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Field Guides Tour Report
COSTA RICA
Mar 17, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Megan Crewe & Kevin Easley


The Collared Redstart is known in Costa Rica as "Amigo de Hombre" (Friend of Man). We had a fine example of their "friendliness" along Los Robles trail high in the Savegre Valley, when a pair flitted back and forth through a pile of downed branches right beside us. In reality, they're after the insects we flush as we walk -- but it's still fun that they approach us so closely! (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

Costa Rica draws birders and naturalists like lodestones draw metal filings, and with good reason: its storied reserves hold a tremendous number and variety of species, and it's a safe, tourist-friendly country that's easy to get around in. From the humid Caribbean lowlands to the forested foothills around Rancho Naturalista and the stunted paramo of the central mountains, from the mangrove-choked Tarcoles River and the dry thorn forests of the northwest to the cool misty cloudforest of Monteverde, we crisscrossed the country in search of its special birds -- and found plenty to enjoy along the way.

We witnessed some quintessentially neotropical scenes during our travels. Orange-collared Manakins snapped and popped on their dance stages. Scarlet Macaws flapped noisily overhead or squabbled over fruit and perches. Woodcreepers clung to trunks above boiling swarms of army ants, while antbirds and nightingale-thrushes prowled the fringes. Hummingbirds jousted for feeder rights. Big mixed flocks of tanagers and warblers and flycatchers swirled through the trees, in kaleidoscopes of color and movement.

One of the main targets of many birders here is the Resplendent Quetzal, and in the deliciously cool heights of the Savegre Valley, we found not one but FIVE of them: two busily ferrying mouthfuls to their nest, another pair excavating a cavity in a rotten snag, and a calling male trailing his long streamers as he flew over our heads across the valley. Three-wattled Bellbird, another big target, was equally cooperative at Monteverde; one bonged repeatedly from a tree right over our heads, his wattles swinging as he moved. Then there was the Sunbittern that picked its way along the rocky stream near La Quinta, while a Fasciated Tiger-Heron peered into the rapids just beyond it. A trio of Silvery-throated Jays rummaged along epiphyte-laden oak branches. A Barred Hawk dropped into a nearby tree and stared down the road at us. Three Spotted Wood-Quails scratched energetically beside a stream, periodically calling challenges to distant coveys. A Mangrove Hummingbird moved deliberately through the mangroves, repeatedly visiting their big white flowers. A Snowy Cotinga, looking like an animate snowball, sat high in a leafless tree above a clearing at La Selva, and a trio of Yellow-billed Cotingas chased each other around in a fruiting tree near the Rio Tarcoles. A Buff-fronted Quail-Dove trundled through trailside vegetation, flickering in and out of view. And a surprise White-fronted Nunbird sang from a rainforest treetop.

A Prevost's Ground-Sparrow sat for long minutes on an eye-level branch. A Bare-shanked Screech-Owl called quietly from the darkening forest, steadfastly ignoring the agitated halo of birds around it. Golden-browed Chlorophonias dazzled from a leafy branch. Two Great Green Macaws investigated a nest cavity. Boat-billed Herons peered from their nests among the mangrove leaves. A Long-tailed Tyrant hunted from a spreading tree in a clearing, his long streamers fluttering. Sulphur-winged Parakeets flashed their golden wings in the early morning sun. A Tawny-chested Flycatcher gleaned around a bug light. Male Snowcaps dipped themselves in tiny pools, their brilliant white heads flashing in the shadows of late afternoon. A Crested Owl called from high overhead, its shaggy "eyebrows" bright in the beam of our spotlight. A tiny American Pygmy Kingfisher bobbed on a branch over the Tarcoles. A Gray-throated Leaftosser flung leaves near the path at Monteverde. A pair of Rufous-rumped Antwrens flicked through a mossy tree over our heads, their yellow-spotted wings catching the eye. And who will soon forget the vast river of Turkey Vultures streaming past on their way north?

