LOCAL BIRD Diagnostic: Flycatcher that is all black except for its white belly, almost always near water. Has a slight crest. Black Phoebe Habitat: GUIDE(Sayornis nigricans) Possibly found along the river behind the bamboo. Diet: Perches near the river to glean insects. Call: High, squeaky phibii.
TOP FEATURED RESIDENT BIRDS
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)...... 3 Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)...... 4 Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)...... 5 Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)...... 6 Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayii)...... 7
Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) ...... 9 Grayish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens)...... 10 Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)...... 11 Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)...... 12
Inca Dove (Columbina inca)...... 14 Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii)...... 15 Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)...... 16 Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives)...... 17 Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)...... 18
...... 20 Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)...... 21 Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)...... 22 Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)...... 23 Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)...... 24 White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)...... 25 White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis)...... 26 White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)...... 27
Our hotel cares about the preservation of the flora and fauna of Costa Rica, for this reason we present the local bird guide with the objective of knowing the different species that can be found near our property. Remember when we have contact with them, respect their habitat and do not feed them, since they are wild animals. By making a responsible visit and respecting the environment, we collaborate with the preservation of the flora and fauna of the area. Diagnostic: Flycatcher that is all black except for its white belly, almost always near water. Has a slight crest. Black Phoebe Habitat: (Sayornis nigricans) Possibly found along the river behind the bamboo. Diet: Perches near the river to glean insects. Call: High, squeaky phibii.
TOP Diagnostic: Long, broad black wings ending in whitish tips, and a black head, unlike the Turkey Vulture’s orange Black Vulture head and different wing color. Often soars in groups, (Coragyps atratus) mixing with Turkey Vultures. Habitat: Open skies anywhere overhead, and sometimes seen roosting in trees. Diet: Scavenges for carrion. Call: None.
TOP Diagnostic: A small swallow with a glossy blue back and head, Blue-and-white and white underparts. Much smaller than the Gray- breasted Martin, which has dark gray upperparts and Swallow more grayish white underparts, and a less notched tail. (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) Habitat: Agricultural areas with scattered trees, openings in montane forests. Nests underneath the roof tiles of the main building and sometimes can be seen perching on telephone lines or on the balconies overlooking the central courtyard. Diet: Forages in loose flocks of 2-15 (though sometimes much larger) circling for small insects in fluttering maneuvers. Call: Gives a thin, prolonged upwards trill in flight. TOP Diagnostic: One of the lightest-colored birds around, with pale gray and light sky blue in both male and female, Blue-gray Tanager though the latter shows less blue. Thraupis episcopus) Habitat: All types of open country with trees and shrubs. The gardens and trees within the coffee bushes are good places to look for this bird. Diet: Many kinds of berries and arillate seeds; especially congregates at fig trees; takes nectar and flowers of some plants, and searches for insects and spiders. Call: A variety of slurred squeaky whistles.
TOP Diagnostic: Drab brown with a yellow bill. Rather distinctively flicks tail up and down when landing on branches or Clay-colored Thrush when pausing while scuttling along ground. (Turdus grayii) Habitat: Ubiquitous, ranging from grassy lawns to within the coffee bushes and into the bamboo grove. Respect the yiqüirro, Costa Rica’s national bird! Its frequent symphony from March through June is said to bring rain. Diet: Scrounges earthworms, slugs, insects, and fruit. Call: Many melodic phrases and querulous whistles (me- oooow), but also nasal barking and clucking.
TOP Diagnostic: Long-tailed, green parakeet with a red forehead Crimson-fronted and pinkish bill. More common and larger than the Orange-chinned Parakeet, which does not have a Parakeet proportionally long tail. (Psittacara finschi) Habitat: Nests under the roofing tiles of the Marriott buildings and feeds in nearby trees. Can often be seen perched in the palm trees or even on balcony railings. Diet: Fruits, nuts, and young leaves or flowers in the gardens. Call: aucous chorus of typical parrot calls, which can be quite loud and will energize your mornings with the best melody. TOP Diagnostic: Light gray hawk with fine barring along the breast and inner wings, and a broadly banded tail. Not to Gray Hawk be confused with similarly patterned but much less (Buteo plagiatus) common Crane Hawk. Habitat: Likes soaring over semi-open second growth, coffee plantations, and large trees where it can survey ground and low growth around it for prey. Has been repeatedly seen perched hunting over the pool area. Diet: Eats mostly reptiles, but will also hunt for birds, rodents, and large insects. Call: High, plaintive, descending whistle that is not as harsh as other Buteo shrieks. TOP Diagnostic: Only mostly gray bird in Costa Rica with a white Grayish Saltator superciliary and throat. Can be fairly timid and hard to see, but is relatively vocal. (Saltator coerulescens) Habitat: Forest edges and trees in open areas. Favors Cecropia trees around the water treatment facility by the golf driving range. Diet: Herbivorous diet of fruits, flowers, and tender leaves, though will go for slow insects. Call: Varies, but whistled phrases typically end on a high note. Most common is a teewt, ti-ta-tooo melody.
