CLASSIC COSTA RICA TOUR REPORT 2023

17 March - 9 April 2023

by Leo Garrigues

Without a doubt our Classic Costa Rica tour proved to be very successful, in terms of specialties where we managed to record 194 diamond birds! Many of these are near-endemics shared with Panama and others with Nicaragua, plus the four endemic species that only occur in Costa Rica.
In terms of diversity, the tour was very remarkable with 608 species seen (by one member of the group at least) and 624 species recorded during the trip, 4 species more than last year which makes it the year with the highest number of birds recorded in this tour. Also 11 species were added to the cumulative Costa Rican list: Common Nighthawk, Maroon-chested Ground-Dove, Ocellated Crake, Pacific Golden Plover, Heermann’s Gull, Parasitic Jaeger, Northern Harrier, Green-and-rufous Kingfisher, Grey-headed Piprites, Willow Flycatcher and Veery.

Regarding highlights of the tour probably the main one was the show, at eye-level, of the Three-wattled Bellbird, which made it the clear bird of the trip, as well the show of the Rosy-thrush Tanager, which was one of the favourite species of the group. We did quite well with the Cotingas where we saw the Bare-necked Umbrellabird in two consecutive days, as well good views of Snowy, Turquoise and Yellow-billed Cotinga. We got to see all the species of Trogon really well, including the majestic Resplendent Quetzal and tricky ones like the Lattice-tailed and Elegant Trogon. Good views of Lanceolated Monklet, Cabanis’s Seedeater and Maroon-chested Ground-Dove which were some of the main rarities of the trip, as well good views of four species of Quail-Doves (Purplish-backed, Olive-backed, Ruddy and Buff-fronted) and 4 species of Antpittas (Scaled, Thicket, Streak-chested and Ochre-breasted). Other highlights to mention include the Black Guan, Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge, Black-breasted and Spotted Wood Quail, Dusky Nightjar, White-tipped Sicklebill, Black-crested and White-crested Coquette, White-bellied and Grey-tailed Mountaingem, Snowcap, Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Mangrove Cuckoo, Sungrebe, Uniform, Ocellated, Yellow-breasted and White-throated Crake, Wandering Tattler, Pinnated Bittern, Tiny Hawk, Central American Pygmy Owl, Bare-shanked and Vermiculated Screech-Owl, Spectacled and Black-and-white Owl, Tody Motmot, Prong-billed Barbet, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Collared Forest Falcon, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Great Green Macaw, Tawny-throated and Grey-throated Leaftosser, Ruddy Woodcreeper, Brown-billed Scythebill, Ocellated, Bare-crowned and Zeledon’s Antbird, White-fronted, Yellow-bellied, Brown-capped Tyrannulet, Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Dark and Ochraceous Pewee, Northern Royal Flycatcher, Green-Shrike Vireo, Black-chested Jay, Grass Wren, Northern and Southern Nightingale-Wren, American Dipper, Spot-crowned, Elegant and White-vented Euphonia, Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Ashy-throated Bush Tanager, Costa Rican Brushfinch, Sooty-faced Finch, Cabanis’s Ground-Sparrow, Wrenthrush, Flame-throated, Hooded, Cerulean, Black-cheeked and Black-eared Warbler, Black-thighed and Slate-coloured Grosbeak, White-throated Shrike-Tanager, Peg-billed Finch, Blue-and-Gold, Black-and-yellow, Emerald, Speckled and Spangled-cheeked Tanager, among others!

The tour began at the Hotel Bougainvillea, from here we headed up directly to Cartago to cross the city before rush hour and do a bit of birding in the late afternoon. The first bird that we tried was the Grass Wren, which responded quite well and even while it was hiding in the long grass, like its name would suggest, everyone got good views (even in the scope). Other birds that we got that afternoon were Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Red-billed Pigeon, Eastern Meadowlark, Shiny Cowbird, Indigo Bunting, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator and Blue-grey Tanager. After dinner we did our first owling session that got us very good views of Bare-Shanked Screech-Owl! We also heard Dusky Nightjar.

The following day we went to Irazu Volcano, where we did a pre-dawn owling session to try for Unspotted Saw-whet Owl without success, but we got our first sighting of Dusky Nightjar. Once dawn set in, our first target was the Resplendent Quetzal and we got to see it right away. Later on, we heard a Maroon-chested Ground-Dove just out of sight. It was calling continuously but wasn’t responsive, but finally we got to spot a male that everyone got good views of. Other birds that morning where Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge, Lesser Violetear, Talamanca, Fiery-throated and Volcano Hummingbird, Band-tailed Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Red-tailed Hawk, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, Mountain Elaenia, Black-capped Flycatcher, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Sooty-capped Bush Tanager, Large-footed Finch, Flame-throated, Black-throated-green and Wilson’s Warbler and Slaty Flowerpiercer.
After our morning session at Irazu we went to Ujarrás, stopping at a roosting site for Tropical Screech-Owl on the way. Once at Ujarrás we looked for Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow, which we eventually managed to see while it was playing hide-and-seek with us, as well other birds like Green-breasted Mango, Garden Emerald, White-tailed and Hook-billed Kite, Lesson’s Motmot, Finsch’s Parakeet, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Orchard and Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Black-headed Saltator.
The end of our day was at a new hotel, which proves to be a great addition to the tour. We got here in time to see the afternoon antpitta show, were we got to see three different individuals of Scaled Antpitta. Don Jose (the owner) became just the second person to train antpittas in Costa Rica, and with a very peculiar style of calling them in. Other birds that we saw during that afternoon here were the Green-fronted Lancebill, Green Thorntail, White-bellied Mountaingem, Violet Sabrewing, Black-bellied Hummingbird, Sooty-faced Finch, White-eared Ground Sparrow and Chestnut-headed Oropendola.

The following morning produced sights of Black-breasted Wood Quail, Violet Sabrewing, Coppery-headed Emerald, Swallow-tailed Kite, Rufous Motmot, Red-headed Barbet, Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Zeledon’s Antbird, Olive-streaked Flycatcher, White-throated Spadebill, Yellowish Flycatcher, Brown-capped Vireo, White-throated Thrush, Elegant Euphonia, Speckled, Golden-hooded, Bay-headed and Silver-throated Tanager.
After breakfast we went on and spent the rest of the morning at Pejibaye area where we got several good birds such as Tawny-chested Flycatcher, Ashy-throated Bush Tanager, Fasciated Tiger-Heron and the rare and mythical Lanceolated Monklet who gave us really nice views. After lunch we looked for White-throated Flycatcher that we managed to see, as well other birds like Slaty Spinetail, Black-striped Sparrow, Montezuma Oropendola, Blue-black Grassquit and other common birds.
At the end of the day, we arrived at Rancho Naturalista to enjoy a delicious dinner.

After an early breakfast we headed up to the upper trails of Rancho Naturalista with the help of Steven during the day. The activity during the morning was slow but we got to see Crested Guan, a roosting Crested Owl, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Plain Antvireo, Thicket Antpitta, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, White-crowned Manakin, Northern Schiffornis, Emerald and Black-and-yellow Tanager, and we also heard Black-headed Antthrush and Grey-headed Piprites from the viewpoint in the highest part of the trails from the boundary property of Rancho, but unfortunately they decided not to show themselves!
At the flowers at Rancho Bajo, we managed to see Snowcap, Black-crested Coquette and Green Thorntail.
The afternoon session we looked for the Lovely Cotinga without success, but we added some common species to our tour list and had a brief sighting of Band-tailed Barbthroat. For the last section of our afternoon, we went to the Rancho pools to see birds that came to bathe, which included Purple-crowned Fairy, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Crowned Woodnymph, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Wood and Swainson’s Thrush, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch and Kentucky Warbler.
We did an owling session that produced sights of a pair of Mottled Owls, a nice way to end this lovely day.

The next day we left Rancho early in the morning, with our destination being El Copal Reserve. At El Copal we managed to see a good combination of species! Some of the additions were Ruddy and Purplish-backed Quail Dove, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Brown-billed Scythebill, Ochre-breasted Antpitta, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, White-vented Euphonia, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Black-faced Grosbeak, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis. Other good birds previously seen were the Snowcap, Ashy-throated Bush Tanager, and the good variety of Tanagers like Emerald, Speckled, Tawny-crested, Black-and-yellow and Bay-headed Tanagers.
In the afternoon we got our first views of the rare Peg-billed Finch, a very difficult bird! Other birds included Hairy Woodpecker, Sooty and Mountain Thrush, Large-footed Finch and Slaty Flowerpiercer. During the night we improved our views of Dusky Nightjar.

The next day we did a pre-dawn owling session, without any owls. However, we did at least get Ochraceous Pewee once the daylight came. Some of the birds that we got in the morning were Black Guan, a small flock of Barred Parakeet flying by, Ruddy Treerunner, Barred Becard, Yellow-winged Vireo, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Yellow-thighed Brushfinch, Flame-throated Warbler and another Peg-billed Finch.
For the remainder of the day, we visited the Providencia Road. Some of the birds seen here were Ruddy Pigeon, Acorn Woodpecker, Buffy Tuftedcheek, Streak-breasted Treehunter, White-fronted Tyrannulet, Northern Tufted Flycatcher, Dark Pewee, Black-and-yellow Phainoptila, Ochraceous and Timberline Wren, Elegant Euphonia, Wrenthrush, Black-cheeked Warbler, Collared Whitestart, and also, a Silver-throated Jay was heard in the distance.

Savegre produced some additions like the Spotted Wood-Quail, Grey-tailed Mountaingem, Scintillant Hummingbird, Sulphur-winged Parakeet and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush. On the visit to the oak forest the main target was the Silver-throated Jay, that, despite our efforts, we didn’t get any signs of. Luckily, we did manage to see Buff-fronted Quail-Dove and Silvery-fronted Tapaculo as great additions to our list.
On the way to San Isidro, we visited the paramo, to look for the Volcano Junco, that was found without complications along with a Red-tailed Hawk of the Costa Rican race.
At San Isidro Valley we got to see Grey-headed Chachalaca, Common Potoo, Orange-chinned Parakeet, White-crowned Parrot, Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Streaked Flycatcher, Turquoise Cotinga, Mourning Warbler and Streaked Saltator.

The following morning, we headed up to Buenos Aires that has been quite productive this year. Patches of forest between pineapple fields were the habitat that we spent the morning looking for our targets with the help of our local guide Leandro. The first bird that we tried was the member of the monotypic family Rhodinocichlidae, the Rosy Thrush-Tanager. We got great views of the male and also managed to see a female, which is shyer. Other birds during our morning included Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Southern Lapwing, Baird’s, Gartered and Black-throated Trogon, Olivaceous Piculet, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Plain Xenops, Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner, Dot-winged Antwren, Barred, Black-hooded Antshrike, Streak-chested Antpitta, Greenish Elaenia, Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, Northern Bentbill, Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Spadebill, Rufous Piha, Orange-collared, Red-capped Manakin, Sulphur-rumped and Black-tailed Myiobius, Green Shrike-Vireo, Rufous-breasted, Isthmian and Riverside Wren, Trilling Gnatwren, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Grey-headed and Bay-headed Tanager, among others. Later on, we visited other areas with savannas and more open habitats where we got to see the Ocellated Crake and Lesser Elaenia.
The afternoon was spent at San Vito where we initially got to see the Costa Rican Brushfinch. After that, we focussed on find the Chiriqui Yellowthroat, in which we succeeded, and we got to see other species like Grey-crowned Yellowthroat, Scaled Pigeon and Fiery-billed Aracari. After our afternoon birding session, we headed up to Las Cruces Biological Station where we spent the night.