Thanks to all of you for helping to make the trip such fun to lead. I hope to see you all again in the field somewhere, some day!

-- Megan


KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant


BIRDS
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
HIGHLAND TINAMOU (Nothocercus bonapartei) – A few folks right at the front of the line saw one as we walked back down Los Robles trail after seeing the Silvery-throated Jays; unfortunately, it moved quickly out of view and the rest of the group only heard its repetitive nasal call.
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) – One stood motionless beside a trail at La Selva, apparently convinced we couldn't see it -- which allowed us great scope views and photographs -- and we saw others along the trails at Carara. We also spotted the sky blue egg of this species tucked up against the buttress of a huge tree at La Selva. [N]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)
RING-NECKED DUCK (Aythya collaris) [b]
LESSER SCAUP (Aythya affinis) – A group of three mingled with a big mob of Blue-winged Teal and a handful of Ring-necked Ducks in a little trickle of water at Cachi Reservoir. [b]
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
GRAY-HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis cinereiceps) – Particularly common at Rancho Naturalista, where they swarmed over the "banana trees" every morning.
CRESTED GUAN (Penelope purpurascens) – Several gobbled ripe figs from a tree near the cabins at La Selva, their red eyes and scarlet wattles coordinating nicely with the red fruits.
BLACK GUAN (Chamaepetes unicolor) – Quite common around Monteverde, including one that popped up onto the trail right beside us while we scanned for Black-faced Solitaire; with those long lenses, some of the photographers were almost too close!
GREAT CURASSOW (Crax rubra) – At least a half dozen sightings at La Selva, including one pair strolling near the soccer field, a trio eating green fruits from a tree near the suspension bridge and a female with a very small chick near where we spotted the nunbird. [N]
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
BLACK-BREASTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus leucolaemus) – One scuttled through the undergrowth of a strip of trees near the Fonda Vela dining room on our second morning there, separated from the rest of its covey by our group. Despite its name, this species is pretty dark all over.
SPOTTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus guttatus) – A trio scratched in the leaf litter and scurried along the edge of the stream not far from Savegre Mountain Lodge, occasionally pausing to shout challenges to other, more distant, coveys. Those struggling for a good look ended up with the best look of all, when the birds eventually worked their way right up to the road -- after most of the group had headed for the quetzals.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) – A couple floated on the little reservoir at Rio Birris.
Ciconiidae (Storks)


