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See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
Bare-throated Tiger-Herons gave us several nice views in the Cuero y Salado area. (Photo by participant Michelle Wiznitzer)
The Lodge at Pico Bonito was a wonderful location to enjoy some great birds over New Year's. This area is known for its access to some very special birds along with good tropical birding in general. We saw very well the three biggest specialties of the area, the electric blue Lovely Cotinga, the very local Motmot, and the even more local Honduran Emerald. In fact, we saw our first Lovely Cotinga from the veranda of the restaurant on our first afternoon, after we had done a boat trip on the Cuero y Salado estuary in the morning. On the morning trip we had wonderful views of several Bare-throated Tiger Herons, close looks at Boat-billed Herons, and a pair of Bat Falcon among kingfishers, Collared Aracaris, and woodpeckers.
The next day found us heading to the Aguan Valley not far over the mountains from the Lodge. It was an early departure to drive around those mountains and into their rain shadow, where the native habitat is a strange assemblage of cacti and euphorbias. We had to work to get good views of our first Honduran Emerald, but then, like the pickles, we saw several more. That evening, New Year's Eve, we were entertained and participated in a celebration (fortunately early in the evening) with some local Garifuna dancers.
One of the early birds for 2014 was a Great Potoo that we saw daily on a perch on the grounds of the Lodge. We walked the Lodge's forest trails that morning and ended up with a several-minute scope view of a perched Keel-billed Motmot. A few mixed-species flocks kept us busy until we reached a forest tower, where we spotted Collared and Gartered trogons, a brilliant Red-capped Manakin, a surprise Emerald Toucanet, and a gorgeous White Hawk soaring above us. That afternoon we drove to a nearby reserve where there was an amazing hummingbird show with eleven species and hundreds of individuals in a non-stop feeding frenzy.
Our final full birding day took us to the Lancetilla Reserve, where we birded the entrance road for a chunk of the morning and encountered Short-tailed Hawk, Blue Ground-Dove, Black-headed Trogon, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Pale-billed Woodpecker, and many wintering migrants from North America. German found us a pair of Vermiculated Screech-Owls on a day perch when we got back to Lodge.
This was a great way to spend the holiday, and we were looked after well by the staff at the Lodge. I wish you the best in all your future travels and look forward to our next time together.
--John
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
PLAIN CHACHALACA (Ortalis vetula)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum)
This Band-tailed Barbthroat, a species not typically attracted to sugar water, was one of many hummers visiting the feeders at Rio Santiago. (Photo by participant Michelle Wiznitzer)
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias) GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
GREEN HERON (Butorides virescens)
YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa violacea)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
COMMON BLACK-HAWK (Buteogallus anthracinus)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
WHITE HAWK (WHITE-SHOULDERED) (Pseudastur albicollis costaricensis)
GRAY HAWK (Buteo plagiatus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata)
We saw Blue-crowned Motmots a couple of times, and we also heard their distinctive calls frequently around the lodge. (Photo by participant Michell Wiznitzer)
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND-DOVE (Claravis pretiosa)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
Strigidae (Owls)
VERMICULATED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops guatemalae)
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
VAUX'S SWIFT (Chaetura vauxi)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT (Threnetes ruckeri)
LONG-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis longirostris)
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae)
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
We saw the striking Chestnut-colored Woodpecker several times near the lodge, and this individual even came in to the fruit feeder. (Photo by participant Michelle Wiznitzer)
SCALY-BREASTED HUMMINGBIRD (Phaeochroa cuvierii) VIOLET SABREWING (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (NORTHERN VIOLET-CROWNED) (Thalurania colombica townsendi)
STRIPE-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupherusa eximia)
WHITE-BELLIED EMERALD (Amazilia candida)
HONDURAN EMERALD (Amazilia luciae) [E]
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
CINNAMON HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia rutila)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
SLATY-TAILED TROGON (Trogon massena)
BLACK-HEADED TROGON (Trogon melanocephalus)
GARTERED TROGON (Trogon caligatus)
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)
Momotidae (Motmots)
BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT (LESSON'S) (Momotus coeruliceps lessonii)
KEEL-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron carinatum)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
EMERALD TOUCANET (EMERALD) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus virescens)
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Picumnus olivaceus) [*]
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)
GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER (EAST MEXICO) (Melanerpes aurifrons santacruzi)
SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER (Picoides fumigatus)
CHESTNUT-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus castaneus)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
PALE-BILLED WOODPECKER (Campephilus guatemalensis)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
The beautiful grounds of the Lodge at Pico Bonito provided wonderful opportunities to watch hummingbirds, toucans, and trogons. (Photo by participant Michelle Wiznitzer)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
OLIVE-THROATED PARAKEET (Aratinga nana)
BROWN-HOODED PARROT (Pyrilia haematotis)
WHITE-CROWNED PARROT (Pionus senilis)
WHITE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona albifrons)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra tyrannina)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
IVORY-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster) [*]
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Ornithion semiflavum)
NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
PALTRY TYRANNULET (Zimmerius vilissimus) [*]
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax flaviventris)
LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus) [*]
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
We heard or saw Squirrel Cuckoos on a daily basis at virtually all the sites we visited. (Photo by Michelle Wiznitzer)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua) SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
LOVELY COTINGA (Cotinga amabilis)
Pipridae (Manakins)
RED-CAPPED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra mentalis)
WHITE-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus candei)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons)
PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Vireo philadelphicus)
LESSER GREENLET (Hylophilus decurtatus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BROWN JAY (Psilorhinus morio)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
MANGROVE SWALLOW (Tachycineta albilinea)
BARN SWALLOW (AMERICAN) (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon musculus)
SPOT-BREASTED WREN (Pheugopedius maculipectus)
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
WHITE-LORED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila albiloris)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
OVENBIRD (Seiurus aurocapilla)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
BLUE-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora cyanoptera)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)
KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa)
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)
HOODED WARBLER (Setophaga citrina)
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla)
NORTHERN PARULA (Setophaga americana)
MAGNOLIA WARBLER (Setophaga magnolia)
YELLOW WARBLER (NORTHERN) (Setophaga petechia aestiva)
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica)
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
PASSERINI'S TANAGER (Ramphocelus passerinii)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
YELLOW-WINGED TANAGER (Thraupis abbas)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (Sporophila corvina)
WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila torqueola)
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Oryzoborus funereus)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris) [*]
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
RED-CROWNED ANT-TANAGER (Habia rubica)
BLACK-FACED GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes poliogaster)
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
INDIGO BUNTING (Passerina cyanea)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
MELODIOUS BLACKBIRD (Dives dives)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
SPOT-BREASTED ORIOLE (Icterus pectoralis)
ALTAMIRA ORIOLE (Icterus gularis)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)
MONTEZUMA OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius montezuma)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
SCRUB EUPHONIA (Euphonia affinis)
YELLOW-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia hirundinacea)
OLIVE-BACKED EUPHONIA (Euphonia gouldi)
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso)
MANTLED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta palliata) [*]
BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)
VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
WHITE-NOSED COATI (Nasua narica)
Totals for the tour: 185 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa