Sunday, March 18, 2012

Ronda – that time of year


How many times do you catch yourself saying “It’s that time of year”? Well, for me at least, it is that time of year, a time of change and hope. Nature here is shaking off the slumbers of winter and the promise of the newborn is just around the corner. Our mountains surround the town of Ronda and reflect the seasons in a way that is obvious and breathtaking. Autumn and Spring produce long and deep shadows across the rock faces and soften the drama of crags and sheer limestone cliffs, but now of course the greens of grasses and cultivated areas are now giving the impressions of velvet drapes enveloping the countryside. Yellow blooms dominate the early spring, but also blushes of pink and white cascade on light winds as almond blossom shakes free from leafy limbs, soon blues will replace the yellows and thereafter carpets of colour will adorn mountain pathways.

Our wildlife now rewards our observations with an array of pure spectacle, from the rapidly changing colours of our landscape to the cranky and amusing spring behaviour of animals indulging in their pre-nuptials. Many of our finches and buntings, after spending most of the winter months in large social and amicable flocks, are now turning on each other as they compete for the attentions of their mate and also to establish their home territories. Crazed males chase and harass encroaching potential upstarts, then retreat to a favoured song-post to advertise themselves with beautiful renditions of proclamation. Winter birds are now slowly departing and those that congregated in prime sites are dispersing, our summer residents are appearing and replacing the void left by those heading northwards. The sadness of losing wintering birds such as Chiffchaff and the amusing antics of White Wagtails is tempered by the chattering and busy swarms of Swallows as they arrive to revisit their traditional nesting sites and promise warmer weather is soon here to stay.

My forays into our surrounding mountains are now punctuated by witnessing the frenzied attack on Griffon Vultures by Bonelli’s Eagle, the pair obviously feel very protective at their nesting site and will also attack any unsuspecting migrant that chances by, such as the unprepared number of Short-toed Eagle passing ever onwards on the northern highway to far away breeding grounds. Scanning the skyline above the dramatic mountain ridges reveals large wheeling flocks of Alpine Swift and migrant Crag Martin as they feed on airborne insect swarms, helplessly taken towards these birds by the up draughts and producing a kind of self service fast food counter for these hungry migrants. Very soon now some of our summer warblers will be appearing and our river valleys will resonate with the song of the common Nightingale. Spectacularly coloured birds too will be making an appearance such as Woodchat Shrike and Bee eater, both a common breeding bird in the area. Other early arrivals are expected in the mountain areas with both the Black-eared Wheatear and Rock Thrush great favourites of mine, colourful, elegant with the Rock Thrush also adding music to an otherwise quiet landscape.

It’s that time of year, the joy of Spring!

Why not join Peter in the Serrania de Ronda, either on a full tour or a day tour?

See here for further details:

Monday, March 12, 2012

Costa Rica 2012 - Trip Report Part 3


WORLDWIDE BIRDING TOURS: Costa Rica 2012

February 2nd to 16th 2012

Bird Species Listing

Tour Leader: Peter Jones
Tour Guide: Steven Easley
Author: Peter Jones

A daily account of our tour activities appears in our previous 2 blogs, to read these please see Trip Reports 1 and 2.
The tour trip report is posted in three parts, this the final part deals with all the species we had recorded. Our tour took us to Rancho Naturalista, Savegre, La Selva, Arenal and the Pacific Coast. It was a fun packed group and all enjoyed being in a superb country seeing  a wide variety of wildlife.

TINAMOUS                                             
Great Tinamou                  Tinamus major
                                                                    
GREBES                                                 
Least Grebe                       Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe               Podilymbus podiceps
                                                                    
PELICANS                                                
Brown Pelican                    Pelecanus occidentalis
                                                                    
CORMORANTS                                       
Neotropical Cormorant       Phalacrocorax brasilianus
                                                                    
ANHINGAS                                              
Anhinga                              Anhinga anhinga
                                                                    
FRIGATEBIRDS                                      
Magnificent Frigatebird       Fregata magnificens
                                                                    
BITTERNS, HERONS, EGRETS        
Fasciated Tiger-Heron          Tigrisoma fasciatum
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron   Tigrisoma mexicanum
Black-crowned Night-Heron   Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa Violácea
Boat-billed Heron   Cochlearius cochlearius
Cattle Egret            Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron          Butorides virescens
Little Blue Heron    Egretta caerulea
Tricolored Heron    Egretta tricolor
Snowy Egret           Egretta thula
Great Egret             Ardea albus
Great Blue Heron    Ardea herodias
                                                                    
