COSTA RICA A RELAXED & EASY TOUR NOVEMBER 3–11, 2018
Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno. D. Ascanio
LEADER: DAVID ASCANIO LIST COMPILED BY: DAVID ASCANIO
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
COSTA RICA: A RELAXED & EASY TOUR November 3–11, 2018 By David Ascanio
Photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157675954896128
A pair of Lesson’s Motmots wagging their tails sideways and giving a crescendo whoop-whoop! (over the presence of a third individual, which we assumed was a female) in the wonderful gardens of the Hotel Bougainvillea were the perfect appetizer of the amazing birds that we were about to see during our Relaxed & Easy Costa Rica tour. These gardens also gave us the opportunity to enjoy the astonishing White-eared Ground-Sparrow and the uncommon Rose- throated Becard. After breakfast, we loaded our bus and started the drive to Cerro de la Muerte, in the Talamanca mountain range.
Volcano Hummingbird, Selasphorus flammula . Photo: D. Ascanio
Once along the ridge of these mountains, we stopped for lunch in Paraiso Quetzal where we enjoyed views of Talamanca Hummingbird (split from Magnificent Hummingbird). Some of us nailed the Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher and, surprisingly, there was only a single Fiery- throated Hummingbird (on previous tours we have seen various individuals here). We were delighted with territorial Lesser Violetear (split from Green Violetear) and a loose mixed species flock that gave us our first sightings of Ruddy Treerunner, Yellow-winged Vireo, Ochraceous Wren, Black-cheeked Warbler, and Spectacled Redstart. After lunch, provided that weather was Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018 on our side, we took a detour to the highest grounds of the Inter American Highway where we were able to add Volcano Junco and the secretive Timberline Wren to our day checklist.
The following day found us at dawn in Felo’s Farm, a country person who has learned the importance of the Persea trees, or as we call it, aguacatillo (little avocado) as a food source for the quetzals. As soon as we got to the view point area, there were already two males and a female “periscoping” and taking fruits on the wing. When a male flew from one branch to another putting to dance its long upper tail coverts, we looked at one another, relishing this moment of glory. We added great views of Townsend’s Warbler, as well as a pair of Golden- browed Chlorophonias to this unforgettable morning.
After breakfast, we made a short walk in the forest contiguous to the Savegre Lodge and added views of Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Sooty Thrush, Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (flash views), and the active Sooty-capped and Common chlorospinguses (previously called bush- tanager). In the afternoon we visited another bird table, located in higher grounds, and were rewarded with views of Sooty Thrush, Acorn Woodpecker, and Large-footed Finch.
Yellowish Flycatcher, Empidonax flavescens. Photo: D. Ascanio.
The second morning in Cerro de la Muerte offered a contrasting experience. In the Batsu gardens we were delighted with a parade of colorful birds that included Silver-throated and Flame- colored tanagers, Slaty Flowerpiercer, and Baltimore Oriole. In the afternoon, we drove to the Caribbean lowlands where we were exposed to a new set of habitats, and therefore new birds! A
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018 short stop along the road allowed us to add a new hummingbird to our list, one that everyone was already enjoying before coming out of the bus: the Snowcap.
Given the enormous richness of the region, we devoted three days to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. One morning we visited the famous La Selva Field Station, a must for anyone interested in tropical ecology. Just at the entrance road we came across an amazing mosaic of birds including White-ringed Flycatcher, Black-faced Grosbeak, and Blue-chested Hummingbird. In addition there were trogons, motmots, and tyrant-flycatchers, but the crown jewel was a single individual of the uncommon Blue Ground-Dove foraging on the wet florest floor. In the afternoon we visited a local farm, and among parrots in flight and seedeaters feeding in stems of grasses we learned about some of the agricultural practices of the region.
Crimson-collared Tanager, Ramphocelus sanguinolentus. Photo: D. Ascanio.
The following day on the Caribbean side of wonderful Costa Rica found us in the buffer zone of the famous Braulio Carrillo National Park. Here, we embarked two gondolas and took a ride from the forest understory to the canopy. We were accompanied by two superb local guides who gave a lecture about flora and fauna associated with each strata and, at the same time, pointed out some birds that were visible from the gondolas. After our return to the lower station we visited the hummingbird garden and added Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer to our day list, and had to sharpen our eyes to observe a dynamic mixed species flock which was frenetically moving along the forest canopy. The afternoon was complemented with a visit to Cope, a local artist and an amazing naturalist. In his work area we visited a patch of forest where we got scope views of a
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018 pair of Spectacled Owls and a Pale-billed Woodpecker building its nest. In Cope’s house we added Russet-naped Wood-Rail as well as Stripe-throated and Long-billed hermits to our trip list.
