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in 2013. With its contrasting white X shape on its face and large yellow eyes, this one of the
more stunning looking owls in Costa Rica.
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) Not all wildlife that are see are on survey. There are
many animals that just turn up on base for a quick visit or hang around and spend their days in
the trees and surrounding vegetation. There is one particular fruit tree on base that acquires a
large range of
birds from the
Blue-Gray
Tanagers to the
Collared
Aracari. With its
glossy bluishgreen body and
darker
halfhood
and
yellow bill the
Green
Honeycreeper
was a rare sight
in this tree. Last
seen in the area
in 2014, it was a
great treat to
witness
this
bird so close
and even lucky
enough to get a quick picture.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) With ducks being so abundant in most
parts of the world, they could be taken for granted. Seeing ducks on a regular basis can take
away from the quiet elegancy they have when floating along the water. Ducks are rarely seen
on our canals so when one is seen, it can be a rather exciting experience. The Black-bellied
Whistling-Duck was seen by one of our volunteers on one of our canals and although a fairly
common bird, this was last seen around the canals of Jalova in 2012.
White-vented Euphonia (Euphonia minuta) Most birds in the Fringillidae family, which the
White-vented Euphona belongs to, are similar looking birds. 6 of the 12 birds have blue
upperparts and yellow underparts. The way to distinguish these birds is to look at the amount
of blue on the neck and how much yellow is on the top of the head. Being only 1 of 3 Euphonias
we get in the Tortuguero area and being the only bird to have a white vent, this species of
Euphonia was easy to identify. Although easy to identify, this bird was newly added to our
species list this year. Having never been seen in the area before, its great to know these birds
are around.
Ruddy Quail-Dove (Geotrygon montana) Another bird that has not been seen at Jalova before
was that Ruddy Quail-Dove. Added to the species list this year, the distinct looking bird, with its
brown moustachial stripe, was seen foraging the ground on one of our forest trails. Being one
of the extravagant birds in the Pigeon and Dove family, its always nice for volunteers and staff
to witness a bird completely different from the normal species we see daily.
Tawny-chested Flycatcher (Aphanotriccus capitalis) In the New World there are around 400
species in the Flycatcher family and 82 of these are in Costa Rica. Being small and jumping
around inside foliage, usually high in the canopy, these birds are harder to identify than most.
One of the flycatchers to be identified in Jalova was the Tawny-chested Flycatcher. Being harder
to spot and ID in the field, it could be said this bird was one of the better birds to be added to
the species list year. This Flycather was is also listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN endangered
species list.
James Ratcliff
Sea Turtle Project Leader