CostaRica2012

Previous Trip Reports

June 15-30, 2011: Volcan Poas, Rio Tarcoles, Punta Leona, Boca Tapada, Santa Rita and Laguna del Lagarto

April 1- 10, 2011: Boca Tapada, Santa Rita and Laguna del Lagarto Laguna Del Lagarto Bird Checklist

Central Highlands and Northern Lowlands of Costa Rica

(June 5 - July 1, 2012)

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) female Rio Savegre, Costa Rica June 7, 2012

Summary

Our June, 2012 surveys in Costa Rica were concentrated primarily in two regions, the Rio Savegre in the central highlands of San Jose and Boca Tapada near the Nicaraguan border, Alajuela. These two biotic zones have significantly different topography and climate, selecting for distinctive adaptations of plants and animals. As with previous work in the tropics, our primary focus has been zoology. Most of our time was spent in the lowland rainforest surrounding the Laguna Del Lagarto lodge in the Boca Tapada area. This is the location where I taught Tropical Biology classes for Antelope Valley College students (1999-2000), and where I have been studying avian distribution, ecology and behavior since 1997. Merissa's interests include the behaviorial ecology of leaf-cutter ants.

Leaf-cutter Ants (Atta sp.) Laguna Del Lagarto, Boca Tapada, Costa Rica, June 11, 2012

Highlights of the trip included surveying the remaining patches of montane cloud forest along the banks of the Rio Savegre (Elevation about 7,500 ft.), where we obtained excellent views of the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), which was nesting near the main road. Other highland specialities found in the Rio Savegre area included, Sulphur-winged Parakeet (Pyrrhura hoffmanni), Barred Parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola), Emerald Toucanet (Alacorhynchus prasinus), Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula), Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus), Black-capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps), Dark Pewee (Contopus lugubris), Ruddy-capped Nightingale Thrush (Catharus frantzii) and Yellow-thighed Finch (Pselliophorus tibialis).

Emerald Toucanet (Alacorhynchus prasinus) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica June 7, 2012

The renowned diversity of wildlife surrounding Laguna Del Lagarto Lodge (LDL)in the northeastern, Atlantic lowland rainforest was apparent each morning as we awoke to the sounds of numerous species of bird, beginning promptly at 0450 hrs. with Costa Rica's national bird, Clay-colored Robin (Turdus grayi). By 0800 hrs. we had usually found and identified at least 40 species of bird in the garden, lagoon and edge of the primary rainforest. Some of the local specialities, seen and/or heard almost every day during our visit (June 8-30, 2012), included Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus), Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans), White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi), Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis), Mealy Parrot (A. farinosa), Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis). White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis), Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis), Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), Short-tailed Nighthawk (Lurocalis semitorquatus), Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris ), White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora), Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii), Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl), Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae), Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti), Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryl americana), White-fronted Nunbird (Monasa morphoeus), Keel-billed Toucan (Rhamphastos sulfuratus), Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (R. swainsonii), Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus), Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani), Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis), Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata), White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei), Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer), Common Tody Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum), Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus), White-breasted Woodwren (Henicorhina leucostica), Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma), Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola), Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi), Golden-masked Tanager (Tangara larvata), Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza), Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus), Shining Honeycreeper (C. lucidis), Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus), Palm Tanager (T. palmarum), Scarlet-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii), Variable Seedeater (Sporophila aurita), Thick-billed Seedfinch (Oryzoborus funereus) and Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina).

Agami Heron (Agamia agami) Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 26 June 2012

Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) Santa Rita (Boca Tapada), Costa Rica June 13, 2012

Other notable wildlife observed at LDL included several colonies of Leaf-cutter Ant (Atta sp.), Blue Morpho Butterfly (Morpho menelaus), Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio), Green and Black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus), Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons), Ground Anole (Norops humilis), Central American Whiptail (Ameiva festiva), Common Boa (Boa constrictor), Rainforest Hog-nosed Viper (Porthidium nasutum), Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata), Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus), and White-nosed Coati (Nasua nasua).

White-nosed Coati (Nasua nasua) Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 10 June 2012

Plumed Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) female Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela Costa Rica June 26, 2012

BIRD SURVEY

Key to Locations

AS = Alajuela suburbs, Buenavista Hotel and gardens near the SJO airport, Alajuela (Elevation 3,000 ft. : July 1, 2012)

BSC = Boca San Carlos and new road (15 km) along the south bank of the San Juan River, Alajuela (June 10, 2012).

