BEST OF COSTA RICA TOUR REPORT 2025

14 - 28 April 2025

Fito Downs

Our successful Best of Costa Rica Tour this year recorded a total of 497 species in only two weeks! We also targeted most of the endemics and regional endemics and had great success with several bird families; for example, we saw 35 species of hummingbird, 12 species of owl, six species of motmot and 13 species of woodpecker. Weather conditions were very good throughout the tour, except for one rainy morning at Monteverde Reserve.

There were many highlights during the tour, but the most significant included excellent views of the endemic Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow seen in the vicinity of our hotel in San Jose, the rare and local Ochraceous Pewee in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte, along with close-up views of Spotted Wood Quail and Silvery-fronted Tapaculo near Savegre Valley.

Our short time at San Isidro gave us a memorable encounter with the exquisite Rosy Thrush-tanager, we also enjoyed great looks of Streak-chested Antpitta building a nest and the brilliant male Turquoise Cotinga we had right above us. In that región we got males of Red-capped, Velvety and Orange-collared Manakins and another remarkable and rare bird in Costa Rica was the Black Swift that we found on route to Tarcoles área. Carara National Park and Tarcoles River proved once again to be one of the top birding regions of Costa Rica with many different habitats close to each other allowing us to have forest birds in one morning and open area and mangrove species in the afternoon, where we had special species like Double-striped Thick-Knee, Spectacled Owl, Common Potoo and Pacific Screech Owl and we had other important species such as Panama Flycatcher, Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner and Rufous Piha.

Special mention was finding the superb Three-wattled Bellbird, a truly special bird for Costa Rica and the remarkable success with the Bare-shanked Screech Owl on the same site. Our visit to Monteverde provided excellent views of Long-tailed Manakin males and Coppery-headed Emerald, Black Guan, White-eared Ground Sparrow, Lineated Foliage-gleaner and Black-headed Nightingale Thrush all seen nicely. The one night we spent at La Pacifica was memorable with specialties like Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Banded Wren, Plain-capped Starthroat and one Northern Potoo on our stakeout between Cañas and Bijagua. The special Tody Motmot was found in Bijagua, along with Rufescent Tiger Heron which is rare in Costa Rica, also we had all targets in Caño Negro, including the local Nicaruaguan Grackle, the skulking Spot-breasted Wren and Grey-headed Dove. Nearby we got spectacular views of Yellow-breasted Crake. Later in the tour at the premiere Arenal Observatory Lodge we had amazing views of Black-crested Coquette, White-vented Euphonia, four Rufous-winged Tanagers, Crimson-collared Tanager, Striped-breasted Wren, Keel-billed Motmot. The last section of the tour was equally successful in La Selva, with the exquisite Snowy Cotinga, the endangered Great Green Macaw, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker, Great Tinamou, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Bronzy Hermit and Black-breasted Wood Quails on route to the airport was a incredible way to finish our tour.

On our first morning we did a pre-breakfast walk at the lovely grounds of the Hotel Bougainvillea where we saw the first species of the tour, with Rufous-backed Wrens which were building a nest, Blue-and-white Swallows flying over the main buildings, Clay-colored Thrushes, Wilson’s Warbler and Social Flycatcher. Later, we found Philadelphia Vireo, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, noisy Great Kiskadee, Blue-gray Tanager and Chestnut-capped Warbler foraging in the shorter vegetation. Minutes later, we saw the handsome Lesson’s Motmot which was calling all morning. In the same location we got the abundant Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, a juvenile Gray Hawk, Hoffman’s Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Cabanis’s Wren, Rufous-collared Sparrow and Southern House Wren. We found a few more migrants like Tennessee Warbler, Baltimore Oriole, many Swainson’s Thrush and a couple of American Yellow Warbler. But, the favourite bird of the morning was a roosting Mottled Owl which we saw at very close range. We then left after breakfast towards the mountain at Cerro de la Muerte, stopping at a private coffee plantation near the town of Santo Domingo. Our main goal was to find a Costa Rican endemic, Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow. While looking for the sparrow we had Brown Jays, another Gray Hawk and very good looks at Eastern Wood Pewee. Finally, we had the first Ground Sparrow which proved elusive. We continued and a few minutes later we got another bird, but also very shy. It was about time to leave until we found another pair foraging on the ground and we got very good views this time. After we left San Jose city we had a short stop along the way at the village of Paraiso, where we had lovely views of a Tropical Screech Owl and in the same park was an American Barn Owl. Continuing our journey towards Talamanca Mountain Range (aka Cerro de la Muerte) we stopped for snacks and saw our first Southern Lapwing, Eastern Meadowlark, Killdeer and the only White-tailed Kite of the tour. Another very productive stop was at some hummingbird feeders where the regular but nice looking Talamanca Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear, Volcano Hummingbird, the lovely Grey-tailed Mountain-gem and the spectacular Fiery-throated Hummingbird, while other species seen from the balcony included Band-tailed Pigeon, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher, a cooperative Black-billed Nightingale Thrush, Mountain Thrush and Sooty-capped Chlorospingus were part of the show. From the restaurant we saw a lonely Black-thighed Grosbeak, many White-collared Swifts, Slaty Flowerpiercer and Large-footed Finches. Later on the day, we had another stop near the Savegre Valley, where we added more species for the day like Yellow-bellied Siskin, Sooty Thrush, Mountain Thrush, Acorn Woodpecker and the uncommon Olive-sided Flycatcher. At the same location we had both male and female Flame-coloured Tanager and Slaty Flowerpiercer was added to our day list. Moving down the Savegre Valley we got more new species for the trip such as Northern Tufted Flycatcher which was perched right next to the road and the always spectacular Resplendent Quetzal which we saw checking a tree hole, hopefully for a future nest! The last birds of the day were a small flock of Yellow-bellied Siskins, Mountain Elaenia, Western Wood Pewee and spot-crowned Woodcreeper.

This day we started with dawn birding outside our rooms. The first birds recorded were Flame-coloured Tanager, Grey-tailed Mountaingem, Lesser Violetear and Acorn Woodpecker. Little by little the activity improved with birds like Talamanca Hummingbird, Mountain Elaenia, Yellow-winged Vireo and some Long-tailed Silky Flycatchers flying around the grounds of the hotel. Suddenly, we had a great mix species flock with Silver-throated Tanager, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Talamanca Hummingbird, Blackburnian Warbler, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher, Wilson’s Warbler, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird and the spectacular Flame-throated Warbler. At the same location we had at least three Blue-throated Toucanet which were feeding on wild avocado fruits. Few minutes later we saw large flock (migrating) of at least 25 Swainson’s Hawks; we also saw a pair of Red-tailed Hawk (resident) and a couple of Broad-winged Hawks. A small flock of Sulphur-winged Parakeet also flew through the garden. Later, we did a short walk near the river where we heard some Spotted Wood Quails, which we saw later in the morning and at the same place was a male Resplendent Quetzal. A Chestnut-capped Brush Finch showed here too. On our way to the restaurant for breakfast we did stop at the garden to check out all the flowers hoping to find the scarce Scintillant Hummingbird which we found, although not before checking out many Volcano Hummingbirds!

After breakfast we went to another great location, called Los Robles trail. We took a 4X4 jeep to climb the steep hillside. Once there, the first birds to see were a huge flock of American Cliff Swallows, few Blue-and -White Swallows, Olive-sided Flycatcher, a heard-only Rufous-browed Peppershrike while along the trail were a shy Ruddy Pigeon, a glimpse of a Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Mountain Thrush, Yellowish Flycatcher, a calling Costa Rican Pygmy Owl and the big surprise of the day, a nice pair of Spotted Wood Quail foraging right in the middle of the trail! Later on the same trail we got a very tame Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, Collared Whitestart, Yellowish Flycatcher, Yellow-winged Vireo and some Wilson’s Warbler. On a different trail we tried to see a Wrenthrush, but we only heard this and a Silvery-fronted Tapaculo. Another small mix species flock showed up with Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Ochraceous Wren, Grey-breasted Wood Wren and some active Ruddy Treerunners. On the way back to the lodge we got the interesting Dark Pewee catching insects at the forest border near the accommodation. After a short break after lunch we drove up the main road and stopped at a higher elevation where we heard another Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, with hummingbirds seen here included Grey-tailed Mountaingem, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Lesser Violetear and more Talamanca Hummingbirds. One more stop up the road provided Black-capped Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Yellow-winged Vireo, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Black-throated Green Warbler, excellent views of Sooty Thrush, Yellow-bellied Siskin, Mountain Thrush, Sooty-capped Chlorospingus and the always special Flame-throated Warbler were part of that mix species flock. As the sun went down we drove towards our restaurant for dinner. During dinner we heard a distant Dusky Nightjar, but had no luck this time, the birds were doing some kind of display far away from us, but they never came close, so we decided to continue down the road and try in a different stakeout. The next stop was near a wonderful oak forest where suddenly we had a glimpse of a bird that flew over our heads, luckily perched right across the road and was a gorgeous Black-and-White Owl, which is a rare species at this elevation.

