Costa Rica: The Introtour

February 12 – 22, 2010

Tour Leader: Scott Olmstead

Report and photos by Scott Olmstead.

Resplendent Quetzal at Savegre

This tour is designed as a sampler, with short stays at four famous birding sites: La Selva, Monteverde, Savegre, and Carara. With nine days in the field we manage to hit several of the country’s bioregions and take full advantage of Costa Rica’s incredible diversity. On this trip we visit the rich lowland rainforest on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the Continental Divide, the mist-enshrouded cloud forest of Monteverde, the majestic oak forests of the Talamanca Cordillera, the Pacific mangroves, and more. The wish-list of is surely topped by the breathtaking Resplendant Quetzal , with spectacular like Keel-billed Toucan , Violet Sabrewing , Turquoise-browed Motmot , and Great Green Macaw making up the supporting cast. Timed for the dry season, we typically do not worry much about rain (although anything can happen at La Selva). At the end of the trip you will be ready to plan your next trip back to explore more of this friendly Central American country!

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 1 Feb. 12 – For those that arrived in time, there was birding to be done on the grounds of the hotel, with Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl being one of the star birds. After dark we gathered for a scrumptious welcome dinner and then drifted off to sleep, dreaming of new places and birds.

Feb. 13 – We gathered just after dawn for a pre-breakfast stroll around the garens at the Hotel Bougainvillea. Red-billed Pigeon was seen carrying sticks to a nest under construction, Blue- crowned Motmot showed well, and we marveled at a group of at least 12 Baltimore Orioles foraging in the same flowering tree! After a wonderful buffet breakfast we hit the road and headed toward the Caribbean slope, driving down through the magnificent cloud forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park. In the foothills we stopped at Quebrada Gonzalez for a walk in the forest. Right out of the bus Brian spotted a smart Tiny Hawk perched in a distant treetop! That’s how I like to start a day in the field! Once in the forest we found some excellent flocks led by Tawny-crested and Carmiol’s , with Black-and-yellow and Blue-and-gold Tanagers mixed in. A group of Lattice-tailed Trogons did their best to distract us from the flocks by chasing each other around. We enjoyed the trogons but then quickly switched gears again as another flock came by; this time we noted Tawny-capped Euphonia and White- throated Shrike- , among others. By late morning the skies opened up and we finished out walk in the rain. Arriving back at the car park a bit soggy, our enthusiasm was immediately revived when we discovered a small army ant swarm attracting Dusky-faced Tanagers and Northern Barred-Woodcreepers .

After lunch we spent a couple of hours birding the private El Tapir reserve, where the flowering Stachytarpheta was attracting several handsome Violet-headed Hummingbirds . We also found a nice mixed flock with Black-faced Grosbeaks and an Emerald Tanager . By late afternoon it was time to drive down to the La Selva field station, operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies. We began by birding some forest edge habitat along the entrance track, where Margaret spotted our first Pale-billed Woodpecker of the trip. We closed the day watching a family group of six Band-backed Wrens taking a communal dust bath, quite a comical sight.

Band-backed Wrens at La Selva

Feb. 14 – A light rain fell for most of the night, stopping only just before dawn and we awoke to a thick, misty overcast. Before breakfast we walked through the regrowth habitat between the cabins and the cafeteria; my concern on this outing is always that we will be overcome by too many new birds and miss breakfast! Fortunately we had just enough time. On the trail we had a special encounter with three Gray-necked Wood-Rails foraging on the path, and were

