Costa rica trip report - Home | CloudBirders. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 2 COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT Hotels Courtyard by Marriott, San Jose Airport, Alajuela Pricey but very convenient for the

T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 1

COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT

Costa Rica Trip Report 5th January - 19th January, 2017

Tom Hibbert and Lauren Booth

Summary This January my girlfriend and I visited Costa Rica on a birdwatching holiday, spending almost two weeks

travelling through the diverse habitats of this ecological haven. Although this was our second visit to the

country, it was our first as birders (having not even owned binoculars the first time around), and so we were

complete novices at neotropical birding. We began at Carara National Park, moving on to Monteverde, Arenal

and finally La Selva. The weather was glorious everywhere but Monteverde, where relentless gales were

accompanied by almost relentless heavy rain. We decided not to hire guides (due partly to expense, partly to a

masochistic desire to find our own birds), and came away with a relatively modest list of 294 species. (All

counts relate only to birds that were seen.)

Transportation We opted to use shuttle buses to get around. Although offering less freedom than a car, in all of our estimates

they came out as a much cheaper option. With the exception of the shuttles to and from La Selva (which is

clearly not popular enough with most tourists), all shuttles were shared. And, without exception, all shuttle

services were excellent, getting us to our destination with the minimum of hassle. Once at our hotels, we were

able to walk to everywhere we wanted to visit.



Hotels Courtyard by Marriott, San Jose Airport, Alajuela

Pricey but very convenient for the airport, with a complimentary shuttle service between there and the hotel.

Reasonable urban birding opportunities in the vicinity.

Hotel Carara, Tarcoles Options close to Carara NP are limited. Hotel Carara was a little rough around the edges considering the price,

but was perfectly located, with both the national park and the river mouth within an hour’s walk. Staff were

very friendly but somewhat disorganised, and restaurant hours were sporadic and never matched those stated

on their signs. It will help you here if you know some Spanish. The best selling points are the location and the

view. Ensure you have an ocean view, and enjoy the hundreds of pelicans and frigatebirds feeding out at sea,

and the macaws that regularly visit the trees along the beach. Breakfast is included.

Trapp Family Lodge, Monteverde Probably the most convenient hotel for walking into the Monteverde reserve, just under a kilometre away.

Very luxurious room, though a little cold as the windows didn’t cope well in the gales. The on-site restaurant

was good but overpriced. Breakfast is included.

Arenal Observatory Lodge, Arenal

The nicest hotel we visited, and the one I would recommend most. Worth the price for the views alone, never

mind the access to their extremely productive private trails (which non-residents can also pay to use). Breakfast

is included.

La Selva Biological Station, Sarapiqui

Extremely pricey considering how basic the accommodation is, with a long walk from the dining area and

reception to the room. All-inclusive food is average, served school-cafeteria style. But the room is comfortable

enough and it’s the trail access you’re paying for.

Hotel Aranjuez, San Jose

A very reasonably priced hotel, well located in walking distance of the city centre. Breakfast is included.

Report

5th January

After a long delay at Gatwick (half an hour for late cleaning, two hours for a crack in the plane!), we arrived

at Juan Santamaria International Airport around 19:30 local time. A courtesy shuttle bus took us to our first

hotel, Courtyard by Marriott, just a few minutes from the airport, and we settled in for the night.

6th January

Still on English time, we were up well before dawn, eagerly anticipating our first bird of the trip (hoping for

anything but Feral Pigeon!). We threw back the curtains as the sun came up, and immediately spotted a Great-

tailed Grackle - the first of many. White-winged Dove soon followed, and as several Black Vulture circled

in the distance a Great Blue Heron flew past. Excitement piqued, we rushed outside for a quick bird.

A Rufous-collared Sparrow showed well in the car park, whilst a short walk around a Walmart produced a

number of species including Yellow Warbler, Red-billed Pigeon, Inca Dove, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

and a noisy flock of Crimson-fronted Parakeet. The biggest surprise, however, was a flyover Ringed

Kingfisher.



Soon our shuttle bus arrived to take us to Hotel Carara, our gateway to Carara National Park. The journey

produced well over a hundred Black Vulture, with a brief rest stop providing our first Clay-coloured Thrush.

We arrived at the hotel late morning, dumped our bags and had a quick scout from the balcony.

A huge number of Brown Pelican and Magnificent Frigatebird were visible out to sea, whilst a single Royal

Tern patrolled the breakers. A pair of Rufous-naped Wren were displaying on the roof and a Hoffmann’s

Woodpecker fed in a nearby tree. Suddenly an unbelievably raucous call announced the arrival of a Scarlet

Macaw, which landed in a tree a few metres away - an event that turned out to be a regular occurrence!

Inspired, we set off down Tarcoles beach, heading

towards the river mouth. The beach itself is pretty

terrible, with a two-metre-wide ribbon of rubbish

running the majority of its length (including the

occasional syringe), but this didn’t deter the birds. A

flock of 178 Black Vulture fed on discarded ray

carcasses, and an immature Laughing Gull trailed the

fishing boats. But waders were the real stars. Every

few metres revealed a new Spotted Sandpiper, with

several Wilson’s Plover joining a flock of 35

Semipalmated Plover. Two Collared Plover (right)

preferred their own company, unlike the Sanderling

that scurried around in a 62-strong flock. Three Grey

Plover, two Least Sandpiper, single Whimbrel and

Turnstone, and a number of Willet capped off this

reasonable showing of shorebirds, the latter looking

fairly drab until they opened their wings and revealed

the beautiful pattern on their flight feathers.

The supporting cast included Great Blue and

Tricoloured Heron, Snowy and Great Egret,

Neotropic Cormorant, a single Turkey Vulture,

countless Barn Swallow, a distant Wood Stork and a

close Osprey.

The Tarcoles River mouth famously includes a sandbar noted for roosting terns, but during this visit (and our

subsequent visit) there was not a single tern on the deck. Instead, large numbers of egrets and pelicans covered

the sandbar. With the day now at its hottest, we decided on a change of scenery for the return leg, cutting

across the football pitch and following the road back to our hotel. This turned out to be a brilliant idea, as we

located our favourite site in the region - a small wetland not far from the Crocodile Man boat tour landing.

On this first visit we added only Northern Jacana, White Ibis and Prothonotary Warbler, but look out for

this spot in later accounts! Further down the road we hit a sudden rush of raptors, picking up White Hawk and

Broad-winged Hawk soaring high over the trees, a ridiculously confiding juvenile Black Hawk perched on

a fence line, and a much more distantly perched Grey Hawk on the edge of a forest.

The mix of gardens and forest added birds such as Baltimore Oriole, Melodious Blackbird and Variable

Seedeater before we made it back to the hotel to put our feet up. The final new bird of the day was a White-

throated Magpie Jay that paused briefly beside the balcony, where we sat and watched birds fly to roost as

the sun set. A tree to the left filled up with vultures, a Black Hawk settled on a branch in front of us and a

group of 11 Wood Stork flew towards the river mouth.

Day Total: 55

Trip Total: 55



Bird of the Day: Collared Plover (Tom), Scarlet Macaw (Lauren)

7th January

This was the day of our first visit to the fabled Carara National Park, and so we were up at 05:30 to ensure we

reached the gates when they opened at 07:00. It was roughly an hour’s walk to the reserve, but we added a few

minutes by visiting the bridge to the main town of Tarcoles, where we had excellent views of Ringed

Kingfisher and several Bare-throated Tiger-Heron. Back on track, the last stretch of road before the main

highway (CR-34) provided Stripe-headed Sparrow and Groove-billed Ani, with three Costa Rican Swift

hawking over a field at the intersection.