The last full day in the Caribbean lowlands gave us the opportunity to explore a new habitat for the tour, the riverine forest along the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers. Both rivers offered non- stop birding including Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Green Ibis, Squirrel Cuckoo, Amazon and Green kingfishers, Masked Tityra, and Mangrove Swallow. Along the river bank, the delicate and mysterious Sunbittern was found walking in shallow water as it searched for small fish.
To return to San José we took the La Virgen road and added a new ecosystem, the Cordillera Central . Along the road we observed a flock of Crimson-fronted Parakeets in flight and a Belted Kingfisher at the edge of a pond. Further uphill, a stop at the famed Cinchonta bird feeders provided excellent views of Brown and Lesser violetears as well as Green-crowned Brilliant. Continuing towards the road to Poás Volcano, we enjoyed casado lunch and added Purple- throated Mountain-Gem. Seeing this hummingbird rounded-up an impressive 27 species of hummingbirds on this Costa Rica tour!
Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias. Photo: D. Ascanio.
I hope you have learned about and enjoyed the birds, culture, and richness of beautiful Costa Rica. From my side, a big thank you! for joining me on this Relaxed & Easy tour. I also want to highlight the importance of using local guides in any country you visit. That is the way I started (as a local guide in Venezuela), and that is my way to work when I lead tours in other countries. I express my gratitude to Joel Alvarado of la Selva, Freddy and Marvin from the aerial tram, and Cope for their support and assistance in finding several birds. Also, to my good friend Santiago Morales, for driving us in a safe mode no matter how narrow the roads were. Santiago is not only a good driver but an excellent bird spotter and a great person.
Please consider joining me in other Caribbean and Neotropical destinations, equally contrasting and hosting a unique flora and fauna. Some of these tours are: Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Cuba: Birds and people-to-people. Photo album of previous tour: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/sets/72157643519265893/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylRHvB1jzdI
Birding the Panama´s Canal . A Relaxed & Easy tour. Photo album of previous tour: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/sets/72157648765567967/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgnkUxwd5kw
The Amazon Cruise Photo album of previous tour: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157663984130953 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b3xYG0cPSo
Colombia: Magdalena River Valley & Western Andes. Photo album of previous tour: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157697299587672
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and Buff-rumped Warbler (Myipthlypis fulvicauda). Photo: D. Ascanio
COSTA RICA A Relaxed & Easy Tour November 3–11, 2018
MAP OF LOCATIONS
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
ITINERARY: 03 November 2017. San José, Hotel Bougainvillea. 04 November 2017. San José to Cerro de la Muerte. 05 November 2017. Cerro de la Muerte. 06 November 2017. Cerro de la Muerte to Sarapiquí. 07 November 2017. La Selva Field Station. Farmland in Sarapiquí. 08 November 2017. Aerial Tram, Braulio Carrillo National Park. La Unión. 09 November 2017. Boat trip Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers. Forest edge in Sarapiquí. 10 November 2017. La Virgen road and Poás volcano road. 11 November 2017. Departure.
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KEY: SJ San Jose. Hotel Bouganvillea. Also farmland in Cartago. CM Cerro de la Muerte, Mirador de Quetzales, Savegre. BC Aerial tram and Braulio Carrillo National Park. SA La Selva, La Quinta, Guápiles (Cope´s), Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers. CI La Virgen road, Cinchona, Poás Volcano, Freddo Fresas and vicinity. Underlined. Endemic, regional endemic or difficult-to-see species.
BIRDS: Tinamous / Tinamidae Little Tinamou. Crypturellus soui. A flash view of an individual flyin across the access road to La Selva. SA.
Waterfowl / Anatidae Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. Dendrocygna autumnalis. SA.
Guans, Chachalacas & Curassows / Cracidae Gray-headed Chachalaca. Ortalis cinereiceps. SA.
New World Quail / Odontophoridae Spotted Wood-Quail. Odontophorus guttatus. Heard only. CM.
Pigeons and Doves / Columbidae Rock Pigeon (I). Columba livia. Road and urban areas. Pale-vented Pigeon. Patagioenas cayannensis. SA. Ruddy Ground-Dove. Columbina talpacoti . SA (open areas). Blue Ground-Dove. Claravis pretionsa. SA. White-winged Dove. Zenaida asiatica . SJ.
