Tanagers, Grosbeaks, Buntings, Allies

Photographed during our afternoon walk near to Esquinas Lodge. Heavy cropped unfortunately...

We saw these in several locations during the trip. This one was photographed during an evening walk in the grounds of our hotel in La Fortuna

The Cherrie's Tanager is found on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. The nearly identical Passerini's Tanager is found on the Caribbean side of the country and there is no geographic overlap. Some authorities on the other hand lump the two together under the name Scarlet-rumped Tanager.

These Cherrie's were all photographed near to the Esquinas Lodge.

The first image is a male and second a pair exhibiting mating behaviours.

The third image, David wasn't quite sure if the bird was admiring itself in the mirror on our tour-bus or checking out what it thought was a potential rival.

This pair, male and female respectively were photographed by David on the bird table at La Fortuna. See above for comment with respect to the practically identical Cherrie's Tanager. Note - Whilst the males are similar to Cherrie's, the female Passerini's lacks the striking orange breast plumage.

This one was photographed in the trees at the side of the road near to Savegre. This bird used to referred to as the Strip-backed Tanager

Another visitor to the bird tables at the hotel in La Fortuna.

This colourful bird was seen in Savegre during a very wet afternoon walk along the road. This example was phtographed near one of the feeder stations at the hotel.

This was photographed during our transition between Monteverde and Manuel Antonio near Restauranti Monteverde San Marcos.

Both seen at Savegre. The first image is of male spotted during our evening walk. The second is a female seen on the hotel garden.

The third image is of another male photographed in the hotel garden. Not the best quality as it's a big crop to show the bill specialisation of this interesting bird, which is adapted to slice into the back of flowers to access the nector.

Seen on the feeding table at La Fortuna.

Photographed in La Fortuna during our morning bird walk.

Photographed on one of the bird tables at La Fortuna.

The male shown in the first image was photographed on the bird table at La Fortuna and the much less colourful female at Monteverde.

Photographed near Esquinas Lodge

Photographed in the rain at Monteverde.