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.