Cuckoos / Cuculidae Squirrel Cuckoo. Piaya cayana. SJ, SA. Groove-billed Ani. Crotophaga sulcirostris. Open areas. SA.
Nightjars / Caprimulgidae Lesser Nighthawk. Chordeiles acutipennis. SA. Common Pauraque. Nyctidromus albicollis. SA.
Swifts / Apodidae White-collared Swift. Streptoprocne zonaris. SA. Vaux´s Swift. Chaetura vauxi. SA. Gray-rumped Swift. Chaetura cinereiventris. La Selva, SA.
Hummingbirds / Trochilidae Hummingbirds were originally believed to be a cross between an insect and a bird. Furthermore, as a consequence of having such impressive plumage, it is not surprising that a demand started for such fantastic creatures, thus pushing a trade business that shipped hundreds of thousands of hummingbird skins into Europe. By then, there were no common names associated with the hummingbirds. So, how did these birds get such beautiful
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018 names? The person to give the most common English names to the hummingbirds was J. Gould on his memorable Monograph of Trochilidae (1849-1861). But, did you know that until the publication of his renowned monograph Gould had never seen a hummingbird alive? Only after finishing such an impressive work did he visit the Americas in May 1857 and see his first living Trochilidae , a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. On our Costa Rica tour we managed to see 27 species of hummingbirds. White-necked Jacobin. Florisuga mellivora. Cope’s house. BC, SA. Bronzy Hermit. Glaucis aeneus. SA. Long-billed Hermit. Phaethornis longirostris. SA. Stripe-throated Hermit. Phaethornis striigularis. SA. Brown Violetear. Colibri delphinae. CI. Lesser Violetear. Colibri cyanotus. CM, CI. Purple-crowned Fairy. Heliothryx barroti. SA. Green-crowned Brilliant. Heliodoxa jacula. CI. Talamanca Hummingbird. Eugenes spectabilis. CM, CI. Fiery-throated Hummingbird. Panterpe insignis. A regional endemic. CM. White-bellied Mountain-gem. Lampornis hemileucus. CI. Purple-throated Mountain-Gem. Lampornis calolaemus. CM, CI. White-throated Mountain-Gem. Lampornis castaneoventris. CM. Magenta-throated Woodstar. Calliphlox bryantae. Regional endemic. CM. Volcano Hummingbird. Selasphorus flammula. Regional endemic. CM. Scintillant Hummingbird. Selasphorus scintilla. Regional endemic. CM, CI. Violet-headed Hummingbird. Klais guimeti. BC. Violet Sabrewing. Campylopterus hemileucurus. CI. Stripe-tailed Hummingbird. Eupherusa eximia. CM. Garden Emerald. Chlorostilbon assimilis. SJ. Coppery-headed Emerald. Elvira cupreiceps. Endemic to Costa Rica. CI. Snowcap. Microchera albocoronata. We enjoyed views of 5 males, and a female. BC. Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer. Chalybura urochrysia. BC, SA. Crowned Woodnymph. Thalurania colombica . BC, SA. Blue-chested Hummingbird. Amazilia amabilis. SA. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Amazilia tzacatl. SJ, CM, BC, SA, CI. Green-fronted Lancebill. Doryfera ludovicae. CM.
Rail, Gallinules, Crakes and Coots / Rallidae White-throated Crake. Laterallus albigularis. SA, CI. Heard only. Russet-naped Wood-Rail (previously included with Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Aramides cajanea ). Aramides alvibentris. SA.
Jacanas / Jacanidae Northern Jacana. Jacana spinosa. SA.
Sandpipers and allies / Scolopacidae Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularia. SA. Solitary Sandpiper. Tringa solitaria. SA.
Sunbittern/ Eurypygidae Sunbittern. Eurypyga helias. Wonderful and extended views of a single individual. SA.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Anhingidae / Anhinga Anhinga. Anhinga anhinga. Boat trip. SA.
Herons, Egrets and Bitterns / Ardeidae Fasciated Tiger-Heron. Tigrisoma fasciatum. San Jose river. SA. Bare-throated Tiger Heron. Tigrisoma mexicanum. SA. Great Blue-Heron. Ardea herodias. SA. Great Egret. Ardea alba. SA. Snowy Egret. Egretta thula. SA. Little Blue Heron. Egretta caerulea. SA. Cattle Egret. Bubulcus ibis. Common and widespread in lowland open areas. Green Heron. Butorides virescens. SA.
