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)