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EASTERN MEADOWLARK  Sturnella magna 18–22cm, male>female. Dis­

tinctive inhabitant of grassland and savanna, often with scattered shrubs, also

marshes, weedy fields. No similar species in Costa Rica. Sings from ground or

low perch; feeds on ground where walks and clambers strongly. Flushes

explosively and flies with bursts of stiff wingbeats alternated with brief glides;

usually spreads tail on landing, to show off white sides. Female averages duller

than male; juv. duller and paler than adult. Fresh plumage heavily veiled buff on

underparts, wearing away to reveal golden yellow. SOUNDS: Raspy zzzrt and

spluttering chatter, about 0.5–1.5 secs; high nasal sweink in flight. Song a

simple arrangement of (usually 4–5) downslurred plaintive whistles, such as see syee teu-eh or seei chu-e-leu,

about 1 sec. STATUS: Fairly common but often local, to 2500m; range has expanded rapidly in past 50 or

so years with deforestation. (N America to Panama.)

RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD (MEADOWLARK)  Leistes militaris 16–18cm,

male>female. Freshwater marshes, grasslands, crop fields, adjacent damp scrub.

Sings from low perch and in flight; forages mainly on or near ground, at times

in flocks. Adult male striking and distinctive; on female and imm. note bill

shape (shorter and stouter than Red-winged Blackbird); adult female has

variably rosy to red patches on breast. SOUNDS: Ringing, slightly metallic tling

and ziehk and low nasal jert. Song 1–4 tinny chips followed by slightly hissing

nasal buzz, such as tk tik si-zhhhrrrr, 1.5–2 secs. STATUS: Fairly common locally

on s. Pacific slope; scarce to uncommon and local but spreading on n. Pacific

slope and Caribbean slope, to 1500m. (Nicaragua to S America.)

RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD  Agelaius phoeniceus Male 20–22cm, female

17–18cm. Fresh and brackish marshes with reedbeds, weedy growth along

rivers, irrigation channels, adjacent farmland. Sings from perch on low bush or

roadside wires, also in short display flight. Feeds mainly on ground, often in

large flocks outside breeding season. Adult male distinctive, with bright red

shoulder patch bordered creamy (red often concealed at rest); female has striped

head, variable rusty tones on back, relatively long pointed bill, cf. female Red-

breasted Blackbird. Juv. resembles female; 1st-year male intermediate between

adult male and female, with variable red on shoulder. SOUNDS: Gruff chek, often

given in flight overhead. Song a short, slightly metallic, strangled scream run into a short gruff rattle.

STATUS: Locally common breeder in nw. lowlands, ranging more widely in fall–winter; uncommon to

fairly common locally but spreading on Caribbean slope; mainly below 600m but wanders higher. (N

America to Costa Rica.)

BOBOLINK  Dolichonyx oryzivorus 15–17cm. Rare transient migrant found in weedy grasslands, crop

fields, marshes. Typically feeds in grasses and rarely seen unless flushed, when may perch atop a bush,

calling. Usually found as singles, sometimes with other blackbirds, but can occur in small flocks; flight

strong and direct. Imm. and nonbr. adults similar, with unstreaked rich buffy breast, bold head stripes,

stout pointed bill, spiky tail; cf. juv. Red-breasted and female Red-winged Blackbirds. Breeding male

in spring distinctive, with black face and underparts, buff cowl; fresh plumage veiled buff; breeding

female like nonbr. plumages. SOUNDS: Semi-metallic, clipped nasal iihnk mainly in flight; gruff clipped

chuhk! STATUS: Rare transient mid-Sep to Oct, mainly on Caribbean slope, but also recorded inland

and on Pacific slope; very rare on Caribbean coast in spring, late Apr–early May. (Breeds N America,

winters S America.)