Ibises and Spoonbills / Threskiornithidae Green Ibis. Mesembrinibis cayennensis. SA.
New World Vultures / Cathartidae Black Vulture. Coragyps atratus. W idespread. Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura. Widespread. King Vulture. Sarcoramphus papa. SA.
Osprey – Pandionididae Osprey. Pandion haliaetus. SA.
Hawks, Eagles and Kites / Accipitridae Double-toothed Kite. Harpagus bidentatus. BC. Roadside Hawk. Rupornis magnirostris. Cartago farmland. SJ. Broad-winged Hawk. Buteo platypterus. CM, SA. Short-tailed Hawk. Buteo brachyurus. CI. Swainson’s Hawk. Buteo swainsoni. SA. 13+ individuals were seen migrating along with hundred of Turkey Vultures. Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis. CM. Black Hawk-Eagle. Spizaetus tyrannus. Seen soaring well above the forest. BC.
Owls / Strigidae Vermiculated Screech-Owl. Megascops guatemalae. This species has recently been subject to a taxonomic revision and the one seen in the tour is now called Middle American Screech Owl, Megascops guatemalae. SA. Spectacled Owl. Pulsatrix perspicillata. Roosting. SA. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl. Glaucidium brasilianum. Heard only. SJ.
Trogons / Trogonidae Lattice-tailed Trogon. Trogon clathratus. BC. Heard only. Slaty-tailed Trogon. Trogon massena. SA. Gartered Trogon. Trogon caligatus . SA. Black-throated Trogon. Trogon rufus. SA. Resplendent Quetzal. Pharomachrus mocinno. Seeing this species was truly one of the most magical experiences in the tour! We saw four individuals. That is three males and a females. CM.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Motmots / Momotidae Lesson’s Motmot (previously part of Blue-crowned Motmot. Momotus momota ). The three individuals seen had put on a great show! SJ. Broad-billed Motmot. Electron platyrhynchum. SA.
Kingfishers / Alcedinidae Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon. CI. Amazon Kingfisher. Chloroceryle amazona. Boat trip. SA. Green Kingfisher. Chloroceryle americana. Boat trip. SA.
Puffbirds / Bucconidae White-whiskered Puffbird. Malacoptila panamensis. SA.
Toucans / Ramphastidae Northern Emerald-Toucanet. Aulacorhynchus prasinus. CM. Collared Aracari. Pteroglossus torquatus. Seen various times. SA. Keel-billed Toucan. Ramphastos sulfuratus. SA. Yellow-throated (Black-mandibled ) Toucan. Ramphastos ambiguus. BC, SA.
Woodpeckers / Picidae Acorn Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus. CM. Black-cheeked Woodpecker. Melanerpes pucherani. SA. Hoffman´s Woodpecker. Melanerpes hoffmannii . A regional endemic. SJ. Cinnamon Woodpecker. Celeus loricatus. SA.
Falcons and Caracaras / Falconidae Laughing Falcon. Herpetotheres cachinnans. SA.
African & New World Parrots / Psittacidae The parrots, parakeets, macaws, and parrotlets are usually associated with tropical environments. The Tropics of America are one of the regions where this family radiated in a prominent way. In this short Costa Rica tour we managed to see 9 species of this distinctive family. Sulphur-winged Parakeet. Pyrrhura hoffmanni. Loose groups were seen flying. During the last morning in Cerro de la Muerte we enjoyed views at close distance and admired its wonderful plumage. CM. Olive-throated Parakeet. Eupsittula nana. SA. Great Green Macaw. Ara ambiguus. 3 individuals were seen in flight. SA. Crimson-fronted Parakeet. Aratinga finschi. SJ, CI. Barred Parakeet. Bolborhynchus lineola. CM. We saw 300+ individuals of this species flying very high, from their foraging grounds to their roosting site. I guess we should add it as heard only (or flying dots!). Orange-chinned Parakeet. Brotogeris jugularis. SA. White-crowned Parrot. Pionus senilis . CI. Red-lored Parrot. Amazona autumnalis. SA. Mealy Parrot. Amazona farinosa. SA.
