Tag Archives: red

Male Red-capped Manakin

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Red-capped Manakin

Eight manakin species live in Costa Rica, but within somewhat separate and limited territories. Red-capped Manakins (Pipra mentalis) are perhaps the most common, located on much of the Caribbean slope as well as the southern Pacific region, where this one was photographed. A dimorphic species, the males have shiny black bodies, bright red hoods, and yellow thigh feathers, while the females are olive green. These little woodland birds with stout beaks are primarily frugivorous, meaning they mostly eat fruit.

All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.

Mouthless Crab

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Mouthless Crab

Mouthless Crabs (Gecarcinus quadratus) are sometimes called Jack-o-Lantern Crabs for the three orange spots that make a face-like pattern on the front of their shells. These colorful land crabs are found along the Pacific, usually at night, rummaging around in the sand and underbrush of the coastal forests. This one ventured out into the daylight to be photographed on the large root of a tree in the rainforest of Corcovado.

All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

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Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

During birding tours in Costa Rica, I have generally dismissed hummingbird identification as too difficult. They flit about very quickly, and are extremely challenging to photograph. Even when they rest on a branch for a moment, they are tiny, and their jewel-like feathers shimmer as they shift about, making coloration and markings hard to discern with confidence. I think this is probably a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilla tzacatl) based on its solid, ruddy tail and the site where these photographs were taken. Even if I’m mistaken, it’s fun to have at least a couple snapshots of a hummingbird doing what it does best: hovering with its long bill buried in bright-colored flowers, drinking nectar.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.

Red-lored Parrots

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Red-lored Parrots

Although the shadows on their faces make it difficult to see their red foreheads and light-colored upper beaks, I am fairly certain these are Red-lored Parrots (Amazona autumnalis). There is a chance, however, that they are Mealy Parrots (Amazona farinosa). Both species have wide, white orbital rings and stout, green bodies that make this parrot pair look like strange, inquisitive aliens climbing up a skinny branch.

All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.

Turkey Vulture

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Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vultures sport a red head, and have a distinct black-and-white pattern under their wings. Although Turkey Vultures are relatives of storks and ibises, they can be found all over Costa Rica, including high in the mountains. This one doesn’t seem to have a pale blue nape, suggesting that it is a migratory rather than a resident example.

A Turkey Vulture lands in a tree on the Osa Peninsula.

A Turkey Vulture lands in a tree on the Osa Peninsula.

Turkey Vultures have a highly developed sense of smell.

Turkey Vultures have a keen sense of smell and a hooked bill that help them locate and rip apart carrion.

All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.

Scarlet Macaws

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Two scarlet macaws fly overhead at the beach near Carate on the Osa Peninsula.

Two scarlet macaws fly overhead at the beach near Carate on the Osa Peninsula.

It’s been a year since I finished daily sketches, a project to draw and post a picture every day in 2011. The best part about that blog was the unexpected way that it connected me to friends and family. While I won’t have time to make a sketch every day in 2013, I think I will have a few minutes to post a photograph, video, or drawing, about the wilderness of Costa Rica. I’ve visited Costa Rica more than half a dozen times over the last decade, and I hope you will enjoy these daily glimpses into the abundant wildlife that lives there.

Scarlet Macaws, also known as Lapas Rojas or Lapas Coloradas are my favorite bird in Costa Rica. It is common to see them and hear their loud squawks in the rainforest, ranchland, and beaches of the Osa Peninsula. Like great friends and family, they stick together for life!

A pair of scarlet macaws in a tree along the road near Puerto Jimenez.

A pair of scarlet macaws in a tree along the road near Puerto Jimenez.

All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.