We started the day with a pre-dawn owling session where we heard the Choco Screech Owl. At dawn we got species like Great Tinamou, Grey-chested Dove, Collared Trogon, Collared Forest Falcon, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Slaty Antwren, Black-faced Antthrush, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Velvety Manakin, White-throated Thrush, Black-chested Jay, Costa Rican Brushfinch, Crested Oropendola, Blackburnian Warbler, Scarlet, White-shouldered, Speckled, Golden-hooded and Bay-headed Tanager.
We spent a significant amount of time looking for hummingbirds around the garden, and sideroads in the area, which resulted in sightings of a White-crested Coquette female attending a nest and other species like Garden Emerald, Crowned Woodnymph, Snowy-bellied and Charming Hummingbird.
We spent the afternoon in the area of Ciudad Neily and Coto 47, with the help of the local expert Daniel. The habitats were a combination of agricultural areas, with cattle pastures and riparian forest edges, where certain species only occur for Costa Rica on this southern corner of the country. Our session produced birds like Sapphire-throated Hummingbird, Smooth-billed Ani, Purple Gallinule, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Brown-throated and Finch’s Parakeet, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet, Rusty-margined and Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Red-breasted Blackbird, Morelet’s and Yellow-bellied Seedeater and more.
A heavy rain gave us a warm welcome to our lodge for the following two nights.

After an early morning coffee, our target was to see the Costa Rican endemic (which apparently was found recently just across the Panamanian border) with a very restricted range: Black-cheeked Ant Tanager! This was easily done so we spent the rest of the day birding a combination of forest trails and roadsides, giving priority to the species that we needed to see in this area as they are difficult in other parts of Costa Rica. Our full day in Esquinas produces the best views of Great Curassow of the trip, as well Costa Rican Swift, Band-tailed Barbthroat, Long-billed Hermit, Violet-headed, Scaly-breasted and Charming Hummingbird, Uniform Crake, White Hawk, Baird’s Trogon, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Golden-napped Woodpecker, Dot-winged Antwren, Black-hooded Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet, Red-capped Manakin, Tawny-crowned Greenlet, Southern Nightingale Wren, Thick-billed and Spot-crowned Euphonia and Blue-black Grosbeak. A major highlight from Esquinas was a visit to the plantain feeders for Tayra (mammal)!

Our following day we left Esquinas early in the morning to visit the famous Rio Rincon Bridge, one of the best sites for Yellow-billed Cotinga, if is not the best one! We got several sights of male and female cotingas, but mostly flying across the river, or distant when perched. Other birds that we managed to see at the Rincon Bridge were White-collared, Costa Rican and Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift, Mangrove Hummingbird, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Roseate Spoonbill, Common Black Hawk, Fiery-billed Aracari, Red-lored and Northern Mealy Amazon, Scarlet Macaw, Black-crowned and Masked Tityra, among other common birds.
We continued our journey to the Central Pacific, with some stops on the way, one of which was at Quepos to look for the Wandering Tattler, and other common ocean birds like Magnificent Frigatebird and Brown Pelican.
We went for a birding session in the late afternoon in the Tarcoles Mangroves where we got to see Scaly-breasted, Blue-vented and Mangrove Hummingbird, Striped Cuckoo, Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Barred Antshrike, Greenish Elaenia, Yellow-green Vireo, Scrub Euphonia, Streak-backed Oriole, Northern Waterthrush and Mangrove Warbler, and several Lesser Nighthawks flying at dusk.

Our following day was spent at Carara National Park, where we invested the whole morning to look for the last birds that we needed of the humid Pacific lowlands. Not many were remaining at this stage! We had a great morning at Carara and even had several additions to the tour, as well as improved views of some of the birds that we saw before. This included Great Tinamou, Chestnut-collared Swift, Purple-crowned Fairy, Blue-throated Sapphire, Crane Hawk, Slaty-tailed Trogon, White-necked and White-whiskered Puffbird, Laughing Falcon, Collared Forest Falcon, Scarlet Macaw, Northern Barred Woodpecker, Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner, Russet Antshrike, Slaty Antwren, Black-faced Antthrush, Streak-chested Antpitta, Rufous Mourner, Northern Royal Flycatcher, White-winged Becard, Trilling Gnatwren, Spot-crowned Euphonia and Grey-headed Tanager.
In the afternoon we focussed on the mangrove birds that we still needed to see, as well as some dry forest birds and owls too. Here we had the local assistance of Santiago, who knew very good stakeouts for owls. Species we saw here were, amonst many, Blue Ground Dove, Plumbeous Kite, Grey Hawk, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Black-and-white Owl (at its roosting site), Black-headed Trogon, Amazon, American Pygmy, Green, Ringed and Belted Kingfisher, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Peregrine Falcon, Northern Scrub Flycatcher, Panama Flycatcher, Rose-throated Becard, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Mangrove Vireo and Painted Bunting. Once the sun had set. Santiago took us to his site to look for Spectacled Owl, and after a while, we got a pair of Spectacled Owls, the third owl species of the day. Nice way to end of our birding day!

The following morning, we did an early morning session at the Villa Lapas trails, where we got to see Grey-chested Dove, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Dusky Antbird, Golden-crowned Spadebill and Red-crowned Ant Tanager, plus other birds that we already saw on the trip.
After breakfast, we continued to Monteverde, but we did a stop on the way at the port of Puntarenas, that produces some interesting birds to the list of the trip with species like Laughing Gull, Caspian, Royal and Cabot’s Tern, Brown Booby and Yellow-headed Caracara, but more unusual stuff included sights of the Pacific Golden Plover (previously reported in the area) which is a vagrant for Costa Rica, as well as a distant sight of a Heermann’s Gull (previously reported in the area) that is the second known report for Costa Rica. The other unexpected sight was a Parasitic Jaeger chasing a Cabot’s Tern, that rested on the water close from the coastline. After this nice stop, we continued for lunch where we got close views of Olive Sparrow. Once we finished our lunch, we continued to Monteverde Reserve, to visit one of the nicest cloud forests of Costa Rica.
At Monteverde Reserve, we first took a look at the Hummingbird gallery feeders, where we got to see 7 species that included Lesser Violetear, Green-crowned Brilliant, Violet Sabrewing, Coppery-headed Emerald, Stripe-tailed Hummingbird and the new ones for the trip that included Purple-throated Mountaingem and Magenta-throated Woodstar.
Our visit to Monteverde Reserve produced encounters with Black-breasted Wood Quail, a female Ruddy Quail-Dove (unusual sighting for the area), Prong-billed Barbet, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Spotted Woodcreeper, Lineated Foliage-gleaner, Spotted Barbtail, Golden-bellied Flycatcher, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Black-faced Solitaire, Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush, Common Bush Tanager, Black-eared Warbler and Slate-throated and Collared Whitestart.

Our following day we enjoyed a nice breakfast with birding that included Blue-vented Hummingbird, Collared Trogon, Lesson’s Motmot, Brown Jay, Rufous-and-white Wren, Yellow-throated Euphonia, White-eared Ground Sparrow, Chestnut-capped and Wilson’s Warbler, and Yellow-faced Grassquit. After breakfast we headed to Santa Elena Reserve, another cloud forest reserve in the area, with a great system of trails and an amazing forest. The birds seen at Santa Elena included Black Guan, Swallow-tailed Kite, Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Brown-billed Scythebill, Ruddy Treerunner, Red-faced Spinetail, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Olive-Streaked Flycatcher, Eye-ringed Flatbill, White-throated Spadebill, Barred Becard, Ochraceous Wren, Black-faced Solitaire, Sooty-faced Finch, Black-eared Warbler and Spangled-cheeked Warbler.
After lunch, we went to try for other targets in a different woodland located in the pacific slope of the mountains in Monteverde. Here we got to see the Grey-throated Leaftosser, but also other birds like Long-tailed Manakin, and the Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, and other birds that we saw it already.

Our last morning in the Monteverde area we visited a lodge where we got to see the Ruddy Woodcreeper and Long-tailed Manakin doing their dance display, as well as other birds like Grey-headed Chachalaca, Canivet’s Emerald, Blue-vented Hummingbird, White-eared Ground-Sparrow and Chestnut-capped Warbler.
After breakfast we went to Bajo del Tigre Reserve where we got stunning views of the male Three-wattled Bellbird, which became the bird of the trip. We also got nice views of White-fronted Amazon, Collared Trogon and Blue-throated Toucanet.
Once we left Monteverde area, we went to the dry Pacific lowlands, to look for some of the dry forest birds like Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Brown-crested and Nutting’s Flycatcher, Streak-backed and Spot-breasted Oriole and White-lored Gnatcatcher. The tide at the salt ponds was not quite right, so we didn’t have many birds there, apart from mostly regular stuff like Black-necked Stilt, Grey and Semipalmated Plover, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Stilt Sandpiper and Lesser Yellowlegs. Not much activity of terns and we got to see some groups of gulls on the edge of the gulf where we got to see some Franklin’s Gulls mixed with the Laughing Gulls. We arrived at our lodge in the early evening to enjoy a nice dinner at the hotel. After we finished the list, we went for a short owling session where we got to see the Pacific Screech Owl.

The morning at our lodge was quite active, with birds like Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Canivet’s Emerald, Blue-vented and Cinnamon Hummingbird, Mangrove Cuckoo, Double-striped Thick-knee, Crane Hawk, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Black-headed Trogon, Lineated Woodpecker, Yellow-napped Amazon, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Yellow-olive Flatbill, White-throated Magpie Jay, Banded Wren, White-browed and White-lored Gnatcatcher, Stripe-headed Sparrow and Morelet’s Seedeater.
On the way to our next accommodation, we visited the Colorado salt ponds and some dry forest patches at Cañas where we got the Elegant Trogon. At the salt ponds we got to see Wilson’s Plover, Marbled Godwit, Stilt, Least, Semipalmated and Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Tricolored Heron and Swainson’s Hawk.
The afternoon at the lodge didn’t offer too much, but we got the first sights of Tody Motmot, but not everyone got on it in time. Other good sightings included the Northern Nightingale-Wren which gave us really nice views in the open and were the Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Golden-crowned Warbler and Montezuma Oropendola.

