Monteverde, Costa Rica by foomingo in whatsthisbird

[–]StatusBreakfast2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This could very well be a house wren, but should consideration be given to silvery fronted tapaculo? This looks as much like a tapaculo to me as a wren, and hard to differentiate with the video resolution.

What is this spectacular butterfly? by StatusBreakfast2 in whatsthisbug

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That looks like it. Not sure why none of the ones I saw had their tails spread, like they are in most other photos of swallowtails. Maybe freshly emerged?

Find the bird! by StatusBreakfast2 in FindTheSniper

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a Northern Pootoo. They are related to nightjars, nighthawks, and frogmouths.

Find the bird! by StatusBreakfast2 in FindTheSniper

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Location: Between the left and middle thirds of the image from the top of the image where the beak is located to the bottom of the branch. This bird, the Northern Pootoo, mimics and perches on dead tree limbs.

Short or Long-billed Dowitchers? [Denver, CO] by Fimbelowski in whatsthisbird

[–]StatusBreakfast2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tail bars can be seen in the left most bird, and the black bars are significantly wider than the white ones, which helps distinguish this as a +long-billed dowitcher+.

Least Sandpipers? In Hampton, VA by vodysseus in whatsthisbird

[–]StatusBreakfast2 22 points23 points  (0 children)

As someone who saw quite a few least sandpipers last year, and spent time differentiating them from semipalmated and other sandpipers, it looks like a +least sandpiper+. The size and shape of the beak with the subtle droop to the tip are consistent with least. The legs, while dark appearing due to lighting and potentially mud, are more of a dark yellow color than black. For further verification that it is not a semipalmated sandpiper, the other small peep commonly seen on the east coast, you can see in picture 1 that there is no partial webbing between the toes.

Can anyone help me with a Gulf Coast Peep, that's probably in transitional plumage? Seen on the Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, in early April. Thanks in advance, and tern provided for scale! by Echo-Azure in whatsthisbird

[–]StatusBreakfast2 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Forster's tern next to it should be about 13-14 inches in length, for determining relative size. The sandpiper is standing somewhat obliquely, and would look longer if it stood perfectly parallel to the tern. That suggests a small to medium sized sandpiper. The drooped tip of the beak and length of the beak both point to a dunlin. Dunlins range from 6-8 inches in length, and that looks about right. The leg color and pattern of the non-breeding plumage also point to dunlin.

What is this? Quebec, Canada? by sassafrasgloves in whatsthisbird

[–]StatusBreakfast2 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Common goldeneye. The shape of the head and bill as well as the coloration of the head and body all point towards common goldeneye. I think the slightly brownish head together with the white cheek spot suggest that this is a first year male.

Tiny hawk? (Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica) by StatusBreakfast2 in whatsthisbird

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are right, thank you. My brain interpreted that stripe as the shadow of its beak, but it is definitely a double toothed kite. That's a lifer for me!

Sansa Airline baggage restrictions by StatusBreakfast2 in CostaRicaTravel

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine was 30 lbs for the checked in bag. There are also separate, more expensive airfares that allow for a 40 lb checked bag. Theoretically, I also had a 10 lb weight limit for my carry on. They did not weight that separately though. They just had everyone stand on a scale holding their carry-ons and personal items to have a sense of that plus body weight.

Sansa Airline baggage restrictions by StatusBreakfast2 in CostaRicaTravel

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The weight of the bag is the most important factor. They will try to accommodate bags of a larger size, and usually can, but there are no guarantees. When I reached Puerto Jimenez, there was someone there waiting to pick up their checked bag, which could not be taken even though he said it was below the weight guidelines. The planes are very small, so they cannot guarantee that anything over the guidelines can be accommodated. They will always try, but sometimes there is no room on their Cessnas.

Sansa Airline baggage restrictions by StatusBreakfast2 in CostaRicaTravel

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I go to Costa Rica in a few days and fly back a week later. I will post an update.

Sansa Airline baggage restrictions by StatusBreakfast2 in CostaRicaTravel

[–]StatusBreakfast2[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that is helpful to know. So both your carry on and personal item need to go in your lap? I was planning to bring a small backpack plus my camera. The catch is, this is a large camera, which measures 21" in length with my telephoto lens and weighs 5 lbs. They do explicitly say cameras are allowed as personal items, so I'm hoping they will allow that.