Another early start in front of our accommodation produced similar species to the previous morning, with better views of Yellow-winged Vireo, Mountain Elaenia and Mountain Thrush and we spotted more Swainson”s Hawks migrating and we recorded at least 50 of them flying with a few Broad-winged Hawks in the thermals. The short trail right next to the main garden gave us the last views here of the always amazing Resplendent Quetzal, (which is the main reason for most people to come down this valley) and we also heard more Spotted Wood Quails and a couple of Chestnut-capped Brushfinches were observed very well in the stream by the trail. Then we had a quick breakfast and left the wonderful Savegre Valley. A short stop on route produced a cracking male Blackburnian Warbler, one Yellow-bellied Siskin and two Dark Pewees showed really well. We arrived to our next birding site by mid-morning and as soon as we arrived we could hear the skulker Wrenthrush, which was actively calling near the road. We dedicated a good amount of time for this bird but without luck, not even a glimpse! Not far from this location we looked for the local and rare Ochraceous Pewee which we only know a handful of sites to try for this special bird. Just before departure we heard the pewee calling, and two individuals were foraging at mid level in the canopy. Other important species here included Sooty-capped Chlorospingus, Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper and Black-billed Nightingale Thrush. The Ochraceous Pewee was the prize here and after that we headed to our next birding spot.

Our next stop was in the new Los Quetzales National Park, a park established in 2006 and protects a important area of bamboo and oak forest at high elevation. Here, it was going to be the last time to try for few species, one of them was Wrenthrush and Timberline Wren. As we walked the main track surrounded by Chusquea bamboo we immediately saw a first Timberline Wren, this bird was not difficult to see. Then, we heard a Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, this one gave us a hard time but with patience we got at least a glimpse and at the same time there was a Wrenthrush singing and we immediately tried but only few of us got to see it. Nearby was another Wrenthrush territory and this time we had better luck and we really enjoyed a most cooperative bird for everyone to admire… it was worth the patience! The last stop on these gorgeous mountains was at a place named Las Antenas also know as Paramo within a high elevation of more than three thousand meters above sea level, our main target here was the cracking Volcano Junco. Good weather was important at this site, and we had it for a while, luckily we found the Volcano Junco in the first hour. In addition to the junco we got more Black-billed Nightingale Thrush, Volcano Hummingbird, Sooty Thrush, Timberline Wren and a small flock of Chestnut-collared Swifts. Great stuff!

Descending over 1500 meters in elevation we found ourselves at a local restaurant which was closed due the Easter Week Holidays. However, we managed to find some key species from the main entrance like Green-crowned Brilliant, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, the impressive Violet Sabrewing, Green Hermit, Lesson’s Motmot and the uncommon Elegant Euphonia. Some common species here included Yellow-faced Grassquit, Tropical Parula, Tropical Mockingbird, Swallow-tailed Kite flying over the restaurant, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Band-tailed Pigeon and the unusual Lesser Elaenia seen in the bushes near the main road. We descended towards the city of San Isidro, our destination for just one night but with great targets to see. The next goal was the “electric” Turquoise Cotinga. Our stakeout did not disappoint, as after good work and persistence we had the first male sitting atop a distance tree. Great spotting scope views but we wanted some more and we decided to stay a big longer and maybe see it closer. While we waited for that to happen we saw Yellow-headed Caracara, flocks of Orange-chinned Parakeet, Golden-hooded Tanager, Crested Caracara, Palm Tanager, Variable Seedeater, Piratic Flycatcher, Bronzed Cowbird and other common lowland species. By mid afternoon we got another sighting of the Cotinga, same tree and same distance but this time we were able to approach and fortunately the bird stayed long enough for us to enjoy one of the most localized species of the tour. After this success, it was time to continue our journey towards our hotel. The last two stops of the day were quick and the first one was on a small lagoon where we saw the Amazon Kingfisher, Roadside Hawk, Grey-headed Chachalaca, a nesting colony of Cattle Egret and also few nesting Boat-billed Herons. We got American Yellow Warbler, Yellow-green Vireos, Green Heron, Northern Jacana, the elegant male Scarlet Tanager, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, one single White-crowned Parrot, Fork-tailed Flycatcher and Baltimore Orioles. The last stop was good for more Yellow-green Vireos, Ruddy Ground Dove, flocks of Finch’s Parakeet, White-collared Swift and we ended up the day with a nesting pair of Red-crowned Woodpecker. It was a long day with many targets and key species throughout but we had great success. We enjoyed a great dinner and time to rest for the following day.

With another long day ahead we departed our hotel before breakfast, our main goal was to get to the small town called Peje de Volcan, where our main target there was the incomparable Rosy Thrush-tanager. We managed to eat breakfast on route and as soon as we arrived to the forest fragment home to this striking species we could hear one bird singing close to the road. It was however still dark so we waited before heading into the bird’s territory. While birding there we found the first Isthmian Wren of the tour and one Plain-breasted Ground Dove along with the only Yellow-bellied Seedeater of the tour. Following the advice of our local guide we entered the forest and we could still hear the bird calling, creating an excitable atmosphere amongst the group. At the first try for the bird we were interrupted by a Streak-chested Antpitta that started singing between the Rosy Thrush-tanager and us. So, we definitely attempted to find it. This individual wasn’t as easy as we expected, but eventually everyone managed to see it, so we continued to focus on the Rosy Thrush-tanager, one male was moving low just over the ground and apparently was chasing a female but we concentrated with the male and we followed it for quite a while along its territory. Our local guide decided to stay at just one place and wait. The plan was very good, little by little we got a male coming in our direction, and sat on a low horizontal branch near our spot and start singing. We had the best ever looks at this specialty and we spent a reasonable time admiring this unique bird. Later, a female came back but not as close as the male, a wonderful experience with a cracking species. Sadly, it was time to continue but not before giving another try for the antpitta. Inside the same forest fragment we walked a short distance and we got another bird singing again. With the pressure of the Rosy Thrush-tanager off, we focused on the antpitta until we finally found it carrying nesting material. We invested the first part of the morning incredibly well and with great success of two really special birds. We finished this part of the morning by visiting a stakeout for American Kestrel, and we saw it really easy before we continued to our next stop, Los Cusingos Reserve.

Los Cusingos Reserve was the former home of the legendary naturalist Dr. Alexander Skutch who made very important contributions to the ornithology and botany of the Neotropics. He was also one of the authors of the first ‘Field Guide of the Birds of Costa Rica’. Our short visit to this special site was really good, we started the trail with a lek of Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Bicolored Antbirds following an army ant swarm, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Grey-headed Tanagers and Cocoa Woodcreeper were also taking advantage of the situation with the any ants. Later on the trail we found the colorful Orange-collared Manakins, they were very active and it was hard to get the first views but little by little we enjoyed two males. At the same location we had great looks at another target, the skulker Chiriqui Foliage Gleaner; later on the same trail we struggled a bit to find the elegant Red-capped Manakin but after some work we had brilliant views of two males. On the site we also saw a male and female Black-hooded Antshrike, a glimpse of Trilling Gnatwren, Blue-black Grosbeak, a heard-only White-whiskered Puffbird and we saw another big target for Los Cusingos, the incredible male Velvety Manakin. Back to the garden clearing we got a glimpse of Yellow-throated Toucan, Crowned Woodnymph, White-tipped Dove, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Orange-billed Sparrow and just before leaving we found a nice pair of Spot-crowned Euphonia. A Purple-crowned Fairy ended our time here nicely.

Just before midday we did another stop in the outskirts of San Isidro where we found a few Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Green Heron, Southern Lapwing, five Spotted Sandpipers, two Least Grebes, Mangrove Swallows, Solitary Sandpiper, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Great Egret, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Streaked Flycatcher, Blue-winged Teal amongst other common species of the open areas. At the beginning of the afternoon we did another stop near the surf town of Dominical where we got some interesting birds like Bare-throated Tiger Heron, American White Ibis, Tricolored Heron and Wood Storks flying high, we also got common species like Green and Amazon Kingfishers and Yellow-headed Caracaras. Probably the best birds at this location were the Grey-cowled Wood Rail and Peregrine Falcon. As we were entering our van we got one raptor soaring just above the forest behind us, it was a Zone-tailed Hawk. Before arriving at our accommodation for two nights we stopped near the surf town of Jaco. Here we saw few flocks of Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebirds and the only flock of Black Swifts during the tour.

We did some early morning birding at Villa Lapas before visiting Carara National Park. This session produced some interesting species such as small flock of Costa Rican Swifts flying over the lodge, Bare-throated Tiger Heron in the river that crosses the garden, Yellow-throated Toucans were singing in the canopy, and we also recorded other most regular species like Hoffman’s Woodpecker, Greenish Elaenia, American Yellow Warbler, Bright-rumped Attila, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and we heard Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Common Tody Flycatcher, Brown Jay, Riverside Wren, Northern Waterthrush and we had looks at Scrub Euphonia and a male White-winged Becard. A huge flock of Scarlet Macaws came into the garden and literally perched above our rooms, allowing us to have excellent photography opportunities. Today we can enjoy views like that thanks to the conservation efforts made in the past to help this fabulous species once declared in danger of extinction on the central pacific slope of Costa Rica.

After a very good pre-breakfast birding we went to the town of Tarcoles to check out a stakeout for Spectacled Owl. We walked a short distance from the main road to access an old Teak Wood plantation near the river. At the site we got views of two individual owls perched at mid level in the forest. Coming back to the van we found a handsome Turquoise-browed Motmot, a specialty of the dry forest and we tried to bring a Slate-headed Tody Flycatcher with playback but without success. On that site we also got Rufous-and-White Wren, Streak-headed Woodpecker, Rufous-backed Wren and Yellow-green Vireo. Near the town of Tarcoles we spent the last minutes here to bird one little patch of mangrove forest near Playa Azul. Attracted in were species typically found here like Streak-headed Flycatcher, Cinnamon Hummingbird, White-browed Gnatcatcher, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, one female Rose-throated Becard, a heard-only Panama Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Streaked Flycatcher and others. Just outside this mangrove forest we enjoyed to see the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl on its nest. After that we continued towards Carara National Park for the rest of the morning and as soon as we started we got more Hoffman’s Woodpeckers, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Lesser Greenlet and we heard the first White-whiskered Puffbird of the morning. As we walked deep into the trail we encountered a pair of Rufous-breasted Wren, Scarlet Macaws flying over the forest, Black-hooded Antshrike and some Dot-winged Antwrens, In the primary forest we got Chestnut-backed Antbirds, Riverside Wren, we heard one Rufous Piha and Great Tinamou and on our way out from the trail we saw a Northern Black-throated Trogon as well as Green Kingfisher and Muscovy Duck found in the creek. Before lunch we explored the semi open habitat near Tarcoles River, along the gravel road we found the striking Double-striped Thick Knee. Continuing on this road we got great views of Common Potoo, we knew a stakeout for this one and we got a juvenile bird sitting atop a dead branch and not far from this point we had a pair of gorgeous Pacific Screech Owls also roosting near the road.

