Today was the most interesting mix of habitats so far. The early morning was spent looking at Beautiful Jays on the Old Nono-Mindo road. Before leaving a small flock consisting of Three-striped Warblers, a Rusty-winged Tyrranulet, Golden-headed Quetzal, Crimson-mantled Woodpecker, and Tricolored Brush-finch crossed our path. After loading the bus, a Wedge-billed Hummingbird was spotted, but I only heard it sing from one of its singing posts off in the distance.
With good timing on the targeted jays, we made it up to the arid scurb near Calacali to look for new species in this desert habitat. Our target species, White-tailed Shrike-tyrant, was quickly located.
  White-tailed Shrike-tyrant
While proceeding down the trail, Variable Hakws circled over our head and were briefly joined by a Black-chested Buzzard-eagle. American Kestrel and Peregrine Falcons both made their presence known as they hunted doves for food. A male Golden-rumped Euphonia was seen very well as he fed a female. Spot-billed Ground-tyrant only popped up briefly after making a few chip notes. The high altitued allowed up to add Giant Hummingbird and Purple-collared Woodstar to our growing list of hummingbirds. On the way back to the lodge a stop for White-tailed Hillstar was successful as we got close looks at this new hummingbird.
Back at the lodge I grabbed some video of the showy Booted Racket-tails, aggressive Violet-ears, and the feisty woodstars one last time. This time I realized how calm and relaxed the Fawn-breasted Brilliants were. They rarely attacked other birds, and would sit on the feeder for long periods of time pondering the many thoughts of life. A quick walk around the trails alone produced Red-eyed and Brown-capped Vireos as well as Golden Tanagers and a heard Wattled Guan. An attempt at Rufous-breasted Antthrush late in the evening only gave us call notes, but we were treated with excellent views of Strong-billed Woodcreeper and Lineated Foliage-gleaner as it flew to a roost hole. |
