THE BEST OF COSTA RICA MARCH 20–APRIL 1, 2018

Great Green Macaw © David Wolf

LEADERS: DAVID & MIMI WOLF LIST COMPILED BY: DAVID WOLF

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM

THE BEST OF COSTA RICA March 20–April 1, 2018

By David Wolf

Even after many trips over many years we continue to be amazed by Costa Rica, so small in size but huge in possibilities! There are few other places in the world where such a diversity of and other wildlife can be seen so readily, in such a compact area, and our 2018 Best of Costa Rica tour took full advantage of this wealth as we roamed from one side of the country to the other. Costa Rica has done much to promote conservation, and this really paid off for us with an astounding number of birds seen on the trip, plus interesting mammals and more. More important, most of them were seen well, including a number of large and spectacular species that have declined over much of their ranges. We visited a wide variety of habitats and found nesting activity high and many birds in full song, all the while learning more about these tropical birds and their environments. Such are the joys of birding in Costa Rica!

This tour covered four very different regions, each producing its own specialties and surprises. After spotting our first birds in the hotel garden in San Jose, we traveled to the lush subtropical zone on the flanks of Volcan Poas, where our first stop produced scope views of a Ruddy Pigeon and a nest-building pair of stunning Golden-browed Chlorophonias. Upon arriving at lovely Bosque de Paz Private Reserve, we found the hummingbird feeders and flowering shrubs swarming with half-a-dozen species of these vibrant creatures, a group that we would enjoy many times on this tour. Distracting us was a comical White-nosed Coati that persisted in raiding the feeders, temporarily keeping our first gorgeous at bay, while that night a family group of 3 Pacas snuck in to the feeders. This very Golden-browed Chlorophonia © David Wolf large rodent is heavily hunted wherever it is found and rarely seen. Forest walks here produced a nice assortment of birds of the subtropics, such as Red-faced Spinetail, Tufted Flycatcher, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, and Yellow-thighed Finch, and it was an exciting moment when a Black Guan emerged from the forest, but the undisputed highlight of our time here was a fabulous pair of Resplendent Quetzals perched quietly in the midstory of the tallest forest around. This has become the iconic bird of Costa Rica, and it is not easy to find. We were lucky to have these birds to ourselves, in this very beautiful and peaceful forest.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 From the wet subtropics we descended to the hot and dry Pacific lowlands. As always, the partially deciduous forests of Carara National Park and nearby were incredibly birdy, with a long list of forest birds revealing themselves, from trogons and Fiery-billed Aracaris to antbirds, woodcreepers, and a huge variety of flycatchers, some large and attractive but others rather insignificant and forgettable. Scarlet Macaws, the signature species of the region, were regularly seen passing by both near and far, thrilling us every time, and we were lucky enough to watch them perched and feeding on several occasions. Perhaps best of all was the amazing trio of Great Tinamous that strolled across Turquoise-browed Motmot © David Wolf the trail just a few feet away from us, seemingly oblivious to the quiet observers. This just doesn’t happen in very many places! A fantastic afternoon boat trip on the Tarcoles River gave us a welcome break from the forest birding and yielded 10 species in the heron family, including a Bare- throated Tiger-Heron practically walking up to the boat and Boat-billed Herons roosting just a few feet away from us. A real favorite was the pair of gorgeous Turquoise-browed Motmots at their nest hole, their elegant plumage absolutely glowing in the perfect late afternoon light. Nowhere near as attractive was the huge crocodile that entered the river and submerged right in front of us, but it was very impressive. Boat-billed Heron © David Wolf

