Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno
This is the bird species that draws more awe and interest than possibly any other species in Costa Rica. OK, Scarlet Macaw may be give it a run, but I think the Quetzal wins.
The incredibly long tail feathers of the male Resplendent Quetzal are pretty cool, and that they seem to just sit motionless make them oddly hard to find oftentimes.
The female is less colorful, but still pretty wonderful. I got these great looks at the Savegre Hotel in Quetzal Valley. It's a high elevation lodge catering to birders and nature lovers, and this pair is nesting very close to the lodge this season. These photos were taked from the entry drive to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Earlier in the day I had a great hike on the trails of the lodge, and another pretty cool species was found in the parking lot before the hike.
Spotted Wood-Quail are another species that is often heard but less often seen. That seems to be the case with many species in the primary forests above the lodge.
Some species, like this Collared Redstart, are easier to see, but no less beautuful.
Barred Becards were a nice surprise there, a species that is not often seen.
Many species are named for their primary coloration, and this Ochraceous Pewee is one of them, though until I saw it I might not have known what exactly what color "ochre" is.
Ruddy Treerunner is another of these birds named for their color, and also for their behavior. They do seem to run through the tree branches.
Even a non-birder might guess this bird if you told them to look for a Yellow-thighed Brush-Finch.
The bill of this Slaty Flower-piercer is perfectly shaped for its job of piercing the base of flowers to extract nector.
There are many species of woodcreepers, and this Spot-crowned Woodcreeper is well named.
Overall a great day of high elevation birding in the tropics.
Good birding.