After a break in the heat of the day, our afternoon session was focused at the famous Tarcoles River and mangrove forest. Our main goal was to make it straight away to the mangrove forest but there was good activity along the river bank, where we saw species like American White Ibis, Spotted Sandpiper, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Pelican, Black-necked Stilt, Red-winged Blackbird, Southern Lapwing, Mangrove Swallow, Anhinga and Neotropic Cormorant. Navigating near the river mouth allowed us to get close views at more migrant shorebirds like Least Sandpiper, which was the abundant species there, we also saw more than 20 Grey Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Willet, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Wilson Plover and Ruddy Turnstone were seen well at the same location. Herons were well represented with Little Blue, Tricolored and Green Herons, in addition to those we got Great, Snowy and Western Cattle Egrets were mixed with Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork. Inside the mangroves we found Spotted Sandpipers, herons and egrets and we also got good looks at Common Black Hawk, Northern Tropical Pewee, Northern Waterthrush, Mangrove Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Plumbeous Kite, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Streak-headed Woodcreeper and at the same site we got excellent views of American Pygmy Kingfisher. A Yellow-naped Amazon flew over, we heard Mangrove Vireo and had one Panama Flycatcher which was one of the main targets here. At the end of the day we stop at the beach of Tarcoles, to watch the sunset and we even added two more species for the tour: Royal Tern and Laughing gull.

Today, our mission was to get to the city of San Ramon as soon as we could to try for one of the most important birds of the tour, the spectacular Three-wattled Bellbird. We stopped for breakfast on route just before entering the town and once there we picked up our local guide who know where to take us for the bird. After a while driving we got to another little village where we hiked to get to the forest fragment known to be a territory of one or two males. During the first five minutes after we arrived we heard it from far away, their call is unmistakable. Then, we started walking towards the forest, on the way there we found Brown Jay, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, the elegant White Hawk was soaring above the forest and we also saw a single White-crowned Parrot sitting in a treetop. As we approached the forest we heard the bird as it became louder and louder.  We found a Keel-billed Toucan perched high up in the canopy, and while scanning the tree tops we found one male Bellbird singing incessantly to attract females. Once inside the forest, we heard it again and again but the bird was so high in the canopy that it was impossible to see it from underneath. We also got excellent views a Bare-shanked Screech Owl; this high elevation species had eluded us few days ago.

We had lunch on route as we continued to the Cocorocas salinas where the first birds were Yellow-green Vireo, also we did the first try to search for Brown-crested Flycatcher, Rufous-backed Wren, White-lored Gnatcatcher, American Yellow Warbler, Bronzed Cowbird and Cinnamon Hummingbird. The surprise of the afternoon happened when we heard the elusive Lesser Ground Cuckoo which was not shy at all, and actually came down in front of us! The “salinas” were occupied with Black-necked Stilts mainly, with few others like Killdeer, Spotted Sandpipers, Snail Kite, while the forest edge provided White-lored Gnatcatcher, Bronzed Cowbirds, Blue-grey Tanagers, and others. Afterwards, we left the Cocorocas salt ponds and made our way to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Not much birding along the way but we managed to see some species like Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Rufous-backed Wren, Masked Tityra, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Blue-vented Hummingbird, Black-crowned Tityra, Collared Aracari, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Orange-chinned Parakeet and Morelet’s Seedeater at the end of the afternoon. As we entered the town of Monteverde we found the White-throated Magpie Jay. Birdwatching the grounds of the hotel provided some good birds for the tour. Starting outside the restaurant we quickly found two males Canivet’s Emerald in the famous verbena flowers, along with the common Rufous-collared Sparrow and Blue-and-White Swallows. But, near the end of the garden we got excellent views of Cabanis’s Wren, that was foraging in the bamboo thickets and in the same area we also found Golden-olive Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher and graceful Swallow-tailed Kites amongst other common species.

The first reserve we visited this morning was not far from the town of Santa Elena named the Ecological Sanctuary, with a combination of old-coffee plantations, bananas mixed with fruiting trees was the perfect combination and the few known sites in the whole area to try for the impressive Long-tailed Manakin. The forest that surrounds the field is a “transitional forest” situated between the dry forest from the lowlands and the cloud forest at higher elevation, which was our first chance to see this manakin. As soon as we started birding the first trail we heard one bird calling, so we went into its territory as fast as possible, a few minutes later we had our first male, nicely sitting low in the understory and then we had another male coming in performing brilliantly. The second reserve we birded this morning was Santa Elena Reserve. Situated right at the Continental Divide we had a chance to find some high elevation cloud forest species. After check-in at the reserve the weather started changing. Even though we managed to find birds like Black-headed Nightingale Thrush, Green-crowned Brilliant, Slate-throated Whitestart which gave us great views, we also had a small flock of Black-eared Warbler, Common Chlorospingus, we heard Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant and had excellent views of Grey-breasted Wood Wren and exquisite Collared Whitestart seen really well at the end of the morning. In terms of weather conditions, our afternoon was way much better than the morning. We visited the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve all afternoon not before having a quick look at the hummingbird feeder where we had few Green-crowned Brilliant, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird, a nice pair of Purple-throated Mountaingem, but a Violet Sabrewing stole the show this time with its vibrant colours, and Lesser Violetear was also seen well. After the hummingbird exhibition we entered the reserve and just five minutes later we had a wonderful pair of Resplendent Quetzals. Those birds were attending a nest and were able to see them not far from the forest trail. From there we moved to another trail for the second part of the afternoon where we immediately found the White-throated Thrush, this time of the year this species showed up in good number in the Monteverde area. Birds started showing up little by little with Mountain Thrush and Common Chlorospingus being the next species along the trail. We had a glimpse of Olivaceous Woodcreeper, we heard Black-faced Solitaire which gave us a hard time trying to find it, fortunately we had good looks later this afternoon, a mix-species flock contained Common Chlorospingus, Spotted Barbtail, another Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Black-eared Warbler and Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush along with the shy Lineated Foliage-Gleaner which we got great looks after a while trying this elegant Furnariid.

On our way back to the main entrance we had a great encounter with one Black Guan that was just sitting on the ground a few feet from the main trail, allowing us to have extraordinary views of one more regional endemic. Shortly after the Black Guan experience we walked out of the reserve and at the very end of the trail we found another really important species, the Zeledon’s Antbird. A stop at the same hummingbird feeder added another new bird for the tour, a Green Hermit and the sought-after male Magenta-throated Woodstar!

With a travel day ahead we did the usual pre-breakfast birding in the grounds of the hotel where we added White-fronted Parrot to the day list. Also, after a epic work of the participants of the tour we got to see a distant Three-wattled Bellbird  through the spoting scope! The birds called a couple of times, which is kind of unusual to hear that early in the morning and they found the bird sitting right at top of a huge tree in the forest across the valley, great scope views indeed of a wonderful species. We were so glad to see it again and we hope this will be a good season of this bird in the whole Monteverde region. After that, we got the usual Canivet’s Emerald coming to the same flowers and again Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. We then packed our van and left towards Curi-Cancha Reserve, another private reserve that we will visit in the Monteverde area for the full morning.

The interesting transitional forest at Curi-Cancha allowed us to see some species such as Rufous-and-White Wren, the striking White-eared Ground-Sparrow, we saw two pairs of them at the forest edge, we also found White-naped Brushfinch, it was more difficult to get prolonged views of this one but we did see it, another bird of this special habitat was Cabanis’s Wren, the elegant Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat and Olivaceous Woodcreeper were found there as well.

Hummingbirds were present too, with special mention at the country endemic Coppery-headed Emerald, which was one the main reason to visit this reserve. We had great views after long wait because the Lesser Violetear was always into a fight with it. After seeing a very important bird we entered the forest trail, right at the edge we got a lonely Ruddy Pigeon, Wilson’s Warbler, Yellow-green Vireo, Southern House Wren, Mountain Thrush, and Tennessee Warbler.

The activity into the forest was a bit calm, little by little we found some common species like Lesson’s Motmot, Lesser Greenlet, we heard some White-fronted Amazon flying over the forest, we saw our first Squirrel Cuckoo and Rufous Mourner of the tour and we also found Golden-crowned Warblers and Blackburnian Warbler. Not far from this spot we heard a Plain Antvireo singing, this is a species with a widely distribution and our first time in our tour so we gave it a try. It took a while but with some persistence and patience the bird came out into view, actually there were two individuals there, at each side of the trail. We had a reasonable view so we continued our way.

Later, more deep in the forest we spent some time trying to find the vocal Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush that was consistently calling from the understory. After a while waiting, we got the first glimpse of this striking species, which little by little came out into view and sat on a limp very low near the ground, and started singing, what a nice-looking bird! We then spent more time trying to find the Golden-browed Chlorophonia that was calling very hight in dense canopy but we never saw it.

