branch-falls, broken and missing ropes, and poles are frequently encountered - always be prepared with spare parts to get every net set up promptly at every banding session. Rigging the net lane for the 'fixed pole/floating pole' technique is the best method. With this method, the fixed pole will always be placed in the same position each time a net is set up, while the floating pole position may vary a bit, depending on differences in the lengths of individual nets. Each station must have a map that should be drawn as much to scale as possible and should include: the trail to the station; the net locations numbered accordingly; the fixed and floating net ends; the net round trail including landmarks; the banding station location; the area search routes (and codes, e.g., A and B); location of all hidden poles; migration count station; and the date that this information was taken.

Preparation of poles and support rope • Fixed End A hole 6-10 inches deep, and the approximate diameter of a net pole, is made at one end of the net lane. The hole can be made by driving a sharpened length of branch into the ground. The fixed pole is set in this hole. The hole provides lateral support to the pole, so only one support line may be needed at this end. The line should run straight back from the pole (in the same plane as the net). However, if the beach sand, roots or loose soil makes a single rope unfeasible, the fixed end can be set with 2 ropes (see floating end).

• Floating End Determine the approximate position of the floating pole by pacing or stretching out a net from the fixed pole position. From this point, put out two stakes or use sturdy vegetation for support lines. When attached to the pole, the lines from these two stakes should form a 'V' with an interior angle of 90 to 120 degrees. Make a loop with a knot that can easily slide up and down (such as half hitches) at the end of the line that attaches to the stakes. Make sure to position the stakes far enough back and use enough rope to allow for variance in net lengths. 3 In general, the fixed end of the net should be the end that a bander first comes to when approaching the net. Poles and support lines are usually left at the site. What you do with them is in part determined by the likelihood of tourists or local folks finding the poles or rope. If they are likely to see one, they'll be stolen or cut or. We suggest that both poles be hidden together in nearby bushes at the fixed end. Unless theft becomes a problem, ropes can be left attached to their anchor, but should be coiled, and hidden under leaves or a branch to make them less conspicuous. Place a stick down in the hole at the fixed end to help you find it and prevent it from collapsing between uses.

OPERATIONS

Mist Netting / Banding

Net set up and take down One person, with a bit of practice, can set up and take down 10 nets in about 30 minutes. We have found that two people working together put up nets slower than each one working on a single net. So, if two folks are setting up a station, each person should go in opposite directions around the net lane. When they meet, they can return the way they came, starting the first net round. The following instructions are for a person working alone and using the fixed/floating pole method and double-handled plastic bags for net storage. Nets are stored in plastic (grocery) bags in between uses (Appendix E).

Setting nets up: • When the net bag is opened, each set of net loops will sit over, and be held in place by, a bag handle. Slip one set of net loops onto the fixed pole, and set fixed pole into hole. Attach support line to the pole, making sure that loops are above the point of rope attachment. This gives support to the pole and prevents the loops and net from sliding down to the ground as you stretch the net out. • Use one hand to guide net out of bag and to keep tension on the net so it doesn't droop on to the ground. With the other hand, reach through the bag handles and hold the remaining set of net loops. With your hand through the handle in this manner, it's impossible for these loops to fall off the handle. Walk to the opposite end of the net lane, allowing the net to play out of the bag. • Keeping your hand through the bag handles, thread the net loops onto the floating pole. Separate the loops on the pole so that you can attach the two support lines between the third and fourth loops (counting from the upper loop). In some cases it may work better to attach the support lines between the two lower loops...you be the judge. • The net and poles are now free standing, so you can finish opening the net, repositioning the floating pole, adjusting support lines, etc. • In a properly set net, the trammel lines should be taut, and the loops separated on the poles enough to expose as much of the net as possible, while maintaining a moderate bag of a couple of inches at the bottom of each shelf. The bottom shelf should hang no less then 30-40cm (12-16 inches) above the ground. Birds, when caught in the bottom shelf, should rarely touch the ground! Ants, crabs, snakes and lizards have been known to attack trapped birds. 4

Taking nets down: • Remove all branches, leaves, beetles and other foreign objects from the net. • At the fixed pole, close the bottom four loops together, leaving the top loop up a foot or so. • Do the same at the floating pole. Spin the bottom 4 shelves to furl the net, and when they are • At the fixed end, thread a bag handle up through the net loops. Stick your hand through the handle, grasp the loops, and remove the loops from the pole. • Work your way toward the floating pole, folding the net into the bag. • Run the free bag handle up through the loops on the floating pole and remove from the pole. • Before tying the net bag handles together, take some time to arrange the net in the bag. Make sure the net is as far down in the bag as possible, and that the loops are positioned as far down on the handles as possible. • Hide poles at fixed end, upside down, and make sure everyone knows where they are; • Count all the bagged nets BEFORE placing them into the pack – this is the only way to be certain that all nets have been taken down (without rechecking all the net locations) before you leave the site. • Setup, take down, and net checks can be facilitated by using a stick to bring down each trammel loop by pulling them away from the net and cane segments. A stick with a nail with about 2 inches of head exposed, driven in at a 45 degree angle works great.

Site specific information Generally, you should find flagging at every net location with the net number and along trails. Poles at each net location should be together and ropes should be rolled up out of the trail. Remember – out of sight, out of mind – cover expensive things if you must leave them unattended. At some sites equipment should never be left unattended. At all the sites except the CCC and CANO, a tarp should be erected right away for rain and sun protection.

Primary sites: Aeropuerto ( AERO ); ownership: CCC; 10 nets. Located in secondary forest adjacent to the north end of the airstrip. Not all that many years ago, the CCC research station was located in the grassy area lying between the river and the end of the airstrip. The site was moved to the north due to expansion of the airstrip. The access is the first boat landing just to the north of the airport. Tortuga Lodge is on the opposite river bank from this site. The processing site can be set up on the trail south of the boat landing in a shaded area at the edge of the forest. Bring chairs from CCC. A 5-8 minute boat ride from CCC.

Caño Palma ( CANO ); ownership: COTERC; 11 nets. Located in primary forest adjacent to the Canadian research station. The staff and volunteers stationed at Caño Palma are often happy to help the banders, and can potentially provide a reliable source of assistance at this site. The processing station can be set up in the large bamboo hut next to the pond. You may be able to borrow a table and chairs from the dining hall. The net array covers a large area and the loop trail is lengthy. Rubber boots should be used here – both for mud and snakes. Equipment is safe here. Station folks can be a big help and

5 great company (the station dogs Chico and Maggie are friendly and are not known to attack trapped birds). A 20-25 minute boat ride from CCC.

Caribbean Conservation Corp. Estacíon Biología ( CCC ); ownership: CCC; 15 nets. Located in secondary forest lying between CCC and Mawamba Lodge to the north. Set up the processing station on the covered walkway or under laundry-line covering behind the dormitory building. Do not leave nets up here !! This may seem tempting for a lot of reasons, but furl and bag the nets at the end of each session. Unattended equipment should be covered with a cloth or small towel. This site has suffered chronic vandalism in the past – especially ropes being stolen. Sweep the banding area (and laundry room and walkways if you’ve used them) after done for the day. Because rope theft has been such a problem, most net lanes have just one rope at each end with two trees in line with the poles and net because of the rope situation.

Parque Nacional de Tortuguero ( PARQ ); ownership: Parque Nacional de Tortuguero; 13 nets. Located in the northeast corner of the park in primary forest. Accessed off of trail running east from the park headquarters (Cuatro Esquinas) out to the beach or by the beach at the same trail. Set up the banding site at the concrete table in the clearing at the water tower. The tarp should be set up early in case of rain and for the high sun. At the beginning of each season, stop by the park headquarters (at the south end of town) with the banding permit, and let them know you will be banding. A copy of the banding permit should be carried in the travel kit at all times. Equipment has been stolen here – never leave unattended. Net numbering is a bit wacky due to location changes over the years – causing a cumbersome spur trail to Nets 5, 14, 4, and 3. Tour groups often encountered during the last hour. A Common Black Hawk and other raptors are often seen at edge of clearing near the water tower – be mindful of bird release direction. The park staff are concerned about new spur trails and cutting. Keep the trail entrances as overgrown as possible and only trim the vegetation as needed. You can also walk through town, walk on the beach, or a combination of the two (20 minutes). You could also boat down to the park headquarters (a few minutes) and walk the rest of the way (10 minutes).

Tortuga Lodge ( TORT ); ownership: Costa Rica Expeditions (Tortuga Lodge); 10 nets. Set up the banding station just north of the trail to the power line trail, at the far corner of the clearing behind the lodge. We're guests at this site. If you’re the first banding crew in at the beginning of the season, speak beforehand with the lodge’s management and let them know the site is being run again. You should have the CCC station manager or someone else connected with the CCC accompany you. The staff has been very interested in birds and may bring lodge guests out to observe. Provide the manager with the upcoming dates of this site in the schedule and update as necessary. This site is prone to flooding with significant rainfall and may be undoable few a few days. Bring chairs from CCC. A 10 minute boat ride from the CCC.

Satellite sites: Boca de Rio Tortuguero ( BOCA ); ownership: Parque Nacional de Tortuguero; 10 nets. Located immediately south of the Boca. Due to storms in 2003-2004 this site is no longer operated.

6 Cerro de Tortuguero ( CETO ); ownership: Parque Nacional de Tortuguero; 10 nets. Located at the base of the Cerro, with nets in primary forest and adjacent altered areas. A 10 minute boat ride from the CCC. This site is no longer operated due to the heavy human use from the new village of San Francisco.

Jungle Lodge ( JUNG ); ownership: Jungle Lodge; 10 nets. Located in a small stand of primary forest extending from the lodge grounds west to the Laguna Penetencia. The processing site is best set up near the small guard building behind the last row of guest buildings at the edge of the forest (or under the small covered storage area at the north end of grounds and just west of the boat house). The lodge is across, and just down river, just a few minutes boat ride and within small radio contact range from CCC. This site is no longer operated due to the habitat modifications (clearing) made by the Lodge in 2002.

MoSI site : Caño Palma Dos ( CAN2 ); ownership: Don Alfredo; 12 nets. A 5 minute boat ride from Caño Palma. The processing station is set up in the Juan Jose’s shack near the beach. The are set in a loop accessed by trail at the end of the barb-wire fence along the trail from the canal. Due to flooding/access problems in 2003-2004 this site is no longer operated.

Scheduling of Monitoring Sites There are five primary sites currently in operation. Basically, the CCC site should be run 3 days a period (every other day), with the other four primary sites (AERO, CANO, PARQ, and TORT) on a continual rotation. The banding schedule should be planned on the basis of 7-day (one week) intervals. Availability of personnel and their abilities will, of course, play a role in determining the banding schedule. The general schedule in the spring and fall migration is that the CCC site should be run a minimum of 3 times weekly, and the other sites, once weekly. For instance, two persons (a primary bander and an intern) could band on the following schedule: CCC site run 3 times per week and the AERO, CANO, PARQ, and TORT sites each run one time per week. By this schedule, sites would be operated six of seven mornings. Banders should certainly work no fewer than five days per week. With additional qualified personnel, the sites can be run more frequently than this example. Regardless of the number of banders, you should keep the following in mind when planning the schedule: • The CCC site gets top priority, and should be run a minimum of three times weekly. The CCC site can often be easily operated by a single person, allowing the other bander(s) to work at other sites. At CANO, especially with help from the folks there, a single person can also usually operate this station. It is best if operated by two people, although one of the people can be a turtle person or helper from the village. Be creative! However, banding alone should only be done when and where it is safe to do so. • Avoid banding the same site on consecutive days. Allow at least one day to pass before banding a site again, and more for those sites which are only banded once or twice in each week or 10 days. • It's inevitable that rain or other unforeseen events will upset the schedule. If you're not able to band a site in a given week, that site then assumes the highest priority and should be run immediately in the next period to make up for the rain-out, and then run again 7 within that period as normally scheduled. DO NOT let a site get skipped during a banding period! • Check with the station manager about any possible boat-use conflicts and post the banding schedule in the comedor. Make sure the staff and turtle research assistants are aware that they are welcome to assist whenever possible.

Start time and net rounds Nets should be opened no later than 15 minutes before sunrise (although boat/driver availability may require an additional hour delay) and run for six hours after opening, so generally you should be starting to open nets between 0530 and 0545. Carry bird bags and leave at least a couple (including an orange) pins at each net (birds are almost always captured before the first net check) during net set-up. The first net round should begin as soon as you can after setting up the nets, and no later than 45 minutes after you started to set up the nets (and this late only when you have more than one person helping the primary bander). It may be necessary for one person to check the nets while the second person continues to open the last nets. Nets should then be checked at a maximum interval of 45 minutes. BE VERY AWARE of any nets that may come into the SUN during the banding session, and check these nets with greater frequency. Hypothermia doesn't pose the threat to wet birds that it does at less tropical latitudes, so sites can be run through moderate rains, but do check nets more frequently when conditions are wet. Promptly remove any large insects (bees, beetles) from the nets, as they will chew through the mesh if left and are a potential hazard for trapped birds. Each bander, when making a net run, should carry cloth bags and tools for cutting the net or dealing with tongue-stuck birds. Don't carry bags in your hands that must be set down in order to use your hands. A fanny-pack is ideal for carrying these materials. Wooden clothes pins are marked with the net number and placed on the ropes at the end of the net. These are attached to the bag, and then to the person's shirt for the return to the processing site. Do not overload clips with too many bags, or you run the risk of dropping them (possibly without even noticing). Hummingbirds, stressed birds, or any bird needing special attention and immediate processing should have their bag marked with an orange clothes pin, identifying them as priority birds. If possible, take the time to release very young birds (especially Local) close to their capture location. Try to release adults and immatures captured together at the same time.

Efficient Banding Station Set Up One of the most critical elements in station management is setting up the banding station to run efficiently, so that you minimize any stress on the birds (and you!). Try to locate the processing table in a spot that will be sheltered from the direct sun during the heat of the day, but not so shady that it is difficult to make accurate assessments of plumage. Having a table to work on will enhance banders’ ability to maintain order and process birds in a timely manner. If the table is too small to hold all banding equipment and materials, set essential items on the table and set other items within easy reach. The bagged birds should be hung in a sheltered place within easy reach of banders. You should not have to get up from the table or walk to where they are hung or to get light to skull. Again, this is to insure that the birds are processed as rapidly as possible. Mount the high-intensity flashlight on the chemistry stand or hang it from a tree branch close enough to the table so that banders can use it without moving away from the processing place. The use of supplemental light will greatly increase the accuracy and speed of skulling. 8 Commonly used tools (banding-pliers, wing-rule, calipers, etc.) should be laid out and put back in the same place so that they are accessible to everyone using them. Place tools on a bird bag or a small towel to minimize noise when tools are set down (to avoid disturbing birds in hand and in bags). Be sure to set up the scale within reach so that it is not necessary to get up to weigh birds. When removing birds from bags, toss the empty bags in a single spot (like under the table – not on the table). This will keep bags out of the way of the processing and they will be handy for the next net round. In general, be organized … chaos slows things down!

Processing One of the most critical elements in station management is setting up the banding station to run efficiently, so that you minimize any stress on the birds (and you!). This becomes even more important as the waves of migrant hit the nets! String up a line to hang birds on (in the shade) until they are processed. Birds should be processed so that those hanging in the bags the longest are the first to be processed (after priority birds, of course). Again, keeping things organized is essential. Migrants are banded with USFWS bands; residents with numbered (NOT USFWS) bands. Do not band migrants with non-USFWS bands, and do not band residents with USFWS bands. Check the band number with the recorder before placing on the bird’s leg to ensure that the correct type band is used. If in doubt about migrant/resident status of a bird, check the Tortuguero Bird Checklist (Appendix K). The numbers on bands should always be read using the Optivisors.

Importance of age Virtually all analyses first divide the birds into age classes, usually just ‘Despues Primero Año’ (After Hatch Year) vs. ‘Primero Año’ (Hatch Year). While plumage, molt of wing feathers, feather wear, and breeding condition, can all contribute to determine age, the degree of skull ossification is the most certain. In order to determine skull ossification accurately, additional light is essential. The banding kits are equipped with high intensity flashlights for skulling. All banders must wear and use Optivisors whenever processing birds. Always use absolute criteria. Using questionable criteria can be very counterproductive when age or sex categories are determined with different degrees of confidence. If criteria are insufficient to make correct determinations more than 95% of the time, do not waste the time trying to make a determination. In this case, just record the criteria in the notes section for future reference. In the case of residents, you are also photographing the plumages so that will be a useful reference as well. Percent juvenal plumage refers to easily seen plumage that can be positively differentiated as juvenal vs adult by color or pattern. Use the code ‘D’ (‘Desconocido’ (=Unknown)) if the plumage was examined but you can’t tell if plumage is juvenal or not. Use ‘9’ if data not taken. While a dash ‘-‘ could mean not known (same as ‘D’), it should not be used, as a dash sometimes really means ‘9’ (data not taken). If you are confused about the juvenal plumage of a particular species, check Pyle (1997, 2001), the Tabular Pyle (Sakai and Ralph, 2001), or Stiles and Skutch (1989) for particular juvenal characteristics.

9 Recording How Aged and How Sexed The codes for characters used in ageing and sexing birds are included in each banding kit (reference sheet) and in (Appendix J). As our knowledge of ageing and sexing birds develops, some characters may prove to be more or less useful than we now understand them to be. By recording at least two characters used in determining age and sex, we have found that age, and/or sex ratios, may be recalibrated by checking the data that have been recorded. Further, for data analyses, it may also be useful to note whether a spring bird was aged AHY based on inconclusive results after carefully examining the bird, or if it was not carefully examined and quickly processed due to a backlog of birds. The process of recording ‘how aged and how sexed’ codes provides increased flexibility and greater resolution in describing age and sex determinations. It also provides lesser-experienced banders a simple and easily remembered basis for their data collection. The most definitive characters should be used and recorded. Banders should especially pay attention to the detail of what plumage is observed in birds and use the most precise code possible. Banders should note that the use of several codes requires an accompanying note, e.g., “Q, Y, L, W, V, M, O, and Z”. Whenever molt limits are looked for, a code should be recorded in the Molt Limit/Limite Muda fields, e.g., no molt limits found, record “0”; molt limit in greater coverts found, record “G”. Banders should record all molt limits found, e.g., if more than two limits are found, record in notes. The use of the “0”, “U”, “Z”, and “9” codes are very helpful in analyses examining whether characters are useful for ageing and/or sexing. The use of “Z” should include a note on what the suspected age/sex is and what the conflicting characters are.

Priority of data The most important data besides site and date are: species, age (‘A’ vs. ‘P’: ‘Despues Primero Año’ (After Hatch Year) vs. ‘Primero Año’ (Hatch Year), sex, and net location. If time permits, other data in the following order are important: breeding condition, flight feather wear, flight feather molt (primaries and secondaries, not tail), body molt, wing length, weight, and fat.

Recording data Spanish language banding forms (see Appendix H for completed examples of all the data forms and Appendix I for English-Spanish translation of codes) should be used at all times, to enable Costa Ricans to fully participate and feel comfortable with the banding operation. Spanish codes (for age, sex, fat levels, etc.) are also always to be used. Note that day and month are reversed from a gringo point of view! There should be code sheets in each banding kit. Always record migrants and residents on separate banding sheets, including migrant and resident recaptures. Record new hummingbirds and recaptured hummingbirds on separate banding data forms. Record new Empidonax flycatchers and recaptures on separate banding data forms and use a separate series of size zero bands for new Empidonax captures. Unbanded birds (birds that escaped from a bander before being banded, were observed escaping from the net, etc.) should be recorded on a separate form with as much information as possible. Be sure to completely fill out the headings at the top of the page (band size, resident or migrant, year, etc). When starting a new string or at the end of each season always start a new form. This helps ensure that band numbers are recorded and computerized correctly and facilitates data filing, band inventory and reporting. Lost or destroyed bands should be recorded in sequence - record the code (e.g. ‘P’ for perdido (=lost), ‘D’ for destruido (=destroyed)), record 10 ‘BALO’ or ‘BADE’ in the species code field and write ‘Band lost’ or ‘Band destroyed’ in the notes section. After the last band of a string is used, or the end of a season, the form should be discontinued with “end of string/season” written following the last band record. Never record bands from more than one band string series on a single form, no matter if is the same size (but different strings), or different band sizes. This causes great confusion in data management and record keeping – another data form must be used, even if it will have only one record on it. Codes for resident and migrant birds names are in Appendix J. You can use either the four-letter code based on the English common name or the six letter code based on the scientific name. Though we have primarily used the English common name code in the past, be sensitive to the Costa Rican preference for using scientific names when banding with Ticos. If you are uncertain of the code, please check. Especially check the codes for all warblers beginning with ‘B’! Band sizes that we have determined for the more commonly captured resident species are also included in Appendix K. If you are unsure of the proper size, or if there is more than one recommended size, measure the tarsus with the leg gauge. Bands that are determined to be unreadable and replaced (Band Code C=Changed) must be taped to a sheet of paper with the readable digits, species, station, date, and replacement band number written and this information given to RSL with the hard copies of the data. It is very likely that the Bird Banding Laboratory will be able to discern the original number through an etching process. Bands that are determined to be unsafe to the bird should be adjusted or replaced accordingly. When a band is changed, the OLD band is recorded on the recapture page with band code = 'R'. The NEW band is recorded on the new band sheet with the band code = 'C'. Notes referencing the matching band numbers should be recorded on both sheets. The new sheet should reference the OLD band number and the recap sheet should reference the NEW band number. Bands should not be placed regularly on either the right or left legs, but on whichever is handy and available. Banders must be in the habit of inspecting both legs for an existing band. Instructions on the use of continuity lines for repeating data, how to record missing data, etc. are all contained in the Handbook of Field Methods for Monitoring Landbirds (Ralph et al. 1993, 1996). Make sure you have adequate supplies of the Handbook, both in Spanish and English. Recording notes is extremely important. Feel free to use this extensively, especially for residents. Incorporate ideas of identification, ageing, and sexing criteria into special fields or at least note in the outline of species. It is especially important to record notes on rare species. Include a written description of all major plumage characteristics (e.g. upperparts, undertail coverts etc.) and color of soft parts (bill, legs, eye ring etc.). Be sure to photograph these birds as well, and in the Notes section, record the roll and frame number.

Recording Notes Notes should be made about specific plumage characteristics and measurements taken in addition to the normal data recorded on the front of the form, for example the length of the crown patch of an Orange-crowned Warbler, or other criteria used to make age and sex determinations. Make notes as concise as possible and use the standard abbreviations found in Pyle (1997) p 732. When referring to a figure in Pyle, record the note as ‘Pyle Fig ### = X’. If a feather sample was collected or a photo taken, record this in the notes. Note any injuries,

11 malformations, or deformities, especially if a status code other than N (Normal) is used. All unbanded birds should have a note explaining why the bird was released unbanded.

Recording Molt Wing molt should be recorded as symmetrical or adventitious in the data field on the front of the data form. Tail molt should be recorded only in the notes on the back of the form. The details of wing and tail molt should be recorded using the standardized notation method. The letter ‘P’ denotes primaries, ‘S’ denotes secondaries, and ‘T’ denotes tail. The letters ‘L’ and ‘R’ indicate left and right, respectively. The feathers are also numbered in the standard manner as in the Introduction section (pages 1-38) of Pyle (1997). The letter ‘G’ indicates that the specified feather(s) is growing and the letter ‘X’ indicates that the feather(s) is missing. If the feathers missing or growing are in sequence, e.g. numbers one through five are growing; the numbers are recorded in ascending order (15) to include all the feathers. If the feathers are not in sequence, e.g. numbers one and five are growing or missing but not the feathers in between, then the numbers are recorded in descending order (51). For example, if you capture a bird that has primaries one through five, secondaries three and six are growing, and the left rectrices one through three are missing, the following is recorded in the notes: P15S63G, TL13X. All molting or missing feathers should be recorded including those that may have been dropped by the bird during capture or handling (with a note indicating such).

Empidonax flycatchers Keying out Empidonax flycatchers can be fun but challenging. We have a data form and table of morphometric and plumage characteristics (Sakai and Ralph 2001) to help you out. It is not necessary to fill in all data columns for each bird, rather, record just those characteristics which you need to arrive at a species identification. We suggest this approach: if you have an educated guess about the species identification based on your experience, start out with those characteristics that separate that species from its conspecifics. You can stop measuring and recording when you feel confident about your decision. If you are inexperienced with the flycatchers, or you have captured a bird that does not fit neatly into our classification scheme, then more effort will be needed. Be prepared for waves of Empidonax (and Catharus thrushes), and familiarize yourself in advance with the measurement techniques and special data requirements. Do not use codes for ‘ Empidonax species’ or ‘ Catharus species’ for banded birds! Most of these birds can be identified to species with the required certainty. If you know in advance exactly which characters and/or measurements are required to separate similar species, and you are semi-overwhelmed by a wave of birds, take the minimum amount of data, and later identify each bird to species based on the data you have taken. Do not put a band on a bird you will not be able to identify!

Hummingbirds Banders must be familiar with the NABC Hummingbird Manual (NABC 2001 b), other hummingbird references supplied, and of course, these station management procedures. Banding hummingbirds calls for a set of skills, concentration, and patience additional to those needed for passerine banding. The delicacies of the birds, the bands, and the tools involved require a finesse that most banders already possess and need only apply at an increased level. There should be at least one person present who has at least some hummingbird handling and/or banding experience. The references supplied i.e., these procedures, NABC (2001 a), NABC (2001 b), Pyle 12 (1997 and 2001), MacDonald (19xx), Stiles (1972), and Yanega, Guepel, and Pyle (1997) will prepare you for development of skills in safe handling and banding, and accurate ageing and sexing of these birds. Banders must be completely familiar with the references and tools before banding a hummingbird. This is an excellent opportunity to master a specialty banding skill that relatively few possess. It is also an opportunity to contribute to the study of a group of birds about which little is currently known (especially the information that a mark-recapture study can provide). The use of the head-held magnifying lens (Optivisor) is essential to manufacturing quality and safe bands, and the accurate, timely, and safe processing of all birds and especially for hummingbirds. Banders must wear and use them whenever processing any bird.

Manufacturing the Bands The band manufacturing instructions accompanying the band-shaper tool kit (MacDonald 19xx) should be followed except as modified here. Cut bands from the sheet with the bandcutter scissors from a banding kit (these make a more precise cut that leads to much less file finishing). With careful cutting, just minor file-brushing (light swipes with the shaping file with minimal material removed) is needed to deburr (to smooth sharp, jagged edges) and finish bands. Cut directly on the printed lines – not inside or outside – the lines are printed approximately the width of the scissor-cut width and determine the finished band size. • Cut horizontal strips of 10 bands directly on the black printed lines. Cutting as precisely as possible, using the Optivisors and very sharp scissors, will result in much less file-shaping later. The cut strip will curl as it is cut – flatten and straighten as necessary before filing; • Deburr/filebrush edges before cutting individual bands (this leaves less filing to be done on individual bands). The edges of the strip of bands should be within the printed black lines; • Cut individual bands at the vertical line closest to the last band number digit (right side) and at the outermost vertical line on the left side. This will avoid the possibility of a residual printed vertical line appearing as a “1”; • After cutting individual bands, deburr/filebrush edges (holding with tweezers) before rounding; • Rounding, the final shaping of the band, should be done as symmetrically as possible – this will result in a more symmetric spreading and even crimp around the bird’s tarsus. Usually, 2-3 pressings in the shaper is necessary to properly form the cylindric band; • After rounding, be certain that the butt-ends adjoin evenly, adjust skewed butt ends as necessary. Finished bands should have right angles at each butt-end corner; • Place finished bands onto a band-holder pin (holds 30 bands) highest number first.

Applying the Band With these tiny, delicate, and difficult to control birds, it will be a challenge to your concentration and skill to apply the band safely and correctly. Banders may find controlling the bird and its leg more effective and easier by placing it inside a mesh bag and pulling the leg through the mesh (see NABC 2001 c). The bands are very small and malleable and you will find that they close quickly and easily with minimal applied pressure. As with all birds banded, be 13 certain that the band ends are not skewed (adjusting as necessary) and fits the tarsus properly. If any feathers are caught within the crimped band ends, rotating it during the proper-fit test will dislodge them.

Processing After identifying the species and applying the band, the bill corrugations should be the first character examined and recorded. This, more than any other character, will help determine the age of the bird. While examining the bill for extent of corrugations, determine other bill characters e.g., percent red in upper mandible for RUFH. Then collect the suite of routine data in the order they occur on the data form. Banders should be familiar with Pyle’s (1997) description of skull ossification in hummingbirds and, as appropriate, skull as many hummingbirds as possible. However, because Skull, Cloacal Protuberance and Brood Patch are very difficult to determine, they may be skipped in order to speed up the processing time. In order to substantiate certain characters (specifically, possible juvenal plumage) described by Pyle (2001), we are determining the percentage of buffy or cinnamon tipping to the feathers of some tracts. Record the determination of each tract (to nearest 10%) included on the reverse side of the hummingbird data form. A paper tube (ca. 5 cm x 3 cm rolled, taped) should be used to immobilize the bird during weighing process (Tropical hummingbirds will not lie still on their backs as many Temperate ones do). As always, while banding any birds, being organized at the banding table and familiar with the species you are capturing be prepare you for accurate, timely, and safe processing. At Tortuguero, banders should commit to memory the Pyle (2001) accounts and extra data to be collected for the RUFH, BRHE, LBIH, and GREM, which comprise the majority of hummingbird captures.

Delicacy of Hummingbirds and the Tools Used The Birds The fragility of the hummingbirds is obvious. Banders will find that most individuals of most Tropical species are wound up pretty tight, struggling and crying out nearly constantly during captivity. This excessive activity must be physically draining to the bird and can be stressful to the bander. Although all hummingbirds should be processed as a priority over other captures and monitoring activities; with experience, you’ll find that these birds are quite hardy when handled properly and processed in a timely manner. The safe and only appropriate methods for holding hummingbirds are well described in NABC 2001 c. Holding a hummingbird by its bill or legs absolutely should never be done.

The Tools The tools used in manufacturing and applying hummingbird bands are very expensive and difficult (in the case of the band-shaper, nearly impossible) to replace. Dedicated maintenance is needed in order to preserve their precise functionality. All steel components of tools (band-shaper, band-pliers) should be regularly cleaned with WD-40 or some solvent to retard rust growth. Excess solvent must be wiped away before the tools are brought in contact with bands and birds. The spreading-pin of the band-pliers is very fragile and requires extra care. Keep the hummingbird band-pliers wrapped in the foam sheeting when packing in tool pack.

14 Rare birds All primary banders should be aware of the top 30 to 50 species commonly captured, and should be aware of any similar, less-common species and their diagnostic characteristics. It is especially important to record notes on rare species. Include a written description of all major plumage characteristics (e.g. upperparts, undertail coverts etc) and color of soft parts (bill, legs, eye ring, etc.). If you are not 100% sure of a bird’s identification, take extra morphometric data, plumage descriptions, etc. Be sure to photograph these birds well.