As we walked the final 3km along CR-34, three separate Crested Caracara flew over us, and a Streaked

Flycatcher lurked in the forest edge. But the real highlight was the appearance of two male trogons: Slaty-

tailed and Gartered Trogon, with the latter even perching briefly on an overhead wire. We arrived at the gate

at 06:50, where a Turquoise-browed Motmot entertained us until the park opened. After purchasing tickets

($10 each), we made the short 2km walk to the start of the Meandrica Trail, adding Cattle Egret on the way.

The Meandrica (or Riverside) Trail

is hailed as arguably the best single

trail for birdwatching in the

country, but I have to admit for us

it was a harsh introduction to

birding a neotropical forest. We

heard a lot of birds but seeing them

was another matter, with most high

in the canopy or glimpsed only

briefly - not a problem in Britain

where we know the birds so well,

but identifying such alien avifauna

from a flash of tail proved tricky. A

Yellow-throated Vireo and an

accommodating White-whiskered

Puffbird (right) got our hopes up,

but were followed by a long and

frustrating drought of birds.

Fortunately, as time passed, we got both better and luckier. Loud whistling from the undergrowth signalled a

Chestnut-backed Antbird, and the whirring of wings announced numerous Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

and a single Long-billed Hermit. Some species soon became common, most notably Yellow Warbler and

Chestnut-sided Warbler, whilst foraging pairs of Dot-winged Antwren, Dusky Antbird and Barred

Antshrike put in only single appearances.

There was action high in the canopy too, with a Squirrel Cuckoo, ten Yellow-throated Toucan and several

Crested Guan and Scarlet Macaw crashing about at the top of the trees. Although these were nothing

compared to the troupe of White-headed Capuchin monkeys that followed the path for a while. Beyond that,

several clearings revealed soaring birds, with singles of King Vulture, Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift and

Wood Stork glimpsed above the forest.

A highlight for me was the Black-bellied Wren. We heard them singing at several points, sounding just like

an excited R2-D2, but it took a lot of patience and undergrowth scouring to finally locate a pair. Other

highlights included singles of Northern Bentbill, Black-hooded Antshrike and Golden-hooded Tanager,

but the real stars of the show came at the very end of the trail. We had just decided to turn back, when a strange

snapping sound betrayed the presence of a stunning male Orange-collared Manakin, which barely paused on



a branch before disappearing into the forest (we would see another male and a female by the time we made the

car park, both as restless as the first). Just a few minutes later, the sound of whirring wings transformed into a

Rufous-tailed Jacamar, which proved much more cooperative.

(It’s worth noting here that we had expected to find a viewpoint over a lagoon along this trail, where a number

of waterbirds are apparently common, including Boat-billed Heron. Unfortunately we were unable to locate

this lagoon, or any water whatsoever. The path did branch towards the river at one point, but all we found there

was dry-baked mud. Although it’s quite possible we missed it, it did appear that any water in the area had long

since dried up.)

As lunchtime approached, so did hunger, and our return along the trail was much faster than our outward leg,

but a few more birds were added to the list, including Cocoa Woodcreeper, Summer Tanager and Yellow-

bellied Flycatcher, bringing the species total for Meandrica to a modest (but hard won) 36. We reached CR-

34, turned right and walked on to the Crocodile Bridge for lunch at Restaurante Ecológico Los Cocodrilos.

Birds were slim on the ground here, but it was worth a look for the dozen or so enormous American Crocodile

basking on the riverbank.

After eating we walked back to the main car park of Carara National Park and had a quick walk around part of

the trail system there. In about an hour we added six new species to the trip list, with Buff-rumped Warbler,

Ruddy Ground Dove, female Black-throated Trogon, Golden-crowned Spadebill, two Grey-chested

Dove and an Orange-billed Sparrow. We also enjoyed excellent views of a Northern Tamandua (anteater)

as it single-mindedly pursued its quarry up a slender tree just feet from the path.

Day Total: 67

Trip Total: 102

Bird of the Day: Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Tom), White-whiskered Puffbird (Lauren)

8th January

One of the most anticipated parts of our visit was a boat trip on the Tarcoles River. We had attempted to book

one several times before leaving England, but had received no response from any operators or guides. As a

result, we were forced to organise it in-country, and unfortunately ended up on the Crocodile Man Tour. Now

don’t get me wrong, this was a great tour: well-run, with an excellent multi-lingual guide, plenty of wildlife

and up-close views of two decently sized crocodiles. It is not, however, the best trip for birders. We saw plenty

of herons and waders, but spent far too long moored beside a disinterested and unmoving crocodile, and barely

five minutes amongst the mangroves near the river mouth, allowing no chance at the mangrove speciality birds

or even my much-hoped for (and, spoiler alert, never located) Boat-billed Heron.

We woke early to walk down to the dock for our 07:45 meeting time, planning to bird the area before the trip

on the river. A flock of noisy White-crowned Parrot flew overhead just before we reached the Crocodile

Man restaurant, which was our meeting point. Arriving early, we carried on past the restaurant and dock area

to the wetland we had visited two days ago, spotting two Green Kingfisher on the way.

This time the wetland was a hive of activity, with dozens of herons and waders on the muddy margins. A

Northern Jacana with a single chick was outdone by a pair of Black-bellied Whistling Duck with 12 young,

whilst a lone Northern Waterthrush picked its way between them. The trees were full of Wood Stork, with

Great Blue, Little Blue and Tricoloured Heron joining White Ibis and Great and Snowy Egret in the water.

But waders were the real highlight for me! A group of eight Least Sandpiper were accompanied by a Spotted

Sandpiper, two Lesser Yellowlegs and three Killdeer as they picked their way along the mud. Prothonotary

Warbler and our first Common Tody-Flycatcher foraged in the bushes, whilst a Crested Caracara flew

overhead. Soon it was time to return to the meeting point, where we were greeted by complimentary water (or

coffee if you wanted it) and a Streak-backed Oriole. Then it was on to the boat trip.



Before we were even seated birds were immediately obvious, with Mangrove and Barn Swallows joined by

a few Northern Rough-winged Swallows as they hawked over the water. As we cruised upriver herons were

abundant, with numerous Snowy and Great Egret, Great Blue, Little Blue, Tricoloured, Green and Yellow-

crowned Night Heron (below), and smaller numbers of White Ibis, Wood Stork and Bare-throated Tiger-

Heron.

The riverbanks also held good numbers of

Southern Lapwing and Black-necked

Stilt, with the occasional Whimbrel,

Spotted Sandpiper, Northern Jacana

and Willet. An Osprey perched on an

overhanging branch, and whilst the guide

pointed out a Hoffmann’s Woodpecker

to the other tourists we spied an Amazon

Kingfisher on a floating log. A pair of

Scarlet Macaw squawked above the boat

as the guide whistled in three Yellow-

headed Caracara, one of which landed

on the shore beside us. A Turquoise-

browed Motmot also showed well from

a riverside tree.

Eventually, after a long period of staring

at two mostly submerged, mostly unmoving crocodiles, we sped off towards the mouth of the river for a token

glance at the mangroves. A few Brown Pelican and Magnificent Frigatebird fed in the estuary, where a

small sand spit held an immature Laughing Gull and two Royal Tern (the only perched terns we ever saw

here). There were also good numbers of Neotropic Cormorant and Anhinga in the area. Trip over, we

returned to the jetty and disembarked.

Disappointed with the lack of mangrove birds, we decided to try on foot instead. We carried on down the road

towards Tarcol Lodge, stopping once again at the small wetland where we added American Pygmy

Kingfisher and Wilson’s Snipe - a bird I had never expected! I pointed them both out to a guide that stopped

by and he was quite excited by the snipe, so perhaps it’s notable. From there we continued to the football pitch,

out onto the beach (stopping to admire a perched Black Hawk pictured on page 7) and into the mangrove at

the river mouth.