STORKS                                                   
Wood Stork            Mycteria americana
                                                                    
NEW WORLD VULTURES                    
Turkey Vulture         Cathartes aura
Black Vulture           Coragyps atratus
King Vulture             Sarcoramphus papa
                                                                    
IBIS                                                            
Green Ibis                 Mesembrinibis cayennensis
White Ibis                 Eudocimus albus
Roseate Spoonbill     Ajaia ajaja
                                                                    
DUCKS                                                     
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Muscovy Duck        Cairina moschata
Blue-winged Teal     Anas discors
Northern Shoveler    Anas clypeata
Lesser Scaup            Aythya affinis
Canvas-back Duck   Aythya valisineria 
Ring-necked Duck    Aythya collaris
                                                                    
OSPREY                                                   
Osprey                     Pandion haliaetus
                                                                    
KITES, HAWKS, EAGLES                     
Gray-headed Kite     Leptodon cayanensis
Hook-billed Kite       Chondrohierax uncinatus
Swallow-tailed Kite   Elanoides forficatus
Pearl Kite                  Gampsonyx swainsonii
White-tailed Kite       Elanus leucurus
Double-toothed Kite  Harpagus bidentatus
Plumbeous Kite          Ictinia plumbea
Crane Hawk               Geranospiza caerulescens
Sharp-shinned Hawk   Accipiter striatus
Tiny Hawk                  Accipiter superciliosus
Bicolored Hawk          Accipiter bicolor
Black-chested Hawk   Leucopternis princeps
White Hawk                Leucopternis albicollis
Gray Hawk                  Asturina nitidus
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
Mangrove Black-Hawk Buteogallus subtilis
Bay-winged Hawk       Parabuteo unicinctus
Roadside Hawk           Buteo magnirostris
Broad-winged Hawk    Buteo platypterus
Short-tailed Hawk        Buteo brachyurus
White-tailed Hawk       Buteo albicaudatus
Zone-tailed Hawk        Buteo albonotatus
Red-tailed Hawk          Buteo jamaicensis
Black Hawk-Eagle                                   
                                                                    
CARACARAS, FALCONS                    
Crested Caracara         Polyborus plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Laughing Falcon           Herpetotheres cachinnans
Merlin                          Falco columbarius
Bat Falcon                   Falco rufigularis
Peregrine Falcon          Falco peregrinus
                                                                    
CRACIDS                                                 
Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps
Crested Guan              Penelope purpurascens
Black Guan                 Chamaepetes unicolor
Great Curassow          Crax rubra
                                                                    
NEW WORLD QUAIL                             
Spotted Wood-Quail   Odontophorus guttatus
                                                                    
RAILS, GALLINULE, COOT                  
Uniform Crake             Amaurolimnas concolor
Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea
White-throated Crake  Laterallus albigularis
Gray-breasted Crake   Laterallus exilis
Common Moorhen       Gallinula chloropus
Purple Gallinule             Porphyrula martinica
American Coot             Fulica americana
                                                                    
SUNBITTERN                                          
Sunbittern                     Eurypyga helias
                                                                    
JACANAS                                                
Northern Jacana           Jacana spinosa
                                                                    
STILTS                                                       
Black-necked Stilt        Himantopus mexicanus
                                                                    
THICK-KNEES                                        
Double-striped Thick-Knee Burhinus bistriatus
                                                                    
LAPWINGS, PLOVERS                          
Southern Lapwing      Vanellus chilensis
Black-bellied Plover   Pluvialis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus
Killdeer                      Charadrius vociferus
Collared Plover          Charadrius collaris
                                                                    
SANDPIPERS                                          
Marbled Godwit         Limosa fedoa
Whimbrel                    Numenius phaeopus
Greater Yellowlegs      Tringa melanoleuca
Solitary Sandpiper       Tringa solitaria
Willet                          Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Spotted Sandpiper       Actitis macularia
Ruddy Turnstone          Arenaria interpres
Short-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus griseus
Sanderling                     Calidris alba
Least Sandpiper            Calidris minutilla
                                                                    
GULLS, TERNS                                       
Laughing Gull                Larus atricilla
Royal Tern                    Sterna maxima
Sandwich Tern              Sterna sandvicensis
                                                                    
