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:

Day Tours

Full Tours

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