TOP Diagnostic: A large flycatcher with rufous wings and tail, stout bill, and yellow underparts. Black crown and sides of head separated Great Kiskadee by broad white superciliaries that meet at nape. Compare (Pitangus sulphuratus) with Boat-billed Flycatcher (which has a much thicker, chunky bill and is slightly larger in general) and the smaller Social Flycatcher, whose bill is shorter relative to its head. Habitat: Open country with scattered trees and shrubs, gardens. Arguably the most conspicuous flycatcher around, frequently found on property. Diet: Catches large insects, small reptiles and amphibians, and even mice; also eats fruits. Sometimes plunders smaller birds’ nests. Call: KIS ka DEE or KIK KIK KIK a DEER. Can also emit single KIK. Known as “Cristo-fue” or “Pecho Amarillo” in Costa Rica. TOP Diagnostic: Male (pictured) is glossy black and female is brown, Great-tailed both with yellow eyes. Has a much longer tail than other all-black birds like the Groove-billed Ani, Grackle Bronzed Cowbird, or Melodious Blackbird; male’s tail (Quiscalus mexicanus) is especially long. Probably the most numerous bird here. Habitat: Ubiquitous, though most common in the grass of the golf driving range. Diet: Mostly grain and seeds, but also insects and other invertebrates. Call: Metallic series of trills and squeaks and harsh cries.
TOP Diagnostic: The Central Valley’s most common woodpecker. Hoffmann’s Recognized by the golden yellow on its nape and barred black-and-white back typical of many Woodpecker woodpeckers. Male is distinguished by red on crown. (Melanerpes hoffmannii) Habitat: Gardens, open areas with fewer but bigger trees. Quite common all over property, though most frequently spotted in coffee areas, and larger trees on the perimeter. Diet: Wood-boring insects, but also fruits and nectar. Call: Harsh, sputtering rattle.
TOP Diagnostic: Smallest and only scaled dove on property. Note black bill. Inca Dove Habitat: (Columbina inca) Open ground. Very common on grassy or dirt swards, including open coffee rows, orchard, and slopes around the main building, and sometimes on the golf driving range. Diet: Waddles along ground in search of seeds and grit. Call: Incessant huuu-huup.
TOP Diagnostic: Broad black mask, shiny blue crown and mask border, red iris, green upperparts and green-to-olive Lesson’s Motmot underparts. Perches and swings long tail (male has (Momotus lessonii) racquet-tipped central tail feathers) from side to side. Probably the most beautiful bird around. Habitat: Very adaptable, from rainforest to semi-open second growth, shady gardens and coffee plantations. Can be seen in practically any part of property with some luck. Diet: Capture insects, spiders, worms, and small reptiles; also eats fruits. Call: Soft, resonant whoop-whoop; can also give a hoarse bark in a chatter or a gobbling series of hoots when alarmed. TOP Diagnostic: A large woodpecker with a pointed red crest and Lineated striped face. Male has red crown, crest, and malar stripe; female has black forehead and malar stripe. Woodpecker Only large woodpecker found on property, not easily (Dryocopus lineatus) confused with the much smaller Hoffmann’s. Habitat: Prefers forest edge and drier semi-open second growth and shaded garden. Diet: Pecks for beetles and larvae, as well as ants and brood, in wood. Eats Heliconia fruit. Call: Loud, ringing wicwicwicwic laugh; sharp pik sometimes rolling at the end; slow tapping drum sometimes followed by acceleration. TOP Diagnostic: Only all-black icterid in Costa Rica (look for black iris Melodious to distinguish from cowbirds or grackles). Male black plumage glossed blue, female more brownish-black. Blackbird Habitat: (Dives dives) Open country near agricultural areas. Frequently seen, or at least heard, around coffee rows and the golf driving range. Diet: Walks over ground picking up insects, sometimes turning leaves or stones with bill; also gleans insects and takes nectar. Call: Gives a metallic puit! and ringing pweet! Sings a clear whit whit whit wheeer.
