Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl

Very large, long-tailed game bird of tropical and subtropical forest. Often seen high in trees or flying through the forest canopy; usually not seen in areas near people except in some protected areas due to hunting pressure. Typically in pairs or small groups and wary. Plumage dark overall (often looks blackish) with bright red throat wattle; white streaking on body visible at closer range. Crest is bushy and usually not a striking feature.

A handsome, uncommon resident of hilly forests, often quiet and difficult to locate. Adult gray above, whitish below, with gray-washed breast, blackish tail, black forecrown, and black wings with a broad pale panel near the shoulder. Juvenile much plainer, lacks black forecrown. Seen in profile, appears long-tailed and short-faced.

Rather unremarkable and typical-looking small black-and-white woodpecker. Extent of “freckling” on the breast varies; Andaman birds are the most heavily marked, and Indonesian birds the palest. Crown is rose-red in males and black in females. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker is quite similar, but larger, with a brighter red vent and a more tan-colored breast. Stripe-breasted Woodpecker is also quite similar, but even more brightly-colored below and even larger than Fulvous-beasted. Freckle-breasted inhabits open forest and edge up from lowlands up into foothills and lower montane areas. Gives short, sharp notes and trills.