Birdwatching In Costa Rica – Discovering Our Feathered Friends
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Scanning The Skies For Costa Rica Birds
Costa Rica is a top birdwatching destination for tourists from across the globe. Though relatively small, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. With six birding ecozones, numerous micro-ecosystems, and more than 900 bird species, birdwatching in Costa Rica is one of the most popular activities for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. No matter where you go in Costa Rica – cloud forests, humid lowlands, mountain peaks, dry forests, mangroves, or the shore, Costa Rica birds are easy to spot.
When Is The Best Time To See Birds In Costa Rica?
If you want to see Costa Rica birds, the good news is that you can see them the whole year round! However, during the fall months (August through November), 200 plus bird species from North America migrate to Central and South America for the winter. This makes it an incredible time to go birdwatching in Costa Rica. The spring months (February through May) are also busy for birdwatchers. This is when birds return to their breeding grounds, offering photographers the chance to capture young hatchlings as they emerge from their nests.
Top Four Birdwatching Hotspots In Costa Rica
Costa Rica has embraced sustainable philosophies to protect its most valuable assets – its land and its fauna. Today, more than 27 percent of the country has been designated as protected land, where Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity has been preserved. Tour operators like Gondwana Ecotours share this philosophy, promoting ecotourism for small groups to some of the most incredible places within Costa Rica. Here is a list of the four best places to see Costa Rica birds during your travels throughout the country:
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Hotspot |
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Birds of Note |
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Located within the Sarapiqui lowlands, this pioneering research station is dedicated to protecting old-growth forests and recovering wetland tropical forests. Visitors are not allowed to explore on their own, however, the station offers organized tours with guides that can find the best wildlife spotting areas in the rainforest. |
Must-see birds: Bare-necked Umbrella Bird, Red-capped Manakin, Great Antshrike, Long-billed Hermit, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Other animals: Mexican Porcupines, Honduran White Bats, and Common Opossums. |
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Located in the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range. Cloud forests like Monteverde are a true rarity and can only be called a “cloud” forest when the altitude is between 3,280 and 8,200 feet. In Monteverde, the forests’ high altitude creates a cool climate that allows for constant cloud coverage at the canopy level. |
Must-see birds: Resplendent Quetzal, Black and Yellow Silky Flycatcher, Chiriqui Quail Dove, Three-Wattled Bell Bird, and Violet Sabrewing. Other animals: Olingo, Two-Toed Sloth, Kinkajou, Tayra, Coati, Central American Agouti, Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine, Mantled Howler Monkey, White-Faced Capuchin Monkey, Vipers, and Frogs. |
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This hidden gem is located between the dry forests of the Northwest and the rainforests of the Southern Pacific lowlands. The park’s unique location makes it extremely diverse in terms of wildlife and is one of the few places in the world to find the rare Scarlet Macaw. |
Must-see birds: Scarlet Macaw, Tiger Herons, Orange-collard Manakin, Antbirds, Trogons, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, and Royal Flycatchers. Other animals: Giant Crocodiles, Red Brocket, Collard Peccary, Monkeys, Sloth, Agouti, and Tayra. |
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Located on the remote Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park is renowned for its peaceful jungle. Although the park is rugged and remote, it is one of the best places for birdwatching in Costa Rica. Just make sure to hire guides or go with a tour group led by Gondwana Ecotours so you don’t get lost! |
Must-see birds: Scarlet Macaw, Orange-collard Manakin, Great Curassow, Rufous Piha, Harpy Eagle, and Black Hawk. Other animals: Jaguar, Baird’s Tapir, sea turtles, primates, Silky Anteater, and Peccary. |
Costa Rica’s Harpy Eagle
One of the most unique birds to see in Costa Rica is the Harpy Eagle. Harpy Eagles are the largest and most powerful raptors in North, Central, and South America, with a wingspan of up to seven feet wide. These behemoths also have giant talons, some of which measure four to five inches long, just like a grizzly bear’s claws. These incredible talons give the Harpy enough power to grip and lift prey that weighs as much as they do!
As top predators in their food chain, Harpies feed on sloths, opossums, and monkeys. This eagle is a silent predator that can glide across the forest like a stealth drone but prefers to sit and wait patiently for its prey to conserve energy. The best place to see Harpy Eagles in Costa Rica is Corcovado National Park, where a guide can help you catch a glimpse of this endangered bird.
Preserving Costa Rica Birds For The Next Generation
Unfortunately, many Costa Rica birds are threatened with extinction or are listed as endangered. One of the best ways to help protect these birds is to travel with responsible tour operators like Gondwana Ecotours while protecting the delicate ecosystems the birds call home.
- Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle: Like a large Short-tailed Hawk or Booted Eagle, this endangered bird hides in plain sight. Although it is a master of hide and seek, this raptor nevertheless seems to be much rarer in Costa Rica than in the past.
- Great Green Macaw: Thanks to conservation and reintroduction efforts, this bird is easy to see in Costa Rica. Efforts to preserve the Mountain Almond trees, on which this bird depends, have contributed to its stable population count.
- Yellow-tailed Oriole: This large oriole has become very rare in Costa Rica. However, the best places to see it are in and near Cano Negro.
- Cabanis’s Ground-Sparrow: Native to Costa Rica, this bird has become highly threatened in recent years. However, there are several ecological studies underway right now to help discern the best way to boost the population of this sparrow.
- Sedge Wren: Found on the slopes above the Central Valley, these birds thrive in dense, grassy habitats. A campaign to protect these areas has been recently launched to preserve the localized populations of these – and other - native Costa Rica birds.
Birds Of A Feather Flock Together – In Costa Rica!
While some Costa Rica birds are listed as endangered, the good news is that Costa Rica has made a concerted effort to protect them. From the massive Costa Rica Harpy Eagles to the more diminutive Sedge Wren, Costa Rica has recognized the importance of preserving its biodiversity. Conservation efforts, coupled with sustainable tourism, are educating travelers about the plight of these birds. Planning your next trip to Costa Rica with Gondwana Ecotours not only means adventure, it means you will participate in preserving the balance of nature through responsible, sustainable tourism. Safeguard the planet on your next trip – travel sustainably with Gondwana Ecotours.
