Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Costa Rica Photo Journey 2016 (Feb 14 – 23, 2016)
Report & Photos by George Lin
Summary
Covering only 0.03% of the surface of Earth, Costa Rica boasts 6% of the biodiversity on earth, making it one of the top
20 most biodiverse countries in the world. Costa Rica formed as a part of the land bridge that formed more than 100
million years ago, joining North America and South America. As a result, there are eight distinct ecoregions that
fostered an ideal environment for species migration and evolution.
On the Costa Rica Photo Journey, we cover the Caribbean Moist Forest, Central American Dry Forest, Moist Pacific
Mangroves, Pacific Moist Forest and Talamancan Montane Forest. On the Tropical Birding Photo Journey, we target
birds that are not only colorful or unique, but easy to photograph. Even though this was the very first Photo Journey in
Costa Rica, we had great results from our trip.
Some of the highlights included 4 Toucan species just on the first day (Keel-billed Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan,
Emerald Toucanet and Collared Aracari) with everybody getting good photos of them; Staking out the Resplendent
Quetzal and finally getting a nice shot of the male, swarms of Fiery-throated Hummingbirds and photographing 6 owl
species. We ended the trip with 244 species of birds (4 heard-only), 11 mammals and 15 reptiles & amphibians.
2/14/2016
And we’re off! Costa Rica Photo Journey 2016 started off on a fine sunny Sunday. We decided to take the route that
passes between Volcano Poas and Volcano Brava because it’s more scenic and recent storms have made the other
routes more difficult.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
We made an unplanned stop at La Paz Waterfalls & then another unplanned stop at Mirador San Fernando where they
have a few hummingbird feeders & fruit feeders set up. It turned out to be a VERY productive stop as we saw the
endemic Copper-headed Emerald and the beautiful Violet Sabrewing. We photographed other birds including Blue-gray
Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Buff-throated Saltator and the Emerald Toucanet.
We were just about to leave until I spotted some movements below and we saw a small group of Prong-billed Barbets
feeding on some papaya. The Barbets eventually made their way up to the platform and was very photogenic. Everyone
got great photos of them.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
I had to drag the photographers away from that platform and we continued on our way to our first lodge. We stopped
along the way, of course, and saw a few Ringed Kingfishers, Northern Jacana, Roadside Hawks and a Laughing Falcon.
Just before we got to the lodge, Brian, one of the photographers spotted a toucan in an open area. That garden turned
out to be very productive for the photographers because all 3 Toucan species found in the area came in to pose for
photos. They all got a good look and shot at the Yellow-throated Toucan (AKA Black-mandibiled Toucan), Keel-billed
Toucan and Collared Aracari. It was a 4-Toucan day, or Fourcan. Ha.
We FINALLY arrived at the lodge 2 hours late for lunch and quickly ate the food. Most of the people were juggling with
eating lunch and photographing some of the birds that were coming into the feeder like the Black-cowled Oriole, Black-
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
cheeked Woodpecker, more Blue-gray & also Palm Tanagers. A few Great Kiskadees came in along with more
Montezuma Oropendolas.
After lunch, the guys decided to take the forest to photograph the Macaw nests while the ladies stayed on the balcony
to photograph the birds. The ladies were busy with some new birds coming in like the Great Curassow, Red-legged
Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Blue Dacnis, Brown-hooded Parrot, Orange-chinned Parakeet.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
The guys, in the meantime, had a muddy trek through the forest but we got to see a few of the Strawberry Poison Dart
Frogs and hearing the Red-capped Manakin whistling through the forest. We finally came out in the open with beautiful
light on the great Almond Tree but it soon clouded over. Despite the poor light condition for photography, it was
amazing to see 3 pairs of the Great Green Macaws and 1 pair of the Scarlet Macaws flying in majestically and raucously
squawking once they landed.
