This is the Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops), a species more often heard than seen. It has a beautiful song, so nice in fact it is in danger from the pet trade. This was actually a surprise find one morning because we were at a site lower in elevation that they’re normally found. These birds are endemic the the highland forests of Costa Rica and Panama preferring elevations of over 750 meters to reside in. When not out singing, it’s a species that can be found skulking around, feeding on berries in lower vegetation. Most likely the reason it being found at a lower elevation, was some sort of migration to utilize fruiting trees at lower elevations. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica, while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