Next it was back across the highlands, descending the lush Caribbean slope to the lowlands. Our lunch stop at the La Paz Waterfall Garden produced great studies of 8 species of hummingbirds and a pair of unique Prong-billed Barbets that responded well to a recording of their wild whoops. The Caribbean lowlands harbor the richest avifauna in Costa Rica and never fail to produce top quality sightings. Here, early the next morning, we began birding along the entry road to the world-famous La Selva Biological Research Station, at times not knowing where to look first. Woodcreepers, flycatchers, tanagers, and more popped out for us, but more appreciated were the “big birds” that sat still for nice scope studies, from our first Rufous and Broad-billed motmots to a huge and colorful Yellow-throated Toucan to the sparkling Rufous- tailed Jacamars. Best of all, however, was the ethereal male Snowy apparently in courtship display. It repeatedly swooped up into a Rufous Motmot © David Wolf bare tree, sat still for a few moments, and then dipped out of sight, only to soon return and do this

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 again. Not only is this an uncommon bird of restricted range, but its habits are not well understood. That afternoon we returned to a different part of La Selva, prepared to wait for several hours if necessary in hopes of seeing one of Central America’s most threatened birds, the Great Green Macaw. As our bus pulled to a stop, and before we could disembark, our superb local guide frantically waved us over—and pointed to 3 macaws feeding in a nearly bare tree right in front us! We watched them for 10 minutes as they manipulated the hard-shelled fruits of the tree, and then suddenly they sailed away, not to be seen again and ending a magnificent show.

Our return to La Selva the next day was just as productive; among the highlights were huge Crested Guans, a Chestnut-colored feeding low down in a clump of flowers, a Vermiculated Screech-Owl at its day roost (how do the local guides ever find them?!), and an adult King Vulture repeatedly circling low overhead in bright sunlight. Back at La Quinta Lodge, between excursions to La Selva, we constantly enjoyed the brilliant Passerini’s and Golden-hooded tanagers, honeycreepers, and saltators that came to the feeders, while a surprise Crimson-collared appeared near the lodge on our final morning here, just before we departed for the mountains. En route to the high country, a stop at a garden in the lush foothills produced our best Snowcap sightings ever, with several males present, and one of them seriously courting a female. He hovered and danced in a tight circle just inches above her, flaring the striking white crown all the while. She seemed mesmerized, and we certainly were too! Nearby, an Emerald Tanager hunkered down on a nest, while before leaving this site, a fully adult male Black-crested Coquette showed up and posed on a bare sapling for scope studies. Then it was time to travel through the forested slopes and deep valleys of Braulio Carillo National Park to a completely new and different environment, the temperate highlands of Cerro de la Muerte. Our destination was the gorgeous Savegre Valley, where the well-tended gardens of the lodge provided a jaw- dropping landscape of flowering plants and native trees.

The mountains of Costa Rica and far western Panama are the largest massif between Guatemala and the Colombian Andes, and this isolation has led to a remarkable degree of endemism. Here we found an avifauna almost completely new and different for us. Elegant Long-tailed Silky- flycatchers fed at fruiting shrubs on the forest edge, friendly Collared Redstarts flirted around us in the understory, and striking Flame-throated Warblers frequented the canopy, while a bright male Red- headed Barbet coming to the feeders was unexpected. On the floor of the tall woodlot adjacent to the lodge, the Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, normally a skulker, hopped around our feet, but the best was a group of 4 Red-headed Barbet © David Wolf Spotted Wood-Quail that seemed oblivious to our presence. This is a member of a family that is notoriously difficult to see anywhere, and yet these birds were remarkably tame, allowing us to study their complex patterns over and over.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Our last morning afield took us to the highest elevations on Cerro de la Muerte, but just before leaving the Savegre Valley we made one final stop in the tall oak forest, for a male quetzal sitting quietly in the tall trees. Considered by many to be the most beautiful bird in the world, it was a fitting farewell to the valley. After a torturous climb up to the Pan-American Highway we soon found ourselves in the stunted páramo vegetation at well over 11,000 ft. This is the home of the Volcano Junco, the highest-ranging of the regional endemics, and it wasn’t long before we had a very cooperative pair of these fierce-eyed birds parading Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher © David Wolf around in front of us. Nearby, at the treeline, we then tracked down the Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Timberline Wren, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, and Large-footed Finch, completing the suite of unique high-elevation endemics. All too soon it was time to return to San Jose and home, our circuit of some of Costa Rica’s best birding areas complete. Special thanks go to our very able driver, Fernando, for taking such good care of us

