Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

February 2013 – Central highlands of Costa Rica

The environment in this area is a cloud forest at about 9000ft elevation… perhaps 2 hours drive south of San Jose along the Pan-American highway. This bird only appeared for a few moments, but I managed a pretty clear and quick shot.

Palm Tanager

February 2013 – The Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica

Not the best picture, but… didn’t have a lot of time with this particular bird.

Blue-gray Tanager

February 2013 – The Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica

These are fairly common birds, and can be attracted to feeders… which consist of bananas or plantains split open and left for the birds to pick at.

Passerini’s Tanager

February 2013 – The Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica

The males of these birds look virtually identical to Cherrie’s Tanager. But the females of the two species look a bit different. The two species live on opposite coasts of Costa Rica.

Red-legged Honeycreeper

February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

These birds were seen regularly in the mid-canopy in the Carate Beach area. This image was taken along the trail in Corcovado National Park.

Cherrie’s Tanager

February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

These striking birds are somewhat common in the Osa Peninsula, and many other parts of western Costa Rica. These were both near the Carate Beach area.

The second image can be a bit odd to look at. This is a view of the bird’s back, and his head is turned around.

The females of this species look quite different than the males.. they’re sort of a mottled orange and brown color – still very lovely, but not quite as striking.

Cherrie’s Tanager

Common Bush-Tanager

February 2013 – Monteverde, Costa Rica

This is a fairly common bird, and I wish I had a better photo of one than this. But they’re very active, and the forest understory is pretty dark. So, this will have to do.