Northern Emerald-Toucanet: Mirador y Soda Cinchona, Costa Rica, December 2023 — Some authorities have this as the Blue-throated Toucanet and rank it as a species, but the IOU has it as a sub-species of the Northern Emerald-Toucanet. It is a common bird in the foothills and up through the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Western Panama. I have seen it many times at the Soda at Cinchona, and at Miriam’s Quetzals and Batsu Gardens above the Savegre River in San Geraldo de Dota. It is one of the chief predators of many other bird species…including the Resplendent Quetzal…taking both eggs and chicks. It is also a fruit eater, and comes to bananas and plantains at feeders within its range and elevation. Through the name…toucanet…might lead you to think it might be smaller than other toucan’s, it is at least the size of an Araciri or even Keel-billed Toucan. Not a bird you are likely to overlook wherever you encounter it. OM Systems OM-1 with ED 100-400mm IS zoom at 800mm equivalent. Program mode with my custom birds and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator.