2017—In The Cecropia Tree

The Cecropia tree is a fast growing tropical tree that has enormous leaves and bears fruit in the form of catkins that attracts lots of different bird species.  The Cecropia’s open canopy provides excellent views of bird activity so we were able to get photographs without obstruction from twigs and leaves that has been so common and frustrating in the Costa Rican rain forest.  Early one morning, we watched a Cecropia tree from an observation platform on the Luna Lodge property when daily activity was at its peak.  Black-mandibled Toucans, Crested Guan, and Fiery-billed Aracari fed on the catkins.  A brightly colored adult Fiery-billed Aracari fed the Cecropia fruit to its offspring after ingesting it briefly and then flipping it up into the tip of its bill so the baby Aracari could easily reach it.