Sooty Robin of Costa Rica

[Ely Teehankee]

The Sooty Robin (Turdus nigrescens) 10 inches (25 cm) looks similar to the Clay Colored Robin but the orange bill, eye ring, & legs marks the distinct difference. I was confused with the two but after several encounters with these birds it became familiar. I am adding the length of the bird that is from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail as requested by Tony Sandejas my classmate from grade school to high school at the De La Salle University. He has no idea how small or how big the bird is and I think it is correct to put the size of the bird as it would give the viewers a better perception of the bird. Thank you Tony for your good suggestion.



Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EF 300mm
f/2.8L IS USM with Canon Extender 2X II.
Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, Wimberley WH200 head. Manual exposure in available light.



1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




1/500 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO 1600




Here are some pictures of the Clay Colored Robin (Turdus grayi) 9 inches (23 cm). It is also called "El Yiguirro". It whistles melodic phrases that are responsible for its status as the national bird of Costa Rica.

1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




1/800 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




1/640 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800




Every time I see the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) 5 inch (13 cm) I am reminded of our Eurasian Tree Sparrow. In fact Ariel thought that it was the same except that it has a crest on its head. Even if I had taken some pictures of this bird I would consider it as another opportunity to take his picture if the bird comes close enough to what I think could be a better picture. The Spanish name of the bird is Chingolo.



1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 800




1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 800




The Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) 7 inches (18 cm) is a delight to photograph as the male is predominantly orange and the female is yellow. Every time I see the same specie of bird but the male and female having different colors I would be reminded of God who made heaven and earth and everything that is in it. This is the same bird that I was able to photograph as "lovebirds". birdphotoph.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=worldbirds&action=display&thread=8444



1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 800 (Female)





I like this picture particularly for the expression on the face of the bird. It gave me a chance to see that the bird has no tonsils. LOL.
1/400 sec., f/8, ISO 800 (Male immature)





1/125 sec., f/5.6, ISO 800 No TC on this picture. Distance to subject 3.2 meters. (Male)

[William Lim]

Fantastic set Ely. Sharpness is exceptional.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 7, 2012 11:28:58 GMT William Lim said:

Fantastic set Ely. Sharpness is exceptional.

Thank you very much William. Most of the pictures were taken between 5.1 to 5.52 meters with a 2X TC. The Canon 300mm f/2.8 is almost perfect for Costa Rica.

[Ariel Matias]

I didn't able to get a decent picture of the sooty robin but I hope to be able to go back there again before the year ends and after this rainy season.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jun 20, 2012 1:59:23 GMT Ariel Matias said:

I didn't able to get a decent picture of the sooty robin but I hope to be able to go back there again before the year ends and after this rainy season.

By that time it would also be very cold. What a wonderful place San Gerardo de Dota is for birding.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Wonderful details, Ely.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jul 2, 2012 4:21:16 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Wonderful details, Ely.

Thank you Ramon. I had a good day at Villa Escudero last Saturday, as the Indigo-banded Kingfisher showed up more often than ever before. This type of activity reminded me of Costa Rica where every now and than a bird will show up.