Costa Rica is a very popular birding destination, particularly for those based in North America. As there are many detailed trip reports available on Cloud Birders, this report only provides a brief overview of the areas visited and the birds seen.
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| Keel-billed Toucan |
This trip was set up in late 2021, as the two years of severe Covid restrictions were just starting to relax. It was anticipated/hoped that Covid would be over by April 2023 and as it turned out, most travel restrictions had been relaxed by then, however we still had to wear masks on aeroplanes and in restaurants, plus get PCR tests before flying.
A number of local birding companies were approached however only two companies provided the custom tour that we were looking for and at a competitive price. The decision was made to use Aratinga Tours, who were excellent and provided one of the top birding guides for Costa Rica.
Pieter Westra further developed the outline itinerary provided, which covered five of the six major zones in Costa Rica, namely the Caribbean Lowlands, Caribbean Foothills, Middle Elevations, Highlands and Southern Pacific Lowlands. The itinerary also included birding in the far south, close to the border with Panama and in the far north close to the border with Nicaragua.
Costa Rica is a relatively small country with good roads and infrastructure, thus enabling most areas of the country to be visited in a three-week trip.
We had five birders for the trip with Pieter from Holland joining us a few days after the trip commenced and then leaving four days before the end of the trip. Barbara and Neville were from Canada, whilst Allon and myself were from Australia.
The 20-day itinerary commenced and ended in San Jose and included:
a) San José – 4 nights pre-tour at Hotel Bougainvillea
b) Central Valley – Full day birding in the Cartago area with Pieter Westra
c) Central Pacific Lowlands – 3 nights at Rio Tárcoles
d) South Pacific Lowlands – 2 nights at Peninsula de Osa
e) Southern Rainforest – 2 nights at Las Cruses Biological Station
f) Talamanca Highlands– 2 nights in Savegre Valley
g) Caribbean Lowlands – 3 nights at La Selva Biological Station
h) Arenal - 3 nights at Arenal Observatory Lodge
i) Northern Wetlands– 2 nights at Caño Negro
j) Cinchona & La Paz Waterfall – 2 nights at Hotel Buena Vista
We recorded just over 540 species for the trip, which was outstanding thanks to Ernesto our guide and Ricardo our driver. This compares with 400 to 450 typically seen on a three-week birding trip run by the commercial companies.
All the species in this trip report are according to the latest IOC taxonomy, as of December 2022.
The standard of accommodation for the trip was average to very good, and we avoided some of the expensive tourist lodges. The food was excellent, particularly the selection of fruit and various fruit juices. We had no problems with logistics or security during the trip and were well looked after by our guide and driver.
Resources
“The Birds of Costa Rica” by Richard Garrigues and Robert Dean, 2nd edition published in 2014, is an excellent guide
“Birding Field Guides Costa Rica” iPhone app which has photos and calls for over 1,000 bird species for Costa Rica
eBird (https://ebird.org/home) has useful information on recent sightings. All the sites visited during the trip and my various bird lists have been published on eBird.
Trip Report
Sunday 17th to Tuesday 19th April: Hotel Bougainvillea, San José
I flew with United Airlines from Sydney to the USA then San José, leaving Sunday morning and arriving late Sunday evening, having crossed the International Date Line.
United Airlines provided very good service, although there were some tight connections in Los Angeles and Denver. The flights kept changing and were cancelled twice as United rescheduled flights, probably due to the limited number of passengers travelling from Australia to the USA at that time. Australia had only just opened up to international travel and understandably many didn’t want to travel.
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| Lesson's Motmot |
Stayed at Hotel Bougainvillea which has 10 acres of botanical gardens, plus good accommodation and meals. Barbara and Neville also arrived early, followed by Allon a few days later.
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| Mottled Owl |
The birding in the hotel gardens was excellent and it was a great way to relax and get into the local birds. Recorded 54 species of birds in the gardens including Zone-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Mottled Owl, Tropical Screech Owl, Pauraque, Lesson’s Motmot, Finsch's Parakeet, White-crowned Parrot, Squirrel Cuckoo, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Grey-cowled Wood Rail and Golden-winged Warbler.
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| Squirrel Cuckoo |
Wednesday 20th April: Central Valley - Cartago Area
We set up a day’s birding with Pieter Westra at short notice and travelled across San José in the early morning to the Cartago area.
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| Black-bellied Whistling Duck |
The Central Valley is located in the centre of Costa Rica but is more a highland plateau than a valley, at around 1,000 to 1,200 m above sea level. This area has four cities: San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago. The area has a moderate climate, it doesn’t get as hot as the lowlands and neither as cold as in the mountains. The area has very fertile soil, with the main crop being coffee, and is mostly urbanized.
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| Hook-billed Kite |
The specialties for the Central Valley are the Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, Cabanis’s Ground-sparrow, White-eared Ground-sparrow, Finsch's Parakeet and White-tailed Kite, which can be difficult to see elsewhere in Costa Rica.
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| Cabinis's Ground-sparrow |
We had an excellent day’s birding around the Cartago area, with 98 species for the day, which included some birds not seen on the scheduled tour. The pre-tour birding had resulted in over 120 species being recorded and provided a good introduction to the birds of Costa Rica.
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| Finsch's Parakeet |
Highlights included Sunbittern, Blue-throated Toucanet, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, White-tailed Kite, Red-headed Barbet, Barred Antshrike, Zeledon's Antbird, Slate-throated Whitestart, White-winged Tanager, Red-faced Spinetail, Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Cabanis's Ground Sparrow, Morelet's Seedeater and Scarlet-thighed Dacnis.
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| White-winged Tanager |
Thursday 21st April: Rio Tárcoles
Departed San José after breakfast for Rio Tárcoles in the Central Pacific Lowlands. The Rio Tárcoles area marks the transition point between the humid rainforests of southwestern Costa Rica and the seasonally dry forests of the northwest of the country. The river mouth of the Rio Tárcoles, one of the largest rivers in Costa Rica, is situated a little north of Parque Nacional Carara. The Rio Tárcoles runs through mangrove forests which can be accessed by boat and road.
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| Black-headed Trogon |
One of the first targets for the day was the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird which we located in the mangroves close to the coast. In the afternoon we birded the Rio Tárcoles by boat.
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| Turquoise-browed Motmot |
The birding over the three days was excellent and we recorded 193 species. This area had the most productive birding for the entire trip, largely due to the diversity of habitats.
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| Bare-throated Tiger Heron |
Highlights for the day included Magnificent Frigatebird, Double-striped Thick-knee, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Scarlet Macaw, Black-headed Trogon, White-throated Magpie-jay, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Rose-throated Becard, Mangrove Vireo and Scarlet-rumped Tanager.
Friday 22nd April: Carara National Park
Had a full day birding in the forests of the Parque Nacional Carara, which has a total area of 4,700 hectares. Most of the vegetation in the reserve is evergreen, characteristic of the wet forest life zone. Some species though, lose their leaves during the dry season, which is characteristic of the vegetation of the drier climate zone north of the reserve.
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| Rufous-tailed Jacamar |
Quite different birding to the open wetlands and we had an excellent day with 72 species recorded. We had Orange-collared Manakin displaying at a lek, they make a loud clicking sound as they bounce back and forth from branches, fantastic to watch.
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| Orange-collared Manakin |
In the afternoon we witnessed army ants moving through the forest floor which attracted a large number of bird species which specialise on feeding off the insects flushed by the army ants. This was the only time we saw this phenomenon for the entire trip.
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| Great Tinamou |
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| Bicolored Antbird |
Other highlights for the day included Great Tinamou, Long-billed Hermit, King Vulture, Baird's Trogon, Gartered Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, White-whiskered Puffbird, Dot-winged Antwren, Black-hooded Antshrike, Bicolored Antbird, Dusky Antbird, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Streak-chested Antpitta, Velvety Manakin, Red-capped Manakin, Northern Royal Flycatcher, White-winged Becard, Orange-billed Sparrow and Red-legged Honeycreeper.
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| Streak-chested Antpitta |
Saturday 23rd April: San Mateo / Orotina
Pieter arrived in from Holland overnight. After breakfast and birding at the accommodation, we visited various sites, including some private gardens, in the San Mateo and Orotina areas.
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| Long-tailed Manakin |
We had 75 species for the day including Common Potoo, Chestnut-collared Swift, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Pacific Screech Owl, Crane Hawk, Bat Falcon, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Striped Cuckoo, Streak-backed Oriole, Long-tailed Manakin and Montezuma Oropendola.
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| Common Potoo |
Sunday 24th April: South Pacific Lowlands
Before breakfast, chasing a Collared Forest Falcon which we heard calling, I slipped on the steep grassy slope and fell badly, injuring my back. I was in severe pain for the rest of the trip and avoided some of the more adventurous birding tracks, ending up with about 25 less species than the rest of the group. When I got back to Australia, I found out that I had a crushed vertebra which eventually healed.
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| Pacific Screech Owl |
After breakfast, we drove down the Pacific coast to Peninsula de Osa, with stops along the way, including the well-known Rio Rincón bridge. We stayed at the Danta Corcovado Lodge which is located near the village of La Palma in the Osa Peninsula, a very remote area in the southern part of Costa Rica. The lodge is surrounded by primary and secondary rainforest, and has good accommodation and meals.
The lodge is located on the border of Parque Nacional Corcovado, one of the largest lowland rainforest areas of Central America. With its 42,500 ha of virgin rainforest, Corcovado is one of the most biodiverse areas of the world. It is one of the last areas in Costa Rica where the beautiful Scarlet Macaws are very common; besides that, about 400 species of birds and 140 species of mammals have been reported in Corcovado.
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| Yellow-throated Toucan |
We had 88 species for the day including Boat-billed Heron, Yellow-throated Toucan, Collared Forest Falcon, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Golden-hooded Tanager, Mangrove Cuckoo, Mangrove Swallow, Mangrove Hummingbird, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Cinnamon Becard, Rufous-backed Wren, Banded Wren and Red-breasted Blackbird.
Monday 25th April: Peninsula de Osa
In the early morning we had two hours at Rio Rincón bridge, where we had at least twelve of the rare and range-restricted Yellow-billed Cotinga. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the Turquoise Cotinga which can also be seen at this site. We then had some birding at the Danta Corcovado Lodge and in the late afternoon, along a dirt track through some wetlands. In the evening we had a Choco Screech Owl which usually occurs further south in Panama.
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| Yellow-billed Cotinga |
I had 75 species for the day including Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Grey-lined Hawk, Fiery-billed Aracari, Red-lored Amazon, Northern Mealy Amazon, Scarlet Macaw, Baird's Trogon, Pale-breasted Spinetail, White-necked Puffbird, Purple-crowned Fairy, Isthmian Wren and Blue Dacnis.
Tuesday 26th April: Las Cruses Biological Station
After early morning birding at Danta Corcovado Lodge, we took the scenic drive around Pavon Bay, with birding at La Gamba and the rice fields south of Ciudad Neily in Puntarenas. The rice fields are very close to the border with Panama and we had Savanna Hawk there.
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| Brown-throated Parakeet |
We then headed up into the hills to the Las Cruces Biological Station, arriving late in the afternoon. Las Cruces, also called the Wilson Botanical Garden, is ran by the Organization for Tropical Studies.
Las Cruces is located close to the border with Panama at 1,200m altitude and provides very good accommodation and meals. The higher altitude creates a pleasant climate, with an average day temperature of about 23-24°C, while at night often a few degrees cooler. The site consists of an impressive 12-hectare botanical garden, where more than 1,000 genera from 200 plant families are represented. In addition to a botanical garden Las Cruces also offers access to a small rainforest reserve of 266 hectares which connects directly to the "La Amistad Biosphere Reserve" which protects 472,000 ha of nature in the Talamanca Mountains. Las Cruces sanctuary has over 400 bird species and about 100 species of mammals.
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| Thick-billed Euphonia |
I had 67 species for the day including Stripe-throated Hermit, Charming Hummingbird, Black Hawk-eagle, Short-tailed Hawk, Collared Trogon, Yellow-headed Caracara, Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Thick-billed Euphonia, Ruddy-breasted Seedeater, Silver-throated Tanager and Riverside Wren.
Wednesday 27th April: Las Cruses Biological Station
The birding today was confined to Las Cruses except for a short drive to the local airport in the late afternoon for a few birds. I birded by myself around the Las Cruses grounds and adjacent rainforest, and had a few birds which the group didn’t see.