Typical Antbirds / Thamnophilidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Fasciated Antshrike. Cymbilaimus lineatus. SA. Russet Antshrike. Thamnistes anabatinus. A pair was observed with a feeding flock. BC. Chestnut-backed Antbird. Myrmeciza exsul. SA. Streak-crowned Antvireo. Dysithamnus striaticeps. Feeding flock. BC.
Tapaculos / Rhinocryptidae Silvery-fronted Tapaculo. Scytalopus argentifrons. Heard only. CM.
Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers / Furnariidae Wedge-billed Woodcreeper. Glyphorynchus spirurus. SA. Cocoa Woodcreeper. Xyphorynchus susurrans. SA. Spotted Woodcreeper. Xiphorynchus erythropygius. SA. Streak-headed Woodcreeper. Lepidocolaptes souleyetti. SA. Spot-crowned Woodcreeper. Lepidocolaptes affinis. CM. Buff-throated Foliage-Gleaner. Automolus ochrolaemus. BC. Ruddy Treerunner. Margarornis rubiginosus. A regional endemic. CM. Slaty Spinetail. Synallaxis brachyura. Heard only, SA.
Tyrant Flycatchers / Tyrannidae Yellow Tyrannulet. Capsiempis flaveola. SA. Yellow-bellied Elaenia. Elaenia flavogaster. SA. Torrent Tyrannulet. Serpophaga cinerea. CM. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher. Mionectes oleagineus. BC. Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant. Lophotriccus pileatus. BC. Common Tody-Flycatcher. Todirostrum cinereum. SA. Yellow-olive Flycatcher. Tolmomyias sulphurescens. SA. Olive-striped Flycatcher. Mionectes olivaceus. CM. Olive-sided Flycatcher. Contopus cooperi. CI. Dark Pewee. Contopus lugubris. CM. Eastern Wood-Pewee. Contopus virens. SA. Tropical Pewee. Contopus cinereus. SJ. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Empidonax flaviventris. BC. Yellowish Flycatcher. Empidonax flavescens. CM. Black-capped Flycatcher. Empidonax atriceps. A regional endemic. CM. Black Phoebe. Sayornis nigricans. SA. Long-tailed Tyrant. Colonia colonus. SA. Bright-rumped Attila. Attila spadiceus. SA. Rufous Mourner. Rhyptiterna holerythra. SA. Dusky-capped Flycatcher. Myiarchus tuberculifer. SA. Great-crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus. BC. Great Kiskadee. Pitangus sulphuratus. SJ, SA, CI. Social Flycatcher. Myiozetetes similis. SA. Gray-capped Flycatcher. Myiozetetes granadensis. SA. White-ringed Flycatcher. Conopias albovittatus. SA. Tropical Kingbird. Tyrannus melancholicus . Widespread.
Becards, Tityras & Allies / Tityridae Cinnamon Becard. Pachyramphus cinnamomeus. BC. Rose-throated becard. Pachyramphus aglaiae. SJ.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Masked Tityra. Tityra semifasciata. Seen only by Barb. Puerto Viejo. SA. Black-crowned Tityra. Tityra inquisitor. Seen only by Grey. SA.
Cotingas / Cotingidae Bare-necked Umbrellabird. Cephalopterus glabricollis . A regional endemic. Seen by one gondola. BC. Rufous Piha. Lipaugus unirufus. BC.
Manakins / Pipridae White-ruffed Manakin. Corapipo altera. BC. White-collared Manakin. Manacus candei . SA.
Vireos / Vireonidae Rufous-browed Peppershrike. Cyclarhis gujanensis. Heard only. CM. Green Shrike-Vireo. Vireolanius pulchellus. Heard only. BC. Lesser Greenlet. Pachysilvia decurtatus. SA. Yellow-winged Vireo. Vireo carmioli. A regional endemic. Feeding flock. CM. Red-eyed Vireo. Vireo olivaceus. SJ, SA.
Jays / Corvidae Brown Jay. Psilorhinus morio . SJ, CI.
Swallows / Hirundinidae Gray-breasted Martin. Progne chalybea. CI. Mangrove Swallow. Tachycineta albilinea . SA. Blue-and-white Swallow. Pygochelidon cyanoleuca. SJ, CM, CI. Southern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. SA. Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica. SA. Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia. SA.
