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APPENDIX A: COCOS ISLAND

Cocos Island is a rarely visited, uninhabited volcanic island claimed by Costa Rica; it lies at 5°32'N

87°04’W, about 520km southwest of mainland Costa Rica and 720km north of the Galapagos Islands.

Some 25km² in extent and rising steeply to about 600m, the island is cloaked in dense brushy woodland.

Cocos is home to 4 breeding landbirds, 3 of them endemic and one shared with the Galapagos Islands,

plus 7 widespread tropical breeding seabirds. In addition, numerous species of migrant waterbirds and

landbirds have been found on the island, including several new records for Costa Rica—hardly surprising

for such a remote outpost that acts as a magnet for birds lost out over the ocean.

Those Cocos breeding seabirds not included on the main plates are shown on the next plate. The resident

landbirds comprise a cuckoo, flycatcher, warbler, and tanager, shown opposite and discussed below.

COCOS CUCKOO  Coccyzus ferrugineus 32–34cm. Uncommon resident in wooded habitats. Like other

Coccyzus, mostly sluggish and easily overlooked, foraging methodically at all levels. No similar species on

the island, although vagrants of other cuckoos could occur. Note bright rusty wings, bold tail pattern

(subdued on juv.).

COCOS FLYCATCHER  Nesotriccus ridgwayi 12.5–13.5cm. Common resident in all wooded and

shrubby habitats, hopping, sallying, and gleaning for food. No similar species on the island; note long

slender bill, soft facial expression, buffy wingbars.

*MANGROVE WARBLER  Setophaga petechia 11.5–12.5cm. Common, active, and confiding resident

in all wooded and shrubby habitats, often hopping on ground, on beaches, and unconcerned by people.

Male has rusty cap, moderate rusty streaking below; female much like mainland female Mangrove

Warbler (p.  354). No similar species occur regularly on the island, but numerous North American

migrant warblers have shown up as vagrants.

COCOS FINCH  Pinaroloxias inornata 11.5–12.5cm. Common, confiding resident found in all habitats. No

similar species on the island; most closely related to iconic Galapagos finches and, like them, now considered

to be a tanager. Male black overall, female and juv. brown and streaky; note sharply pointed bill, short tail.

Cocos

Galapagos

15°N

0°N

105°W

90°W