The Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) has usually returned to my garden from South America by late January. The earliest date I have recorded is January 21 and this year I had to wait until today, February 4 to hear its typical and repetitious call.

Piratic Flycatcher at Peralta; file photo by John Beer

This particular morning in the garden was enlivened by a beautiful Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) and a pair of Brown-hooded Parrots (Pyrilia haematotis), all perched in the rainbow eucalyptus trees.

Browno-hooded Parrot at Santa Rosa; photo by John Beer

Laughing Falcon, again at Santa Rosa; photo by John Beer

In Costa Rica, the Piratic Flycatcher’s return usually coincides with that of the Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis), a species which likewise spends the post-breeding period in South America. In our area, however, the earliest return date that I have noted so far is February 24, so I don’t expect to see it for another couple of weeks at least.

Yellow-green Vireo at Paraíso, courtesy of John Beer

The third species arriving early in the year from the south is the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris). My earliest date of observation so far, as for the vireo, is February 24.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher at Aquiares; file photo by John Beer

Keep your eyes and ears open for the Yellow-green Vireo and the Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher!

Today’s garden list can be found at:

https://ebird.org/camerica/view/checklist/S42480360