Yellow-rumped Warbler - Dendroica coronata

The stout bill of the Yellow-rumped warbler is adapted for eating both insects and berries. The ability to use fruit as a food source allows the Yellow-rumped Warbler to winter further north than those warblers dependent only on insects.

References.
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.

2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Yellow Warbler Nest - Dendroica petechia

The Yellow Warbler chooses a nest site in shrubby growth close to swamps or watercourses. This nest was built on a bank about 3 meters above the water and about 1.5 meters inland.

The female chooses an upright twig fork of a shrub or tree, between 2 and 12 feet off the ground. This nest is in a dogwood shrub and is 28 inches above the ground.

My Peterson Field Guide on nests reports the typical dimensions of a Yellow Warbler nest. The inside diameter is 1.75 to 2.0 inches, outside diameter 2.25 to 3 inches, depth 1.25 to 1.5 inches, and height 2 to 5 inches. The measurements of this nest correspond nicely.

The female builds the nest in four days. The neat and compact cup is fashioned from dry weed-stem fibers, fine grass stems, wool, and plant down. The nest is lined with fine plant fibers, cotton, plant down and sometimes feathers.

References
1. Baicich PJ, Harrison CJO. Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds. Princeton Field Guides. Princeton UP. 1997.

2. Harrison HH. Bird's Nests. Peterson Field Guides. Houghton Mifflin Company. Boston. 1975.

3. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.

4. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Green Heron - Butorides virescens

Green Herons are found in almost any wetland habit, fresh or salty. Green Herons have learned to use bait to attract prey. These birds place insects, flowers, seeds, twigs, bread, and feathers to attract small fish. 

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.
3. Van Perlo, B. Birds of Mexico and Central America. Princeton UP. 2006.

White-fronted Parrot - Amazona ablifrons

These are the most prevalent parrot in the area around Gigante. They constantly squawk as they fly just above the forest canopy.

These parrots are common in the Yucatan and along the Pacific south from Mexico to the northern coast of Costa Rica.

White-fronted Parrots fly in pairs or groups of up to 30 individuals. The sometimes roost in populations of up to 1000 birds. 

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.
3. Van Perlo, B. Birds of Mexico and Central America. Princeton UP. 2006.

Greater Yellowlegs - Tringa melanoleuca

The Greater Yellowlegs is a frequent shorebird in Nicaragua during the Northern winter. The bird favours fresh or salt water habitat. This bird was patrolling the surf on the Pacific Ocean.
References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Ringed Kingfisher - Ceryle torquata

There are five kingfishers along the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. The Ringed Kingfisher is a frequent resident species and the largest. 

The Green Kingfisher is a common resident and the American Pigmy Kingfisher is a frequent resident. The Amazon Kingfisher is an uncommon resident. The Belted Kingfisher, which is the only species in Alberta, is a migrant during the northern winter.

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.
3. Van Perlo, B. Birds of Mexico and Central America. Princeton UP. 2006.

Hoffmann's Woodpecker - Melanerpes hoffmannii

Named after Karl Hoffmann, this is the most common woodpecker on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. The Golden-fronted Woodpecker ranges further north and when the species interbreed, the plumage is intermediate. The tinge or red in the neck feathers might be a clue that this woodpecker is a hybrid.

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.
3. Van Perlo, B. Birds of Mexico and Central America. Princeton UP. 2006.

Orange-fronted Parakeet - Eupsittula canicularis

The Orange-fronted Parakeet is common in the lowlands and up to about 1,500 feet along the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Costa Rica.

Enjoying some tasty flowers!

These two young Orange-fronted Parakeets were patiently perched in the Granada market. With clipped wings, they will become a pet for someone.

References
Van Perlo, B. Birds of Mexico and Central America. Princeton UP. 2006.

Montezuma Oropendala

The oropendala is one of my favourite birds in Nicaragua. The first time I saw this bird, which was when this photo was taken, I was by a stream, and chunks of bark started to fall down all around me. I looked up and saw the bird tearing off the bark to access the insects underneath. Wow!

I was advised this is an oropendala nest, and the image fits, but I never saw an oropendala in the six weeks I've spent in this area. 

The oropendala in flight.

Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea

Little Blue Herons are white during the first year of life, and can be difficult to distinguish from Snowy Egrets. This mature heron was easy to identify. 

This Little Blue Heron was fishing along the river in Gigante that drains into the Pacific. I watched as the heron stalked, snatched, and swallowed this fresh water fish.

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Squirrel Cuckoo

The Squirrel Cuckoo is common in Nicaragua and feeds on cicadas, wasps, and caterpillars, and occasionally on spiders and small lizards. 

The birds sometimes hop from branch to branch in the manner of a squirrel, which accounts for the name. 

Brown Pelican - Pelecanus occidentalis

The Brown Pelican forages by plunge-diving from heights up to 20 meters. The pelican first brings its legs against the body and retracts its head, then slowly extends the neck and angles the wings backward. The head remains stable so the bird can sight prey along the length of the bill. Once in the water the pelican draws back the wings and opens the bill, centering the prey between the jaws. The bill is capable of holding about 8 kg of fish!

I took about a hundred photos to obtain this solitary image of the plunge-dive in the last second before entry into the water. Roberto, the local owner of an internet cafe, is on a paddleboard a few meters away.

Flying in formation, checking for fish in the swells. 

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula

The Snowy Egret wades in shallow water hoping to flush out fish or other aquatic food. Sometimes these birds stir the water with their yellow feet, either to attract or to frighten nearby fish into moving.

Snowy Egrets also forage from the air. They might fly low over the water and dip their bill beneath the surface, dive from a perch, or catch flies in the air.

The dull yellow lores turn cherry red during mating season. During courtship, these birds display spectacular head, neck, and scapular plumes or aigrettes. 

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behaviour. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Willet - Catoptrophorus semipalmatus

Willets forage in fresh and salt water habitats. These birds favor the bottom dwelling invertebrates that live in muddy intertidal estuaries and bays. 
References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus

Crabs are plentiful and enjoyed by a variety of birds including this Whimbrel. 

The decurved bill is used to remove long, soft-bodied prey from mudflats. 

References
1. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Birds. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2000.
2. Sibley DA. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior. Alfred A. Knopf New York. 2001.

Turquoise-browed Motmot - Eumomota supercilosa

This motmot is the national bird of Nicaragua. The local name is Guardabarranco, which means guardian of the ravine.