Since this morning we started to have some bad weather for the following days, which made the birding quite difficult during the early morning walk at our lodge, but we still managed to see Spotted and Dull-mantled Antbird, Long-billed Hermit and Black-cowled Oriole.
After breakfast we went to Heliconias Lodge, where we still had to deal with the rain. Taking advantage of the moments when the rain stopped, we managed to find Tody Motmot, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Streak-crowned Antvireo, White-ruffed Manakin, Wood, Swainson’s and White-throated Thrush as well Veery (but only leader and one client got to see it). At some point we found an ant swarm with the presence of Ocellated, Bicolored and Spotted Antbird, as well Northern Barred Woodcreeper.
After lunch we continued to Caño Negro. On the way we got to see a nice male Nicaraguan Seed Finch, as well other common but new birds like Olive-throated Parakeet and Northern Tropical Pewee. Once at Caño Negro we got to see the Spot-breasted Wren, as well other species like Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Blue-winged Teal (the only one during tour), Green Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, White-tailed Kite, and Barred Antshrike.

Our next morning in Caño Negro was clouded by heavy and continuous rain, so we switched the Caño Negro for the Medio Queso boat ride. This plan worked out quite well and gave us a good trip at Medio Queso where we got to see the main target of the area, the very restricted range Nicaraguan Grackle. Other birds included Muscovy Duck, Mangrove Cuckoo, Sora, Common and Purple Gallinule, Yellow-breasted Crake, Solitary Sandpiper, Pinnated Bittern, Black-collared and Harris’s Hawk, Northern Harrier, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Bat Falcon, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Sand Martin, Canebrake Wren, Yellow-billed Cacique, Grey-crowned and Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, as well good views of Jabiru on the drive back to Caño Negro.
The afternoon we did the boat ride at Caño Negro where the weather had improved and gave us a great afternoon. The highlights were the Snowy Cotinga, Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher, Grey-headed Dove and Yellow-tailed Oriole. Other birds during the tour included Great Potoo, Russet-naped Wood Rail, Boat-billed Heron, White-necked and Pied Puffbird, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet, Black-throated Wren and Grey-headed Tanager.

Our last morning in the Caño Negro area we added Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Bare-crowned Antbird, Willow Flycatcher (identified based on vocals) and Ruddy-breasted Seedeater.
We then continued to Arenal, where we visited the Bogarin Trails on the way to our lodge. The Bogarin trails once again gave us a very productive visit with amazing views of Uniform Crake, coming out in the open, as well as White-throated Crake, Black-and-white Owl in a roosting perch, Grey-headed Dove, Keel-billed Motmot, Acadian Flycatcher, White-collared Manakin, Red-eyed Vireo and Hooded Warbler. There was also a nice Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth here. After our visit to Bogarin trails, we continued to the Arenal Observatory Lodge where we spent the night.

Our morning at the Observatory Lodge, we had to deal with rain again which made for trying birding conditions, but we managed to see birds like Thicket Antpitta, female Black-crested Coquette, Brown Violetear, Green Thorntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Cinnamon Becard and Tooth-billed Tanager. Once we left the Observatory Lodge, we went to check for the Sungrebe in a nearby lagoon, with success!
During part of the afternoon, we visited the area of Virgen del Socorro where we got to see some interesting birds like American Dipper, Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Louisiana Waterthrush and Blue-and-gold Tanager. After our time here, we continued to the lowlands of Sarapiqui at La Selva Biological Station, but first we went for a short stop on the way to look for Great Green Macaws.

Finally, we had a day with good weather at La Selva. La Selva Biological Station offers one of the best Caribbean lowland forest birding in, and this day wasn’t an exception! The compilation of birds of our full day in La Selva included Crested Guan, Great Curassow, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Grey-headed and Hook-billed Kite, Vermiculated Screech Owl, Rufous Motmot, Cinnamon and Chestnut-coloured, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Northern Mealy Amazon, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Checker-throated Stipplethroat, Black-crowned Antshrike, Ocellated Antbird, Long-tailed Tyrant, White-ringed Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, Snowy Cotinga, White-collared Manakin, Olive-backed Euphonia, Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Dusky-faced Tanager, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Rose-breasted and Black-faced Grosbeak, Shining Honeycreeper and Plain-coloured Tanager. We also had some nice mammals here like Neotropical River Otter, Collared Peccary, Mantled Howler Monkey and Central American Agouti.

During our last morning at La Selva we managed to add the Semiplumbeous Hawk, Fasciated Antshrike, Black-cowled Oriole, Cerulean Warbler and White-lined Tanager. After breakfast, we left La Selva and we visited the area of La Union de Guapiles where we got birds like Brown-capped Tyrannulet and Slate-coloured Grosbeak. Then, we visited Braulio Carrillo National Park at the Quebrada Gonzales Ranger Station. The trails of Braulio Carrillo gave us views of White-whiskered Puffbird, White-flanked Antwren, Tawny-faced Gnatwren and Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush. After this, we ended our day at the Tapirus Lodge, where we got to see the Striped Woodhaunter, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Carmiol’s and Tawny-crested Tanager. For the people who joined me until the end of our afternoon walk, we managed to see the first sight of a female Bare-necked Umbrellabird.

The next morning was spent at the facilities of the Aerial Tram, where we got to see several surprises that included a close encounter with a Baird’s Tapir, as well our second sight of a female Umbrellabird. Other birds during our morning at the tram included the Tiny and Semiplumbeous Hawk, Lattice-tailed Trogon, Yellow-eared Toucanet, Streak-crowned Antvireo, Rufous Piha, White-ruffed Manakin, Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, White-throated Shrike-Tanager and some tanagers like Black-and-yellow, White-shouldered, Carmiol’s and Speckled.
The afternoon session was dedicated to Cope’s Place, where we got to see the White-tipped Sicklebill as the first bird in the place. We were quite lucky because the bird had become a bit erratic the previous days here. A lovely session at Cope’s feeders followed, with commoner birds, but great chances for photography and close-up views. After we enjoyed the feeders, we went to look for Central American Pygmy Owl. Finally, the pygmy owl answered and eventually showed itself very nicely. We went on to try for more and saw a Bushy-tailed Olingo (a rare arboreal mammal). A nice way to end the day!

During our last day of the trip, we walked the forest trails in the Tram, where we got encounters with antwrens and tanager mixed-species flocks and we got to see the Western Woodhaunter again. The only new bird of the morning was a Canada Warbler, but not everyone got to see it. Once we left the Aerial Tram, we enjoyed the landscape of the Braulio Carrillo National Park on the way back to the Central Valley. Our last birding spot of the tour was in the eastern side of the valley at the area of Rio Tiribí, where we got Cabanis’s Seedeater foraging with chusquea bamboo. After our lunch we continued our way to the airport, with very smooth traffic on the way.
Many thanks to all the members of the group, as well to our local guides and staff of the lodges who helped us to run this tour in the best way, and above all to our driver, Luis, who moved us around all over the country in the past 24 days.

BIRD OF THE TRIP

1st: Three-wattled Bellbird

2nd: Rosy Thrush-Tanager

3rd: Bare-necked Umbrellabird

4th: Long-tailed Manakin

5th: Yellow-breasted Crake

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

BIRDS

Great Tinamou  Tinamus major  Good views in 4 different occasions during the trip.

Little Tinamou  Crypturellus soui (H)  Heard only at Esquinas and Rincon Bridge.

Thicket Tinamou ◊  Crypturellus cinnamomeus (H) Heard only at Ensenada Lodge.

Slaty-breasted Tinamou ◊  Crypturellus boucardi (H) Heard only at Chilamate, Sarapiqui.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis  Best views at Caño Negro.

Muscovy Duck  Cairina moschata  Few birds were seen at Medio Queso.

Blue-winged Teal (W)  Spatula discors  Only one bird (female) at Caño Negro.

Grey-headed Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis cinereiceps

Crested Guan  Penelope purpurascens  First seen at Rancho Naturalista, but also in other sites.

Black Guan ◊  Chamaepetes unicolor  Best view at Santa Elena Reserve, also seen at Talamanca Highlands.

Great Curassow ◊  Crax rubra  Best views at Esquinas, but also at Arenal Observatory Lodge and La Selva.

Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge ◊  Dendrortyx leucophrys  Good views at Irazu Volcano area.

Marbled Wood Quail  Odontophorus gujanensis (H) Heard only at Las Cruces.

Black-breasted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus leucolaemus  Near endemic. Seen well at Quelitales and Monteverde Reserve.

Spotted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus guttatus  Excellent views at Savegre Lodge.

Lesser Nighthawk  Chordeiles acutipennis  Seen at dusk at Tarcoles and Ensenada Lodge.

Common Nighthawk  Chordeiles minor  One bird was seen at dusk at Cope’s place.  A write-in for the tour.

Short-tailed Nighthawk  Lurocalis semitorquatus  Good views of a pair at Caño Negro.

Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis  First seen at Esquinas, also in another localities.

Dusky Nightjar ◊  Antrostomus saturatus  Near endemic. Great views at Paraiso Quetzal, also at Irazu.

Great Potoo  Nyctibius grandis  Good views at Caño Negro.

Common Potoo  Nyctibius griseus  A young bird at San Isidro, at daytime.

Chestnut-collared Swift  Streptoprocne rutila  Few individuals were seen at Carara.

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris

Grey-rumped Swift  Chaetura cinereiventris  First sightings once we got to La Selva area.

Costa Rican Swift ◊  Chaetura fumosa  Near endemic. Seen well at La Gamba and Rincon Bridge.

Vaux’s Swift  Chaetura [vauxi] richmondi  Seen at Savegre Valley and Wilsons Botanical Gardens.

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift*  Panyptila cayennensis  Two birds were seen at Rincon Bridge.

White-necked Jacobin  Florisuga mellivora  Quite common at the feeders of Rancho Naturalista and Cope’s place.

White-tipped Sicklebill ◊  Eutoxeres aquila  One bird seen on a perch at Cope’s place, also some got to see it at the Aerial Tram coming to Heliconias flowers.

Band-tailed Barbthroat  Threnetes ruckeri  Seen at Rancho, Esquinas and La Selva.

Stripe-throated Hermit  Phaethornis striigularis   Several sights during the trip.

Green Hermit  Phaethornis guy  Seen at Quelitales, Monteverde and Celeste Mountain Lodge.

Long-billed Hermit  Phaethornis longirostris  Seen at different localities, mostly in humid lowlands.

Green-fronted Lancebill  Doryfera ludovicae  Great views at Hotel Quelitales.

Brown Violetear  Colibri delphinae  Seen at Pejibaye area, and Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Lesser Violetear  Colibri cyanotus 

Purple-crowned Fairy  Heliothryx barroti  Seen at Rancho, Copal, Carara and the Aerial Tram.

Green-breasted Mango  Anthracothorax prevostii  First seen at Ujarras, but also in other localities.

Green Thorntail  Discosura conversii  Good views at Quelitales, Rancho, Copal and Arenal area.

Black-crested Coquette ◊  Lophornis helenae  One male at Rancho, and a female at Arenal.

White-crested Coquette ◊  Lophornis adorabilis  Near endemic. A female attending a nest at Las Cruces. 