BT = Town of Boca Tapada, Alajuela (June 8; 30, 2012)

CQ = Suburban gardens of Ciudad Quesada, Heredia (June 17-19, 2012).

PBT = Road from Pital to Boca Tapada, Alajuela (June 8; 17; 30, 2012).

SR = Village of Santa Rita, (Boca Tapada) including Aldolfo's garden and adjacent swamp, Alajuela (June 13; 27. 29, 2012)

LDL = Laguna del Lagarto -garden, lagoon, trails through primary and secondary rainforest, pastureland, plantation, ruderal roadways (Elevation 200 - 300 ft. : June 8 - 17; 19 - 30, 2012)

RS = Rio Savegre - river, trails through cloud forest, Rio Savegre Mt. Lodge gardens, secondary forest, pastureland, ruderal roadways, San Jose (Elevation 6,500 - 7,500 ft. : June 5 -8, 2012).

Weather: Everywhere partly cloudy with periods of 1 - 3 days without rain; PM showers (1 - 2 hr. duration), heavy at times with branch and flash lightning preceeded by cracking loud thunder that shook the smaller buildings at LDL as though they were under heavy bombardment. Temperature: 70 to 90F; winds 0 - 15 mph, predominantly ENE. Humidity 85 - 95%.

Observers: Merissa Mendez and I; occasionally (LDL) Didier Castro (DC), Aldolfo Gonzales (AG), Kurt Schmack (KS); several other birders (RS).

Materials and Methods

We used binoculars (10x40; 10x42), Nikon digital SLR cameras (primarily a Nikon D3X; Nikkor 200mm Micro AF; Nikkor 80-400 mm AF VR; R-2; Nikon R-21 ring-flash system). We walked LDL forest trails (e.g. Tucan, Mono, Danta) on several days at different times (0700 - 1500 hrs.). On two occasions we paddled canoes through the main lagoon adjacent to the LDL lodge (June 26; 28: 0800 - 0900 hrs.). Several hours were spent observing and photographing birds in the LDL garden and at the banana feeders, which were re-stocked with ripe plantain bananas every few days. Most species allowed close approach when at the feeders, so that a 200 mm lens provided sufficient image magnification and clarity. I once placed pieces of mango and pineapple on one of the feeders but those food items were only selected by a few bird species after most of the bananas had been eaten. Bananas were the overwhelming food of choice at the three feeders (two tree and one "goal-post" style feeder were in operation during most of our visit to LDL. For identification, range and other ornithological information, we relied largely of Stiles, F. G. and A. F. Skutch 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Cornell University Press N. Y. 511 pp. Taxonomy and nomenclature follows the most recent (2012) AOU Checklist of North American Birds and supplements.

BIRDS NOTED

Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) 3 flying over LDL.

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) 2 in the swamp, SR.

Gray-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps) 1 roadside second growth, PBT..

Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) 1 flying low over lagoon; calls, LDL.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1 in swamp, SR.

Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma fasciatum) 1 edge of main lagoon, LDL (photo).

Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma fasciatum) LDL, Costa Rica 25 June, 2012

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) 4 -5 foraging together in roadside pasture, PBT..

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 1 foraging on the edge of river shoals, BSC (photo).

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Boca San Carlos, CR 10 June 2012

Agami Heron (Agamia agami) 1 ad. alt. plmg. fluffing frontal breast feathers as we approached; intially found partially concealed on a shady northeastern shore; the bird began wading in the shallows, crouching low and allowing us to approach for 10 minutes by canoe to within about 25 feet; it did not attempt to fly or leave the immediate area while we observed and photographed it; this large, secretive heron evidently favors the relatively undisturbed backwaters of large lagoons; not found in this area two days later LDL (photo).

Agami Heron (Agamia agami) Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica June 26, 2012

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) ubiquitous; most numerous P-BC, SR and LDL. Often in compost area, LDL.

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) ubiquitous, though usually not as numerous as BLVU; not seen in compost area, LDL.

King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) 1 circling above LDL, 12 June (DC). LDL Vulture hide not used during our visit.

Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus) 1 ad. perched about 20 ft. in roadside tree at edge of forest, BSC (photo).

Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternus semiplumbeus) Boca San Carlos, CR June 10, 2012

Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus) 1 (DC) trees, second growth, SR.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1 adult .flying low near base of mountain, RS.

Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) 1 adult perched in tall snag at edge of forest on several mornings, LDL.

Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis) 1 adult perched on tall snag at edge of forest, LDL.