Photographs A bird in the hand is an invaluable opportunity to learn as much as we can about these creatures. Little is understood about the life histories of resident birds in Costa Rica, especially their molt cycles and other possible ageing and sexing characteristics. The North American migrants have been described to an appreciable extent, but nothing approaching this is available for Central American birds. For these reasons, scheduling the time during processing to take standardized diagnostic photographs of resident birds is essential. The following procedure should be adhered to for every banding effort. The camera should always be ready as part of banding set up at the beginning of the effort. Natural light can be used when available, but using the flash provides a consistent light- source and exposure results. Place the bird in front of the grayboard background. Position the bird for three pictures, a dorsal, a ventral, and an upper wing. For all shots, focus as close as you can to fill the frame with the bird as much as possible. Be sure to focus on the bird, not the background. Your field of focus will be very shallow using the macro setting (indicated by flower icon ), so position the bird and camera on similar planes for best results. For the dorsal shot, hold the bird in the ‘photographer’s grip’, high up on the legs, with your fingers, the bird’s belly and breast as close as possible to the grayboard background. With one hand, stretch out the right wing at right angles to the body axis, and spread the tail out. Do not hold individual feathers. The ventral shot is taken with the bird in the ‘bander’s grip’, with the back of your hand close to the grayboard, the wing spread at right angles, and the tail again spread apart, showing the undertail coverts. The upper wing shot is a close up of the spread upper wing. Be sure to cover as little as the wing feathers as possible with your fingers. For all shots, try to smooth out contour and flight feathers to their normal resting position. Smaller species for which the wing shot will be no different than the ventral shot can be photographed just twice. After each bird photo-series, record the photos in the Photo Logbook for that camera and record the image number in the notes field on the banding form. It is critical to remember to log in every shot taken in the Photo Logbook and in the notes field . There is no other connection of the captured bird’s data to its photographs. Without this connection, the photographs are useless and the bird has been done a disservice. Please make every effort to check the Logbook often during the day to catch any lapses while the information may still be remembered. Remember to download camera often (every day or two) and retain the images on the computer and the camera media until a Compact Disk is created. Once a CD is made, the camera can be erased, however, please keep the images on the computer as a backup until the CD’s are back at RSL.

15 Safety (of the birds and you) Your safety must be the priority in everything you do. Pay attention to rules, requests, and advice of the station management (these folks know the area better than you). This is especially important while aboard any boat – do whatever the boat captain says. The study sites can be dangerous places for those that have left their common sense behind. Hazards can be encountered anytime and anyplace, so please be mindful and look before you step or grab. Pay attention to the weather … drink lots of water and use sunscreen. Check the first aid kits in banding kits so you know what is available and replace what is needed. The safety of the birds you capture is your next priority. Be sure that nets are set properly and that they are checked regularly and frequently (in relation to the circumstances). Always be in control of the banding situation and be able to safely process the number of birds being captured. Capture-related stress in birds is directly related to total handling time – be completely familiar with this protocol which, in practice, will minimize handling time. You should be familiar with the symptoms and signs of stress in birds and recommended treatments as described in the NABC Bander’s Study Guide (NABC 2000). The most common problem is capture-related stress (shock) which should be treated by either trying to get the bird to flutter its wings (to induce an increased heart beat) or holding undisturbed in a bag in a shaded and quiet place for at least 20 minutes. Stressed hummingbirds should be offered sugar water. The eye dropper bottle should be kept sterile with a teaspoon of dry sugar in it at all times – when needed, add four teaspoons of water and shake mix. After use, sterilize the bottle and dropper in boiling water (fungi grows very quickly in the Tropical heat). Broken legs, if encountered should be reset and splinted with scotch (clear) tape (3 windings is sufficient). The immatures of several species (notably WCMA and VASE) are more sensitive to the capture process – these should be processed before adults. Frequent net checks and proper handling prevent most injuries. Keep an eye out for approaching squalls.

Special reminders • Always use an orange pin to designate a hummingbird or other priority bird in a bag and process accordingly. • ALWAYS make sure you have taken down every net. Do a count of the bagged nets once you have finished closing before placing them into the pack and make sure all nets are accounted for … this is the only time at which you can be certain that all nets were collected without rechecking every net site! • Always make sure you have control of the bird and that the leg is well supported before attaching the band. Once the band is attached, check to insure it is fully closed and moves freely on the leg. • Females with fully developed brood patches should be considered a processing priority – right after hummingbirds. • Kingfishers and trogons are not banded on the tarsus! Place bands above the tarsus on upper leg.

Use of personnel It is essential that qualified people processes and record data. With varying numbers of banders with different skill levels, juggle the work for maximum efficiency in removing birds from the nets and in processing. With even a modestly-trained recorder, a primary bander can put out birds twice or three times as fast than if working alone. Cultivate help from the local folks or volunteers at CCC. 16

Instructions for special situations Visitors Guests at banding sites will be a common occurrence. While these folks are very important to the continued vitality of our effort, they need to be accommodated without stress to the bird or to the visitor. Under no circumstances should anyone visit nets without a primary bander, and preferably with two people. If a badly tangled bird is encountered, with two people it is possible and preferable to send the visitor ahead with the second bander, so that the primary bander can remove the bird without distraction. Special care must be taken to ensure that all birds are released next to bushes so that weak ones can recover quickly without having to make their way to shelter. Should a bird die, emphasize that the bird will be made into a specimen for scientific study and will contribute much to our understanding and therefore conservation of the species. These birds should be labeled with pertinent information written in pencil on a label (site code, date, species) and placed in a plastic container marked ‘Proyecto de Aves’ in the freezer until taken to the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (see Julio Sanchez in Contact People). If possible, take the time to share your knowledge of bird conservation issues and offer photograph opportunities to visitors. Again, always keep the birds’ welfare in mind as the priority and explain this to the visitors.

Interruption by rain If your operation is interrupted by rain or other events, try to do the following. The major objective of a constant effort site is to run each net for six hours each period, starting within 15 minutes of local sunrise. If you have to shut down shy of the magic six hours, we suggest the following: • Attempt to operate each net for the standard number of hours, even if you go into the early afternoon. • We suggest that you try to operate each net for at least one hour within the 2 hours after dawn to get the maximum capture rate. • If possible, operate each net for a minimum of 3.5 hours during the first 7 hours after dawn. • If you can't meet the above criteria, we suggest that you operate the nets on the next available day, during the hours missed.

Here are some examples to illustrate typical situations: • You open the nets between 0530 and 0615, and at 0800 it starts raining hard, and you rapidly close the nets. The rain stops at 0845, and you set up again. The weather holds, and you operate until 1115 when you start shutting down, finishing shut down at 1300, with each net then operated approximately six hours. • In a variation, it never stops raining for the rest of the day until 1300. You have only completed 2.5 hours, so the next day, you set up at 0800 and operate until 1130. • In another variation of the above, after the 2.5 hours of operation, you are able to open again for an hour at 1000, but then it starts raining until the afternoon. You have completed 3.5 hours, and you don't have to operate again at that site in that period. • In a final variation, the heavens open up at 0615, just as you finish setting up, and you rapidly shut down. Then, at 0830 it starts to clear up. Although you haven't been able to get in an hour in before 0730, and so really should come back the next available day to operate for the remaining time, but if the site is remote, and birds seem active, go ahead 17 and operate the nets until early afternoon. Thus, we are suggesting that you use your judgment.

High winds Often, strong winds will precede squalls or fronts pushing in from the ocean. These winds can kick up very rapidly, quickly filling the nets with leaves. Most of us have learned this lesson the hard way. Usually the winds give you a little warning, but if you are hesitant to close the nets needlessly and wait and see if the winds are going to pick up, and they DO, it is often too late. If the weather seems threatening, and breezes are starting to blow, go out to the beach and scan for squall lines offshore. If you can see approaching rain, consider furling nets in the advance of the storm, but not taking them down. If the rain is of a short duration or never materializes, you can open the nets back up once the winds or rain die down, and run the site longer into the day to make up for the down time. Ultimately, closure due to weather conditions is a judgment call on your part.

How to handle waves of birds When you have a large number of birds, the temptation is to immediately close all nets until you catch up with the processing of all birds that have been caught. While we would wish to keep the net operations standardized, it is far better to shut the few nets that have caught many birds, while continuing the processing the birds that you have on hand. The critical thing is that all banders continually be thinking about the number of birds left to be processed. We suggest following these guidelines: 1. Birds should be removed from nets as quickly as possible. The birds are vulnerable to net injuries, predation, and exposure while in the nets. They can remain quite healthy in shaded bags for up to 2 hours, preferably less than 1 hour. 2. Try to do net rounds as quickly as possible, every 15 to 20 minutes is not too often, to minimize the time each bird is in the net and the degree of entanglement. 3. If too many birds are encountered in nets for processing before the next round, take minimum data until capture rates slow down. Be sure to maintain quality, especially of species identification, and the age and sex determination. Releasing captured birds at the net without processing is very much a last resort, and they should be recorded on the Unbanded page as to species; do at least the skull if you can. 4. If too many birds are captured, even with taking minimum data, then close 2-4 nets, including those with high and low capture rates. 5. Use personnel effectively - two people process much more than twice the number of birds if one records for the other. 6. If more than 10 birds are still in bags after 1-2 hours, close further nets. Reopen nets when number of birds has decreased to about 10.

The following example may help illustrate. In the first net round you (as primary bander) find 8 birds, and return to the processing site. This is a modest number of birds, but could get out of hand if the rate picks up. So, immediately after your return, you have one person begin to process the birds, while you do a quick net round. On this round, you reach net #3 and find 8 birds in it. You have a potential situation. You rapidly take out the birds, and shut down #3. Continuing along, you find only 4 more birds. You return to the processing site, leave the 12 birds and some encouragement, and continue around. If, on this round, you again find a full net, close this net and continue around. If, on the other hand, only a couple of birds are in the nets, 18 then the closed nets can be safely opened again. The nets that were shut should be opened and operated longer, if at all possible. Please be familiar with these guidelines before a wave hits! The use of the radios would facilitate communication in these situations. With radios, you can send out the secondary bander while you more rapidly (presumably) process birds, yet help make judgment calls on net closures or releasing unbanded birds.

Recording minimal data Under certain conditions there may not be time to fully process each bird. In these situations, the bander must at least record the band number, species, age, and sex of the bird. In a given situation, the need to collect minimal data will vary with numbers and experience of the banders. Just remember, the health of the netted birds is paramount. Birds should not remain unprocessed in bags for more than one and a half hours from the time they were brought to the processing station. This period could be extended on days when temperatures are mild.

Allocating time between migration counts, census, and netting It is very tempting to treat the capture effort as the primary reason for being at Tortuguero. However, the two census methods are every bit as important, and especially considering that in 10 minutes you might process a few captured birds, but could record thousands of migrants on a 10-minute migrant watch, or several dozen on an area search. It is far better to let a few, or even several, birds go with minimum (or even no) data, than to pass up the 10-minute migrant count.

Migration Counts The Migration Counts are a series of 10-minute counts, conducted at regular intervals throughout the day, to be used to: 1. Determine species composition and relative numbers of migrating birds. 2. Monitor the timing of migration. 3. Determine influence of weather conditions (local and regional) on migration. 4. Compare migration between sites.

Since observers will record all actively migrating species seen, the counts can also provide information on some resident and short-distance migratory species.

What to count All birds that are actively migrating are recorded. This includes birds flying overhead in any direction, but does not include birds that perch within sight of the observer. Although many birds of many species recognized as migrants will be detected, the focus of these counts is to record diurnal migration that is not detected by other methods. Focus on migrant species, which will be dominated by raptors (Broad-winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Osprey, Mississippi Kite and Peregrine Falcon), swallows (Bank, Barn, Cliff, Tree, and Northern Rough-winged swallows, as well as the Purple Martin), the Chimney Swift, and the Eastern Kingbird. Counting birds that are not flying in the 'usual' direction is important. On overcast days and other conditions, migrant birds often become disoriented. Without the necessary navigational cues, they no longer fly purposefully to the north or south, but instead may circle about or even fly in the opposite direction. In these situations, record the direction that birds are taking. The direction that birds flying in the usual direction for migration in that season is not normally recorded. 19

Equipment Observers will need clipboard, migration monitoring data form, hat and/or sunglasses, binoculars, and watch.

How to count The observer, facing north in fall and south in spring, scans back and forth usually about 30-60 degrees above the horizon from left to right. Each scan should take from 5 to 10 seconds . It is best to concentrate on areas forward of observer to detect birds as early as possible, but do not neglect zones immediately above and to left and right of the observer. Watch out for high altitude flyers. Do not use binoculars to scan. Record only birds seen with the naked eye. If you see birds with naked eye at some distance or height, and when you check their identification with binoculars, you see additional birds, do not record the new birds! This is necessary to maintain consistency. When the numbers of migrating birds are low, it's easy to tally each individual bird as it passes. Recognition of the less abundant migrants is also easier when you can focus on individuals. During the peak of migration, however, too many birds are passing to count each one, and the likelihood of missing the odd individual of a more rare species in a large group of another species is high. In this situation, we suggest the following approach. First, estimate the numbers of common migrants passing in a 3-5 minute period. This will give you a ‘rate’ of bird passage (i.e., birds passing/minute) which can be use to extrapolate to a full 10-minute count. Then spend an additional 10 minutes looking especially carefully for individuals of the rare migrant species.

When to count We wish to have a minimum of five counts daily. They should be conducted within a one-half hour period centered on 0700, 0900, 1100, 1300, 1500, and 1700 hours. A nighthawk count at dusk, about 1800 would be also useful. The morning counts are very important, and should take priority during banding and over the recording of the few birds that one might miss processing. It is far better to release a few birds from the net captures with minimum data than to miss a 10-minute count. The afternoon counts can be difficult to get in at times when naps or other activities are indulged … please share the responsibility of completing counts. These counts are most statistically valuable with full daily coverage. While it may be unpleasant to count when winds exceed a certain velocity, or when rain compromises the observer's ability to see, it is very important to get data during these periods. Only during squalls or hard showers would it be best to not count.

Where to conduct count • AERO: on the beach about 10 m South of the 5/8 Mile post; • CANO: in clearing on south side of the comedor; • CCC: on the beach at the trail just south of the Scientist’s Residence building; • PARQ: on the beach adjacent to the mist-netting station; • TORT: on the dock.

Area Search census Area searches will be conducted at least twice during each morning that nets are operated. Basically, an observer walks in a 20-minute circle, noting all birds seen or heard. The person who is the best birder should conduct these, and the other banders should practice as time 20 allows. The censuser should follow the designated routes of area searches on the station map to maintain continuity when others conduct the counts. Observers will need clipboard with a thermometer attached, data form, binoculars, and watch. The first census is ideally done as the nets are set up, however immediately following set up is fine. If the temperature and/or bird activity is low, wait until it warms up a bit to begin the first area search. That is, the one person starts setting up the nets and the other person walks around a circle that includes at least part (but rarely all) of the net round. After 20 minutes, the censuser (back at the start of the net round) begins to also set up nets. When bird captures have slowed down a bit, often about 0930 or so, the censuser again does a circle for a second 20- minute count. In the event that capture rates are too high to do the census earlier, the census is started as the nets are closed for the day (but not necessarily taken down), and processing is under control, so that only a few birds need to done. Again, the area search census data is as important as the banding data. Be sure that at least one search is conducted each banding day. Each day, the area search forms should be edited, cleaned up and placed with the other completed forms. Censusers occasionally forget to mark date and/or station while in the field and this is much more easily corrected the day of the area search rather than later. Be sure to fill in the species name field for each species code. This is the censuser's responsibility, and the primary bander's responsibility to make sure that it is done.

COMPLETING FORMS & DATA MANAGEMENT

The importance of both accuracy and neatness of the data you record cannot be emphasized enough. Please pay attention to the information being collected … check one another’s data – ask questions and make correction where appropriate. The goal is to obtain the most complete and accurate data possible. See Appendix H for examples of completed data forms.