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 2 privileged to observe these birds chasing each other and calling softly as they walked almost close enough to touch, hardly concerned with us at all. Before breakfast we had also picked up Fasciated Antshrike , Slaty-tailed Trogon , Red-throated Ant- Tanager , and Rufous-winged Woodpecker . A Semiplumbeous Hawk (photo left) perched calmly by the suspension bridge seemed to be drying off from the night’s rain; La Selva may be the best place anywhere to see the usually reclusive forest raptor. After breakfast we set off for a walk in the forest but didn’t even make it across the bridge before we were stopped by the sight of a Broad-billed Motmot in a nearby tree and a group of Crested Guans flying across the Saripiquí River. The fruiting trees in the clearing we attracting a tremendous variety of birds as well, and we spent some time watching Chestnut-colored Woodpecker (photo right), White-vented , Yellow-crowned , and Olive-backed Euphonias , and Golden-hooded Tanagers , among others. The forest itself was a bit quiet, and while we had good views of Stripe- throated Hermit , Ochre-bellied Flycatcher , and Western Slaty-Antshrike , we certainly heard more birds than we saw. For example, a group of calling Purple-throated Fruitcrows came tantalizingly close but never revealed themselves. On the way back for lunch we spotted a Great Tinamou , clearly visible as it foraged at the forest edge. Great Curassows (photo below) were common in the clearing during our stay.

After lunch, a short break, and a caffeine recharge for those who needed it, we birded the open areas along the entrance track for the first part of the afternoon, and saw some great birds in the process. A pair of Pied Puffbirds (photo below) showed well and then we spotted a Snowy Cotinga sitting up in a lone tree in the middle of a pasture. A group of five Great Green Macaws flew over breathtakingly close, providing excellent views of these endangered large parrots. (Listen to a recording of their raucous calls here .) Later in the afternoon we birded around the cabins, turning up Long-tailed Tyrant , Collared Araçari , Violaceous Trogon , White-ringed Flycatcher , Rufous-tailed Jacamar , more Great Green Macaws , and a lone Mantled Howler Monkey. After dinner the whole group went out for an optional post-dinner night walk in the forest, and no one was disappointed. We were fortunate to spotlight a Vermiculated Screech-Owl and from afar we heard the low muffled call of a Crested Owl .

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Feb. 15 – We started the morning off with a Cinnamon Woodpecker near the cabins at dawn and then were delighted to see a male White-collared Manakin feeding in a fruiting Miconia right outside the cafeteria, visible from the breakfast table. A walk in the forest produced very satisfying views of two minute Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrants engaged in courting behavior in the understory – a nice break from craning our necks to try to see these tiny flycatchers and other canopy species high overhead! The satisfaction of watching the male pygmy-tyrant hovering beside the female right at eye level was almost matched by the frustration of trying to locate a ventriloqual Central American Pygmy-Owl . I enjoyed listening to each strophe as the owl sang longer and longer phrases before pausing to (seemingly) watch us searching in vain for his hiding place. However, after being taunted by his tooting for a half-hour with no success, we returned to the clearing. A Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (photo below), perched near his favored Heliconia blooms, was a nice consolation. Nearby we watched a pair of White-collared Manakins bouncing around a thicket with much enthusiasm. Around the forest edges we added Olive-crowned Yellowthroat , Black-throated and Plain Wrens , and Orchard Oriole . A Short-tailed Hawk soaring overhead was being harassed by a group of four Orange-chinned Parakeets that flew in playful circles around the hawk.

After lunch we departed La Selva, and after a short (yet hot and sweaty!) stop for Nicaraguan Seed-Finch , we set a course for Savegre. Late in the afternoon we found ourselves high in the Talamanca Cordillera. We turned off the Inter-American Highway and began driving down the narrow winding road to San Gerardo de Dota. Just before dusk we made a quick birding spot and found some typical high elevation species such as Sooty Thrush and Band-tailed Pigeon . Marcia spotted a small group of Long-tailed Silky-Flycatchers perched in the treetops. Night was just setting in as we arrived at the famous Savegre Mountain Lodge. The hummingbirds would have to wait until tomorrow!