Green-crowned Brilliant  Heliodoxa jacula  A common species in some of the feeders stations.

Talamanca Hummingbird ◊  Eugenes spectabilis  Near endemic.  Common in the highlands.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird ◊  Panterpe insignis  Near endemic.  Best views at Paraiso Quetzal feeders.

White-bellied Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis hemileucus  Near endemic.  Good views at Quelitales.

Purple-throated Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis calolaemus  Near endemic.  Seen at Monteverde area.

Grey-tailed Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis cinereicauda  Endemic. Seen at Savegre area.

Magenta-throated Woodstar ◊ (W)  Philodice bryantae  Near endemic.  One male at Monteverde feeders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (W)  Archilochus colubris  One sight at Ensenada Lodge.

Volcano Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus flammula  Near endemic.  Seen at Irazu Volcano and Talamanca Highlands.

Scintillant Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus scintilla  Near endemic.  Best views at Savegre area, other sight at Quelitales.

Canivet’s Emerald ◊  Cynanthus canivetii  Seen at our hotel at Monteverde, Santuario Ecologico and Ensenada Lodge.

Garden Emerald ◊  Chlorostilbon assimilis  Near endemic.  Seen at Ujarras and San Vito area.

Violet-headed Hummingbird  Klais guimeti  First seen at Esquinas, also at Arenal and the Aerial Tram.

Violet Sabrewing ◊  Campylopterus hemileucurus  Common at Quelitales and Monteverde.

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer ◊  Chalybura urochrysia  First seen at Celeste, also at Arenal and Cope’s place.

Crowned Woodnymph  Thalurania colombica  Several sights on the trip.

Snowcap ◊  Microchera albocoronata  Good views at Rancho and El Copal.

Coppery-headed Emerald ◊  Microchera cupreiceps  Endemic. First seen at Quelitales, as well in Monteverde.

White-tailed Emerald ◊  Microchera chionura  (LO) Seen by leader and driver at San Vito area.  Near endemic.

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird ◊  Eupherusa eximia  Seen at Savegre and Monteverde.

Black-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Eupherusa nigriventris  Near endemic.  Seen our first afternoon at Quelitales.

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird ◊  Phaeochroa cuvierii  Different sights during the trip.

Blue-vented Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia hoffmanni  Near endemic.  A regular species in the dry areas and transition zones. 

Snowy-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia edward  Near endemic.  Seen at Buenos Aires area and Las Cruces.

Cinnamon Hummingbird  Amazilia rutila  Seen at Ensenada and other dry regions in the tour.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  Amazilia tzacatl

Mangrove Hummingbird ◊  Amazilia boucardi  Endemic.  Seen at Rincon Mangroves, also at Tarcoles Mangroves.

Sapphire-throated Hummingbird ◊  Chrysuronia coeruleogularis  Seen at Ciudad Neily area.

Blue-chested Hummingbird  Polyerata amabilis  Good views at La Selva.

Charming Hummingbird ◊  Polyerata decora  Near endemic.  First seen at Las Cruces, also at Esquinas.

Blue-throated Sapphire ◊  Chlorestes eliciae  Best views at Arenal, also at Esquinas and Carara.

Smooth-billed Ani  Crotophaga ani  Common in open areas in the South Pacific of the country.

Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris  Common at the dry areas, and Caribbean lowlands.

Striped Cuckoo  Tapera naevia  Seen at Tarcoles.

Lesser Ground Cuckoo ◊  Morococcyx erythropygus  Good views at Punta Morales.

Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana 

Mangrove Cuckoo (W)  Coccyzus minor  First seen at Ensenada Lodge, another sight at Medio Queso.

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia

Scaled Pigeon  Patagioenas speciosa  Seen once at San Vito area.

Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata

Pale-vented Pigeon  Patagioenas cayennensis  Seen at the South Pacific and Caribbean lowlands.

Red-billed Pigeon  Patagioenas flavirostris

Ruddy Pigeon  Patagioenas subvinacea  Seen at Talamanca Highlands and Monteverde area.

Short-billed Pigeon ◊  Patagioenas nigrirostris

Inca Dove  Columbina inca 

Common Ground Dove  Columbina passerina  Seen at Punta Morales.

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti

Blue Ground Dove  Claravis pretiosa  Seen at Tarcoles mangroves.

Maroon-chested Ground-Dove ◊  Paraclaravis mondetoura  A rare and erratic species that show up well at Irazu. A write-in for the tour.

Ruddy Quail-Dove  Geotrygon montana  Best views of a female at Monteverde Reserve, also one male at El Copal.

Olive-backed Quail-Dove ◊  Leptotrygon veraguensis  A couple at La Selva, another sight at the Tram.

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-headed Dove ◊  Leptotila plumbeiceps  Good views at Caño Negro also at Bogarin trails.

Grey-chested Dove ◊  Leptotila cassinii  First seen at Wilsons, also at Esquinas, Carara and Villa Lapas.

Buff-fronted Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon costaricensis  Everyone got to see it at Savegre oak forest.

Purplish-backed Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon lawrencii  Excellent views in the open at El Copal.

Mourning Dove  Zenaida macroura  Seen on agricultural fields near Irazu.

White-winged Dove  Zenaida asiatica 

Sungrebe  Heliornis fulica 

Uniform Crake ◊  Amaurolimnas concolor  Great views at Bogarin.

Russet-naped Wood Rail ◊  Aramides albiventris  Best views at Caño Negro area.

Grey-cowled Wood Rail  Aramides cajaneus  A familiar group of 5 birds was seen regularly at Esquinas.

Sora  Porzana carolina  Good views at Medio Queso.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata  Seen at Medio Queso.

Purple Gallinule  Porphyrio martinica

Ocellated Crake ◊  Micropygia schomburgkii  Seen well by the whole group, we were really lucky!! A write-in for the tour.

Yellow-breasted Crake ◊  Laterallus flaviventer  A couple at Medio Queso.

White-throated Crake  Laterallus albigularis  We heard it many times, but the whole group got to see it at Bogarin trails.

Double-striped Thick-knee  Burhinus bistriatus  Seen at Ensenada Lodge.

Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus  Good number at salt pans and Caño Negro, with other scattered sights.

Southern Lapwing  Vanellus chilensis  Seen at different sites.

Pacific Golden Plover  Pluvialis dominica  A vagrant species for Costa Rica which is having more reports on the last years. A write-in for the tour.

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola  Higher numbers at Colorado salt pans.

Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus  Seen at different sites.

Wilson’s Plover  Charadrius wilsonia  Seen at Colorado salt pans.

Collared Plover  Charadrius collaris  Seen along the edge of Rio Coto.

Northern Jacana  Jacana spinosa  Seen at different sites.

Hudsonian Whimbrel  Numenius hudsonicus  Seen on the coast.

Marbled Godwit  Limosa fedoa  One bird at Colorado salt pans.

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres  Seen from Ensenada dock.

Stilt Sandpiper  Calidris himantopus  Seen at Ensenada and Colorado salt pans.

Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla

Semipalmated Sandpiper  Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper  Calidris mauri

Short-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus griseus

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa solitaria  Seen at Caño Negro, another sight along the Pacific Coastline Road.

Wandering Tattler  Tringa incana  Seen on the rocky areas on the Pacific coast.

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes  Seen at salt pans.

Willet (Western W)  Tringa [semipalmata] inornata

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca  Seen in the margins of Coto River.

Laughing Gull  Leucophaeus atricilla   

Franklin’s Gull  Leucophaeus pipixcan  At least 4 individuals with a group of Laughing Gulls at Nicoya Gulf.

Heermann’s Gull  Laurus heermanni  An individual that was previously reported at Puntarenas.  A write-in for the tour.

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia  One bird at Puntarenas.

Royal Tern (American R T)  Thalasseus maximus  Seen at Puntarenas.

Cabot’s Tern  Thalasseus acuflavidus  Seen at Puntarenas.

Parasitic Jaeger  Stercorarius parasiticus  One bird chasing a Cabot’s Tern at Puntarenas. A write-in for the tour.

Sunbittern  Eurypyga Helias An active nest near Rancho Naturalista.

Wood Stork  Mycteria americana

Jabiru  Jabiru mycteria  A single bird seen in San Emilio Fields, at Caño Negro.

Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens

Brown Booby  Sula leucogaster   Seen at Puntarenas.

Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum

Green Ibis  Mesembrinibis cayennensis  Seen at Caño Negro and La Selva.

American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus

Roseate Spoonbill  Platalea ajaja  Seen in different wetlands.

Fasciated Tiger Heron  Tigrisoma fasciatum  One bird seen at Pejibaye.

Bare-throated Tiger Heron  Tigrisoma mexicanum  Seen at different locations.

Boat-billed Heron  Cochlearius cochlearius

Pinnated Bittern ◊  Botaurus pinnatus  Seen at Medio Queso.

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  One bird seen at Medio Queso.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea  Seen at a few sites.

Green Heron  Butorides virescens 

Western Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis

Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias  Seen at different sites.

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta

Tricolored Heron (Louisiana H)  Egretta tricolor  First seen at Coto 47, also at Tarcoles and Medio Queso.

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula

Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis  Seen on the coast.

King Vulture  Sarcoramphus papa  One sight driving true Sarapiqui Region.

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture  Cathartes burrovianus  Seen at Medio Queso.

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus  Seen at Ujarrás and Caño Negro area.

Grey-headed Kite  Leptodon cayanensis  Seen at La Selva.

Hook-billed Kite  Chondrohierax uncinatus  First sight at Ujarrás, also seen twice at La Selva.

Swallow-tailed Kite  Elanoides forficatus  Seen at different locations.

Black Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus tyrannus  (H) Heard only at Rancho Naturalista.

Double-toothed Kite  Harpagus bidentatus  Two birds seen at Wilson’s Botanical Gardens.

Tiny Hawk  Microspizias superciliosus  Excellent views at The Aerial Tram.

Cooper’s Hawk (W)  Accipiter cooperii  Seen the first and last day of the trip, at Cartago and Rio Tiribi.

Northern Harrier  Circus hudsonius  One bird seen at Medio Queso. A write-in for the tour.

Plumbeous Kite  Ictinia plumbea  Two birds seen at Tarcoles.

Black-collared Hawk  Busarellus nigricollis  Good views at Medio Queso and Caño Negro.

Crane Hawk  Geranospiza caerulescens  First seen at Carara NP, also a pair at Ensenada Lodge.

Common Black Hawk ◊  Buteogallus anthracinus  Seen at Rincon and Tarcoles.

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris

Harris’s Hawk (Bay-winged H)  Parabuteo unicinctus  One bird seen at Medio Queso.

White Hawk  Pseudastur albicollis  Seen at La Gamba, Esquinas area.

Semiplumbeous Hawk ◊  Leucopternis semiplumbeus  Good views at La Selva and The Aerial Tram.

Grey Hawk  Buteo plagiatus  Seen at Tarcoles, also seen on the way to Heliconias at Bijagua.