Daily Journal Form These should be filled out during the day as various data are taken - keep the journal form handy and record events as they occur. • Day and Date - record the day of the week (e.g. Monday) as well as the date in the format Day-Month-Year. Be very careful not to reverse the order of Day/Month. • Time open - record the time you started opening and the time opening was completed. • Time closed - record the time you started closing and the time closing was completed. • Nets run - record each net opened, noting any individual nets not opened, or the times nets were opened or closed if different from the general open and close times (e.g. ‘Net 6 opened at 0730 because of fallen tree’). • Banders - record the complete names of all banders and recorders. • Weather - in each time interval, record: (1) % cloud cover - estimate to nearest 10%. (2) Precipitation: N=none; F=fog; M=mist; D=drizzle; R=rain; include any descriptors such as Light, Heavy, Steady or Intermittent. (3) temperature. (4) Wind using the Beaufort Scale provided (Appendix G).

Keep close track of net rounds, temporary net closures, timing of censuses, etc. It is very important to note any temporary net closures or late opening, be sure to record opening and closing time, to enable calculation of net-hours. Complete the capture tally at the end of the 21 banding session (or as soon as possible thereafter) while the day’s activities are still fresh in everyone’s mind (data omissions or goofs are not uncommon and can be fixed easily now, but not so later). When tallying up capture numbers for the day, be systematic in counting by page (checking every page – you may not have been around for an unusual or unbanded bird) and double check the totals with a gross count of all captures for the day. This is the last time that all the banding data and the journal form will be together – its much more difficult to correct mistakes later on. Notes - record anything unusual or interesting... Mention unusual captures or sightings. Brief notes on general bird activity and migrants in particular, and more specific observations, especially early records or large movements, are valuable (e.g. ‘Several PROWs around banding station’, ‘first WOTH of the season’, ‘big dragonfly Odonata sp. migration at edge of beach – ca. 500 per minute’, severe thunderstorm from NE last night’, etc.) noted. Always record the names and associations of people assisting (eg. Mery Martinez – CCC RA; Alexander Skutch – visiting biologist; Daryl Loth – local) and note visiting groups (eg. Mawamba Lodge tour group 0930-1030; group from Bronx Zoo 0800-0900) Be sure to include area search and migration count times. This form is intended to be a record of everything that happened on that date. However, if no banding occurred on a day (e.g. rained out) the number of Area Search and Migration Counts, as recorded on the Data Tracking Form, is sufficient to document the events of the day (instead of using an entire Journal Form).

Banding Data Form Keep separate forms for the USFWS (Migrant) bands and the Resident bands, writing ‘Migrant’ or ‘Resident’ appropriately in the heading on every page. Recaptures are also recorded separately for Migrant and Resident birds. Hummingbirds are recorded on separate forms as well with separate forms for the ‘New Hummingbirds’ and ‘Recap Hummingbirds’. For the first record of each Migrant form record the entire band number and the last three digits thereafter each day. For every record of each Resident form record the entire band number (including preceding zeros). This is necessary because the bands have varying number lengths (from two to seven digits) and could be easily confused at later dates – especially when birds are recaptured. All recaptured birds must have the entire band number recorded (Migrants and Residents). Banders should always use the Optivisors to read band numbers (absolutely with recaptures) and always double-check the number with the data recorder. For the first entry of the day, fill out all fields and use continuation lines there after for the day as appropriate. Note that the continuation lines used are drawn from the upper left to the lower right. For the first entry of each day, again fill out all of the fields and use continuation lines for that day (this makes tallying capture totals much easier, but more importantly, makes the data much easier for editing and data entry folks to read later on).

Area Search Form It is the censuser’s responsibility to complete this form. It is not uncommon for the date, station, censuser’s name, or even bird codes (and most so totals) to be omitted. Please review the form as soon as possible following completion of the search. • Date - record the date in the format Day-Month-Year. Be very careful not to reverse the order of Day/Month. • Area Search Number as described on the site map. • Weather - in each time interval, record: (1) % cloud cover - estimate to nearest 10%. (2) Precipitation: N=none; F=fog; M=mist; D=drizzle; R=rain; include any descriptors such 22 as Light, Heavy, Steady or Intermittent. (3) Temperature. (4) Wind using the Beaufort Scale provided (Appendix G).

Migration Count Form • Weather - in each time interval, record: (1) % cloud cover - estimate to nearest 10%. (2) Precipitation: N=none; F=fog; M=mist; D=drizzle; R=rain; DO NOT include any descriptors such as Light, Heavy, Steady or Intermittent. (3) Temperature. (4) Wind using the Beaufort Scale provided (Appendix G). • Use the shaded areas for an abbreviation of the species name or for notes. • Use unshaded area for tallying during the count. • Be sure to record totals for each species in each count.

Data Tracking Fill in the Data Tracking Form daily. This information is very helpful in scheduling efforts and prompts daily data checking. This tracking has proved helpful in explaining inconsistencies on Daily Journals. Effort should be made to maintain the monthly capture totals spreadsheet saved on the library or office computer. These totals should be regularly emailed to Redwood Sciences Laboratory (for use in reports, etc) and may be posted in the CCC museum with permission from the Visitor Center Manager.

CHECKING DATA

At the end of each day, the banding data sheets and journal form should be checked for entry errors and completeness of codes, and dairy entries. It is essential to check the day’s data at the end of each field day when simple data recording errors can be caught and corrections made. Forms should be checked for completeness and correctness. Check that all boxes have been filled in, that the data are legible, and that letters are unambiguous (e.g. a hasty ‘L’ can look like ‘C’, ‘4’ like ‘9’, ‘S’ like ‘5’, etc.). Check that all notes on the back are referenced to the correct note number on the front. Ensure that the correct date and station have been recorded, and that dia/day and mez/month are in the correct column. Check that the species name has been written down and it agrees with the code; check that the how aged and sexed agree with the age and sex designation recorded. Check that the correct codes have been used, especially if you are unfamiliar with the Spanish codes. A few minutes spent checking for errors at this stage will save a lot of time and effort later and will be greatly appreciated by the folks back home who will be entering and analyzing your data, and may even prevent ambiguous or wrongly recorded data from being lost altogether. When a data sheet is completed, remove it from the field databook, double check it, and in the upper right corner, put your initials and the date of checking. Make every attempt to get a copy of completed data sheets, for instance at one of the lodges, and store them in a different place from the originals. While it may be expensive to get copies, it is far cheaper than having to send people in the field again.

CONDUCT

As an intern of the bird monitoring project at the Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s field research station, you are under the rules that apply to all Research Assistants (RAs) at the station.

23 Conservation in general, and in developing countries in particular, is not only a question of what activities to implement, but very much how to implement them. Activities that may seem the most rational from a theoretical management or scientific standpoint may not always be the most successful in conservation terms due to sociological, economical and political constraints. CCC has a long-term commitment to work in Tortuguero and to integrate scientific research and management with sound environmental education and practical conservation. The actions and behavior of individuals associated with CCC, such as RAs and program participants, to a very large extent, determine how local people perceive CCC and our work. The overall success of conservation in Tortuguero is closely related to the perception local people have of CCC and other conservation organizations active in the area. Hence, as an RA, you and your behavior play a key role in shaping the image of CCC. The Tortuguero area is one of the most inaccessible locations in Costa Rica. The tropical habitats can be unforgiving and advanced medical treatment is not available locally. Care should be taken both when working and when engaging in leisure activities. In order for you to accomplish, and enjoy, as much as possible during your stay, we ask that you observe the following simple rules.

Safety: • Do not walk barefoot at any time. • First aid material is available from Station Staff. Use it wisely. • No swimming is allowed in the river or in the ocean (strong currents, crocodiles, and snakes have claimed lives on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in the last three years). • No one should go out alone after dark. • Do not touch things in the jungle with which you are not familiar and look before you step. • Please advise station staff of any physical or medical limitations you have or medical skills that you can offer.

Food: • Meal times are 0800 breakfast, 1200 lunch, 1800 dinner, wash your own dishes and help out with kitchen cleanup when possible. • Snacks are available in the refrigerator. Please keep it clean and remember that supplies may be limited. Washing: • You may be responsible for your own laundry. Air dry clothes unless it is raining. • Make sure you remove all sand from your clothes before putting them in the washing machine. • No shoes in the washing machine or in the dryer. • Remember that there are others who need to do laundry – be timely about using the machines. Security: • You are responsible for your own belongings. • There is a safe in the office in which to keep valuables Boats: • The boats are only to be driven by permanent CCC staff. If you would like to go somewhere discuss this with the Station Manager. Behavior:

24 • No alcohol consumption is allowed before or during work activities (this includes the whole day preceding work activities). • Be courteous to each other and all tour guides, villagers, and park rangers that you meet on the beach or in the village. • Romantic relationships between RAs and local people result in tension between villagers and CCC affect negatively the success of conservation activities and hence are not permitted. • Sexual harassment is considered unacceptable and will not be tolerated. • The dorm is a sleeping area 24 hours. Please be considerate of others trying to sleep. • Illegal drugs are not tolerated and any use will result in immediate expulsion from the station. • Unprofessional behavior will also result in a request to leave the station.

These rules are not imposed to limit your experience of Tortuguero but to achieve maximum conservation success and to ensure that research activities are coordinated and carried out in an efficient and timely manner.

CCC Participant Program: • If you lucky enough to have a “Participant” (a person paying the CCC for the cost of their stay at the station) please treat them with the utmost respect and make every effort to integrate them into the daily schedule as you would any other bander. It is not expected that you are responsible to train a person with no previous experience to band in the 1-2 week of their stay. Do your best to evaluate their skill level in order to make the most of having an extra person to help you run the station. Please be aware that you will need to supervise Participants at all times. However, appropriate use of walkie-talkies (FRS radios) should enable Participants to be productive members of your team.

MAKING PROTOCOL CHANGES

It is crucial that banders understand that while they have full authority to make day-to-day adjustments in the schedule and protocol, any systematic change in this protocol must be checked with Dr. C.J. Ralph in Arcata ([email protected] or [email protected]). Please have a low threshold for contacting him about any questions, problems, or opportunities. Feel more than free to phone him at the office (707) 825-2992 or at home (707) 822-2015.

FEEDBACK ON OUR PROJECT

We welcome any comments you might have concerning ways we could improve our project, so once you’ve finished up in Tortuguero, contact Dr. Ralph with your ideas. Don’t hesitate to phone him, but it would also be helpful to organize your thoughts in a written form and provide that as well.

CONTACT PEOPLE

C. John Ralph (Principal Investigator), Redwood Sciences Laboratory, 1700 Bayview Drive, Arcata, CA 95521, USA, ph: 707 825-2992 home: 822-2015, fax: 707 825-2901 home: 822-1626, email: [email protected] or [email protected]

25 Pablo Herrera , Redwood Sciences Laboratory, 1700 Bayview Drive, Arcata, CA 95521, USA, ph: 707 825-2994, fax: 707 825-2901, email: [email protected], along with C. J., he is your primary RSL contact.

Bob Frey , Klamath Bird Observatory, Box 758 Ashland, OR 97520, USA, ph: 541-201-0866 email: [email protected], along with C. J. and Pablo, he can be contacted with questions about the station, etc

Tortuguero Station , ph: 011 506 709-8091, fax: same, e-mail: [email protected] (use the Subject field to direct messages (e.g. [Para “your name”] – everyone at the station uses this address)

Daniel Evans (International Programs Director) Caribbean Conservation Corporation, 4424 NW 13th St., Suite A-1, Gainesville, Florida, 32609, USA, ph: 352 373-644, e-mail: [email protected]

Roxana Silman (Costa Rica Administrator) Caribbean Conservation Corporation, Apartado Postal 246- 2050, San Pedro, Costa Rica, Physical Address: 100 South of Municipalidad de Moravia, Moravia (NE of San Jose) ph: 506-297-5510, fax: 506 225-7516, e-mail: [email protected]

Julio Sánchez (Museo Nacional Curator), Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, Calle 17/Avenida Central, San Jose, ph: 506-551-2509, email: [email protected], specimens should be taken to here.

Daryl Loth (Owner of Tortuguero Safaris/Casa Marbella) ph: 506-392-3201; fax 710 0547, email: [email protected], across the street from the Church in Tortuguero, “The humble guru of Tortuguero information” can help you with any local question, and is often willing to take banders on his boat tours if space is available.

Antoinette Gutiérrez, (Owner of The Jungle Shop) ph: 506-391-3483, email: [email protected], 50 m north of the Church in Tortuguero, she likes to help with the banding when she has time.

CCC Station Staff: Sergio Campos - John H. Phipps Biological Field Station Manager Adelina Forbes - Station Cook Jimmy - Tortuguero Visitor Center & Gift Shop Manager Leo Bustos - Boat Captain Andrea de Haro - Field Research Coordinator

REFERENCES

North American Banding Council. 2000 a. Bander’s Study Guide. www.nabanding.net/nabanding

NABC. 2001 b. Manual for banding hummingbirds.

MacDonald, R. 19xx. Instructions to manufacturing hummingbird bands.

Pyle, P. 1997. Identification guide to North American birds, part I. Slate Creek Press. Bolinas, Calif.

Pyle, P. 2001. Molt, age, and sex in selected Costa Rican Landbirds. Unpublished document. Contact C. John Ralph.

26 Ralph, C. J., G. R. Geupel, P. Pyle, T. E. Martin, and D. F. DeSante. 1993. Handbook of field methods forMonitoring landbirds. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-144. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 41 p.

Ralph, C. J., G. R. Geupel, P. Pyle, T. E. Martin, D. F. DeSante, and B. Milá. 1996. Manual de métodos de Campo para el monitoreo de aves terrestres. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-159. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; 44 p.

Sakai, W. and C. J. Ralph. 2001. Tabular Pyle Guide. Klamath Bird Observatory www.klamathbird.org

Stiles, F. G. and A. F. Skutch. 1989. A guide to the birds of Costa Rica. Cornell Univ. Publ.

Widdowson W.P. and M. J. Widdowson. 2004. The checklist to the bird of Tortuguero Costa Rica. Available from www.fs.fed.us/psw/topics/wildlife/birdmon/landbird/tortuguero/tortchecklist.shtml

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A. Site Maps, Showing Net, Area Search Route, and Migration Count Point Locations. Appendix B. Equipment and Materials Inventory Checklist. Appendix C. Checklist for the Banding Kit. Appendix D. Mist Net Repair. Appendix E. Mist Net Storage. Appendix F. Using Color-indicating Silica Gel. Appendix G. Beaufort Scale. Appendix H. Samples of Completed Banding Data, Daily Journal, Area Search, and Migration Count Forms. Appendix I. English Translations for the Spanish Banding Form. Appendix J. Banding Codes Reference Sheets. Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference.

