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A Guide to 50+ of Costa Rica’s Most Beautiful and Interesting BirdsIt is amazing that over 900 species of birds can live in such a small country. Costa Rica is just the size of the state of West Virginia or the country of Denmark. Costa Rica is just 464 kms (288 miles) in length and 274 kms (170 miles) in width, yet per square mile or kilometer has the most abundant and diverse bird life. The key to the success of such a variety of species is the topography of the country. The Central Mountains and Volcanoes have created a diversity in moisture and temperature between the highlands and the lowlands, and the Caribbean and the Pacific. The result is six major live zones, each zone able to support and provide habitats for many different birds. Here is a list of some of the favorites of our staff and guides. TrogonsTrogons are colorful birds, with a unique shape that makes them very identifiable in the rainforest. Costa Rica has ten species of Trogons. The Resplendent Quetzal is the easiest of the Trogons to identify. The other species can most easily be distinguished by the color of the eye ring, chest, and pattern of the tail feathers. The male and females of the species differ in color, have your field guide handy. 1- Resplendent QuetzalThe Quetzal is not just the most beautiful Trogon, it’s one of the most beautiful birds in the world. With its stunning emerald colored feathers, ruby red chest and belly, and four long tail coverts that stream down up to 30 inches beyond the tip of the tail, the Quetzal is truly a must see for all bird watchers. Quetzals can be found in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, predominantly in San Gerardo de Dota and Monteverde. 2- Collared TrogonThe beautiful male Collared Trogon features a bright green head, and red belly, as well as a black mask and bright yellow bill. The female presents the same, except she has a brown head and back, replacing the green of the male. The Collared Trogon prefers the foothills of both the Caribbean and the Pacific of Costa Rica. 3- Lattice Tailed TrogonThe Lattice Tailed Trogon is the only Trogon with a pale iris. The underside of the tail displays an intricate barring of grey, black, and white. The Lattice Tailed Trogon is endemic to Costa Rica and Western Panama. The best place to see this lovely Trogon is in the Caribbean Foothills, but you’ll need to search, it’s not an easy bird to find. ToucansNo bird says the tropics like the Toucan. Their colorful long bills, and beautiful bright patterns of feathers make them a favorite for bird watchers, bird photographers and naturalists. Costa Rica has six species of Toucans and luckily by visiting the right habitats, all six are fairly easy to see. 1- Keel Billed ToucanThe most iconic of all the Toucans, The Keel Billed Toucan is often called the Fruit loops Bird. The call of the Keel Bill makes it easy to identify, just listen for a frog like croak coming from the trees above. The Keel Bill has wide distribution from the Caribbean Slope, Lowlands, Mid-Elevation, in both forested and inhabited areas. 2- Yellow Throated ToucanFormerly known as the Chestnut Mandibled Toucan, the Yellow Throated Toucan is the largest Toucan in Costa Rica, standing at about 22 inches tall. This beautiful bird can be seen on the Caribbean or Pacific slopes, and lowlands. 3- Fiery Billed AracariThis small very social Toucan can be found traveling in small groups through the Central and Pacific slope. The brightly colored red-orange upper mandible makes this handsome little bird hard to mistake. 4- Emerald ToucanetThe Emerald Toucanet gets its name from its lush deep green breast and belly. The rich blue around the bill gives the striking little Toucan a regal look. The Emerald Toucanet favors mid-level montane wet forests. It is a common visitor to feeders set in the right habitat, making it a favorite for birders and bird photographers. Parrots, Parakeets, & MacawsCosta Rica is fortunate to have 15 species of Parrots and Parakeets and 2 species of Macaws. With bright colorful plumage and raucous vocalizations, Parrots are favorites of not just bird watchers and bird photographers, but also nature lovers in general. Listen and look up to see some of your favorite Parrots while visiting Costa Rica. 1- Scarlet MacawThis splendid bird can not be mistaken for any other. The colors are simply magnificent with a scarlet red head and back, sapphire blue wings, green and yellow stripes and a striking white mask, the Scarlet Macaw is certainly one of nature’s most wonderful gifts. The Scarlet Macaw has good distribution from the Central Pacific south to the Osa Peninsula. Recent rehabilitation programs are allowing for the the Scarlet Macaw to reach into the northern province of Guanacaste and east into the Caribbean as well. 2- Great Green MacawThe Great Green Macaw is the largest of all the Parrots in Costa Rica. Like its cousin, the Scarlet Macaw, it is unmistakable, with its incredible combination of brilliant green head and back, and rich blue fringed wings. The Great Green Macaw also has the tell-tale SQUAWK that can be heard long before you see this fantastic bird flying overhead. The Great Green Macaw is easiest to see in the northern Caribbean lowlands, though rehabilitation programs are extending its range. 3- Crimson Fronted ParakeetThe Crimson Fronted Parakeet is the most common Parakeet in the Central Valley. It’s easiest to identify by its long pointed tail, red on the leading portions of the wings, and a red forehead (easiest to see when it’s perched). This very pretty little Parakeet is usually found in large flocks and has a wide distribution throughout the country. 4- Brown Hooded ParrotsThe cute little Brown Hooded Parrot is identified by its chocolate brown hood, white orbital ring and red ear patch. Like most of their cousins, they are a loud bunch, traveling in flocks in wet lowlands and middle elevations on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the country. HummingbirdsHummingbirds are a huge draw for bird watchers and bird photographers. Costa Rica is blessed with more than 50 different recorded species in the country. There are two species totally endemic to Costa Rica, the Mangrove Hummingbird, and the Coppery-Headed Emerald Hummingbird. Hummingbirds have excellent distribution throughout the country and can be found at most elevations and on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the country. The largest diversity of species occurs at middle elevations. Here are some of our favorites: 1- Black Crested CoquetteThis tiny beautiful little hummingbird measures at about 3 inches. The male sports long wiry crest feathers and a prominent spotted or speckled chest. This Coquette has a small distribution, favoring the Northern Caribbean foothills and adjacent lowlands. The gardens of the Arenal Observatory Lodge, in the verbenas, is a good place to see this impressive hummingbird. 2- White Crested CoquetteLike its cousin, the Black Crested Coquette, The White Crested Coquette male is identified by its long white tufts, forming a crest on its tiny green head. The White Crested Coquette favors the Southern Pacific of Costa Rica. 3- Long Billed HermitThis very handsome hummingbird in the Hermit family is unmistakable with its long curved bill and equally long thin tail. This bird is fairly common in the lowlands of both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides of Costa Rica. 4- Purple Throated Mountain GemOne of the prettiest of all the hummingbirds, the Purple Throated Mountain Gem is unique with its brilliant purple throat, and delicate turquoise cap. This little beauty favors mid elevations from Guanacaste to the Talamancas. It’s endemic to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. 5- Scintillant HummingbirdThis exquisite hummingbird is the smallest hummingbird in Costa Rica. At barely 3 inches, it’s easy to mistake it for a moth. It prefers the middle elevations of the Central and Talamanca Mountains. The male sports a gorgeous bright orange throat. 