Green-breasted Mango
The Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) is the most common resident hummingbird species Sean encounters at Finca Pura Vida in Costa Rica. It’s an especially interesting resident because it has a slower molt than most hummingbirds, leading to a mosaic of patterns of juvenile individuals. They often appear to be stuck in between certain plumage ages. This bird is the adult male with gorgeous rich purple and blue gorget on display. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica while on assignment for the...
Read MoreImmature White-crowned Sparrow
This immature White-crowned Sparrow is one of many that I have seen this fall in what I feel like has been a strong season for the species. While I have only spotted a few adults, the number of young birds that I recorded thus far has been impressive, but that is not exactly a statistically significant determination! What is your general impression for them this year? Is there a species you feel has been especially abundant? Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreLong-tailed Manakin Aging
Sean was at the end of his trip in Costa Rica and wanted to do a series of the maturation of the Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis) as they take over four years to reach full mature plumage. The full set will have to wait until next year when he captures more stages of the age maturation, but until then we can enjoy this second year male. It has a red cap, black face mask, and long tail feathers. It will soon get more of its adult body plumage, including the blue back patch. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa...
Read MoreGreen-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula)
Here is the Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula), a large hummingbird commonly found at higher elevations in Costa Rica. It can be seen on edge clearings and in the forest, protecting certain feeding plants. This is an adult male, as juveniles usually have a mix of green and white plumage with a orange gorget. It turns purple as it ages, and as you can see by the full purple gorget this is indeed an adult male. 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...
Read MoreRed-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)
Here we have the vibrant male and subtle female Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus). You can see the contrast in plumage between the breeding male and green female, and non-breeding and juvenile males also have green plumage. It is a common species in mixed feeding flocks on forest edges. 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.
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