ITINERARY: March 20, 2018 : group gathers at the Doubletree Cariari in San Jose for the night. March 21, 2018: after some introductory birding at the Cariari we traveled from San Jose and the Meseta Central to Bosque de Paz Private Reserve for lunch and afternoon birding there. March 22, 2018: morning birding at Bosque de Paz and then afternoon excursion to the Cataratas de Toro waterfall garden. March 23, 2018: morning birding at Bosque de Paz and along the road above it. After lunch we descended to the Pacific lowlands near Carara National Park, with several stops en route. March 24, 2018: morning birding at Villa Lapas and Carara National Park on the Laguna Meandrica Trail. In the afternoon a very productive boat trip on the Tarcoles River. March 25, 2018: morning birding at Villa Lapas and inside the forest in Carara NP in the Quebrada Bonita area. Afternoon birding along the stream at Villa Lapas. March 26, 2018: after birding the grounds at Villa Lapas a bit we packed up and traveled to the La Paz Waterfall Garden on the Caribbean slope, in the mid-afternoon continuing on to La Quinta de Sarapiqui, our headquarters for exploring the Caribbean lowlands. March 27-28, 2018: morning and afternoon excursions to the La Selva Field Station of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), with midday breaks at La Quinta. March 29, 2018: morning birding in the foothills at Quebrada Gonzales in Braulio Carillo National Park and nearby, before continuing on to Cerro de la Muerte and the Savegre Valley in the late afternoon. March 30, 2018: the beautiful Savegre Valley (ca 6500 ft) March 31, 2018: the high country on Cerro de la Muerte (to 11,400 ft) and then an afternoon drive back to San Jose and the Doubletree Cariari and our final dinner together. April 1, 2018: departure for home or further travels.

KEY: MC = Meseta Central (especially at the Doubletree Cariari before leaving on Day 2). BP = Bosque de Paz Private Reserve and nearby

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 PL = Pacific Lowlands, especially Carara National Park and the grounds of Villa Lapas. CS = Caribbean slope, at the La Paz Waterfall Garden on March 26 (subtropical zone) and Quebrada Gonzales and nearby on March 29 (upper tropical zone of the foothills). CL = Caribbean lowlands, from La Quinta to the La Selva Field Station and nearby. CM = Cerro de la Muerte region, especially the Savegre Valley and nearby, plus the high country at “the towers” and the La Georgina restaurant at Villa Mills. hd = heard

BIRDS: the checklist order and common and scientific names follow “The American Ornithologists Union (A. O. U.) Check-list of North American Birds, Seventh Ed.” plus all supplements and updates. A few of our many highlights and favorite birds are bolded. Great Tinamou (Tinamus major) – PL, CL Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui) – CL (heard only). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) – PL Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) - PL Gray-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps) - CL Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) – CL (huge forest birds). Black Guan (Chamaepetes unicolor) – BP Spotted Wood-Quail (Odontophorus guttatus) – CM (incredibly bold group of 4 our first morning in the mountains and then an amazing song battle between two groups at daybreak the next day. To see any member of this so well is a rare treat). Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) – PL Rock Pigeon ( livia) – PL, MC (introduced species, in cities and towns). Red-billed Pigeon ( flavirostris) – PL, CL, MC Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) – BP, CM Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea) – BP, CM Short-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas nigrirostris) – PL, CL Inca Dove (Columbina inca) – MC, PL Plain-breasted Ground-Dove (Columbina minuta) – PL (careful study). Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti) – PL, CL Blue Ground-Dove (Claravis pretiosa) – CL (heard only) White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) – BP, PL, CL Gray-chested Dove (Leptotila cassinii) – PL, CL White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) – MC Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) – MC (the last new bird of the trip, near Cartago). Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) – MC, PL, CL Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) – BP, CL Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) – PL, CL (daytime study). White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) – BP, CS, CM Vaux’s Swift (Chaetura vauxi) - CS Gray-rumped Swift (Chaetura cinereiventris) – CL Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift (Panyptila cayennensis) - CL Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy) – BP, CS Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris) – PL Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis) – CL Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae) - BP