6- Snowcap HummingbirdThe Snowcap is one of the most wanted hummingbirds for photographers and bird watchers visiting Costa Rica. With its unique bright white forehead and small pointed bill, identifying the Snowcap is easy. The verbena gardens at Rancho Naturalista is a great place to spot the Snowcap. 7- White Throated Mountain GemThe sublime little hummingbird prefers the highlands of the Talamanca Mountains. It’s endemic to Costa Rica and Panama. A visit to Savegre Lodge will ensure a chance to see this pretty little bird. 8- White Necked JacobinThis splendid species features a bright Royal Blue head, and a pure white underbelly creating an almost hand painted look. At about 5 inches, it’s a rather large hummingbird. The Jacobin favors wet lowlands and foothills on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of Costa Rica. TanagersTanagers are a favorite of bird watchers and photographers. Not just for their often brilliant and dazzling plumage, but because many species favor feeders, making them easy to see and photograph. 1- Blue-Gray TanagerOne of the most common Tanagers found throughout Costa Rica, but also one of the prettiest. Depending on the light, this lovely bird can look brilliant blue to soft grey. 2- Speckled TanagersThe Speckled Tanager favors mixed flocks in wet foothills and middle elevations. With its mix of turquoise, bright green and yellow and the unmistakable black speckles, it’s one of the countries most delightful Tanagers. 3- Silver-Throated TanagerThe Silver Throated Tanager is a predictable visitor to fruit feeders. It’s common in wet foothills and middle elevations. It’s a very handsome bird with a wonderful bright yellow head and silver throat, plus the distinctive black line around the cheek makes it easy to identify. 4- Summer TanagerThe Summer Tanager is a common migrant from April to September. The male is differentiated from the Hepatic Tanager by its light pale bill. The Summer Tanager can be seen throughout the entire country during its migratory visits. 5- Bay Headed TanagerThe Bay Headed Tanager is one of the most alluring birds in Costa Rica. It’s fairly common on the southern Pacific Slope, and middle elevations of the Caribbean foothills. With its rusty red head, green wings, blue underbelly, and distinct yellow collar, it’s a must see and must photograph for birders and photographers. 6- Flame-Colored TanagerThis brilliant Tanager prefers the middle elevations of the Central and Talamanca Mountains. It’s a large Tanager, standing at 7 inches. The male and female have similar markings, but the male is bright red orange and the female a duller yellow. MotmotsMotmots are truly some of the most delightful birds of the Costa Rican Rainforest. With six distinct species in Costa Rica, lovers of these handsome birds will enjoy adding them to their life lists and getting top photographs too. Motmots prefer the interior forest or forest edge and typically perch quietly watching for insects, small reptiles and amphibians, hoping for a nice meal. 1- Lesson’s MotmotThe Lesson’s Motmot was formerly known as the Blue-Crowned Motmot. With its long blue racket tail, and the intense blue ring around the black crown, it is one of the prettiest birds in Costa Rica. Listen for its telltale call of hoop-hoop-hoop to help you spot this beauty. 2- Turquoise Browed MotmotThe Turquoise Browed Motmot is the most common Motmot found in Guanacaste, the north Pacific province of Costa Rica. This Motmot prefers the dry forests of the Northern Pacific lowlands and foothills. This beautiful bird is the national bird of El Salvador and Nicaragua. 3- Broad Billed MotmotThis striking Motmot prefers the Caribbean lowlands and foothills. The Broad Billed features the long racket tail, and rusty head and chest. All but one species of Motmots also feature the distinctive black spot on the center of their chests. WrensWalking through the rainforest, hearing a beautiful melodic call, most likely it’s one of Costa Rica’s 22 species of Wrens. If you’re lucky enough to get a good look, you’ll appreciate the intricate, gorgeous, feathers and patterns of most Wrens. You need to be quick though, as most species flit and fly through the understory, stopping just long enough to tease bird watchers, before they hide again. 1- Band Backed WrenThis is a large Wren, at 7 inches and is simply stunning. With black and white stripes on the back, a spotted chest, and rusty belly, the Banded Back is truly a thing of beauty. The Band Backed Wren is easiest to see on the Caribbean slope. 2- Rufous Naped WrenThis is a bold Wren. They often make their homes in the gardens of people, seemingly willing to share their habitats with homeowners in the Pacific region of Costa Rica. These Wrens are very social and are often found singing merrily in the early mornings throughout gardens and forests. Woodpeckers and WoodcreepersCosta Rica has 16 species of Woodpeckers, from the tiny Olivaceous Piculet to the huge Lineated and Pale Billed species. Woodpeckers are widespread throughout Costa Rica and can often be heard tap-tap-tapping throughout the rainforest. There are also 16 species of Woodcreepers in the rainforests of Costa Rica. (This is not including Ovenbirds, Xenops). Woodcreepers also have a very wide distribution throughout the country. Here are two of our favorites: 1- Acorn WoodpeckerThis lovely little Woodpecker prefers the highlands. The striking facial patterns make him a favorite for birdwatchers and bird photographers. 2- Spot-Crowned WoodcreeperThis very handsome Woodcreeper has a slender, decurved, pale bill, and a very noticeable spotted crown. This bird favors the Talamanca Mountains and older Oak forests. FinchesThe distinguishing characteristic of a finch is its strong conical bill. Costa Rica has six species of Finches and Brush Finches. Though often thought of as plain colored or dull compared to other vibrant rainforest species, several species of Finches and Brush Finches have really caught our eye. 1- Yellow Thighed FinchTraveling through the highlands, birdwatchers and bird photographers should get a chance to see this unusual and beautiful Finch. Look closely to see it appears to be wearing a pair of bright yellow pants. This lovely bird is endemic to Costa Rica and Western Panama. 2- White Naped Brush FinchStunning markings make it easy to identify this very handsome Brush Finch. Look for the white crown stripe and bright yellow throat. This Brush Finch likes to forage through secondary growth and weedy areas through the Central and Talamanca Mountains. New World VulturesCosta Rica has four species of vultures, the Turkey, Black, Lesser-Yellow Head, and the King Vulture. Bird watchers and Bird photographers can see them soaring through the skies, in search of their favorite meal, carrion. 1- King VultureWhile it can be hard to distinguish the Turkey and Black Vultures, when they are soaring up high, the King Vulture has some strong identifying characteristics that make it unmistakable. The black and white plumage pattern tells you immediately, you’ve got a King Vulture in your binoculars or camera. Some of Our Other Favorite BirdsWith so many beautiful birds to choose from, it’s hard to pick a favorite bird or best bird, but here are a few more of our top choices. These birds were chosen for their stunning beauty or unusual behavior. 1- SunbitternSunbitterns are found near forested streams in the foothills and lowlands of Costa Rica. While quite lovely when spotted perched along the river, it’s when they spread their wings that the real show begins.
2- Red Headed BarbetThe Red-Headed Barbet favors wet montane forests at middle elevations. The Barbet is a predictable visitor to fruit feeders making him a good subject for photographers and bird watchers. The striking deep red head, yellow belly, and green back make him one of the most handsome birds of the forest. 3- American DipperThis small grey bird, just 7 inches, can be found along mountain rivers foraging for food. The interesting thing is that he not only forages along the river, but also IN the river. The Dipper will jump into rushing rivers, disappear underwater, and return to the safety of the rocks, hopefully with a hearty meal.