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| Crested Guam |
I had 54 species for the day including Crested Guan, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Scaled Pigeon, Short-billed Pigeon, Collared Trogon, Blue-headed Parrot, Western Wood Pewee, Brown Jay, Rufous-breasted Wren, Thick-billed Euphonia, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Crested Oropendola, Slate-throated Whitestart, Black-thighed Grosbeak, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Speckled Tanager and Bay-headed Tanager.
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| Slate-throated Whitestart |
Thursday 28th April: Talamanca Highlands
After a couple of hours birding at Las Cruses by myself before breakfast, we headed up into the Talamanca Highlands, with various brief stops along the way. We had some less than satisfactory birding from the bus, for the Volcano Junco, looking through misted up windows in the heavy rain at a high point in the mountains.
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| Talamanca Hummingbird |
The heavy rain continued as we headed down into the Savegre Valley, with a stop at Miriam’s Restaurant which has many bird feeders and some lovely birds, the highlight of the day.
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| Flame-throated Warbler |
I had 52 species for the day including Double-toothed Kite, Black Guan, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Slaty Spinetail, Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, Costa Rican Brushfinch, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Flame-throated Warbler, Flame-colored Tanager, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Volcano Junco, Lesser Violetear, Talamanca Hummingbird and Fiery-throated Hummingbird.
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| Fiery-throated Hummingbird |
Friday 29th April: Savegre Valley
In the early morning we joined hordes of tourists looking for the Resplendent Quetzal. We managed to see a pair of birds however they were very flighty, not surprising as every time they were seen, a large group of noisy people would flock to the area.
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| Resplendent Quetzal |
After breakfast we headed up into the mature cloudforest near the lodge, taking a jeep to get up the steep tracks. Birding in the forests was very good and Ricardo in particular, was great at spotting birds including the Costa Rican Pygmy Owl and Collared Trogon.
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| Collared Trogon |
We then visited Miriam’s Restaurant for lunch and had some good birding, before spending the late afternoon at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, where we had dinner.
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| Blue-throated Toucanet |
The extensive decks at the lodge had many feeders and we had hummingbirds coming in very close, some landing on us and our cameras. Later in the evening we had Unspotted Saw-whet Owl along some track through the bush.
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| Golden-browed Chlorophonia |
Whilst the number of species seen in the Talamanca Highlands was far less than the lowlands, these are largely range restricted birds and thus highly desirable birds to see.
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| Yellow-thighed Brushfinch |
We had 55 species for the day including Dusky Nightjar, Blue-throated Toucanet, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Band-tailed Pigeon, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Ruddy Treerunner, Black-billed Nightingale-thrush, Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush, Sooty Thrush, Mountain Thrush, Mountain Elaenia, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Volcano Hummingbird, Scintillant Hummingbird, Peg-billed Finch and Large-footed Finch.
Saturday 30th April: Caribbean Lowlands
I did some early morning birding at the hotel along the Savegre River and managed to get Torrent Tyrannulet which I had missed previously.
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| Silver-throated Tanager |
After breakfast we headed down into the Caribbean Lowlands, with a stop at the Casa Tangara Dowii Reserve, which had Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge, Prong-billed Barbet, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch and Purple-throated Mountaingem.
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| Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge |
We birded alongside a large river in Sarapiqui before arriving in the early evening at Estación Biológica La Selva, our accommodation for the next three nights. The accommodation was very basic and I had swarms of flying ants in the room, however the rooms were right alongside the rainforest trails, providing good access for birding.
I had 63 species for the day including Yellow-billed Cacique, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Black-and-yellow Phainoptila, Plain-colored Tanager, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Ochraceous Pewee, Yellowish Flycatcher, Timberline Wren and Yellow-bellied Siskin.
Sunday 1st May: La Selva Biological Station
La Selva Biological Station is bordered by Parque Nacional Braulio Carillo, an area of more than 46,000 ha of wilderness. La Selva is a leading biological research station focusing on tropical ecology and is also a popular birding spot with a bird list of more than 400 species. La Selva also has Mantled Howler Monkeys, White-faced Capuchin Monkeys, Central American Spider Monkeys, White-collared Pecarry, plus the Black-and-Green and Strawberry (Blue-Jeans) Poison Dart Frogs.
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| Strawberry (Blue-Jeans) Poison Dart Frog |
We birded various trails through the forest from 5:30 am through till lunch, with many Poison Dart Frogs seen, plus Mantled Howler Monkey and Collared Peccary. The birding in the morning was excellent and two of the outstanding birds were the Snowy Cotinga seen in the early morning and the Purple-throated Fruitcrow.
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| Semiplumbeous Hawk |
In the late afternoon, I birded by myself and had one of the highlights of the trip, a Great Tinamou walking next to me then across the path unperturbed by my presence. It was close enough to record a video on my phone. Also had a Derby's Woolly Opossum and Central American Tapeti (Forest Cottontail) in the early evening.
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| Shining Honeycreeper |
I had 79 species for the day including Crested Guan, Great Curassow, Black-billed Cuckoo, Green Ibis, Mississippi Kite, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Great Green Macaw, Vermiculated Screech Owl, Crested Owl, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Rufous Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Red-capped Manakin, Black-crowned Antshrike, Yellow-margined Flatbill, Dusky-faced Tanager, Red-throated Ant Tanager and Shining Honeycreeper.
Monday 2nd May: La Selva Biological Station
Before breakfast we had some birding at La Selva before heading to Centro Manú and trudging through wet muddy trails, and not seeing much. After that we went to the Nectar and Pollen Reserve, which had many hummingbirds plus the Snowcap, a much sought-after hummingbird.
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| White-necked Jacobin |
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| Snowcap (female) |
We then visited Calle Pablo Presbere in Sarapiqui for the Nicaraguan Seed Finch. Back at La Selva after sunset we had Short-tailed Nighthawk.
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| Black-cheeked Woodpecker |
I had 57 species for the day including Great Potoo, Grey-headed Kite, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Rufous Mourner, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, White-collared Manakin, White-necked Jacobin, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer and Crowned Woodnymph.