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotis) – CM (the former Green Violetear (Colibri thalassinus) has now been split into several species). Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti) – CL Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) – BP, CS Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae) - CS Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula) – BP, CS Talamanca Hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis) – CM (the former Magnificent Hummingbird is now split into this and Rivoli’s). Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) – CM (a specialty of the highest elevations of these mountains). Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris) - CL White-bellied Mountain-gem (Lampornis hemileucus) – BP, CS Purple-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis calolaemus) – BP, CS White-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis castaneoventris) – CM Magenta-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox bryantae) – BP Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) – BP (beautiful male present all three days; unexpected here). Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) – CM Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) – CM Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti) – CS Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) - PL Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) – BP, CS Stripe-tailed Hummingbird (Eupherusa eximia) – CM Black-bellied Hummingbird (Eupherusa nigriventris) – BP (a beautiful male of this mid-elevation regional specialty at the Bosque de Paz flowers). Coppery-headed Emerald (Elvira cupreiceps) – BP, CS (endemic to Costa Rica). Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata) – CS (the best show ever, with several adults males present and courting a female). Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) – CS Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) – BP, PL, CS, CL Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) – PL Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) – CL Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) - PL Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) – PL Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) – PL Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) – PL Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) – PL Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) - PL Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) – PL Willet (Tringa semipalmata) – PL Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) – PL Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) – PL Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) – PL Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) – PL Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) - PL Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – PL (distant).

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) – PL Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) - PL Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) - PL Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) - PL Great Egret (Ardea alba) – PL, CL Snowy Egert (Egretta thula) – PL Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) – PL Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) - PL Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) – PL, CS, CL Green Heron (Butorides virescens) – PL Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nytanassa violacea) – PL Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) – PL White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) - PL Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) - PL Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) – all regions (one of the few birds seen daily). Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) – all regions (another of the birds seen daily). King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) – CL Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) – PL Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) – BP, CS White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) – MC Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus) – PL, CL Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea) - PL Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) - PL Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) – PL, CL Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) – all regions Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) – CL, CM Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) – CM Vermiculated Screech-Owl (Megascops guatemalae) – CL Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata) – PL Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon massena) – PL, CL Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus) - PL Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus) – PL, CL (this Central American form is now split from the Violaceous Trogon of the Amazonian lowlands). Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) – CM (who could ever get enough of this spectacular bird?). Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessoni) - PL Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii) – CL (several calm birds that just sat and sat). Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum) – CL Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) - PL Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) – PL, CL Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) – PL Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) – PL American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) - PL White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis) - PL Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda) – CL Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) – CM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Prong-billed Barbet (Semnornis frantzii) – CS Northern Emerald-Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) – CM Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus) – CL Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii) - PL Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus) – CS, CL (the “Chestnut-mandibled” race is now lumped with the “Black-mandibled” of the Andes and called the Yellow-throated. A spectacular bird whatever you name them!). Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) - CM Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani) – CL Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus) - PL Hoffmann’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii) – MC, PL Rufous-winged Woodpecker (Piculus simplex) – CL Cinnamon Woodpecker (Celeus loricatus) - CL Chestnut-colored Woodpecker (Celeus castaneus) – CL Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) - PL Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis) – PL, CL Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway) – PL, CL Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) - PL Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) – CL (heard only) Sulphur-winged Parakeet (Pyrrhura hoffmanni) – CM Olive-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana) – CL Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) – CL Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) - PL Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi) – CL Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) – MC, PL, CL (hd) White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis) – PL, CL Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis) – CL Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus) – CL Great Antshrike (Taraba major) – CL (heard only) Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) – PL Black-hooded Antshrike (Thamnophilus bridgesi) - PL Black-crowned (Western Slaty) Antshrike (Thamnophilus atrinucha) – CL Dot-winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis) - PL Dusky Antbird (Cercomacroides tyranina) – PL Chestnut-backed Antbird (Myrmeciza exsul) – PL Zeledon’s Antbird (Myrmeciza zeledoni) – BP (by Mimi and Paul). Streak-chested Antpitta (Hylopezus perspicillatus) – PL (heard only; very close but never came into view). Black-faced Antthrush (Formicarius analis) - PL Long-tailed Woodcreeper (Deconychura longicauda) – PL Tawny-winged Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla anabatina) - PL Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus) - CS Northern Barred-Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) – PL, CL Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) – PL, CL Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) – PL, CL Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes affinis) – BP