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 4 Feb. 16 – Before breakfast we took a short trail behind the cabins, first finding Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (photo next page) and Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch on the ground in the dimly-lit forest interior. Then our real quarry appeared, a glorious male Resplendent Quetzal . It was a typical first encounter with the quetzal, complete with plenty of oohs and ahhs. Fortunately it was the first of several encounters we would have! For the rest of the morning we had a long hike planned, so everyone took care to fill up on the fabulous pancakes. (Savegre definitely won the award for “best pancakes” on this trip.) We walked up the main track behind the lodge, slowly birding our way up the slope. Everywhere we looked we found new birds, many of them endemic to the Chiriquí/Talamanca Highlands of Costa Rica and : Collared Redstart , Sooty- capped Bush-Tanager , Yellow-winged Vireo , Ruddy Treerunner , Yellow-thighed Finch , and the incomparable Flame-throated Warbler are just a few of our sightings. North American migrants were represented by Wilson’s , Black-throated Green , Tennessee , and Black-and-white Warblers , with a few Philadelphia Vireos mixed in. At the end of the track we had a nice view of the sought-after Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl at its nest cavity. And we were treated to walk- away views of another breathtakingly handsome Resplendent Quetzal , this one perched right over the trail, his tail coverts moving gently with the breeze. (Photo right) As we admired the quetzal an Ornate Hawk-Eagle displayed noisily from somewhere high overhead, but the canopy of the majestic oaks shielded it from view. Walking one of the narrower trails through the lush cloud forest we found a Spotted Barbtail and a few Black Guans , one of which came down to the creek for a drink. A responsive Wrenthrush eluded most of us. It was indeed a very birding morning, which made for a late lunch by the time we got back down to the lodge, pausing to admire an Emerald Toucanet (photo above) as we returned. In the afternoon we enjoyed watching the Scintillant and Magnificent Hummingbirds , Green Violet- ears , and White-throated Mountain-Gems (photo nextpage) around the lodge, and then birded from the road, walking a short way down the valley. Stripe-tailed Hummingbird and American Dipper were new. In the evening after dinner we drove up the valley for some nightbirding. A vocal Dusky Nightjar frustrated our best attempts to see it.

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Feb. 17 – This morning we birded around the lodge and enjoyed one more breakfast at Savegre, quite possibly the site of the best coffee you can get on a birding tour anywhere, before departing and birding up the valley along the road. There was quite a lot of action, with Barred Becard , Black-cheeked Warbler , and Black-capped Flycatcher among the highlights. By late morning we had climbed above 10,000 feet and made our way to the road to the antennas atop Cerro de la Muerte. With patience we found a cooperative pair of Volcano Juncos foraging beside the road. (Photo right) It was a fantastic study of this restricted-range species, endemic to the Chiriquí/Talamanca Highlands. The habitat along this track is the northernmost extension of the high altitude páramo habitat found in the of South America. Aside from the juncos, we encountered Volcano Hummingbird and Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush in this stunted habitat, and the twittering song of Slaty Flowerpiercers seemed to be coming from all around. (Listen to a recording of the flowerpiercer’s animated song here .) Our next stop was the Providencia road. Flocks produced good views of some birds we had seen at Savegre (such as Flame-throated Warbler ) but overall it was quiet and a light rain drove us back to the bus.

After lunch at a roadside restaurant we settled in for the drive down to the Carara area. We broke up the trip with a stop in the little town of Orotina, home to a very famous Black-and-white Owl (photo left). We found the owl dozing on a perch in a large tree in the central plaza. A Two-toed sloth was snoozing nearby! It was a surreal experience to tumble out of the bus in the middle of a bustling tropical town after having been birding in the highlands just a couple hours earlier. Late in the afternoon we stopped in at the bridge over the Tárcoles River to see the huge crocodiles loafing below. From the bridge we also spotted a group of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks , a handful of Black-necked Silts , and

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 6 some Barn and Mangrove Swallows . A lone Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift fluttered overhead. We arrived at the Hotel Villa Lapas just in time for dinner.