After a long time traipsing through the dense tangle of prop roots and branches, we eventually lucked out with

all three targets: Mangrove Hummingbird, Mangrove Vireo and Mangrove (Yellow) Warbler. Triumphant

and relieved, we followed the beach back to Hotel Carara, pausing to inspect the waders on the way. Amongst

the Semi-palmated and Wilson’s Plover was a single Western/Semipalmated Sandpiper that unfortunately

flew off before we could decide which of these small peeps it was. Turnstone, Whimbrel and Willet provided

no such challenge. Back at the hotel, we watched the birds fly to their roost sites from our balcony again,

including a seemingly endless procession of Great-tailed Grackle towards the river mouth.

Day Total: 66

Trip Total: 123

Bird of the Day: Wilson’s Snipe (Tom), Black Hawk (Lauren)

9th January

Our last full day in the Tarcoles area demanded a return to Carara National Park, this time focussing on the

main trail system. Leaving the hotel around 06:00, the walk to the park once again proved productive, with a

handsome adult Grey Hawk landing in a tree close to the CR-34 junction, where a Scaly-breasted

Hummingbird also put in an appearance.

The clearing around the park office kicked things off, with Rose-throated Becard, Squirrel Cuckoo and

Turquoise-browed Motmot (page 8) amongst the birds seen here. An anticlockwise walk around the cement



trail then added Wood Thrush, a beautiful Kentucky Warbler, the first of

countless Chestnut-backed Antbird and Orange-billed Sparrow, a White-

whiskered Puffbird, and three Red-legged Honeycreeper dancing high in the

canopy.

We then turned towards the metal bridge that leads to the Quebrada Bonita trail,

spotting Buff-rumped Warbler, Yellow-throated Toucan and a female Black-

throated Trogon en route to the bridge, where a Northern Waterthrush bobbed

about in the shadows. A clockwise walk around the Quebrada Bonita trail yielded

both Pale-billed and Lineated Woodpecker, found just a few trees apart, as well

as the first of several Rufous-tailed Hummingbird.

We then reached the bridge that connects this trail to the Las Araceas trail. The

bridge itself had been taken out of action by a falling tree, but the river it spanned

was bone dry, so we could just walk across. Here we found a female Red-capped

Manakin and a male Blue-throated Goldentail. Walking the full circle of Las

Araceas added a skulking Black-faced Antthrush, two Northern Barred-

Woodcreeper, a Stripe-throated Hermit, a male Slaty-tailed Trogon and a

mixed flock including Plain Xenops and Long-billed Gnatwren.

After completing the loop, we crossed back onto the Quebrada Bonita trail and continued on towards the bridge

back to the concrete trail. Before reaching it, we encountered another (or perhaps the same) mixed flock, this

time finding Grey-headed Tanager, White-shouldered Tanager, Tawny-crowned Greenlet and Russet

Antshrike amongst the active group. On reaching the bridge, our progress was halted by a tour group whose

guide was trying unsuccessfully to coax the Scarlet Macaw from its nest tree. Whilst waiting for them to move,

we spied a pair of Black-headed Trogon hiding on the far bank. A Great Tinamou wandered across the path

as we returned to the trail entrance, where a final surprise awaited in the form of an elusive Blue-crowned

Motmot.

We stopped for a rest on a shaded bench near the centre, waiting for the day to cool a little before walking

back to the hotel. A Black Ctenosaur came over to join us, whilst a Great Crested Flycatcher made sallies

from the forest edge, capping our Carara day list off at 43 species. When we finally walked back (wishing for

a cooler climate), the only new bird for the day was an Osprey perched in a bare roadside tree.

Day Total: 58

Trip Total: 148

Bird of the Day: Black-faced Antthrush (Tom), Blue-crowned Motmot (Lauren)

10th January

This day was a bit of a write-off, as we were waiting for a mid-afternoon shuttle bus to take us to our next

destination, Monteverde. After having walked more than 50km over the last few days, often in 36 degree heat,

we didn’t really have the time or inclination to walk too far. We spent a lazy morning writing up our records

and watching the birds from the hotel balcony.

All of the usual suspects were present, with two Rufous-naped Wren building a nest in a nearby palm and a

Hoffmann’s Woodpecker feeding in the trees. Hundreds of Brown Pelican and dozens of Magnificent

Frigatebird lingered offshore, with a trip record of twenty Laughing Gull and eight Royal Tern circling the

fishing boats. Two Osprey flew transects over the water, whilst three Black Hawk circled the beach, where a

single Spotted Sandpiper bobbed along the strandline. The final birds were two White-throated Magpie-

Jay on the hotel roof.



Eventually the shuttle bus arrived (early), and carried us off towards Monteverde, pausing briefly (and

unnecessarily for us) at the Crocodile Bridge so we could admire the lethargic leviathans. Soon we were back

on the road, winding our way to higher altitudes. The most notable birds on the journey were the Cattle Egret,

of which there seemed to be at least one for every cow in the country. By the time we reached Monteverde it

was dark, windy and extremely rainy. To make matters worse, when we reached our hotel, the Trapp Family

Lodge, we found that a downed tree had taken out the power. After a more-dark-than-romantic candlelit dinner,

we went to bed with the power still out.

Day Total: 23

Trip Total: 148

Bird of the Day: Royal Tern (Tom), White-throated Magpie Jay (Lauren)

11th January

Dawn arrived, and with it the realisation that the power had been restored! Less cheery was the realisation that

it was still raining, and windier than ever - gusts of over 50kmph seemed to shake the actual building. We still

managed a new bird from the bedroom window, though, with a Yellowish Flycatcher feeding on the forest

edge. The rain never stopped, but it did slow down enough to encourage us outside just after 07:30.

We had chosen Trapp Family Lodge because it was the closest hotel to the Monteverde reserve, just under a

kilometre from the entrance. The rain turned heavy again as we left, making birding difficult along the way,

but the shelter of the Cafe Colibri veranda gave us a great view of the frantic activity at their hummingbird

feeders. The small clearing was alive with the hum of dozens of the tiny winged-jewels. There were eight

species, from the huge Violet Sabrewing to the tiny Coppery-headed Emerald. Most common were the

Green-crowned Brilliant and Green Violetear, with Purple-throated Mountain Gem squabbling over

sugar water and the occasional Stripe-tailed Hummingbird dashing in between them. Every so often a Green

Hermit would stray into the clearing, but my favourite was the diminutive Magenta-throated Woodstar,

hovering bee-like at the feeder rather than ever landing. Bananaquit were common there, too, and we also

saw an Olingo come down and empty a feeder.

Finally tearing ourselves away from the hummers, we paid the $20 (per person) entrance fee and prepared to

explore Monteverde. Unfortunately we received some bad news: due to the high winds felling trees, only the

shortest trails were currently open - Quebrada Cuecha and Sendero Tosi. Still, slowly exploring these provided

highlights in the shape of Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Black Guan, a

pair of nest-prospecting Red-faced Spinetail, a curious female Orange-bellied Trogon and a bizarre Prong-

billed Barbet. Common Chlorospingus were absolutely everywhere, with well over 20 seen throughout the

day.

Late morning we received the good news that all trails but the farthest one were now open. We had more cloud

forest to explore! Hoping for Quetzel, we headed straight to Sendero Bosque Nuboso, which is rumoured to

offer a good chance. Unfortunately none was forthcoming on this day, but Nuboso proved worthwhile anyway,

with Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Spotted Barbtail, Emerald Toucanet, three Azure-hooded Jay and a

covey of at least seven Black-breasted Wood-Quail.

