From Opus

Psarocolius montezuma

Photo by Reini
Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, Costa Rica

[edit] Identification

Male is 50 cm long and weighs 520 g; the smaller female is 38 cm long and weighs 230 g. Chestnut, black head and rump, yellow tail with two dark central feathers, bare blue cheek patch, pink wattle, brown iris, long bill, black at the base with a red tip.

[edit] Distribution

Mexico, Belize, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species. It is sometimes listed as belonging in genus Gymnostinops .

[edit] Habitat

Forest canopy, edges and old plantations.

[edit] Behaviour

Diet includes small vertebrates, large insects, nectar, and fruit, including bananas and Cecropia spikes.

Photo by HelenB
Nesting colony near Rancho Naturalista, Costa Rica, February 2007

It is a colonial breeder building a hanging woven nest made of fibres and vines. 2 dark-spotted white or buff eggs are laid and incubated for 15 days; the young fledge in 30. There are usually about 30 nests in a colony.

[edit] External Links