Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii wetmorei)

29 January 2009, Savegre Mountain Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica Here you can see that only the mandible is yellow and the eyering is gray not orange as it would be on the Orange-billed. When seen from above, the bill looks all dark, and there can also be confusion with the Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus gracilirostris gracilirostris) which does occur in the area, but stays up in the higher forests and does not normally venture down to the road or the grounds of the lodge. This is a Central American species which ranges from central Mexico to western Panama. Five to seven subspecies are recognized. This is the southernmost C. f. wetmorei which is said to be duller on the crown and paler on the back than other races. Here you can see a tinge of rufous on the crown. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)