The wider Sendero Camino was also productive, with mixed flocks including Plain Antvireo, Golden-winged

Warbler, Black-eared (Costa Rican) Warbler, Golden-crowned Warbler, Collared Redstart, Slate-

throated Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler and Blackburnian Warbler. Finally the rain got the better of

us, and we headed back to the hotel. After one of the hardest day’s birding in my life, constantly gazing up

into driving rain, we left Monteverde with a total of 33 species.

Day Total: 33

Trip Total: 180

Bird of the Day: Black-breasted Wood-Quail (Tom), Purple-throated Mountain Gem (Lauren)



12th January

Looking for a change from yesterday’s Monteverde trip, we opted to head for the Bajo Del Tigre reserve, 2km

down the road towards Santa Elena. Before we’d even left the hotel we’d had our first new species, with a

flock of six Brown Jay from the window at breakfast. On our way down the road we found three Emerald

Toucanet in a roadside tree, arriving at the reserve 15 minutes before it opened at 08:00. We watched Black

Vulture soar from the viewpoint as we waited for it to open, before handing over $12 each to enter the reserve.

Within a few minutes we’d located a Keel-billed Toucan, and not long later found our target: a male Long-

tailed Manakin (below). By the end we would see three males and a single female! Warblers were represented

by Ovenbird, Wilson’s, Black-and-white and Blackburnian Warbler, with hummers including Violet

Sabrewing and Coppery-headed Emerald. But the real highlight came when we stumbled across an ant

swarm! It was incredible, a river of ants two metres wide flowing between the trees and across the path. And

birds were everywhere!

Northern Barred-Woodcreeper and two Ruddy Woodcreeper clambered up tree trunks, whilst Wood

Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush and a White-eared Ground Sparrow

hopped amongst the swarm, frantically picking off insects. Warblers flitted in and out, mostly Golden-

crowned, but also at least one Wilson’s and Rufous-capped Warbler. A single Blue-crowned Motmot

swooped in and snatched a large beetle, noisily dispatching it before moving on. And then suddenly the swarm

was gone and the forest was still again.

After leaving Bajo del Tigre we continued down to Stella’s Bakery for lunch, where the garden feeding tables

drew in a gathering of birds including Yellow-throated Euphonia, Baltimore Oriole, Palm Tanager, Blue-

grey Tanager, Tennessee Warbler and a greedy Blue-crowned Motmot that picked up a tanager with its

bill, pinned it to the table and then threw it sideways!



The rest of the day was spent walking down into Santa Elena for a bit of shopping, before making the 4.25 km

journey back up the hill to the hotel, spotting a pair of Yellow-faced Grassquit and two Slate-throated

Redstart on the way.

Day Total: 39

Trip Total: 193

Bird of the Day: Long-tailed Manakin (Tom, Lauren)

13th January

Friday the 13th dawned wet and windy, with gales even stronger than our first day in the area. Still, we were

determined to get lucky and find a Quetzel, so we headed back up the road to the Monteverde reserve. Two

Prong-billed Barbet showed well by the visitor centre, with the Quebrada Cuecha trail quickly producing a

nice mix of birds. Two Azure-hooded Jay, two Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, two subtly beautiful Black-

faced Solitaire, a pair of Grey-breasted Woodwren and Black-headed, Orange-billed and Slaty-backed

Nightingale-Thrush. Once again, Common Chlorospingus were everywhere, with at least 26 seen

throughout the day.

We opted to give Sendero Bosque Nuboso another shot and this time found success! A third of the way down

the trail we came across an excited tour group gazing into the canopy. A friendly French lady wandered over

and said they were looking at a Quetzal. A quick scan soon revealed him, a male Resplendent Quetzal! He

was perched high up a tree, barely moving, allowing us to enjoy reasonable views for a while before moving

on.

We spent lunchtime at Colibri Cafe, enjoying

the views of the hummingbird feeders whilst

we ate, finding all of the same species we’d

had in our previous visit. Afterwards we

returned to the reserve, spending the rest of the

day birding the trails in heavy rain. It was hard

going and fairly quiet, with only Slate-

throated Redstart (2), Collared Redstart (9)

and Spangle-cheeked Tanager (2) revealing

themselves. That is, until the last forty

minutes, when strangely both the rain and the

birding became more intense, with a rapid

succession of mixed flocks on the Nuboso

trail.

Two Spotted Barbtail, three Red-faced

Spinetail, four Golden-winged Warbler, male Slaty Antwren, Black-and-white Warbler and Spotted

Woodcreeper were just some of the birds we identified amongst them, with many no doubt eluding our

binoculars in the heavy rain and dense foliage. Monteverde still had a few final surprises for us as we made

our way towards the exit, with Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant, Ochraceous Wren and Smoky-brown

Woodpecker all new for the trip list, and two very photogenic Prong-billed Barbet (above left) still loitering

near the visitor centre.

Day Total: 33

Trip Total: 202

Bird of the Day: Black-faced Solitaire (Tom), Prong-billed Barbet (Lauren)



14th January

An 07:45 shuttle bus put us on the road to Arenal Observatory Lodge, with some great birds seen on the

journey. In addition to the ubiquitous Cattle Egret and Black and Turkey Vulture, we spotted Keel-billed

Toucan, two Spotted Sandpiper, Blue-crowned Motmot, a yellow-bellied trogon species and a magnificent

Belted Kingfisher perched on a wire beside a small bridge. The shuttle then dropped us on the shore of Lake

Arenal, where an Osprey flew over as we waited for our boat. The boat ride was surprisingly devoid of wildlife

(so strange to see a lake without ducks), but offered a fantastic first view of Arenal volcano. The boat dumped

us on the far shore, where a second shuttle took us up the long and bumpy road to the lodge, passing several

White-throated Magpie-Jay.

At Arenal Observatory Lodge we dumped our bags in our room, pausing to admire the breathtaking view, then

headed off to grab some lunch and check out the famous bird feeders. They were pretty productive! Brown

Jay, Montezuma Oropendola, Black-cowled and Baltimore Oriole, Tennessee Warbler, female Green

Honeycreeper and Emerald, Passerini’s, Golden-hooded, Blue-grey and Palm Tanager all within a few

minutes. While we watched, a flock of around 25 White-collared Swift flew low overhead.

Fighting the temptation to sit with a drink and watch the feeders, we ventured down the incredibly steep River

Trail, but were rewarded with just Common Chlorospingus, Pale-vented Pigeon and Scale-crested Pygmy

Tyrant. Undeterred, we decided to try the Saino and La Hormiga Trails instead. This proved a much more

successful outing! Before we even reached the trail we found Yellow-throated and Keel-billed Toucan, along

with numerous Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. The trails themselves produced Chestnut-sided Warbler,

Summer Tanager, Stripe-breasted Wren and Northern Waterthrush amongst many other species, as well

as a female Great Curassow wandering boldly across a bridge.

A small patch of landscaped garden

near the spa turned out to be just as

productive, with Collared Aracari

(left), House Wren, Bananaquit,

Black-cheeked Woodpecker,

Melodious Blackbird, Variable

Seedeater and Common Tody-

Flycatcher all showing well. Moving

on down the road to the main trails, a

fruiting tree turned out to be extremely

attractive to tanagers. Emerald

Tanager were joined by many Silver-

throated and Bay-headed Tanager, all

busily wolfing down berries. Nearby a

pair of Spotted Antbird worked their

way along the tree-line.

Continuing on to the Waterfall Trail

added Carmiol’s Tanager, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Orange-chinned Parakeet, and Orange-billed

Sparrow, before a return to the Saino Trail rewarded us with a Brown Violetear coming down to a pool to

drink. Then, as we made our way back to our room, a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk alighted at the top of a

tree behind the swimming pool. Finally, an after-dinner stroll to the frog ponds failed to produce any nocturnal

birds, but did reveal a nice Masked Tree Frog (page 40).