Gray-necked Woodrail (Aramides cajanea) near entrance of Tucan trail; moving away quickly when followed. LDL (photo).

Gray-necked Woodrail (Aramides cajanea) LDL, 25 June, 2012

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) 2 edge of lagoon, Maquenque Lodge, BT (photo); 1 in swamp, SR.

Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) Maquenque Lodge, Boca Tapada, Costa Rica, 16 June, 2012

Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) 1 noted heavy bill; foraging on sandbar, BSC (photo).

Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) Boca San Carlos, Costa Rica, 10 June 2012

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) 2 edge of lagoon, Maquenque Lodge, BT.

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 10 flying around suburbs of AJ.

Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris) 2 hilly suburbs of AJ.

Short-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas nigrirostris) 1 (DC) SR.

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) 1 white wing linings visible when perched on utility wire, hilly suburbs of AJ.

Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) common along roadways through pastureland, PBT; BSC.

White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) 2 foraging for insect larvae in garden daily, LDL (photo).

White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica June 14, 2012

Sulphur-winged Parakeet (Pyrrhura hoffmanni) 10-20 (daily) vocal flocks flying around forest edge and second growth; RS.

Orange--fronted Parakeet (Aratinga finschi) 2 (DC) fly, call, SR.

Olive-throated Parakeet (Aratinga nana) 5 roadside tall second growth, LDL.

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) 12 daily in fruiting plantation trees; pairs and trios flying, calls, 0800 and 1600 hrs. LDL; 1 BSC.

Barred Parakeet (Bolborhynchus lineola) 6 fly, call, RS.

Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) 2 at feeders in Adolfo's garden, SR (photo); LDL.

Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) Santa Rita, Alajuela, Costa Rica 13 June, 2012

Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis) 11 daily at banana feeders; fledglings being fed SR, LDL (photo).

Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis) Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela, Costa Rica 26 June, 2012

White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis) 2 in tall garden trees, LDL.

Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis) 10 - 20 daily vocal flights over forest and gardens, LDL

Mealy Parrot (Amazona farinosa) 4 vocal; morning flights of pairs over forest and clearings, LDL.

Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia) 1 calls (unseen) , SR.

Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) 2 edge of swamp, SR. common on roadside fences in pastureland, PBT.

Short-tailed Nighthawk (Lurocalis semitorquatus) 2 in garden at dusk on several evenings, LDL.

Common Paraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) 2 on gravel driveway, two nights, LDL.

Gray-rumped Swift (Chaetura cinereiventris) 4 -6 flying 20 - 200 ft. over clearings and second-growth, LDL.

Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris) 4 regular visitor to hummingbird feeding station in forest; occasionally in garden, LDL (photo)

Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris) LDL, CR 11 June, 2012

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) 1 seen once visiting flowering shrubs in garden, LDL.

White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) 2 (m,f) visiting forest trail feeder, LDL; 12 (m, f) highly territorial at feeders in Adolfo's garden, SR (photo).

White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) male Santa Rita, Alajuela, CR 13 June 2012

Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) 2 visiting feeders and flowers in gardens SR; LDL.

Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) male Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 24 June, 2012

Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti) 1(m) daily visits to garden duriing third week of June, LDL (photo).

Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti) male Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 21 June, 2012

Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae) 1 (f) occasional visits to garden, LDL (photo).

Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae) female Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 23 June, 2012

Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) 2 (m,f) regular visitor to forest feeding station, LDL (photo).

Violet-crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) female LDL, CR 11 June, 2012

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) 5 daily visitor to garden, LDL;SR (photo), AJ.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) Santa Rita, Alajuela, Costa Rica, 13 June, 2012

White-throated Mountain Gem (Lampornis castaneoventris ) 1 (f) garden, RS (photo).

White-throated Mountain Gem (Lampornis castaneoventris ) female, Rio Savegre, CR 6 June 2012

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) 3 (m,f) regular visitors to the garden, RS (photo).

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) female Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris) 1 (m) seen once in garden, LDL.

Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) 1 (f) at feeder, Toucan Lodge, RS.

Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) 1 (f) in garden at Savegre Lodge, RS.

Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) 2 (m,f) RS.

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) m,f, imm -unseen in nest cavity) 2 - 4 a pair nesting, feeding young alternately in a tree cavity at the edge of a pasture, about 50 yards from the main road; female foraging in fruiting tree near the main road (photo: 7 June). Male foraging from fence in second-growth near the river (photo:6 June). The female was relatively tame and easily photographed; the male was shy and difficult to approach, RS.