SKIMMERS                                              
Black Skimmer              Rynchops niger
                                                                    
DOVES, PIGEONS                                  
Rock Dove                    Columba livia
Band-tailed Pigeon         Columba fasciata
Pale-vented Pigeon         Columba cayennensis
Red-billed Pigeon           Columba flavirostris
Ruddy Pigeon                 Columba subvinacea
Short-billed Pigeon         Columba nigrirostris
White-winged Dove        Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove  Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground-Dove      Columbina talpacoti
Inca Dove                       Columbina inca
Blue Ground-Dove          Claravis pretiosa
White-tipped Dove          Leptotila verreauxi
Gray-chested Dove          Leptotila cassinii
Ruddy Quail-Dove           Geotrygon montana
                                                                    
PARROTS                                                
Scarlet Macaw                 Ara macao
Great Green Macaw         Ara ambigua
Crimson-fronted Parakeet  Aratinga finschi
Olive-throated Parakeet   Aratinga nana
Orange-fronted Parakeet  Aratinga canicularis
Sulfur-winged Parakeet     Pyrrhura hoffmanni
Orange-chinned Parakeet  Brotogeris jugularis
Brown-hooded Parrot       Pionopsitta haematotis
White-crowned Parrot       Pionus senilis
White-fronted Parrot          Amazona albifrons
Red-Lored Parrot              Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-naped Parrot          Amazona auropalliata
Mealy Parrot                      Amazona farinosa
                                                                    
CUCKOOS, ANIS                                    
Squirrel Cuckoo                 Piaya cayana
Groove-billed Ani               Crotophaga sulcirostris
                                                                    
TYPICAL OWLS                                      
Spectacled Owl                  Pulsatrix perspicillata
Central American Pygmy-Owl  Glaucidium griseiceps
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl     Glaucidium brasilianum
Mottled Owl                       Ciccaba virgata
                                                                    
NIGHTHAWKS, NIGHTJARS               
Short-tailed Nighthawk       Lurocalis semitorquatus
Common Nighthawk           Chordeiles minor
Dusky Nightjar                    Caprimulgus saturatus
                                                                    
SWIFTS                                                     
Spot-fronted Swift               Cypseloides cherriei
Chestnut-collared Swift        Cypseloides rutilus
White-collared Swift            Streptoprocne zonaris
Vaux's Swift                        Chaetura vauxi
Costa Rican Swift                Chaetura spinicauda
Gray-rumped Swift              Chaetura cinereiventris
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
                                                                    
HUMMINGBIRDS                                    
Band-tailed Barbthroat        Threnetes ruckeri
Long-billed Hermit              Phaethornis superciliosus
Green Hermit                      Phaethornis guy
Stripe-throated Hermit        Phaethornis longuemareus
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Phaeochroa cuvierii
Violet Sabrewing                Campylopterus hemileucurus
White-necked Jacobin        Florisuga mellivora
Brown Violet-ear                Colibri delphinae
Green Violet-ear                 Colibri thalassinus
Green-breasted Mango       Anthracothorax prevostii
Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti
Black-crested Coquette      Lophornis helenae
Green Thorntail                   Discosura conversii
Garden Emerald                  Chlorostilbon assimilis
Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
Fiery-throated Hummingbird  Panterpe insignis
Blue-throated Goldentail     Hylocharis eliciae
Mangrove Hummingbird     Amazilia boucardi
Steely-vented Hummingbird Amazilia saucerrottei
Blue-tailed Hummingbird    Amazilia cyanura
Cinnamon Hummingbird     Amazilia rutila
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa eximia
Black-bellied Hummingbird Eupherusa nigriventris
Coppery-headed Emerald  Elvira cupreiceps
Snowcap                           Microchera albocoronata
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer   Chalybura urochrysia
Gray-tailed Mountain-gem  Lampornis castaneoventris
Green-crowned Brilliant      Heliodoxa jacula
Magnificent Hummingbird   Eugenes fulgens
Purple-crowned Fairy         Heliothryx barroti
Plain-capped Starthroat      Heliomaster constantii
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  Archilochus colubris
Scintillant Hummingbird      Selasphorus scintilla
Volcano Hummingbird        Selasphorus flammula
                                                                    
