Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Sanctuary · Costa Rica

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Photo © Rhododendrites

Photo © Rhododendrites — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the San Juan River's seasonal floodplain opens into expansive wetlands, Caño Negro Wildlife Sanctuary sprawls across one of Central America's most productive freshwater ecosystems. This 19,600-hectare reserve in northern Costa Rica occupies a landscape shaped by the region's sharply defined dry and wet seasons—winters here bring drought, shrinking waterways into narrow channels and concentrating wildlife around remaining pools, while the summer rains transform the sanctuary into a maze of lagoons, marshes, and flooded forests. The sanctuary's mosaic of habitats—shallow lagoons rimmed with cattail and water hyacinth, riverside gallery forests, and seasonally inundated woodland—supports dense populations of waders, waterfowl, and fish-eating birds that exploit the annual pulse of water. Crocodilians bask on muddy banks, while smaller mammals shelter in the denser vegetation, and raptors patrol overhead. The sheer biomass of aquatic life here is staggering, making Caño Negro one of the region's most reliable sites for observing the functional diversity of tropical wetland fauna.

Photographers and birders gravitate to Caño Negro for the predictability of its seasonal rhythms and the ease with which wildlife concentrates in accessible areas. The dry season—November through April—is prime time, when receding water levels force birds and other fauna into closer quarters, offering unobstructed views and clearer light for image capture. Boat tours glide silently through narrow channels, passing within feet of herons, egrets, ibises, cormorants, and kingfishers; raptors perch openly on dead trees overlooking the water. The sanctuary's location in Alajuela Province positions it within a day's reach of San José, and the combination of ease of access, minimal crowds compared to more famous reserves, and genuine ecological richness makes it an essential stop for anyone serious about witnessing Costa Rica's wetland communities.

Birding by BoatEasy

Caño Negro Experience Nature Tours

Tour en barco de observación de aves por Caño Negro

Caño Negro Experience Nature Tours·Costa Rica

3 o 5 horas 10 EN · ES

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Crypturellus soui

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Cairina moschata

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

American Wigeon

Mareca americana

Northern Pintail

Grey-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis cinereiceps

Penelope purpurascens

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius jamaicensis

Nyctibius griseus

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Green-breasted Mango

Anthracothorax prevostii

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Blue-chested Hummingbird

Polyerata amabilis

Blue-throated Sapphire

Chlorestes eliciae

Crotophaga major

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Mangrove Cuckoo

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-headed Dove

Leptotila plumbeiceps

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassinii

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

Heliornis fulica

Russet-naped Wood Rail

Aramides albiventris

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

White-throated Crake

Laterallus albigularis

Aramus guarauna

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Charadrius vociferus

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Northern Jacana

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

Gallinago delicata

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Stilt Sandpiper

Calidris himantopus

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

Leucophaeus atricilla

Mycteria americana

Jabiru mycteria

Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

Plegadis falcinellus

Roseate Spoonbill

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Pinnated Bittern

Botaurus pinnatus

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Whistling Heron

Syrigma sibilatrix

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Butorides striata

Butorides virescens

Great Blue Heron

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Pelecanus occidentalis

Sarcoramphus papa

Coragyps atratus

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Pandion haliaetus

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

Microspizias superciliosus

Geranospiza caerulescens

Black-collared Hawk

Busarellus nigricollis

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Rupornis magnirostris

Parabuteo unicinctus

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Central American Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium griseiceps

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Pacific Screech Owl

Megascops cooperi

Black-and-white Owl

Strix nigrolineata

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Black-headed Trogon

Trogon melanocephalus

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Chloroceryle inda

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Broad-billed Motmot

Electron platyrhynchum

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Notharchus tectus

Collared Aracari

Pteroglossus torquatus

Olivaceous Piculet

Picumnus olivaceus

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

Melanerpes pucherani

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

Melanerpes hoffmannii

Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Rufous-winged Woodpecker

Piculus simplex

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Colaptes rubiginosus

Cinnamon Woodpecker

Celeus loricatus

Chestnut-colored Woodpecker

Celeus castaneus

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Pale-billed Woodpecker

Campephilus guatemalensis

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Falco columbarius

Falco rufigularis

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Orange-chinned Parakeet

Brotogeris jugularis

Brown-hooded Parrot

Pyrilia haematotis

White-crowned Parrot

White-fronted Amazon

Amazona albifrons

Olive-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula nana

Finsch's Parakeet

Psittacara finschi

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Northern Plain Xenops

Xenops mexicanus

Slaty Spinetail

Synallaxis brachyura

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Great Antshrike

Bicolored Antbird

Gymnopithys bicolor

Cercomacroides tyrannina

Bare-crowned Antbird

Gymnocichla nudiceps

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet

Ornithion semiflavum

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma imberbe

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Mistletoe Tyrannulet

Zimmerius parvus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Northern Bentbill

