Prong-billed Barbet: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025 — This pair of Prong-billed Barbets were around the feeders at Mirador y Soda Cinchona while we were having lunch. Clearly a bonded pair. In the last photo can just see the black stripe down the back that distinguishes the male. A little research this morning tells me that, while the Prong-billed Barbets forms strong monogamous bods during breeding season, they do not necessarily keep the same mate in following years. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Northern Emerald Toucanet: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025 — The Northern Emerald Toucanets were on the feeders at Cinchona when we arrived and came back again several times while we were there. They are certainly impressive birds. Not good neighbors as their diet includes the eggs and chicks of other birds, but certainly big, bold, and colorful…typical Toucans. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Black-headed Saltator: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025. The Saltators were once considered members of the Grosbeak/Finch/Cardinal family, but are now, due to advances in genetic science, known to be part of the larger Tanager family. The Saltator name, I was surprised to learn, means “dancer” and probably comes from their abrupt hopping habit as they move. There are lots of Saltators in Central and South America. The Black-headed is one of only two species in Costa Rica. I don’t think I have ever stopped in Cinchona without seeing a few. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Red-legged Honeycreeper: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025 — The Honeycreepers are actually Tanagers, and we generally see at least 2 of them on any trip to Costa Rica. This Red-legged Honeycreeper, with the obvious name, was at the cafe in Cinchona to greet us. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025 — This bright blue and black bird showed itself for a brief moment below the deck at Mirador y Soda Cinchona and this is the best shot I managed of it. Not great, I know, but it was a life bird and a life photo for me. I have seen the Blue Dacnis in Panama, but this is the Scarlet-thighed Dacnis. Neither is an uncommon bird, but the Scarlet-thighed is pretty much restricted to foothills from Costa Rica down through Columbia and into Ecuador (where I have not spent much time) and likes to remain up in the canopy (where I am not necessarily looking. 🙂 At Mirador y Soda Cinchona, we were perched on the side of the mountain, and looking down on the canopy. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.

Crimson-collared Tanager: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, San Jose, Costa Rica, March 2025 — While not as plentiful as the Scarlet-rumped Tanager, with which it shares habitat and basic coloration, the Crimson-collared Tanager is certainly just a bit more memorable. Red at both ends! We found these at Cinchona on our first bird photo stop leaving the Bougainvillea on the first day of our official trip. We had an excellent lunch while watching the feeding birds. Sony a6700. Tamron 50-400 at 600mm equivalent. Program mode with my birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.