4- Collared RedstartThis very sweet little bird is endemic to Costa Rica and Western Panama. It can be found foraging in middle and lower levels of mature forest often in mixed flocks. 5- Scarlet Thighed DacnisA spectacular bird. Electric blue head and back, jet-black underparts, and tiny scarlet thighs are the trademarks of the Scarlet Thighed Dacnis. This wondrous bird is fairly common on the Caribbean slope. 6- Turquoise CotingaThis shy elegant bird is one of the most wanted species in Costa Rica. With a neon blue back and head and bold magenta throat and belly, it’s easy to understand why birders want to have it on their life lists and bird photographers want to capture its image. Visitors must travel to the Southern Pacific to see this beauty. 7- White Throated Magpie JayIf you are looking for a social, fearless, funny bird, that is also quite impressive looking, you need to see the White-Throated Magpie Jay. This large Jay is common throughout Guanacaste, often visiting hotels and resorts, hoping to steal a french fry, or cookie from the plates of unsuspecting visitors. With its lovely blue and white markings, and dapper black crest feathers, the Magpie Jay is a must for all bird watchers. 8- Wood ThrushThe Wood Thrush sports a rusty crown and spotted belly making it one of the cutest little birds in the forest. It’s a fairly common migrant between October and April, and can be found along the ground in wet mature forests. 9- Ocellated AntbirdFor most bird watchers, finding a swarm of army ants and having the chance to see a variety of Antbirds is a dream come true. Being lucky enough to see the Ocellated Antbird is a special treat in the rainforests of Costa Rica. The Ocellated Antbird has a large blue extended orbital area and a very scalloped pattern of feathers on its back. This bird favors the Caribbean lowlands and foothills in dense wet forest. 10- Laughing FalconThis dapper falcon can be identified by its broad black mask and loud call that mimics a loud Guffaw. Usually these falcons begin to call at dusk, from a high perch. They are fairly common in the Pacific lowlands.
Birding in Costa Rica: Best Time of the Year to VisitWhen is The Best time of Year for Birding in Costa Rica?One of the great... read moreHunt for the Harpy EagleHunt for the Harpy Eagle Darien Jungle, Panama March 2018 Most bird watchers... read moreDo I need a private guide for my birding trip to Costa Rica?Wondering if you need a private guide for your birding adventure in Costa Rica? ... read moreGet a Free Quote for Your Costa Rica Birding Tour
About usCosta Rica Focus is a birding tour company that offers customized Costa Rica birdwatching tours for individuals or groups of people and guided by a knowledgeable birding expert who will help you spot and learn about the beauty of the birds of Costa Rica. Let’s talk about your Costa Rica birding vacation! The post A guide to the Most Beautiful Birds of Costa Rica appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://www.costaricafocus.com/most-beautiful-birds-of-costa-rica/
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Where are the BEST places for birding in Costa Rica?We get asked this question every day. Where is the best place for birding in Costa Rica? What makes Costa Rica such a supreme birding location is its extremely diverse habitats all within a very small area. Costa Rica’s land mass is just the size of West Virginia (for those of you from North America) or Denmark (for those of you from Europe). There are 12 major climate zones in Costa Rica and a myriad of micro-climate zones, but for birders, the focus is usually on the following areas: Pacific- rainforest, transitional forest, dry forest, slope, and highlands. Caribbean- lowlands and foothills. In both regions, you then have different elevations, which also determines the birds that be found there. It’s interesting to note that Central America covers just 0.4% of the world’s land surface but contains 12.5% of all the birds on earth. That’s 1261 species of birds, and Costa Rica has 931 OF those different species. That is an intense number of bird species, in a small country, making bird watching an amazing experience for visitors. Let’s take a look at the Top Ten Birding Destinations in Costa Rica, the best lodges, and the star bird species for each area. 1- Osa PeninsulaJacques Cousteau famously called Corcovado National Park the most bio-diverse place on the planet. With pristine primary forest, undisturbed, and very remote, birds and animals flourish in over 424 square kms (164 sq. mi) of dense tropical rainforest. Corcovado offers three accessible ranger stations (La Leona, San Pedrillo and Sirena) plus Cano Island (for snorkeling, diving, and pelagic birding). There are more than 400 species of birds recorded on the Osa Peninsula. Some of the top species include the Scarlet Macaws, Turquoise Cotingas, Blue Crowned Manakins, Bat Falcons, King Vultures, Golden-Naped Woodpeckers and of course the lovely White-Crested Coquette Hummingbird. The Osa Peninsula is not just about birds. Nature and wildlife lovers will be thrilled with seeing the Tapir, 4-species of monkeys, anteaters, agoutis, coatis, reptiles, amphibians and if you’re very lucky one of Costa Rica’s big cats. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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2- MonteverdeThe Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded in 1972. It covers more than 7,400 acres of land and within its massive trees, lush plant life, crystal clear streams you’ll find over 2.5% of the entire world’s biodiversity. Forest that exists at over 1440 m. (4724 ft.) is considered Cloud Forest. The name “Cloud Forest” is quite literal. At any moment in time, Monteverde becomes immersed in dense, low-hanging clouds, hovering over the canopy. The result is a mystical, magical feel. The incredibly diverse plant life; ferns, bromeliads, orchids, lichens and vines drip with condensation and thrive in this rich environment. The Cloud Forest is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. The cloud forest of Monteverde are known to contain over 400 species of birds, 1200 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 100 species of mammals. The cloud forest supports all six species of cats in Costa Rica; jaguars, ocelots, pumas, oncillas, margays, and jaguarundis. If the Resplendent Quetzal, and Three-Wattled Bell Bird are on your most wanted list, Monteverde needs to be part of your birding vacation. Some other top species include the Golden-Browed Chlorophonia, the Black-breasted Wood Quail, the Magenta Throated Woodstar, Azure-hooded Jay, Bare-necked Umbrellabird, and the Emerald Toucanet. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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3- Central PacificJust 90 minutes away from the bustling capital city of San Jose birders and nature lovers can reach the Central Pacific of Costa Rica. This area is well known for nightlife, surfing and deep-sea fishing, but the Central Pacific is home to some of the best bird watching in Costa Rica. Carara National Park is the largest transitional forest in Costa Rica and one of the most important wildlife corridors in all of Central and South America. Carara joins the dry tropical forest of the Northern Zone with the lush tropical rainforest of the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. This corridor creates an 11,614-acre habitat teeming with a huge variety of birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, trees, and plants. Carara is the home of the most successful Scarlet Macaw rehabilitation program in Costa Rica. Visitors can expect to see the colorful pairs of macaws in the trees and flying above the forest. The name “Carara” is an indigenous term that translates to River of Lizards, or River of Crocodiles. The Tarcoles River, home to the 2nd largest crocodiles in the world forms the northern border of the Carara National Park. The Tarcoles area is also an excellent spot for birding. The wetlands there attract coastal and migratory species. It’s one of the best places to spot the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird. Some of the top species of Carara and Tarcoles are: Scarlet Macaw, Orange-collared Manakin, Barred Antshrike, Great Tinamou, Black-headed Trogon, Rufous Piha, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Wedge-bill Woodcreeper, and the Mangrove Hummingbird. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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4- Cano Negro – Rio Frio – Boca TapadaThe Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge lies just south of the Nicaraguan border with Costa Rica. It’s a remote wetland area that is home to many Caribbean species of birds, but due to its unique location, also attracts some Pacific species, and a wide array of migrants. There are over 400 different species of birds recorded in Cano Negro and the surrounding area. Cano Negro protects over 24,000 acres (9969 hectares) of vibrant wetlands, tropical rainforest, rivers, and canals. For bird photographers, Laguna del Lagarto Lodge has an incredible King Vulture blind, an awesome opportunity to photograph these magnificent birds. It’s not uncommon to see 4-8 individuals perched in the trees around the lodge. Guests will explore Cano Negro by boat but can enjoy hiking forest trails at several ecolodges in the area. Some of the top species for bird watchers are the Sungrebe, Jabiru Stork, Gray-breasted Crake, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Pied Puffbird, Giant Cowbird, and the Great Antshrike. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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5- San Gerardo de DotaThe Talamanca highlands, running alongside the Continental Divide provide an incredible range of habitats for birders and wildlife enthusiasts. From thick white oak montane forests, pre-montane foothills, and treeless paramos, bird watchers will revel in the highland species of the area. One of the highest peaks in the country, Cerro de la Muerte, stands at 11,500 ft. After birding in some of the warm tropical jungles of the South Pacific or the Caribbean, San Gerardo de Dota, is a cool reprieve from the heat. The cool, damp climate has created a haven for air plants, epiphytes, bromeliads, ferns, and towering oak trees. Wild avocado trees flourish here as well, bringing in the most reliable populations of Resplendent Quetzals. That feature alone makes San Gerardo de Dota a must on anyone’s birding vacation to Costa Rica. Some of the top species include: Resplendent Quetzal, Long-Tailed Silky Flycatcher, Flame-throated Warbler, Fiery Throated Hummingbird, Yellow-winged Vireo, White-Throated Mountain Gem, Scintillant Hummingbird, and the American Dipper. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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6- La Selva Biological StationLocated in the Caribbean Lowlands, near the town of Sarapiqui sits one of the worlds topical research stations, La Selva. The station is bordered by the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo Rivers and the Braulio Carillo National Park. Technically, La Selva is pre-montane wet forest, but referring to it as the jungle or simply the rainforest is wholly accurate. Though La Selva started out strictly as a research station, in 1968 the Organization for Tropical Studies purchased the property and declared it a private Biological Reserve. Now it exists as both a research station and a place for birders and nature enthusiasts to visit and enjoy full immersion into the rainforest. With more than 50 kms of trails (some wheelchair accessible), wetlands, and rivers all within the area, La Selva is easily one of Costa Rica’s best places for birdwatching and wildlife viewing. There are more than more than 2,077 species of plants; 125 species of mammals (72 of them bats); 470 species of birds; 48 amphibian species; 87 species of reptiles; 45 species of freshwater fish; and tens of thousands of insects, arachnids and other arthropods. Some of the top bird species include: Tiny Hawk, Olive-throated parakeet, Uniform Crake, Sungrebe, Green Ibis, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Great Green Macaw, Rufous Motmot, Sunbittern, Blue-chested Hummingbird, and the Ornate Hawk eagle. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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7- Palo Verde National ParkThe top bird watching spot in Guanacaste is certainly Palo Verde National Park. Palo Verde covers 20,000 hectares of dry tropical forest, wetlands, marshlands, and secondary forest. This huge protected area is an extremely important breeding ground for both resident birds and migratory species. For guests looking for the fantastic Jabiru Stork, best to come from December through April. Not only will there be little if any rain during this time, but the Jabiru will show up to nest during these months. Along with an abundance of bird species, Palo Verde is home to many mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It’s an excellent place to spot Coyotes, Deer, Peccary, and Tayras. Top bird species of the area: Jabiru Stork, White-throated Magpie Jay, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Spot-breasted Oriole, Yellow-Crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Snail Kite, Mangrove Hawk, White Ibis, and Northern Jacanas. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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8- Las Cruces Biological StationLas Cruces Biological Station is one of the last large premontane tropical wet forests in Southern Costa Rica. The rugged topography around Las Cruces provides an amazing habitat to support a very diverse amount of flora and fauna. Within a 10 km. radius around the station, there are over 2000 different species of plants (20 of which are endemic), 113 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, and 70 species of reptiles. For butterfly enthusiasts, there are over 800 species of butterflies recorded in the area. The un-matched Wilsons Botanical Gardens, located at Las Cruces, has one of the most important plant collections in all of Central America. They are home to an extensive collection of palms, tropical and sub-tropical ornamental plants, and rare, unusual, and endangered plant species from Costa Rica and around the world. Some of the top species are: Masked Duck (only place in Costa Rica to see it) White-Throated Crake, Snowy-Bellied Hummingbird, Charming Hummingbird, Speckled Tanager, Collared Trogon, Gray-Chested Dove, Bicolored Hawk, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, and the Blue Headed Parrot. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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9- TurrialbaIn the Central Valley, east of San Jose at the foothills of the Turrialba Volcano lies the beautiful Turrialba Valley. This area is characterized by mountains and lush green valleys. Close to 500 species of birds have been recorded in Turrialba. It’s a fascinating location that gives visitors the chance to enjoy archeology, waterfalls, gorgeous forests and spectacular birding. Because of its location between two mountain ranges, an incredible number of species of birds move up and down in elevation following the various food sources. Every month of the year is rich with birds. This area is the very best place to see the very wanted Snowcap Hummingbird. In fact, Turrialba is one of the best hummingbird spots in the entire country. Visitors have a great chance to see Violet-crowned Woodnymph, White-necked Jacobin, Green Hermit, Green Thorntail, Violet Sabre-wing, Bronze-tailed Plumleteer, Green-Crowned Brilliant, Black-Crested Coquette, Violet Headed Hummingbird, and the Garden Emerald. Other top species include: Purplish-backed Quail-Dove, Red-Fronted Parrotlets, Emerald Tanager, American Dipper, Sunbittern, Black-Hawk Eagle, Torrent Tyrannulet, Strong-Billed Wood Creeper and Sulfur-Winged Parakeets. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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10- Central ValleyWhen visitors hear about the Central Valley of Costa Rica, they immediately think of San Jose (the capital city), football games, business centers, shopping, and museums but there are many superb birding spots within an hour of the Central Valley. Birders can explore the Vara Blanca area and visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Poas Volcano. Braulio Carillo National Park is just 60 minutes from San Jose and is truly one of the most undiscovered parks in the country. Inhabitants of this verdant forest include over 500 species of birds and 150 species of mammals. The Barva Volcano region and the Irazu Volcano offer unique habitats for birds as well as excellent hiking and beautiful vistas. Some of the top species of the area are: Yellow-thighed finch, Sooty-capped Bush Tanagers, Buffy Crowned Wood partridge, Unspotted Sawhet Owl, Mountain Elenia, Yellow-ear toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, and Lattice Tail Trogon. Recommended birdwatching areas:
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Costa Rica is truly one of the very best birding spots in the world. Whether you are a lister, looking to see as many species as possible, on a return trip looking to round out your life list, or a photographer, just hoping for the best shots of the prettiest birds, Costa Rica is the right destination for you. From National Parks, to Private Reserves, from lush gardens to off the beaten track locations only your guide knows about, Costa Rica will give you the best birding you could ever imagine. Birding Costa Rica: Best Time of the Year to VisitWhen is The Best time of Year for Birding in Costa Rica?One of the great... read moreHunt for the Harpy EagleHunt for the Harpy Eagle Darien Jungle, Panama March 2018 Most bird watchers... read moreDo I need a private guide for my birding trip to Costa Rica?Wondering if you need a private guide for your birding adventure in Costa Rica? ... read moreSearch for the Elusive Birds of Costa RicaLooking for the most elusive Costa Rica bird speciesCosta Rica Focus is very excited to... read moreGet a Free Quote for Your Costa Rica Birding Tour