TROGONS                                                
Resplendent Quetzal           Pharomachrus mocinno
Slaty-tailed Trogon             Trogon massena
Baird's Trogon                    Trogon bairdii
Black-headed Trogon         Trogon melanocephalus
Collared Trogon                 Trogon collaris
Orange-bellied Trogon        Trogon aurantiiventris
Black-throated Trogon        Trogon rufus
Violaceous Trogon              Trogon violaceus
                                                                    
KINGFISHERS                                         
Ringed Kingfisher                Ceryle torquata
Belted Kingfisher                 Ceryle alcyon
Amazon Kingfisher              Chloroceryle amazona
Green Kingfisher                 Chloroceryle americana
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea
                                                                    
MOTMOTS                                                
Broad-billed Motmot           Electron platyrhynchum
Keel-billed Motmot             Electron carinatum
Turquoise-browed Motmot  Eumomota superciliosa
Rufous Motmot                    Baryphthengus martii
Blue-crowned Motmot         Momotus momota
                                                                    
JACAMARS                                             
Rufous-tailed Jacamar          Galbula ruficauda
                                                                    
PUFFBIRDS                                             
White-necked Puffbird         Bucco macrorhynchos
White-whiskered Puffbird     Malacoptila panamensis
                                                                    
TOUCANS                                                
Emerald Toucanet                 Aulacorhynchus prasinus
Collared Aracari                   Pteroglossus torquatus
Fiery-billed Aracari               Pteroglossus frantzii
Keel-billed Toucan                Ramphastos sulfuratus
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan   Ramphastos swainsonii
                                                                    
WOODPECKERS                                    
Acorn Woodpecker               Melanerpes formicivorus
Golden-naped Woodpecker   Melanerpes chrysauchen
Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani
Hoffmann's Woodpecker        Melanerpes hoffmannii
Red-crowned Woodpecker    Melanerpes rubricapillus
Hairy Woodpecker                 Picoides villosus
Smoky-brown Woodpecker   Veniliornis fumigatus
Golden-olive Woodpecker      Piculus rubiginosus
Rufous-winged Woodpecker   Piculus simplex
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker Celeus castaneus
Cinnamon Woodpecker           Celeus loricatus
Lineated Woodpecker             Dryocopus lineatus
Pale-billed Woodpecker          Campephilus guatemalensis
                                                                    
WOODCREEPERS                                 
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper     Dendrocincla anabatina
Olivaceous Woodcreeper      Sittasomus griseicapillus
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper  Glyphorhynchus spirurus
Northern Barred Woodcreeper  Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Cocoa Woodcreeper            Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper     Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Black-striped Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus
Spotted Woodcreeper          Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Streak-headed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis
                                                                    
FURNARIIDS                                           
Slaty Spinetail                      Synallaxis brachyura
Red-faced Spinetail              Cranioleuca erythrops
Ruddy Treerunner                Margarornis rubiginosus
Striped Woodhaunter           Hyloctistes subulatus
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner         Automolus rubiginosus
Tawny-throated Leaftosser  Sclerurus mexicanus
Scaly-throated Leaftosser    Sclerurus guatemalensis
Plain Xenops                       Xenops minutus
                                                                    
ANTBIRDS                                               
Fasciated Antshrike             Cymbilaimus lineatus
Barred Antshrike                 Thamnophilus doliatus
Black-hooded Antshrike      Thamnophilus bridgesi
Russet Antshrike                  Thamnistes anabatinus
Plain Antvireo                      Dysithamnus mentalis
Streak-crowned Antvireo     Dysithamnus striaticeps
Slaty Antwren                      Myrmotherula schisticolor
Rufous-rumped Antwren     Terenura callinota
Dot-winged Antwren           Microrhopias quixensis
Dusky Antbird                     Cercomacra tyrannina
Chestnut-backed Antbird     Myrmeciza exsul
Dull-mantled Antbird            Myrmeciza laemosticta
Immaculate Antbird              Myrmeciza immaculata
Bicolored Antbird                 Gymnopithys leucaspis
Spotted Antbird                    Hylophylax naevioides
Ocellated Antbird                  Phaenostictus mcleannani
                                                                    
ANTTHRUSH, ANTPITTAS                  
Streak-chested Antpitta         Hylopezus perspicillatus
Thicket Antpitta                     Hylopezus fulviventris
                                                                    
BECARDS, TITYRAS                             
Barred Becard                       Pachyramphus versicolor
Cinnamon Becard                  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
White-winged Becard            Pachyramphus polychopterus
Rose-throated Becard           Pachyramphus aglaiae
Masked Tityra                       Tityra semifasciata
Black-crowned Tityra            Tityra inquisitor
                                                                    
CONTINGAS                                            
Rufous Piha                           Lipaugus unirufus
Three-wattled Bellbird           Procnias tricarunculata
                                                                    
MANAKINS                                              
Red-capped Manakin           Pipra mentalis
Blue-crowned Manakin         Pipra coronata
Long-tailed Manakin             Chiroxiphia linearis
White-ruffed Manakin           Corapipo leucorrhoa
Orange-collared Manakin      Manacus aurantiacus
White-collared Manakin        Manacus candei
Thrushlike Schiffornis            Schiffornis turdinus
                                                                    
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS                     
Black Phoebe                      Sayornis nigricans
Long-tailed Tyrant               Colonia colonus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher      Tyrannus forficatus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher          Tyrannus savana
Eastern Kingbird                  Tyrannus tyrannus
Tropical Kingbird                 Tyrannus melancholicus
Piratic Flycatcher                  Legatus leucophaius
White-ringed Flycatcher        Coryphotriccus albovittatus
Boat-billed Flycatcher           Megarhynchus pitangua
Bright-rumped Attila              Attila spadiceus
Streaked Flycatcher               Myiodynastes maculatus
Golden-bellied Flycatcher       Myiodynastes hemichrysus
Gray-capped Flycatcher         Myiozetetes granadensis
Social Flycatcher                    Myiozetetes similis
Great Kiskadee                      Pitangus sulphuratus
Rufous Mourner                     Rhytipterna holerythra
Panama Flycatcher                 Myiarchus panamensis
Brown-crested Flycatcher      Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Crested Flycatcher       Myiarchus crinitus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher      Myiarchus tuberculifer
Western Wood-Pewee          Contopus sordidulus
Eastern Wood-Pewee            Contopus virens
Tropical Pewee                      Contopus cinereus
Dark Pewee                           Contopus lugubris
Tawny-chested Flycatcher      Aphanotriccus capitalis
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher       Empidonax flaviventris
Acadian Flycatcher                 Empidonax virescens
Yellowish Flycatcher               Empidonax flavescens
Black-capped Flycatcher        Empidonax atriceps
Tufted Flycatcher                    Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher          Terenotriccus erythrurus
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher     Myiobius sulphureipygius
Northern Royal Flycatcher      Onychorhynchus coronatus
Golden-crowned Spadebill     Platyrinchus coronatus
Yellow-olive Flycatcher          Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps
Common Tody-Flycatcher      Todirostrum cinereum
Northern Bentbill                    Oncostoma cinereigulare
Slate-headed Tody-Tyrant      Poecilotriccus sylvia
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant   Lophotriccus pileatus
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant  Myiornis atricapillus
Rufous-browed Tyrannulet      Phylloscartes superciliaris
Yellow Tyrannulet                   Capsiempis flaveola
Torrent Tyrannulet                   Serpophaga cinerea
Yellow-bellied Eleania             Elaenia flavogaster
Mountain Eleania                     Elaenia frantzii
Greenish Eleania                      Myipagis viridicata
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma obsoletum
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe
Mistletoe "Paltry" Tyrannulet     Zimmerius vilissimus
Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet      Tyrannulus elatus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher           Leptopogon superciliaris
Olive-striped Flycatcher            Mionectes olivaceus
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher           Mionectes oleagineus
                                                                    
SWALLOWS                                             
Gray-breasted Martin                Progne chalybea
Barn Swallow                            Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow                             Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Blue-and-white Swallow           Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Mangrove Swallow                   Tachycineta albilinea
                                                                    
JAYS                                                         
White-throated Magpie-Jay       Calocitta formosa
Brown Jay                                 Cyanocorax morio
                                                                    
DIPPERS                                                  
American Dipper                       Cinclus mexicanus
                                                                    