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus) – PL Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner (Automolus ochrolaemus) – PL (quick glimpse). Spotted Barbtail (Premnoplex brunnescens) - BP Red-faced Spinetail (Cranioleuca erythrops) – BP Greenish Elaenia (Myiopagis viridicata) - PL Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster) – CS Mountain Elaenia (Elaenia frantzii) – BP, CM Olive-striped Flycatcher (Mionectes olivaceus) – BP Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleaginous) – PL, CL Paltry Tyrannulet (Zimmerius vilissimus) – CL, CM Northern Bentbill (Oncostoma cinereigulare) - PL Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) – PL, CL Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum nigriceps) – CL Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens) – PL, CL (hd) Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus coronatus) – PL Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher (Terenotriccus erythrurus) - PL Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher (Myiobius sulphureipygius) – PL (nest-building). Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) – BP, CM Dark Pewee (Contopus lugubris) – BP, CM Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) - CL Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) - PL Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens) – BP, CM Black-capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps) - CM Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) – BP Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus) – CL (a favorite flycatcher, easy to identify!). Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus) – PL (hd), CL (hd) (heard only). Rufous Mourner ( holerythra) – PL Dusky-capped Flycatcher ( tuberculifer) - PL Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) – PL Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) – MC, BP, PL, CL Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua) – CL Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) – PL, CL Gray-capped Flycatcher (Myiozetetes granadensis) – PL, CL White-ringed Flycatcher (Conopias albovittatus) - CL Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus) – PL Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) – BP, CS, CL Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) – Naranjo, PL Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) – all regions (and seen daily). Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) - CL Barred Becard (Pachyramphus versicolor) – BP (hd), CM (hd) (heard only). Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) – CL Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) - PL Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) – CL Snowy Cotinga (Carpodectes nitidus) - CL White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei) – CL (heard only) Orange-collared Manakin (Manacus aurantiacus) – PL

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) – BP (heard only). Lesser Greenlet (Pachyslyvia decurtatus) – PL, CL Yellow-winged Vireo (Vireo carmioli) – CM Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys) – BP (heard only). Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) - PL Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio) – BP, PL Gray-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea) – PL, CL Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea) – PL, CL Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – MC, BP, CM Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) – CS, CL Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) – CL Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - PL House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) – MC (hd), BP, PL, CL (hd) Ochraceous Wren (Troglodytes ochraceus) – BP (hd), CM Timberline Wren (Thryorchilus browni) - CM Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) – MC, PL Black-throated Wren (Phaegopedius atrogularis) – CL (heard only). Rufous-breasted Wren (Pheugoopedius rutilus) – PL Rufous-and-white Wren (Thryophilus rufalbus) – PL (heard; glimpsed). Stripe-breasted Wren (Cantorchilus thoracicus) – CL, CS (hd) Bay Wren (Cantorchilus nigricapillus) – CL Riverside Wren (Cantorchilus semibadius) - PL White-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucosticta) – CS (heard only). Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) – BP (hd), CS, CM Long-billed Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus) – PL (hd), CL Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea) - PL Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops) – BP (hd), CM Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus gracilirostris) – CM Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus fuscater) – BP, CS Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii) – BP, CM Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus mexicanus) – CS (heard only, by a few). Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) – BP, CM Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) - CL Sooty Thrush (Turdus nigrescens) - CM Mountain Thrush (Turdus plebejus) – BP, CM (hd) Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi) – all regions (the national bird of Costa Rica and present every day and everywhere that we went). Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus) – BP, CM House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) – CL Golden-browed Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia callophrys) – BP, CM Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla) – PL Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea) - PL Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) – CL Yellow-thighed Finch (Pselliophorus tibialis) – BP, CM (odd-looking active finches of the tangled edges of the mountain forest). Large-footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis) – CM