A few Crested Guans flew around another far tree and tons of Red-lore Parrots were flying around, returning to their
night roost. The guys were pretty happy to finish the very strenuous hike back just in time for dinner. After dinner, we
photographed a Kinkajou feeding on some of the bananas! The group then went on the Caiman Show were they got to
see some Spectacled Caimans and Red-eyed Tree Frogs. All in all, it was a very productive day.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
2/15/2016
The morning was overcast with passing light rain, but that didn’t stop our photographers from taking photos and
ignoring their breakfast as birds arrive at the feeders. We had all 3 Toucan species coming to the feeder along with a
parade of Montezuma Oropendolas, Brown-hooded Parrots, Orange-chinned Parakeets, Golden-hooded Tanager, and
other less conspicuous birds like the Long-tailed Tyrant and Black-crowned Tityra.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
The staff had placed some bait out to attract the vultures and soon, we were summoned to the vulture hide as we
spotted some King Vultures starting to circle the area. We were soon squeezed into the hide and indeed, the King
Vultures started to come down to feast on the food we laid out for them. More than 8 King Vultures came down at one
point or another to feast along with a slew of Black Vultures and even a Crested Caracara.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Photographic opportunities were abundant which allowed our photographers to also observe the interesting behavior
and pecking order of the vulture feast. I also saw the Caracara cleaning a Black Vulture which was very strange indeed.
After eating lunch and additional shooting on the balcony, we moved to a dedicated shooting session. Some critters
were collected from the forest by the staff for the shoot and returned to the same location where they were found
afterward.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Our photographers got to photograph both morphs of the Eyelash Viper, a Boa Constrictor, some Strawberry Poison-
Dart Frog, Green and Black Poison-Dart Frog, and a Helmeted Iguana.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
A troop of Central American Spider Monkeys came in to eat the ripening Almendro fruits around the lodge which gave
our photographers a chance to shoot some primates jumping around the trees. Most people stayed around the lodge
grounds to get additional photographs while I took Peter and Pat on a canoe paddle through lagoon #2. We saw a few
skittish kingfishers and herons, but the Prothonotary Warbler was quite at ease with our presence which allowed us to
make some good observations and photos of this beautiful bird.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
2/16/2016
We stopped by one of the staff’s house this morning on our way out. He had set up a fruit feeder in his yard so we got
to see and photograph more tanagers and even some Great Kiskadee doing their display by showing the crest. The
highlight was the beautiful Chestnut-colored Woodpecker that came to the feeder. Both male and female captured the
attention of our photographers.
On our way to our next lodge, we saw some big Green Iguanas and our first Mantled Howler Monkey feeding on the side
of the road in a tree. Our route took us past Lake Arenal and we had to stop a few times for troops of White-nosed Coati
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
scavenging along the highway. We saw some Euphonias, Tityras and Guans at our lunch stop but the strangest thing we
saw was at a rest stop before we got to our next lodge: Macaws.
There were a few Scarlet Macaws in the tree so we tried running around photographing them. Soon, they moved to a
tree on top of a restaurant and more macaws came in. There was a guy in the restaurant who came out and threw some
bread on the ground and soon the macaws started to fly down, landing on the fence and the grounds. More and more
macaws came in and eventually, there were at least 10 macaws, including an exotic Blue and Yellow Macaw and what
looks like a hybrid of the Blue & Yellow + Scarlet. It was an interesting experience but I hope the hybrid and the exotic
don’t contaminate the native Scarlets.
We eventually arrived at our rustic lodge that was situated near a wetland area as part of a cattle farm in the dry, Pacific
lowlands. After dinner, we were all exhausted and most people went to sleep. I heard the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
calling outside as I was brushing my teeth so I went to look for it. I found a pair of Pacific Screech-Owls instead. The
only person with their lights on was Brian so I fetched him and we went to look for the Owls again. We found the
Screech Owls again and also a sleeping Turquoise-browed Motmot which was pretty cool.
2/17/2016
The morning started off with the Pacific Screech-Owl sleeping in the tree next to the drive way, followed by a
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl calling from high in the tree. A pair of Turquoise-browed Motmot was also in the area which
made breakfast very slow going. After breakfast, we went to look for the Spectacled Owl in the forest and we were
successful in locating a pair of them plus a single owl.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Our next stop is the salt evaporation pond just outside the town of Colorado. These ponds attract shore birds and
wading birds. We saw the Gartered Trogon and Black-headed Trogon on the way there. Once we arrived, our
photographers started snapping away at the shore birds in the area. There were Willets, Marbled Godwits, Wimbrels,
Royal Terns and flocks of Black Skimmers. There were many sandpipers as well, including the Least, Western, Stilted,
Solitary and Spotted.
After our visit to the evaporation pond we headed to the mangrove forest near the coast and had some good looks at
the Mangrove Warblers and Prothonotary Warblers. We then headed back to the lodge for lunch and waited for the
afternoon heat to pass and lighting condition to improve. In the mid-afternoon, we headed back out to the wetland
area for the numerous species of water birds in the area. Some of the standouts included the Jabiru, thousands of
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, Boat-billed Heron, and Double-striped Thick-knee. We also saw Kites including the White-
tailed, Hook-billed and Snail. Crested Caracara, Yellow-headed Caracara, Laughing Falcon, American Kestrel and
Peregrine Falcon were also seen and photographed. We headed back to the lodge afterward for a much needed rest
after such a full day.
2/18/2016
We returned to the wetlands area in the morning after breakfast. Most of the people still don’t have a nice photo of the
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl so we went to search for it. We were lucky to find a pair of them on the way to the wetlands.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
The pair was calling and they flew close for an inspection when I imitated the call. Everyone got a very nice shot of the
owls. We also found a pair of White-necked Puffbird when we were leaving the owls. It was a nice bonus for the group.
In the wetland area, we saw and photographed Roseate Spoonbills in flight and more Cattle Egrets and Black-bellied
Whistling Duck in flight as well. We also got better looks of the Mantled Howler Monkeys, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, a
nesting Double-striped Thick-Knee, Northern Jacanas, and Limpkins.
After a late lunch, we bid farewell to Hacienda Solimar and headed to the more humid, Southern Pacific outside Carara
National Park. It was late in the afternoon but we managed to photograph a pair of Black and White Owl, albeit horrible
lighting. Brian also spotted a nice Gray-headed Kite but it flew away before others had a chance to photograph it.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
2/19/2016
It was an early morning start for us when we went to the Tarcoles River for the river cruise. This Pacific Mangrove area
had a beautiful clear morning and we were greeted by Mangrove Swallows around the boat and a few sleepy American
Crocodiles along the banks of the river. On the cruise, we saw flocks of Scarlet Macaws flying over and also 5 kinds of
Kingfishers including the Ringed, Belted, Amazon, Green and American Pygmy.
Common Black Hawk was another first for many in our group and we also photographed some Bare-throated Tiger-
Herons and even a sleeping Raccoon. After the boat tour, we went back to photograph the Black and White Owls as it
was better lighting in the late morning. We then headed out on our long drive to Savegre.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
On our way out to the Talamancan Montane Forest, we stopped by a café for a break but we managed to photograph
some Large-footed Finch on the property. It was getting late and we continued to Suria Lodge.
2/20/2016
The weather cooperated on this important day for our hunt for the bird that’s on everybody’s target list: the
Resplendent Quetzal. When we arrived at Paraiso Quetzales, it looked very promising as we saw the male Quetzal fly
out of the tree in the distant, calling out. We also saw some nice Long-tailed Silky-flycatchers.
Our group then proceeded to hike to a forest nearby and staked out an active Quetzal nest. It didn’t take long for the
female Quetzal to return to the nest but we were in for a surprised as to whether or not we will be able to photograph
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
the male. It took about an hour for the male to show up. In the meantime, we saw some Barred Parakeets and Black-
cheeked Warblers.
When the male finally showed up, he perched in a position where it was very back-lit so none of us could get a decent
photo of it. The waiting game started for us and after about 2 hours when some the people in our group were ready to
give up, we got a lucky break. A juvenile male Quetzal, a Black Guan and some Band-tailed Pigeons flew in which got our
mature male a bit territorial.
The mature male chased pretty much everybody away from the area and perched in a few different locations where we
were finally able to get a nice photo of the male Resplendent Quetzal and all its glorious tail feathers.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
We returned to the lodge for a late lunch but it’s a busy day as we scheduled a private hummingbird shoot after that.
We had tons of Magnificent, Fiery-throated, Volcano Hummingbirds and Green Violetears fighting for the nectar stations
and nectar-filled flowers. We had set up these flowers and feeders to photograph the hummingbirds. They were
swarming the feeders at one point, not caring whether or not if somebody is standing next to it or even holding it.