Tuesday 3rd May: La Selva to Arenal
We spent 4 hours birding in the early morning at La Selva before departing for Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal, with stops alongside the river at the Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat and at Sendero Bogarín, where we had good views of the Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth.
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| Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth |
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| Keel-billed Motmot |
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| White-throated Crake |
We did some birding along the road in the forests leading up to Arenal Observatory Lodge. Arenal is a very popular tourist destination and can be quite crowded, especially on the viewing deck. It has excellent accommodation and meals, and our accommodation was situated down the hill overlooking gardens and rainforest.
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| Black-and-White Owl |
We had 82 species for the day including Slaty-breasted Tinamou (heard), Rufescent Tiger Heron, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Uniform Crake, Black-and-white Owl, Russet-naped Wood Rail, White-throated Crake, Tiny Hawk, Bronzy Hermit, Green-breasted Mango, Pale-vented Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Keel-billed Motmot, Broad-billed Motmot, Pied Puffbird, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher and Bay Wren.
Wednesday 4th May: Arenal
We spent 6 hours birding in the morning around the Arenal Lodge, which has some good feeders with fruit, attracting a number of birds.
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| Great Curassow |
Other than birds we had small Eyelash Pit Viper sitting on a large leaf over the path, plus Bromeliad Lizard, Central American Spider Monkey and Northern Tamandua (Lesser Anteater) along the trails. I had a family of Long-nosed Coatimundi outside my accommodation.
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| Montezuma Oropendola |
We also birded in the afternoon which was interrupted with some heavy rain. We had two Collared Aracari sheltering under large leaves close to where we were standing.
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| Collared Aracari |
We had 60 species for the day including Crested Guan, Great Curassow, White-necked Jacobin, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Streak-crowned Antvireo, Dusky Antbird, Spotted Antbird, White-ruffed Manakin, Band-backed Wren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Olive-backed Euphonia, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Golden-crowned Warbler, Carmiol's Tanager, Black-and-yellow Tanager, Crimson-collared Tanager and Emerald Tanager.
We spent 2.5 hours birding before breakfast at Arenal, before doing some birding along the access roads to Arenal. In the evening, after dinner, we had Black-and-white Owl on a powerline over the road.
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| White-nosed Coati |
At this stage of the trip, we had already seen over 470 species, and it was getting more difficult to find new species. As much as we enjoyed Arenal, three nights there was probably excessive, and we could have had better birding opportunities elsewhere. I had considered the Gulf of Nicoya in the Northern Pacific Lowlands when I was developing the itinerary and in hindsight, we should have included this area in the itinerary.
We had 66 species for the day including Black-crested Coquette, Plain Xenops, Dull-mantled Antbird, White-collared Manakin, Olive-crowned Yellowthroat and Black-headed Saltator.
Friday 6th May: Arenal to Caño Negro
We spent a couple of hours birding before breakfast at Arenal, before Pieter left us for his trip back to Europe. We then birded along the access roads to Arenal, before taking the longish drive to Los Chiles, where we had an excellent lunch and found some new birds for the trip.
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| Pinnated Bittern |
After lunch we did a boat trip on the Rio Medio Queso running through wetlands, a most enjoyable trip with some good birding. This wetland is to the east of Los Chiles and within 4 km of the border with Nicaragua.
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| Least Bittern |
We arrived in Caño Negro in the late afternoon and did some birding around the town. The birding in the Caño Negro area, including the wetlands, is excellent and offers good photographic opportunities. Had dinner in a very good restaurant in town, looked very rustic but had great food.
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| Black-collared Hawk |
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro has an area of 102 km2 and protects an important wetland area for many migrating, hibernating and resident water birds. In the wet season commencing in May, the Rio Frio floods forming a large lake. In the dry season from November till about the end of April the river shrinks, and the lake disappears with the water birds being concentrated. The area is popular among birders and fishermen.
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| Nicaraguan Grackle |
We had 102 species for the day including Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Muscovy Duck, Chestnut-collared Swift, Yellow-breasted Crake, Limpkin, Pectoral Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Jabiru, Roseate Spoonbill, Boat-billed Heron, Pinnated Bittern, Least Bittern, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Black-collared Hawk, Bare-crowned Antbird, Thicket Antpitta, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, Canebrake Wren, Nicaraguan Grackle, Tropical Parula, White-shouldered Tanager and Nicaraguan Seed Finch.
Saturday 7th May: Caño Negro
We spent three hours on the Rio Frio in a boat, travelling northeast of Caño Negro, which had some excellent birding. Other than the birds we also had Mantled Howler Monkey, White-throated Capuchin Monkey, Spectacled Caiman, Common Basilisk and Green Iguana.
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| Spectacled Caiman |
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| Boat-billed Heron |
Later in the morning we explored various areas around Caño Negro. We had White-collared Manakin displaying in the forest right next to our accommodation.
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| Agami Heron |
In the late afternoon we did another boat trip, this time heading southwest into a huge lake / wetland system, where we had American Crocodile. We stopped on a small island looking for crakes. I heard two Grey-breasted Crake and then saw one briefly moving across a track, when the rest of the group was looking elsewhere. The boatman hadn’t anchored our boat which drifted down the river, he then had to retrieve it and avoid the numerous Spectacled Caiman.
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| Stilt Sandpiper |
In the evening we had a Pacific Screech Owl perched on a fence post next to the road, as we were driving down for dinner.
The Rio Frio runs into Lago Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua) just across the border in Nicaragua, which is the largest freshwater lake in Central America. The San Juan River drains out of Lake Nicaragua, following a 180 km course that runs from the southeastern shore of the lake through a densely forested region to empty into the Caribbean Sea. For part of its course, the San Juan River forms the boundary between Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
We had 97 species for the day including Sungrebe, Russet-naped Wood Rail, Grey-breasted Crake, White-rumped Sandpiper, Wood Stork, Agami Heron, Boat-billed Heron, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Olivaceous Piculet, Olive-throated Parakeet, Black-crowned Antshrike, Great Antshrike, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, White-ringed Flycatcher, Spot-breasted Wren and Thick-billed Seed Finch.
Sunday 8th May: Caño Negro to San José
We birded in and around Caño Negro before breakfast, with the highlight being eight Yellow-naped Amazon seen at two locations. These parrots have recently been classified as Critically Endangered due to a dramatic decline across the extent of its range. The primary cause for their population decline is deforestation and illegal removal of young for the parrot trade.