A highlight of our boat trip on the Rio Tarcoles: an adult Bare-throated Tiger-Heron hunting along the bank. (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana)
Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens) – Dozens hung in the air along the Pacific coast, or flapped ponderously over the waves.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
BROWN PELICAN (Pelecanus occidentalis)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
FASCIATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma fasciatum) – One hunted in the stream near La Quinta, standing motionless mid-stream for long minutes before changing positions.
BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum) – Our first was a gingery youngster that sprang from the reeds edging the Tarcol River and flew ponderously across our bow to the further shore. We had a handsome adult late in the trip, standing on a rock just across the river from the boat dock.
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) – A colony among the mangroves along the Tarcol River gave us a chance to study adults and their nests -- and a few white eggs -- from mere yards away. [N]
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus albus)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) – A half dozen calling birds flapped across an open field near the entrance to La Selva our first morning, then perched in open trees along the field edges. While crossing La Selva's suspension bridge on our second morning, we saw another perched atop a tree near the river.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja) – A single adult flew in and landed in a puddle near a big flock of Black Vultures at Cachi Reservoir, looking very pink in comparison, and we saw others in various spots along the Pacific coast.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Regular throughout, including a massive flock of thousands and thousands migrating high against the clouds as we returned to our hotel for lunch after our first morning at La Selva -- nice spotting, Dee Dee! We saw a handful of local residents -- marked by the white collars on the back of their necks -- in some trees near Carara's visitor's center.
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – An adult soared over the clearing by the cabins at La Selva on our first day there, and we spotted another adult circling in a thermal with a dark brown youngster (and several Black and Turkey Vultures) during a timely comfort stop our second day. Some of the group had another adult while birding the hill behind Villa Lapas one morning.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – A handful circled around over the forest near the start of the Robles trail at Savegre, snatching insects from the treetops, but our best views probably came at Virgen del Socorro, where two soared over our heads near the bridge. We saw others over the cloud forests around Monteverde.
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – One sitting atop a Norfolk Pine in the garden at Hotel Bougainvillea was a treat the first morning of the tour -- nice spotting, Dee Dee! We saw a couple of others perched up in a spreading tree along the Tarcol River on our boat trip.
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis) – A family group -- an adult male and at least two youngsters -- hunted along the edge of a hyacinth-choked lake at Casa Turiri, occasionally landing on a branch to pry an apple snail out of its shell.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus) – One atop a snag along a trail at La Selva late in the afternoon briefly pulled our attention away from the "frozen" Great Tinamou. When it swiveled its head, we could clearly see the dark stripe down the center of its throat.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus) – One flew high over the bus as we headed down from Tapanti after our morning's birding there, seen by some of the folks on the right side of the bus, and another circled over the feeders outside the Fonda Vela dining room. This is a winter visitor to Costa Rica.
COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii)
BICOLORED HAWK (Accipiter bicolor) – A pair with a nest at Rancho Naturalista put on quite the show (some of it definitely x-rated) for Kevin's group on our morning along the trails there. The birds also showed -- though only for several fairly fleeting glimpses -- on our last morning there. [N]
BARRED HAWK (Leucopternis princeps) – One glided into a tree right down the road from where we stood at Virgen del Socorro, and proceeded to stare at us while we stared back -- great spotting, Liz!
SEMIPLUMBEOUS HAWK (Leucopternis semiplumbeus) – One in a big open tree near La Selva's entrance gates gave us scope views, turning around several times so we could study all sides.
COMMON BLACK-HAWK (MANGROVE) (Buteogallus anthracinus subtilis)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Buteo magnirostris) – One on a nest near Lisa's house at Rancho Naturalista. [N]
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus) – Common throughout, including a kettle of 100 or so circling over the Savegre Valley one morning, and another big group (mixed with a few Swainson's Hawks) over Cerro de la Muerte.
GRAY HAWK (Buteo nitidus)
SWAINSON'S HAWK (Buteo swainsoni)
RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) – A couple of the distinctively rufous local subspecies soared over the hillsides in Savegre, and we spotted at least one white-bellied migrant over the farm fields near Silent Mountain.
ORNATE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus ornatus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis) – We heard two calling from the forest at Rancho Naturalista while we listened for Common Potoo. One of them flew even closer -- right over the forest hummingbird feeders -- but despite our best efforts, we never did spot it. [*]
COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus) – A youngster flashed in from the forest along the Meandrico trail at Carara, landed briefly in a tree right near the trail and peered around for a bit before dropping off its perch and disappearing back into the forest.
CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) – Two sat on shady branches in some huge trees near Playa Guacalillo, serenading us with their chuckling songs.
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis) – One made several passes over us while we searched for hummingbirds at Lisa's house near Rancho Naturalista, and another rocketed past low over El Tigre marsh.
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias) – One picked its way slowly down the river at La Quinta, occasionally leaping off a rock to snatch something from the water. Great spotting, Don A!
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE (Laterallus albigularis) – We heard a pair calling from the wet meadow in Platanillo where we found our White-throated Flycatcher and Striped Cuckoo. [*]
RUFOUS-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides axillaris) – Some tag-team spotting by Liz, Kathleen and Dee Dee netted us views of one as it sneaked through the tangled mangrove roots on a toasty afternoon at Caldera, seen during a mid-afternoon leg stretch break as we headed back to San Jose on our final day.


