[cadam]

I saw two largish pigeons in Costa Rica in December, one dark and one pale. I need help in idíng them.

The dark pigeon was sitting at the top of a bare tree near the lava flow at Arenal Volcano, 23 Dec 04 (fairly low elevation). At first I thought it was a raptor. We scoped it and confirmed a rusty brown pigeon, no markings except a paler head. Could it be a red-billed pigeon?

The second was at the Hotel Arenal Pacifico at Jaco (pacific coast), right on the beach, 26 Dec. I had spent a lazy afternoon sitting by the pool. I saw a large pale pigeon with no vsisible marks, although it was backlit. It was sitting high up in a bare tree. Was this a pale-vented pigeon?

The field guide lists only a few possibilities, so maybe I can narrow it down.

TIA!

[Motmot]

Both guesses could be right, specially the Jaco one, but without a further description I can´t say for sure. Sorry

[cadam]

Originally Posted by Motmot

Both guesses could be right, specially the Jaco one, but without a further description I can´t say for sure. Sorry

Thanks Motmot. There aren't any other details, save that both birds did not have any outstanding markings. I have some other id questions from that same trip, but I will save them for a little later.

Say, Is your name Alex and were you a guide at Monteverde?

[Motmot]

No, my name is Eduardo