The next stop we did was at the view point, we tryied the Chlorophonias again but had no luck. At the same time we saw an active Northern Tufted Flycatcher, Slate-throated Whitestar, Mountain Thrush, we heard Spotted Woodcreper and we had the first look at Olive-streaked Flycatcher that was quitely foraging near to us. Without new birds left we then started driving towards the Northwest of the country, near Guanacaste province for one night stay.

We did the regular stops down the road towards the village of Las Juntas, the forest started changing little by little into a more dry scrub hábitat. On one of our stops we had a very active flock of Yellow-green Vireos, we got good views of a male Rose-throated Becard, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Dusky-capped Flycatcher was present as well as noisy Lesser Greenlets and one Long-tailed Manakin showed up just few seconds. Later, on the spot we got another Gray-crowned Yellowthroat which performed nicely for everyone.

Just before to check-in at the hotel we explored the small lagoon and shrimp farm not far from the town of Cañas. Most birds seen there were birds that we previously found like Neotropic Cormorant, Anhinga, Great Kiskadee, Blue-winged Teal, Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Common Ground-Dove, Northern Jacana was seen for the first time in the tour, Wood Stork, one Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Little-blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron and the new bird was the Snail Kite. Then we moved to our hotel to check -in and immediately continued to another biding site at dust.

With still good light at the end of the afternoon we arrived to our stakeout for few species from dry forest. Walking the old road produced excellent views of Banded Wren, which stayed long enough in the open and start singing to us. Later, and after good time trying we finally got Elegant Trogon, which was the only possible spot during our tour for this one. We also got one male Blue Grosbeak which is a regular migrant this time of the year in the dry forest regions. Down the road we got a wonderful surprise with a covey of Spot-bellied Bobwhites, that were found just next to the road, even we backed up a little and two of them stayed until everyone got good looks at this tricky to find species. The next stop was at a flowering tree with species such as Canivet”s Emerald, Cinnamon Hummingbird, a glimpse of Blue-throated Sapphire and near that flowering tree we got excellent looks at Plain-capped Starthroat. There were Thicket Tinamou singing all around, but this time the birds was not cooperating or coming out into view.

Later in the evening, it was the time we were looking for, to try the local Northern Potoo. While waiting for the best time we saw flocks of White-collared Swifts flying over and we heard the first Pauraque of the night. After a short time waiting we heard the first Northern Potoo, which answer but it was far from us. Few minutes later, we had the first views of the Potoo, did not perched close but we had great looks when the bird flew right over our heads one time! We estimated there were at least three different birds. With this important species we the drove back to our hotel and celebrated a great birding day.

The last morning at the fabulous dry forest of Costa Rica was basically at the hotel”s grounds, with some common species like Rufous-backed Wren, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Great-tailed Grackle, Canivet”s Emerald, Blue-vented and Cinnamon Hummingbirds, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, White-fronted Amazon and some less common species such as Collared Aracari, Yellow-naped Amazon, male and female Black-headed Trogon and Turquoise-browed Motmot. The pond of the lodge was good for Green Heron, Barn Swallow and we also saw some clay-colored Thrushes.

With all our bags and belongings in the Van we left towards the caribbean slope of the country, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Along the way we drove between two volcanoes the Miravalles and Tenorio Volcanoes, both huge protected áreas in Costa Rica. We did a short but very productive stop at the base of the Tenorio Volcano, near the town of Bijagua where we saw our first Rufous Motmot of the tour, we also tried different motmots but without success. The Capuchin Monkey were ver active this morning and we even had a huge troop of them passing through the forest in front of us.

Later, we finally saw the monkeys leaving and we kept trying for more birds, including the Tody Motmot. We saw Rufous-tailed Hummingbird and we heard the classic raucous call of Montezuma Oropendolas. Few minutes later we heard a single Tody Motmot from way down the slope. This motmot was very slow to come in but it was very vocal as well. Little by little the birds was getting closer and closer. After a while we finally found the special Tody Motmot. The bird stayed vovalizing near us, but difficult to see. With the big target already seen very well, we continued our journey to another private.

Continuing with the tour we went to a new place near the town of La Katira, here we visited a very small private reserve which had an active nest of the rare (in Costa Rica) Rufescent Tiger-Heron. The baby tiger-heron was so big that the nest looks small, after few minutes there we got Variable Seedeater, Bronzed Cowbird, Common Tody-Flycatcher building a nest. Other bird building a nest was the always good Olivaceous Piculet, which were nesting right next to the main entrance we also got two Green Ibis, the big surprise was to find a American Pygmy-Kingfisher, we also saw Green Kingfisher, Female Black-crested Coquette, spectacular views (and some photos too) Golden-olive Woodpecker and we saw a single Pied Puffbird which as well.

After the successful morning we headed out to the Caño Negro town. The first birds we saw after were drove was a single and lovely Great Potoo. Yes, there was a potoo but the bird on the nest was a big chick, it was a Great Potoo. Few minutes later we arrived to Caño Negro and we headed immediately (after lunch) to embark the small boat up river for our next targets. Upon we arrived to the dockin área we heard the call of the local Gray-fronted Dove which was not difficult to see. After finding the Dove we saw plenty of Anhinga and Neotropic Cormorant, Southern Lapwing, Northern Jacana, Amazon Kingfisher, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, many Amazon and Ringed Kingfishers, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, American White Ibis, Green Heron, Little Blue Heron, few Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Black-crowned Night Herons, Lesser Yellowlegs, lots of Red-winged Blackbirds and the most wanted, Nicaraguan Grackle which we only saw a female at the beginning of the boat tour. Later on the river, as we navigated upriver we found more kingfishers, herons and egrets, plus our first Sungrebe of the tour. After the Sungrebe we found another great bird for Costa Rica, the rare and local Yellow-tailed Oriole, which was foraging way up into the treetops. We then navigated back down the river and finally found a male Nicaraguan Grackle.

With a long day ahead we had an early breakfast at the hotel and departed towards the town of Los Chiles to the Medio Queso wetlands. Before we left town we returned to the main dock area to try a better view of the “sometimes” elusive Spot-breasted Wren. There was a pair singing as soon as we arrived,  both allowing better views than the day before. Also, at the same location we saw Grey-fronted Dove again. Later in the morning as we drove towards Medio Queso wetlands we noticed the abundance of seedeaters and grassquits that were foraging along the main road. While searching here for the Nicaraguan Seed-Finch we found Morelet’s Seedeater, Blue-black Grassquit, Variable Seedeater, and close to that area we found other interesting birds like Red-lored Amazon, Buff-throated Saltator, Orange-fronted Parakeets flew over and we also saw Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara and Ruddy Ground Doves. We kept searching until we finally found one male and one female of the Nicaraguan Seed Finch and not far from that point we saw four Mississippi Kites too. After the successful  moment finding the Seed Finch ,we headed up to the wetland of Medio Queso where we had a splendid boat ride looking for the specialties. As soon as we arrived to Medio Queso we found a cooperative Lineated Woodpecker, later on we saw the first Pinnated Bittern of the morning. We then embarked and started our journey, the first birds we saw included Amazon Kingfisher, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, more Pinnated Bitterns and Least Grebe. After a few minutes downriver we stopped in an area which was the first attempt for Yellow-breasted Crake. Once we arrived there we tried and had no answer, we decided to stay a bit more and luckily we had a spectacular individual walking towards us. With a big target already secured we then started navigating upstream, hoping for more specialties to be found. Not far from the crake site we heard a loud call, it was actually the local Northern Beardless Tyrannulet that perched at eye-level for us to enjoy it. One of the targets was the local Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture and Least Bittern. The Least bittern was actually flushed by our boat as we tried to get close to some Ruddy-breasted Seedeaters. After that we continued upriver where we got many Northern Jacana, Purple Gallinule, one more Least Bittern, Red-winged Blackbird, Snail Kite, Laughing Falcon, and we had the first Olive-crowned Yellowthroat. At the same location we heard a Slaty Spinetail which we got great looks at, we also saw the elusive Canebrake Wren, this one we saw right at the edge of the water. We soon got onto a vulture that we were looking for, the Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture flying over our head! After this nice boat ride we then departed towards La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park. Just before we arrived to the town of La Fortuna we did a short stop for a bathroom break and to our surprise an owl was inside the store where we stopped! This was the second American Barn-Owl of the trip, but our first in a supermarket!

During lunch time we found a wonderful Three-toed Sloth with a baby sitting way up high in a tree, they gave us great views. The second part of the day was right next to our restaurant, a location known as Bogarin Trail. During the first part of the walk we got some Clay-coloured Thrushes, Grey-headed Chachalacas, Buff-throated Saltator and one of the targets for today, the shy White-throated Crake, which was enjoying the water and preening right in the open! As we moved into the forest we found a lonely Broad-billed Motmot. Also here was a Rufous-tailed Jacamar that perched right next to the motmot allowing us great views of both species together. Shortly after a good view of the wanted Keel-billed Motmot we heard a classic call of Uniform Crake! This bird was shy, extremely shy and we never saw it but on the way back to the main trail we got another individual which was a bit alarmed with our presence and after few minutes the bird was dedicated on foraging and we got excellent views of this one! On the way to the lodge for the next two nights we saw some Great Curassow and Grey-headed Chachalacas.