Day Total: 59

Trip Total: 221

Bird of the Day: Collared Aracari (Tom), Emerald Tanager (Lauren)



15th January

Our only full day in Arenal turned out to be our most productive day of the trip! It began with a flock of 38

Cattle Egret flying past our window, followed shortly by Tawny-capped Euphonia and Buff-rumped

Warbler just beyond the veranda. A walk down to La Casona contributed Keel-billed Toucan, Swainson’s

Thrush, Wood Thrush, Stripe-throated Hermit, Black-striped Sparrow and Southern Rough-winged

Swallow. Breakfast included a view of the feeders, where yesterday’s birds were joined by Buff-throated

Saltator, male Great Curassow and Collared Aracari.

Venturing out onto the main trails, the fruiting tree was as productive as the day before, with the same

assortment of tanagers. A few steps into the Waterfall Trail and a double-rap drew attention to a Pale-billed

Woodpecker, whilst a persistent call from the undergrowth revealed a Kentucky Warbler. Several mixed

flocks then appeared between here and the Danta Hanging Bridge, including Wedge-billed Woodcreeper,

Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Streak-crowned Antvireo, Slaty Antwren, Spotted Antbird (above),

Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Tropical Parula and Spotted Woodcreeper. Close to the bridge a Dull-mantled

Antbird skulked beside the path, and a patch of flowers attracted both male Purple-crowned Fairy and female

Crowned Woodnymph. A female White-ruffed Manakin also put in a brief appearance.

A patch of grassland over the bridge held Yellow-faced Grassquit, Grey-crowned Yellowthroat and Blue-

black Grassquit, whilst a stunning White Hawk flew into the trees on the far side of the field. Hoffmann’s

and Rufous-winged Woodpecker worked their way along the forest edge, and a Violet-headed

Hummingbird flitted in to feed beside the path. As we reached the farm buildings, the clouds cleared revealing

the peak of the volcano. In the sunlight a Broad-winged Hawk soared above the grazing cows, and a huge

shape passing in front of the volcano revealed itself to be a Great Black-Hawk, matching even the vultures

for size.

We returned to the lodge for lunch, before heading back out onto the trails in the afternoon. The area between

the waterfall and the Danta bridge was once again the most productive, with another mixed flock including



Blue-and-gold Tanager, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Plain Xenops, Russet Antshrike, Black-and-

white Warbler and Golden-winged Warbler.

The Saino and La Hormiga trails were also worth a revisit, with great views of male and female White-ruffed

Manakin, Lesser Greenlet and a surprise Keel-billed Motmot. The stroll back through the hotel grounds

added Band-backed Wren, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird and Olive-striped Flycatcher, cementing this as

the most productive day of the entire trip.

Day Total: 92

Trip Total: 247

Bird of the Day: Purple-crowned Fairy (Tom), White-throated Shrike-Tanager (Lauren)

16th January

With a mid-morning shuttle bus coming to take us to La Selva, the morning was a mad dash around the most

productive trails to try and add as many new species as possible before we were forced to leave this birding

paradise. The first was a complete surprise, with a male White-collared Manakin appearing in a strand of

pine trees by reception. But the Waterfall Trail was once again the place to be, with Brown-hooded Parrot,

White-throated Thrush, Louisiana Waterthrush and Buff-fronted Foliage Gleaner new amongst the

species found before breakfast.

The feeders were as busy as ever, but nothing new came to visit them,

so we ran back to La Hormiga for a final lap, earning the reward of a

Slate-coloured Grosbeak. The fruiting tree at the start of the Waterfall

Trail was once again full of tanagers, with nine species including a

single Hepatic Tanager. With frustratingly brief views of an

unidentified hawk, it was time to return to reception, where our shuttle

bus was waiting. The only notable birds on our journey were three Gray

Hawk, one of which was perched just metres from the road.

We reached La Selva just in time for lunch, after which we had the

pleasure of carrying our bags the kilometre from reception to our room. Birding was tricky under the weight

and heat, but we did spot Yellow-throated Toucan (which were fairly common here), a flock of Black-faced

Grosbeak and several Crested Guan. We dumped our bags and returned to reception, birding more freely

with hands to spare. Our first White-collared Manakin (above right) was exciting, but we almost became

tired of these stunning little birds, we saw them so often! Keel-billed Toucan were also fairly common, as

were the Southern Rough-winged Swallow hawking over the football pitch.

A Snowy Cotinga flying over the car park was a nice surprise, as was a juvenile Broad-winged Hawk that

powered past us at eye-level. After that sightings became scarce as we ventured onto the main trails, with long

stretches turning up very little. We had to work hard for Olive-backed Euphonia, Scarlet-rumped Cacique,

Eye-ringed Flatbill and White-breasted Wood-Wren, although Squirrel Cuckoo, Great Curassow and

Broad-billed Motmot were a little more cooperative just across the Stone Bridge. Collared Peccary, Agouti

and Spider Monkey were all much easier to spot, whilst Howler Monkey calls were the only sign of their

presence. A pair of Great Green Macaw revealed themselves with raucous calls as they flew overhead - a

sound that would become fairly common over the next day and a half.

The walk back to our room produced one of the best surprises of our stay at La Selva, when a faint scuffling

sound led me to two Slaty-breasted Tinamou skulking a few metres into the forest. A short stop on our

balcony added a male Cinnamon Woodpecker and a Stripe-throated Hermit, before we grabbed our head

torches and walked back to the dining hall, dodging frogs and toads in the darkness. The final surprise came

when we returned to our room, spotting two Common Pauraque sat on the concrete of the car park, launching



frequent sallies to snatch insects in the light of the security lamps. As we settled into bed, two Vermiculated

Screech-Owl could be heard calling far off in the dark of the forest.

Day Total: 68

Trip Total: 268

Bird of the Day: Slaty-breasted Tinamou (Tom), White-collared Manakin (Lauren)

17th January

Any stay at La Selva involves a mandatory guided walk, so we had our breakfast and birded the area around

reception until the guide was due at 08:00. White-collared Manakin were easy to find, males seeming to be

snapping their wings in almost every tree. Toucans were well represented in the treetops, including four

Collared Aracari, whilst the vegetation around the bridge provided new birds in the form of Bay Wren and

a flock of three plus Dusky-faced Tanager. As we waited at reception, a Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer settled

on a Heliconia and afforded excellent views.

We then joined the rest of our group with our guide, Octavio (who was excellent - it was great to finally talk

to a fellow birder, as most others had been fairly standoffish), and set off around the football pitch. As Octavio

showed the others a Clay-coloured Thrush, I watched Grey-rumped Swift circle high above, before spotting

a Rufous Motmot hiding in the vegetation and calling the others over. Octavio then found a Slaty-tailed

Trogon, and I spotted a pair of Gartered Trogon nearby. Two more Rufous Motmot followed before we

returned to the football pitch, where a Long-tailed Tyrant perched on an overhead wire.

As we made our way across Stone Bridge, Lauren spied a White-necked Puffbird in the tree above us. Octavio

attempted to get it in the scope, but the bird had other plans and promptly flew away. The area around the

laboratories proved fairly productive, with White-ringed Flycatcher, Masked Tityra, Baltimore Oriole and

Short-billed Pigeon all spotted here. We then made our way along the STR trail, where Octavio found a pair

of Black-crowned Antshrike lurking beside the path.