Others wanted to add some variety to their hummingbird photos so they walked around the grounds a little bit and
managed to photograph a few Flame-colored Tanagers, Hairy Woodpecker, Large-footed Finch and even some Golden-
browed Chlorophonia. The late afternoon drizzling fog finally came in and we packed up and ended a very busy but
fulfilling day in the cloud forest.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
2/21/2016
We headed away from the mountains and cloud forest and headed back to the Caribbean lowlands again. On the way
there, we stopped by the El Tapir Hummingbird Garden. Our target here was the Snowcap hummingbird. Although a
few of us got to see it, it disappeared quickly and was never seen again while we were there. We did get some nice
photos of the Black-crested Coquet, Scintillant Hummingbird and the Violet-headed Hummingbird.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
After lunch, we stopped by Cope Arte’s place where he transformed his backyard into a bird sanctuary and he set it up in
a way that it’s great for photographers. Some birds photographed here included the Gray-necked Wood-Rail, White-
necked Jacobin, Long-billed Hermit, Stripe-throated Hermit, Crowned Woodnymph and the Crested Oropendola. We
also took side trips from the place and were able to photograph a pair of sleeping Crested Owl and a Common Potoo.
We headed to our lodge, Selva Verde late in the afternoon.
2/22/2016
The morning started with a trip to the “Macaw Farm” after breakfast where Alvaro, the owner of the farm, managed to
habituated a large flock of Macaws by feeding them peanuts. They are fairly established in the area even though they
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
are free to fly anywhere. They established nests nearby in both natural and artificial nesting boxes that he built. There
were quite a few hybrids too from the cross-breeding of Great Green Macaws and Scarlet Macaws.
The Macaws came flying down, swooping by our heads as Alvaro called out “lapa lapa lapa” which is Spanish for “Macaw
Macaw Macaw”. We went to an open field where we got the chance to shoot these beautiful Macaws in flight as the
Macaws followed Alvaro and his bucket-o-peanuts from one tree to another.
Other birds on the ground included Gray-headed Chachalaca, Yellow-naped Parrot, Red-lored Parrot and a strangely pale
Yellow-throated Toucan. After a delicious lunch, we headed back down to the main town and headed to Nature’s
Pavilion.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Nature’s Pavilion has a 360 degree porch where feeders were being visited continuously by a whole slew of different
tanagers like the Crimson-collared Tanagers, Red-legged Honeycreeper and Green Honeycreepers. We shot here for the
remaining afternoon and returned to Selva Verde for dinner.
2/23/2016
A few of us walked around the grounds in the morning and spotted several new birds including the Red-throated Ant
Tanager, a male Slaty-tailed Trogon and the Orange-billed Sparrow. We headed out to Nature’s Pavilion after breakfast
for another photoshoot there. Some people stayed to shoot the various tanagers at the fruit feeder and some stayed at
the hummingbird feeders.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
I took a group on the trail down to the forest behind the lodge and spotted the Rufous Motmot at the beginning of the
trail. The whole group got together to shoot the beautiful Motmot and then separated again as we continued down to
the river. On the way, we found a Lineated Woodpecker and a pair of the Black-throated Trogon. We avoided a long
marching line of Leaf-cutter ants on our way to the Sarapiqui River and enjoyed the beautiful river with the rainforest as
the backdrop.
On our way back up, we found a White-whiskered Puffbird, a pair of Green Kingfishers and also a Rufous-winged
Woodpecker. Another Red-throated Ant Tanager was found by the fruit feeder as well as the much sought-after
Crimson-collared Tanager. A few Great Green Macaws flew down to the nearby tree to bid us farewell as we made our
way back to San Jose.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Along the road back to San Jose, we spotted a Poro tree with bright orange flowers being hungrily devoured by a troop
of Mantled Howler Monkeys. We stopped by the café again that had the view of the San Fernando Waterfall and
photographed some more tanagers, hummingbirds and Toucanet. A Red-headed Barbet made an appearance for us for
the first time and he didn’t stay too long.
We made another unscheduled stop at a hummingbird garden where the purple throated variety of the Volcano
Hummingbirds was photographed along with other hummers and a pair of Slate-throated Redstart.
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
After reaching our hotel near the airport in San Jose, a few of us went out on a nearby farm to see the Grasshopper
Sparrows and Crested Bob-whites on a dry scrubby farm field. Back at the hotel grounds, we were shown a Ferruginous
Pygmy Owl and a nesting Tropical Owl, our 7th owl species on this trip!
Overall, I believe this was a wildly successful Costa Rica Photo Journey where I was surprised by many high quality
photographs produced by our photographers. The highlights were the initial day where our group was surprised by all 4
species of Toucans in the area and also when we waited patiently for the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal. Here’s to a
great trip and I hope to see you on our next Photo Journey.
- George Lin
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
LIST OF SPECIES PHOTOGRAPHED This list includes only what was photographed by tour participants and the tour leader.