About usCosta Rica Focus is a birding tour company that offers customized Costa Rica birdwatching tours for individuals or groups of people and guided by a knowledgeable birding expert who will help you spot and learn about the beauty of the birds of Costa Rica. Let’s talk about your Costa Rica birding vacation! The post Top Ten Birding Destinations in Costa Rica appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://www.costaricafocus.com/blog/top-ten-birding-destinations-in-costa-rica/ Costa Rica Birdwatching Guide: The Superb Birding Experience in Costa RicaCosta Rica birdwatching tours are unique and very enjoyable because, with the highest segment of protected land across the planet, Costa Rica is the most popular biological station. It offers most productive and classic places for bird watching to its travelers. Our Costa Rica Birdwatching Guide for beginners features four most popular (and attractive) species that are found in this tropical country. The country is the home to a variety of bird species. Every birder gets spoiled here with colorful birds like Great Kiskadee, Blue-crowned Motmot and lot more. Visitors also get access to the great trails in Costa Rica. It gives an insightful of virgin rainforests and beautiful lowlands. Upriver searching is also a fabulous option for these trails. And if you are escorted by a competent bird guide in Costa Rica, then the experience is going to be stupendous. Here is our visual infographics–Costa Rica birdwatching guide with all the basic details you need to know when planning a birding trip to Costa Rica: If you’d like a printable PDF version, click here to download this handy guide for birders. With birding binoculars in one hand and birding booklet or a birds of Costa Rica app in another, the searching process itself is a remarkable adventure. Caño Negro Wildlife Reserve, Guápiles, and Monteverde are some of the fantastic places to check out the hundreds of stunning bird species in the country. An absolute heavenly place for bird-watchers, Costa Rica, has more than 800 species of birds. Other than these, 200 more species migrate to the country every year. They make it a temporary nesting place when the summer sets in their respective regions. Costa Rica is the best place for first-time birders. It is easy to spot hundreds of these avian friends flying in the sky glowing with magnificent colors. Few of these wonderful birds that you can watch in our Costa Rica bird watching tours are: QuetzalQuetzal is one of the loveliest birds on the planet. Quetzal is an Aztec word that means “beautiful.” During the mating season, the male bird grows a magnificent tail, which grows up to half a meter in length. With its green body, ridged crest and red breast, the bird looks so pretty that it pleases you instantly. Maya people revered Quetzal and harming one used to be a sin. This shy and graceful bird is the national bird of Guatemala. Unfortunately, the world’s most striking bird is becoming an endangered species. Hence, spotting it has become a little challenging these days. However, many visitors get to see him at one of the best Costa Rica birding hotspots: the cloud forests of Monteverde. HummingbirdThe hummingbird is one of the beautiful birds you can observe with no problem. They attract the birders with their iridescent coloring, daredevil maneuvers and tiny size. There are over 300 species of hummingbirds known to humankind. About 50 distinctive varieties of these noisy birds capture the heart of birdwatchers in Costa Rica only. These fairy-like feather dynamos are easy to spot in many locations in the country. Four species of the hummingbird come under endangered species of birds. These birds feed only on nectars from the flowers and help them bloom. Hummingbirds play a vital role in creating a balance in the environment by pollination process. ToucanToucans are little birds with a short neck and large bills. Almost every habitat in Costa Rica has six species of this bird. Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, Keel-billed Toucan, Yellow-eared Toucan, Fiery-billed Aracari, Collared Aracari, and Emerald Toucanet are the six species you can find in Costa Rica. They are the most exotic and strangest bird on earth. With their huge colorful bills, they look like flying bananas. Scarlet MacawScarlet Macaws are the brilliantly colored beautiful birds that are impossible to miss in Costa Rica sky. It is a big red, yellow, and blue colored South American parrot. Macaws are mainly found on the Pacific coasts of Costa Rica. These macaws can communicate vocally, which is highly variable. They are gifted to imitate human speech sounds. So, if you are a nature enthusiast, birding trip in Costa Rica is going to be an unforgettable experience for you. With a camera and a binocular, you can capture the images of these spectacular creatures in your device as well as your heart. Contact us to know more about Costa Rica birding tours 2019/2020 and save a spot for our next birding tour. Hunt for the Harpy EagleHunt for the Harpy Eagle Darien Jungle, Panama March 2018 Most bird watchers... read moreDo I need a private guide for my birding trip to Costa Rica?Wondering if you need a private guide for your birding adventure in Costa Rica? ... read moreSearch for the Elusive Birds of Costa RicaLooking for the most elusive Costa Rica bird speciesCosta Rica Focus is very excited to... read moreBirding Tour VS Bird Photography TourWhat is the difference between a birding tour and a bird photography tour?At Costa Rica... read moreGet a Free Quote for Your Costa Rica Birding Tour
About usCosta Rica Focus is a birding tour company that offers customized Costa Rica birdwatching tours for individuals or groups of people and guided by a knowledgeable birding expert who will help you spot and learn about the beauty of the birds of Costa Rica. Let’s talk about your Costa Rica birding vacation! The post Costa Rica Birdwatching Guide for Beginners appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://www.costaricafocus.com/blog/costa-rica-bird-watching-guide/ Looking for the most elusive Costa Rica bird speciesCosta Rica Focus is very excited to announce a new Costa Rica Birding Group Trip for 2019. Join us on this exclusive birding trip looking for some of the most elusive species of birds in Costa Rica. If Costa Rica Birdwatching is on your bucket list, you will want to be sure to be a part of our adventure. Since we only arrange small group birding trips, get in touch with us soon and secure your spot. The dates of the trip are October 14 – 22, 2019. Since October tends to be very rainy on the Pacific side of the country, we’ll be focused on the Caribbean side, where weather will be better and the birding will be amazing. This 8 night/9 day birding and nature trip to Costa Rica gives avid bird watchers the chance to see some of Costa Rica’s rarest and most exciting bird species, plus, enjoy some of the other fantastic activities that Costa Rica has to offer. This Costa Rica Birding trip is a great combination of excellent bird watching, culture, and nature. With your private naturalist birding guide, you’ll travel throughout the Caribbean side of the country and experience paradise at its best. One of the things that makes Costa Rica such a special destination for birdwatching is the many microclimates throughout the country. This means, for birders, that just by changing elevation slightly or moving a few miles east or west, the chance to see new species is created. On this trip, we are going to target some of the country’s most elusive species, but of course, we will be looking for and logging the old favorites too. Along with the daily birdwatching, our guests will have a chance to take part in fun and interesting activities. One night, the group will participate in a farm to table experience, seeing local produce and then joining the chef in the kitchen to prepare and cook a lovely typical dinner. Guests will also get the chance to visit the most significant archeological site in Costa Rica, Guayabo. Your guide, Rudy Zamora, had the pleasure of studying under the professor who discovered the Guayabo site, so he is ready to share insight and observations straight from the scientist who made this important find. Guayabo happens to be not just an amazing glimpse of history, but also a fantastic spot for birding. Along with these two activities, the group will visit a very important agricultural center, CATIE. CATIE is famous for its impressive collection of tropical plants, and the research done here leads the world in advances in sustainable practices in Tropical Agriculture. The group will have the chance to taste a wide array of tropical fruits, and of course, enjoy spectacular bird watching throughout the gardens. October is a special month in Tortuguero too, as it wraps up the Green Sea Turtle nesting period. Along with bird watching the canals and rainforest of Costa Rica, our group will have the chance to see this incredible, once in a lifetime event, the nesting of the Green Sea Turtles. We will be looking for all the birds of Tortuguero too, but we will take time out one evening to try and see the turtles. The trip will finish with a visit to the majestic Arenal Volcano Area. This entire region is so rich in bird species, the group will spend most of the time in the gardens and trails around the Arenal Observatory Lodge, but we will take time out one evening to have a lovely soak in the thermal waters of the volcano. It is a special experience, one not to be missed in Costa Rica. If you enjoy birdwatching in a small group atmosphere, with an exceptional naturalist guide to lead you and like-minded birders with you, you will love our “Elusive birds of Costa Rica Trip”. There are few Costa Rica Birding Group Trips that will target so many amazing species and show off the unique qualities of this beautiful country. We hope you can join us. Check out part of our target list below.
