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DIPPERS (CINCLIDAE; 1 SPECIES) Small family of plump, heavy-bodied, aquatic

songbirds found in Eurasia and the Americas. Ages differ slightly, sexes similar; like adult in

1st year.

AMERICAN DIPPER  Cinclus mexicanus 15–17cm. Distinctive plump gray bird

of clear running water in foothills and mountains, typically with rocky and stony

banks, from larger rivers to small streams in cloud forest. Never far from water:

singles and pairs forage in and beside rushing water, at times fully submerging;

often perches on rocks in streams, when bobs almost constantly. Flight fast and

direct, typically low over water. Juv. has pinkish bill, paler underparts, like adult by

late fall. SOUNDS: Rasping to shrill, slightly metallic calls carry over the sound of

rushing water, zzeip and zrreip; also longer ringing series, zzi-zi zi-zi-zit, etc. Song

an often prolonged series of rich to metallic chips, warbles, buzzes, and trills with

repetition suggesting a mockingbird. STATUS: Fairly common but local on Caribbean slope, mainly 700–

2500m; on Pacific slope n. to Central Mts., where mainly above 1700m. (N America to Panama, Venezuela.)

WAXWINGS (BOMBYCILLIDAE; 1 SPECIES) Small Northern Hemisphere family

of elegant, rather plump, crested birds. Ages differ, like adult in 1st year; sexes differ slightly.

CEDAR WAXWING  Bombycilla cedrorum 16–17cm. Distinctive winter migrant

found in varied semi-open and wooded habitats, mainly in highlands. Usually in

flocks of 5–25 birds, occasionally singles; often perches high on prominent

branches. Flocks fly with slightly undulating motion, often wheel and circle

before alighting in fruiting trees. No similar species in Costa Rica. Male has

bolder black throat patch than female, broader yellow tail tips. Juv. has blurry

dark streaking on underparts; resembles adult by mid-winter. SOUNDS: High,

thin, sibilant whistled sssir, perched and in flight. STATUS: Irregular, rare to

uncommon Jan–Apr, sometimes from Dec and into May; mainly 500–2000m,

but could occur anywhere. (Breeds N America, winters irregularly s. to Panama.)

SILKIES (PTILIOGONATIDAE; 2 SPECIES) Small Middle American family of

elegant and typically crested fruit-eating birds with notably sleek plumage. Ages/sexes differ,

like adult in 1st year.

LONG-TAILED SILKY (SILKY-FLYCATCHER)  Ptiliogonys caudatus 20.5–

24.5cm, male>female. Handsome and distinctive bird of highlands; no similar

species in Costa Rica. Typically in roving groups in forest canopy and edge, also

at fruiting shrubs in adjacent clearings and second growth; frequently near

mistletoe. Often perches conspicuously in tall trees, and sometimes sallies for

insects; flight high and slightly bounding, with long sailing glides; white tail

flashes often eye-catching in flight. Juv. duller overall, with shorter crest and

tail; soon like adult. SOUNDS:  Varied, slightly nasal high chirps and short

twitters or rattles, such as rolled staccato chi-ri-rit, easily passed off as a cricket.

Song a prolonged, slightly jerky series of semi-metallic, squeaky and high nasal chirps and short rolls, 3–4

phrases/sec. STATUS: Fairly common to common, mainly 1800m to timberline; wanders locally down to

1200m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

BLACK-AND-YELLOW SILKY (SILKY-FLYCATCHER)  Phainoptila melano­

xantha 20–22cm Distinctive, heavy-bodied, often rather sluggish inhabitant of

highland forest and edge, adjacent second growth and clearings with fruiting

trees and shrubs; mainly elfin forest in Northern Mts. Usually in pairs or small

groups, foraging inconspicuously in fruiting foliage; at times sallies for insects.

Note stocky shape, bold colors of male, black cap and yellow flanks of female.

Juv. resembles dull version of female, soon like adult. Birds in Northern Mts.

brighter overall, male yellow-bellied. SOUNDS: Rather quiet. High, thin, sharp

tsit, perched and in flight, easily overlooked or passed over as a bush-tanager or

some smaller bird. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon; mainly above 1200m in Northern Mts., above

1800m in Central and Talamanca Mts. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)