Broad-winged Hawk (W)  Buteo platypterus  Several sights during the trip of individuals in migration groups.

Short-tailed Hawk  Buteo brachyurus  Seen at the Talamanca mountains.

Swainson’s Hawk (W)  Buteo swainsoni  A big group in migration seen at Savegre, also other sights in Guanacaste areas.

Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus  One sight at the Pacific Coastline Road.

Red-tailed Hawk  Buteo jamaicensis  Seen at Irazu and during our visit to the Paramo.

American Barn Owl  Tyto furcate  Seen briefly on the way to Irazu and heard at Ensenada Lodge.

Costa Rican Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium costaricanum  (H) Heard only at Savegre Oak Forest.

Central American Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium griseiceps  Great views at La Union, Guapiles.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum 

Striped Owl  Asio clamator  Just some passengers got to see it briefly in the drive out of Esquinas.

Bare-shanked Screech Owl ◊  Megascops clarkii  Good views at Irazu.

Tropical Screech Owl  Megascops choliba  Seen at a roosting site at Paraiso Park.

Pacific Screech Owl ◊  Megascops cooperi  Good views at night in Ensenada Lodge.

Vermiculated Screech Owl ◊  Megascops vermiculatus  Seen at La Selva.

Choco Screech Owl ◊  Megascops centralis  (H) Heard only at Wilsons Botanical Gardens.

Spectacled Owl  Pulsatrix perspicillata  Seen during our owling session with Santiago near Tarcoles area.

Crested Owl  Lophostrix cristata  Seen at daytime at Rancho Naturalista.

Mottled Owl  Strix virgata  Seen during a night walk at Rancho Naturalista.

Black-and-white Owl  Strix nigrolineata  Seen at Tarcoles with Santiago.

Resplendent Quetzal ◊  Pharomachrus mocinno  Very good views at Irazu and Providencia Road.

Lattice-tailed Trogon ◊  Trogon clathratus  Good views at the Tram.

Slaty-tailed Trogon ◊  Trogon massena  Seen at various sites in the lowlands and foothills.

Black-headed Trogon ◊  Trogon melanocephalus  Best views at Ensenada also at Caño Negro area.

Baird’s Trogon ◊  Trogon bairdii  Good views at Buenos Aires and Esquinas.

Gartered Trogon (Northern Violaceous T)  Trogon caligatus

Black-throated Trogon  Trogon rufus  Seen at Buenos Aires, also at La Selva.

Elegant Trogon ◊  Trogon elegans  Seen at forest patches near Cañas.

Collared Trogon  Trogon collaris  Seen at Savegre and Wilsons, and the “Orange-bellied” form seen at Monteverde area.

Amazon Kingfisher  Chloroceryle amazona  Seen at Tarcoles and Caño Negro area.

American Pygmy Kingfisher  Chloroceryle aenea  Seen at Tarcoles and Caño Negro area.

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle americana  Seen at Tarcoles and Caño Negro area.

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher  Chloroceryle inda  A great find from Chambita at Caño Negro.  A write-in for the tour.

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata  Seen at Tarcoles and Caño Negro area.

Belted Kingfisher* (W)  Megaceryle alcyon  Seen at Tarcoles.

Tody Motmot ◊  Hylomanes momotula  Seen at Celeste and Heliconias.

Lesson’s Motmot ◊ (Blue-diademed M)  Momotus lessonii  First seen at Ujarras, and very good views from Cala Lodge.

Rufous Motmot  Baryphthengus martii  Seen at Quelitales and La Selva.

Keel-billed Motmot ◊  Electron carinatum  Seen at Arenal area.

Broad-billed Motmot  Electron platyrhynchum

Turquoise-browed Motmot ◊  Eumomota superciliosa  Common in the dry forest.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar  Galbula ruficauda  Seen at Rancho Naturalista also at Esquinas.

White-necked Puffbird  Notharchus hyperrhynchus  Seen at Carara and Caño Negro.

Pied Puffbird  Notharchus tectus  Seen at Caño Negro.

White-whiskered Puffbird  Malacoptila panamensis  Seen at Carara NP and Braulio Carrillo NP.

Lanceolated Monklet  Micromonacha lanceolata  Good views at Pejibaye area.

Red-headed Barbet  Eubucco bourcierii  One female seen at Quelitales.

Prong-billed Barbet ◊  Semnornis frantzii  Good views at Monteverde Reserve.

Blue-throated Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis  Best views at Monteverde area, also at Savegre Oak Forest.

Collared Aracari  Pteroglossus torquatus

Fiery-billed Aracari ◊  Pteroglossus frantzii  Seen at Wilsons, San Vito and Rincon Bridge.

Yellow-eared Toucanet ◊  Selenidera spectabilis  Seen at Copal and the Aerial Tram.

Keel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos sulfuratus 

Yellow-throated Toucan (Chestnut-mandibled T)  Ramphastos [ambiguus] swainsonii

Olivaceous Piculet  Picumnus olivaceus  Seen at Buenos Aires.

Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus   Great views at Melvin’s and Mirriam’s Feeders.

Golden-naped Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes chrysauchen  Seen at Esquinas.

Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani  Common in the Caribbean foothills and lowlands.

Red-crowned Woodpecker  Melanerpes rubricapillus  Common in the south Pacific.

Hoffmann’s Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes hoffmannii  Common in the dry forest, also in disturbed areas of the Caribbean slope.

Smoky-brown Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus fumigatus  Good views at Santa Elena.

Hairy Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus villosus  Seen in the Talamanca highlands.

Rufous-winged Woodpecker ◊  Piculus simplex  Seen at Caño Negro.

Golden-olive Woodpecker  Colaptes rubiginosus  Seen at Quelitales, El Copal and Heliconias.

Cinnamon Woodpecker  Celeus loricatus  Seen well at La Selva.

Chestnut-colored Woodpecker ◊  Celeus castaneus  Good and close views at La Selva.

Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus  Seen at different locations.

Pale-billed Woodpecker ◊  Campephilus guatemalensis  Good views at Villa Lapas and La Selva.

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

Yellow-headed Caracara  Milvago chimachima

Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans   Excellent views at Carara.

Collared Forest Falcon  Micrastur semitorquatus   Seen at Wilsons and Carara NP.

American Kestrel (W)  Falco sparverius  One bird seen at Cartago attacking a Cooper’s Hawk.

Bat Falcon  Falco rufigularis  First seen at Medio Queso, also at the pasture fields outside La Selva.

Peregrine Falcon (W)  Falco peregrinus  Nice scope views at Tarcoles.

Barred Parakeet  Bolborhynchus lineola  A small group flew over during our morning at Paraiso Quetzal.

Orange-chinned Parakeet (Tovi P)  Brotogeris jugularis

Brown-hooded Parrot ◊  Pyrilia haematotis  Several sights in flight during the trip, but good views at The Aerial Tram.

Blue-headed Parrot  Pionus menstruus  Few sights in the farther southern sections of the tour (San Vito and Esquinas).

White-crowned Parrot ◊  Pionus senilis  Seen at different locations.

White-fronted Amazon ◊ (W-f Parrot)  Amazona albifrons  Nice views at Monteverde area and Ensenada.

Red-lored Amazon (R-l Parrot)  Amazona autumnalis  Common in the humid lowlands.

Yellow-naped Amazon ◊ (Y-n Parrot)  Amazona auropalliata  Seen at Ensenada Lodge and Tarcoles.

Northern Mealy Amazon ◊ (N M Parrot)  Amazona guatemalae  Best views at La Selva.

Sulphur-winged Parakeet ◊  Pyrrhura hoffmanni  Good views at Savegre.

Olive-throated Parakeet ◊  Eupsittula nana  Best views at Caño Negro area.

Orange-fronted Parakeet  Eupsittula canicularis  Few sights in the dry regions of the tour.

Brown-throated Parakeet  Eupsittula pertinax  Excellent views at Coto 47.

Great Green Macaw ◊  Ara ambiguus  Good views at La Selva.

Scarlet Macaw  Ara macao  Seen at Rincon and Carara area.

Finsch’s Parakeet ◊  Psittacara finschi

Tawny-throated Leaftosser ◊  Sclerurus mexicanus  Good views at Quelitales and Monteverde.

Grey-throated Leaftosser ◊  Sclerurus albigularis  Everyone managed to see it at Monteverde area.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus  Seen at different locations.

Ruddy Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla homochroa  Seen at Santuario Ecologico, Monteverde.

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper ◊  Dendrocincla anabatina  Good views at Wilsons.

Plain-brown Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla fuliginosa  Good views at Rancho Naturalista and La Selva.

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper  Glyphorynchus spirurus 

Northern Barred Woodcreeper  Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae  Seen at different sites.

Cocoa Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus susurrans  A common species in the humid forest areas.

Black-striped Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus  Good views at Esquinas.

Spotted Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus erythropygius  Best views at Monteverde area, also seen at El Copal.

Brown-billed Scythebill ◊  Campylorhamphus pusillus  Nice views at Santa Elena Reserve.

Streak-headed Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes souleyetii  A common species, mainly in the lowlands.

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes affinis  A common highland species.

Plain Xenops  Xenops minutus  Seen at different sites of the trip, like Carara and La Selva.

Buffy Tuftedcheek ◊  Pseudocolaptes lawrencii  Good views at Providencia Road and Savegre Oak Forest.

Lineated Foliage-gleaner  Syndactyla subalaris  Good views at Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserve.

Ruddy Foliage-gleaner  Clibanornis rubiginosus  (H) Heard only at Las Cruces.

Streak-breasted Treehunter ◊  Thripadectes rufobrunneus  Good views at Providencia Road.

Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner  Automolus ochrolaemus  Good views at Pejibaye and Rancho.

Chiriqui Foliage-gleaner ◊  Automolus exsertus  Seen at Buenos Aires and Carara NP. Near endemic.

Western Woodhaunter  Automolus virgatus  Good views at the Aerial Tram.

Spotted Barbtail  Premnoplex brunnescens  Seen on several occasions in Monteverde area.

Ruddy Treerunner ◊  Margarornis rubiginosus  Seen in the highlands of Irazu, Talamanca mountains and Santa Elena Reserve. Near endemic.

Red-faced Spinetail  Cranioleuca erythrops Joining mix-flock species at Santa Elena Reserve.

Slaty Spinetail  Synallaxis brachyura  First seen at Platanillo, also at Medio Queso and Bogarin Trails.

Pale-breasted Spinetail  Synallaxis albescens  Good views at Ciudad Neily area.

Russet Antshrike  Thamnistes anabatinus  Seen at Carara and the Aerial Tram trails.

Dot-winged Antwren  Microrhopias quixensis  Good views at Buenos Aires and Carara NP.

Checker-throated Stipplethroat  Epinecrophylla fulviventris  The best views at La Selva, also at Rancho and the Aerial Tram.

White-flanked Antwren  Myrmotherula axillaris  Seen at Braulio Carrillo NP, hear only at the Aerial Tram.

Slaty Antwren  Myrmotherula schisticolor  Seen at Las Cruces and Carara NP.