Below is a sample of a privately guided Search for the Elusive Birds Tour: Costa Rica Group Birding Trip: Search for the Elusive BirdsPackage #2 Dates: October 14 – 22, 2019 The post Search for the Elusive Birds of Costa Rica appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://www.costaricafocus.com/elusive-birds-of-costa-rica-tour/ What is the difference between a birding tour and a birding photography tour?At Costa Rica Focus we offer both bird watching tours and bird photography tours. Sometimes clients wonder which tour is best for them. Am I more interested in photography, bird watching, or a little bit of both? Many tours will satisfy the needs of both birders and photographers, but if you are intense about your birding or intense about your photography, you may want to consider choosing a tour that is hyper-focused on either interest. Some of the qualities of both bird watching tours and bird photography tours are that they will include a variety of destinations so that you have the opportunity to see or photograph the most variety of species. Visitors should expect itineraries to offer journeys that encompass Caribbean and Pacific destinations (North and South). The month of travel will determine the best locations for each trip.
Some of the qualities that guests can expect on a bird photography tour in Costa Rica are:
If you are interested in taking a bird photography tour, Book our tour package #4 The post Birding Tour VS Birding Photography Tour appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://www.costaricafocus.com/birding-tour-vs-birding-photography-tour/ Our Newest Costa Rica Birding TourIf you are interested in a Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour, please consider our newest birding tour, “Quest for the Agami Heron”. This fantastic trip can be arranged for individuals or if you prefer, you can join our scheduled group tour for June 3 –13, 2020. There are many birdwatching tours in Costa Rica to choose from, but we think this adventure is really special.
Bird Watching Tour DetailsThis 10 night/ 11-day package gives visitors a unique experience in a very off the beaten track part of Costa Rica called the Pacuare Reserve. The highlight of this birdwatching tour is the opportunity to see the rare nesting site of the Agami Herons. These beautiful birds gather along the banks of the river, in the private reserve, laying their eggs and tending their chicks. It’s a cacophony of sound and color. Beautiful burgundy adults, fluffy white chicks, and lush green foliage are the backdrop to the unique calls of the Agami Herons. If the local Howler Monkeys join in, it’s truly a symphony of nature. As part of our stay at the Reserve, we will also be participating in a census of the endangered Leatherback Turtle. Each night, we’ll head to the beach with trained biologists to count any adults who come from the sea. This is a rare chance to see these prehistoric creatures in their natural habitat. Our birdwatching in Costa Rica is not limited to the Caribbean lowlands though, this fantastic tour will also take us to the Turrialba area to concentrate on the mid-elevation species and on to San Gerardo de Dota for all those highland birds that are a must-see on any birdwatching tour. In this 10-night package, birding enthusiasts will be able to add many new birds to their species lists and enjoy a combination of habitats to really become immersed in the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. Our June 3, 2020 departure guarantees the guiding services of our top Naturalist and birding expert, Rudy Zamora, but if you prefer to arrange your own trip, he is available for different dates as well. If you are looking for a similar itinerary but maybe not such an intense birdwatching tour to Costa Rica, we can also arrange a trip that utilizes local guides. For the very best of birdwatching in Costa Rica, contact us at Costa Rica Focus. We work with all types of visitors, any number of days, and a wide range of budgets. The post Newest Costa Rica Birding Tour: Quest for the Agami Heron appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://www.costaricafocus.com/costa-rica-birding-tour-agami-heron/ Wondering if you need a private guide for my birding adventure in Costa Rica?Planning a birding trip to Costa Rica is very exciting. Whether it is your first time visiting Costa Rica, or maybe a return trip, the anticipation of seeing new bird species and enjoying the beauty of Costa Rica is exhilarating. One question that is often posed to us is, “Do I need a Private Guide?” There are quite a few details to consider in helping you answer that question for yourselves. We hope this article will help you decide. Advantages of having a private birding guide in Costa RicaIncluding a Private Naturalist Guide (one with a proven history of knowledge and skill) in your package is the best way to ensure that you see the species you want to see and learn the most about the natural history of Costa Rica. For smaller groups or couples, your guide will also act as your driver, with larger groups the guide will choose a vehicle and driver with experience driving for birding groups. Having a private guide, exclusive to you, allows you the advantage of going to the unknown, off the beaten track birding sites, ones that are outside the realm of large noisy tourist groups. You will also be on your own schedule, you can stop anytime and any place you like (was that a Swallow Tail Kite soaring overhead? Let’s stop and check it out), you can stay as long or as short as you like at any given reserve or park, as it’s totally your trip, your time, with a trip tailor-made just for you. Your guide will find out what will make your birding vacation special for you and then make sure that everything you do aligns to your needs. When you hire a private guide, you can send your target list in advance and your guide will consider the best places and best times to visit each area to give you the best chance to see the birds you want to see. Your guide will also be your driver. He will get you from point A to point B, he will take you to local restaurants, and to see any other sights you may want to see. There is an ease in knowing that all you need to do is arrive, and your guide is there to handle everything for you. If your interests expand beyond birds, to history, culture, plants, animals, etc., an experienced guide will be adept at answering your questions, telling tales of local lore, and pointing out the many interesting facts about the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. Spotting birds and wildlife in the rainforest is tricky too. Camouflage in nature is incredible. We hear over and over in our guests’ comments, “We had no idea how Rudy spotted that bird!” “How in the world he could see that tiny bird in the thick trees!” Trying to find tricky species, in the rainforest is difficult. Having your expert guide with you, one who knows the habitats that birds like, the flowers or seeds they are attracted to, the elevation to find each species will allow you to spend more time in nature and less time looking through your guidebook trying to figure out what you just saw. What is the protocol with private guides?Some guests have asked us about protocol with guides too. Do we have to have every meal together? Is it rude to expect some time to ourselves? The answer to this is, it’s your vacation, you will not offend your guide if you let him know you would prefer a meal or all meals on your own or that you just want time to yourselves. Most guides will try to be stealthy, and gauge the vibes of their clients, but I think it’s important for guests to know that you can still have your own time, even if you hire a private guide. What about the costs of hiring a private guide?It is important to know that there is a cost associated with hiring a private guide. Guides will charge a daily fee for their services and guests will need to cover the per diem for accommodations and meals for the guide. Most hotels in Costa Rica do offer highly reduced rates for guides and often include their meals as well, to help keep the cost to guests as low as possible. Visitors can expect to pay between $100-$150 per day for the services of an excellent guide. This would be for an educated guide, who speaks fluent English, and most likely has a degree in Biology, Ornithology, Natural History or another related field. This