Hummingbirds
52 species in Costa Rica · Hummingbirds 52
Photo: Dennis W DonohueWhite-necked JacobinFlorisuga mellivoraWarm lowland forest edges below about 900 metres, on the Caribbean and Pacific sides. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Thorsten SpoerleinFiery-throated HummingbirdPanterpe insignisHighland feeders at San Gerardo de Dota, where this one guards the sugar water. All year.Where to see it
Purple-throated Mountain-gemLampornis calolaemusSteep, broken cloud forest slopes in the central mountains, 1,200 to 2,500 metres. All year.Where to see it
Photo: KevinViolet SabrewingCampylopterus hemileucurusThe Highlands lodge feeders, San Gerardo de Dota first. All year.Where to see it
Toucans and barbets
8 species in Costa Rica · Toucans 6 · New World Barbets 1 · Toucan-Barbets 1
Photo: Quarterland PhotosRed-headed BarbetEubucco bourcieriiThe morning feeders at Rancho Naturalista, in the foothills above Turrialba. All year.Where to see it
Photo: PetrDolejsekProng-billed BarbetSemnornis frantziiFoggy, mossy mountain forest, from the Cordillera de Tilarán south. All year.Where to see it
Photo: ArtushNorthern Emerald-ToucanetAulacorhynchus prasinusThe oaks above San Gerardo de Dota and Los Quetzales. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Richard C PalmerCollared AracariPteroglossus torquatusRancho Naturalista's morning feeders, Carara, and the canopy at Rincón de la Vieja. All year.Where to see it
Trogons and the quetzal
9 species in Costa Rica · Trogons 9
Photo: Dudarev MikhailResplendent QuetzalPharomachrus mocinnoThe Savegre valley oaks at San Gerardo de Dota, then Monteverde. With a guide, all year.Where to see it
Photo: ChristopherSlaty-tailed TrogonTrogon massenaEvergreen forest on the Caribbean and Pacific slopes, up to about 1,200 m. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Quarterland PhotosGartered Violaceous TrogonTrogon caligatusForest edges, river forest and shaded coffee farms, mostly in the lowlands. All year.Where to see it
Graceful Black-throated TrogonTrogon tenellusHumid forest: the whole Caribbean slope, and the Pacific from central Costa Rica south. All year.Where to see it
Motmots, kingfishers, jacamars and puffbirds
19 species in Costa Rica · Motmots 6 · Kingfishers 6 · Puffbirds 5 · Jacamars 2
Photo: Eli FreidusLesson’s MotmotMomotus lessoniiShaded cloud forest at Monteverde and on the Curi-Cancha trail, sitting very still. All year.Where to see it
Turquoise-browed MotmotEumomota superciliosaFence posts and wires on Guanacaste's dry-forest roads: Palo Verde, Rincón, Santa Rosa, Curú. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Adam JacksonTody MotmotHylomanes momotulaThe smallest motmot, a shy whistler of shady northern ravines.Where to see it
Photo: CarlosRufous MotmotBaryphthengus martiiLarge cinnamon motmot of Caribbean lowland forestWhere to see it
Parrots and macaws
18 species in Costa Rica · New World and African Parrots 18
Photo: ArtushGreat Green MacawAra ambiguusWet Caribbean lowland forest: Sarapiquí, Tortuguero and the far south-east. All year.Where to see it
Photo: TeresaScarlet MacawAra macaoPairs crossing Carara and the Tárcoles River at dawn and dusk; Curú, the Golfo Dulce, the Osa. All year.Where to see it
Red-fronted ParrotletTouit costaricensisA small green parrot with a red face, found only in Costa Rica and western Panama.Where to see it
Photo: Timo HelgertBarred ParakeetBolborhynchus lineolaSmall green highland parakeet, usually a flyover, tied to seeding bamboo.Where to see it
Tanagers, honeycreepers, euphonias and finches