Plain Antvireo  Dysithamnus mentalis  Seen at Rancho and El Copal.

Streak-crowned Antvireo ◊  Dysithamnus striaticeps  First seen at Heliconias trails, good views at the Aerial Tram too.

Barred Antshrike  Thamnophilus doliatus  Seen at different sites like Caño Negro

Black-hooded Antshrike ◊  Thamnophilus bridgesi  Common in central and south Pacific humid forest. Near endemic.

Black-crowned Antshrike  Thamnophilus atrinucha  Good views at La Selva.

Fasciated Antshrike  Cymbilaimus lineatus  Finally was seen our last morning at La Selva.

Great Antshrike  Taraba major  (H) Heard only at Caño Negro.

Ocellated Antbird ◊  Phaenostictus mcleannani  With army ants at Heliconias and La Selva.

Bicolored Antbird  Gymnopithys bicolor  Seen at Heliconias trails.

Dusky Antbird  Cercomacroides tyrannina  Seen at Villa Lapas and La Selva.

Spotted Antbird  Hylophylax naevioides  Good views at Celeste and Heliconias trails.

Chestnut-backed Antbird  Poliocrania exsul  Best views at Carara NP, also at Esquinas and Villa Lapas.

Dull-mantled Antbird ◊  Sipia laemosticta  Seen at Rancho and Celeste Lodge trails.

Bare-crowned Antbird ◊  Gymnocichla nudiceps  Seen at Caño Negro area.

Zeledon’s Antbird ◊  Hafferia zeledoni  See at Quelitales.

Black-faced Antthrush  Formicarius analis  Seen at Las Cruces, Esquinas and Carara NP.

Black-headed Antthrush  Formicarius nigricapillus  (H) Heard only very close at El Copal.

Scaled Antpitta  Grallaria guatimalensis  Amazing show at Quelitales where they feed them with worms. 3 individuals came this day!

Streak-chested Antpitta ◊  Hylopezus perspicillatus  Great views at Buenos Aires and Carara NP.

Thicket Antpitta ◊ (Fulvous-bellied A)  Hylopezus dives  First seen at Rancho, but much better views at Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Ochre-breasted Antpitta  Grallaricula flavirostris  Seen at El Copal.

Silvery-fronted Tapaculo ◊  Scytalopus argentifrons  Near endemic. Seen at Savegre and Santa Elena Reserve.

Grey-headed Piprites ◊  Piprites griseiceps  (H) Calling from the boundary property of Rancho Naturalista in an area without access.

White-fronted Tyrannulet ◊  Phyllomyias zeledoni  Near endemic. Seen at Providencia Road.

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet  Tyrannulus elatus  Good views at Coto 47.

Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata  Seen at different localities.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia  Elaenia flavogaster A common and widespread species.

Lesser Elaenia  Elaenia chiriquensis  Seen at Buenos Aires.

Mountain Elaenia  Elaenia frantzii  Common at Irazu and Talamanca Mountains.

Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet ◊  Ornithion semiflavum  Good views at Buenos Aires and Caño Negro.

Brown-capped Tyrannulet  Ornithion brunneicapillus  Good views at La Union.

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma imberbe  Seen at different moments in the dry forest areas.

Southern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma obsoletum  Seen at Esquinas and Tarcoles.

Torrent Tyrannulet  Serpophaga cinerea  Seen well at Platanillo.

Yellow Tyrannulet  Capsiempis flaveola  Good views at Caño Negro.

Mistletoe Tyrannulet  Zimmerius parvus

Olive-streaked Flycatcher  Mionectes olivaceus  Near endemic. Best views at Las Cruces, with several sights during the tour.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher  Mionectes oleagineus

Slaty-capped Flycatcher  Leptopogon superciliaris  Seen at Las Cruces, Rancho and Pejibaye.

Northern Scrub Flycatcher  Sublegatus arenarum  Good views at Tarcoles and Punta Morales.

Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant  Myiornis atricapillus (H)  Heard only, at La Selva.

Northern Bentbill ◊  Oncostoma cinereigulare  Seen well at Buenos Aires.

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant  Lophotriccus pileatus  Finally we got good views at Virgen del Socorro Road.

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Poecilotriccus sylvia  Seen at Buenos Aires. 

Common Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum cinereum 

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum nigriceps  Good views at El Copal.

Eye-ringed Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus brevirostris  Good views at Las Cruces and Santa Elena Reserve.

Yellow-olive Flatbill  Tolmomyias sulphurescens  Seen at different locations.

Stub-tailed Spadebill ◊  Platyrinchus cancrominus  (H) Heard only at Villa Lapas.

White-throated Spadebill  Platyrinchus mystaceus  Good views at Quelitales, Copal and Santa Elena Reserve.

Golden-crowned Spadebill  Platyrinchus coronatus  Good view at Buenos Aires and Villa Lapas.

Tawny-chested Flycatcher ◊  Aphanotriccus capitalis  Good views at Pejibaye.

Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans  Seen at different rivers during the trip.

Northern Tufted Flycatcher  Mitrephanes phaeocercus  Common in the Talamanca highlands.

Dark Pewee ◊  Contopus lugubris  Good views in the Talamanca highlands.

Ochraceous Pewee ◊  Contopus ochraceus  Two sights in the Talamanca highlands.

Eastern Wood Pewee (W)  Contopus virens  A few seen at widely scattered sites.

Tropical Pewee  Contopus cinereus  Seen at different locations.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  Empidonax flaviventris  Seen well at El Copal and Esquinas.

Acadian Flycatcher (W)  Empidonax virescens  Good views at Bogarin Trails and La Selva.

Willow Flycatcher (W)  Empidonax traillii  We managed to make it to call at Medio Queso, so that is how we confirm the ID.  A write-in for the tour.

White-throated Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax albigularis  A bit challenging this time but seen at Platanillo.

Yellowish Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax flavescens  Seen at Quelitales, Savegre and Monteverde.

Black-capped Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax atriceps  Near endemic. Good views at Irazu and Talamanca Highlands.

Long-tailed Tyrant  Colonia colonus  Good views at La Selva.

Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius

Rusty-margined Flycatcher  Myiozetetes cayanensis  Good views at Coto 47.

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis 

Grey-capped Flycatcher  Myiozetetes granadensis

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

White-ringed Flycatcher  Conopias albovittatus  Seen at La Selva.

Golden-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes hemichrysus  Good views at Monteverde Reserve.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes luteiventris  Seen at different locations during the trip.

Streaked Flycatcher  Myiodynastes maculatus  First seen at San Isidro, as well other localities in the lowlands.

Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua  Seen at different locations.

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus 

Western Kingbird (W)  Tyrannus verticalis  Several seen at Ensenada salt pans.

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savana  Seen at Ciudad Neily and Medio Queso.

Eastern Kingbird (W)  Tyrannus tyrannus  Several birds were seen at La Selva.

Rufous Mourner  Rhytipterna holerythra  First seen at Pejibaye, also at Carara.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer

Panama Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus panamensis  Seen at Tarcoles and Ensenada Lodge.

Nutting’s Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus nuttingi  Seen in different sites in the dry areas of northwest.

Great Crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus crinitus  Seen at Buenos Aires, Rincon and Caño Negro.

Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus  Seen at Punta Morales and Ensenada Lodge.

Bright-rumped Attila  Attila spadiceus  Seen at Rancho, Rincon and La Selva.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow  Querula purpurata  Good views at La Selva.

Bare-necked Umbrellabird ◊  Cephalopterus glabricollis  Near endemic. A female was seen two consecutive days at the Aerial Tram.

Rufous Piha  Lipaugus unirufus  Seen at Buenos Aires and the Aerial Tram.

Three-wattled Bellbird ◊  Procnias tricarunculatus  Excellent views at Monteverde area. The bird of the trip!!

Turquoise Cotinga ◊  Cotinga ridgwayi  Good views at San Isidro.

Yellow-billed Cotinga ◊  Carpodectes antoniae  At least 5 different individuals were seen at Rio Rincon.

Snowy Cotinga ◊  Carpodectes nitidus  Good views at Caño Negro and La Selva.

Long-tailed Manakin ◊  Chiroxiphia linearis  We got to see them doing the dance display, quite a show!

White-ruffed Manakin ◊  Corapipo altera  Seen at different localities in the Caribbean Foothills.

Velvety Manakin ◊  Lepidothrix velutina  Two males displaying at Las Cruces.

White-collared Manakin ◊  Manacus candei  Seen at La Selva, Bogarin and Caño Negro area.

Orange-collared Manakin ◊  Manacus aurantiacus  Near endemic. Good views at Buenos Aires.

White-crowned Manakin  Pseudopipra pipra  One male at the lek territory of Rancho. Heard only at El Copal.

Red-capped Manakin  Ceratopipra mentalis  First seen at Buenos Aires, also at Esquinas and Carara.

Northern Royal Flycatcher ◊  Onychorhynchus mexicanus  Good views at Carara.

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius (S-r Flycatcher)  Myiobius sulphureipygius  Seen at different localities.

Black-tailed Myiobius (B-t Flycatcher)  Myiobius atricaudus  Good views at Buenos Aires.

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher  Terenotriccus erythrurus  Seen at El Copal and the Aerial Tram.

Black-crowned Tityra  Tityra inquisitor  First seen at Rancho, and different localities.

Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata

Northern Schiffornis  Schiffornis veraepacis  Good views at El Copal and Rancho.

Barred Becard  Pachyramphus versicolor  Seen at Talamanca Highlands and Santa Elena Reserve.

Cinnamon Becard  Pachyramphus cinnamomeus  Seen at Arenal area and La Selva.

White-winged Becard  Pachyramphus polychopterus  Good views at Carara NP.

Rose-throated Becard  Pachyramphus aglaiae  Good views at Tarcoles and Ensenada Lodge.

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis  Seen at Tarcoles Mangroves.

Green Shrike-Vireo ◊  Vireolanius pulchellus  Great views of this canopy species at Buenos Aires.

Scrub Greenlet  Hylophilus flavipes  Good views at Buenos Aires.

Tawny-crowned Greenlet  Tunchiornis ochraceiceps  Seen at Esquinas, Carara and the Aerial Tram.

Lesser Greenlet  Pachysylvia decurtata 

Yellow-green Vireo  Vireo flavoviridis  Common at Ensenada, Tarcoles and other locations.

Red-eyed Vireo (W)  Vireo olivaceus  Seen at Bogarin Trails and La Selva.

Philadelphia Vireo (W)  Vireo philadelphicus

Brown-capped Vireo  Vireo leucophrys  Seen at Quelitales and Savegre.

Yellow-throated Vireo (W)  Vireo flavifrons

Yellow-winged Vireo ◊  Vireo carmioli  Near endemic.  Common at the Talamanca Highlands

Mangrove Vireo ◊  Vireo pallens  Good views at Tarcoles mangroves.

Silvery-throated Jay ◊  Cyanolyca argentigula   (H) Heard only at the distance at Providencia Road.  Near endemic.