You've got to get the viewing angle just right in order to see the stunning iridescence of the aptly named Fiery-throated Hummingbird. The angle is apparently perfect in this picture! (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajanea) – Two walked out of the forest and into the vegetation right near the entrance gate at La Selva, presumably to check out whether any tidbits remained under the lights there.
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica)
AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) – One among the duck flock on the Cachi Reservoir made a good marker: "It's the duck three to the right from the coot."
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
DOUBLE-STRIPED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus bistriatus) – A wary group of four or five trotted across a dry burned field north of Carara, and disappeared over the rise. We spotted another on our Tarcol River boat trip -- though it took a while for some of the group to find it among the accumulated trash, since it was sitting inside an old car tire!
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis) – A pair shepherded three half-grown chicks back and forth across one of the pastures at Casa Turiri. [N]
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) [b]
WILSON'S PLOVER (Charadrius wilsonia) – A single bird, sporting its distinctive large dark bill, huddled on a sand bar just offshore at Guacalillo.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus) [b]
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – A half dozen or so pattered around the edges of Rio Birris, the water treatment plant we visited on our drive to Orosi. [b]
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – A handful bobbed around the edges of the retention pond at Rio Birris, most already showing a good number of spots on their bellies. We saw others along the Tarcol River and at Villa Lapas. [b]
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) [b]
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – One, already in lovely breeding plumage, waded belly deep in the retention pond at Rio Birris before finally moving onto the shore and allowing us to see its namesake yellow legs. [b]
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata) [b]
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) [b]
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) [b]
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla) [b]
WESTERN SANDPIPER (Calidris mauri) [b]
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) [b]
SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER (Limnodromus griseus) – A little group huddled near some tangled dead branches on a mudflat along the Tarcol River, snoozing among taller Willets. [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla)
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – A handful among the myriad Laughing Gulls lounging on the mudflats near Caldera, seen during a toasty mid-afternoon stop.
ROYAL TERN (Thalasseus maximus)
SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – Best seen just after we turned off the main highway en-route to Rancho Naturalista, when we found a couple foraging in the grass beside the wall around somebody's garden.
RED-BILLED PIGEON (Patagioenas flavirostris)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – Seen in flight on several occasions around Savegre.
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
SHORT-BILLED PIGEON (Patagioenas nigrirostris) – Fine scope studies of several -- showing well their distinctively short black beaks -- feasting in one of the fig trees near the cabins at La Selva. This is the lowland replacement for the previous species.
WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica)
INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-CHESTED DOVE (Leptotila cassini)
BUFF-FRONTED QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon costaricensis) – A trailside bird scuttled through the undergrowth at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, moving in and out of view as we crept down the trail in hot pursuit. Some of the group were lucky enough to be looking in the right direction when it ambled across the trail between us.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
SULPHUR-WINGED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura hoffmanni) – A screeching group of 20 or so flew past us several times -- their golden underwings flashing in the early morning sun -- as we birded along the road to Silencio Mountain.
CRIMSON-FRONTED PARAKEET (Aratinga finschi)
OLIVE-THROATED PARAKEET (AZTEC) (Aratinga nana astec) – A big flock flew past while we birded the clearing near the cabins at La Selva, but our best views came in the arboretum, where one pair snuggled as they preened and another bird ripped leaves from the tree, ate some unidentified bit from them and dropped the rest to the ground.
ORANGE-FRONTED PARAKEET (Aratinga canicularis)
GREAT GREEN MACAW (Ara ambiguus) – A pair arrived -- right on cue -- literally seconds after we stepped off the bus at the traditional nest site near La Selva. They spent some time investigating the nest cavity before flying over to a nearby tree full of seed pods for a long feeding session. [N]
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao) – Dozens of pairs flew past as we watched from the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, but our best views came at Carara, where we found a trio cavorting in a big tree over the Meandrico trail, and en-route to our boat trip, when we found a group busily munching fruits in some trees along the road. It's hard to imagine how anybody could stick one of these in a cage!
ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET (Brotogeris jugularis) – Several chomped on figs in one of the fruiting trees near La Selva's cabins, allowing plenty of opportunity for leisurely scope studies.
BROWN-HOODED PARROT (Pyrilia haematotis) – Good looks at one nibbling fruits in a tree near Lisa's house at Rancho Naturalista, and another in the trees over our cabins at Fonda Vela.
WHITE-CROWNED PARROT (Pionus senilis) – Very common in the Caribbean lowlands and foothills, seen on most days during the first week of the tour.
WHITE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona albifrons)