With a wonderful garden where our rooms were located we started our pre-breakfast birding session of the day. Some people heard a Black-and-white Owl early this morning before we met. From the same garden we found a Long-tailed Tyrant sharing a tree with Masked Tityra and Olive-sided Flycatcher, the new hummingbird of the tour we a female Violet-headed Hummingbird. Later, on the same tree we spotted a lonely Eastern Kingbird, the first one of many more found in the following days. More birds seen during this session include the migrant Barn Swallows flying in large flocks, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Yellow-throated Euphonia, many female Great Curassow, Morelet’s Seedeater, Mistletoe Tyrannulet, two Southern Rough-winged Swallow and one Grey-breasted Martin. Just before we headed out for breakfast we saw a Giant Cowbird sitting on a bush nearby, we also found a pair of Cinnamon Becards building a nest and we got one Short-billed Pigeon which was actively calling from the top of the Cecropia trees. Also, there was a Black-cowled Oriole foraging on the forest edge by the rooms area. On the way to the restaurant we stopped briefly at the fruit feeders of the lodge. Once there we saw many Montezuma Oropendola, some other species seen there included Green Honeycreeper, Golden-hooded Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Melodious Blackbird, Tropical Parula, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Blue-grey and Palm Tanagers and the first Bay-headed Tanager of the day, two Emerald Tanagers with their brilliant colour stole the show and near the feeders we got Red-lored Amazons flying in front of the balcony. Minutes later and also from the balcony we got some brief views of the rare Rufous-winged Tanager. After breakfast we moved on and bird the other side of the garden, hoping to find more hummingbirds for the tour. We saw more Violet-headed Hummingbirds, Bronzed-tailed Plumeleteer and the star of the show was a brilliant male White-crested Coquette, which performed extraordinary well for us. Continuing along the garden we saw the common Black-cheeked Woodpecker and Yellow-throated Euphonias just before we entered the forest trail. The first bird we tried was the Stripe-breasted Wren, another carribbean lowlands specialty, this time we only heard it but we got it later on other location. More deep into the forest we saw the minute and noisy Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant. Near the area we saw one female Spotted Antbird and while trying to find it we found a Canada Warbler. At least four Rufous-winged Tanagers foraging in the sub-canopy was another rare sighting for the morning. We had the usual short break right after lunch and we re-grouped for the afternoon session, also at Observatory Lodge. The first stop before the river produced a male Slaty-tailed Trogon, seen very well, also a female Crowned Woodnymph, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Crimson-collared Tanager, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Northern Waterthrush and Amazon Kingfisher.  The road towards the town El Castillo was very good for Bay-headed Tanager and Buff-throated Saltator, amongst others. The end of our day was spent at the river that cuts through the property of the hotel and we had time exploring and searching for the attractive Green-fronted Lancebill.

Our last morning at Observatory Lodge was similar than yesterday, the initial pre-breakfast birding gave us better views of Bronzy Hermit, we heard Barred Forest Falcon and the tanagers and honeycreeper were the same than before. From the restaurant we enjoyed our last views of the impressive Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake, definitely this location was memorable for our participants not only for the quality of birds but also for its scenery. At the feeder the best bird was the Emerald Tanager, which is never a common bird at feeders. Right at the entrance of the trail we heard a Northern Black-throated Trogon, we have no problem locating this lovely trogon, and then not far from here we got the Slaty-tailed Trogon, also we tried for White-collared Manakin which were calling very loud inside the forest. We did not see the manakin, but in the same area we had a glimpse of the shy Tawny-faced Gnatwren. Along the same track we encountered a small tree with five Rufous Motmots, yes five motmots together! At this place we also saw Keel-billed Toucan and some of the common tanagers when we realized that one bird was vocalizing slighty different and after some search we found a pair of White-vented Euphonias singing inside a mistletoe. Leaving the Observatory Lodge we did stop again near the river where we saw more species than the day before. The first one we saw was Carmiol’s Tanager, Russet Antshrike, Cinnamon Becard, Red-eyed Vireo, Grey Hawk, White-necked Jacobin, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Smoky-brown Woodpecker. On the same track we heard the minute Black-headed Tody Flycatcher and we managed to see it after some time searching for it.

Closer the to the river the mixed species flock continued with very good activity; we found a pair of Bay Wren which were very active and we finally got great looks at them. Other birds in this location included Fasciated Tiger Heron, Black Phoebe, a heard-only Rufous-winged Woodpecker, and the shy Western Woodhaunter that gave us a hard time but we got good views in the end. On route to the small town called Aguas Zarcas we spotted one Harris’s Hawk which is quite rare and uncommon on this side of the country. We then arrived to our short birding stop. At this location we enjoyed wonderful views with some White-collared Manakins which were performing nicely and they were “dancing” at their usual spot. Normally, this is not the breeding season but this year the season started a bit late than usual and that is why the manakins were behaving like that. Anyways, we continued along the trail and we had other species like Golden-olive Woodpecker, and as we got to the young second growth forest we saw our main target here, Striped Owl, which was quietly perched on a small tree in the middle of the ravines. After our main goal was accomplished we then headed out to our next destination, La Selva Station. Before we officially checked-in we spent some time at the main entrance of the station where we saw interesting species such as Shining Honeycreeper, Red-lored Amazon, Black-cowled Orioles, and large flocks of migrants like Eastern Kingbirds, Barn and Cliff Swallows. After check-in we drove to our accommodations and the first birds we saw there were Rufous-winged Woodpecker seen very well this time, White-ringed Flycatcher and we heard Little Tinamou and Laughing Falcon. Our owling session was good, with looks at Short-tailed Nighthawk over the cabins, Common Potoo came close to us but did not stop and we had a Common Pauraque on the way to the restaurant. After dinner we walked the trail by the suspension bridge and we found one Great Tinamou that was sleeping up in a tree.

We had one full day at this wonderful place. The morning started with Great green Macaws and a Blue-chested Hummingbird which was found at the famous verbena flowers outside our cabins. We saw more White-collared Swifts moving in large flocks and had Mealy Amazon, Brown-hooded Parrot, Orange-chinned Parakeet and others. During breakfast we saw some birds right outside the building like Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Golden-hooded Tanagers building a nest and we had a glimpse of one Laughing Falcon which flew way behind the cabin. After breakfast we explored the open and semi-open habitat near the main entrance road, here we had Grey-rumped Swift, Yellow-throated and Keel-billed Toucans, Black-cheeked Woodpecker and we found a good looking Semiplumbeous Hawk that flew over the forest edge. After we birded this section we went back to the main road, right at the entrance we spotted Yellow Tyrannulet in the bamboo stands, along the road we found Mealy Amazon and other common species. Then we crossed the hanging bridge and at the lab clearing we had Blue-chested Hummingbird, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Crested Guan, White-breasted Wood Wren, we heard Black-crowned Antshrike and Northern Black-throated Trogon. Along this trail we knew a stakeout for Middle American Screech Owl so we went to check it out and find out if the birds were still there. We searched about three locations, until we arrived to the fourth one gave great views. After our mission was accomplished with the Screech Owl, we went with our van to the outskirts of La Selva, the plan was to search for the endangered Great Green Macaws. This is a location known as La Comandancia where huge Wild Almond Trees exist, the main source of food for the macaws and the main nesting site as well. They usually are found in the area on a regular basis. Once there we found other regular species of open areas such as Buff-throated Saltator, Variable Seedeater, Blue-black Grassquit, Morelet”s Seedeater, Northern Tropical Pewee among others. The environment was quiet as we walked up and down the main road hoping for some macaws calling or flying and few minutes later we finally heard some calling. We heard the green macaws calling but there were also a couple of Scarlet Macaws as well. The Scarlet Macaws flew away and almost at the same time we saw two Great Green Macaws moving along a big branch, they stayed a while and they flew over another tree, allowing us to have much better views. We saw them looking and searching into a huge hole, a possible nest, but they never went in.

After a short rest we returned to the main entrance to the station and heard Scaled Pigeon, Great-crested Flycatcher and Blue Ground Dove. We walked a different trail through secondary forest and scrub where we saw a male Northen Black-throated Trogon, Dusky Antbird, Black-throated Wren, Rufous-tailed Jacamar and we had great views of Red-throated Ant Tanager and a glimpse of Great Tinamou that ran across the path. From the restaurant, we added new species for the tour like the spectacular Chestnut-colored Woodpecker and Northern Barred Woodcreeper and we also saw a Cocoa Woodcreeper in the same location. Our owling session was in another area of the station and we had a pair of Crested Owl actively calling but we couldn’t find them.

This day was our last day of the tour. Starting outside our rooms we heard one Cinnamon Woodpecker, melodious song of Great Tinamou, Little Tinamou and other birds actively singing at first light in the morning. Later we saw nine Great Green Macaws flying over the forest, definitely a great way to see them. Other birds seen there included Cinnamon Becard, Masked Tityra, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, Piratic Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Toucan, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Orange-billed Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cacique, another Black-cowled Oriole, many Bronzed Cowbirds and a new bird for the tour, Dusky-faced Tanager! On the other side of the bridge we saw Long-tailed Tyrant, Broad-billed Motmot, Red-lored Amazon and Rufous Motmot. We then checked out this special location and headed up into the mountains of the Central Volcanic Range. La Selva Station showed once again why is one of the top birding destination all over Costa Rica, we saw quantity and quality during our stay here. The road we took towards San Jose cuts trough middle elevations in the carribbean foothills and before we started climbing up the mountain we found a King Vulture flying with many Black Vultures over the town of Chilamate, a great place for this bird. This one was the only King Vulture of the tour. Later, we drove down a gravel road on route to Virgen del Socorro village, to get to the Sarapiqui River. Here, we achieved our main goal, to find the American Dipper. Did not take long until we found one very active pair attending a nest. They were feeding so that means we saw them many times coming in and out of the nest. Also, we got in the same area more Torrent Tyrannulets, one Black Phoebe and Buff-rumped Warbler foraging along the edge. Before we continued up the road we had another new bird for the tour, the smart Sooty-faced Finch who was loud and active calling below the bridge, we worked a bit hard for this one but at the end everyone enjoyed good looks at this lovely finch. After the Sooty-faced Finch, we then continued driving up the road until we arrived to the old town named Cinchona. Once we arrived we saw the usual species there like Silver-throated Tanager, Buff-throated Saltator, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Green Honeycreeper, Blue-grey Tanager, Palm Tanager, Bananaquit and less common species showed up like Crimson-collared Tanager, Swallow-tailed Kite seen from the balcony along with one Barred Hawk. We also saw one Blue-throated Toucanet finally seen up close, one Golden-bellied Flycatcher and a Chestnut-capped Brushfinch was foraging just underneath the feeders. Some of the hummingbirds seen here include the common Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Violet Sabrewing, Green-crowned Brilliant, Green Hermit, Crowned Woodnymph, Coppery-headed Emerald and one male Black-bellied Hummingbird which was one of the most wanted species here. It was getting time to leave towards the airport not before to experience the last surprise of the tour, small flock of Black-breasted Wood Quails showed up rapidly underneath the restaurant. As usual, very shy but we got them and with this special bird we finished another great and fantastic Best of Costa Rica Tour with amazing species, funny and enthusiastic group.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follow Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2025. IOC World Bird List (v15.1).