Wrens / Troglodytidae House Wren. Troglodytes aedon. SJ, SA. Ochreaceous Wren. Troglodytes ochraceus. A regional endemic. CM, CI. Timberline Wren. Thryorchilus browni. A regional endemic. Antenna road. CM. Rufous-naped Wren. Campylorhynchus rufinucha. Pairs at the gardens of the Hotel Bougainvillea and El Rodeo Inn. SJ. Black-throated Wren. Pheugopedius atrogularis. A regional endemic. Heard only. SA. Stripe-breasted Wren. Cantorchilus thoracicus. A regional endemic. SA. Cabanis’s Wren (Split from Plain Wren). Cantorchilus modestus. Hotel Bougainvillea. SA. Bay Wren. Cantorchilus nigricapillus. Heard only. SA. White-breasted Wood-Wren. Henicorhina leucosticta. SA. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren. Henicorhina leucophrys. Heard only. CM.
Gnatcatchers / Polioptilidae Tropical Gnatcatcher. Polioptila plumbea. Feeding flock. BC.
Thrushes and Allies / Turdidae Black-faced Solitaire. Myadestes melanops. A regional endemic. Heard only. CM. Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush. Catharus fuscater. Heard only. CM.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush. Catharus frantziir. CM. Sooty Thrush. Turdus nigrescens. A regional endemic. CM. Mountain Thrush. Turdus plebejus. CM. Clay-colored Thrush. Turdus grayi . Widespread.
Silky-Flycatchers / Ptiliogonatidae Black-and-yellow Silky-Flycatcher. Phainoptila melanoxantha. CM. Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher. Ptiliogonys caudatus. CM.
Old World Sparrows / Passeridae House Sparrow. Passer domesticus. SA.
Siskins and allies / Fringillidae Golden-browed Chlorophonia. Chlorophonia callophrys. Astonishing views! CM. Yellow-crowned Euphonia. Euphonia luteicapilla. A regional endemic. SA. Olive-backed Euphonia. Euphonia gouldi. SA. Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria. CM.
New world sparrows / Passarellidae Yellow-thighed Finch. Pselliophorus tibialis. A regional endemic. CM. Large-footed Finch. Pezopetes capitalis. A regional endemic. CM. Orange-billed Sparrow. Arremon aurantiirostris. SA. Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. Arremon brunneinucha. CM. White-eared Ground-Sparrow. Melozone leucotis. Superb views! SJ. Rufous-collared Sparrow. Zonotrichia capensis. SJ. Volcano Junco. Junco vulcani. A regional endemic. CM. Common Chlorospingus. Chlorospingus flavopectus. CM, CI. Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager. Chlorospingus canigularis. Feeding flocks and family groups. CM, CI.
Wrenthrush / Zeledoniidae Wrenthrush. Zeledonia coronata. Heard only. CM.
Troupials and Allies / Icteridae Montezuma Oropendola. Psarocolius montezuma. Aerial Tram in BC, SA. Scarlet-rumped Cacique. Cacicus uropyialis. BC. Baltimore Oriole. Icterus galbula. SJ, CM, SA, CI. Melodious Blackbird. Dives dives. SA, CI. Great-tailed Grackle. Quiscalus mexicanus . Widespread in open areas.
New World Warblers / Parulidae Northern Waterthrush. Parkesia noveboracensis. Head only. SA. Golden-winged Warbler. Vermivora chrysoptera. One ind. in breeding plumage. BC, SA. Black-and-white Warbler. Miniotilta varia. SJ. Flame-throated Warbler. Oreothlypis gutturalis. Flash views. CM. Tennessee Warbler. Oreothlypis peregrina. SJ, CM, SA We reported about 14 ind. at various locations (some foraging on fruits of a Miconia tree). Gray-crowned Yellowthroat. Geothlypis poliocephala. Greeat studies of a pair. CI. Mourning Warbler. Geothlypis Philadelphia. Nice view of a pair. SA.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
American Redstart. Setophaga ruticilla. SA. Bay-breasted Warbler. Setophaga castanea. Numerous this year. BC, SA, CI. Blackburnian Warbler. Setophaga fusca. SJ. Yellow Warbler. Setophaga petechia. SJ. Chestnut-sided Warbler. Setophaga pensylvanica. 20+ ind. BC, SA, CI. Townsend´s Warbler. Setophaga townsendi. CM, CI. A rare migrant in Costa Rica. Seen very well at the quetzal site and later seen again along the road to Poas volcano. Black-throated Green Warbler. Setophaga virens. SJ. Buff-rumped Warbler. Myiothlypis fulvicauda. SA. Black-cheeked Warbler. Basileuterus melanogenys. A regional endemic. Pair with feeding flock. CM. Wilson´s Warbler. Cardellina pusilla. CM, SA. Collared Redstart (Whitestart). Myioborus torquatus. CM.
