White-lined Tanager (Tachyphonus rufus)

23 January 2009, Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica This is an essentially South American species which reaches the northern limit of its range in Costa Rica. The scientific name, T. rufus, must have been based on a female which is all rufous-brown in color. The males usually appear all black with white concealed under the wings, but flashing boldly in flight. The pale bluish base to the swollen bill with a dark tip helps identify them when the white does not show. This is a species of scrub habitat which has expanded its range in Costa Rica due to deforestation. It usually forages close to the ground. Notice the band on the bird's right leg. According to Kathy Erb, the owner of the lodge, this was part of a banding project done by the Nature Conservancy. Does anybody know more about this banding project? What were the research goals? Was anything ever published? Panasonic Lumix LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)