Farther down this trail a sudden flurry of activity delivered Rufous Mourner, Black-throated Trogon,

Squirrel Cuckoo, White-fronted Nunbird and Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker. Non-avian highlights

included more Collared Peccary, several huge Bullet Ant and a brief Blue-Jeans Frog, which marked the

end of our tour. We turned back towards the dining area and lunch, with the only notable bird en route a female

Black-crowned Antshrike that showed ridiculously well by the Stone Bridge.

After lunch we returned to the trails, following the CES trail until it rejoined with the STR, then following this

wider trail for another kilometre or so. This turned out to be a good move, as we stumbled across a perched

male Hook-billed Kite and an adult Grey Hawk. A little farther on we found several Crested Guan before

surprising a Great Tinamou that tried to cross the path. As we turned back we were treated to good views of

a pair of Blue Dacnis, before a sudden flurry of woodpeckers that included three Black-cheeked, two

Chestnut-coloured and a Pale-billed Woodpecker, followed by our first Chestnut-headed Oropendola.

We reached the spot that had proved so productive on our tour, only to find the number of birds had increased.

Now there were two White-fronted Nunbird, two Squirrel Cuckoo, two Rufous Mourner and seven

Masked Tityra. We also got better views of a pair of Great Green Macaw, this time perched in the canopy.

There was little else of note on the return to reception, but a Bright-rumped Attila was new beside the football

pitch, and a Black-thighed Grosbeak from our balcony was a surprise as I’d thought they preferred higher

altitudes. After dinner the two Common Pauraque (page 16) had again taken up their posts in the car park,

and eventually I managed a few decent photos with a very slow shutter speed.



Day Total: 66

Trip Total: 287

Bird of the Day: Common Pauraque (Tom), White-fronted Puffbird (Lauren)

18th January

La Selva is so often praised for being ridiculously bird-rich, with over a hundred species in a few hours

apparently easily attainable, yet we had struggled to find much. Mixed flocks had been few and far between,

and for the most part the forest had been fairly quiet. This had been especially true of the entrance road, which

so many reports suggest is even more productive than the trails themselves. So on the final morning we decided

to give the entrance road another chance.

As we made our way from the room to the dining hall we passed Long-billed Hermit, White-ringed

Flycatcher, two Grey-capped Flycatcher and the first of ten Masked Tityra, as well as our only Mourning

Warbler of the trip. The Bright-rumped Attila was by the football pitch once more, where four Mealy Parrot

flew overhead and a Slaty-tailed Trogon called from across the car park. A male Great Curassow strutted

confidently along the path.



As we started down the entrance road a flock of swifts could be seen passing

over the guardhouse, with a single Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift amongst the

twenty plus Grey-rumped Swift. Unfortunately, we once again failed to enjoy

much success on the road, finding only 19 species along the entire stretch, with

the highlights being six Golden-hooded Tanager, two Great Green Macaw,

several Silver-throated Tanager and a Rufous-tailed Jacamar. At the top of

the hill we turned left, following the road back to our room in order to grab our

bags, adding a distant Long-tailed Tyrant (left).

Then finally we had some luck, finding a fruiting tree just a few dozen metres

from the entrance to the cabins’ car park. It was overflowing with birds! Bay-

headed Tanager and several Silver-throated Tanager were joined by seven

Olive-backed Euphonia, two Black-headed Saltator, Ochre-bellied

Flycatcher, Paltry Tyrannulet and an Olive-striped Flycatcher. Even two

Brown-hooded Parrot, a Squirrel Cuckoo and a Yellow-throated Toucan

were getting in on the act, whilst two Grey Hawk drifted over the field behind

them.

As we carried our bags to reception we passed a male Black-throated Trogon, but the best was yet to come

as we rounded a corner and found a tour group blocking the path. Following their gaze we spotted a juvenile

Grey-headed Kite perched surprisingly close to the path, offering excellent views and making us regret that

the camera was buried at the bottom of a bag! As we waited at reception for our shuttle bus, the Bronze-tailed

Plumeleteer returned to the same Heliconia patch.

The journey to San Jose was uneventful, as was our brief foray into the city itself - little more than Great-

tailed Grackle and Feral Pigeon to be seen. However, the view from our room at Hotel Aranjuez was a little

more rewarding, with a single urban tree providing two Blue-grey Tanager, two Baltimore Oriole, an Inca

Dove, a Red-billed Pigeon, a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and a Rufous-collared Sparrow.

Day Total: 61

Trip Total: 293

Bird of the Day: Long-tailed Tyrant (Tom), Squirrel Cuckoo (Lauren)

19th January

Our final day in Costa Rica involved very little birding. Very little of anything, really. Not wanting to revisit

the city centre, we had a lazy morning at the hotel, where the tree outside of our window attracted Yellow

Warbler, Hoffmann’s Woodpecker and White-winged Dove in addition to many of the same species as

yesterday. A Clay-coloured Thrush and several Variegated Squirrel showed an unhealthy interest in our

breakfast as we sat by the hotel’s miniature garden, then before we knew it we were in a taxi on our way to the

airport.

But the country had one final surprise for us. As we sat in the airport waiting for our check-in desk to open,

watching the vultures circle over the road, another shape caught our eye, hanging in the wind amongst them. I

pulled out my binoculars and focused in on it, immediately noticing the bright rufous tail: a Red-tailed Hawk!

Although this was the last new species of our trip, it wasn’t the last bird. As we waited at our gate and the light

faded, a Great Blue Heron flew past the window, followed by a flock of 18 Cattle Egret. But, with a pleasing

symmetry, the final bird of the trip was the same as the first, the humble Great-tailed Grackle.

Day Total: 13

Trip Total: 294

Bird of the Day: Red-tailed Hawk (Tom, Lauren)



Species List

Species Tarcoles/Carara

Monteverde

Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela

Great Tinamou

Tinamus major 1 1

Slaty-breasted

Tinamou

Crypturellus

cinnamomeus

2

Great Curassow

Crax rubra 1 daily 1 daily

Black Guan

Chamaepetes

unicolor 4

Crested Guan

Penelope

purpurascens 4 6

Black-breasted

Wood-Quail

Odontophorus

leucolaemus

1 covey

Black-bellied

Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna

autumnalis

Common

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschata 1 pair

Neotropic

Cormorant

Phalacrocorax

brasilianus

Common

Anhinga

Anhinga anhinga Common

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus

occidentalis Abundant

Magnificent

Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens Abundant

Laughing Gull

Leucophaeus

atricilla

Small numbers

daily




Monteverde


Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus Small numbers

daily

Bare-throated

Tiger-Heron

Tigrisoma

mexicanum

7

Green Heron

Butorides virescens Common on river

Tricoloured Heron

Egretta tricolor Fairly common

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea Fairly common

Great Egret

Ardea alba Common

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias Common 2

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibis Common

Common en

route Common 1 flock of 18

Snowy Egret

Egretta thula Common

Yellow-crowned

Night-Heron

Nyctanassa violacea Common on river

White Ibis

Eudocimus albus Common

Wood Stork

Mycteria americana Common

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis Common on river

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarola 3

Collared Plover

Charadrius collaris 2

Wilson’s Plover

Charadrius wilsonia Fairly common




Monteverde


Semipalmated

Plover

Charadrius

semipalmatus

Fairly common

Killdeer

Charadrius vociferus 3

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus

mexicanus Common on river

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopus 3

Willet

Tringa semipalmata Fairly common

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes 2

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius Common 2 en route 1

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres 3

Sanderling

Calidris alba Common

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla 10

Wilson's Snipe

Gallinago delicata 1

Northern Jacana

Jacana spinosa Fairly common

Black Vulture

Coragyps atratus Abundant Common Common Common Abundant

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura Common Common Common Common Common