27 Appendix A. Site Maps, Showing Net, Area Search Route, and Migration Count Point Locations.

Migration Count Location

Ropes for 9 & 10 should be coiled to one side of the trail

Area Search: A = Nets 1-6 B = Nets 7-12

Map Rev. May 2007 JDW

28

Migration Count Location

compost dump

Area Search: A = Nets 1-7 B = Nets 8-11 29 Rev. Dec 2007 by W. Sakai

Poles for Net #7 should be stored on the canal side of trail

Ropes for Net #1 should be stored on one side of trail so 1 they can’t trip anyone

Store the poles for Net #2 and Net #4 here to keep them from being stolen. Area Search: A = Nets 1-7 2 B = Nets 8-15 Store ropes for Net #4 so they Rev. Dec 2007 by W.Sakai can’t trip anyone

Migration Count Location

30 Store ropes and poles for Net #3 at Net #2

6 5

Fallen Trees

Store poles on ocean side of lane

Area Search: A = Nets 1-6 B = Nets 7-12

Rev. Dec 2007 by W.Sakai

31 Area Search: A = 10, 1-6 Migration Count Location (at dock) B = Nets 2, 7-9

Rev. Dec 2007 by W. Sakai

32

Appendix B. Equipment and Materials Inventory Checklist. rev 14Aug 2006 *Completed by: ______Date:______*Please note number and condition of items (no check marks or Yes/No). Banding Supplies: Bands: Total number below, use separate page for band inventory mist net, 12m, 36mm mesh USFWS 0A rope, green parachute cord (m) USFWS 0 rope, ¼” unmanilla (m) USFWS 1 scale, electronic USFWS 1B scale, Pesola 30g USFWS 1A scale, Pesola 100g USFWS 2 scale, Pesola 300g USFWS 3 scale, Pesola 1000g Resident 0A optivisor Resident 0 wing rule, 150mm Resident 1 wing rule, 300mm Resident 1B rule, clear plastic 150mm Resident 1A caliper, dial plastic Resident 2 leg gauge Resident 3 banding pliers, 0A – 1A Resident 3A banding pliers, 2 – 3 Resident 4 banding pliers, 4+ Hummingbird banding pliers, Hummingbird pen, ballpoint pliers, standard pen, Sharpie black pliers, needle-nosed binder, plastic 1” 3-ring pliers, circlips (band removal) ______flagging, yellow (full roll) pliers, Lineman's bag, bird cloth pliers, big baggie, freezer ziplock 1 qt. brush, wire baggie, freezer ziplock 1 gal. cutter, wire clothes-pin pliers, big old rusty circlips battery charger (AA/AAA NiMH) stone, sharpeners battery, 9V Alkaline sealant battery, AA 1.5V NiMH (rechargeable) shaper, hummingbird band battery, AAA 1.5V NiMH (rechargeable) file, hummingbird band battery, AA 1.5V Alkaline scissors, hummingbird band battery, AAA 1.5V Alkaline forceps, hummingbird band battery, C 1.5V Alkaline scissors, small folding stand, chem/lamp lamp, high-intensity radio, small 2-way FRS end nippers, 4” antibacterial gel (bottle) bottle, plastic 150ml (water) mist-net repair kit bottle, eye-dropper (sugar-water) Rite In Rain notebook (Photo Log) weighing cups, multi-size set kit-bag, hanging accessory (for banding tools) thermometer, mini keychain ring w/ Celcius First Aid kit pencil, 0.7mm mechanical First Aid Guides pencil, #2 machete sharpener, pencil shears, hand pruning 33 replacement eraser for mech. pencil (box of 3) pencil lead, 0.7mm (tube of 12) Drybag, small hammer, 3# station maps tape, scotch (full roll) Tabular Pyle Guide (Sakai and Ralph 2001) tape, duct (full roll) Tabular Pyle Guide (Sakai and Ralph 2007) tarp, plastic 10” x 8’ Molt, Age, and Sex in Selected Costa Rican Landbirds (Pyle 2001) saw, hand-pruning Identification Guide to North American Birds, Part 1 (Pyle 1997) gloves, work Sibley Guide to Birds (Sibley 2000) file, metal Nat. Geo. Soc. Field Guide to North American Birds (1983) pack, 2000 cubic inch Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Birds (Peterson 1980) pack, very small (not useful for kits) Peterson Guide to Warblers (Dunn and Garrett 1997) stuff sack, 10” x 20” Peterson Field Guide to Birds of the West Indies (Bond 1999) measuring tape The Tanagers (Isler and Isler 1999) chair, folding Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America (Howell and Webb 1995) table, folding Birds of Panama (Ridgely 1981) cots, folding Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica (Stiles and Skutch 1989) camera kit Handbook of Field Methods for Monitoring Landbirds, english (Ralph et al. 1993) Handbook of Field Methods for Monitoring insect repellant Landbirds, spanish (Ralph et al. 1996) Tortuguero Banding Station Management plastic bucket, 5 gal. (w/ tight-fitting lid) Procedures[Greenbook] (Ralph et al. 2004) silica gel, recharge-indicator (blue) (#) NABC Bander Study Guide, 2001 laundry bag, mesh NABC Bander Study Guide, SPANISH bag, plastic grocery NABC Manual for Banding Passerines, 2001 solvent spray (silicon or WD40) NABC Manual for Banding Hummingbirds, 2001 clipboard Avian Analysis machete sheath Spanish Textbooks pocket cast/splint MoSI Manual tube feeding equipment NABC Instructor's Manual ice packs Guide to Costa Rican Butterflies (2vols) specimen collection tags and envelopes Hawks in Flight bottle, hydrogen peroxide North American Birds, Audubon Guide bottle, filter water Pyle, 1993 sulfur powder (for chiggers) English/Spanish Dictionary old unrepairable mist-nets English Dictionary mosquito head nets Banding captures, 1994-2002 calibration weights Checklist to the Birds of Tortuguero Slide carousel with slides English/Spanish Glossary of terms in Ecology ceilometers Migration Count form rubber bands Data tracking form tape, electrician's Daily journal form paper clips Banding data form Relevé vegetation forms (Spanish) Hummingbird banding data form Code sheets, laminated Empidonax data form Drybag, backpack ______Area search form 34

Appendix C. Checklist for Banding Kits.
Pliers, banding 0A-1A (1) Banding Kit Backpack:
Pliers, banding 2-3 (1)
Pliers, needle-nosed (1) Large Compartments:
Pliers, standard (1)
Kit pack (see below for contents)
End-nipper, small (1)
Data binder (containing Greenbook, site
Scissors, small folding (2) maps, current & extra blank data forms of
Wg rule, 15cm (2) Daily Journal, Banding data, Area Search,
Wg rule, 30cm (1) Migration Count, Empid data)
Ruler, clear plastic 15cm (1)
Tabular Pyle (with Costa Rica Landbirds)
Caliper, dial (1) Key Book, w/ code sheets
Leg-band size gauge (1)
Stiles & Skutch 1989 (1)
Bottle, plastic 200ml (skulling water) (1)
Pyle 1997 (1)
Bottle, glass dropper (sterile with 1 tsp
Sibley 2000 (1) sugar inside) (1)
Clipboard w/ thermometer (1)
Pencil, mechanical 0.7mm (2)
Photo Logbook (1)
Pencil, eraser #2 (2)
Optivisors (2)
Pencil sharpener (1)
Chemistry Stand (for lamp mounting) (1)
Extra refill leads, 0.7mm (1 tube)
Bird Bags, small (60)
Pen, Sharpie Black (2)
Bird Bags, large (4)
Tape, Scotch clear (1 roll) Small Compartments:
Anti-bacterial gel (1 bottle)
Extra bands (in baggie):
Lamp, high-density (1) * Resident: 0, 1, 1B, 1A (100
Mist net repair kit (1) each), 2, 3, 3A, 4 (10 each) * Migrant: 0A, 0, 1, 1B, 1A, (100 each), 2,3 (10 each) Net Backpack:
Mist net, 12m x 2.5m, 36mm mesh (15)
Flagging, yellow (1 roll)
Extra rope pieces (several)
Insect repellent (1 container)
Shears, hand (1)
Extra rope pieces (several)
Extra net bags (5)
Plastic baggies (10)
Weighing cups (1 set, various sizes) Strapped to outside of pack: Plastic 5-gallon Bucket:
Tarp (1)
Silica gel in bird bag in plastic baggie (1)
Machete (1)
Camera
Rope-loop w/ numbered clothes pins
Electronic scale (1) Kit Pack (listed above):
Radio, small (2)
First-aid kit (1)
Bands (in canisters): * Resident: 0, 1, 1B, 1A (100
Extra batteries: each), 2, 3, 3A, 4 (10 each) 9V (2), C (8), AA (12) * Migrant: 0A, 0, 1, 1B, 1A,
Padding material (100 each), 2,3 (10 each)

35

36 37 38

39

Appendix F. Using Color-indicating Silica Gel. 28 June 2002

HOW IT WORKS Silica gel absorbs moisture from the air and can help protect cameras and electronic equipment from fungal infestation and corrosion in the very humid and warm conditions of the Tropics. Color-indicating silica gel contains a moisture indicator. The gel is dark blue in color when dry and changes to grayish- pink as the gel becomes saturated with moisture. Place some silica gel in a bird bag (see below for details) in an air-tight container with optical and electronic equipment. The gel will absorb air moisture and maintain a dry environment for the equipment. When the gel has absorbed as much moisture as is possible, it will lose its blue color and must be dried out (again, details below). It is critical to check the gel color regularly and to minimize exposing it to ambient humidity (don’t leave top off of container!). The gel is dried by heating (to subliminate the absorbed water) and as it dries, its color will change back to blue.

HOW MUCH TO USE About 0.5 L – 1.0 L (a bird bag filled 2/3 capacity) works well in a typical 5.0 gallon plastic bucket with a sealing lid (be sure the rubber gasket is in place under the lid lip). Place the gel-filled bird bag into a plastic ziplock baggie and leave the baggie open. Use less gel for a smaller container, more for a larger one. Set the gel-filled bird bag-filled plastic baggie in the bottom of the airtight container (bucket) with padding and little- used items (ie. first-aid kit, extra batteries baggie) around it to secure in place. WARNING : Silica is a very abrasive material and the dust can scratch optical equipment. The dust particles likely aren’t good for electronic devices either. This is the reason for placing the gel-filled bird bag into a plastic bag. Care during handling and while moving the container must be taken to keep the gel in place.

HOW LONG IT LASTS The length of time that the gel will remain effective varies greatly depending upon it’s use and care. Minimizing the time that the lid is not sealed and properly sealing the lid are the most important factors to pay attention to. The gel will last 2-3 weeks or more with proper care but check it at least once a week and more often if it is not bright blue.

HOW TO DRY OUT THE GEL When the gel becomes saturated (pink to grayish-pink in color), it must be dried. The recommended method for drying is to heat it in an oven: in a heatproof container at 135ºC (275ºF), t = 1.5 hours per 2 pounds gel. However, the oven at the Tortuguero Station doesn’t have a thermostat or temperature indicator, so use a large, heavy-bottomed pan on the stove at a medium heat instead. Place the gel (gently) into the pan – no more than 2 bird-bags’ worth at a time. Gently stir fairly constantly to heat evenly. Watch for the color to change to blue (bright blue indicating that the gel is dry). This will take about 10-15 minutes. Be very careful not to touch the hot gel and to not stir up any dust particles. Allow the gel to cool at least a few to several minutes and (again, gently) place in a bird bag, this into a plastic baggie, and into an air-tight container (bucket) as soon as possible. Very carefully and thoroughly wash and rinse the pan and whatever utensil used. Be aware that silica gel may be an irritant and definitely should not be ingested. Do all this between meals in the comedor when nobody is using the kitchen for food preparation.

SOME SAFETY REMINDERS Don’t ingest the gel and keep away from children ;

Silica gel gets very hot during the drying process. Don’t handle it until it has cooled down to a safe temperature. Don’t transfer it to the air-tight container until cooled;

Don’t overheat the gel – this may destroy its moisture-absorbing property. It is better to under-dry than to over-heat. A sign of overheated gel is the development of black beads.

Remember that the silica gel is abrasive – the gel nor dust particles should not come into direct contact with optical or electronic equipment.

40 Appendix G. Beaufort Wind Scale for determining wind speed

Below are two sets of criteria, using observations of the winds effects on sea-surface conditions and on trees and other objects, for estimating wind speed. You'll need to estimate wind speed while banding and when conducting migration counts. Although the Beaufort Scale wind speed classes run up through hurricane force winds, here we give the scale only through gale force winds. Beyond that, secure all data and take cover. The relationship between knots and mph is: divide mph by 1.15 to calculate knots

Wind Height of Force US / UK Name Effects on Land Effects at Sea sea (ft) Km / Miles/ Knots Hour Hour 0 Calm Still, smoke will rise vertically. Sea like a mirror. -- <1 <1 <1

1 Light Air Rising smoke drifts; weather vane is Ripples with appearance of scales are formed; 1/4 1-5 1-3 1-3 inactive. without foam crests 2 Light Breeze Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, Small wavelets still short but more pronounced; 1 6-11 4-7 4-6 ordinary vane moved by wind. crests have a glassy appearance but do not break. 3 Gentle Breeze Leaves and twigs move around, Large wavelets; crests begin to break; foam of 2 12-19 8-12 7-10 light weight flags extend. glassy appearance; perhaps scattered white horses. 4 Moderate Breeze Moves thin branches, raises dust and paper. Small waves becoming longer; fairly frequent 3 20-28 13-18 11-16 white horses. 5 Fresh Breeze Small trees in leaf begin to sway, Moderate waves taking a more pronounced long 6 29-38 19-24 17-21 crested wavelets form on inland waters. form; many white horses are formed; chance of some spray. 6 Strong Breeze Large tree branches move, open wires (such Large waves begin to form; white foam crests as telegraph wires) begin to "whistle", more extensive everywhere; probably some spray. 9 39-49 25-31 22-27 umbrellas are difficult to keep under control. 7 Moderate Gale / Near Large trees begin to sway, noticeably Sea heaps up and white foam from breaking Gale difficult to walk. waves blown in streaks along direction of wind; 13 50-61 32-38 28-33 spindrift begins to be seen. 8 Fresh Gale/ Gale Twigs and small branches are broken from Moderately high waves of greater length; edges of trees, walking into the wind is very crests break into spindrift; foam blown in well- 18 62-74 39-46 34-40 difficult. marked streaks along direction of wind. 9 Strong Gale Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles High waves; dense streaks of foam along 23 75-88 47-54 41-47 are blown off of roofs. direction of wind; wave crests begin to topple, tumble and roll over; spray may affect visibility.

