Birds of Costa Rica

NIRVANA FOR BIRDERS, Costa Rica has more than 850 bird species – about 10

percent of the world’s known total, andtwice as many as the USA and Canadacombined. Although the national bird is the clay-brown yiquirro (robin), many

others are more exotically plumed. Tanagers,manakins, and trogons, inhabit the thickforests, where they are hard to spot despite

their bright plumage. Waders such as egrets, ibis, andspoonbills are easily seen amid the wetlands, whilevultures and raptors are commonly sighted soaringoverhead or squatting atop poles.

A P O R T R A I T O F C O S T A R I C AI N T R O D U C I N G C O S T A R I C A

PARROTS AND MACAWSGarrulous creatures of the forest, theparrot family ranges from small, swift,short-tailed parrakeets to the giants ofthe parrot kingdom, the long-tailedmacaws (above). Most parrots are greenwith varying patches of red, white,and/or yellow. They have hooked billsand powerful claws for grasping fruitsand nuts. Costa Rica is home to 16 speciesof parrots and two species of macaws.

Trogons are pigeon-sizedforest birds identified bytheir black and whitestriped tails. Most come intwo-color combinations,such as blue and yellow,or green and red. Themost beautiful member of the trogon family is the resplendent quetzal(see p179), an iridescentemerald-green bird, whichwas considered sacred inMayan culture.

Bird-watching withexperienced naturalist guides is richly rewarding. Carrybinoculars and a tripod.

Tanagers are small,vibrant birds that livein the forests. Thesummer tanager(left) is a flame-redbird. The blue-graytanager is variegatedin peacock hues.Short wings permitfast flight through theforest. About 50species of tanagerslive in Costa Rica.

Mealyparrot

The scarlet macaw (lapa roja) is blood red,with wings of yellow and blue. It is commonlyseen in Santa Rosa, Carara, Manuel Antonio,and Corcovado National Parks.

The green macaw or Buffon’smacaw (lapa verde) is an

endangered species restrictedto the northern lowlands.

Toucans, easily recognizedby their oversized bills, are

found from elevations of2,000 ft (610 m) to sealevel. The keel-billedtoucan has a banana-

yellow chest, a black body,and a startling rainbow-

striped beak (left). Thesmaller aracaris andtoucanets are morevaried in color.

Frigate birds nest in colonies ontop of coastal shrubs. During the

mating season, males inflate brightred chest pouches to woo the

females that fly overhead.

Brown pelicans arepresent year-roundon the Pacific coastand can be spottedeasily as they dive for fish.

WETLAND BIRDSCosta Rica is on themigratory path ofnumerous waterfowl,such as black-belliedwhistling ducks, whichstop seasonally at PaloVerde (see p130) andsimilar flooded regions.Jabiru, roseate spoonbills, andcormorants are among thepermanent wetland species.

Sunbitterns spread their wingsto reveal distinctive patterns

that are designed for defense.

Northernjacana haveelongated toesfor walkingacross floatinglilypads. Malejacana rear the young.

Macaws are usually found in pairs. Thesecolorful birds are an extraordinary sightas they fly overhead, screeching loudly.

SEABIRDSCosta Rica’s shores are crowdedwith seabirds. Oystercatchers,spotted sandpipers, andwhimbrels scurry around at thewater’s edge. Coastal mangrovesare home to blue heron, ibis,and neotropic cormorants,while several offshore islandsare important nesting sites forboobies, laughing gulls, andstorm petrels.

Migratory birds flock to Costa Rica’s wetlands,especially toward the end of the December–Aprildry season. Blue-winged teal, Muscovy ducks,black-bellied whistling ducks, and other wintermigrants arrive in their tens of thousands.

Vultures are found acrossCosta Rica; the country hasfour species of this bird ofprey, and about 50 other typesof raptors, including owls, theosprey, the laughing falcon,and the endangered harpyeagle, the world’s largest eagle.

Hummingbirds, named for the bee-like “hum”of their wings beating at a blurry 100 times persecond, are able to hover as they sip nectar fromflowers through hollow, needle-like beaks. Theyare very territorial despite their tiny size: malescan often be seen in spectacular aerial battles.

Bare-throatedtiger-heronsare gracefulwaterbirds.Costa Rica hostsabout 20 speciesof herons.

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