King Vulture

Sarcoramphus papa 1

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus 1-2 daily 1




Monteverde


Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis 1

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax

uncinatus 1

White Hawk

Pseudastur albicollis 1 1

Roadside Hawk

Rupornis

magnirostris 1

Broad-winged

Hawk

Buteo platypterus 2 2 1

Grey Hawk

Buteo plagiatus 2 6

Black Hawk

Buteogallus

anthracinus Common

Great Black-Hawk

Buteogallus

solitarius 1

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis 1

Crested Caracara

Caracara cheriway 4

Yellow-headed

Caracara Milvago chimachima

5

Common Pauraque

Nyctidromus

albicollis 2 nightly

White-collared

Swift

Streptoprocne

zonaris

2 flocks 1 flock

Costa Rican Swift

Chaetura fumosa 3




Monteverde


Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura

cinereiventris Common

Lesser Swallow-

tailed Swift

Panyptila

cayennensis

1 2

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea Common

Blue-and-white

Swallow

Pygochelidon

cyanoleuca

Common

Northern Rough-

winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx

serripennis

Common

Southern Rough-

winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx

ruficollis

Fairly

common Common

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica Common

Violet Sabrewing

Campylopterus

hemileucurus Fairly common 1

Green Hermit

Phaethornis guy 3 1

Stripe-throated

Hermit

Phaethornis

striigularis

1 1 3

Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis

longirostris 1 2

Green-crowned

Brilliant

Heliodoxa jacula

Common at

feeders




Monteverde


Scaly-breasted

Hummingbird

Phaeochroa cuvierii 1 1

Purple-crowned

Fairy

Heliothryx barroti 1 1

Crowned

Woodnymph

Thalurania

colombica

1

Stripe-tailed

Hummingbird

Eupherusa eximia Common

Coppery-headed

Emerald

Elvira cupreiceps

Common at

feeders

Blue-throated

Goldentail

Hylocharis eliciae 2

Rufous-tailed

Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl Very common

Very

common Common Common

Bronze-tailed

Plumeleteer

Chalybura

urochrysia

2

Mangrove

Hummingbird

Amazilia boucardi 1

Brown Violetear

Colibri delphinae 1

Green Violetear

Colibri thalassinus Common at

feeders

Purple-throated

Mountain-gem

Lampornis

calolaemus

Fairly common

Violet-headed

Hummingbird

Klais guimeti 1




Monteverde


Magenta-throated

Woodstar

Calliphlox bryantae

Fairly common

at feeders

Rock Pigeon

Columba livia

Several en

route Common

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas

cayennensis 3

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas

flavirostris 1 Fairly common

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas

nigrirostris 1

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica Common Common

Inca Dove

Columbina inca Fairly common Fairly common

Common Ground-

Dove

Columbina passerina 2

Ruddy Ground-

Dove

Columbina talpacoti Fairly common

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi Fairly common 1 1

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassini 2

Crimson-fronted

Parakeet

Aratinga finschi Fairly common

Orange-fronted

Parakeet

Aratinga canicularis




Monteverde


Orange-chinned

Parakeet

Brotogeris jugularis 2 flocks 1 flock

Brown-hooded

Parrot

Pyrilia haematotis 1 flock 2 flocks

White-crowned

Parrot

Pionus senilis 1 flock

Great Green

Macaw

Ara ambiguus 2-4 daily

Scarlet Macaw

Ara macao 2-8 daily

Red-lored Parrot

Amazona autumnalis 1 flock

Mealy Parrot

Amazona farinosa 1 flock

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga

sulcirostris Fairly common

Squirrel Cuckoo

Piaya cayana 3 7

Black-headed

Trogon

Trogon

melanocephalus

2

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus 1 2

Black-throated

Trogon

Trogon rufus 2 3

Orange-bellied

Trogon

Trogon

aurantiiventris

1

Resplendent

Quetzal

Pharomachrus

mocinno

1




Monteverde


Slaty-tailed Trogon

Trogon massena 2 2

Blue-crowned

Motmot

Momotus coeruliceps 1 4

Keel-billed Motmot

Electron carinatum 1

Rufous Motmot

Baryphthengus

martii 4

Broad-billed

Motmot

Electron

platyrhynchum

2

Turquoise-browed

Motmot

Eumomota

superciliosa

3

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata 1 1

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon 1 en route

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle

americana 2 2

American Pygmy

Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea 1

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle

amazona 1 1

White-necked

Puffbird

Notharchus

hyperrhynchus

1

White-fronted

Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus 2




Monteverde


White-whiskered

Puffbird

Malacoptila

panamensis

4

Rufous-tailed

Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda 1 2

Prong-billed Barbet

Semnornis frantzii 4

Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus

prasinus 4

Collared Aracari

Pteroglossus frantzii Fairly

common

Fairly

common

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos

sulfuratus 2 Fairly

common Common

Yellow-throated

Toucan

Ramphastos

ambiguus swainsonii Common

Fairly

common Common

Black-cheeked

Woodpecker

Melanerpes

pucherani

2 7

Hoffmann’s

Woodpecker

Melanerpes

hoffmannii

Common 1 1 1

Smoky-brown

Woodpecker

Picoides fumigatus 1

Rufous-winged

Woodpecker

Piculus simplex 1

Lineated

Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus 1




Monteverde


Pale-billed

Woodpecker

Campephilus

guatemalensis

1 1 2

Cinnamon

Woodpecker

Celeus loricatus 2

Chestnut-coloured

Woodpecker

Celeus castaneus 4

Plain Xenops

Xenops minutus 1 1

Northern Barred-

Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes

sanctithomae

2 1

Wedge-billed

Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus

spirurus

1

Ruddy

Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla

homochroa

2

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus

susurrans Common 1

Spotted

Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus

erythropygius

1 2

Streak-headed

Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes

souleyetii

1 1 2

Buff-throated

Foliage-gleaner

Automolus

ochrolaemus

1

Spotted Barbtail

Premnoplex

brunnescens 3




Monteverde


Ruddy Treerunner

Margarornis

rubiginosus 2

Red-faced Spinetail

Cranioleuca

erythrops 6

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus

doliatus 2

Black-hooded

Antshrike

Thamnophilus

bridgesi

2 seen

Russet Antshrike

Thamnistes

anabatinus 1 2

Black-crowned

Antshrike

Thamnophilus

atrinucha

3

Dusky Antbird

Cercomacra

tyrannina 3

Chestnut-backed

Antbird

Myrmeciza exsul Common

Dull-mantled

Antbird

Myrmeciza

laemosticta

1

Spotted Antbird

Hylophylax

naevioides 4

Plain Antvireo

Dysithamnus

mentalis 1

Streak-crowned

Antvireo

Dysithamnus

striaticeps

1

Slaty Antwren

Myrmotherula

schisticolor 1 1




Monteverde


Dot-winged

Antwren

Microrhopias

quixensis

2

Black-faced

Antthrush

Formicarius analis 1

Golden-crowned

Spadebill

Platyrinchus

coronatus

1

Paltry Tyrannulet

Zimmerius vilissimus 1

Yellow-bellied

Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster 1 1

Olive-striped

Flycatcher

Mionectes olivaceus 1 1

Slaty-capped

Flycatcher

Leptopogon

superciliaris

2

Common Tody-

Flycatcher

Todirostrum

cinereum

Fairly common Fairly

common

Fairly

common

Scale-crested

Pygmy-Tyrant

Lophotriccus pileatus 1 2

Northern Bentbill

Oncostoma

cinereigulare 1

Ochre-bellied

Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus 1

Sulphur-rumped

Flycatcher

Myiobius

sulphureipygius

1




Monteverde


Bright-rumped

Attila

Attila spadiceus 2

Rufous Mourner

Rhytipterna

holerythra 2

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus 3

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus

brevirostris 1

Tropical Pewee

Contopus cinereus 2

Yellow-bellied

Flycatcher

Empidonax

flaviventris

1

Yellowish

Flycatcher

Empidonax

flavescens

Common

Great Crested

Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus 1

Dusky-capped

Flycatcher

Myiarchus

tuberculifer

2

Great Kiskadee

Pitangus sulphuratus Common Common Common Common Common

Boat-billed

Flycatcher

Megarynchus

pitangua

Fairly common Fairly common Fairly

common

Fairly

common Fairly common

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis Fairly common Fairly common