41 Appendix H. Samples of Completed Banding Data, Daily Journal, Area Search, and Migration Count Forms.

42 43 44 45 Appendix I. English translations for the Spanish banding form

Column headings (in order of occurrence on banding form): Capture/band status C Cambiado Band changed Registradora Data recorder D Destruido Band destroyed Anilladora Bander N Nuevo New Codigo Code (for band P Perdido Band lost status) R Recaptura Recapture Numero de Anillo Band number X No anillada Not banded Especie Species Codigo especie Species code Age class codes Edad Age A Despues PA After hatch year Codigo edad How aged D Desconocida Unknown Sexo Sex L Local Local Codigo sexado How sexed P Primero año Hatch year Craneo Skull S Segundo año Second year Protrubencia cloaca Cloacal V Despues SA After second year protruberance Parche incubacion Brood patch How aged/sexed codes Grasa Fat See “How aged and sexed codes reference sheet” Muda corporal Body molt Muda vuelo Flight feather molt Sex codes Desgaste vuelo Flight feather wear H Hembra Female Plumaje juvenil Juvenal plumage M Macho Male Ala Wing chord D Desconcida Unknown Peso Weight Estado Status of bird Dia Day Status codes (Estado) Mes Month N Normal Normal Hora captura Capture time C Anillos de colores Color Band Estacion Banding station H Herido Injured (hurt) Red Net number M Muerto Dead

46 Appendix J. Banding Codes Reference Sheet.

25-Aug-06 CLOACAL PROTRUBERANCE - Protrubencia cloaca 0 No protruberance evident 1 Small; slight distention from abdomen; cloaca slightly enlarged at base, still narrow at tip 2 Medium; obvious distention from abdomen; columnar shape (base and tip approximately equal diameter) 3 Large; bulbous shape (tip greater diameter than base)

BROOD PATCH - Parche incubacion 0 No brood patch present; breast and upper abdomen more or less feathered; non-feathered areas of breast and abdomen are smooth, without vascularization 1 Smooth skin; loss of breast and some abdomen feathers, most of the area is still rather smooth, dark red 2 Vascularized; abdominal skin thickened (puffy) with increased fluid and vascularization; peak of brood patch development 3 Wrinkled; abdominal skin thinning, wrinkly, scaly 4 Molting; pin feathers emerging on breast and abdomen

FAT - Grasa Furculum Abdomen 0 No fat tissue present; region is concave No fat tissue present 1 Trace fat tissue present; region concave; <5% filled None or trace 2 Thin layer fat tissue present; 5-33% filled Trace or thin layer 3 Half (34-66%) filled Small patches present 4 Fully filled; level with clavicals; 67-100% filled Covering pad; slightly mounded 5 Bulging slightly over clavicals Well mounded 6 Greatly bulging over clavicals Greatly distended mound 7 Very extensive fat pads; fat tissue contiguous from furculum to abdomen

BODY MOLT - Muda de plumas de corporal 0 No molt present 1 Trace molt; a few, perhaps adventitious, molting feathers in just one feather tract 2 Light molt; more than one feather tract 3 Medium molt; 1/3-2/3 of feather tracts with molting feathers 4 Heavy molt; >2/3 of feather tracts with molting feathers

WING MOLT - Muda de plumas de vuelo N No molt S Symmetrical molt A Adventitious (asymmetrical) molt

PRIMARY FEATHER WEAR - Desgaste de las plumas primarias 0 No wear; feather edges perfect with entire edge light-colored, including the tips 1 Slight wear; feather edges slightly worn with no fraying or nicks; edges often light-colored except at tips 2 Light wear; feathers definitely worn, but with little fraying or nicks 3 Moderate wear; considerable wear with definite fraying; nicks and chips obvious along edges 4 Heavy wear; feathers very heavily worn and frayed; tips often worn completely away 5 Excessive wear; feathers extremely ragged and torn; shafts usually exposed beyond the vane, with all tips usually worn completely away

JUVENAL PLUMAGE (excluding FF) - Plumaje juvenil 0 No Juvenal plumage present 1 Less than half Juvenal plumage is present 2 Half or more Juvenal plumage remains; some 1 st Basic plumage is present st 3 Full Juvenal plumage; has not yet begun 1 Prebasic molt 47 HOW AGED AND HOW SEXED CODES - Códigos alfa sugeridos para tomar datos y determinar “EDAD y SEXO’ 15-Jun-05 Physical Characters B Brood patch C Cloacal protuberance @ Egg in oviduct E Eye color I Mouth/B ill color or striations on bill (hummingbirds) G Gape F Feet or legs S Skull ossification Q Measurements (e.g. quantification of any part, tail length, culmen, bill depth, wing length, mass index) - record specific measurement in Notes Y Symmetrical flight feather molt - record standard molt notation in Notes

Plumage Characters H Formative (formerly 1 st Basic) plumage ( hatching year feathers) N 1st Alternate plumage K Adult Basic plumage A Adult Alternate plumage J Juvenal (= 1st Basic) plumage - retained juv feathers (by color and pattern - not texture) P Plumage - use for sexing only - use specific plumage codes for ageing L Plumage color patch length or extent - record in Notes the specific measurement e.g. C = Crown, W = Wing feathers, T = Tail feathers, S = Spot on center of feather (e.g. C = 15mm 80% grn)

Feather Characters W Feather wear - record specific tract & wear code in Notes V Feather shape - record specific tract in Notes using Molt Limit codes (e.g. C = D) T Feather texture R Prejuvenal molt ( retained Natal Down feathers) = Fault bar alignment # Growth bar alignment M Molt limit - record specific tract code (below) in Molt Limit field w/ additional info in Notes as necessary

Remaining or Undetermined O Other - character(s) not elsewhere codified record in Notes Z Less precise age, but greater certainty (e.g. AHY vs SY) - record in Notes specific criteria conflict(s) U Age or Sex undetermined after examination X Age or sex determination not attempted

Molt Limit Field Codes For Specific Tracts 0 (zer o) No molt limit found V Primary coverts vs greater coverts P Primaries L Lesser coverts S Secondaries M Median coverts R Rectrices B Body feathers C Primary coverts 9 Molt Limit determination not attempted G Greater coverts

SKULL – Craneo

48 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Great Tinamou GRTI Tinmaj Tinamus major Tinamú Grande R F C Little Tinamou Crysou Crypturellus soui Tinamú Chico R F F Crypturellus Slaty-breasted Tinamou Crybou boucardi Tinamú Pizarroso R F U Muscovy Duck MUDU Caimos Cairina moschata Pato Real R W U American Wigeon Anaame Anas americana Pato Calvo M W X Blue-winged Teal BWTE Anadis Anas discors Cerceta Aliazul M W R Northern Shoveler Anacly Anas clypeata Pato Cuchara M W R Lesser Scaup LESC Aytaff Aythya affinis Porrón Menor M WB X Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortcin Ortalis cinereiceps Chachalaca Cabecigrís R F R Penelope Crested Guan CRGU Penpur purpurascens Pava Crestada R F U Great Curassow GRCU Crarub Crax rubra Pavón Grande R F U Odontophorus Black-eared Wood-Quail Odomel melanotis Codorniz Orejinegra R F R Tachybaptus Least Grebe Tacdom dominicus Zambullidor Enano R W R Calonectris Cory's Shearwater Caldio diomedea Pardela Cenicienta M B X Brown Booby BRBO Sulleu Sula leucogaster. Piquero Moreno R B U Red-footed Booby Sulsul Sula sula Piquero Patirrojo R B X Pelecanus Pelícano Blanco American White Pelican AWPE Pelery erythrorhynchos Americano M BW X Pelecanus Brown Pelican BRPE Pelocc occidentalis Pelícano Pardo R BW C Phalacrocorax Neotropic Cormorant NECO Phabra brasilianus Cormorán Neotropical R W C Anhinga ANHI Anhanh Anhinga anhinga Pato Aguja o Aninga R W C Fregata Magnificent Frigatebird MAFR Fremag magnificens Rabihorcado Magno R B C Least Bittern LEBI Ixoexi Ixobrychus exilis Avetorillo Pantanero R W R Rufescent Tiger-Heron RUTH Tiglin Tigrisoma lineatum Garza-Tigre de Selva R W R Bare-throated Tiger- Tigrisoma Heron BTTH Tigmex mexicanum Garza-Tigre Cuellinuda R W C Great Blue Heron GBHE Ardher Ardea herodias Garzón Azulado R W F Great Egret GREG Ardalb Ardea alba Garceta Grande R W C Snowy Egret SNEG Egrthu Egretta thula Garceta Nivosa R W C Little Blue Heron LBHE Egrcae Egretta caerulea Garceta Azul R W C Tricolored Heron TRHE Egrtri Egretta tricolor Garceta Tricolor R W U Reddish Egret Egrruf Egretta rufescens Garceta Rojiza R WB X Cattle Egret CAEG Bubibi Bubulcus ibis Garcilla Bueyera R WC C Green Heron GRHE Butvir Butorides virescens Garcilla Verde R W C 84 Garza Pechicastaña o Agami Heron Agaaga Agamia agami Agamia R W R Yellow-crowned Night- Nyctanassa Heron YCNH Nycvio violacea Martinete Cabecipinto R WB C Cochlearius Pico-Cuchara o Boat-billed Heron BBHE Coccoh cochlearius Chocuaco R W F Glossy Ibis GLIB Plefal Plegadis falcinellus Ibis Morito R W X Mesembrinibis Green Ibis Mescay cayennensis Ibis Verde R F R Roseate Spoonbill Plaaja Platalea ajaja Espatula Rosada R W R Wood Stork WOST Mycame Mycteria americana Cigueñón R W R Black Vulture BLVU Coratr Coragyps atratus Zopilote Negro R A C 96 Turkey Vulture TUVU Cataua Cathartes aura Zopilote Cabecirrojo R A C 96 Sarcoramphus King Vulture KIVU Sarpap papa Zopilote Rey R A U Osprey OSPR Panhal Pandion haliaetus Aguila Pescadora M BW C 49 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Leptodon Gray-headed Kite GHKI Lepcay cayanensis Gavilán Cabecigrís R F U 98 Swallow-tailed Kite STKI Elafor Elanoides forficatus Elanio Tijereta M/R A U White-tailed Kite Elaleu Elanus leucurus Elanio Coliblanco R AC U Harpagus Double-toothed Kite DTKI Harbid bidentatus Gavilán Gorgirrayado R F F 100 Ictinia Mississippi Kite Ictmis mississippiensis Elanio Colinegro M A R Plumbeous Kite Ictplu Ictinia plumbea Elanio Plomizo R F R Busarellus Black-collared Hawk Busnig nigricollis Gavilán de Ciénega R WA X Accipiter Tiny Hawk Accsup superciliosus Gavilán Enano R F R Geranospiza Crane Hawk CRHA Gercae caerulescens Gavilán Ranero R F R 101 Leucopternis Semiplumbeous Hawk SEHA Leusel semiplumbeus Gavilán Dorsiplomizo R F U 103 Leucopternis White Hawk WHHA Leualb albicollis Gavilán Blanco R F U Buteogallus Common Black-Hawk CBHA Butant anthracinus Gavilán Cangrejero R BFC C 104 Buteogallus Great Black-Hawk Buturu urubitinga Gavilán Negro Mayor R BFC R Roadside Hawk Butmag Buteo magnirostris Gavilán Chapulinero R C R Broad-winged Hawk BWHA Butpla Buteo platypterus Gavilán Aludo M FC C 107 Short-tailed Hawk Butbra Buteo brachyurus Gavilán Colicorto R FC X Swainson’s Hawk SWHA Butswa Buteo swainsoni Gavilán de swainson M A U Black Hawk-Eagle Spityr Spizaetus tyrannus Aguilillo Negro R F R Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spiorn Spizaetus ornatus Aguilillo Penachudo R F R Halcón de Monte Barred Forest-Falcon BAFF Micruf Micrastur ruficollis Barreteado R F R Slaty-backed Forest- Micrastur Halcón de Monte Falcon Micmir mirandollei Dorsigrís R F R Micrastur Halcón de Monte Collared Forest-Falcon Micsem semitorquatus Collarejo R F R Crested Caracara CRCA Carche Caracara cheriway Caracara Cargahuesos R BC R Herpetotheres Laughing Falcon LAFA Hercac cachinnans Guaco R FC F American Kestrel Falspa Falco sparverius Cernícalo Americano R C X AB Merlin MERL Falcol Falco columbarius Esmerejón M C R Bat Falcon BAFA Falruf Falco rufigularis Halcón Cuelliblanco R C F Peregrine Falcon PEFA Falper Falco peregrinus Halcón Peregrino M CB U Laterallus Polluela White-throated Crake WTCR Latalb albigularis Gargantiblanca R CW C Gray-necked Wood-Rail GNWR Aracaj Aramides cajanea Rascón Cuelligrís R F F Purple Gallinule PUGA Pormar Porphyrio martinica Gallareta Morada R W U Common Moorhen COMO Galchl Gallinula chloropus Gallareta Frentirroja R W U American Coot AMCO Fulame Fulica americana Focha Americana R W R Sungrebe SUNG Helful Heliornis fulica Pato Cantil R W F Sunbittern SUNB Eurhel Eurypyga helias Garza de Sol R W R Limpkin LIMP Aragua Aramus guarauna Carao R W R Black-bellied Plover BBPL Plusqu Pluvialis squatarola Chorlito Gris M B C Collared Plover COPL Chacol Charadrius collaris Chorlitejo Collarejo R B F Wilson’s Plover Chawil Charadrius wilsonia Chorlitejo Picudo M B F Charadrius Chorlitejo Semipalmated Plover SEPL Chasem semipalmatus Semipalmado M B C Charadrius Killdeer KILL Chavoc vociferus Chorlitejo Tildio M B R

50 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Haematopus American Oystercatcher AMOY Haepal palliatus Ostrero Americano R B R Himantopus Cigüeñuela Black-necked Stilt BNST Himmex mexicanus Cuellinegro R WB R Jacana Northern Jacana NOJA Jacspi Jacana spinosa Centroamericana R W C Tringa Greater Yellowlegs GRYE Trimel melanoleuca Patiamarillo Mayor M W R Lesser Yellowlegs Trifla Tringa flavipes Patiamarillo Menor M W R Solitary Sandpiper SOSA Trisol Tringa solitaria Andarríos Solitario M C R Catoptrophorus Willet WILL Catsem semipalmatus Pigüilo M B C Spotted Sandpiper SPSA Actmac Actitis macularius Andarríos Maculado M WB C 143 Numenius Whimbrel WHIM Numpha phaeopus Zarapito Trinador M B C Ruddy Turnstone RUTU Areint Arenaria interpres Vuelvepiedras Rojizo M B R Sanderling SAND Calalb Calidris alba Playero Arenero M B C Correlimos Semipalmated Sandpiper Calpus Calidris pusilla Semipalmado M B F Western Sandpiper WESA Calmau Calidris mauri Correlimos Occidental M B U Least Sandpiper LESA Calmil Calidris minutilla Correlimos Menudo M B U Limnodromus Short-billed Dowitcher Limgri griseus Agujeta Común M W R Stercorarius Pomarine Jaeger Stepom pomarinus Págalo Pomarino M B X Stercorarius Parasitic Jaeger Stepas parasiticus Págalo Parásito M B X Laughing Gull LAGU Laratr Larus atricilla Gaviota Reidora M B C Ring-billed Gull Lardel Larus delawarensis Gaviota Piquianillada M B R Unidentified Gull UNGU Larspe Larus (sp) X Gull-billed Tern Stenil Sterna nilotica Charrán Piquinegro M B R Royal Tern ROTE Stemax Sterna maxima Pagaza Real M B C Sterna Sandwich Tern Stesan sandvicensis Pagaza Puntiamarilla M B R Common Tern Stehir Sterna hirundo Charrán Común M B R Sooty Tern SOTE Stefus Sterna fuscata Charrán Sombrío M B X Large-billed Tern LBTE Phasim Phaetusa simplex Charrán Picudo M B X Black Tern BLTE Chlnig Chlidonias niger Charrancito Negro M B C Brown Noddy BRNO Anosto Anous stolidus Tiñosa Común R B R Black Skimmer Rynnig Rynchops niger Rayador Negro R B X Unidentified Tern UNTE Stespe Sterna (sp) X Patagioenas 3-3A- Pale-vented Pigeon PVPI Colcay cayennensis Paloma Colorada R FC F 167 4 Patagioenas White-crowned Pigeon WCPI Colleu leucocephala Paloma Coroniblanca R F X Patagioenas Short-billed Pigeon SBPI Colnit nigrirostris Paloma Piquicorta R F C Columbidae (gen, Unidentified Pigeon UNPI Colgsp sp) X Columbina Ruddy Ground-Dove RUGD Coltal talpacoti Tortolita Rojiza R C F Blue Ground-Dove BLGD Clapre Claravis pretiosa Tortolita Azulada R C U 3-3A- White-tipped Dove WTDO Lepver Leptotila verreauxi Paloma Coliblanca R FC X 172 4 3-3A- Gray-chested Dove GCDO Lepcas Leptotila cassini Paloma Pechigris R FC C 174 4 Geotrygon 3-3A- Ruddy Quail-Dove RQDO Geomon montana Paloma-Perdiz Rojiza R F R 176 4 Crimson-fronted Parakeet CFPA Arafin Aratinga finschi Perico Frentirrojo R FC F Olive-throated Parakeet OTPA Aranan Aratinga nana Perico Azteco R FC F Great Green Macaw GGMA Araamb Ara ambiguus Lapa Verde R FC F

