Sooty Thrush (Turdus nigrescens)

29 January 2009, Savegre Mountain Hotel, San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica This is another one of the thrushes in the genus Turdus that got their names changed from Robin to Thrush in the most recent supplement to the AOU checklist. It is a highland species, endemic to Costa Rica and adjacent Panama. Males have an orange bill, orbital ring and legs while these areas are yellow on females and immatures. I believe this individual is a female showing a brownish cast to the head and body. I liked the bluish shade to the iris conveying a mean expression. Without that, I think the bird might be taken for a Eurasian Blackbird (T. merula). They did not appear to be very common a Savegre and this is the only one we saw on the grounds of the lodge. Panasonic DMC-LZ5 / Nikon FieldScope 3 / 30X WA hand-held (no adapter)