WRENS                                                     
Band-backed Wren                   Campylorhynchus zonatus
Rufous-naped Wren                   Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Plain Wren                                 Thryothorus modestus
Stripe-breasted Wren                 Thryothorus thoracicus
Bay Wren                                   Thryothorus nigricapillus
Riverside Wren                           Thryothorus semibadius
Black-throated Wren                  Thryothorus atrogularis
Black-bellied Wren                     Thryothorus fasciatoventris
Rufous-breasted Wren                Thryothorus rutilus
House Wren                               Troglodytes aedon
Ochraceous Wren                       Troglodytes ochraceus
White-breasted Wood-Wren       Henicorhina leucosticta
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren         Henicorhina leucophrys
Nightingale Wren                          Microcerculus philomela
Scaly-breasted Wren                    Microcerculus luscinia
Song Wren                                   Cyphorinus phaeocephalus
                                                                    
THRUSH                                                   
Clay-colored Robin                      Turdus grayi
Mountain Robin                            Turdus plebejus
Sooty Robin                                 Turdus nigrescens
Black-faced Solitaire                    Myadestes melanops
Wood Thrush                               Hylocichla mustelina
Swainson's Thrush                        Catharus ustulatus
Gray-cheeked Thrush                   Catharus minimus
Veery                                           Catharus fuscescens
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus mexicanus
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush     Catharus gracilirostris
                                                                    
GNATCATCHERS, GNATWRENS      
White-lored Gnatcatcher               Polioptila albiloris
Tropical Gnatcatcher                     Polioptila plumbea
Long-billed Gnatwren                    Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tawny-faced Gnatwren                 Microbates cinereiventris
                                                                    
SILKY-FLYCATCHERS                         
Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher          Ptilogonys caudatus
                                                                    
VIREOS                                                     
Rufous-browed Peppershrike        Cyclarhis gujanensis
Green Shrike-Vireo                       Vireolanius pulchellus
Yellow-winged Vireo                     Vireo carmioli
Yellow-throated Vireo                   Vireo flavifrons
Red-eyed Vireo                             Vireo olivaceus
Philadelphia Vireo                          Vireo philadelphicus
Warbling Vireo                              Vireo gilvus
Brown-capped Vireo                     Vireo leucophrys
Scrub Greenlet                               Hylophilus flavipes
Lesser Greenlet                              Hylophilus decurtatus
                                                                    
BANANAQUIT                                         
Bananaquit                                     Coereba flaveola
                                                                    
NEW WORLD WARBLERS                  
Black-and-white Warbler               Mniotilta varia
Prothonotary Warbler                     Protonotaria citrea
Golden-winged Warbler                 Vermivora chrysoptera
Tennessee Warbler                         Vermivora peregrina
Nashville Warbler                           Vermivora ruficapilla
Flame-throated Warbler                  Parula gutturalis
Northern Parula                               Parula americana
Tropical Parula                                Parula pitiayumi
Yellow Warbler                               Dendroica petechia
 "Mangrove" Warbler                       Dendroica p. erithachorides
Cape May Warbler                          Dendroica tigrina
Yellow-rumped Warbler                   Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Green Warbler          Dendroica virens
Hermit Warbler                                 Dendroica occidentalis
Cerulean Warbler                              Dendroica cerulea
Blackburnian Warbler                        Dendroica fusca
Yellow-throated Warbler                   Dendroica dominica
Chestnut-sided Warbler                     Dendroica pensylvanica
Bay-breasted Warbler                       Dendroica castanea
Blackpoll Warbler                             Dendroica striata
Northern Waterthrush                        Seiurus noveboracensis
Louisiana Waterthrush                        Seiurus motacilla
Kentucky Warbler                             Oporornis formosus
Mourning Warbler                             Oporornis philadelphia
MacGillivray's Warbler                      Oporornis tolmiei
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat              Geothlypis semiflava
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat              Geothlypis poliocephala
Yellow-breasted Chat                       Icteria virens
Wilson's Warbler                              Wilsonia pusilla
Collared Redstart                              Myioborus torquatus
Golden-crowned Warbler                 Basileuterus culicivorus
Black-cheeked Warbler                    Basileuterus melanogenys
Rufous-capped Warbler                    Basileuterus rufifrons
Buff-rumped Warbler                        Phaeothlypis fulvicauda
                                                                    
ICTERIDS                                                 
Chestnut-headed Oropendola            Psarocolius wagleri
Montezuma Oropendola                    Psarocolius montezuma
Scarlet-rumped Cacique                    Cacicus uropygialis
Yellow-billed Cacique                       Amblycercus holosericeus
Giant Cowbird                                  Scaphidura oryzivora
Bronzed Cowbird                             Molothrus aeneus
Melodious Blackbird                         Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle                          Quiscalus mexicanus
Black-cowled Oriole                         Icterus dominicensis
Baltimore Oriole                                Icterus galbula
Red-winged Blackbird                       Agelaius phoeniceus
                                                                    
