Yellow -thighed Finch with the Pom Pom

[Ely Teehankee]

When I first saw this bird I could not believe that there was such a bird. It was predominantly black and there was this pair of pom pom on her thigh that made her look like a cheerleader. The Yellow-thighed Finch (Pselliophorus tibialis) 7 inches, are called Patitas Amarillas in Costa Rica and it is endemic to Costa Rica and Western Panama as they share a common border. If we have it here it would probably called "Pata Dilaw".



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



Look at the yellow pom-pom. I could not believe that there could be such a bird. Predominantly black and a pair of yellow poms poms just above its knee. This must be where the American cheerleadears got their idea of those colorful pom pom.
1/500 sec., f/8, ISO 1600





Just like any other birds, they are happiest when they are eating, just like us.
1/200 sec., f/8, ISO 1600





It seems to have some white spotted eye lashes and some yellows on the wings.
1/100 sec., f/8, ISO 1600




She is now contented and sings out a song.
1/100 sec., f/8, ISO 1600

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Great details on such a cute bird! Well done, Ely.

[Ely Teehankee]

Jul 2, 2012 4:16:24 GMT Ramon Quisumbing said:

Great details on such a cute bird! Well done, Ely.

Thank you Ramon. I missed getting a good picture on the first day. It was a good thing that the bird came back and gave me the opportunity to take better pictures of the Patitas Amarillas.