DUCKS, GEESE, AND WATERFOWL: ANATIDAE
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
American Wigeon Anas americana
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
GUANS, CHACHALACAS, AND CURASSOWS: CRACIDAE
Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps
Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens
Black Guan (E) Chamaepetes unicolor
Great Curassow Crax rubra
NEW WORLD QUAIL: ODONTOPHORIDAE
Crested Bobwhite Colinus cristatus
STORKS: CICONIIDAE
Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Jabiru Jabiru mycteria
FRIGATEBIRDS: FREGATIDAE
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
CORMORANTS AND SHAGS: PHALACROCORACIDAE
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
ANHINGAS: ANHINGIDAE
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
PELICANS: PELECANIDAE
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS: ARDEIDAE
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius
IBISES AND SPOONBILLS: THRESKIORNITHIDAE
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
NEW WORLD VULTURES: CATHARTIDAE
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
OSPREY: PANDIONIDAE
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
HAWKS, EAGLES, AND KITES: ACCIPITRIDAE
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostris
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
Gray Hawk Buteo plagiatus
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
RAILS,GALLINULES, AND COOTS: RALLIDAE
Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajaneus
Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus
LIMPKIN: ARAMIDAE
Limpkin Aramus guarauna
THICK-KNEES: BURHINIDAE
Double-striped Thick-knee Burhinus bistriatus
STILTS AND AVOCETS: RECURVIROSTRIDAE
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS: CHARADRIIDAE
Southern Lapwing Vanellus chilensis
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
JACANAS: JACANIDAE
Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
SANDPIPERS AND ALLIES: SCOLOPACIDAE
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Willet Tringa semipalmata
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopu
GULLS, TERNS, AND SKIMMERS: LARIDAE
Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla
Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
PIGEONS AND DOVES: COLUMBIDAE
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Columbina minuta
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
CUCKOOS: CUCULIDAE
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
BARN-OWLS: TYTONIDAE
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Barn Owl Tyto alba
OWLS: STRIGIDAE
Pacific Screech-Owl Megascops cooperi
Tropical Screech-Owl Megascops choliba
Crested Owl Lophostrix cristata
Spectacled Owl Pulsatrix perspicillata
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata
NIGHTJARS AND ALLIES: CAPRIMULGIDAE
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
POTOOS: NYCTIBIIDAE
Common Potoo Nyctibius griseus
SWIFTS: APODIDAE
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
HUMMINGBIRDS: TROCHILIDAE
White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Long-billed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris
Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus
Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii
Green Thorntail Discosura conversii
Black-crested Coquette Lophornis helenae
Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (E) Panterpe insignis
White-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis castaneoventris
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Volcano Hummingbird (E) Selasphorus flammula
Scintillant Hummingbird (E) Selasphorus scintilla
Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Phaeochroa cuvierii
Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer Chalybura urochrysia
Crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
White-tailed Emerald (E) Elvira chionura
Coppery-headed Emerald (E) Elvira cupreiceps
Snowcap (E) Microchera albocoronata
Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia amabilis
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila
TROGONS: TROGONIDAE
Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena
Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus
Baird's Trogon (E) Trogon bairdii
Gartered Trogon Trogon caligatus
Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
MOTMOTS: MOMOTIDAE
Rufous Motmot Baryphthengus martii
Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa
KINGFISHERS: ALCEDINIDAE
Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon
Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea
PUFFBIRDS: BUCCONIDAE
White-necked Puffbird Notharchus hyperrhynchus
White-whiskered Puffbird Malacoptila panamensis
NEW WORLD BARBETS: CAPITONIDAE
Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
TOUCANS-BARBETS:SEMNORNITHIDAE
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Prong-billed Barbet (E) Semnornis frantzii
TOUCANS: RAMPHASTIDAE
Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus maxillaris
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus torquatus
Yellow-throated (Black/Chestnut Mandibled) Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
WOODPECKERS: PICIDAE
Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
Hoffmann's Woodpecker (E) Melanerpes hoffmannii
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
Rufous-winged Woodpecker (E) Piculus simplex
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker Celeus castaneus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