Green Violetear, an abundant and noisy highland hummingbird. These feisty birds flare their violet "ear tufts" at each other in an aggressive display while defending "their" feeder or flower patch from other hummers. (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

RED-LORED PARROT (Amazona autumnalis)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa) – We heard the loud, raucous calls of this species as we walked back out of Carara after our afternoon at the manakin pools. [*]
YELLOW-NAPED PARROT (Amazona auropalliata)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana) – Seen on the grounds of Hotel Bougainvillea, where two clambered around in the trees above us on the first morning, and (for those who didn't go to Carara the second morning) on the road above Villa Lapas, where one scrambled through a fruiting tree.
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) – One sang from a hedgerow near the little marsh at Platanillo, its rufous crest rising and falling in time with its song.
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
Strigidae (Owls)
PACIFIC SCREECH-OWL (Megascops cooperi) – One near the little coastal town of Tarcoles proved surprisingly cooperative despite the fact that its favorite roost trees had been recently chopped down; as dusk fell, it emerged from wherever it spent its day, perched in the open on some nearby branches, and called for a few minutes before winging off into the darkness.
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) – The last new bird of the trip, found calling in the Hotel Bougainvillea garden before our final dinner. Superb views for all!
VERMICULATED SCREECH-OWL (VERMICULATED) (Megascops guatemalae vermiculatus) – Two -- one rufous, one gray -- snoozing side by side in a viny tangle at La Selva were a highlight of our late afternoon birding there.
BARE-SHANKED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops clarkii) – A softly singing bird along the road through Savegre Valley was a nice surprise late one afternoon; it sat for more than 20 minutes in a tree at eye-level height, hooting and ignoring the agitated little birds trying to mob it.
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) – Great scope views of a calling bird -- showing well his shaggy "eyebrows" -- high in a tree at La Selva.
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) – Wahoo! A calling pair perched side by side on a branch over the river at La Quinta was a fine pre-breakfast treat on our last morning there.
COSTA RICAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium costaricanum) – Those who ventured back up to the start of the Robles trail high in the Savegre Valley were rewarded with views of one near the nest tree. We heard another calling from the forest at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
CENTRAL AMERICAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium griseiceps) – We returned to the spot where we'd heard one tooting during our night walk at La Selva, and -- with some patience and persistence and the assistance of a half-dozen or so fired-up hummingbirds -- had scope views of it calling from a branch high in the canopy the next day.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) – A pair tooted from trees just beyond the back wall of Hotel Bougainvillea the first morning of the tour, at one point sitting side by side -- one facing us, the other facing away -- on the same branch. But our best views came near Guacalillo, where one peered down from a tree right over the road.
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) – We found a very confiding bird right at dusk near the Gray-throated Leaftosser's nest.
STRIPED OWL (Pseudoscops clamator) – One staring intently at the ground from a roadside utility wire as we headed back to the hotel in the dark was an unexpected finale to our La Selva night trip.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SHORT-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis semitorquatus) – One made several passes over the soccer field at La Selva just at dusk, looking (as Kevin described it) rather like a boomerang.
LESSER NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles acutipennis)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – One hunted from the driveway near La Selva's dining room, seen well in the scopes as we returned from our night walk there, and we heard others calling from the dark gardens at Hotel Bougainvillea.
DUSKY NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus saturatus) – We heard them singing from the darkening fields all around us as twilight fell over the highlands, and suddenly -- lo and behold -- one was sitting on the sign right beside us! In the spotlight, we could see the fine black barring on its browner plumage.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – We heard one calling -- very distantly -- on our final morning at Rancho Naturalista. [*]
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