Cardinals and Allies / Cardinalidae Notice that the Piranga tanagers are not longer part of the tanager family and instead, they’re now cardinals. For now, they retain their common name (tanager) but expect some name changes in the future. Summer Tanager. Piranga rubra. SJ, CM, BC, SA. Flame-colored Tanager. Piranga bidentata. CM. Red-throated Ant-Tanager. Habia fuscicauda . SA. Black-faced Grosbeak. Caryothraustes poliogaster. SA. Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Pheucticus ludovicianus. SJ.
Tanagers and Allies / Thraupidae Blue-gray Tanager. Thraupis episcopus. Widespread. Palm Tanager. Thraupis palmarum SA. Golden-hooded Tanager. Tangara larvata . SA. Silver-throated Tanager. Tangara icterocephala. CM. Peg-billed Finch. Acanthidops bairdi. Regional endemic. CM. Slaty Flowerpiercer. Diglossa plumbea. Regional endemic. CM. Green Honeycreeper. Chlorophanes spiza. SA. Blue-black Grassquit. Volatinia jacarina. SA. White-shouldered Tanager. Tachyphonus luctuosus. Feeding flock. BC. Crimson-collared Tanager. Ramphocelus sanguinolentus. SA. Passerini’s Tanager. Ramphocelus passerinii. SA. Shinning Honeycreeper. Cyanerpes lucidus. BC. Red-legged Honeycreeper. Cyanerpes cyaneus . SA. Bananaquit. Coereba flaveola. SA, CI. Yellow-faced Grassquit. Tiaris olivaceus. Forest garden. CM. Variable Seedeater. Sporophila americana (corvina) . SA. Morelet’s Seedeater. Sporophila morelleti. SA. Buff-throated Saltator. Saltator maximus. SA. Grayish Saltator. Saltator coerulescens. SA.
MAMMALS: Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth. Bradypus variegatus. SA. Hoffman’s Two-toed Sloth. Choloepus hoffmanni. SA. White-throated Capuchin. Cebus capuchinus. CM. Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018
Mantled Howler Monkey. Alouatta palliate. BC, SA. Central America Spider Monkey. Ateles geoffroyi. BC. Red-tailed Squirrel. Sciurus granatensis. CM, CI. Variegated Squirrel. Sciurus variegatoides. SJ. White-nosed Coati. Nasua narica. BC. Collared Peccary. Pecari tajacu. La Selva. SA. Baird’s Tapir. Tapirus bairdii. BC. This is probably the least known of all tapirs in our continent. It was named after American naturalist Spender Fullerton Baird when reported in Mexico, in 1843. This is the largest tapir in the Americas and the largest native land mammal in Central America. Body mass in adults can reach to 800 lb! We enjoyed views of a female and a young male.
OTHER SPECIES: Eyelash Viper. Bothriechis schlegelli. SA. Black-speckled Palm-Pitviper. Bothriechis nigroviridis . CM Parrot snake. Chironius sp. La Quinta, SA. Common House Gecko. Hemidactylus frenatus. SA. Green Iguana. Iguana iguana. SA. Green Spiny Lizard. Sceloporus malachiticus . CM. Green Basilisk Lizard. Basiliscus plumifrons. SA. Casque-headed Lizard. Corytophanes cristatus. SA. Middle American Ameiva (whip-tailed lizard type). Holcosus festivus. SA. Skink. Mabuya sp. CI. Black River Turtle. Rhinoclemmys funerea. SA. Spectacled Cayman. Caiman crocodilus. SA. American Crocodile. Crocodilus acutus. SA. Strawberry poison dart-frog. Oophaga pumilio. SA. Green-and-black poison dart frog. Dendrobates auratus. SA. Red-eyed tree-frog. Agalychnis callidryas. SA. Dark-eyed Leaf Frog. Agalychnis moreletii. BC. Machaca Fish. Brycon guatemalensis. SA. Arboreal termites. SA. Leaf-cutter Ant. Atta sp. SA. Fire Ants. Solenopsis sp. SA. Blue Morpho. Morpho sp. SA. Heliconia butterfly. Heliconius sp. Sulphur butterfly. Phoebis sp. Shoemaker butterfly. Catonephele numilia .
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 Costa Rica: Relaxed & Easy, 2018