Oncostoma cinereigulare

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus sylvia

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Yellow-winged Flatbill

Tolmomyias flavotectus

Sayornis nigricans

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Northern Tropical Pewee

Contopus bogotensis

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Machetornis rixosa

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher

Myiozetetes granadensis

Pitangus sulphuratus

White-ringed Flycatcher

Conopias albovittatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Carpodectes nitidus

White-collared Manakin

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Tityra semifasciata

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Tropical Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

Lesser Greenlet

Pachysylvia decurtata

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

White-throated Magpie-Jay

Cyanocorax formosus

Cyanocorax morio

Tachycineta bicolor

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Hirundo rustica

Black-throated Wren

Pheugopedius atrogularis

Spot-breasted Wren

Pheugopedius maculipectus

Cantorchilus zeledoni

Cantorchilus nigricapillus

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

White-browed Gnatcatcher

Polioptila bilineata

Tropical Mockingbird

Hylocichla mustelina

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Clay-colored Thrush

Passer domesticus

Yellow-crowned Euphonia

Euphonia luteicapilla

Yellow-throated Euphonia

Euphonia hirundinacea

Olive-backed Euphonia

Euphonia gouldi

Black-striped Sparrow

Arremonops conirostris

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Red-breasted Meadowlark

Leistes militaris

Yellow-billed Cacique

Amblycercus holosericeus

Montezuma Oropendola

Psarocolius montezuma

Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Yellow-tailed Oriole

Icterus mesomelas

Black-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

Icterus spurius

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Molothrus oryzivorus

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Melodious Blackbird

Nicaraguan Grackle

Quiscalus nicaraguensis

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis semiflava

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Setophaga citrina

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

American Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

Setophaga coronata

Buff-rumped Warbler

Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Cardellina canadensis

Red-throated Ant Tanager

Driophlox fuscicauda

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Spiza americana

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Saltator grandis

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Coereba flaveola

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

Morelet's Seedeater

Sporophila morelleti

Variable Seedeater

Sporophila corvina

Thick-billed Seed Finch

Sporophila funerea

Nicaraguan Seed Finch

Sporophila nuttingi

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater

Sporophila minuta

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Yellow-winged Tanager

Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager

Stilpnia larvata

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

Ring-necked Duck

Aythya collaris

Nomonyx dominicus

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Chuck-will's-widow

Antrostomus carolinensis

Spot-fronted Swift

Cypseloides cherriei

White-chinned Swift

Cypseloides cryptus

Chestnut-collared Swift

Streptoprocne rutila

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura pelagica

Band-tailed Barbthroat

Threnetes ruckeri

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis longirostris

Purple-crowned Fairy

Heliothryx barroti

Black-crested Coquette

Lophornis helenae

Long-billed Starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Plain-capped Starthroat

Heliomaster constantii

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Violet-headed Hummingbird

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer

Chalybura urochrysia

Crowned Woodnymph

Thalurania colombica

Blue-vented Hummingbird

Saucerottia hoffmanni

Cinnamon Hummingbird

Amazilia rutila

Lesser Ground Cuckoo

Morococcyx erythropygus

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Patagioenas speciosa

Band-tailed Pigeon

Patagioenas fasciata

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Zenaida macroura

Pardirallus maculatus

Amaurolimnas concolor

Porzana carolina

Fulica americana

Grey-breasted Crake

Laterallus exilis

Pluvialis squatarola

American Golden Plover

Pluvialis dominica

Long-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus scolopaceus

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Wilson's Phalarope

Phalaropus tricolor

Tringa semipalmata

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollis

Western Sandpiper

Yellow-billed Tern

Sternula superciliaris

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

Hydroprogne caspia

Chlidonias niger

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Thalasseus maximus

Eurypyga helias

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Egretta rufescens

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

Ictinia plumbea

Common Black Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

Pseudastur albicollis

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

American Barn Owl

Tropical Screech Owl

Megascops choliba

Middle American Screech Owl

Megascops guatemalae

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Lophostrix cristata

Northern Black-throated Trogon

Trogon tenellus

Lesson's Motmot

Momotus lessonii

Baryphthengus martii

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

White-whiskered Puffbird

Malacoptila panamensis

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Amazona farinosa

Orange-fronted Parakeet

Eupsittula canicularis

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Ruddy Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla homochroa

