Birdwatching at Altos del María once more, Pt. 1

We were again invited by Alfred Raab to birdwatch in Altos del María. Unfortunately, this time, the day was foggy and with scattered showers.

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)

Bicolored Antbird (Gymnopithys bicolor)

Bicolored Antbird (Gymnopithys bicolor)

We found a swarm of army ants and we were able to observe some ant followers like Bicolored Antbird, Plan Brown Woodcreeper and Ruddy Woodcreeper.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)

Despite that this species is frequently observed foraging around army ants, it is not an obligate follower of their swarms, as these woodcreepers are also seen feeding alone, with other mixed-species flocks, and in association with troops of monkeys.

Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa)

Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa)

Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa) is a secretive denizen of foothill forests, ranging from Mexico south to Panama, and into South America in the northern areas of Colombia and Venezuela. It's rufous-brown throughout its plumage expect for grayish lores, and shows a short, stout, fairly straight bill for a woodcreeper. The species is highly dependent on army ant swarms for food, and so is typically encountered within mobile, mixed flocks when observed.

White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)

Bromelia (Bromeliaceae)

Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) - female

Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) - male

Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) - male

Hepatic Tanager's (Piranga flava) male is brick red to red-orange. Bill dark, blackish on upper mandible, light gray on lower. The Hepatic Tanager may include three different species: the Hepatic Tanager, found from the United States southward to Nicaragua; the Tooth-billed Tanager, found from Costa Rica to northern South America; and the Red Tanager of eastern and southeastern South America. The two southern forms lack the dusky ear coverts of the northern form. In Panama, this species is fairly common in foothills from 600 to 1,350 m (2,000 to 4,500 ft). Found in upper levels of forest and adjacent clearings with trees. Usually alone or in pairs.

Pale-vented Thrush (Turdus obsoletus)

Ranging from Costa Rica south to western Ecuador, the Pale-vented Thrush (Turdus obsoletus) is a rather dull and uniformly colored bird. This species is dark rufous-brown above but rather paler below, with an obviously white vent, and a dark-streaked whitish chin and throat. It is found in most strata, except the canopy, of humid forest at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,900 m (1,650 to 6,200 ft) but is most frequently encountered at edges and around clearings. It's an omnivore, taking both insects and fruit, and although mainly arboreal it will descend to the ground to feed, and will form small single-species groups, as well as joining mixed-species foraging flocks. In Panama it’s uncommon in foothills and lower highlands.