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Project Noah Nature School
Procnias tricarunculatus
Even though the quality of the picture sucks I add this spotting because I want to show this bird. The Bellbird is often found in the cloud forests of Monteverde and Costa Rica and you can hear it (open video) most likely before you can see it because it usually perches high up in the tallest branches of the canopy. As Wikipedia says: at close range, the vocalization is heard as a complex three-part song, the "bonk" giving the bird its name. This hollow, wooden "bonk" is thought to be among the loudest bird calls on Earth, audible to humans from over 0.5 mi (0.80 km) away. Although is difficult to see in my shot (go to Wikipedia for better images) the males' body, tail, and wings are chestnut-brown; its head, neck, and upper breast are white; and it has a black eye-ring, eye-stripe, and bill. Its name also comes from the three worm-like wattles of skin that hang from the base of the bill. These wattles can be as long as 10 cm (3.9 in) when extended during songs and interactions. The wattles remain flaccid even when extended. The male shakes the wattles, but otherwise they hang straight down; they are neither erectile nor under muscular control. The side wattles do not stick out to the sides and the central one is not extended directly skywards as shown on some old illustrations and specimens. The female bellbirds are smaller and less striking in appearance, being overall olive with yellowish streaking below, pure yellow vent and no wattles.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
So whenever you visit the Costa Rican (or other Central American) cloud forests keep an eye and an ear up on the canopy and then you may spot one of these beauties. With a more potent camera than mine or a scope you will greatly increase your chances for a good picture :-)
Spotted on Apr 9, 2014
Submitted on May 13, 2014
2 Comments
Thanks roemer1! :-)
cool!