EUPHONIAS, TANAGERS                  
Golden-browed Chlorophonia           Chlorophonia callophrys
Elegant Euphonia                               Euphonia elegantissima
Tawny-capped Euphonia                   Euphonia anneae
Scrub Euphonia                                 Euphonia affinis
Yellow-crowned Euphonia                Euphonia luteicapilla
Thick-billed Euphonia                        Euphonia laniirostris
Yellow-throated Euphonia                 Euphonia hirundinacea
Olive-backed Euphonia                     Euphonia gouldi
Emerald Tanager                               Tangara florida
Speckled Tanager                             Tangara guttata
Silver-throated Tanager                     Tangara icterocephala
Golden-hooded Tanager                   Tangara larvata
Plain-colored Tanager                       Tangara inornata
Bay-headed Tanager                         Tangara gyrola
Green Honeycreeper                         Chlorophanes spiza
Red-legged Honeycreeper                 Cyanerpes cyaneus
Shining Honeycreeper                        Cyanerpes lucidus
Blue Dacnis                                       Dacnis cayana
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis                       Dacnis venusta
Blue-gray Tanager                             Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager                                    Thraupis palmarum
Passerini's Tanager                            Ramphocelus passerinii
Crimson-collared Tanager                 Phlogothraupis sanguinolenta
Summer Tanager                               Piranga rubra
Hepatic Tanager                                Piranga flava
Scarlet Tanager                                 Piranga olivacea
Flame-colored Tanager                     Piranga bidentata
Olive Tanager                                   Chlorothraupis carmioli
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager               Habia rubica
Red-throated Ant-Tanager                Habia fuscicauda
White-throated Shrike-Tanager         Lanio leucothorax
White-lined Tanager                          Tachyphonus rufus
White-shouldered Tanager                 Tachyphonus luctuosus
Tawny-crested Tanager                     Tachyphonus delattrii
Gray-headed Tanager                        Eucometis penicillata
Dusky-faced Tanager                        Mitrospingus cassinii
Black-and-yellow Tanager                 Chrysothlypis chrysomelas
Common Bush-Tanager                     Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager             Chlorospingus pileatus
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager             Chlorospingus canigularis
                                                                    
EMBERIZIDS                                           
Black-headed Saltator                       Saltator atriceps
Buff-throated Saltator                        Saltator maximus
Grayish Saltator                                 Saltator coerulescens
Black-faced Grosbeak                       Caryothraustes poliogaster
Slate-colored Grosbeak                     Pitylus grossus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak                   Pheucticus ludovicianus
Blue-black Grosbeak                         Cyanocompsa cyanoides
Indigo Bunting                                    Passerina cyanea
Yellow-faced Grassquit                      Tiaris olivacea
Variable Seedeater                             Sporophila aurita
Nicaraguan Seed-Finch                       Oryzoborus nuttingi
Thick-billed Seed-Finch                      Oryzoborus funereus
Blue-black Grassquit                           Volatinia jacarina
Slaty Flowerpiercer                             Diglossa plumbea
Large-footed Finch                              Pezopetes capitalis
Yellow-thighed Finch                           Pselliophorus tibialis
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch              Buarremon brunneinucha
Orange-billed Sparrow                        Arremon aurantiirostris
Black-striped Sparrow                        Arremonops conirostris
Stripe-headed Sparrow                       Aimophila ruficauda
Volcano Junco                                    Junco vulcani
Rufous-collared Sparrow                    Zonotrichia capensis
                                                                    
GOLDFINCHES, SISKINS                     
Yellow-bellied Siskin                          Carduelis xanthogastra
                                                                    
OLD WORLD SPARROWS                   
House Sparrow                                  Passer domesticus
                                                                    
ADDITIONAL SPECIES:                        

  Shiny Cowbird                                   Molothrus bonariensis



Phew, that will teach us to find so many birds on a tour, I never thought I would finish this blog trip report on the 2012 tour to Costa Rica! I hope you enjoyed reading through the 3 part series, if you got this far I thank you for your indulgence. Peter

For details on next year's tour which will certainly take place in February 2013, please keep an eye on our full tour listing and itinerary - see here