Fairly

common

Fairly


Grey-capped

Flycatcher

Myiozetetes

granadensis

3




Monteverde


White-ringed

Flycatcher

Conopias

albovittatus

3

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes

maculatus 2

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus

melancholicus Very common Common

Very

common

Very

common Very common

Masked Tityra

Tityra semifasciata Common

Rose-throated

Becard

Pachyramphus

aglaiae

2

Long-tailed

Manakin

Chiroxiphia linearis 4

White-collared

Manakin

Manacus candei 1 Common

Orange-collared

Manakin

Manacus aurantiacus 3

White-ruffed

Manakin

Corapipo altera 4

Red-capped

Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis 1

Snowy Cotinga

Carpodectes nitidus 1

Azure-hooded Jay

Cyanolyca cucullata 5

White-throated

Magpie-Jay

Calocitta formosa 4 1 en route




Monteverde


Brown Jay

Psilorhinus morio 9

Fairly

common

Orange-billed

Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus

aurantiirostris 3

Slaty-backed

Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus fuscater 7

Black-headed

Nightingale-Thrush

Catharus mexicanus 1

Swainson’s Thrush

Catharus ustulatus 1 1

Wood Thrush

Hylocichla mustelina 1 3 2

Black-faced

Solitaire

Myadestes melanops 4

Mountain Thrush

Turdus plebejus 1

Clay-coloured

Thrush

Turdus grayi Common Common Common

Very


White-throated

Thrush

Turdus assimilis 1 1

Long-billed

Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus

melanurus

1

Rufous-naped Wren

Campylorhynchus

rufinucha Common




Monteverde


Band-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus

zonatus 3 1

Rufous-breasted

Wren

Pheugopedius rutilus 1

Stripe-breasted

Wren

Cantorchilus

thoracicus

Common 1

Bay Wren

Cantorchilus

nigricapillus 1

Plain Wren

Cantorchilus

modestus 1

Black-bellied Wren

Pheugopedius

fasciatoventris 3 seen

Ochraceous Wren

Troglodytes

ochraceus 1

House Wren

Troglodytes aedon

Fairly

common

White-breasted

Wood-Wren

Henicorhina

leucosticta

1 seen

Grey-breasted

Wood-Wren

Henicorhina

leucophrys

6 seen

Mangrove Vireo

Vireo pallens 1

Yellow-throated

Vireo

Vireo flavifrons 1

Tawny-crowned

Greenlet

Hylophilus

ochraceiceps

1




Monteverde


Lesser Greenlet

Hylophilus

decurtatus 1

Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapilla 1

Louisiana

Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla 1

Northern

Waterthrush

Parkesia

noveboracensis

2 2

Buff-rumped

Warbler

Myiothlypis

fulvicauda

3 5 4

Golden-winged

Warbler

Vermivora

chrysoptera

Fairly common 1 1

Prothonotary

Warbler

Protonotaria citrea Common

Black-and-white

Warbler

Mniotilta varia 3 1

Tennessee Warbler

Oreothlypis

peregrina 3 1 Common 1

Yellow Warbler

Setophaga petechia Very common

(Mangrove x 3) 2

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis

philadelphia 1

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa 1 1 seen

Grey-crowned

Yellowthroat

Geothlypis

poliocephala

3




Monteverde


Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi 1

Chestnut-sided

Warbler

Setophaga

pensylvanica

Very common Common Very

common

Blackburnian

Warbler

Setophaga fusca 3

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla 5 2

Slate-throated

Redstart

Myioborus miniatus 6

Collared Redstart

Myioborus torquatus Fairly common

Rufous-capped

Warbler

Basileuterus

rufifrons

2

Golden-crowned

Warbler

Basileuterus

culicivorus

5 Fairly

common

Black-eared

Warbler

Basileuterus

melanotis

Common

Grey-headed

Tanager

Eucometis penicillata 1

White-shouldered

Tanager

Tachyphonus

luctuosus

1

White-throated

Shrike-Tanager

Lanio leucothorax 1




Monteverde


Passerini’s Tanager

Ramphocelus

passerinii Very

common Abundant

Blue-and-gold

Tanager

Bangsia arcaei 1

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus Fairly common Common at

Stella’s Bakery 2 2

Palm Tanager

Thraupis palmarum 1 2

Very

common

Silver-throated

Tanager

Tangara

icterocephala

Common Fairly

common

Emerald Tanager

Tangara florida Common

Golden-hooded

Tanager

Tangara larvata 1 Common

Fairly

common

Spangle-cheeked

Tanager

Tangara dowii 2

Green

Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza 1 female

regular at

feeders

1

Bay-headed

Tanager

Tangara gyrola

Common

at fruiting

tree

3

Blue Dacnis

Dacnis cayana 2

Scarlet-thighed

Dacnis

Dacnis venusta 1

Red-legged

Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus 3




Monteverde


Dusky-faced

Tanager

Mitrospingus cassinii 3

Bananaquit

Coereba flaveola

Common at

feeders 3

Blue-black

Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina 1

Variable Seedeater

Sporophila corvina Common Common

Yellow-faced

Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus 2 1

Buff-throated

Saltator

Saltator maximus 1 1

Fairly

common

Fairly

common

Slate-coloured

Grosbeak

Saltator grossus 1

Black-headed

Saltator

Saltator atriceps 2

Orange-billed

Sparrow

Arremon

aurantiirostris

Common Common Common

Chestnut-capped

Brush-Finch

Arremon

brunneinucha

4

Black-striped

Sparrow

Arremonops

conirostris

3

White-eared

Ground-Sparrow

Melozone leucotis 1

Stripe-headed

Sparrow

Peucaea ruficauda 1




Monteverde


Common

Chlorospingus

Chlorospingus

flavopectus

Abundant 1

Rufous-collared

Sparrow

Zonotrichia capensis 2

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus 3 en route

Black-faced

Grosbeak

Caryothraustes

poliogaster

Fairly

common

Black-thighed

Grosbeak

Pheucticus tibialis 1

Carmiol’s Tanager

Chlorothraupis

carmioli

Fairly

common

Hepatic Tanager

Piranga flava 3

Summer Tanager

Piranga rubra 1 1 Common

Melodious

Blackbird

Dives dives Fairly common

Fairly

common

Great-tailed

Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus Abundant

Common around

town

Common

en route

Common en

route Abundant

Streak-backed

Oriole

Icterus pustulatus 1

Black-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

Fairly

common

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula Fairly common

Common at

Stella’s Bakery Common Fairly common

Scarlet-rumped

Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis 1




Monteverde


Chestnut-headed

Oropendola

Psarocolius wagleri 4

Montezuma

Oropendola

Psarocolius

montezuma

Abundant Abundant Fairly common

Olive-backed

Euphonia

Euphonia gouldi Common

Tawny-capped

Euphonia

Euphonia anneae 2

Yellow-throated

Euphonia

Euphonia

hirundinacea

Common at

Stella’s Bakery 1

SPECIES TOTAL: 142 73 109 97 25

Documents

Costa rica trip report - Home | CloudBirders. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 2 COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT Hotels Courtyard by Marriott, San Jose Airport, Alajuela Pricey but very convenient for the