Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus gracilirostris

eBird describes the Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush like this:  Small skulking thrush, more often heard than seen. Distinctive if seen well: all gray, slightly browner above, with blacker cap. Bill and legs are dark. Dark eye distinguishes from Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush. Sexes alike. Found in forest, always low; can be seen along trails and is often less shy than other nightingale-thrushes. Song consists of simple flutelike phrases, often repeated.  Birds of the World gives this additional introductory information:  The Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus gracilirostris) is a common species of the highlands of central Costa Rica, southeast into western Panama. It is the species of Catharus with the smallest distribution of any member of the genus, and is restricted to wet-montane forest and paramo areas from 1800 m up to timberline. Here it prefers to forage in the ground or at low vegetation, both in forested areas as well as human-disturbed habitats. Also it is a prolific singer, with males singing their highly melodic songs for long periods.

I saw my first Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush on the afternoon of Friday, February 3, 2023 along the road from the Irazu Volcano to Guayabo National Monument.  I was with Rigo of Oropopo Experience and we had stopped so I could photograph a Sooty Thrush when I caught a glimpse of this little bird.  To read my blog post that includes my sighting of this bird, look here.  I hope you enjoy my photos of this cute little bird!