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| Yellow-naped Amazon |
We drove south towards San José and stopped at the Adventure Park San Luis for 2.5 hours before arriving at our hotel in Alajuela. The Adventure Park has hummingbird feeders plus food trails through the rainforest and along the river.
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| Crimson-collared Tanager |
We had 57 species for the day including Little Tinamou (heard), Green Hermit, Violet Sabrewing, Crowned Woodnymph, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Black-headed Trogon, Black-headed Nightingale-thrush, Pale-vented Thrush, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Slate-throated Whitestart and Crimson-collared Tanager.
Monday 9th May: La Paz Waterfall Gardens
A short spell of birding before breakfast at the Hotel Buena Vista, which is up in the hills overlooking San José, produced the White-eared Ground Sparrow, the Central Valley specialty we hadn’t yet seen.
After breakfast we drove to La Paz Waterfall Gardens for our last day of birding. This is a tourist destination with many hummingbird feeders, well laid out walks, snake exhibition, aviary etc. yet has some excellent birding along the forest trails.
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| Coppery-headed Emerald |
The La Paz Waterfall Gardens are designed around a scenic series of waterfalls of the La Paz River. These waterfalls are formed as the level of the riverbed decreases 1,400 m in height over a total distance of less than eight kilometers, down the flank of the Poás volcano. The gardens are located in the Caribbean part of the country at middle elevations and the cloudforest hosts some interesting birds that are hard to see elsewhere in Costa Rica.
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| Olivaceous Woodcreeper |
Late afternoon we stopped at Corso Lechería for some roadside birding and had the beautiful Rose-throated race of the Volcano Hummingbird. The Rose-throated subspecies (Selasphorus flammula simoni) is range restricted and only found on Volcanoes Poás and Barva in central Costa Rica.
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| Green Thorntail |
We had 47 species for the day including Green-fronted Lancebill, Lesser Violetear, Green Thorntail, Green-crowned Brilliant, White-bellied Mountaingem, Purple-throated Mountaingem, Scintillant Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Coppery-headed Emerald, Spotted Barbtail, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Black-faced Solitaire, Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush, Sooty-faced Finch, Melodious Blackbird, Tropical Parula and Black-eared Warbler.
Tuesday 10th May: San Jose
Barbara, Neville and Allon left early in the morning for their flights home, and I had a flight leaving at 13:30, so had a relaxed morning at the hotel.
Even for the last day’s birding we kept adding new birds for the trip and I had 10 lifers on the last day. My personal trip list was 512 species, with 7 heard only and 325 lifers, which well exceeded my expectations for the trip.
Overall, a very successful trip to Costa Rica thanks to Pieter Westra for setting up the trip, Ernesto for being an exceptional guide and Ricardo for providing good company and safe driving.
Mammals
The following mammals were identified:
Didelphimorphia |
Opossums (Didelphidae) |
Derby's Woolly Opossum (Caluromys derbianus) |
Common Brown Four-eyed Opossum (Metachirus myosuros) |
Pilosa |
Anteaters (Myrmecophagidae) |
Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana opistholeuca) |
Two-toed Sloths (Megalonychidae) |
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni hoffmanni) |
Primates |
Squirrel Monkeys and Capuchins (Cebidae) |
Central American Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri oerstedii) |
Panamanian White-fronted Capucin (Cebus imitator) |
Howlers, Spider and Woolly Monkeys and Muriquis (Atelidae) |
Mantled Howler (Alouatta palliata) |
Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) |
Lagomorpha |
Hares and Rabbits (Leporidae) |
Central American Tapeti (Sylvilagus gabbi gabbi) |
Rodentia |
Agoutis and Acouchys (Dasyproctidae) |
Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) |
Tree, Flying and Ground Squirrels, Chipmunks, Prairie Dogs and Marmots (Sciuridae) |
Variegated Squirrel (Sciurus variegatoides) |
Red-tailed Squirrel (Sciurus granatensis hoffmanni) |
Chiroptera |
Sheath-tailed Bats (Emballonuridae) |
Proboscis Bat (Rhynchonycteris naso) |
CETARTIODACTYLA |
Deer (Cervidae) |
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus truei) |
Peccaries (Tayassuidae) |
Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu crusnigrum) |
Carnivora |
Raccoons (Procyonidae) |
White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica narica) |
Birds
This species list is according to the latest IOC taxonomy, updated December 2022:
TINAMIFORMES |
Tinamous (Tinamidae) |
Great Tinamou (Tinamus major) |
Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui) |
Slaty-breasted Tinamou (Crypturellus boucardi) |
ANSERIFORMES |
Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae) |
Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) |
Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) |
Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) |
GALLIFORMES |
Chachalacas, Curassows and Guans (Cracidae) |
Grey-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps) |
Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) |
Black Guan (Chamaepetes unicolor) |
Great Curassow (Crax rubra) |
New World Quail (Odontophoridae) |
Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys) |
CAPRIMULGIFORMES |
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae) |
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) |
Short-tailed Nighthawk (Lurocalis semitorquatus) |
Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) |
Dusky Nightjar (Antrostomus saturatus) |
NYCTIBIIFORMES |
Potoos (Nyctibiidae) |
Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) |
Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus) |
APODIFORMES |
Swifts (Apodidae) |
Spot-fronted Swift (Cypseloides cherriei) |
American Black Swift (Cypseloides niger) |
Chestnut-collared Swift (Streptoprocne rutila) |
White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) |
Grey-rumped Swift (Chaetura cinereiventris) |
Costa Rican Swift (Chaetura fumosa) |
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) |
Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi) |
Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) |
White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora) |
Bronzy Hermit (Glaucis aeneus) |
Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis) |
Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy) |
Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris) |
Green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae) |
Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae) |
Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus) |
Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti) |
Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) |
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) |
Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae) |
Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula) |
Talamanca Hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis) |
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis) |
White-bellied Mountaingem (Lampornis hemileucus) |
Purple-throated Mountaingem (Lampornis calolaemus) |
Grey-tailed Mountaingem (Lampornis cinereicauda) |
Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula) |
Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) |
Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis) |
Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti) |
Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) |
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia) |
Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) |
Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata) |
Coppery-headed Emerald (Microchera cupreiceps) |
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird (Eupherusa eximia) |
Black-bellied Hummingbird (Eupherusa nigriventris) |
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii) |
Blue-vented Hummingbird (Saucerottia hoffmanni) |
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Saucerottia edward) |
Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila) |
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl) |
Mangrove Hummingbird (Amazilia boucardi) |
Charming Hummingbird (Polyerata decora) |
Blue-throated Sapphire (Chlorestes eliciae) |
CUCULIFORMES |
Cuckoos (Cuculidae) |
Smooth-billed Ani (Crotophaga ani) |