Great Tinamou  Tinamus major  Two birds seen very well at La Selva Station

Little Tinamou  Crypturellus soui

Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis

Muscovy Duck  Cairina moschata

Blue-winged Teal  Spatula discors

Grey-headed Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis cinereiceps

Crested Guan  Penelope purpurascens

Black Guan ◊  Chamaepetes unicolor  One individual seen very close at Monteverde Reserve

Great Curassow ◊  Crax rubra  Many birds at Observatory Lodge and one at La Selva Station

Spot-bellied Bobwhite ◊ (Crested B)  Colinus leucopogon  Four individuals seen near the town of Bijagua

Black-breasted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus leucolaemus  Few birds seen the last day at Cinchona on route to the airport

Spotted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus guttatus  Two birds up the trails in Savegre Hotel

Short-tailed Nighthawk  Lurocalis semitorquatus

Pauraque (Common P)  Nyctidromus albicollis

Dusky Nightjar ◊  Antrostomus saturatus  Two birds vocalizing up the oak forest in Cerro de la Muerte

Great Potoo  Nyctibius grandis  One bird seen at Caño Negro

Common Potoo  Nyctibius griseus  One seen at daytime in Tarcoles and another one at night in La Selva

Chestnut-collared Swift  Streptoprocne rutila  Small flock on route to Tarcoles

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris  Common birds seen at more than four locations

Grey-rumped Swift  Chaetura cinereiventris

Costa Rican Swift ◊  Chaetura fumosa  Flocks seen two times at Villa Lapas Hotel

Vaux’s Swift  Chaetura vauxi  Two flocks, one in San Jose and one more in the highlands

White-necked Jacobin  Florisuga mellivora

Bronzy Hermit  Glaucis aeneus

Band-tailed Barbthroat  Threnetes ruckeri

Stripe-throated Hermit  Phaethornis striigularis

Green Hermit  Phaethornis guy

Long-billed Hermit (Western Long-tailed H)  Phaethornis longirostris

Green-fronted Lancebill  Doryfera ludovicae  One birds seen very well in the entrance road to Observatory Lodge

Brown Violetear  Colibri delphinae

Lesser Violetear  Colibri cyanotus

Purple-crowned Fairy  Heliothryx barroti

Green-breasted Mango  Anthracothorax prevostii

Green Thorntail  Discosura conversii

Black-crested Coquette ◊  Lophornis helenae  A male seen really good at Observatory Lodge

Green-crowned Brilliant  Heliodoxa jacula

Talamanca Hummingbird ◊  Eugenes spectabilis  Common bird in the hihghlands

Fiery-throated Hummingbird ◊  Panterpe insignis  Abundant at Paraiso Quetzal lodge and restaurant

Plain-capped Starthroat  Heliomaster constantii

Purple-throated Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis calolaemus  Common bird around Monteverde area

Grey-tailed Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis cinereicauda  Seen few times near Cerro de la Muerte highlands

Magenta-throated Woodstar ◊  Philodice bryantae  A single male seen at the hummingbird gallery in Monteverde

Volcano Hummingbird  Selasphorus flammula

Scintillant Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus scintilla  One bird seen in the grounds of Savegre Hotel

Canivet’s Emerald  Cynanthus canivetii

Violet-headed Hummingbird  Klais guimeti

Violet Sabrewing ◊  Campylopterus hemileucurus  Common bird in the highlands

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer ◊ (Red-footed P)  Chalybura urochrysia  A bird seen at La Selva and one more in the Observatory Lodge

Crowned Woodnymph  Thalurania colombica

Coppery-headed Emerald ◊  Microchera cupreiceps  A nice male seen in the Monteverde area

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird ◊  Eupherusa eximia  Seen at two different locations during the tour

Black-bellied Hummingbird  Eupherusa nigriventris  Single male seen at the Cinchona Restaurant on the last day

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird  Phaeochroa cuvierii

Blue-vented Hummingbird  Saucerottia hoffmanni

Cinnamon Hummingbird  Amazilia rutila

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  Amazilia tzacatl

Blue-chested Hummingbird ◊  Polyerata amabilis  The only location where we saw it was at La Selva Station

Blue-throated Sapphire ◊  Chlorestes eliciae  One male at the old road near Bijagua

Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani

Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris

Lesser Ground Cuckoo ◊  Morococcyx erythropygus  One individual seen very well on route to Monteverde

Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia

Scaled Pigeon  Patagioenas speciosa

Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon  Patagioenas cayennensis

Red-billed Pigeon  Patagioenas flavirostris

Ruddy Pigeon  Patagioenas subvinacea

Short-billed Pigeon  Patagioenas nigrirostris

Inca Dove  Columbina inca

Common Ground Dove  Columbina passerina

Plain-breasted Ground Dove  Columbina minuta

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove  Claravis pretiosa

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-headed Dove ◊  Leptotila plumbeiceps  One bird seen in the town of Caño Negro

Grey-chested Dove ◊  Leptotila cassinii  One single bird found at the road to La Selva Station

Buff-fronted Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon costaricensis

White-winged Dove  Zenaida asiatica

Sungrebe  Heliornis fulica

Uniform Crake  Amaurolimnas concolor

Russet-naped Wood Rail  Aramides albiventris

Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus

Purple Gallinule (American P G)  Porphyrio martinica

Yellow-breasted Crake ◊  Laterallus flaviventer  One bird seen really well and close at Medio Queso wetland

White-throated Crake  Laterallus albigularis

Limpkin  Aramus guarauna

Least Grebe  Tachybaptus dominicus

Double-striped Thick-knee  Hesperoburhinus bistriatus

Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola

Killdeer  Charadrius vociferus

Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis

Wilson’s Plover  Anarhynchus wilsonia

Northern Jacana  Jacana spinosa

Hudsonian Whimbrel  Numenius hudsonicus

Short-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus griseus

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes

Willet  Tringa semipalmata

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres

Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla

Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus

Laughing Gull  Leucophaeus atricilla

Wood Stork  Mycteria americana

Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens

Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum

Green Ibis  Mesembrinibis cayennensis

American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus

Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja

Bare-throated Tiger Heron ◊  Tigrisoma mexicanum  A common bird along Tarcoles River boat trip

Fasciated Tiger Heron  Tigrisoma fasciatum

Boat-billed Heron  Cochlearius cochlearius

Pinnated Bittern ◊  Botaurus pinnatus  Several birds at Medio Queso wetlands

Least Bittern  Botaurus exilis  Few birds at Medio Queso wetlands

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron (Louisiana H)  Egretta tricolor

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula

Green Heron  Butorides virescens

Great Egret  Ardea alba

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis

Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias

Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis

King Vulture  Sarcoramphus papa

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture  Cathartes burrovianus

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus

Grey-headed Kite  Leptodon cayanensis

Hook-billed Kite  Chondrohierax uncinatus  A single bird at La Selva Station

Swallow-tailed Kite  Elanoides forficatus

Double-toothed Kite  Harpagus bidentatus

Plumbeous Kite  Ictinia plumbea

Snail Kite  Rostrhamus sociabilis

Common Black Hawk  Buteogallus anthracinus

Barred Hawk (Black-chested H)  Morphnarchus princeps

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris

Harris’s Hawk  Parabuteo unicinctus

White Hawk  Pseudastur albicollis

Semiplumbeous Hawk ◊  Leucopternis semiplumbeus  One bird was found at the entrance road to La Selva

Grey Hawk  Buteo plagiatus

Broad-winged Hawk  Buteo platypterus

Swainson’s Hawk  Buteo swainsoni

Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus

Red-tailed Hawk  Buteo jamaicensis

American Barn Owl  Tyto furcata

Costa Rican Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium costaricanum  Heard two times while in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum

Striped Owl ◊  Asio clamator  Seen on route to La Selva Station

Bare-shanked Screech Owl ◊  Megascops clarkii  A single bird found at daytime in the town of San Ramon

Tropical Screech Owl  Megascops choliba

Pacific Screech Owl ◊  Megascops cooperi  Two birds seen really well at daytime in Tarcoles town

Middle American Screech Owl ◊ (Vermiculated S O)  Megascops [guatemalae] vermiculatus  One bird found at daytime in La Selva Station

Spectacled Owl  Pulsatrix perspicillata

Crested Owl  Lophostrix cristata

Mottled Owl  Strix virgata

Black-and-white Owl  Strix nigrolineata

Resplendent Quetzal ◊  Pharomachrus mocinno  Males seen twice in Cerro de la Muerte and Monteverde