Feb. 18 – We rose at dawn and began birding the grounds of Villa Lapas before breakfast. Highlights around the hotel included Rufous-naped Wren , Rose-throated Becard , and Streaked Flycatcher . Our breakfast itself was interrupted by a group of Spot-crowned Euphonias in the trees above the patio – we were fortunate to find this uncommon endemic of the Pacific rainforest region so quickly! Chestnut-mandibled Toucans were hanging around the trees across the river. After breakfast we headed to the national park and before even making it into the forest we found Fiery-billed Araçari right in the parking lot! Our morning walk on the trails was very birdy, with great flock action. Rufous-breasted Wren , Chestnut- backed and Dusky Antbirds , Rufous Mourner , Dot-winged Antwren , Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher , and the list goes on and on! There were a few moments when we could catch our breath; between flocks we found a Great Tinamou foraging on the trail in front of us and a Gray-chested Dove carrying a stick across the ground to an unseen nest. As we listened to a woodpecker tapping above us, Joyce picked out a rare Golden-naped Woodpecker .

And from the bridge over Quebrada Bonita we spotted a Muscovy Duck feeding in the stream and a Scarlet Macaw perched at its nest cavity high above. (Photos above) We tacked on Baird’s Trogon and Riverside Wren for good measure.

It was hard to pull ourselves away but we returned to the hotel for lunch and then hit a different part of the park later in the afternoon. As the birds seemed to be riding out the heat of the afternoon, activity was diminished. A lethargic Black-hooded Antshrike posed for photos and a vocal Cocoa Woodcreeper sat still long enough for good scope views as it sang. Black-bellied Wren was seen by some. Before we knew it dusk had fallen and we returned to the hotel for dinner. Afterward a short owling excursion produced a nice view of Pacific Screech-Owl at its nest cavity. (Photo left)

Feb. 19 – Before dawn we made a return visit to the River Trail to look for Orange-collared Manakins . Activity at the

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 7 lek was subdued but we did manage nice scope views of one superb male. (Photo below) We also bumped into a Turquoise-browed Motmot (photo right) and heard a Collared Forest-Falcon . The forest-falcon was calling nearby and we couldn’t believe our luck when after a round of playback a raptor burst into view as it flew between the treetops overhead. However, when the bird perched it revealed itself to be a Gray Hawk ; in the end the forest-falcon was never seen! (No big surprise…) A Purple-crowned Fairy impressed some enough to mount a serious challenge for the top “bird of the trip” honor at the end of the tour.

By mid-morning we found ourselves setting out in a boat on the Tárcoles River for a visit to the mangroves and adjacent wetlands. This excursion always proves to be a welcome break from working hard to spot antbirds in the dim forest understory and honeycreepers in the tall canopy. We enjoyed a nice selection of ducks, shorebirds, herons, and other waterbirds too numerous to list here. Wood Storks , Roseate Spoonbills , Double-striped Thick-Knees , and Boat-billed Herons were some of the great sightings, but all were outshined by the magnificent Bare-throated Tiger-Heron perched on the bank. Common Black-Hawks soared overhead and Amazon , Green , and Ringed Kingfishers were joined by the tiny American Pygmy Kingfisher . In the mangroves we found Panama Flycatcher , “Mangrove” Yellow Warbler , American Redstart , and Prothonotary Warbler .

Around noon, as it was really heating up, we left the Tárcoles area behind and began the drive north to Monteverde. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant by the beach and took advantage of the seabirding opportunity, adding Sandwich and Royal Terns . A lone Herring Gull , quite a rarity here, was mixed in with the hundreds of Laughing Gulls resting on the mudflats. Soon we turned away from the coast and began climbing up into the hills, passing through dry savanna with scattered tall trees along the way. A howling wind had kicked up but we managed nice views of White-throated Magpie-Jay , Keel-billed Toucan , and Broad-winged Hawk in some more sheltered spots. We arrived at Monteverde for dinner, and turned in for a good night’s sleep in the cool mountain climate.

