Toucan Ridge Bird Observatory

We’re studying land-use practices and habitat preferences of the White-collared Manakin. These birds rely on edge habitat both for feeding on Melastoma spp. berries and for lekking behaviour. Their conspicuous lek displays make them an excellent umbrella species for other edge-seeking birds and wildlife.

After monitoring this species for 15 years, we’re currently working on multiple collaborations that will contribute to several exciting publications coming soon. This research will help deepen our understanding of the species and the importance of edge habitats.

There is growing interest in Belize in better understanding and managing edge habitats to support manakins and the many species that depend on these transitional areas.

Tody motmot (Hylomanes momotula) — a tiny, colourful resident of lowland tropical forests from southern Mexico through Central America to Panama.

It has a short, broad bill with a slight hook at the tip, well suited for capturing insects and other small prey. Primarily insectivorous — taking beetles, orthopterans, spiders and other arthropods, with occasional small lizards or fruit — it forages by gleaning and short sallies from low perches in the understory.

Just another amazing bird you may find at the observatory.

Crimson-collared Tanager (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) — a flash of scarlet and black in Central American forests. Found from southern Mexico through Honduras and Nicaragua, this striking bird prefers forest edges, second-growth, and cacao or coffee shade plantations.

Mostly frugivorous with insects added for protein, it’s often seen in pairs or small mixed-species flocks. A common resident at the observatory and at T.R.E.E.S.

Have you spotted one at the station yet?

A beautiful photo by participant Kirsten Engeseth from our latest T.R.E.E.S. experience T.R.E.E.S. — a rare shot of a rufous‑tailed hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl).

Quick facts about hummingbird babies:

- Females alone build the tiny cup nest and incubate 1–3 eggs (usually 2) for about 14–19 days.

- Hatchlings are featherless and entirely dependent on the mother for warmth and regurgitated food (altricial).

- Young fledge roughly 18–28 days after hatching but may continue to be fed by the female for a short time.

- Rapid growth: nestlings gain weight and develop flight feathers very quickly to minimise time in the vulnerable nest stage.

A close-up of the head of a male Red‑Capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) showing its striking red head colour and a beautiful, piercing blue eye. This individual was caught as part of our resident monitoring programme.

We’re currently collaborating with several researchers on this species and other manakins found across the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Stay tuned for upcoming updates and publications as we share more findings on the Red‑Capped Manakin and its relatives.

T.R.B.O field note: We recently banded a Northern‑Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) — larger than most woodcreepers and remarkable for its feeding behaviour.

Often seen alongside Tawny‑winged (Dendrocincla anabatina) and Ruddy Woodcreepers (Dendrocincla homochroa) following army ant swarms, they sn**ch insects and other arthropods fleeing the ants.

A long‑standing adaptive foraging strategy that’s incredibly efficient…

A beautiful wing of the red‑legged honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) showcases amazing intrinsic colouration—iridescent blues and greens that shimmer with each movement, contrasted by vivid red legs and subtle black markings.

Colours can be used for:

Sexual selection: Bright, iridescent males attract mates; more intense colour often signals health and good genes, so vivid plumage helps males stand out during courtship displays.

Structural colouration: Much of the blue and iridescence comes from feather microstructures (thin‑film interference and nanostructures) rather than pigments, producing hues that shift with angle and light.

Camouflage and role differences: Females are generally greener and duller, which helps conceal them at nests, while males trade crypsis for display—balancing mating success and survival.

Signalling condition: Colour intensity can indicate diet quality and parasite load, so brighter individuals often signal better overall condition to competitors and potential mates.

Follow us for more bird facts.

Spring banding session highlights - The bronzed cowbird (Molothrus aeneus)!

A glossy, gregarious species often found near open habitats and forest edges. Males show a metallic bronzy-black colouration while females are browner and more streaked; both feed on seeds, grains and insects, often foraging on the ground and associating with livestock or disturbed areas.

As a brood parasite, females lay eggs in the nests of other passerines rather than building their own, and host choice, egg mimicry and impacts on host nesting success are important aspects of their ecology.

Mostly migratory or locally dispersive depending on region, bronzed cowbirds form flocks outside the breeding season and can have notable effects on local bird communities.

It’s very rarely caught in our nets, so this spring’s capture was an exciting banding moment and an opportunity to learn more about its biology.

Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus)

The Bright-rumped Attila, is a small passerine in the tyrant flycatcher family (Tyrannidae).

Its colouring varies widely, but streaked underparts and prominent wingbars are useful field marks that distinguish it from other Attila species.

The species gives a loud, sharp “beat-it, beat-it” and a plaintive, rolling “ooo weery weery weery weery woo.” It usually stays still while singing, so it can be hard to spot, but in season its distinctive song is one of the sounds we associate with T.R.E.E.S and the observatory.

Graduate Student Highlight -

Nathanya is pursuing her Master’s under the supervision of Kyle Elliott and Barbara Frei at McGill University in Montreal.

Her love of birds began in undergraduate studies and has resulted in a much‑treasured “Bird Nerd” mug. In her free time she can be found birding in local urban parks, curled up reading, playing Just Dance, or baking.

Nathanya says Belize stole her heart after spending a month deploying tags on birds with T.R.E.E.S ❤️

Project description

Migratory birds have declined since 1970 and face numerous challenges in urban areas, including cat predation, exposure to artificial light at night, and collisions. The threat posed by urban landscapes throughout the annual cycle is poorly understood but increases as cities expand.

Our aim is to quantify urban exposure of Chestnut‑sided Warblers (Setophaga pensylvanica) and Yellow Warblers (S. petechia) for the first time.

As part of this research, we deployed radio tags at T.R.E.E.S to cover spring migration. For updates from the field, follow Nathanya

She has also been integral in capacity building with our bird team and them feeling comfortable putting on radio tags on songbirds 🙌

Thank you Nathanya, McGill team and T.R.E.E.S bird team..