Black-chested Jay  Cyanocorax affinis  Good views at San Vito area.

Brown Jay  Psilorhinus morio

White-throated Magpie-Jay ◊  Calocitta formosa  Seen at Ensenada and other localities in the dry forest.

Black-and-yellow Phainoptila ◊ (B-and-Y Silky-flycatcher)  Phainoptila melanoxantha Near endemic. Seen at Providencia Road.

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher ◊  Ptiliogonys caudatus  Near endemic. First seen at Irazu, also in the Talamanca Highlands.

Sand Martin (Bank Swallow)  Riparia riparia  Seen at Medio Queso.

Mangrove Swallow  Tachycineta albilinea

Blue-and-white Swallow  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx serripennis  Seen at different localities.

Southern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx ruficollis  Seen several times in the lowlands.

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea  A common and widespread species.

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica  Big numbers passing by the country at this time of the year.

American Cliff Swallow (W)  Petrochelidon pyrrhonota  Seen few times but with good numbers.

Band-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus zonatus  Seen briefly at El Copal.

Rufous-backed Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus capistratus  Common in the dry areas in the northwest.

Grass Wren  Cistothorus platensis  Seen the first afternoon of the tour at Cartago.

Black-throated Wren ◊  Pheugopedius atrogularis  Seen at Caño Negro and Bogarin Trails.

Black-bellied Wren  Pheugopedius fasciatoventris  Seen at Ciudad Neily area.

Spot-breasted Wren ◊  Pheugopedius maculipectus  Good views at Caño Negro.

Rufous-breasted Wren  Pheugopedius rutilus  Good views at Buenos Aires.

Banded Wren  Thryophilus pleurostictus  Good views at Ensenada Lodge.

Rufous-and-white Wren  Thryophilus rufalbus  Seen at Cala Lodge, we heard it several times in other sites.

Cabanis’s Wren ◊  Cantorchilus modestus  Seen our last day at Rio Tiribi.

Canebrake Wren ◊  Cantorchilus zeledoni  Good views at Medio Queso.

Isthmian Wren ◊  Cantorchilus elutus  Near endemic.  First seen at Buenos Aires, also at Coto 47.

Riverside Wren ◊  Cantorchilus semibadius  Near endemic. Good views at Buenos Aires and Esquinas.

Bay Wren  Cantorchilus nigricapillus  Seen at Pejibaye, we heard it several times.

Stripe-breasted Wren ◊  Cantorchilus thoracicus  Seen at Rancho, Heliconias and La Selva.

House Wren  Troglodytes aedon

Ochraceous Wren ◊  Troglodytes ochraceus  Near endemic. Seen at Irazu, Talamanca and Santa Elena Reserve.

Timberline Wren ◊  Thryorchilus browni  Near endemic. Seen at Providencia Road.

White-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucosticta  Seen at Rancho building a nest.

Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys  Seen at Providencia Road and Monteverde area.

Northern Nightingale-Wren ◊  Microcerculus philomela  Excellent views in the open at Celeste Mt Lodge.

Southern Nightingale-Wren  Microcerculus marginatus  First seen at Rancho, also at Esquinas.

Song Wren  Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus  (H) Heard only at El Copal.

Trilling Gnatwren  Ramphocaenus melanurus  Seen well at different localities.

Tawny-faced Gnatwren  Microbates cinereiventris  Seen at Braulio Carrillo NP and the Aerial Tram.

White-browed Gnatcatcher  Polioptila bilineata  Seen well at different localities.

White-lored Gnatcatcher ◊  Polioptila albiloris  Good views at Punta Morales and Ensendada Lodge.

Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus  Common around towns throughout the country.

Black-faced Solitaire ◊  Myadestes melanops  Seen at Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserve.

Wood Thrush (W)  Hylocichla mustelina  First seen at Rancho coming to the pools, also seen at  other localities too.

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris  Best views at Buenos Aires.

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus mexicanus  Seen in Monteverde area.

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus fuscater  Seen at Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserve.

Swainson’s Thrush (W)  Catharus ustulatus  Common migrant at this time of the year.

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus gracilirostris  Near endemic. Common in the highlands.

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus frantzii  Seen at Savegre and Santa Elena Reserve.

Veery  Catharus fuscescens  Seen by leader and one passenger at Heliconias trails.  A write-in for the tour.   

Sooty Thrush ◊  Turdus nigrescens  Near endemic.  Common at Irazu and Talamanca Highlands.

Mountain Thrush ◊  Turdus plebejus  Seen regularly at the highlands.

White-throated Thrush  Turdus assimilis  Seen at Quelitales, Las Cruces and Heliconias trails.

Pale-vented Thrush ◊  Turdus obsoletus  (H) Heard only at Copal and Celeste Mt Lodge.

Clay-colored Thrush  Turdus grayi 

American Dipper  Cinclus mexicanus  Seen at Virgen del Socorro Road.

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus

Elegant Euphonia  Chlorophonia elegantissima  Seen at Quelitales and Providencia Road.

Golden-browed Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia callophrys  Seen at Talamanca Highlands.

Scrub Euphonia  Euphonia affinis  Several sights in the dry areas.

Yellow-crowned Euphonia ◊  Euphonia luteicapilla  Seen at Buenos Aires, heard a different localities.

White-vented Euphonia  Euphonia minuta  Good views at El Copal.

Yellow-throated Euphonia  Euphonia hirundinacea  Seen at different localities.

Thick-billed Euphonia  Euphonia laniirostris  Seen at Las Cruces, Esquinas and Rincon.

Spot-crowned Euphonia ◊  Euphonia imitans  Near endemic. Good views at Las Cruces, Esquinas and Carara NP.

Olive-backed Euphonia ◊  Euphonia gouldi  Common in the Caribbean lowlands and foothills.

Tawny-capped Euphonia ◊  Euphonia anneae  Good views at El Copal, Braulio Carrillo NP and the Aerial Tram.

Rosy Thrush-tanager  Rhodinocichla rosea  Excellent views at Buenos Aires (male and female!!).

Ashy-throated Bush Tanager  Chlorospingus canigularis  Good views of this uncommon species at Pejibaye and El Copal.

Sooty-capped Bush Tanager ◊  Chlorospingus pileatus  Near endemic.  Common species in the Talamanca Highlands and Irazu.

Common Bush Tanager  Chlorospingus flavopectus  Common at mid elevations and also in the upper foothills.

Stripe-headed Sparrow  Peucaea ruficauda  Good views at Ensenada Lodge.

Olive Sparrow  Arremonops rufivirgatus  Good views at Guacilmal (route to Monteverde).

Black-striped Sparrow  Arremonops conirostris  Seen at different localities.

Costa Rican Brushfinch ◊  Arremon costaricensis  Near endemic. Nice views at San Vito area.

Orange-billed Sparrow  Arremon aurantiirostris

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch  Arremon brunneinucha  Good views at Rancho and Monteverde Reserve.

Sooty-faced Finch ◊  Arremon crassirostris  Near endemic.  Seen well at Quelitales and Santa Elena Reserve.

Volcano Junco ◊  Junco vulcani  Near endemic. Good views at the Talamanca Highlands.

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis

Large-footed Finch ◊  Pezopetes capitalis  Near endemic. Seen at Irazu and Talamanca Highlands.

White-eared Ground Sparrow ◊  Melozone leucotis  Seen at Quelitales and Monteverde area.

Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow ◊  Melozone cabanisi  Endemic.  Seen well at Ujarras.

Yellow-thighed Brushfinch ◊ (Y-t Finch)  Atlapetes tibialis  Near endemic.  Seen well in the highlands.

Wrenthrush ◊ (Zeledonia)  Zeledonia coronata  Near endemic.  Excellent views in the open at Providencia Road.

Eastern Meadowlark  Sturnella magna  First seen at Cartago area, and couple sights in other pastures.

Red-breasted Blackbird  Leistes militaris  Seen at Ciudad Neily and one female at Medio Queso.

Yellow-billed Cacique  Amblycercus holosericeus  Good views at Medio Queso.

Chestnut-headed Oropendola  Psarocolius wagleri  First seen at Quelitales, also at Rancho, La Selva and the Aerial Tram.

Crested Oropendola  Psarocolius decumanus  Couple sights at San Vito area.

Montezuma Oropendola ◊  Psarocolius montezuma  Common on the Caribbean slope, a few sights in Pacific slope as well.

Scarlet-rumped Cacique  Cacicus microrhynchus  Seen in the humid lowlands and foothills.

Streak-backed Oriole  Icterus pustulatus  Seen at Tarcoles, Punta Morales and Ensenada Lodge.

Baltimore Oriole (W)  Icterus galbula

Yellow-tailed Oriole  Icterus mesomelas  Good views at Caño Negro. Uncommon species in Costa Rica.

Spot-breasted Oriole ◊  Icterus pectoralis  Seen well at Punta Morales.

Black-cowled Oriole ◊  Icterus prosthemelas  Best views at La Selva, also at Celeste Mt Lodge.

Orchard Oriole (W)  Icterus spurius  Seen at Ujarras.

Red-winged Blackbird  Agelaius phoeniceus  Common in the northern Caribbean Lowlands.

Giant Cowbird  Molothrus oryzivorus  First seen at Rancho; higher numbers at Ciudad Neily.

Shiny Cowbird  Molothrus bonariensis  Two birds were seen at Cartago area the first day of the trip.

Bronzed Cowbird  Molothrus aeneus  Several sights during the trip.

Melodious Blackbird  Dives dives  Seen at different localities.

Nicaraguan Grackle ◊  Quiscalus nicaraguensis  Near endemic. Great views at Medio Queso.

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus

Louisiana Waterthrush (W)  Parkesia motacilla  Seen at Virgen del Socorro Road.

Northern Waterthrush (W)  Parkesia noveboracensis  A few sights in the trip in places like Tarcoles and Carara NP.

Golden-winged Warbler (W)  Vermivora chrysoptera  Seen at different localities.

Black-and-white Warbler (W)  Mniotilta varia  Most sights in the first part of the trip, first seen at Rancho.

Flame-throated Warbler ◊  Oreothlypis gutturalis  Good views at Irazu and Talamanca Highlands.

Tennessee Warbler (W)  Leiothlypis peregrina  One of the most common warblers during the trip.

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat  Geothlypis poliocephala  Good views at San Vito and Medio Queso.

Chiriqui Yellowthroat ◊  Geothlypis chiriquensis  Seen well at San Vito.

Mourning Warbler (W)  Geothlypis philadelphia  Seen at San Isidro.

Kentucky Warbler* (W)  Geothlypis formosa  Coming to the pools at Rancho.

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat  Geothlypis semiflava  Great views of a couple at Medio Queso.

Hooded Warbler (W)  Setophaga citrina  Seen at Bogarin Trails.

American Redstart (W)  Setophaga ruticilla  Seen at Las Cruces, Rincon and Ensenada Lodge.

Cerulean Warbler  Setophaga cerulea  One male was seen by our rooms at La Selva.