FALCONS AND CARACARAS: FALCONIDAE
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
NEW WORLD & AFRICAN PARROTS: PSITTACIDAE
Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Brown-hooded Parrot Pyrilia haematotis
Orange-fronted Parakeet Eupsittula canicularis
Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus
Scarlet Macaw Ara macao
Crimson-fronted Parakeet (E) Psittacara finschi
White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-naped Parrot Amazona auropalliata
White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons
Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
TYPICAL ANTBIRDS: THAMNOPHILIDAE
Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
OVENBIRDS AND WOODCREEPERS: FURNARIIDAE
Plain-brown Woodcreeper Dendrocincla fuliginosa
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS: TYRANNIDAE
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Lesser Elaenia Elaenia chiriquensis
Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii
Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Long-tailed Tyrant Colonia colonus
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
MANAKINS: PIPRIDAE
White-collared Manakin Manacus candei
TITYRAS AND ALLIES: TITYRIDAE
Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
CROWS, JAYS, AND MAGPIES: CORVIDAE
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa
Brown Jay Psilorhinus morio
SWALLOWS: HIRUNDINIDAE
Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
WRENS: TROGLODYTIDAE
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Bay Wren Cantorchilus nigricapillus
THRUSHES AND ALLIES: TURDIDAE
Black-faced Solitaire (E) Myadestes melanops
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush (E) Catharus gracilirostris
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina
Sooty Thrush (Robin) E Turdus nigrescens
Clay-colored Thrush (Robin) Turdus grayi
SILKY-FLYCATCHERS: PTILOGONATIDAE
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher (E) Ptilogonys caudatus
NEW WORLD WARBLERS: PARULIDAE
Northern Waterthrush Parkesia noveboracensis
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
Tennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrina
Yellow Warbler Setophaga petechia
Yellow (Mangrove) Warbler Setophaga petechia bryanti
Chestnut-sided Warbler Setophaga pensylvanica
Black-cheeked Warbler (E) Basileuterus melanogenys
Wilson's Warbler Cardellina pusilla
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Collared Redstart (Whitestart) E Myioborus torquatus
TANAGERS AND ALLIES: THRAUPIDAE
Crimson-collared Tanager Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
Passerini's Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii
Cherrie's Tanager (E) Ramphocelus costaricensis
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
Plain-colored Tanager (E) Tangara inornata
Emerald Tanager Tangara florida
Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
Slaty Flowerpiercer (E) Diglossa plumbea
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater (Caribbean) Sporophila corvina corvina
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLD SPARROWS: EMBERIZIDAE
Yellow-thighed Finch (E) Pselliophorus tibialis
Large-footed Finch (E) Pezopetes capitalis
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Stripe-headed Sparrow Peucaea ruficauda
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Common Chrlorospingus Chlorospingus flavopectus
Sooty-capped Chlorospingus (E) Chlorospingus pileatus
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum
CARDINALS AND ALLIES: CARDINALIDAE
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda
Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
TROUPIALS AND ALLIES: ICTERIDAE
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas
Streak-backed Oriole Icterus pustulatus
Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Crested Oropendola Psarocolius decumanus
FINCHES, EUPHONIAS & ALLIES: FRINGILLIDAE
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi
Golden-browed Chlorophonia (E) Chlorophonia callophrys
MAMMALS
Common Opossum Didelphis marsupialis
Mantled Howler Alouatta palliata
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey Ateles geoffroyi
Northern Tamandua Tamandua mexicana
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Bradypus variegatus
Variegated Squirrel Sciurus variegatoides
Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata
Kinakajou Potos flavus
White-nosed Coati Nasua narica
Common (Northern) Raccoon Procyon lotor
Lowland Paca Cuniculus paca
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
Strawberry Poison-Dart Frog Oophaga pumilio
Green and Black Poison-Dart Frog Dendrobates auratus
Eyelash Viper Bothriechis schlegelii
Boa Constrictor (Red-tailed Boa) Boa constrictor
Tropical Birding Trip Report Costa Rica Photo Journey – February 2016
www.tropicalbirding.com 1-409-515-9110 [email protected]
Helmeted Iguana Corytophanes cristatus
Four-lined Whip-tailed Lizard Ameiva quadrilineata
Green Iguana Iguana iguana
Spectacled caiman Caiman crocodilus
American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus
Green / Double Crested Basilisk Basiliscus plumifrons
Common Basilisk Basiliscus basiliscus
Brown Basilisk Basiliscus vittatus
Ctenosaur / Spine-tailed Lizard Ctenosaura similis
Pug-nosed Anole Norops capito
House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus
OTHER SIGHTINGS
Leaf / Shield / Hood Mantis Choeradodis sp.
Stick Insect Order: Phasmatodea