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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.
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COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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.
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COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 4
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 5
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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.
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COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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.
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COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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
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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.
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COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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)
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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!
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COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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)
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 12
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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)
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 13
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 14
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 15
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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.
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 16
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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.
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 17
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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)
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 18
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 19
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 20
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 21
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 22
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 23
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 24
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 25
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 26
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 27
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 28
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 29
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 30
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 31
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
common Fairly common
Grey-capped
Flycatcher
Myiozetetes
granadensis
3
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 32
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 33
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
common Fairly common
White-throated
Thrush
Turdus assimilis 1 1
Long-billed
Gnatwren
Ramphocaenus
melanurus
1
Rufous-naped Wren
Campylorhynchus
rufinucha Common
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 34
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 35
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 36
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 37
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 38
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 39
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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
T. HIBBERT, L.BOOTH 40
COSTA RICA TRIP REPORT
Species Tarcoles/Carara
Monteverde
Area Arenal La Selva San Jose/Alajuela
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