This Wood Thrush was a great bird to catch a glimpse of in the forest at Mistico Park, Costa Rica. It is much more common to hear the beautiful, flute-like song before getting a good look. These thrush breed across eastern North America and migrate south to Mexico and Central America for the winter. In…
The Streak-crowned Antvireo stayed low in the understory at Mistico Park, moving quietly through the dense vegetation. Its dappled wings blend remarkably well with broken light, leaves, and shadows beneath the forest canopy. Many antbirds use similar camouflage, making movement easier to notice than the birds themselves. The Fasciated Antshrike uses bold barring, while the…
This Dot-winged Antwren was working the dense understory along Pipeline Road in Gamboa, Panama, a classic location for the species. Dot-winged Antwrens often join mixed-species flocks and may take advantage of army-ant swarms moving through the forest. Rather than eating the ants, they pick off insects and other small prey disturbed by the advancing columns….
Along Pipeline Road in Gamboa, Panama, this male Fasciated Antshrike gave us a great look through the dense rainforest foliage. Its black-and-white barring and bright red eye make it look remarkably similar to a male Barred Antshrike. The Fasciated is the bigger, heavier bird, with finer barring and a noticeably larger, strongly hooked bill. (BirdForum)…
Vancouver’s north shore is one of the most rewarding mountain birding regions in British Columbia. Thanks to its coastal rainforest, mountain streams, subalpine forests and varied elevations, birders can experience a wide range of species within a short distance of Vancouver. Whether you’re visiting or local, these five Vancouver North Shore birding hotspots are worth…
This Tawny-faced Antwren kept low in the understory at Mistico Park, Costa Rica. It rarely staying still for more than a few seconds. It made quick jumps from plant to plant, constantly disappearing behind leaves before popping up somewhere nearby. The bird moved within a very loose flock of similarly active understory species like the…
This White-shouldered Tanager was part of a mixed flock moving quickly through the canopy at Mistico Park near La Fortuna, Costa Rica. From one of the hanging bridges, we watched the flock work through the branches almost at eye level. The male’s glossy black plumage and bold white shoulder patch made him easy to pick…
A Tawny-capped Euphonia was a great find while crossing one of the hanging bridges at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. It moved through the canopy as part of a mixed flock, where several species worked together searching for fruit and insects. The male Tawny-capped Euphonia stands out with its tawny-orange crown, black face, dark blue-black…
A Violet-headed Hummingbird worked the purple flowers near the entrance to Mistico Park in Costa Rica. The male’s deep violet-blue crown and throat can look almost black until sunlight catches them at the right angle. A small white spot behind the eye provides another useful field mark. This species favors humid forest edges, clearings, gardens,…
Our Costa Rica birding tour through Arenal and La Fortuna gave us plenty to watch without travelling far from our hotel. We spotted this Ruddy Ground Dove at Las Orquideas, tucked among the broad tropical leaves and bright heliconia. Ruddy Ground Doves are common throughout much of Costa Rica, especially around gardens, farmland, roadsides, and…
End of content
End of content