will be for a guide who can talk about birds, habitats, relationships of flora and fauna, culture, and history. Most highly sought-after guides will book up their schedules a year or more in advance during high season months (December – April), plan early if you think having a private guide is the right choice for your birding vacation. While we do recommend having a private guide for our avid birders, for visitors with a moderate or intermediate interest in birds and nature, we can suggest hotels that have decent local guides on staff. In most cases, guests will find local guides who are good at identifying the species of their areas and speak intermediate English. At most National Parks, guests will find free-lance guides for hire, waiting at the ranger station for visitors to arrive. Visitors can hire these guides by the day or hour. Costs range from about $10 per hour to about $75 per day. You can negotiate your own rate with the free-lance guides. Tours to popular birding spots (like Cano Negro, Hanging Bridges, Tarcoles River), will include a guide as well. Again, these guides will generally be good at the recognition of species and should be able to point out many different and interesting birds, mammals, reptiles, and plants. Whichever type of birding vacation to Costa Rica you prefer, the important thing to know is that with a vacation in Costa Rica, you have choices. At Costa Rica Focus, we will talk with you about what you want out of your birding trip and we’ll help you make the best choices for you and your travel companions. The post Do I need a private guide for my birding trip to Costa Rica? appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://costaricafocus.com/private-guide-birding-trip-costa-rica/ Birding and Beaches: Costa Rica Birdwatching TourMany birdwatchers think that in order to visit a destination and find many new species to add to their life bird lists, they will need to trudge for miles and miles through swamps, forests, jungles, and muddy trails. Costa Rica is such a special place for bird watching because it is easy to create a birdwatching tour vacation for the birder and the non-birder in the couple, family or group. Last week, my husband and I left our home in the Central Valley of Costa Rica to visit the Guanacaste beach area, and then make a stop at the Los Angeles Cloud Forest in San Ramon. We are both avid birders, so yes, of course, we were planning on some bird watching, but this was the first get-away we have had together for a while, so we also wanted some downtime for beaches, pools, and cocktails. Like normal, we hugged the dogs goodbye, re-checked for binoculars, wished our dog sitter good luck (10 dogs, lots of work), and set out northwest to the Pacific Coast and the beautiful Playa Conchal area. We generally keep our eyes to the skies, even as we leave our house. This was not planned to be a birdwatching tour, per se, but being passionate about birds, and since it was migration time, we were hoping to see some new species to add to our year bird list. Many birdwatching tours in Costa Rica will skip over Guanacaste in favor of the Central and Southern Pacific regions, but if you have done the Central Pacific, and the Osa Peninsula, your next trip to Costa Rica should include Guanacaste. Spotting the First BirdsBack to our trip, we bounced along in our good ol’ Toyota Four Runner, down the unpaved road taking us from our house to the main street outside our little town. We spotted turkey vultures, black vultures, rufous-naped wrens, yellow warblers, tropical kingbirds, Kiskadees, Steely-vented hummingbirds, and a short-tailed hawk (we were not even 1 mile away). We continued along the highway, spotting a lot of vultures of course, and a roadside hawk, until finally, we reached the coastal town of Puntarenas. There is a small mud-flat there, we stopped for a quick look and found a couple spotted sand-pipers but nothing else. It is a 3.5-hour drive from the Central Valley to Guanacaste, so we decided to keep moving, as we wanted to make it to the beach by sunset. The drive was uneventful, we did see a troop of Howler Monkeys in the trees overhead, and several flocks of orange chinned parrots (signaling the start of the dry season in Costa Rica), but for the most part, there were what we call “the usual suspects.” Kiskadees, tropical kingbirds, vultures, roadside hawks, grey hawks, cattle egrets, great egrets, and social flycatchers. Playa Conchal: Admiring The Birds and Wildlife Too!Arriving at our hotel at Playa Conchal, we were happy to see the sprawling golf course (great place for bird watching) and to find a map of the trails at the on-site reserve. In the morning, we planned to rise early and check out the property in order to see what we might see in the area. We did take the late afternoon to have a few cocktails, take a lovely swim in the clear warm water at Playa Conchal, and watch the sunset beautifully over the Pacific Ocean. Just walking around the resort property that afternoon, we were impressed with the wildlife we encountered. We saw Variegated squirrels, Coatimundis (with babies, so cute), white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, an Armadillo, and lots of iguanas. The birding was great too because the resort has done a great job of maintaining lush green areas. The hotel also borders a 96-acre private wildlife reserve that includes a dry tropical forest, an estuary, and a mangrove swamp. This diverse array of habitats creates a fantastic place for birdwatching in Costa Rica. A Perfect Day for Birdwatching in Central GuanacasteOur first morning, we set the alarms for 5:00 a.m. (it gets light about 5:30) and were greeted by the hoots of owls, right outside our terrace door. Upon investigation we found two Pacific Screech Owls perched just a few feet away. That was a great omen to start the day. We headed through the grounds of the hotel, towards the golf course, and saw Clay-colored robins, white-winged doves, boat-billed flycatchers, and the gorgeous streak-backed oriole (to name a few). We continued to the golf course, and at the first pond, we were happily surprised to find two lovely Lesser Scaups. They were so pretty in the early morning sunlight. Under a large Guanacaste tree, we spied several double-striped thick knees and at the second pond a Ringed Kingfisher and a Tri-colored Heron. Next, we took a trail into the wooded portion of the reserve. There were Scrub Euphonias, a Thicket Tinamou, Lesser Greenlets, a Black Headed Trogon, Banded Wrens, and many Melodious Blackbirds. The trail looped us around to the paved road, which turned out to be successful as we encountered several mixed flocks. Tanagers were everywhere, Blue & Grey, Summer, Western, as well as a cute Brown Crested Flycatcher, Groove-billed Anis, Rufus Capped Warblers, Squirrel Cuckoos, and a long-tailed manakin. Continuing down to the beach we first visited the river mouth. There we found the spotted sandpipers, a Yellow Crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, and mangrove swallows. Along the beach, we enjoyed both the Elegant and Royal Terns, and lots of Brown Pelicans. We had a very special sighting too, a White-necked Puffbird, perched on a bare limb, right in the open. We had a great look. We only spent about 2 hours around the hotel, on the trail, and then on the beach and we logged about 100 species. Imagine a day like that, at a beach hotel, that is why Costa Rica Birdwatching is so great. Papagayo Peninsula: Relaxing and BirdwatchingThe following morning, we left central Guanacaste to the Northernmost peninsula, The Papagayo Peninsula. Our hotel was located at the beach surrounded by the dry tropical forest typical of Guanacaste. Again, we chose well because the combination of resort amenities, beautiful pool and spa, natural beach, and the clear water of Culebra Bay PLUS the surrounding forest made us know we were in for a great time relaxing and bird watching experience. It was a typical hot Guanacaste afternoon so our first stop after check-in was the swimming pool. No sooner had we gotten in the pool when a huge troop of white face capuchin monkeys visited the pool. There were tiny newborn babies, clinging to their mamas, and juveniles chattering and playing with each other, jumping through the trees, chasing each other everywhere. It was really cute. I guess that one of the youngsters thought the pool looked pretty good, as