Lattice-tailed Trogon ◊  Trogon clathratus  Heard in the trail in Bijagua

Slaty-tailed Trogon  Trogon massena

Black-headed Trogon  Trogon melanocephalus

Gartered Trogon (Northern Violaceous T)  Trogon caligatus

Northern Black-throated Trogon  Trogon tenellus

Elegant Trogon ◊  Trogon elegans  A pair seen in the old bijagua road

Collared Trogon  Trogon collaris

Amazon Kingfisher  Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher  Chloroceryle aenea

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle americana

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata

Lesson’s Motmot  Momotus lessonii

Rufous Motmot  Baryphthengus martii

Keel-billed Motmot ◊  Electron carinatum  A bird seen very easy at Arenal Volcano National Park

Broad-billed Motmot  Electron platyrhynchum

Turquoise-browed Motmot ◊  Eumomota superciliosa  Common bird in dry forest

Rufous-tailed Jacamar  Galbula ruficauda

White-necked Puffbird  Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Pied Puffbird  Notharchus tectus

White-whiskered Puffbird  Malacoptila panamensis

Red-headed Barbet  Eubucco bourcierii

Blue-throated Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis  Few birds seen at Savegre

Collared Aracari  Pteroglossus torquatus

Fiery-billed Aracari ◊  Pteroglossus frantzii  A small flock seen in the town of San Isidro

Keel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos sulfuratus

Yellow-throated Toucan (Chestntut-mandibled T)  Ramphastos ambiguus

Olivaceous Piculet  Picumnus olivaceus

Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus

Golden-naped Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes chrysauchen  One bird Heard in the trail at Los Cusingos

Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani

Red-crowned Woodpecker  Melanerpes rubricapillus

Hoffmann’s Woodpecker  Melanerpes hoffmannii

Smoky-brown Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Rufous-winged Woodpecker ◊  Piculus simplex

Golden-olive Woodpecker  Colaptes rubiginosus

Cinnamon Woodpecker  Celeus loricatus

Chestnut-colored Woodpecker  Celeus castaneus

Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus

Pale-billed Woodpecker  Campephilus guatemalensis

Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway

Yellow-headed Caracara  Milvago chimachima

Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans

Barred Forest Falcon  Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon  Micrastur semitorquatus

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius

Bat Falcon  Falco rufigularis

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Barred Parakeet  Bolborhynchus lineola

Orange-chinned Parakeet (Tovi P)  Brotogeris jugularis

Brown-hooded Parrot  Pyrilia haematotis

White-crowned Parrot  Pionus senilis

White-fronted Amazon (W-f Parrot)  Amazona albifrons

Red-lored Amazon (R-l Parrot)  Amazona autumnalis

Yellow-naped Amazon ◊ (Y-n Parrot)  Amazona auropalliata

Mealy Amazon* ◊ (Northern M A)  Amazona farinosa  Common bird at La Selva

Sulphur-winged Parakeet ◊  Pyrrhura hoffmanni  Few flocks seen at Savegre valley

Olive-throated Parakeet  Eupsittula nana

Orange-fronted Parakeet  Eupsittula canicularis

Great Green Macaw ◊  Ara ambiguus  Few birds flying over La Selva Station

Scarlet Macaw  Ara macao

Finsch’s Parakeet ◊  Psittacara finschi  Common bird in San Jose area

Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus

Ruddy Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla homochroa

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla anabatina

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper  Glyphorynchus spirurus

Northern Barred Woodcreeper  Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Cocoa Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Spotted Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus erythropygius

Brown-billed Scythebill  Campylorhamphus pusillus

Streak-headed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes affinis

Northern Plain Xenops  Xenops mexicanus

Lineated Foliage-gleaner  Syndactyla subalaris

Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner ◊  Automolus exsertus  One bird seen in trails at Villa Lapas Hotel

Western Woodhaunter  Automolus virgatus

Spotted Barbtail  Premnoplex brunnescens

Ruddy Treerunner ◊  Margarornis rubiginosus  Few birds seen in mix flocks in the highlands

Slaty Spinetail  Synallaxis brachyura

Russet Antshrike  Thamnistes anabatinus

Dot-winged Antwren  Microrhopias quixensis

Plain Antvireo  Dysithamnus mentalis

Barred Antshrike  Thamnophilus doliatus

Black-hooded Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus bridgesi  Common in Carara National Park

Black-crowned Antshrike ◊ (Western Slaty A)  Thamnophilus atrinucha  One bird at La Selva Station

Fasciated Antshrike  Cymbilaimus lineatus

Bicolored Antbird  Gymnopithys bicolor

Dusky Antbird  Cercomacroides tyrannina

Spotted Antbird  Hylophylax naevioides

Chestnut-backed Antbird  Poliocrania exsul

Dull-mantled Antbird ◊  Sipia laemosticta  One bird hear the rainy day in Observatory Lodge

Zeledon’s Antbird ◊  Hafferia zeledoni  One male seen really well at Monteverde Reserve

Black-faced Antthrush  Formicarius analis  (LO) Heard at Los Cusingos

Streak-chested Antpitta ◊ (Spectacled A)  Hylopezus perspicillatus  One bird seen building a nest at El Peje town

Thicket Antpitta ◊  Myrmothera dives  (H) Heard few times at Observatory Lodge

Silvery-fronted Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus argentifrons  One bird  found at Cerro de le Muerte

Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia  Elaenia flavogaster

Lesser Elaenia  Elaenia chiriquensis

Mountain Elaenia  Elaenia frantzii

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma imberbe

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum

Torrent Tyrannulet  Serpophaga cinerea

Yellow Tyrannulet  Capsiempis flaveola

Mistletoe Tyrannulet (Paltry T)  Zimmerius parvus

Olive-streaked Flycatcher  Mionectes olivaceus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher  Mionectes oleagineus

Slaty-capped Flycatcher  Leptopogon superciliaris

Northern Scrub Flycatcher  Sublegatus arenarum

Northern Bentbill  Oncostoma cinereigulare

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant  Lophotriccus pileatus

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus sylvia

Common Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum cinereum

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum nigriceps

Eye-ringed Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus brevirostris

Yellow-olive Flatbill (Y-o Flycatcher)  Tolmomyias sulphurescens

White-throated Spadebill  Platyrinchus mystaceus

Golden-crowned Spadebill  Platyrinchus coronatus

Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans

Northern Tufted Flycatcher  Mitrephanes phaeocercus

Olive-sided Flycatcher  Contopus cooperi

Dark Pewee ◊  Contopus lugubris  Seen twice at Savegre Lodge and trails

Ochraceous Pewee ◊  Contopus ochraceus  Seen very well at KM71 on route to Savegre Lodge

Northern Tropical Pewee  Contopus bogotensis

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  Empidonax flaviventris

Yellowish Flycatcher  Empidonax flavescens

Black-capped Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax atriceps  Common bird in the highlands at Cerro de la Muerte

Long-tailed Tyrant  Colonia colonus

Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher  Myiozetetes granadensis

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

White-ringed Flycatcher  Conopias albovittatus

Golden-bellied Flycatcher ◊  Myiodynastes hemichrysus  A single bird seen at the restaurant near Cinchona

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes luteiventris

Streaked Flycatcher  Myiodynastes maculatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus forficatus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savana

Eastern Kingbird  Tyrannus tyrannus

Rufous Mourner  Rhytipterna holerythra

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer

Panama Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus panamensis  Seen twice at the town of Tarcoles and mangroves

Great Crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus crinitus

Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus

Bright-rumped Attila ◊  Attila spadiceus

Rufous Piha  Lipaugus unirufus

Three-wattled Bellbird ◊  Procnias tricarunculatus  Spectacular views in the town of San Ramon

Turquoise Cotinga ◊  Cotinga ridgwayi  One male seen in the town of San Isidro

Snowy Cotinga ◊  Carpodectes nitidus  Three bird seen few times while in La Selva Station

Long-tailed Manakin ◊  Chiroxiphia linearis  Common bird at Ecological Farm in the Monteverde area

White-ruffed Manakin  Corapipo altera

Velvety Manakin ◊  Lepidothrix velutina  One male seen really well at Los Cusingos

White-collared Manakin  Manacus candei

Orange-collared Manakin ◊  Manacus aurantiacus  Common bird at Los Cusingos

Red-capped Manakin  Ceratopipra mentalis

Tropical Royal Flycatcher (Northern R F)  Onychorhynchus [coronatus] mexicanus (H) One bird Heard at La Selva Station

Black-crowned Tityra  Tityra inquisitor

Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata

Cinnamon Becard  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus

Rose-throated Becard  Pachyramphus aglaiae

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis

Green Shrike-Vireo  Vireolanius pulchellus

Tawny-crowned Greenlet  Tunchiornis ochraceiceps  (H) One bird heard attending a mix flock at Carara National Park

Lesser Greenlet  Pachysylvia decurtata

Yellow-green Vireo  Vireo flavoviridis

Philadelphia Vireo  Vireo philadelphicus

Yellow-winged Vireo ◊  Vireo carmioli  Common bird at Talamanca Mountain Range and Savegre Valley

Mangrove Vireo  Vireo pallens

Azure-hooded Jay  Cyanolyca cucullata

White-throated Magpie-Jay  Cyanocorax formosus

Brown Jay  Cyanocorax morio

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher ◊  Ptiliogonys caudatus  Regular bird seen all around Cerro de la Muerte

Mangrove Swallow  Tachycineta albilinea

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Southern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow  Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Rufous-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus capistratus

Black-throated Wren ◊  Pheugopedius atrogularis  Few individuals seen at La Selva Station