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) |
Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia) |
Lesser Ground Cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus) |
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) |
Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor) |
Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) |
COLUMBIFORMES |
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) |
Rock Dove (Columba livia) |
Scaled Pigeon (Patagioenas speciosa) |
Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) |
Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis) |
Red-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas flavirostris) |
Ruddy Pigeon (Patagioenas subvinacea) |
Short-billed Pigeon (Patagioenas nigrirostris) |
Inca Dove (Columbina inca) |
Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina) |
Plain-breasted Ground Dove (Columbina minuta) |
Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) |
Blue Ground Dove (Claravis pretiosa) |
Ruddy Quail-dove (Geotrygon montana) |
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) |
Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps) |
Grey-chested Dove (Leptotila cassinii) |
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) |
GRUIFORMES |
Finfoots (Heliornithidae) |
Sungrebe (Heliornis fulica) |
Rails, Crakes and Coots (Rallidae) |
Uniform Crake (Amaurolimnas concolor) |
Russet-naped Wood Rail (Aramides albiventris) |
Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus) |
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) |
Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) |
Yellow-breasted Crake (Laterallus flaviventer) |
Grey-breasted Crake (Laterallus exilis) |
White-throated Crake (Laterallus albigularis) |
Limpkin (Aramidae) |
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) |
CHARADRIIFORMES |
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae) |
Double-striped Thick-knee (Burhinus bistriatus) |
Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae) |
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) |
Plovers (Charadriidae) |
Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) |
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) |
Collared Plover (Charadrius collaris) |
Jacanas (Jacanidae) |
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) |
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) |
Hudsonian Whimbrel (Numenius hudsonicus) |
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) |
Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) |
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) |
White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) |
Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) |
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) |
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) |
Gulls, Terns and Skimmers (Laridae) |
Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) |
Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) |
Cabot's Tern (Thalasseus acuflavidus) |
EURYPYGIFORMES |
Sunbittern (Eurypygidae) |
Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) |
CICONIIFORMES |
Storks (Ciconiidae) |
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) |
Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) |
SULIFORMES |
Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) |
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) |
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) |
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) |
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) |
Neotropic Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) |
PELECANIFORMES |
Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) |
Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) |
American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) |
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) |
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) |
Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) |
Rufescent Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) |
Fasciated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma fasciatum) |
Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) |
Agami Heron (Agamia agami) |
Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) |
Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) |
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) |
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) |
Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) |
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) |
Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) |
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) |
Great Egret (Ardea alba) |
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) |
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) |
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) |
Pelicans (Pelecanidae) |
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) |
ACCIPITRIFORMES |
New World Vultures (Cathartidae) |
King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) |
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) |
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) |
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) |
Ospreys (Pandionidae) |
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) |
Kites, Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae) |
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) |
Grey-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis) |
Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) |
Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) |
Black Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus) |
Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus) |
Tiny Hawk (Microspizias superciliosus) |
Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) |
Plumbeous Kite (Ictinia plumbea) |
Black-collared Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis) |
Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) |
Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) |
Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) |
Savanna Hawk (Buteogallus meridionalis) |
Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) |
Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) |
Semiplumbeous Hawk (Leucopternis semiplumbeus) |
Grey Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) |
Grey-lined Hawk (Buteo nitidus) |
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) |
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) |
STRIGIFORMES |
Barn Owls (Tytonidae) |
American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) |
Owls (Strigidae) |
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius ridgwayi) |
Costa Rican Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium costaricanum) |
Central American Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium griseiceps) |
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) |
Tropical Screech Owl (Megascops choliba) |
Pacific Screech Owl (Megascops cooperi) |
Vermiculated Screech Owl (Megascops vermiculatus) |
Choco Screech Owl (Megascops centralis) |
Crested Owl (Lophostrix cristata) |
Mottled Owl (Strix virgata) |
Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata) |
TROGONIFORMES |
Trogons (Trogonidae) |
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) |
Slaty-tailed Trogon (Trogon massena) |
Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus) |
Baird's Trogon (Trogon bairdii) |
Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus) |
Black-throated Trogon (Trogon rufus) |
Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) |
CORACIIFORMES |
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) |
Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) |
American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle aenea) |
Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) |
Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) |
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) |
Motmots (Momotidae) |
Lesson's Motmot (Momotus lessonii) |
Rufous Motmot (Baryphthengus martii) |
Keel-billed Motmot (Electron carinatum) |
Broad-billed Motmot (Electron platyrhynchum) |
Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) |
PICIFORMES |
Jacamars (Galbulidae) |
Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda) |
Puffbirds (Bucconidae) |
White-necked Puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) |
Pied Puffbird (Notharchus tectus) |
White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis) |
New World Barbets (Capitonidae) |
Red-headed Barbet (Eubucco bourcierii) |
Toucan Barbets (Semnornithidae) |
Prong-billed Barbet (Semnornis frantzii) |
Toucans (Ramphastidae) |
Blue-throated Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis) |
Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus) |
Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii) |
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) |
Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus) |
Woodpeckers (Picidae) |
Olivaceous Piculet (Picumnus olivaceus) |
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) |
Golden-naped Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysauchen) |
Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani) |
Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus) |
Hoffmann's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii) |
Red-rumped Woodpecker (Veniliornis kirkii) |
Hairy Woodpecker (Leuconotopicus villosus) |
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) |
FALCONIFORMES |
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) |
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) |
Yellow-headed Caracara (Milvago chimachima) |
Collared Forest Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus) |
Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis) |
PSITTACIFORMES |
African and New World Parrots (Psittacidae) |
Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis) |
Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis) |
Blue-headed Parrot (Pionus menstruus) |
White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis) |
White-fronted Amazon (Amazona albifrons) |
Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis) |
Yellow-naped Amazon (Amazona auropalliata) |
Northern Mealy Amazon (Amazona guatemalae) |
Sulphur-winged Parakeet (Pyrrhura hoffmanni) |
Olive-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana) |
Orange-fronted Parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis) |
Brown-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula pertinax) |
Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) |
Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) |
Finsch's Parakeet (Psittacara finschi) |
PASSERIFORMES |
Ovenbirds (Furnariidae) |
Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus) |
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla anabatina) |
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus) |
Northern Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) |
Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) |
Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) |
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes affinis) |
Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus) |
Buffy Tuftedcheek (Pseudocolaptes lawrencii) |
Lineated Foliage-gleaner (Syndactyla subalaris) |
Streak-breasted Treehunter (Thripadectes rufobrunneus) |
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner (Automolus ochrolaemus) |
Spotted Barbtail (Premnoplex brunnescens) |
Ruddy Treerunner (Margarornis rubiginosus) |
Red-faced Spinetail (Cranioleuca erythrops) |
Slaty Spinetail (Synallaxis brachyura) |
Pale-breasted Spinetail (Synallaxis albescens) |
Antbirds (Thamnophilidae) |
Russet Antshrike (Thamnistes anabatinus) |
Dot-winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis) |
Streak-crowned Antvireo (Dysithamnus striaticeps) |
Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) |
Black-hooded Antshrike (Thamnophilus bridgesi) |
Black-crowned Antshrike (Thamnophilus atrinucha) |
Fasciated Antshrike (Cymbilaimus lineatus) |
Great Antshrike (Taraba major) |
Bicolored Antbird (Gymnopithys bicolor) |
Dusky Antbird (Cercomacroides tyrannina) |
Spotted Antbird (Hylophylax naevioides) |
Chestnut-backed Antbird (Poliocrania exsul) |
Dull-mantled Antbird (Sipia laemosticta) |
Bare-crowned Antbird (Gymnocichla nudiceps) |
Zeledon's Antbird (Hafferia zeledoni) |
Antpittas (Grallariidae) |
Streak-chested Antpitta (Hylopezus perspicillatus) |
Thicket Antpitta (Hylopezus dives) |
Ochre-breasted Antpitta (Grallaricula flavirostris) |
Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae) |
Greenish Elaenia (Myiopagis viridicata) |
Yellow-bellied Elaenia (Elaenia flavogaster) |
Mountain Elaenia (Elaenia frantzii) |
Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet (Ornithion semiflavum) |
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) |
Torrent Tyrannulet (Serpophaga cinerea) |
Yellow Tyrannulet (Capsiempis flaveola) |
Mistletoe Tyrannulet (Zimmerius parvus) |
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher (Mionectes oleagineus) |
Northern Scrub Flycatcher (Sublegatus arenarum) |
Bran-colored Flycatcher (Myiophobus fasciatus) |
Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant (Myiornis atricapillus) |
Northern Bentbill (Oncostoma cinereigulare) |
Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant (Lophotriccus pileatus) |
Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher (Poecilotriccus sylvia) |
Common Tody-flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum) |
Black-headed Tody-flycatcher (Todirostrum nigriceps) |
Eye-ringed Flatbill (Rhynchocyclus brevirostris) |
Yellow-olive Flatbill (Tolmomyias sulphurescens) |
Yellow-margined Flatbill (Tolmomyias flavotectus) |
Tawny-chested Flycatcher (Aphanotriccus capitalis) |
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) |
Northern Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) |
Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) |
Dark Pewee (Contopus lugubris) |
Ochraceous Pewee (Contopus ochraceus) |
Western Wood Pewee (Contopus sordidulus) |
Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens) |
Tropical Pewee (Contopus cinereus) |
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris) |
Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) |
Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) |
Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) |
Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens) |
Long-tailed Tyrant (Colonia colonus) |
Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) |
Rusty-margined Flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis) |
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) |
Grey-capped Flycatcher (Myiozetetes granadensis) |
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) |
White-ringed Flycatcher (Conopias albovittatus) |
Golden-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes hemichrysus) |
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynastes luteiventris) |
Streaked Flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus) |
Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua) |
Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus) |
Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana) |
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) |
Rufous Mourner (Rhytipterna holerythra) |
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) |
Panama Flycatcher (Myiarchus panamensis) |
Nutting's Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi) |
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) |
Cotingas (Cotingidae) |
Purple-throated Fruitcrow (Querula purpurata) |
Rufous Piha (Lipaugus unirufus) |
Yellow-billed Cotinga (Carpodectes antoniae) |
Snowy Cotinga (Carpodectes nitidus) |
Manakins (Pipridae) |
Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis) |
White-ruffed Manakin (Corapipo altera) |
Velvety Manakin (Lepidothrix velutina) |
White-collared Manakin (Manacus candei) |
Orange-collared Manakin (Manacus aurantiacus) |
Red-capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) |
Tityras, Becards (Tityridae) |
Northern Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus mexicanus) |
Sulphur-rumped Myiobius (Myiobius sulphureipygius) |
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher (Terenotriccus erythrurus) |
Black-crowned Tityra (Tityra inquisitor) |
Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) |
Barred Becard (Pachyramphus versicolor) |
Cinnamon Becard (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) |
White-winged Becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus) |
Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) |
Vireos, Greenlets (Vireonidae) |
Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) |
Scrub Greenlet (Hylophilus flavipes) |
Tawny-crowned Greenlet (Tunchiornis ochraceiceps) |
Lesser Greenlet (Pachysylvia decurtata) |
Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) |
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) |
Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) |
Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys) |
Yellow-winged Vireo (Vireo carmioli) |
Mangrove Vireo (Vireo pallens) |
Crows, Jays (Corvidae) |
Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio) |
White-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) |
Silky-flycatchers (Ptiliogonatidae) |
Black-and-yellow Phainoptila (Phainoptila melanoxantha) |