Feb. 20 – After breakfast we drove straight to the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve, stopping for a pair of Orange-bellied Trogons en route. We first birded the car park, where we a

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 8 fruiting tree attracting several species of fruit-eating birds, including Prong-billed Barbet and Black-faced Solitaire (photo right). Our morning walk produced lots of birds, including Red-faced Spinetail , Slate-throated and Collared Redstarts (photo below), Ochraceous Wren , Common Bush-Tanager , Three-striped Warbler , and Spangle-cheeked Tanager all seen moving with mixed-species flocks. One of the (many) highlights of the morning was a sharp male Golden-winged Warbler , which turned out to be a long-awaited lifer for Tim. We were lucky to see a Silvery-fronted Tapaculo moving through the undergrowth right beside the trail. The cloud forest of Monteverde is incredibly lush, owing to its position right on the Continental Divide, and as a result of the thick vegetation and nearly constant mist observation of birds in the canopy is often difficult. However, we were treated to close-up views of many species in the understory. One of the most memorable moments of the trip for me was an ant swarm going right across the trail. The ant activity attracted more than ten species, including Immaculate Antbird , Spotted Woodcreeper , Yellowish Flycatcher (photo next page), Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch , and several Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrushes , one of which perched almost within arm’s reach. (Photo below) Pulling ourselves away, we spent a little while at the hummingbird gallery enjoying such gems as Coppery-headed Emerald , Violet Sabrewing , and Green-crowned Brilliant .

Later in the afternoon we visited the Santuario Ecologico, a private reserve that supports a drier forest on the Pacific side of the Continental Divide. This reserve is home to the striking Long-tailed Manakin , and with quite a lot of effort we managed to see a male in the scope. Still early in the season, the males were not yet displaying with gusto. We also turned up White-eared Ground-Sparrow , Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush , Rufous-capped Warbler , and a group of Plain Chachalacas before dusk. After dinner our owling attempts were thwarted by wind.

Feb. 21 – We started the final full field day of the tour with a visit to the Santa Elena Reserve. Before we even got to the reserve, however, we were waylaid by roadside birding. A pair of Prong-billed Barbets gave us another chance for those who hadn’t seen this species the day before, and an upgraded view for those who had. Moments later, a group of stunning Golden-browed Chlorophonias showed well in the treetops. Once at the reserve we took a nice long walk in the forest, picking up a few new species like Golden-bellied Flycatcher , Brown-billed Scythebill , and Smoky-brown

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 9 Woodpecker . At the hummingbird feeders we added Magenta-throated Woodstar , although it was hard to focus on hummingbirds as there were several Resplendant Quetzals moving around the canopy above us.

After lunch it was time to start the return journey to San José. A couple of quick yet very birdy stops on the way down to the highway produced still more new birds, including Nutting’s Flycatcher, Steely-vented Hummingbird, Scrub Euphonia, Black-crowned Tityra, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-legged Honeycreeper, and the last new bird of the trip: an Olive Sparrow spotted by Tim from the window of the bus as we were pulling away from our last stop. Returning to the Hotel Bougainvillea we enjoyed a farewell dinner and talked about our favorite birds of the trip… It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite, but for me I think the Great Green Macaws at La Selva took the cake. See you next time!

Feb. 22 – International departures.

Bird List

The of this list follows: Clements, James F, Anthony W. White, and John W. Fitzpatrick. T he Clements Checklist of Birds of the World . Cornell, 2007. This list is up to date with the major changes published by Cornell on 15 Dec 2008. Some alternate names are given in parentheses.

The list includes all species seen or heard by at least one member of the group, including the leader. Species heard but not seen are marked “ H”. Species endemic to Costa Rica and Panama are marked with an "E".