Spot-breasted Wren ◊  Pheugopedius maculipectus

Rufous-breasted Wren  Pheugopedius rutilus

Banded Wren  Thryophilus pleurostictus

Rufous-and-white Wren  Thryophilus rufalbus

Cabanis’s Wren ◊  Cantorchilus modestus  Regular seen at few location near Monteverde area

Canebrake Wren ◊  Cantorchilus zeledoni  Seen at Medio Queso wetland

Isthmian Wren ◊  Cantorchilus elutus  One single bird found in the town of San Isidro

Riverside Wren ◊  Cantorchilus semibadius (H) Heard near Hotel Villa Lapas

Bay Wren  Cantorchilus nigricapillus

Stripe-breasted Wren  Cantorchilus thoracicus

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus

Ochraceous Wren ◊  Troglodytes ochraceus  Two birds found in the trails at Savegre Lodge

Timberline Wren ◊  Thryorchilus browni  One individuals seen really well and close at the Providencia Road

White-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucosticta

Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys

Northern Nightingale-Wren (Nightingale W)  Microcerculus philomela

Trilling Gnatwren  Ramphocaenus melanurus

Tawny-faced Gnatwren  Microbates cinereiventris

White-lored Gnatcatcher  Polioptila albiloris

Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus

Black-faced Solitaire ◊  Myadestes melanops  Seen and heard few time at Cerro de la Muerte and Monteverde

Wood Thrush  Hylocichla mustelina

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus mexicanus  One single bird at Curi-cancha Reserve and few more at Monteverde

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus fuscater

Swainson’s Thrush  Catharus ustulatus

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus gracilirostris

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus frantzii

Sooty Thrush ◊ (S Robin)  Turdus nigrescens  Abundant bird in the highlands

Mountain Thrush ◊ (M Robin)  Turdus plebejus  Common at Monteverde Reserve

White-throated Thrush (W-t Robin)  Turdus assimilis

Clay-colored Thrush (C-c Robin)  Turdus grayi

American Dipper  Cinclus mexicanus

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus

Yellow-bellied Siskin*  Spinus xanthogastrus

Elegant Euphonia (Blue-hooded E)  Chlorophonia elegantissima  One male seen very well on route to San Isidro

Golden-browed Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia callophrys  (H) Heard at both Cerro de la Muerte and Monteverde Reserve

Scrub Euphonia  Euphonia affinis

Yellow-crowned Euphonia  Euphonia luteicapilla

White-vented Euphonia  Euphonia minuta  Seen at the trails of the Observatory Lodge in Arenal

Yellow-throated Euphonia  Euphonia hirundinacea

Spot-crowned Euphonia ◊  Euphonia imitans  A nice pair seen in the garden at Los Cusingos

Olive-backed Euphonia  Euphonia gouldi

Tawny-capped Euphonia ◊  Euphonia anneae  Brief views while birding at Observatory Lodge

Sooty-capped Chlorospingus ◊  Chlorospingus pileatus  Very common bird in the highlands at Cerro de la Muerte

Common Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus flavopectus

Stripe-headed Sparrow  Peucaea ruficauda

Black-striped Sparrow  Arremonops conirostris

Orange-billed Sparrow  Arremon aurantiirostris

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch  Arremon brunneinucha

Sooty-faced Finch ◊  Arremon crassirostris  Two bird seen down by the Sarapiqui River canyon

Volcano Junco ◊  Junco vulcani  Common bird at the Paramo habitat

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis

Large-footed Finch ◊  Pezopetes capitales  Few birds seen at few locations while at Cerro de la Muerte

White-eared Ground Sparrow ◊  Melozone leucotis  Seen twice, one at the hotel in San Jose and one more in Monteverde area

Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow ◊  Melozone cabanisi  Eight birds found near the coffee plantation near the hotel in San Jose

White-naped Brushfinch (Yellow-throated B F)  Atlapetes albinucha

Yellow-thighed Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes tibialis  Common in the highlands

Wrenthrush ◊ (Zeledonia)  Zeledonia coronata  (H) Heard in the bamboo thickets at Providencia Road

Eastern Meadowlark  Sturnella magna

Yellow-billed Cacique  Amblycercus holosericeus  Seen flying accross the road while at La Selva

Chestnut-headed Oropendola  Psarocolius wagleri

Montezuma Oropendola  Psarocolius montezuma

Scarlet-rumped Cacique  Cacicus microrhynchus

Streak-backed Oriole  Icterus pustulatus

Baltimore Oriole  Icterus galbula

Yellow-tailed Oriole  Icterus mesomelas One bird seen along the river at Caño Negro

Black-cowled Oriole  Icterus prosthemelas

Red-winged Blackbird  Agelaius phoeniceus

Giant Cowbird*  Molothrus oryzivorus

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis  Now more common in lowlands around the country

Bronzed Cowbird  Molothrus aeneus

Melodious Blackbird  Dives dives

Nicaraguan Grackle ◊  Quiscalus nicaraguensis  Four birds seen in the riverbanks along the Rio Frio boat trip

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus

Ovenbird  Seiurus aurocapilla

Louisiana Waterthrush  Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush  Parkesia noveboracensis

Flame-throated Warbler  Oreothlypis gutturalis

Tennessee Warbler  Leiothlypis peregrina

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat  Geothlypis poliocephala

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat  Geothlypis semiflava

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi

Blackburnian Warbler  Setophaga fusca

American Yellow Warbler  Setophaga aestiva

Mangrove Warbler  Setophaga petechia

Chestnut-sided Warbler  Setophaga pensylvanica

Black-throated Green Warbler  Setophaga virens

Buff-rumped Warbler  Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Chestnut-capped Warbler  Basileuterus delattrii

Golden-crowned Warbler  Basileuterus culicivorus

Black-eared Warbler  Basileuterus melanotis

Wilson’s Warbler  Cardellina pusilla

Slate-throated Whitestart (S-t Redstart)  Myioborus miniatus

Collared Whitestart  Myioborus torquatus

Dusky-faced Tanager  Mitrospingus cassinii

Flame-colored Tanager (Stripe-backed T)  Piranga bidentata

Tooth-billed Tanager (Highland Hepatic T)  Piranga lutea

Summer Tanager  Piranga rubra

Scarlet Tanager  Piranga olivácea  Few seen along the country

Red-throated Ant Tanager  Driophlox fuscicauda

Carmiol’s Tanager ◊  Chlorothraupis carmioli  Seen two times leading mix species flocks at Observatory Lodge

Black-thighed Grosbeak ◊  Pheucticus tibialis A single bird found from the balcony at Paraiso Quetzal Lodge

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-faced Grosbeak  Caryothraustes poliogaster

Blue-black Grosbeak  Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Blue Grosbeak  Passerina caerulea

Green Honeycreeper  Chlorophanes spiza

Black-and-yellow Tanager ◊  Chrysothlypis chrysomelas  One male seen in the trails at Observatory Lodge

Red-legged Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes cyaneus

Shining Honeycreeper ◊  Cyanerpes lucidus  Seen two times along the tour, one in Arenal and one more at La Selva

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis  Dacnis venusta

Blue Dacnis  Dacnis cayana

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator  Saltator grandis

Buff-throated Saltator  Saltator maximus

Slate-colored Grosbeak  Saltator grossus

Bananaquit  Coereba flaveola

Yellow-faced Grassquit  Tiaris olivaceus

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager  Eucometis penicillata

White-shouldered Tanager  Loriotus luctuosus

Crimson-collared Tanager ◊  Ramphocelus sanguinolentus  Was regular seen in the caribbean lowlands

Scarlet-rumped Tanager ◊ (Passerini’s T)  Ramphocelus [passerinii] passerinii  Common at the lowlands in the caribbean

Scarlet-rumped Tanager ◊ (Cherrie’s T)  Ramphocelus [passerinii] costaricensis  Regular seen at Villa Lapas Hotel

Morelet’s Seedeater ◊  Sporophila morelleti  Seen very well at Comandancia Road outside La Selva

Variable Seedeater  Sporophila corvina

Thick-billed Seed Finch  Sporophila funerea

Nicaraguan Seed Finch ◊  Sporophila nuttingi  Few birds found along the road towards Caño Negro

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta  Few birds along the Medio Queso river trip

Slaty Flowerpiercer  Diglossa plumbea

Blue-grey Tanager  Thraupis episcopus

Palm Tanager  Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager  Stilpnia larvata

Spangle-cheeked Tanager ◊  Tangara dowii  A nice pair seen really well in Cerro de la Muerte

Bay-headed Tanager  Tangara gyrola

Rufous-winged Tanager  Tangara Lavinia  Four birds seen along the trails at Observatory Lodge

Emerald Tanager  Tangara florida

Silver-throated Tanager  Tangara icterocephala

Plain-colored Tanager* ◊  Tangara inornata  Four birds were found outside the rooms at La Selva Station

Mammals

Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth  Choloepus hoffmanni

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth  Bradypus variegatus

White-nosed Coati  Nasua narica

Crab-eating Raccoon  Procyon cancrivorus

Collared Peccary  Pecari tajacu

White-tailed Deer  Odocoileus virginianus

Panamanian White-faced Capuchin  Cebus imitator

Mantled Howler  Alouatta palliata

Central American Spider Monkey (Black-handed S M)  Ateles geoffroyi

Central American Agouti  Dasyprocta punctata

Mexican Hairy Porcupine  Coendou mexicanus

Variegated Squirrel  Sciurus variegatoides

Red-tailed Squirrel (Tropical Red S)  Syntheosciurus granatensis

Dusky Rice Rat  Melanomys caliginosus