51 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Scarlet Macaw Aramac Ara macao Lapa Roja R FC X Orange-chinned Parakeet OCPA Brojug Brotogeris jugularis Periquito Barbinaranja R FC F Pionopsitta Brown-hooded Parrot BHOP Piohae haematotis Loro Cabecipardo R FC F White-crowned Parrot WCPA Piosen Pionus senilis Loro Coroniblanco R FC C 181 Amazona Red-lored Parrot RLPA Amaaut autumnalis Loro Frentirrojo R FC C Mealy Parrot MEPA Amafar Amazona farinosa Loro Verde R FC C Unidentified Parrot UNPA Amaspe Amazona (sp) X Coccyzus Black-billed Cuckoo BBCU Cocery erythropthalmus Cuclillo Piquinegro M F R Coccyzus Yellow-billed Cuckoo YBCU Cocame americanus Cuclillo Piquigualdo M F X 184 2 Mangrove Cuckoo MACU Cocmin Coccyzus minor Cuclillo de Antifaz R FC R 185 3-3A- Squirrel Cuckoo SQCU Piacay Piaya cayana Cuco Ardilla R CF C 185 4 Cuclillo Listado/Tres Striped Cuckoo STCU Tapnae Tapera naevia Pesos R C X Greater Ani GRTA Cromaj Crotophaga major Garrapatero Mayor R F X Crotophaga Garrapatero 3-3A- Groove-billed Ani GBAN Crosul sulcirostris Piquiestriado R C C 186 4 Barn Owl BNOW Tytalb Tyto alba Lechuza ratonera R C X Vermiculated Screech- Megascops Owl VESO Otugua guatemalae Lechucita Vermiculada R F R Crested Owl Lopcri Lophostrix cristata Buho Penachudo R F R Pulsatrix Buho de Anteojos Spectacled Owl SPEO Pulper perspicillata (Oropopo) R FC U Central American Pygmy- Glaucidium Owl CAPO Glagri griseiceps Mocheulo Enano R F R Mottled Owl MOOW Cicvir Ciccaba virgata Lechuza Café R FC R Ciccaba Lechuza Blanco y Black-and-white Owl BLWO Cicnig nigrolineata Negro R F R Lurocalis Short-tailed Nighthawk STNI Lursem semitorquatus Añapero Colicorto R C U Chordeiles Lesser Nighthawk LENI Choacu acutipennis Añapero Menor M C F Common Nighthawk CONI Chomin Chordeiles minor Añapero Zumbón M C C Nyctidromus Common Pauraque COPA Nycalb albicollis Tapacaminos Común R C C 200 Caprimulgus Chuck-will’s-widow CWWI Capcar carolinensis Chotacabras de Paso M C X 201 3 Great Potoo GRPO Nycgra Nyctibius grandis Nictibio Grande R F F Common Potoo CPOT Nycgri Nyctibius griseus Nictibio Común R F U Unidentified Nighthawk UNNI Chospe Chordeiles (sp) X Streptoprocne White-collared Swift WCSW Strzon zonaris Vencejón Collarejo R A C Chimney Swift CHSW Chapel Chaetura pelagica Vencejo de Paso M A C Chaetura Gray-rumped Swift GRSW Chacin cinereiventris Vencejo Lomigrís R AW C Lesser Swallow-tailed Panyptila Swift LSTS Pancay cayennensis Vencejo Tijereta Menor R A X Great Swallow-tailed Panyptila Swift Pansan sanctihieronymi Vencejo Tijereta Mayor R A X Unidentified Swift UNST Chaspe Chaetura (sp) X Bronzy Hermit BRHE Glaaen Glaucis aeneus Ermitaño Bronceado R FC C 210 Band-tailed Barbthroat BTBA Thrruc Threnetes ruckeri Ermitaño Barbudo R FC F 210 Phaethornis Long-billed Hermit LBIH Phalon longirostris Ermitaño Colilargo R FC C Phaethornis Stripe-throated Hermit SRTH Phastr striigularis Ermitaño Enano R FC C Unidentified Hermit UNHE Phaspe Phaethornis (sp) X

52 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Campylopterus Violet Sabrewing VISA Camhem hemileucurus Ala de Sable Violáceo R FC X 213 White-necked Jacobin WNJA Flomel Florisuga mellivora Jacobino Nuquiblanco R F F 213 Anthracothorax Green-breasted Mango GREM Antpre prevostii Manguito Pechiverde R F R 214 Violet-crowned Thalurania Woodnymph VCWO Thacol colombica Ninfa Violeta y Verde R F U 217 Blue-throated Goldentail BTGO Hyleli Hylocharis eliciae Colibrí Colidorado R F U 219 Blue-chested Hummingbird BLUH Amaamb Amazilia amabilis Amazilia Pechiazul R F U 220 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird RUFH Amatza Amazilia tzacatl Amazilia Rabirrufa R CF C 222 Cinnamon Hummingbird CIHU Amarut Amazilia rutila Amazilia Canela R CF X 222 Chalybura Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer BTPL Chauro urochrysia Colibrí Patirrojo R F R Purple-crowned Fairy PCFA Helbar Heliothryx barroti Colibrí Picopunzón R F R 228 Heliomaster Long-billed Starthroat LBST Hellon longirostris Colibrí Piquilargo R F R 229 Ruby-throated Archilochus Colibri Garganta de Hummingbird RTHU Arccol colubris Rubi M FC X 230 Unidentified Trochilidae (gen, Hummingbird UNHU Trcgsp sp) X Violaceous Trogon VITR Trovio Trogon violaceus Trogón Violáceo R F R

Black-throated Trogon BTTR Trorus Trogon rufus Trogón Cabeciverde R F U 236

Slaty-tailed Trogon STTR Tromas Trogon massena Trogón Coliplomizo R F C 232 Mommo Blue-crowned Motmot BCMO m Momotus momota Momoto Comun R F X Baryphthengus Rufous Motmot RMOT Barmar martii Momoto Canelo Mayor R F R Electron Broad-billed Motmot BBMO Elepla platyrhynchum Momoto Piquiancho R F R Martín Pescador Ringed Kingfisher RIKI Certor Ceryle torquatus Collarejo R W C Martín Pescador Belted Kingfisher BEKI Ceralc Ceryle alcyon Norteño R W C Chloroceryle Martín Pescador Amazon Kingfisher AMKI Chlama amazona Amazónico R W C Chloroceryle 1A Green Kingfisher GKIN Chlame americana Martín Pescador Verde R W C 238 >Tar Green-and-rufous Martín Pescador Kingfisher GARK Chlind Chloroceryle inda Vientrirrufo R W F 239 >Tar American Pygmy Martín Pescador 1 Kingfisher APKI Chlaen Chloroceryle aenea Enano R W C 239 >Tar Notharchus White-necked Puffbird WNPU Notmac macrorhynchos Buco Collarejo R F U Malacoptila White-whiskered Puffbird WWPU Malpan panamensis Buco Barbon R F U 245 1A Monasa White-fronted Nunbird WFNU Monmor morphoeus Monja Frentiblanca R FC F Rufous-tailed Jacamar RTJA Galruf Galbula ruficauda Jacamar Rabirrufo R F R Pteroglossus Collared Aracari COAR Ptetor torquatus Tucancillo Collarejo R FC C 248 Ramphastos Keel-billed Toucan KBTO Ramsul sulfuratus Tucán Pico Iris R FC C Chestnut-mandibled Ramphastos Toucan CMTO Ramswa swainsonii Tucán de Swainson R FC C Black-cheeked Melanerpes Woodpecker BCWO Melpuc pucherani Carpintero Carinegro R FC C 252 Rufous-winged Woodpecker RWWO Picsim Piculus simplex Carpintero Alirrufo R F R Cinnamon Woodpecker CIWO Cellor Celeus loricatus Carpintero Canelo R F R Chestnut-colored Woodpecker CCWO Celcas Celeus castaneus Carpintero Castaño R F U 257

53 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Lineated Woodpecker LIWO Drylin Dryocopus lineatus Carpintero Lineado R F C 257 Campephilus Pale-billed Woodpecker PABW Camgua guatemalensis Carpintero Picoplata R F C 258 Synallaxis Slaty Spinetail SLSP Synbra brachyura Arquitecto Plomizo R F R Buff-fronted Foliage- gleaner BFFG Phiruf Philydor rufum Trepamusgo Rojizo R F R Buff-throated Foliage- Automolus Hojarrasquero gleaner BTFG Autoch ochrolaemus Gorgianteado R F R Plain Xenops PLXE Xenmit Xenops minutus Xenops Común R F R Sclerurus Tirahojas Scaly-throated Leaftosser STLE Sclgua guatemalensis Barbiescamado R F R 274 Dendrocincla Plain-brown Woodcreeper PBWO Denful fuliginosa Trepador Pardo R F F 259 1A? Sittasomus Trepadorcito Olivaceous Woodcreeper OLWO Sitgri griseicapillus Aceitunado R F X 261 Wedge-billed Glyphorynchus Trepadorcito Pico de Woodcreeper WBWO Glyspi spirurus Cuña R F U 261 0 Northern Barred- Dendrocolaptes 1A(- Woodcreeper NOBW Densan sanctithomae Trepador Barreteado R F C 262 2?) Xiphorhynchus Trepador Cocoa Woodcreeper COWO Xipsus susurrans Gorgianteado R F U Black-striped Xiphorhynchus Woodcreeper BSWO Xiplac lachrymosus Trepador Pinto R F U Xiphorhynchus Spotted Woodcreeper SPWO Xipery erythropygius Trepador Manchado R F R 264 Streak-headed Lepidocolaptes Trepador 1B(- Woodcreeper SHWO Lepsou souleyetii Cabecirrayado R F C 265 1?) Cymbilaimus Fasciated Antshrike FAAN Cymlin lineatus Batará Lineado R F R Great Antshrike GANT Tarmaj Taraba major Batará Grande R FC F Thamnophilus Barred Antshrike BAAN Thadol doliatus Batará Barreteado R CF U 276 1B Thamnophilus Western Slaty-Antshrike WSLA Thaatr atrinucha Batará Plomizo R F C 277 1B Dysithamnus Streak-crowned Antvireo STCA Dysstr striaticeps Batarito Pechirrayado R F R Checker-throated Myrmotherula Antwren CTAN Myrful fulviventris Hormiguerito Café R F U 280 0 Myrmotherula Hormiguerito White-flanked Antwren WFAN Myraxi axillaris Flanquiblanco R F U 280 Microrhopias Hormiguerito Dot-winged Antwren DWAN Micqui quixensis Alipunteado R F U Cercomacra Dusky Antbird DUAN Certyr tyrannina Hormiguero Negruzco R F U 282 1 Hormiguero Chestnut-backed Antbird CBAN Myrexs Myrmeciza exsul Dorsicastaño R F F 283 1A? Hylophylax Spotted Antbird SPAN Hylnae naevioides Hormiguero Moteado R F R 285 Gymnopithys 1B(- Bicolored Antbird BIAN Gymleu leucaspis Hormiguero Bicolor R F F 284 1?) Gallito Hormiguero Black-faced Antthrush BFAN Forana Formicarius analis Carinegro R F F 286 Hylopezus Streak-chested Antpitta SCHA Hylper perspicillatus Tororoi Pechilistado R F R Thicket Antpitta THAN Hyldiv Hylopezus dives Tororoi Pechicanelo R F R Ornithion Brown-capped Tyrannulet BCTY Ornbru brunneicapillus Mosquerito Gorricafé R FC U Capsiempis Yellow Tyrannulet YETY Capfla flaveola Mosquerito Amarillo R C U Yellow-bellied Elaenia YBEL Elafla Elaenia flavogaster Elainia Copetona R CF C 333 1 Mionectes Mosquerito Ochre-bellied Flycatcher OBFL Mioole oleagineus Aceitunado R F C 340 0 Leptopogon Slaty-capped Flycatcher SCFL Lepsup superciliaris Mosquerito Orejinegro R F X 339 Zimmerius Paltry Tyrannulet PATY Zimvil vilissimus Mosquerito Cejigrís R FC C 54 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Black-capped Pygmy- Tyrant BCPT Myiatp Myiornis atricapillus Mosquerito Colicorto R F U 332 Oncostoma Northern Bentbill NOBE Onccin cinereigulare Piquitorcido Norteño R F U Todirostrum Common Tody-Flycatcher COTF Todcin cinereum Espatulilla Común R CF C 330 0 Black-headed Tody- Todirostrum Espatulilla Flycatcher BHTF Todnig nigriceps Cabecinegra R FC R Rhynchocyclus Piquiplano de Eye-ringed Flatbill ERFL Rhybre brevirostris Anteojos R F R 329 Tolmomyias Yellow-olive Flycatcher YOFL Tolsul sulphurescens Piquiplano Azufrado R F F 328 Yellow-margined Tolmomyias Flycatcher YMFL Tolass assimilis Piquiplano Aliamarillo R F R 328 Golden-crowned Platyrinchus Spadebill GCRS Placor coronatus Piquichato Coronirrufo R F F 327 Onychorhynchus Royal Flycatcher ROFL Onycor coronatus Mosquero Real R F X 325 Terenotriccus Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher RTFL Terery erythrurus Mosquerito Colirrufo R F F 324 Sulphur-rumped Myiobius Mosquerito Flycatcher SRFL Myisul sulphureipygius Lomiamarillo R F R Olive-sided Flycatcher OSFL Concoo Contopus cooperi Pibí Boreal M CF U Contopus Western Wood-Pewee WEWP Consor sordidulus X 317 Eastern Wood-Pewee EAWP Convir Contopus virens Pibí Oriental M CF C 318 0 Tropical Pewee TRPE Concin Contopus cinereus Pibí Tropical R CF F 318 0 Unidentified Wood-Pewee UNWP Conspe Contopus (sp) X 319 Empidonax Mosquerito 0- Yellow-bellied Flycatcher YBFL Empfln flaviventris Vientriamarillo M FC U 320 0A Empidonax 0- Acadian Flycatcher ACFL Empvir virescens Mosquerito Verdoso M FC R 320 0A Empidonax Alder Flycatcher ALFL Empaln alnorum Mosquerito de Charral M FC U 321 0 Willow Flycatcher WIFL Emptra Empidonax traillii Mosquerito de Traill M FC C 321 0 Empidonax Traill's Flycatcher TRFL Empalt alnorum/traillii X 321 0 Empidonax 0- Least Flycatcher LEFL Empmin minimus Mosquerito Chebec M FC R 322 0A Unidentified Empidonax Flycatcher UNEM Empspe Empidonax (sp) X 323 Long-tailed Tyrant LTTY Colcol Colonia colonus Mosquero Coludo R CF F Bright-rumped Attila BRAT Attspa Attila spadiceus Atila Lomiamarilla R F C 310 1A Rhytipterna Rufous Mourner RUMO Rhyhol holerythra Plañidera Rojiza R FC U 314 1A? Myiarchus Dusky-capped Flycatcher DCFL Myitub tuberculifer Copetón Crestioscuro R CF U 316 1 1A- Great Crested Flycatcher GCFL Myicri Myiarchus crinitus Copetón Viajero M FC F 316 1B Pitangus CF Great Kiskadee GKIS Pitsul sulphuratus Bienteveo Grande R W C 313 2 Megarynchus Boat-billed Flycatcher BBFL Megpit pitangua Mosquerón Picudo R CF C 309 2

Social Flycatcher SOFL Myisim Myiozetetes similis Mosquero Cejiblanco R CF C 313 1-1B Myiozetetes Gray-capped Flycatcher GRCF Myigra granadensis Mosquero Cabecigrís R CF U Conopias Mosquero White-ringed Flycatcher WRFL Conalb albovittatus Cabecianillado R CF U Sulphur-bellied Myiodynastes Mosquero 1B(- Flycatcher SBFL Myilut luteiventris Vientriazufrado M/R CF U 310 1?) Legatus Piratic Flycatcher Legleu leucophaius Mosquero Pirata M C U Tyrannus Tropical Kingbird TRKI Tyrmel melancholicus Tirano Tropical R C C 307 1A Eastern Kingbird EAKI Tyrtyr Tyrannus tyrannus Tirano Norteño M CF C 307 1B