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) male (l) and female (r) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 & 7 June, 2012

Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) 1(f) edge of the main (n) lagoon, LDL (photo).

Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) female Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela, Costa Rica 26 June, 2012

Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) 1(f) backwaters of the main (n) lagoon, LDL (photo)

Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) female Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 28 June, 2012

American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) 1(m) backwaters of the main (n) lagoon, LDL (photo).

American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) male Laguna Del Lagarto, , CR 26 June, 2012

White-fronted Nunbird (Monasa morphoeus) 3 perched motionless and silently on horizontal branches; two birds within 8 inches of one another about 25 ft. in subcanopy at edge of the lagoon and garden, LDL (photo).

White-fronted Nunbird (Monasa morphoeus) Laguna Del Lagarto 21 June 2012

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) 1 in subcanopy near our room at the Savegre Mt. Lodge, RS (photo).

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus) 4 daily visitors to the banana feeders at LDL (photo).

Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus) Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela, Costa Rica 28 June 2012

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) 2 flying over rainforest and clearings, calls; shy, once (June 29, PM) seen briefly outside our room (# 22) on a Cercropia tree baited days earlier with a bunch of now very ripe bananas; the bird flew off without sampling the bananas. Otherwise the KBTO was not observed closer than about 100 yards of buildings and gardens during our visit, LDL (photo).

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela, Costa Rica 29 June, 2012

Black (Chestnut)-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus) 2 usually in pairs in surrounding rainforest and sometimes in taller garden trees; rarely at banana feeders, LDL (photo).

Black (Chestnut) - mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus) Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela, Costa Rica 22 June, 2012

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorous) 10 active, vocal, often on utility poles, RS (photo).

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorous) female Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 7 June 2012

Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani) 5 regular visitor to banana feeders, LDL (photo).

Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani) females Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 28 June 2012

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1 (f) foraging on 4 inch diameter limb at edge of woodland, RS (photo).

Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) female Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) 1 (f) seen only once foraging at about 20 ft. in tall tree at edge of lagoon and garden, LDL.

Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis) 2 seen almost daily foraging 10 - 30 ft. in tall trees, primary and secondary rainforest, LDL.

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus) 1 in garden palms and other planted trees, LDL.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster) 1 edge of clearings, LDL.

Mountain Elaenia (Elaenia frantzii) 5 feeding on smal ripel fruits of a garden tree, RS (photo).

Mountain Elaenia (Elaenia frantzii) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea) 1 hawking insects on roadway near stream, RS (photo).

Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Common Tody Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) 1 frequent mid-day visitor to garden shrubs, LDL (photo).

Common Tody Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) LDL, Costa Rica 23 June 2012

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) 1 edge of forest, RS.

Dark Pewee (Contopus lugubris) canopy and subcanopy of isolated trees in a clearing, RS.

Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens) 1 understory and subcanopy of streamside forest, RS (photo).

Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Black-capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps) 1 roadside garden shrubs and trees, RS (photo).

Black-capped Flycatcher (Empidonax atriceps) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 7 June 2012

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) 1 on fence at the trout farm, RS.

Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus) 1 sally-flycatching from tall snag in weedy field, SR.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) freguent in garden trees and shrubs, LDL.

Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) regular at LDL banana feeder; ubiquitous in lowlands and mid elevation gardens, pastureland.

White-ringed Flycatcher (Conopias albovittatus) 1 active, mid-day in roadside shrub, BSC.

Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) 2 on utility lines, roadside pastures, ruderal fields, RS; ruderal fields and garden, LDL.

Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) 2 tall trees in ruderal fields and gardens, SR, LDL.

Black-crowned Tityra (Tityra inquisitor) 1 in tall tree near LTTY, SR.

Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) 1 subcanopy of garden tree, LDL.

White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei) 2 calls, snapping sounds, forest at edge of lagoon, LDL.

Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 2 moving quickly through trees in the garden, SJ.

Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys) 1 vocal, active in subcanopy of tree at edge of clearing, RS (photo).

Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) 10 RS; common in suburban areas of middle elevation and lowlands.

Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) 1 in garden palm, SJ (photo).

Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) Alajuela suburb, San Jose CR 1 July 2012

Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus) 1 song distinctly different from Northern House Wren (T. aedon); secretive, foraging on ground beneath Hibiscus in garden, LDL (photo).

Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus) Laguna Del Lagarto, CR 28 June 2012

White-breasted Wood-wren (Henicorhina leucosticta) 1 song (unseen) roadside second-growth forest, LDL.

Gray-breasted Wood-wren (H. leucophrys) 2 song (unseen) streamside second-growth forest, RS.

Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops) 1 vocal, active in streamside second-growth forest, RS.

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii) 3 foraging for invertebrates (e.g. earthworms) on roadway and drainage ditch, RS (photo).

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi) ubiquitous and common in gardens, second-growth throughout; pre-dawn song (0450 hrs.).

Mountain Thrush (T. plebejus) 1 edge of secondary forest, RS.

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus) 4 a loose flock sally-flycatching in roadside fruiting trees, RS (photo)

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys caudatus) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 5 June 2012

Collared Redstart (Myioborus torquatus) 1 subcanopy of garden trees and shrubs, RS (photo).

Collared Redstart (Myioborus torquatus) Rio Savegre, CR 7 June 2012

Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) 1 - 2 regular visitor to garden shrubs and trees, LDL.

Passerini's Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) 4 (m,f) regular visitor to banana feeder, LDL (photo).

Passerini's Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) male Laguna Del Lagarto, Alajuela Costa Rica 13 June 2012

Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) 5 RS; 5 (ad, imm) frequent at banana feeders; adult feeding young, LDL (photo).

Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) adult, immature Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 13 June 2012

Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) 4 frequent at banana feeder, LDL.

Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata) 2 occasional at banana feeder, LDL.

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) occasional at banana feeder, LDL (photo).

Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) female Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 13 June 2012

Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) 3 m,f occasional at banana feeder, LDL (photo).

Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) female Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 13 June 2012

Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) 4 m,f frequent at banana feeder, LDL (photo).

Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) female (l) male (r) Laguna Del Lagarto, CR 28 June 2012

Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) 1 Adolfo's garden, SR (photo)

Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) Santa Rita, Alajuela Costa Rica 13 June 2012

Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) 1 (m) on lawn, LDL (photo).

Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) male Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 22 June 2012

Variable Seedeater (Sporophila americana) 2 ruderal roadsides and gardens, SR, LDL.

Variable Seedeater (Sporophila americana) male Laguna Del Lagarto, Costa Rica 13 June 2012

White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola) 1 (m) seen once in subcanopy of a garden tree, LDL (photo).

White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola) male Laguna Del Lagarto, CR 28 June 2012

Thick-billed Seedfinch (Oryzoborus funereus) 1 in the garden and on the driveway LDL (photo).

Thick-billed Seedfinch (Oryzoborus funereus) male Laguna Del Lagarto, CR 10 June 2012

Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) 4 an active flock in tall grass alongside the road, RS.

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) 1 moving quickly in garden flowering shrubhs, RS.

Yellow-thighed Finch (Pselliophorus tibialis) 1 (m) in garden shrubs, RS (photo).

Yellow-thighed Finch (Pselliophorus tibialis) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 8 June 2012

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) 25 common in gardens and ruderal fields, RS (photo).

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Common Bush -Tanager (Chlorospingus opthalmicus) 4 eating Melastoma berries, RS (photo).

Common Bush -Tanager (Chlorospingus opthalmicus) Rio Savegre, Costa Rica 6 June 2012

Sooty-capped Bush - Tanager (Chlorospingus pileatus) 1 forest edge second-growth, RS.

Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) 4 common in second-growth, shrubs and garden trees, RS (photo).

Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) male Rio Savegre, CR 7 June 2012

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 3 (m) one with bright white border of red shoulder patch; ruderal roadside and utility lines, PBT

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) 10 on lawns, shorelines, in and around towns, PBT; BSC.

Nicaraguan Grackle (Quiscalus nicaraguensis) 1 roadside lawns, ruderal gardens, BSC.

Quiscalus sp. 1 (leucistic) on river shore; showing white markings on head and tail, BSC (photo).

Quiscalus sp. leucistic eastern shore of Boca San Carlos, Alajuela, CR 10 June 2012

Black-cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas) 4 (ad, imm) at banana feeder in Adolfo's Garden, SR (photo); not found at LDL.

Black-cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas) male Santa Rita, Alajuela, CR 13 June 2012

Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) 4 pairs frequent at banana feeders; courtship display by male extending upward with repeated calls to female perched on same branch, LDL

Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) 1 in Adolfo's garden, SR (photo); 1 gardens of LDL

Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) Santa Rita, Alajuela, Costa Rica 13 June 2012

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