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla anabatina

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Northern Barred Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Black-striped Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus

Spotted Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus erythropygius

Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner

Automolus cervinigularis

Western Woodhaunter

Automolus virgatus

Dot-winged Antwren

Microrhopias quixensis

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Myrmotherula schisticolor

Black-crowned Antshrike

Thamnophilus atrinucha

Fasciated Antshrike

Cymbilaimus lineatus

Ocellated Antbird

Phaenostictus mcleannani

Spotted Antbird

Hylophylax naevioides

Chestnut-backed Antbird

Poliocrania exsul

Black-faced Antthrush

Formicarius analis

Brown-capped Tyrannulet

Ornithion brunneicapillus

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum nigriceps

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus brevirostris

Golden-crowned Spadebill

Platyrinchus coronatus

Tawny-chested Flycatcher

Aphanotriccus capitalis

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

White-throated Flycatcher

Empidonax albigularis

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes luteiventris

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Western Kingbird

Tyrannus verticalis

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Rhytipterna holerythra

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Lipaugus unirufus

Three-wattled Bellbird

Procnias tricarunculatus

White-ruffed Manakin

Corapipo altera

Red-capped Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis

Northern Schiffornis

Schiffornis veraepacis

Rose-throated Becard

Pachyramphus aglaiae

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius

Myiobius sulphureipygius

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Green Shrike-Vireo

Vireolanius pulchellus

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

Vireo olivaceus

Riparia riparia

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Band-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus zonatus

Stripe-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus thoracicus

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Northern Nightingale-Wren

Microcerculus philomela

Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Tawny-faced Gnatwren

Microbates cinereiventris

Dumetella carolinensis

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

White-throated Thrush

Turdus assimilis

Pale-vented Thrush

Turdus obsoletus

White-vented Euphonia

Euphonia minuta

Common Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus flavopectus

Orange-billed Sparrow

Arremon aurantiirostris

Yellow-breasted Chat

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Psarocolius wagleri

Molothrus bonariensis

Seiurus aurocapilla

Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

MacGillivray's Warbler

Geothlypis tolmiei

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga cerulea

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

Dusky-faced Tanager

Mitrospingus cassinii

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Black-faced Grosbeak

Caryothraustes poliogaster

Blue-black Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Passerina caerulea

Passerina cyanea

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Shining Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes lucidus

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

Black-headed Saltator

Saltator atriceps

Slate-colored Grosbeak

Saltator grossus

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Crimson-collared Tanager

Ramphocelus sanguinolentus

Bay-headed Tanager

Silver-throated Tanager

Tangara icterocephala

Ocellated Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus ocellatus

Canivet's Emerald

Cynanthus canivetii

Microchera albocoronata

Eurasian Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

Gampsonyx swainsonii

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

White-fronted Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus

Red-throated Caracara

Ibycter americanus

Yellow-naped Amazon

Amazona auropalliata

Great Green Macaw

Thicket Antpitta

Myrmothera dives

Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis atricapillus

Tricolored Munia

Lonchura malacca

Rufous-collared Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis

Mangrove Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Yellow-throated Warbler

Setophaga dominica

Setophaga occidentalis

Yellow-bellied Seedeater

Sporophila nigricollis

Plain-colored Tanager

Tangara inornata

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus hoffmanni

Northern Black-eared Opossum

Didelphis marsupialis

Dark Four-eyed Opossum

Philander melanurus

Northern Tamandua

Tamandua mexicana

Alouatta palliata

Rhynchonycteris naso

Common Vampire Bat

Desmodus rotundus

Northern Neotropical River Otter

Lontra annectens

White-nosed Coati

Northern Raccoon

Leopardus pardalis

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

White-faced Capuchin

Cebus capucinus

Greater Sac-winged Bat

Saccopteryx bilineata

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