113 species in Costa Rica · Tanagers and Allies 51 · New World Sparrows 26 · Cardinals and Allies 20 · Finches, Euphonias, and Allies 12 · Waxbills and Allies 1 · Old World Sparrows 1 · Thrush-Tanager 1 · Mitrospingid Tanagers 1
Photo: Rita NevesScarlet-rumped TanagerRamphocelus passeriniiForest edges and second growth on the Caribbean and southern Pacific slopes, often a flock. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Harry CollinsGolden-hooded TanagerStilpnia larvataGardens, clearings and forest canopy, from sea level up to 1,500 metres. All year.Where to see it
Photo: TylerSpangle-cheeked TanagerTangara dowiiWet mountain forest canopy, 1,200 to 3,000 metres, moving with mixed flocks. All year.Where to see it
Photo: JiBay-headed TanagerTangara gyrolaThe canopy of wet forest: a green tanager with a chestnut head, working under the branches. All year.Where to see it
Cotingas, manakins and tityras
30 species in Costa Rica · Tityras and Allies 9 · Manakins 8 · Cotingas 8 · Royal Flycatchers and Allies 4 · Sharpbill 1
Long-tailed ManakinChiroxiphia linearisGuanacaste's dry forest, Palo Verde to Santa Rosa. All year, easiest December to April.Where to see it
Bare-necked UmbrellabirdCephalopterus glabricollisThe wet Caribbean slope at Arenal and Braulio Carrillo. Higher up the slope from March to June.Where to see it
Three-wattled BellbirdProcnias tricarunculatusMonteverde's cloud forest, with a guide. It moves to lower ground part of the year.Where to see it
Photo: Don WellmannLance-tailed ManakinChiroxiphia lanceolataA red-capped, blue-backed manakin found only around San Vito.Where to see it
Flycatchers
81 species in Costa Rica · Tyrant Flycatchers 81
Photo: Alfonso AuerbachGray-headed PipritesPiprites griseicepsA startled-looking, flycatcher-like bird of Caribbean foothill forest.Where to see it
Photo: Blake RossStub-tailed SpadebillPlatyrinchus cancrominusA tiny dry forest flycatcher that gives itself away by its call.Where to see it
Photo: Alina MartinWhite-throated SpadebillPlatyrinchus mystaceusTiny broad-billed flycatcher of highland forest undergrowth, found by ear.Where to see it
Photo: Federico MuñozGolden-crowned SpadebillPlatyrinchus coronatusTiny forest flycatcher with a rufous crown and a faint, insect-like trill.Where to see it
Antbirds, ovenbirds and woodcreepers
66 species in Costa Rica · Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers 35 · Typical Antbirds 22 · Antpittas 4 · Antthrushes 3 · Gnateaters 1 · Tapaculos 1
Photo: Tom FieldRufous-rumped AntwrenEuchrepomis callinotaA tiny, rare, long-tailed canopy antwren of the Caribbean foothills.Where to see it
Photo: amantedarmaninFasciated AntshrikeCymbilaimus lineatusRed-eyed, barred antshrike of Caribbean lowland tangles, heard before seen.Where to see it
Photo: Forest Botial-JarvisGreat AntshrikeTaraba majorRed-eyed, heavy-billed antbird of tangles, best found by its songWhere to see it
Photo: Ken-ichi UedaBarred AntshrikeThamnophilus doliatusA zebra-striped lowland antbird, easier to hear than to see.Where to see it
Woodpeckers
16 species in Costa Rica · Woodpeckers 16
Photo: Adam JacksonOlivaceous PiculetPicumnus olivaceusCentral America's smallest woodpecker, found by its quiet trill at edges and gardensWhere to see it
Photo: ArtushAcorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusA loud, clown-faced woodpecker of Costa Rica's highland oak forests.Where to see it
Photo: Miroslav SrbGolden-naped WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysauchenSmall southern rainforest woodpecker with a golden nape, found only in the south.Where to see it
