Today starts as a cloudy, "cool" morning (maybe low seventies) and we begin the day with coffee, coffee cake, and birds. One of the pleasures of our home is the large number of birds that we see from our deck. There are two large "Jobo" trees in our driveway positioned such that the crowns of the trees are only 3-5m (10-20ft) above our eye level but at least 20m (~65ft) above ground level. "Ground" in this case is a hill, so some of the higher branches may be several meters further from the dirt. Regardless of actual height- birds seem to enjoy the trees.

We also enjoy a fairly sweeping view out over a woodlands that turns into an estuary, where more birds feed and congregate.

As a snapshot of what is out there, I list the 12 different species we saw this morning. Most notable today was a large (longer than my forearm) Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) that we were lucky enough to watch fly up from the estuary directly towards us until it landed (amongst much distress from smaller birds) in the tree directly in front of us. It reminded me of watching a commercial jet come in for a landing with its heavy body and motionless wings as it approached. The bird itself is quite notable for two features: 1) it has a distinct "bandit's mask" coloration on the face. Think raccoon. 2) it's voice is very much like a laugh, and very loud. We have been hearing it for months but did not know what it is. Now that we know, it is even more fun.

There was actually a pair in the tree, but we were so enthralled by the first that we did not even notice the second until they flew away together (calling in duet).

H. cachinnans is primarily a snake-eater, catching venomous and non-venomous snakes, also lizards and rodents. Its talons are particularly scaly and tough-looking, I imagine that helps it avoid envenomation.

The rest of the list is as follows, with common name, then scientific in italics.

Laughing Falcon - Herpototheres cachinnans - pair
Orange Chinned Parakeets - Brotogeris jugularis - several small groups of 3-4
Great Tailed Grackles - Quiscalus mexicanus - various
Pigeon (?) flying by - probably red-billed pigeon- Columba flavirostris
Rufus Naped Wren - Campylorhinchus rufinucha - 2 groups of 2 and 3
Great Kiskadee - Pitangus sulfuratus - pair and single
Green Breasted Mango (hummingbird)- Anthrocothorax prevostii - single (hummingbird)
Hoffman's Woodpecker - Melanerpes hoffmannii - pair
Swallow (maybe a Martin) flying
Blue-Gray Tanager - Thraupis episcopus - pair
Striped-Headed Sparrow - Aimophila ruficauda - single
Orange Fronted Parakeet - Aratinga canicularis - pair

Of course, there are also squirrels, iguanas (Ctenosaurus), at least five types of butterflies (yellow, white, orange & black, green and black, small green), ants, some mosquitos, some millipedes, other ants, Melipona bees, dragonflies, and one cute mixed-breed dog. Nice little menagerie that we enjoy here!

Labels: bird, garden, house, tamarindo, weather