Sámara, Costa Rica Western tanager? (1 Viewer)

LazDivaz

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2011

• #1

Hola,
Found this suspect early morning in the woods. Have never seen such a bird here, so suspect it might be a migrant. Was tempted to call it a Western tanager, but the olive side feathers threw me off, as I think they should be black. Please help.
Thanks.

 

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KenM

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2011

• #2

I think this is a Summer Tanager!....the bill looks to big for Western, also the red coming through just below the nape on the mantle...plus a distinct lack of visible wing bars, am leaning towards a 1st winter male.

cheers

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jan 30, 2011

• #3

I believe you have a Summer Tanager changing into the red of an adult male; notice on the first image some red in the breast and on the second some in the mantle and the wing. It will eventually become all red.

Here is a photo of another bird changing its colors: http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=317125

Niels

 

LazDivaz

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2011

• #4

I think you have it

njlarsen said:

I believe you have a Summer Tanager changing into the red of an adult male; notice on the first image some red in the breast and on the second some in the mantle and the wing. It will eventually become all red.

Thanks, Ken and Niels,
Here is another terrible shot, but it does show some very messy splotches of red coming out. How long will it take before I can go back to the woods and take a shot of him in all of his scarlet splendor?

Click to expand...

 

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njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jan 30, 2011

• #5

It may be a good while before he has completed the change. The image I linked to was photographed in June.

Niels

 

Fritz73

Wat mutt, dat mutt!

Staff member

Supporter

• Jan 30, 2011

• #6

I agree on 1st winter Summer Tanager.

 

LazDivaz

Well-known member

• Jan 30, 2011

• #7

So, I'll just keep a lookout and visit that same woods now and again. There was plenty of activity this morning!
Cheers--
Sara

 

Birdingcraft

Well-known member

• Jan 31, 2011

• #8

I agree with Summer Tanager but keep watching for Western- there should be a few around Samara.