Photo: ChWeissBlack-cheeked WoodpeckerMelanerpes pucheraniCommon Caribbean woodpecker with a barred back, white rump and red belly spot.Where to see it
Warblers, vireos, orioles and oropendolas
92 species in Costa Rica · New World Warblers 51 · Troupials and Allies 24 · Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis 16 · Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Montezuma OropendolaPsarocolius montezumaHanging nests in the tall trees of Sarapiquí, in the Caribbean lowlands. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Millie BasdenRufous-browed PeppershrikeCyclarhis gujanensisA shy, tireless singer with a bold rufous eyebrow, heard far more often than seen.Where to see it
Photo: Vargas AlissonScrub GreenletHylophilus flavipesA plucky southern Pacific greenlet of scrub, bamboo and forest edge.Where to see it
Photo: Anthony BatistaGreen Shrike-VireoVireolanius pulchellusA bright green canopy bird, far easier to hear than to spot.Where to see it
Wrens, thrushes, jays and other songbirds
71 species in Costa Rica · Wrens 24 · Thrushes and Allies 15 · Swallows 14 · Crows, Jays, and Magpies 5 · Gnatcatchers 4 · Mockingbirds and Thrashers 3 · Silky-flycatchers 2 · Dippers 1 · Waxwings 1 · Wagtails and Pipits 1 · Wrenthrush 1
Photo: Thorsten SpoerleinClay-colored ThrushTurdus grayiYards and gardens across the country, all year. Costa Rica's national bird, the yigüirro.Where to see it
Photo: Thorsten SpoerleinLong-tailed Silky-flycatcherPtiliogonys caudatusThe oaks of San Gerardo de Dota and the ridge above it, catching insects in mid-air. All year.Where to see it
Photo: Ryan F. MandelbaumSilvery-throated JayCyanolyca argentigulaA rare blue jay of high oak forest, found only in Costa Rica and western Panama.Where to see it
Photo: tomas_kayAzure-hooded JayCyanolyca cucullataA secretive black and blue cloud forest jay with a silvery white crown.Where to see it
Raptors and owls
75 species in Costa Rica · Hawks, Eagles, and Kites 39 · Owls 17 · Falcons and Caracaras 13 · New World Vultures 4 · Osprey 1 · Barn-Owls 1
Photo: Quarterland PhotosKing VultureSarcoramphus papaUndisturbed lowland forest below about 1,500 m. All year; ask us where our guides see it.Where to see it
Ornate Hawk-EagleSpizaetus ornatusHigh over unbroken forest, Turrialba foothills to the Golfo Dulce. All year, with a guide and some luck.Where to see it
Photo: Miroslav SrbBlack VultureCoragyps atratusZopilote Negro: the short-tailed black vulture seen over towns and open country.Where to see it
Photo: Arkadij SchellTurkey VultureCathartes auraA red-headed soarer you can spot on almost any drive.Where to see it
Herons, storks, ibises and marsh birds
51 species in Costa Rica · Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns 20 · Rails, Gallinules, and Coots 17 · Ibises and Spoonbills 6 · Storks 3 · Finfoots 1 · Limpkin 1 · Cranes 1 · Flamingos 1 · Sunbittern 1
Photo: Sonja Jordan/imageBROKERSunbitternEurypyga heliasThe river edges of Sarapiquí and Tortuguero, in the Caribbean lowlands. All year.Where to see it
Photo: MarionJabiruJabiru mycteriaThe Tempisque River at Palo Verde, from the boat. All year, easiest December to April.Where to see it
Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajajaFrom the boat on the Tempisque, at Caño Negro and on the Tortuguero canals. All year.Where to see it
Boat-billed HeronCochlearius cochleariusBy boat in the Tárcoles mangroves, and on the Tortuguero canals after dark. All year.Where to see it
Shorebirds
48 species in Costa Rica · Sandpipers and Allies 32 · Plovers and Lapwings 10 · Stilts and Avocets 2 · Jacanas 2 · Thick-knees 1 · Oystercatchers 1
