Puerto Rico 8-Day | January 2011 (Day 5)

Smooth-billed Ani

Elfin Woods Warbler

In 1971, researchers took notice of an unassuming, smudgy black and white colored warbler. A plump body and short rounded wings were clues that this species was not a long-haul migrant. With quiet chips and twitters its only song, it was finally realized a new species was found. Nearly 45 years after all other species in the West Indies had been described, here was a new bird to introduce to the world!

They are regulars at the picnic area at Maricao State Forest, though not always easy to locate. A tuned ear and watchful eye are always required to locate this bird as it hides behind leaves larger than it. We found it this morning and had some good looks, but still I have yet to get “the” photo I want!

Pale Cracker

After Maricao we headed southeast to the Susua Forest where we found no additional species but had our first Pale Cracker butterfly of the trip. The only butterfly family to make noise, they can sound like small firecrackers going off.

Green Heron

Driving south west to Cabo Roho we made a quick stop in a mangrove and found Great Egret, Green Heron (above) and our target, a pair of Lesser Antillean Peewees.

Sora