TINAMOUS TINAMIDAE Great Tinamou Tinamus major Little Tinamou Crypturellus soui H DUCKS, GEESE, & WATERFOWL ANATIDAE Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata Blue-winged Teal Anas discors GUANS, CHACHALACAS, & CURASSOWS CRACIDAE Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens Black Guan (E) Chamaepetes unicolor Great Curassow Crax rubra PELICANS PELECANIDAE Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis CORMORANTS &SHAGS PHALACROCORACIDAE

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 10 Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus ANHINGAS ANHINGIDAE Anhinga Anhinga anhinga FRIGATEBIRDS FREGATIDAE Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens HERONS, EGRETS, & BITTERNS ARDEIDAE Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Great Egret Ardea alba Snowy Egret Egretta thula Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Green Heron Butorides virescens Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius IBISES & SPOONBILLS THRESKIORNITHIDAE White Ibis Eudocimus albus Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja STORKS CICONIIDAE Wood Stork Mycteria americana NEW WORLD VULTURES CATHARTIDAE Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa OSPREY PANDIONIDAE Osprey Pandion haliaetus HAWKS, EAGLES, & KITES ACCIPITRIDAE Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus Tiny Hawk Accipiter superciliosus Semiplumbeous Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbeus White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis Common (Mangrove) Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus bangsi Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus FALCONS & CARACARAS FALCONIDAE Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis H Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus H Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans H RAILS, GALLINULES, & COOTS RALLIDAE White-throated Crake Laterallus albigularis H Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea THICK-KNEES BURHINIDAE Double-striped Thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus PLOVERS & LAPWINGS CHARADRIIDAE

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 11 Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis STILTS & AVOCETS RECURVIROSTRIDAE Black-necked Stilt Himantopus m. mexicanus JACANAS JACANIDAE Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa SANDPIPERS & ALLIES SCOLOPACIDAE Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Willet Tringa semipalmata Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla GULLS LARIDAE: LARINAE Herring Gull Larus argentatus smithsonianus Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla TERNS LARIDAE: STERNINAE Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis acuflavidus PIGEONS & DOVES COLUMBIDAE Rock Pigeon (I) Columba livia Pale-vented Pigeon Patagioenas cayennensis Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea H Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris H White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Inca Dove Columbina inca Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Gray-chested Dove Leptotila cassini PARROTS PSITTACIDAE Crimson-fronted Parakeet Aratinga finschi Olive-throated Parakeet Aratinga nana Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus Scarlet Macaw Ara macao Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola H Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis Brown-hooded Parrot Pyrilia haematotis White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa CUCKOOS CUCULIDAE Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia H Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris OWLS STRIGIDAE Pacific Screech-Owl Megascops cooperi Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba Vermiculated Screech-Owl Megascops guatemalae vermiculatus