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi  Seen at Quelitales and El Copal.

Blackburnian Warbler (W)  Setophaga fusca  Seen at Quelitales, Las Cruces and Monteverde area.

American Yellow Warbler (W)  Setophaga aestiva  A common migratory species seen at widely scattered sites.

Mangrove Warbler  Setophaga petechia  Seen at Tarcoles Mangroves.

Chestnut-sided Warbler (W)  Setophaga pensylvanica  Probably the most common warbler of the trip.

Black-throated Green Warbler (W)  Setophaga virens  A common warbler in the highlands.

Buff-rumped Warbler  Myiothlypis fulvicauda  First seen at Carara NP, also at Arenal Observatory Lodge and La Selva.

Chestnut-capped Warbler  Basileuterus delattrii  Seen at Monteverde area.

Black-cheeked Warbler ◊  Basileuterus melanogenys  Near endemic.  Good views at Talamanca Highlands.

Golden-crowned Warbler  Basileuterus culicivorus  Seen at Rancho, El Copal and Monteverde area.

Black-eared Warbler ◊  Basileuterus melanotis  Near endemic.  Good views at Monteverde and Santa Elena Reserve.

Canada Warbler (W)  Cardellina canadensis  One sight our last morning of the trip at The Aerial Tram.

Wilson’s Warbler (W)  Cardellina pusilla  Common migrant in highlands and mid elevations.

Slate-throated Whitestart  Myioborus miniatus  First seen at Quelitales, common at Monteverde area.

Collared Whitestart ◊  Myioborus torquatus  Near endemic.  Seen at the Talamanca Highlands, and Monteverde area.

Dusky-faced Tanager  Mitrospingus cassinii  Seen at La Selva and La Union.

Flame-colored Tanager  Piranga bidentata  Seen at Irazu and Talamanca Highlands.

Tooth-billed Tanager (Highland Hepatic T)  Piranga lutea  One sight at the Observatory Lodge, heard only at Celeste Mt Lodge.

Summer Tanager (W)  Piranga rubra

Scarlet Tanager (W)  Piranga olivacea  First seen at Las Cruces, also at La Selva.

White-winged Tanager  Piranga leucoptera  Good views at Quelitales.

Red-crowned Ant Tanager  Habia rubica  Seen at Villa Lapas.

Red-throated Ant Tanager  Habia fuscicauda  Seen at Rancho and La Selva.

Black-cheeked Ant Tanager ◊  Habia atrimaxillaris  Endemic. Good views at Esquinas.

Carmiol’s Tanager ◊  Chlorothraupis carmioli  Common in the Caribbean Foothills.

Black-thighed Grosbeak ◊  Pheucticus tibialis  Near endemic. Seen at Savegre.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus  Seen at Ujarras and La Selva.

Black-faced Grosbeak ◊  Caryothraustes poliogaster  Good numbers at Copal, La Selva and the Aerial Tram.

Cabanis’s Seedeater ◊  Amaurospiza concolor  Seen at Rio Tiribi.

Blue-black Grosbeak  Cyanoloxia cyanoides  Seen at Esquinas and Carara NP, heard only in other sites.

Indigo Bunting (W)  Passerina cyanea  Seen the first day at Cartago area.

Painted Bunting (W)  Passerina ciris  Nice views of two males at Tarcoles.

Green Honeycreeper  Chlorophanes spiza

Black-and-yellow Tanager ◊  Chrysothlypis chrysomelas  Seen at Rancho, El Copal and the Aerial Tram.

Red-legged Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes cyaneus

Shining Honeycreeper ◊  Cyanerpes lucidus  Seen at La Selva and the Aerial Tram.

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis  Dacnis venusta  Seen at El Copal, Las Cruces and Virgen del Socorro.

Blue Dacnis  Dacnis cayana  Seen at Buenos Aires, Caño Negro and near Cope’s place.

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator  Saltator grandis  A few seen at different sites.

Streaked Saltator  Saltator striatipectus  Seen at San Isidro.

Buff-throated Saltator  Saltator maximus 

Black-headed Saltator  Saltator atriceps  First seen at Ujarras, also at Pejibaye, and Bogarin Trails.

Slate-colored Grosbeak  Saltator grossus  Seen at La Union.

Bananaquit  Coereba flaveola

Yellow-faced Grassquit  Tiaris olivaceus

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina

Grey-headed Tanager  Eucometis penicillata  Seen at Buenos Aires, Carara and Caño Negro.

White-shouldered Tanager  Loriotus luctuosus  Seen at several sites joining mixed flocks.

Tawny-crested Tanager  Tachyphonus delatrii  Big flocks at El Copal, Braulio Carrillo NP and the Aerial Tram.

White-lined Tanager  Tachyphonus rufus  One male seen on the boundaries of La Selva.

White-throated Shrike-Tanager ◊  Lanio leucothorax  Nice views of a male at the Aerial Tram.

Scarlet-rumped Tanager ◊ (Passerini’s T)  Ramphocelus [passerinii] passerinii  Common in the Caribbean slope.

Scarlet-rumped Tanager ◊ (Cherrie’s T)  Ramphocelus [passerinii] costaricensis  Near endemic. Common in the humid Pacific slope.

Morelet’s Seedeater ◊  Sporophila morelleti  Seen several times during the trip, in open fields.

Variable Seedeater (Black-breasted S)  Sporophila corvina  Seen at different sites in the south Pacific.

Variable Seedeater (Black S)  Sporophila [corvina] corvina  A common seedeater in the Caribbean slope.

Yellow-bellied Seedeater  Sporophila nigricollis  A big group (30+) was seen at La Gamba.

Thick-billed Seed Finch  Sporophila funerea  First seen at Coto 47, also at Caño Negro and La Selva.

Nicaraguan Seed Finch ◊  Sporophila nuttingi  Seen on the way to Caño Negro.

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta  Seen at Medio Queso.

Peg-billed Finch ◊  Acanthidops bairdi  Near endemic.  Excellent views at Paraiso Quetzal.

Slaty Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa plumbea  Near endemic.  Common in the highlands.

Blue-and-gold Tanager ◊  Bangsia arcaei  Near endemic.  Seen at Virgen del Socorro Road.

Speckled Tanager  Ixothraupis guttata  Good views at El Copal, Las Cruces and the Aerial Tram.

Blue-grey Tanager  Thraupis episcopus

Palm Tanager  Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager  Stilpnia larvata

Spangle-cheeked Tanager ◊  Tangara dowii  Near endemic. Good views at Santa Elena Reserve.

Bay-headed Tanager  Tangara gyrola  Seen at different localities in foothills and mid elevations.

Emerald Tanager  Tangara florida  Good views at El Copal and the Aerial Tram.

Silver-throated Tanager  Tangara icterocephala  Seen at Rancho, El Copal, Savegre and other localities.

Plain-colored Tanager  Tangara inornata  Seen at La Selva.

MAMMALS

Northern Tamandua  Tamandua mexicana  Excellent views at the Aerial Tram.

Brown-throated Sloth (B-t Three-toed S)  Bradypus variegatus  Seen at Bogarin Trails and the Aerial Tram.

Northern Tiger Cat (Oncilla) Leopardus tigrinus   Sadly, we found a dead individual on the Savegre Oak forest road. It was a melanistic form (totally black) which is super rare, and possibly just die in a natural way.

Bushy-tailed Olingo  Bassaricyon gabbii  We got to see one at Cope’s place when we were trying for owls.

White-nosed Coati  Nasua narica  Seen at different localities, the biggest group seen was at the Aerial Tram.

Tayra  Eira barbara  Excellent views at Esquinas during our breakfast.

Neotropical Otter  Lontra longicaudis  One swimming the Puerto Viejo River at La Selva.

Baird’s Tapir  Tapirus bairdii  A close encounter at the Aerial Tram.

Collared Peccary  Pecari tajacu  Seen at La Selva and the Aerial Tram.

Bottlenose Dolphin  Tursiops truncatus  Seen at Puntarenas.

Greater White-lined Bat (W-l Sac-winged B)  Saccopteryx bilineata  Seen at Carara NP.

Panamanian White-faced Capuchin  Cebus imitator  First seen at Celeste, Caño Negro and the Aerial Tram.

Mantled Howler Monkey  Alouatta palliata  Seen at Coto 47, Tarcoles, Ensenada Lodge and other localities.

Black-handed Spider Monkey  Ateles geoffroyi  Heard only at Santuario Ecologico.

Central American Agouti  Dasyprocta punctata  Seen at Carara NP, La Selva and the Aerial Tram.

Deppe’s Squirrel  Sciurus deppei  Seen at Celeste Mt Lodge.

Central American Dwarf Squirrel  Microsciurus alfari  Seen at Celeste Mountain Lodge.

Red-tailed Squirrel (Tropical Red S)  Sciurus granatensis  Seen at different localities during the trip.

Variegated Squirrel  Sciurus variegatoides  Four different subspecies were seen of this squirrel during the trip.

Dusky Rice Rat  Melanomys caliginosus  Coming to feed on rice at Rancho.

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

Nicaraguan Slider  Trachemys grayi  Seen at Caño Negro.

Black River Turtle  Rhinoclemmys funereal  Seen from La Selva hanging bridge, in the Puerto Viejo River.

Mexican Wood Turtle  Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima  One individual walking along the trail at Carara NP.

South American Snapping Turtle  Chelydra acutirostris  Seen at one of the ponds on the grounds of Esquinas Lodge.

Brown Basilisk  Basiliscus basiliscus  The brown species of Basilisk that we saw in the Pacific slope, in places like Esquinas and Villa Lapas.

Green Basiliks  Basiliscus plumifroms  Seen at La Selva.

Common Basilisk  Basiliscus vitatus  The brown species of Basilisk that we saw in the Caribbean slope, like Caño Negro and Bogarin Trails.

Giant Green Anole  Anolis biporcatus  One individual seen from the Tram ride, in the forest canopy. 

Spiny-tailed Iguana  Ctenosaura similis  First seen at the restaurant at Quepos, as well Villa Lapas and Ensenada Lodge.

Green Iguana  Iguana iguana  We encountered gigantic ones at Restaurante Las Iguanas, among other places.

Middle American (Whiptail) Ameiva  Holcosus festivus  The lizards that we got in places like Carara NP, foraging in the forest understory.

Speckled Racer  Drymobius margaritiferus  The snake that we saw briefly swimming across a small water channel at Caño Negro.

Fer-de-Lance (Terciopelo)  Bothrops apser  We got to see a big one when we were looking for owls at Cope’s place at night.

Spectacled (Common) Caiman  Caiman crocodilus  Very common at Caño Negro area.

American Crocodile  Crocodylus acutus  Seen at Tarcoles, as well one individual at Caño Negro.

Cane Toad  Rhinella marina  Seen at different locations.

Green And Black Poison Frog  Dendrobates auratus  Like 2 or 3 individuals were seen at Carara, another one at Bogarin Trails.

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog  Oophaga pumilio  Nice views at La Selva of this tiny creature.