55 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Tyrannus 1A- Gray Kingbird GYKI Tyrdom dominicensis Tirano Gris M C X 308 1B Fork-tailed Flycatcher FTFL Tyrsav Tyrannus savana Tijereta Sabanera R C X Rufous Piha RUPI Lipuni Lipaugus unirufus Piha Rojiza R F U Pachyramphus Cinnamon Becard CIBE Paccin cinnamomeus Cabezón Canelo R F F Pachyramphus White-winged Becard WWBE Pacpol polychopterus Cabezón Aliblanco R F R Masked Tityra MATI Titsem Tityra semifasciata Tityra Carirroja R FC C 293 Black-crowned Tityra BCRT Titinq Tityra inquisitor Tityra Coroninegra R FC R Carpodectes Snowy Cotinga SNCO Carnit nitidus Cotinga Nivosa R F R Purple-throated Fruitcrow PTFR Quepur Querula purpurata Querula Gorgimorada R F F White-collared Manakin WCMA Mancan Manacus candei Saltarín Cuelliblanco R F C 303 1 White-ruffed Manakin WRMA Coralt Corapipo altera Saltarín Gorgiblanco R F R 302 0 Red-capped Manakin RCMA Pipmen Pipra mentalis Saltarín Cabecirrojo R F C 299 1

White-eyed Vireo WEVI Virgri Vireo griseus Vireo Ojiblanco M CF X 376 0-0A Yellow-throated Vireo YTVI Virflf Vireo flavifrons Vireo Pechiamarillo M CF C 377 1 Vireo Philadelphia Vireo PHVI Virphi philadelphicus Vireo Amarillento M FC U 379 Red-eyed Vireo REVI Viroli Vireo olivaceus Vireo Ojirrojo M FC U 378 0 Yellow-green Vireo YGVI Virfld Vireo flavoviridis Vireo Cabecigrís M FC F 378 1 Hylophilus Tawny-crowned Greenlet TCGR Hyloch ochraceiceps Ferdillo Leonado R FC R Hylophilus Lesser Greenlet LEGR Hyldec decurtatus Verdillo Menudo R FC C 381 0 Vireolanius Green Shrike-Vireo GRSV Virpul pulchellus Vireon Esmeraldino R F U Brown Jay BRJA Cyamor Cyanocorax morio Urraca Parda R FC U

Purple Martin PUMA Prosub Progne subis Martín Purpurea M A U 342 1A-2 Gray-breasted Martin GBMA Procha Progne chalybea Martín Pechigrís R A F Tree Swallow TRES Tacbic Tachycineta bicolor Golondrina Bicolor M A R Tachycineta Golondrina Mangrove Swallow MASW Tacalb albilinea Lomiblanca R WA C 346 Northern Rough-winged Stelgidopteryx Golondrina Swallow NRWS Steser serripennis Alirrasposa Norteña M A C Southern Rough-winged Stelgidopteryx Golondrina Swallow SRWS Steruf ruficollis Alirrasposa Sureña M A U Bank Swallow BANS Riprip Riparia riparia Golondrina Riberena M A U Petrochelidon Cliff Swallow CLSW Petpyr pyrrhonota Golondrina Risquera M A F Barn Swallow BARS Hirrus Hirundo rustica Golondrina Tijereta M A C 343 0 Hirundidae (gen, Unidentified Swallow UNSW Hirgsp sp) X Campylorhynchus Band-backed Wren BABW Camzon zonatus Soterrey Matraquero R FC F Thryothorus Black-throated Wren BTWR Thratr atrogularis Soterrey Gorginegro R F U 356 Thryothorus A1- Bay Wren BAWR Thrnig nigricapillus Soterrey Castaño R F C 354 1B? Thryothorus Stripe-breasted Wren SBWR Thrtho thoracicus Soterrey Pechirrayado R F F 354 1 Thryothorus Plain Wren PLWR Thrmod modestus Soterrey Chinchiriguí R FC F 352 1A? House Wren HOWR Troaed Troglodytes aedon Soterrey Cucarachero R C C 358 White-breasted Wood- WBW Henicorhina Soterrey de Selva Wren W Henles leucosticta Pechiblanco R F U 359 1B Microcerculus Nightingale Wren NIWR Micphi philomela Soterrey Ruisenor R F R Cyphorhinus Song Wren SOWR Cyppha phaeocephalus Soterrey Canoro R F U 361 1B? 56 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Troglodytidae (gen, Unidentified Wren UNWR Trggsp sp) X 357 Microbates Tawny-faced Gnatwren TFGN Miccin cinereiventris Soterillo Caricafé R F U 372 0 Ramphocaenus Long-billed Gnatwren LBGN Rammel melanurus Soterillo Picudo R F U 370 0 Tropical Gnatcatcher TRGN Polplu Polioptila plumbea Perlita Tropical R FC F Catharus Veery VEER Catfun fuscescens Zorzal Dorsirrojizo M F C 367 1B Gray-cheeked Thrush GCTH Catmin Catharus minimus Zorzal Carigrís M F C 367 1B Swainson’s Thrush SWTH Catust Catharus ustulatus Zorzal de Swainson M F C 366 1B Unidentified Catharus Thrush Catspe Catharus (sp) X 368 Hylocichla Wood Thrush WOTH Hylmus mustelina Zorzal del Bosque M F C 368 1A Clay-colored Robin CCRO Turgra Turdus grayi Yiguirro, Mirlo Pardo R CF C 363 2 Dumetella Gray Catbird GRCA Dumcar carolinensis Pajaro-gato Gris M F F 362 1A Blue-winged Warbler BWWA Verpin Vermivora pinus Reinita Aliazul M F X Vermivora 0A- Golden-winged Warbler GWWA Verchr chrysoptera Reinita Alidorada M FC U 384 0 Vermivora 0A- Tennessee Warbler TEWA Verper peregrina Reinita Verdilla M FC C 385 0 Northern Parula NOPA Parame Parula americana Parula Nortena M F X 386 0A- Yellow Warbler YWAR Denpet Dendroica petechia Reinita Amarilla M C C 387 0 Dendroica Reinita de Costillas 0A- Chestnut-sided Warbler CSWA Denpen pensylvanica Castañas M FC C 392 0 Dendroica 0A- Magnolia Warbler MAWA Denmag magnolia Reinita Colifajeada M FC U 388 0 Cape May Warbler CMWA Dentig Dendroica tigrina Reinita Tigrina M FC X Black-throated Blue Dendroica 0A- Warbler BTBW Dencae caerulescens Reinita Azul y Negro M F X 389 0 Yellow-rumped Warbler YRWA Dencor Dendroica coronata Reinita Lomiamarilla M F R X Myrtle (Yellow-rumped) Dendroica c. Warbler MYWA Dencco coronata X

Blackburnian Warbler BLBW Denfus Dendroica fusca Reinita Gorginaranja M FC U 392 0-0A Dendroica Yellow-throated Warbler YTWA Dendom dominica Reinita Gorgiamarilla M F R Dendroica Palm Warbler PAWA Denpal palmarum Reinita Coronicastaña M C R Dendroica 0- Bay-breasted Warbler BBWA Dencas castanea Reinita Castaña M CF R 393 0A Blackpoll Warbler BLPW Denstr Dendroica striata X 393

Cerulean Warbler CERW Dencer Dendroica cerulea Reinita Cerulea M CF R 391 0A-0

Black-and-white Warbler BAWW Mnivar Mniotilta varia Reinita Trepadora M F F 383 0-0A

American Redstart AMRE Setrut Setophaga ruticilla Candelita Norteña M F U 401 0A-0 Prothonotary Warbler PROW Procit Protonotaria citrea Reinita Cabecidorada M F C 383 0 Helmitheros Worm-eating Warbler WEWA Helver vermivorum Reinita Gusanera M F U 384 Ovenbird OVEN Seiaur Seiurus aurocapilla Reinita Hornera M F U 395 1-0 Seiurus Reinita Acuatica Northern Waterthrush NOWA Seinov noveboracensis Norteña M FC C 395 0 Reinita Acuatica Louisiana Waterthrush LOWA Seimot Seiurus motacilla Piquigrande M FC F 395 1 Oporornis Kentucky Warbler KEWA Opofor formosus Reinita Cachetinegra M F F 396 1 Oporornis Mourning Warbler MOWA Opophi philadelphia Reinita Enlutada M F U 396 0-1

Common Yellowthroat COYE Geotri Geothlypis trichas Antifacito Norteño M C U 397 0-0A Olive-crowned Geothlypis Yellowthroat OCYE Geosem semiflava Antifacito Coroniolivo R C C 398 0

57 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Hooded Warbler HOWA Wilcit Wilsonia citrina Reinita Encapuchada M F R 399 0

Wilson’s Warbler WIWA Wilpus Wilsonia pusilla Reinita Gorrinegra M C U 400 0A-0 Wilsonia 0- Canada Warbler CAWA Wilcan canadensis Reinita Pechirrayada M F U 400 0A Phaeothlypis Buff-rumped Warbler BRWA Phafuv fulvicauda Reinita Guardaribera R F U 404 1B- Yellow-breasted Chat YBCH Ictvir Icteria virens Reinita Grande M C R 399 1A Bananaquit BANA Coefla Coereba flaveola Reinita Mielera R CF U Mitrospingus Dusky-faced Tanager DFTA Mitcas cassinii Tangara Carinegruzca R F U 438 Chlorothraupis Olive Tanager Chlcar carmioli Tangara Aceitunada R F R White-shouldered Tachyphonus Tanager WSTA Tacluc luctuosus Tangara Caponiblanca R FC U Tachyphonus 1B(- Tawny-crested Tanager TCTA Tacdel delatrii Tangara Coronidorada R FC U 437 1?) Tangara Hormiguera Red-throated Ant-Tanager RTAT Habfus Habia fuscicauda Gorgirroja R F F 434 1A 1A- Summer Tanager SUTA Pirrub Piranga rubra Tangara Veranera M FC F 430 1B Scarlet Tanager SCTA Piroli Piranga olivacea Tangara Escarlata M FC U 431 1B Ramphocelus Crimson-collared Tanager CCTA Ramsan sanguinolentus Tangara Capuchirroja R CF R Ramphocelus Passerini's Tanager PAST Rampas passerinii Tangara de Passerini R CF C 429 1A Blue-gray Tanager BGTA Threpi Thraupis episcopus Tangara Azuleja R CF C 428 1A Palm Tanager PATA Thrpal Thraupis palmarum Tangara Palmera R CF C 429 1A Tangara Golden-hooded Tanager GHTA Tanlar Tangara larvata Capuchidorada R FC F 423 Blue Dacnis BLDA Daccay Dacnis cayana Mielero Azulejo R F U Chlorophanes Green Honeycreeper GRHO Chlspi spiza Mielero Verde R F U Shining Honeycreeper Cyaluc Cyanerpes lucidus Mielero Luciente R F F 426 Cyanerpes Red-legged Honeycreeper RLHO Cyacyu cyaneus Mielero patirrojo R F X Semillerito Negro Blue-black Grassquit BGRA Voljac Volatinia jacarina Azulado R C F 452 1? Sporophila Variable Seedeater VASE Spoame americana Espiguero Variable R C C 449 0 Sporophila White-collared Seedeater WCSE Spotor torqueola Espiguero Collarejo R C F 448 Oryzoborus Thick-billed Seed-Finch TBSF Oryfun funereus Semillero Picogrueso R C U 451 0 Semillerito Yellow-faced Grassquit YFGR Tiaoli Tiaris olivaceus Cariamarillo R C U Arremon Orange-billed Sparrow OBSP Arraur aurantiirostris Pinzón Piquinaranja R F F 458 1A Arremonops Black-striped Sparrow BSSP Arrcon conirostris Pinzón Cabecilistado R FC C 459 2 Lincoln’s Sparrow LISP Mellin Melospiza lincolnii Sabanero de Lincoln M C X 463 Saltator Grayish Saltator GRSA Salcoe coerulescens Saltator Grisaceo R CF X 442 2 Buff-throated Saltator BTSA Salmax Saltator maximus Saltator Gorgianteado R FC C 442 2 Black-headed Saltator BKHS Salatr Saltator atriceps Saltator Cabecinegro R F R Slate-colored Grosbeak SCOG Salgro Saltator grossus Picogrueso Piquirrojo R F R Caryothraustes Black-faced Grosbeak BFGR Carpol poliogaster Picogrueso Carinegro R FC U Pheucticus Picogrueso 1A- Rose-breasted Grosbeak RBGR Phelud ludovicianus Pechirrosado M CF U 445 2 Cyanocompsa Picogrueso Negro Blue-black Grosbeak BGRO Cyacyd cyanoides Azulado R F U 446 Blue Grosbeak BLGR Pascae Passerina caerulea Picogrueso Azul M C U Indigo Bunting INBU Pascya Passerina cyanea Azulillo Norteño M CF R 447 1 Painted Bunting Pascir Passerina ciris Azulillo Sietecolores X CF X 58 Appendix K. Tortuguero Bird Checklist and Species Code Reference .

English Common Name Eng. SS Band Code Sci. Code Scientific Name Spanish Name Stat Hab Abun page Size Dickcissel DICK Spiame Spiza americana Sabanero Arrocero M C R 415 1B Eastern Meadowlark EAME Stumag Sturnella magna Zacatero Común R C X Quiscalus Clarinero (Zanate Great-tailed Grackle GTGR Quimex mexicanus Grande) R C C 409 Bronzed Cowbird BROC Molaen Molothrus aeneus Vaquero Ojirrojo R C U Molothrus Giant Cowbird GICO Molory oryzivorus Vaquero Grande R C U Icterus Black-cowled Oriole BCOR Ictpro prosthemelas Bolsero Capuchinegro R CF U 410 1A Orchard Oriole OROR Ictspu Icterus spurius Bolsero Castaño M CF R 410 1B Yellow-tailed Oriole YTOR Ictmes Icterus mesomelas Bolsero Coliamarillo R CF R Baltimore Oriole BAOR Ictgal Icterus galbula Bolsero Norteño M CF C 412 1A Amblycercus Yellow-billed Cacique YBCA Ambhol holosericeus Cacique Picoplata R CF U 407 3? Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacuro Cacicus uropygialis Cacique Lomiescarlata R CF F 406 Chestnut-headed Oropéndola Oropendola CHOR Psawag Psarocolius wagleri Cabecicastaña R FC U Psarocolius Oropéndola de Montezuma Oropendola MOOR Psamon montezuma Moctezuma R FC C 406 Yellow-crowned Euphonia Euphonia YCEU Euplut luteicapilla Eufonia Coroniamarilla R F R Olive-backed Euphonia OBEU Eupgou Euphonia gouldi Eufonia Olivácea R FC C 421 0 House Sparrow HOSP Pasdom Passer domesticus Gorrión Común R C X 466

Adapted from The Checklist to the Birds of Tortuguero Costa Rica (Widdowson and Widdowson 2004). Updated 11-Aug-05.

This list incorporates name changes made in the 42nd, 43rd, 44th and 45th Supplements to the AOU Check-list, as published in The Auk 117: 847-858 (2000); 119:897-906 (2002); 120:923-932 (2003); 121:985-995 (2004).

MIGRATORY STATUS R Resident M Migratory X Not a recognized species or occurrence questionable.

HABITATS B Beach and near-shore waters viewable from beach W Fresh water: canals, lagoons and marshes; F Forest, including swamp forest and terra firme forest C Clearings - Tortuguero village, tourist lodges, agriculture areas, cattle pastures A Aerial - includes aerial foragers such as hawks, swifts and swallows

ABUNDANCE CODES Reflect the probability of encountering a species in its preferred habitat in the appropriate season C Common - easily seen most days, often in moderate to high numbers F Fairly Common - should be seen most days, in small numbers U Uncommon - hard to see, only once or twice a week R Rare - very hard to see even in appropriate habitat and season X Casual, vagrant, or few records; unlikely to see

MISCELLANEOUS >Tar = Band above the Tarsus

59