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 12 Crested Owl Lophostrix cristata H Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium costaricanum Central American Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium griseiceps H Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata NIGHTJARS & ALLIES CAPRIMULGIDAE Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis Dusky Nightjar (E) Caprimulgus saturatus H POTOOS NYCTIBIIDAE Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis H SWIFTS APODIDAE White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi Costa Rican Swift Chaetura fumosa Gray-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis HUMMINGBIRDS TROCHILIDAE Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri Green Hermit Phaethornis guy Long-billed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris cephalus Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora Brown Violetear Colibri delphinae Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti Green Thorntail Discosura conversii Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica Fiery-throated Hummingbird (E) Panterpe insignis Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia amabilis Steely-vented Hummingbird Amazilia saucerrottei Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl Stripe-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa eximia Coppery-headed Emerald Elvira cupreiceps Snowcap Microchera albocoronata Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer Chalybura urochrysia Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaemus White-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti Magenta-throated Woodstar (E) Calliphlox bryantae Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Volcano Hummingbird (E) Selasphorus flammula Scintillant Hummingbird (E) Selasphorus scintilla TROGONS TROGONIDAE Baird's Trogon (E) Trogon bairdii Violaceous (Gartered) Trogon Trogon violaceus braccatus Orange-bellied Trogon (E) Trogon aurantiiventris Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 13 Lattice-tailed Trogon Trogon clathratus Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno MOTMOTS MOMOTIDAE Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota lessonii Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii H Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa KINGFISHERS ALCEDINIDAE Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea PUFFBIRDS BUCCONIDAE White-necked Puffbird Notharchus hyperrhynchus H Pied Puffbird Notharchus tectus White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis JACAMARS GALBULIDAE Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda TOUCAN-BARBETS SEMNORNITHIDAE Prong-billed Barbet (E) Semnornis frantzii TOUCANS RAMPHASTIDAE Emerald (Blue-throated) Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus maxillaris Collared Aracari Pteroglossus t. torquatus Fiery-billed Aracari (E) Pteroglossus frantzii Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos swainsonii Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus WOODPECKERS PICIDAE Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Golden-naped Woodpecker (E) Melanerpes chrysauchen Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus Hoffmann's Woodpecker Melanerpes hoffmannii Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus Rufous-winged Woodpecker Piculus simplex Cinnamon Woodpecker Celeus loricatus Chestnut-colored Woodpecker Celeus castaneus Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis OVENBIRDS FURNARIIDAE: FURNARIINAE Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens Ruddy Treerunner (E) Margarornis rubiginosus Buffy Tuftedcheek Pseudocolaptes l. lawrencii Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subalaris Striped Woodhaunter Hyloctistes subulatus virgatus H Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus Plain Xenops Xenops minutus WOODCREEPERS FURNARIIDAE: DENDROCOLAPTINAE Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa ridgwayi Long-tailed Woodcreeper Deconychura longicauda Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorynchus spirurus Northern Barred-Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 14 Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans Black-striped Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis Brown-billed Scythebill Campylorhamphus pusillus TYPICAL ANTBIRDS THAMNOPHILIDAE Fasciated Antshrike Cymbilaimus lineatus Western Slaty-Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha Black-hooded Antshrike (E) Thamnophilus bridgesi Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul Dull-mantled Antbird Myrmeciza laemosticta H Immaculate Antbird Myrmeciza immaculata Bicolored Antbird Gymnopithys leucaspis ANTTHRUSHES FORMICARIIDAE Black-faced Antthrush Formicarius analis H ANTPITTAS GRALLARIIDAE Streak-chested Antpitta Hylopezus perspicillatus H TAPACULOS RHINOCRYPTIDAE Silvery-fronted Tapaculo (E) Scytalopus argentifrons TYRANT FLYCATCHERS TYRANNIDAE Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum H Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus Slaty-capped Flycatcher Leptopogon superciliaris H Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus parvus Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant Myiornis atricapillus Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher Poecilotriccus sylvia Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens cinereiceps Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus mexicanus Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher Terenotriccus erythrurus Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius aureatus Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus aurantiiventris Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus brachytarsus/rhizophorus Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens Black-capped Flycatcher (E) Empidonax atriceps Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna h. holerythra Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 15 Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis Nutting's Flycatcher Myiarchus nuttingi Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis White-ringed Flycatcher Conopias albovittatus Golden-bellied Flycatcher (E) Myiodynastes hemichrysus Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis COTINGAS COTINGIDAE Rufous Piha Lipaugus unirufus H Snowy Cotinga Carpodectes nitidus Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata H MANAKINS PIPRIDAE White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo altera H White-collared Manakin Manacus candei Orange-collared Manakin (E) Manacus aurantiacus Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis Red-capped Manakin Pipra mentalis TITYRAS & ALLIES TITYRIDAE Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata Barred Becard Pachyramphus versicolor Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus similis Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae VIREOS VIREONIDAE Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons Yellow-winged Vireo (E) Vireo carmioli Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus Green Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius pulchellus H Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis CROWS, JAYS, & MAGPIES CORVIDAE White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio SWALLOWS HIRUNDINIDAE Blue-and-white Swallow Pygochelidon cyanoleuca Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea Bank Swallow Riparia riparia Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica WRENS TROGLODYTIDAE Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha capistratus