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (Ptiliogonys caudatus) |
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) |
Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) |
Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea) |
Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) |
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) |
Southern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis) |
Grey-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea) |
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) |
American Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) |
Wrens (Troglodytidae) |
Band-backed Wren (Campylorhynchus zonatus) |
Rufous-backed Wren (Campylorhynchus capistratus) |
Black-throated Wren (Pheugopedius atrogularis) |
Spot-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius maculipectus) |
Rufous-breasted Wren (Pheugopedius rutilus) |
Banded Wren (Thryophilus pleurostictus) |
Rufous-and-white Wren (Thryophilus rufalbus) |
Cabanis's Wren (Cantorchilus modestus) |
Canebrake Wren (Cantorchilus zeledoni) |
Isthmian Wren (Cantorchilus elutus) |
Riverside Wren (Cantorchilus semibadius) |
Bay Wren (Cantorchilus nigricapillus) |
Stripe-breasted Wren (Cantorchilus thoracicus) |
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) |
Ochraceous Wren (Troglodytes ochraceus) |
Timberline Wren (Thryorchilus browni) |
White-breasted Wood Wren (Henicorhina leucosticta) |
Grey-breasted Wood Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) |
Northern Nightingale-wren (Microcerculus philomela) |
Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae) |
Trilling Gnatwren (Ramphocaenus melanurus) |
Tawny-faced Gnatwren (Microbates cinereiventris) |
White-browed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila bilineata) |
White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris) |
Mockingbirds, Thrashers (Mimidae) |
Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) |
Thrushes (Turdidae) |
Black-faced Solitaire (Myadestes melanops) |
Orange-billed Nightingale-thrush (Catharus aurantiirostris) |
Black-headed Nightingale-thrush (Catharus mexicanus) |
Slaty-backed Nightingale-thrush (Catharus fuscater) |
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) |
Black-billed Nightingale-thrush (Catharus gracilirostris) |
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush (Catharus frantzii) |
Sooty Thrush (Turdus nigrescens) |
Mountain Thrush (Turdus plebejus) |
Pale-vented Thrush (Turdus obsoletus) |
Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi) |
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) |
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) |
Finches (Fringillidae) |
Yellow-bellied Siskin (Spinus xanthogastrus) |
Elegant Euphonia (Chlorophonia elegantissima) |
Golden-browed Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia callophrys) |
Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis) |
Yellow-crowned Euphonia (Euphonia luteicapilla) |
Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea) |
Thick-billed Euphonia (Euphonia laniirostris) |
Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi) |
Tawny-capped Euphonia (Euphonia anneae) |
New World Sparrows (Passerellidae) |
Sooty-capped Bush Tanager (Chlorospingus pileatus) |
Common Bush Tanager (Chlorospingus flavopectus) |
Stripe-headed Sparrow (Peucaea ruficauda) |
Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) |
Black-striped Sparrow (Arremonops conirostris) |
Costa Rican Brushfinch (Arremon costaricensis) |
Orange-billed Sparrow (Arremon aurantiirostris) |
Chestnut-capped Brushfinch (Arremon brunneinucha) |
Sooty-faced Finch (Arremon crassirostris) |
Volcano Junco (Junco vulcani) |
Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) |
Large-footed Finch (Pezopetes capitalis) |
White-eared Ground Sparrow (Melozone leucotis) |
Cabanis's Ground Sparrow (Melozone cabanisi) |
Yellow-thighed Brushfinch (Atlapetes tibialis) |
Oropendolas, Orioles and Blackbirds (Icteridae) |
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) |
Red-breasted Blackbird (Leistes militaris) |
Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus) |
Chestnut-headed Oropendola (Psarocolius wagleri) |
Crested Oropendola (Psarocolius decumanus) |
Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) |
Scarlet-rumped Cacique (Cacicus microrhynchus) |
Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) |
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) |
Black-cowled Oriole (Icterus prosthemelas) |
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) |
Giant Cowbird (Molothrus oryzivorus) |
Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) |
Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) |
Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives) |
Nicaraguan Grackle (Quiscalus nicaraguensis) |
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) |
New World Warblers (Parulidae) |
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) |
Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) |
Flame-throated Warbler (Oreothlypis gutturalis) |
Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina) |
Grey-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis poliocephala) |
Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia) |
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis semiflava) |
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) |
Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi) |
Bay-breasted Warbler (Setophaga castanea) |
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca) |
American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) |
Mangrove Warbler (Setophaga petechia) |
Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica) |
Buff-rumped Warbler (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) |
Chestnut-capped Warbler (Basileuterus delattrii) |
Black-cheeked Warbler (Basileuterus melanogenys) |
Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) |
Black-eared Warbler (Basileuterus melanotis) |
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) |
Wilson's Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) |
Slate-throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus) |
Collared Whitestart (Myioborus torquatus) |
Mitrospingid tanagers (Mitrospingidae) |
Dusky-faced Tanager (Mitrospingus cassinii) |
Cardinals, Grosbeaks and allies (Cardinalidae) |
Flame-colored Tanager (Piranga bidentata) |
White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera) |
Red-throated Ant Tanager (Habia fuscicauda) |
Carmiol's Tanager (Chlorothraupis carmioli) |
Black-thighed Grosbeak (Pheucticus tibialis) |
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) |
Black-faced Grosbeak (Caryothraustes poliogaster) |
Blue-black Grosbeak (Cyanoloxia cyanoides) |
Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) |
Tanagers and allies (Thraupidae) |
Green Honeycreeper (Chlorophanes spiza) |
Black-and-yellow Tanager (Chrysothlypis chrysomelas) |
Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus) |
Shining Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes lucidus) |
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis (Dacnis venusta) |
Blue Dacnis (Dacnis cayana) |
Cinnamon-bellied Saltator (Saltator grandis) |
Streaked Saltator (Saltator striatipectus) |
Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus) |
Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps) |
Slate-colored Grosbeak (Saltator grossus) |
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) |
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) |
Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) |
Grey-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata) |
White-shouldered Tanager (Loriotus luctuosus) |
Crimson-collared Tanager (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) |
Scarlet-rumped Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) |
Morelet's Seedeater (Sporophila morelleti) |
Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina) |
Yellow-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila nigricollis) |
Thick-billed Seed Finch (Sporophila funerea) |
Nicaraguan Seed Finch (Sporophila nuttingi) |
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) |
Peg-billed Finch (Acanthidops bairdi) |
Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) |
Speckled Tanager (Ixothraupis guttata) |
Blue-grey Tanager (Thraupis episcopus) |
Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) |
Golden-hooded Tanager (Stilpnia larvata) |
Spangle-cheeked Tanager (Tangara dowii) |
Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola) |
Emerald Tanager (Tangara florida) |
Silver-throated Tanager (Tangara icterocephala) |
Plain-colored Tanager (Tangara inornata) |
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