he came to the edge of the infinity pool, and lay down, dangling an arm and a leg into the cool water. He lay there, looking at us like, “Yeah? What’s wrong with this?” “I’m just doing what you’re doing.” It was incredible. We were also visited by toucans, white-fronted parrots, Brown-hooded Parrots, and an Osprey. It was a great start to our visit on the Papagayo Peninsula. We spent the next day mostly relaxing by the pool. From the pool, we Coppery Emerald Hummingbird, a Great Crested Fly Catcher and a Rose-throated Becard. To make the day even better, I spied something moving mid-canopy, at first, I thought it was a monkey, but WOW, it was a Tamandua (Anteater). That was really special. Los Angeles Reserve: Birding in the Cloud ForestAfter two days enjoying the sun of Guanacaste, it was time for us to move on to our last stop, the cool misty cloud forest of the Los Angeles Reserve, just outside the town of San Ramon. We were greeted by a blanket of mist, and temperatures that dropped rapidly. It felt good to be in the cool fresh air after the heat of Guanacaste. The gardens at our hotel were alive with hummingbirds, sparrows, and wrens. The Violet Sabrewing (the largest hummingbird in Costa Rica) zoomed by, the charming little Bananaquits chirped in the verbenas, and the Mountain Elaenias came to check us out. When the fog got too dense and the afternoon too dark, we retired to the hotel lounge and sat in front of a roaring fire enjoying a glass of wine and one of our favorite typical dishes, Ayote Soup (Squash soup). We planned for an early morning walk into the cloud forest, so we went to bed early. Our quaint, rustic room included our own fireplace. We lit a toasty fire and fell asleep to the sound of the wood crackling, it was heavenly. The rain was our morning alarm, but we decided to brave the conditions and at least get an hour in the Cloud Forest. So, ponchos on, we made our way down an easy path through the mystical, magical cloud forest. There is no way to fully describe the cloud forest. You simply must experience it. The lushness, the depth of the greens, the smell of the earth, the plants and vines, and trees and the birds, Oh the birds. We only had about 30 minutes before the deluge came but, in that time, we spotted a Dusky Antbird, Red-Faced Spinetail, Rufous-Tailed Jacamar, Spotted Woodcreeper, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler and much more (see full list below). We could have easily spent hours exploring the area but hard rain and the need for breakfast called us back to the lodge. With an unfavorable weather forecast upon us, we decided to pack it up and head back to the Central Valley. It was an amazing trip, and a great reminder of how amazing bird watching in Costa Rica truly is. Visitors can experience several different climate zones, and see a huge array of birds, even on a 5-night birding tour to Costa Rica. If you are interested, here is the full list of birds we spotted on our trip:
The post Birding and Beaches: Costa Rica Birdwatching Tour appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://costaricafocus.com/birding-beaches-costa-rica-birdwatching-tour/ When is The Best time of year for Birding in Costa Rica?One of the great things about bird watching in Costa Rica is that every month is a great month for bird watching. With so many different micro-climates, avid bird watchers can find a great spot all year ‘round. Here is a quick guide to some of the best places to visit and to avoid during specific times of the year. It’s important to note that there are two very distinct sides to Costa Rica (Pacific and Caribbean) and two very distinct weather patterns to go along with each side. Caribbean sideLet’s start with the Caribbean side, it’s easy. It rains every month of the year on the Caribbean side. There is very consistent rainfall every month, all year long, with a slight decrease during the months of August, September, and October. With this said, birding on the Caribbean side of the country is always good because there is a constant food supply (fruit, insects, reptiles, etc.) due to the consistent rain. Highlight places:
The Pacific SideThe Pacific side of the country follows a pretty predictable weather pattern, but keep in mind Costa Rica is a tropical country and even during the “dry season” rain is possible on the Pacific. Generally speaking, the driest months of the year are December – April. The rainiest months of the year are October and November. Those transition months of the year (May – September) are considered the best for bird watchers as being “off-season” the country has fewer tourists which means better conditions for bird watching in the National Parks. Fewer visitors, fewer crowds, less noise equals better bird watching. Highlight places:
It’s always best to talk about your vacation with a birding specialist. This way you’ll get a trip that will exceed your expectations. The post Best Time of Year for Birding in Costa Rica appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://costaricafocus.com/best-time-of-year-for-birding-in-costa-rica/ Costa Rica Waits for Its Winged Visitors to ArriveDefinitely one of the most amazing events of Mother Nature is bird migration. After the Autumn Equinox on September 21rst, the northern hemisphere starts tilting away from the sun, literarily by the minute the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are dropping. The birds know. It is now time to go south to the tropics. For birds, the trip requires a lot of preparation. They most double their weight, otherwise, they will not have enough energy to make it to their wintering grounds. Millions and millions of birds, after a long spring and summer of finding a suitable place to build a nest, incubating and raising their chicks in the northern latitudes are now ready to head South. For the long journey, one would expect that the parents would guide their young ones, who are just a few months old, during their long trip south. Actually, the youngsters usually take off first, they know where to go, as their destination is imprinted in their genes. Handed down generation after generation in their species. Costa Rica Bird Migration TimesSome birds migrate during the day. We humans can position ourselves to see the incredible gathering of thousands and thousands of birds, especially raptors, shorebirds, and swallows. The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, from mid-September through October, is one of the best places to see the spectacular raptor migration. Look to the skies on a clear day to see hundreds of thousands of hawks, falcons, kites, and vultures soaring overhead. Most birds migrate only during the night. All of the little flycatchers, vireos, warblers, tanagers, and tiny hummingbirds will only take off in the middle of the night, a mile high above the trees, flying over entire oceans, mountains, and continents, for thousands of miles. What a feat for a little creature. Imagine, a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird weighs only 3 grams. The same tiny bird in my family backyard in Hershey, PA will end up in my backyard in Costa Rica. That same bird will return to the same spot in Pennsylvania and back to Costa Rica year after year. Ornithologists have been banding birds for many years. We know that most birds will come to the same spot year after year. Their sense of orientation is incredible, and it’s still a mystery as to exactly how they do it. How do they manage to fly through dark nights, rain, wind, hurricanes even and return to the same spots over and over? (Especially when you think that we humans tend to get lost in a shopping center!) Being a bird watcher in the tropics I wait for the Southbound migration with anticipation and excitement. When I finally see a little Ruby-throated Hummingbird visiting the Verbena plants in my garden, I wonder where it came from and what it went through in its long trip. How many obstacles did this tiny beautiful marvel face and conquer before he reached his winter home? I admire it and enjoy it, at least until March during the Spring Equinox when off it will go North again and a bird watcher in the North will feel what I am feeling now, gratitude! The post Winter Bird Migration in Costa Rica appeared first on Costa Rica Focus. from https://costaricafocus.com/winter-bird-migration-costa-rica/ |
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