Spotted Wood Quail
San Gerardo de Dota
Seeing a spotted wood quail up close is a real treat, since normally, this is a species that you see from fifty feet away as they fly away from you in a panic. There's only one spot in the entire country that I'm aware of where these birds will not only stay put, but come right out of the forest to interact with people, so naturally, I put it as one of the first stops on my 2024 itinerary. It was hard to believe that I was standing at literal petting distance from them at times, far too close to even focus the camera, when most birders might be happy just to get a glimpse by accidentally spooking one. Like other quail, spotted wood quail are ground foragers that often move around in coveys, or flocks, of multiple males and females. This female chose the perfect spot on the log to stop for a picture!