The Scarlet-rumped Tanager was a surprise on the tour out back of Don Juan Coffee in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. We watched this striking bird perch on the Nodding Bur Marigold. You can see him showing off with its bright red rump contrasting with its otherwise black plumage. Tanagers are one of the most diverse…
This Long-tailed Tyrant sat still for our tour while perched on a post at Mistico Park near La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Its black plumage, white crown, and exceptionally long tail made it easy to identify. Long-tailed Tyrants range from southern Mexico through Central America and much of tropical South America. Interestingly, the amount of white…
We spotted this Crowned Woodnymph among the purple flowers in the gardens just outside Mistico Park’s entrance in Costa Rica. Mistico Park reports 33 hummingbird species, with its gardens providing a good place to watch them. The flowers provided nectar, while small insects supplied another part of its diet. Crowned Woodnymphs range from Belize and…
Sometimes the best birds are the ones that sit still long enough to give us a proper look. This Rufous Motmot at Mistico Park in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, was one of those birds. Its rich cinnamon plumage, black facial mask, green wings, and long racket-tipped tail made identification easy. Rufous Motmots prefer the shaded…
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…
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