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 16 Black-throated Wren Thryothorus atrogularis Black-bellied Wren Thryothorus fasciatoventris Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus Riverside Wren (E) Thryothorus semibadius Stripe-breasted Wren Thryothorus thoracicus H Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus H Plain Wren Thryothorus m. modestus & zeledoni House Wren Troglodytes aedon intermedius Ochraceous Wren (E) Troglodytes ochraceus White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys collina Nightingale Wren Microcerculus philomela H DIPPERS CINCLIDAE American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus GNATCATCHERS POLIOPTILIDAE Tawny-faced Gnatwren Microbates cinereiventris Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus H Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea superciliaris THRUSHES & ALLIES TURDIDAE Black-faced Solitaire (E) Myadestes melanops Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (E) Catharus gracilirostris Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus mexicanus H Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Sooty Thrush (Robin) (E) Turdus nigrescens Mountain Thrush (Robin) Turdus plebejus Clay-colored Thrush (Robin) Turdus grayi White-throated Thrush (Robin) Turdus assimilis SILKY-FLYCATCHERS PTILOGONATIDAE Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (E) Ptilogonys caudatus NEW WORLD WARBLERS PARULIDAE Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina Flame-throated Warbler (E) Parula gutturalis Yellow Warbler (migratory races) Dendroica petechia Yellow (Mangrove) Warbler Dendroica petechia bryanti Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorum Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus comptus/aurantiacus Collared Redstart (E) Myioborus torquatus Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons delattrii/mesochrysus Black-cheeked Warbler (E) Basileuterus melanogenys

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 17 Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus chitrensis Buff-rumped Warbler Phaeothlypis fulvicauda Wrenthrush (E) Zeledonia coronata BANANAQUIT COEREBIDAE Bananaquit Coereba flaveola mexicana TANAGERS & ALLIES THRAUPIDAE Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus regionalis Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (E) Chlorospingus pileatus Black-and-yellow Tanager Chrysothlypis chrysomelas Dusky-faced Tanager Mitrospingus cassinii Carmiol's (Olive) Tanager c. carmioli White-throated Shrike-Tanager Lanio leucothorax White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus Tawny-crested Tanager Tachyphonus delatrii Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata Passerini's Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus cana Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum Blue-and-gold Tanager Bangsia arcaei Emerald Tanager Tangara florida Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola bangsi Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata Spangle-cheeked Tanager (E) Tangara dowii Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza Shining Honeycreeper Cyanerpes lucidus Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus SPARROWS,SEEDEATERS, & ALLIES EMBERIZIDAE Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina corvine & hoffmannii White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Nicaraguan Seed-Finch Oryzoborus nuttingi Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus funereus Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceus Slaty Flowerpiercer (E) Diglossa plumbea Yellow-thighed Finch (E) Pselliophorus tibialis Large-footed Finch (E) Pezopetes capitalis Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Arremon brunneinucha Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis Volcano Junco (E) Junco vulcani SALTATORS, CARDINALS, & ALLIES CARDINALIDAE Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides

Tropical Birding www.tropicalbirding.com 18 TROUPIALS & ALLIES ICTERIDAE Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Melodious Blackbird Dives dives Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivorus Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma SISKINS, CROSSBILLS, & ALLIES FRINGILLIDAE Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis Yellow-crowned Euphonia Euphonia luteicapilla Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea Spot-crowned Euphonia (E) Euphonia imitans Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi White-vented Euphonia Euphonia minuta Tawny-capped Euphonia Euphonia anneae Golden-browed Chlorophonia (E) Chlorophonia callophrys Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra OLD WORLD SPARROWS PASSERIDAE House Sparrow (I) Passer domesticus

MAMMALS Variegated Squirrel Collared Peccary Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth Brown-throated (Three-toed) Sloth Mantled Howler Monkey White-throated Capuchin Common Opossum White-nosed Coati Kinkajou Central American Agouti

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