Golden-hooded Tanager

Golden-hooded Tanager eating fruit

(David Zittin, La Selva BIological Station, Costa Rica, 2018)

Golden-hooded Tanager

The Golden-hooded Tanage (Tangara larvata) is a neotropical bird mostly found in lowlands from Southern Mexico to Northwestern South America. As with other small, blue tropical birds, they catch the eye. The contrasting golden hood against blues and blacks makes this a neotropical delight. They are common around feeders and places where preferred food sources are found. Like many birds, they are opportunistic omnivores and will eat fruit and small arthropods.

Black-throated Trogon

Black-throated Trogons live mostly in dark forested areas of the American Tropics and can be difficult to photograph. Fortunately these two were cooperative. The one on the pipe rail just sat there and allowed me to approach to within about 20 feet. The one on the tree was next to a path and didn’t seem alarmed at my presence.

This trogon eats mostly insects, but will also take lizards and fruit.

Black-throated Trogon (David Zittin, Costa Rica 2018)

Black-throated Trogon (David Zittin, Costa Rica 2018)

Black-throated Trogon (David Zittin, Costa Rica 2018)