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris) – PL, CL Chestnut-capped Brushfinch (Arremon brunneinucha) - BP Black-striped Sparrow (Arremonops conirostris) - CL Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) – MC, BP, CS, CM Volcano Junco (Junco vulcani) – CM Common Chlorospingus (Bush-Tanager) (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus) – BP, CS, CM Sooty-capped Chlorospingus (Chlorospingus pileatus) – CM Wrenthrush (Zeledonia coronata) – CM (heard only). Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) – CL Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) – CL Scarlet-rumped Cacique (Cacicus uropygialis) – CL (heard only). Black-cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas) – CL Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) – PL, CS, CL, CM Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) – BP, CL Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) – CL (a recent colonist in this region, now becoming more frequent). Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) - CL Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives) – MC, BP, PL, CS (hd), CL (hd), CM Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) – MC, BP, PL, CS, CL Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) – PL Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) – BP, CS Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) – BP, CS Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) - PL Flame-throated Warbler (Oreothlypis gutturalis) – BP, CM (a real beauty). Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina) – MC, CM American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) – PL Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi) – BP, CS Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) - BP Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) – MC, PL, CL (including a beautiful male of the resident “Mangrove” Warbler). Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) – PL, CL Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) - BP Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) – CM Buff-rumped Warbler (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – PL, CL, CS (hd) Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) –BP, CS, CM Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) – BP, CS Collared Redstart (Myioborus torquatus) – CM (tame and confiding birds practically at our feet at times). Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) – BP, PL (hd), CS, CL Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) – BP, CM (colorful and bold). Red-throated Ant-Tanager (Habia fuscicauda) – CL Carmiol’s Tanager (Chlorothraupis carmioli) - CS Black-faced Grosbeak (Caryothraustes poliogaster) – CL, CS (hd) Blue-black Grosbeak (Cyanocompsa cyanoides) – PL (heard only). Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) – all regions and seen every day but one. Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) – PL, CS, CL

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata) – PL, CL Emerald Tanager (Tangara florida) – CS Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) – BP, CS, CM Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) – BP, CM Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) – CL Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) – PL Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillate) – PL White-shouldered Tanager (Tachyphonus luctuosus) – PL White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus) – CL Crimson-collared Tanager (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) - CL Passerini’s Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) – CS, CL Cherrie’s Tanager (Ramphocelus costaricensis) – PL Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) - CL Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) – PL, CL Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) - CL Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) – BP, CL, CS Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) – BP, CL Thick-billed Seed-Finch (Sporophila funerea) – CL Variable Seedeater (Sporophila americana) – CL White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola) - PL Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps) - CL Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) – PL, CL Grayish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens) – CL

MAMMALS: Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) – CL Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) – CL White-throated Capuchin (Cebus capuchinus) - PL Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata) – BP (hd), CL Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis) – BP, CM Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides) – PL, CL Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctate) – BP, PL, CL Paca (Agouti paca) - BP White-lined Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata) – PL insectivorous bats sp? – PL, CL White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) – BP, CS Collared Peccary (Tayassu tajacu) – CL

AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES: Giant (Cane) Toad (Bufo marinus) – PL, CL Strawberry Poison-dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio) – CL American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) - PL Black Wood-Turtle (Rhinoclemmys funerea) – CL House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) – PL Common Basilisk (Basiiscus basiliscus) - PL Striped Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) – CL

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018 Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) - PL Green (Common) Iguana (Iguana iguana) – PL, CL Green Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus malachiticus) - CM

And a few other interesting creatures that we looked at: big millipedes leaf-cutter ants Paraponera bullet ants Dorylus army ants Morpho butterflies “spit bugs” - LS wasp nests arboreal termite nests machaca – the large fish in the river at La Selva; related to the piranha

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 The Best of Costa Rica, 2018