400

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK  Pheucticus ludovicianus 18–20cm. Winter mi­

grant to varied wooded and forested habitats, brushy second growth, hedgerows,

gardens. Singly or small flocks, latter especially during migration, feeding on fruits

mainly at mid–upper levels, where often sits quietly and is overlooked easily. Adult

male striking, with big white wing patches, reddish breast (plumage heavily veiled

brownish in fall–early winter); female distinctive, with stout pale bill, streaked

breast. SOUNDS:  High, squeaky nasal iihk, given infrequently. STATUS:  Fairly

common mid-Oct to mid-Apr, a few from Sep and into early May; mainly below

2000m. (Breeds N America, winters Mexico to nw. S America.)

*SOUTHERN BLACK-FACED GROSBEAK  Caryothraustes [poliogaster] scap­u­

laris 17–18cm. Humid lowland forest canopy and edge, adjacent tree-scattered

pastureland and second growth. Typically in small flocks (up to 20 or so birds),

roving noisily at mid–upper levels, usually independent of mixed flocks.

Nothing especially similar in Costa Rica, but cf. Prong-billed Barbet (p. 200):

note contrasting black face, stout bill, gray belly. Juv. duller overall, pattern less

sharply defined. SOUNDS: Short buzzy rasps, at times run into short series of

(usually 2–4) downslurred squeaky whsitles, d’zzzr kwee kwee kwee. Song an

unhurried, short, pleasing whistled phrase of 3–7 rich slurred notes, such as see

si-wee chu, 1–2 secs, every few secs. STATUS: Fairly common on Caribbean slope,

to 1000m. (Honduras to Panama.)

BLACK-THIGHED GROSBEAK  Pheucticus tibialis 19–21cm. Highland forest

and edge, pastures with scattered trees, second growth, gardens. Singles or pairs

forage low to high, mainly in canopy; not usually with mixed flocks and easily

overlooked if quiet. No similar species in Costa Rica: note stout bill, black-and-

yellow plumage; white wing patch striking in flight. Sexes similar; juv. duller

overall with messier plumage pattern. SOUNDS: Squeaky nasal iihk, similar to

Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Song a short, unhurried medley of rich slurred whistles,

mostly 2–3.5 secs, such as ti hee ti’whie-chu wieh, at times ending with a short

slow trill. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly common on both slopes, mainly 1500–

2500m, locally down to 100m on Caribbean slope in late wet season. (Costa

Rica to w. Panama.)

SUMMER TANAGER  Piranga rubra 17–19.5cm. Winter migrant to varied

wooded and forested habitats, hedgerows, gardens. Typically singles, feeding on

fruit at mid–upper levels, where sits quietly and is overlooked easily, or sallying

for wasps from prominent perches; often holds tail cocked, hindcrown feathers

raised. Tooth-billed Tanager has different calls; darker, grayish bill with distinct

notch on cutting edge. Adult male Summer brighter red than Tooth-billed, with

plainer face; female/imm. more mustard-toned, not so greenish. Cf. smaller and

smaller-billed female Scarlet Tanager. SOUNDS: Rolled, slightly wet, soft chat­

tering pí-tuh-ruk, or pí-tuh-t-ruk, typically 2–4-syllables, rarely run into a rattle;

not as staccato as Western Tanager. STATUS: Fairly common to common mid-Sep to Apr on both slopes to

1500m, in smaller numbers to 2700m. (Breeds N America and Mexico, winters Mexico to S America.)

TOOTH-BILLED (HIGHLAND HEPATIC) TANAGER  Piranga lutea 17.5–

19.5cm. Humid foothill forest, adjacent clearings and second growth. Mainly

singles and pairs at mid–upper levels, often in canopy; readily joins mixed flocks.

Cf. migrant Summer Tanager. Juv. (plumage held briefly) paler than female, with

dark streaking below; 1st-year male like bright female, some with reddish wash

and patches on head and breast. SOUNDS: Clipped, slightly wooden short chip,

often in fairly rapid rolled series of (mostly 2–4) notes, such as ch-ti-tih, lower

and less insect-like than Long-tailed Silky; at times longer, slightly rippling series.

Song a fairly steady, unhurried, slightly chanting series of rich whistled notes,

whee chúi wh whie chúi..., at times for 30 secs or longer; about 2 notes/sec. STATUS: Uncommon to fairly

common on both slopes, mainly 1000–1800m on Pacific slope, 600–1700m on Caribbean slope. (Costa

Rica to S America.)