TOP Diagnostic: Similar to the Blue-gray Tanager but much less vibrant, with a mix of olive and gray coloration that is Palm Tanager quite drab except for variable hints of yellow around (Thraupis palmarum) the head and wings. Habitat: Semi-open second growth forest, plantations, scattered trees and shrubs or gardens near buildings, including palm trees of course. Often seen in groups of at least two. Diet: Fruit and small insects gleaned from bark and twigs. Call: A series of high buzzy squeak-whistles similar to the Blue-gray Tanager but seemingly more variable in the range of notes. TOP Diagnostic: Fairly large, purplish pigeon with brown-gray back Red-billed Pigeon and orange iris. Largest pigeon/dove around, unmistakable with the White-tipped or White- (Patagioenas flavirostris) winged Doves. Habitat: Scattered trees and clearings. Common in parking lots or relatively open areas, though very rarely on the ground. Diet: Eats berries, seeds, and buds. Can be an agricultural pest of corn and sorghum. Call: Emits a carrying, forlorn huUUu-hu-hu-huuu. Can also vocalize a purring growl.
TOP Diagnostic: Largest and boldest wren around. Bright brownish- Rufous-naped Wren red on nape, black-and-white striped head, and barring on wings and tail. Very curious and will (Campylorhynchus investigate nooks and crannies exhaustively. rufinucha) Habitat: Open areas near Marriott buildings, gardens, and parking lots, not in true forest. Diet: Hops around looking for arthropods. Call: A loud, melodious potpourri, typically in duets, and many loud chattering noises.
TOP Diagnostic: The most common hummingbird around, identified Rufous-tailed by its green back and breast and bright reddish- brown, squared tail. Often the aggressor in high- Hummingbird speed hummingbird dogfights around property. (Amazilia tzacatl) Habitat: Non-forested areas. Ubiquitous, mostly in gardens. Diet: Visits a great variety of flowers for nectar. Call: Low-pitched chut or chut, various high-pitched and speedy twitters.
TOP Diagnostic: Cinnamon reddish-brown upper parts, very long tail Squirrel Cuckoo that alternates black and white from beneath. Bright yellow bill. (Piaya cayana) Habitat: Gardens and forest edges. Fairly timid but can be heard relatively frequently. Diet: Hops squirrel-like along branches in search of caterpillars and other insects. Call: Loud Ik-weyeew (reminiscent of a cat-call whistle) or a series of dry whips.
TOP Diagnostic: A flycatcher with pale yellow belly and gray head, not Tropical Kingbird as vibrant or large as the Great Kiskadee. Has grayish olive upperparts and a dirty white throat, and is often (Tyrannus melancholicus) conspicuously perched on electrical wires or fence posts. Pictured here with an immature chick.. Habitat: Open areas, especially on the golf driving range. Diet: Sallies out for insects from perches. Call: A bright tril-il-il-il like a slightly liquid, high giggle.
TOP Diagnostic: Distinctive two-tone underwing pattern (slightly visible in the lower photo), red head, wings held Turkey Vulture above the horizontal plane in a V. Soars and rarely (Cathartes aura) flaps wings. Habitat: Soars the skies countrywide, and is sometimes seen on the ground. Diet: Follows odor trails in the wind to animal carcasses, but will also eat palm fruit. Call: Silent, though might hiss or grunt on ground near food.
TOP Diagnostic: The largest swift in Costa Rica; black plumage with White-collared conspicuous white collar. Habitat: Swift Commonly seen flying over the golf range, especially (Streptoprocne zonaris) during rain. Diet: Performs aerial acrobatics in search of various winged insects. Call: Loud hissing or grating screeches.
TOP Diagnostic: Has a white cap and throat on a dark blue head White-crowned (compare with the smaller White-fronted Parrot’s green head with a white forehead and red orbital rings). Parrot Overall the bluest and largest parrot around, and with a (Pionus senilis) much shorter tail than the Crimson-fronted Parakeet. When flying, almost never lifts wings above horizontal plane. Often in small groups, pairs, or solitary. Habitat: Prefers semi-open second growth and agricultural areas with scattered woods. Diet: Eats fruits, seeds, and nuts, including palm fruit. Call: In flight, gives raucous descending shrieks (sometimes metallic), and calls a shorter tone when perched. TOP Diagnostic: A small, light-colored kite that is primarily white with gray wings, dark gray wing coverts, and red eyes. White-tailed Kite Much smaller than any hawks in the area, and larger (Elanus leucurus) than the tiny but similar Pearl Kite, which has a gray cap and washed rufous sides. Habitat: Open areas, particularly where there is tall grass for it to hunt over. Typically seen hovering in the sky in search of prey, or perched in trees on the neighboring property. Diet: Small rodents, lizards, and large insects caught after diving from the sky above. Call: A relatively quiet and cut off kip or whistled yilp that is not piercing but still high pitched. TOP San Antonio de Belén, Heredia Phone: (506) 2298-0000 www.costaricamarriotthotel.com
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