Double-striped Thick-KneeHesperoburhinus bistriatusA big yellow-eyed bird of the dry northwest, hidden by day and loud at night.Where to see it
Photo: Adrien NouailhaneBlack-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanusLong pink legs and a marching walk in open shallow wetlands.Where to see it
Photo: Yvan PapaAmerican OystercatcherHaematopus palliatusCosta Rica's only oystercatcher, a rare bird of quiet Pacific beaches and islands.Where to see it
Photo: Andre KnockleinKilldeerCharadrius vociferusA two-banded plover of open fields and muddy pond edges.Where to see it
Seabirds
84 species in Costa Rica · Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers 36 · Shearwaters and Petrels 17 · Boobies and Gannets 7 · Northern Storm-Petrels 6 · Skuas and Jaegers 4 · Tropicbirds 3 · Albatrosses 3 · Southern Storm-Petrels 2 · Frigatebirds 2 · Pelicans 2 · Anhingas 1 · Cormorants and Shags 1
Photo: SimonJohannesBlue-billed White-TernGygis candidaA gentle all-white tern that nests only on remote Isla del Coco.Where to see it
Photo: MarcBrown NoddyAnous stolidusA dark brown seabird that nests on Cocos Island, far out in the Pacific.Where to see it
Photo: AngelaBlack NoddyAnous minutusA tree-nesting noddy of remote Isla del Coco, smaller than the Brown Noddy.Where to see it
Photo: MarcSooty TernOnychoprion fuscatusA dark-backed ocean tern that nests on remote Isla del Coco.Where to see it
Ducks and grebes
27 species in Costa Rica · Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl 24 · Grebes 3
Photo: Jody ShugartWhite-faced Whistling-DuckDendrocygna viduataA rare whistling-duck with a bright white face, hanging on in Tempisque wetlands.Where to see it
Photo: MehisBlack-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalisA red-billed, long-legged duck that Ticos call piche, whistling over wetlands at dusk.Where to see it
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorA cinnamon whistling-duck of the Tempisque wetlands, scarce and legally protected.Where to see it
Photo: MyrarteMuscovy DuckCairina moschataA big, glossy black duck of wooded rivers and swamps, best sought at Palo Verde.Where to see it
Guans, curassows, quail, tinamous and doves
45 species in Costa Rica · Pigeons and Doves 27 · New World Quail 8 · Tinamous 5 · Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows 5
Photo: Tom FieldHighland TinamouNothocercus bonaparteiThe shy tinamou of cloud forest, heard far more often than seen.Where to see it
Great TinamouTinamus majorA plump, brown forest-floor walker, often heard and sometimes tame at Carara and La Selva.Where to see it
Photo: feathercollectorLittle TinamouCrypturellus souiA shy, plain brown ground bird, found by its whinny.Where to see it
Photo: Juan Cruzado CortésThicket TinamouCrypturellus cinnamomeusRed-legged ground bird of Guanacaste dry forest, heard before it is seenWhere to see it
Cuckoos, nightjars, potoos and swifts
39 species in Costa Rica · Cuckoos 13 · Nightjars and Allies 11 · Swifts 11 · Potoos 3 · Oilbird 1
Great PotooNyctibius grandisOn a dead snag at dusk in Sarapiquí and Tortuguero. All year, with a guide.Where to see it
Photo: ChrisSmooth-billed AniCrotophaga aniAll-black, long-tailed ani of south Pacific pastures, often beside grazing cattle.Where to see it
Groove-billed AniCrotophaga sulcirostrisShaggy black ani of pastures and roadsides, often beside cattle.Where to see it
Photo: Dan MacNealStriped CuckooTapera naeviaA shaggy-crested cuckoo that whistles from scrub and forest edge.Where to see it
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