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Green Parakeet (Aratinga holochlora)

Editor — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:50:35 +0000

Native to Mexico, Central America and northern Nicaragua, the Green Parakeet (Aratinga holochlora) has also managed to establish itself somewhat in southeast Texas. As the Green Parakeet is generally considered to be non-migratory, it is unclear whether the self-sustaining population found in Texas is the result of breeding between feral released birds or whether they are the result of wild birds which have moved here from Mexico to take advantage of potential food supplies. Since feral populations of Green Parakeet have been found in other parts of the world, both explanations are quite plausible.

Generally speaking, the Green Parakeet is about 32 cm in length and bright green in color. Though the bird’s entire body is generally described as being ‘green’, one may find that the green on the upper parts is darker while the undersides have a yellowish-green coloring. It also has a long, pointed tail and has a fairly rapid wing-beat. The bird has a compact yellow beak which it uses to feed on seeds, nuts, berries and fruit. Unfortunately the Green Parakeet may sometimes choose to feed on corn and is therefore sometimes considered to be a crop pest. Wild parakeets are most often found in wooded habitats such as scrub, swampy forests, woodlands and forest clearings but they tend to stay away from tropical rainforests. In the cities they generally make use of palm groves and they may be found in flocks of up to 100 birds out of breeding season.

During breeding season the Green Parakeet will usually pair off and find a hole in a tree, crevice, termite mound or cliff face where it can nest. In urban areas they may also make use of holes in buildings. Here it may lay 3-4 eggs between January and April. After breeding season has ended, the birds will generally flock together again and will abandon their nests in favour of a large, communal roost. Unfortunately, populations of the Green Parakeet in the US and Mexico have dwindled somewhat due to the capture of wild birds for trade and the loss of habitat for agriculture. However, several protected areas have been established to ensure the continuance of the species, though more work must be done to prevent the bird from becoming a threatened species.

First Bird Route Opened in Central America

Editor — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:31:41 +0000

With more and more people trying their hands at bird-watching, there is a greater need to develop sustainable bird-watching opportunities around the world. Some places have a particularly high concentration of birds and this makes them ideal bird-watching destinations. But without some sort of supportive infrastructure in place, it can be difficult, daunting or nearly impossible for the average bird watcher to visit such locations. The first protected zone in Central America is providing bird lovers with the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of color and beauty.

Costa Rica is not a big country – in fact it is about the same size as West Virginia. Yet despite this it is home to more bird species than the entire North American continent! The country is home to some 850 different bird species just waiting to be discovered by amateur and professional ornithologists. Now, thanks to the efforts of the Rainforest Biodiversity Group and the help provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Costa Rican Bird Route provides bird watchers with the opportunity to scour the SarapiquÃ region of the country and search out the more than 400 bird species that can be found in this wonderfully rich part of the country. Bird lover’s will find themselves dazzled by the bright colors of green and blue Macaws, multi-colored Toucans and orange and green Motmots, among others.

The Costa Rica Bird Route has seen the teaming up of a number of new and established biological reserves to make twelve different birding sites available to bird lovers. The route takes advantages of the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor and makes a number of bird watching opportunities and programs available. The route not only gives visitors easy access to beautiful, primary rainforest, but also works towards a more environmentally sustainable economy since it gives land owners and their employees access to the benefits of tourism. This limits the need for activities that are potentially harmful to the environment and so benefits everyone in the long term. It is hoped that by providing landowners with a chance to get involved in eco-tourism, there will be more of a focus on protecting habitats and this will greatly assist with the protection of the rainforest. With some 51.3 million Americans currently reporting a fondness for bird watching, it would seem that this bird route is definitely a viable option. However, the jungle corridor is home to more than just birds, and animal lovers will find 139 species of mammals, 135 species of reptiles and 80 species of amphibians in the area, while botanists will simply be delighted at the abundance of amazing and aged plant life.

Bird lovers wishing to enjoy the Costa Rica birding experience will find that established sites such as Selva Verde are a great place to start. Here you will find comfortable, affordable accommodation and a wide selection of enjoyable activities. However, newer sites offer the more adventurous a chance to get off the beaten path and explore new areas. Whatever you prefer, make sure that you consider Costa Rica for your next bird watching holiday.

Striking Beauty of the Quetzal

Editor — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:41:09 +0000

The Central American country of Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua and Panama with the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east. With more than 870 registered species of birds, Costa Rica is a prime destination for birding enthusiasts. The Quetzal is one of the most unusual birds in Costa Rica and bird-watchers are thrilled when they manage to sight one of these rather elusive beauties.

The name of the Quetzal is taken from the Aztec word meaning “precious” or “beautiful”. When the Spanish conquistador HernÃ¡n CortÃ©s visited Mexico in the early 1500s, he was given a headdress of Quetzal feathers as a gift from the Aztecs. This was indeed an honor, as only Aztec royalty had the privilege of adorning themselves with the highly esteemed jade-green plumes of the Quetzal.

The Quetzal can be found from Mexico through to Panama. They reside in the cloud forests at altitudes of between 1,200 to 3,000 meters. As a result of rising warm air cooling quickly, cloud forests have year-round lush vegetation with massive trees that reach up into the semi-permanent mist, to a height of 30 meters or more. This densely forested habitat makes the Quetzal even more difficult to spot, as its stunning jade coloring blends into the forest’s verdant foliage.

The guides in the areas that the Quetzal calls home are generally expert at coaxing this beautiful bird out into the open by imitating its soft, mellow call which is remarkably similar to the whimpering of a puppy. Once the Quetzal is out in the open, birders come to appreciate just how spectacular this bird is. The breast of the male is a deep crimson-red which contrasts with the jade coloring of the rest of its body. Its long tail feathers – known as streamers – are white with two contrasting iridescent green ones. A Quetzal in flight is an unforgettable sight.

The Quetzal’s favorite food is the wild avocado, which it swallows whole, regurgitating the seed about 20 minutes later. In their search for wild avocados, Quetzals migrate to different slopes within the Continental Divide, following the fruit’s ripening cycle from the Pacific slope through to the Caribbean side. Another favorite meal is the wild blackberry that grows on thorny bushes. At times their long tail feathers hook on the thorns and are lost, but soon grow back.

Sadly, man has tried to cash in on the Quetzal’s beauty, and captured birds are either sold as pets or their feathers and skins are sold as souvenirs. Also, development has made inroads into their natural habitat. In an effort to prevent this plunder of its natural resources, Costa Rica has set aside 27 percent of its land as nature reserves and endangered species such as the Quetzal are considered to be protected. It is in these protected areas that bird-watchers can pursue their hobby and stand a good chance of seeing the Quetzal – one of the most beautiful birds in the world.

The World of Antbirds

Editor — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:10:57 +0000

Flip through a field guide for the South American tropics, and you may be dazzled by the numbers of Antbirds listed. Over 240 species of antbirds live in Central and South America, including the ant-wrens, ant-vireos, and ant-thrushes. These small bird species are dull-colored, in blacks, browns and tans that hide them on the shady rainforest floors. Some species have eyes that are brightly-colored or surrounded with patches of colorful bare skin.

Despite their name, no antbird would actually eat an ant (ants have formic acid in their bodies that makes them unpalatable to most birds and mammals). Antbirds get their name from the 30 species that spend their lives following ants- especially army ants. Army ants march through the rainforest in huge swarms, eating every insect or small animal in their path. Many insects flush up in front of the swarm, trying to flee the hungry ants. The antbirds snap these fleeing insects up.

Antbirds, including the many species that don’t associate with army-ants, often travel in mixed-species flocks. This works well- each species hunts for a slightly different kind of insect. Thus, the flock’s birds don’t compete with each other, and everyone gets enough to eat.

Antbirds are excellent at hopping and gripping onto branches, but they’re not strong fliers. They almost never cross waterways or even roads. This is one reason humans can negatively affect antbirds- more roads and clearings in the rainforest may restrict antbirds’ ability to travel in search of food.