VAUX'S SWIFT (Chaetura vauxi)
COSTA RICAN SWIFT (Chaetura fumosa) – A big flock swirled over a field near Villa Lapas, their whitish rump bands flashing as they banked in front of the trees.
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora) – Fabulous views of many jousting around the feeders at Rancho Naturalista, with others at La Selva.
BAND-TAILED BARBTHROAT (Threnetes ruckeri) – One zipped in for a brief visit to the forest feeders at Rancho Naturalista, feeding for a half minute or so before disappearing off into the trees. The orangish throat and banded tail of this hermit are distinctive.
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy) – Especially nice studies of both sexes around the forest feeders at Rancho Naturalista. The female has longer white tail tips than the male, but he's more brilliantly colored.
LONG-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis longirostris) – One gleaned bugs out of spider webs around La Quinta's front desk and gift shop during lunch one day, seen by some.
STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)
GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL (Doryfera ludovicae) – A feisty bird near the entrance to Tapanti National Park chased every other hummingbird away from "its" stretch of the stream. Some fine spotting by Liz netted us extended scope views of it preening on a vine; that long beak makes reaching anything higher than its vent a real challenge!
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae) – One sat on some metal "leaves" interwoven through a bush at La Paz Waterfall Garden, keeping an eye on the feeders and occasionally flaring its ear tufts at other hummingbirds that passed a bit too close. We saw a trio interacting around some of the balcony feeders at Rancho Naturalista, and one of the birds there regularly perched on utility wires at the corner of the building.
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus)
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
GREEN-BREASTED MANGO (Anthracothorax prevostii) – Common on the Caribbean slope, with many around Rancho Naturalista's feeders and a female on her nest (on an electrical insulator) over the road down from Silent Mountain. [N]
GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii) – A trio of males sparred briefly near one of the feeder trees at La Paz Waterfall Gardens before settling down to feed.
BLACK-CRESTED COQUETTE (Lophornis helenae)
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula)
MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens) – Common around the Savegre Mountain Lodge, including a few we watched taking rain baths --tails and wings spread, back feathers all fluffed up -- during the heavy shower we had during lunch. Good thing we were inside!
PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster constantii)
FIERY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Panterpe insignis) – Definitely among the more dazzling of the hummingbirds we saw on this trip, particularly when you got a "full frontal" of that amazing throat patch. And we got plenty of head-on views as they swarmed around the feeders at Paraiso Quetzal -- which made it particularly difficult to tear ourselves away for lunch!
WHITE-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-GEM (Lampornis hemileucus)
PURPLE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (Lampornis calolaemus)
WHITE-THROATED MOUNTAIN-GEM (GRAY-TAILED) (Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda) – Fine views of both males and females around the feeders at Savegre Mountain Lodge.
MAGENTA-THROATED WOODSTAR (Calliphlox bryantae) – A male made several visits to one of the feeders at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, quickly distinguished by his small size and long, pointed tail. We saw another male at the Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery's feeders.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris)
VOLCANO HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus flammula) – Regular in the highlands, including several males demonstrating their high-flying display dives in the paramo at Cerro de la Muerte, and one sitting briefly where we could see his double-tipped gray gorget.
SCINTILLANT HUMMINGBIRD (Selasphorus scintilla) – Fine views for everybody on our last morning at Savegre Mountain Lodge: the pygmy-owlers spotted a handsome male in the apple orchard on their way down the hill, while the "lowlanders" had multiple views with a young male near the plant nursery a bit further down the river from our hotel.
CANIVET'S EMERALD (Chlorostilbon canivetii)
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti)
SCALY-BREASTED HUMMINGBIRD (Phaeochroa cuvierii)
VIOLET SABREWING (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
BRONZE-TAILED PLUMELETEER (Chalybura urochrysia)
VIOLET-CROWNED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania colombica) – Very common around the feeders at Rancho Naturalista. And judging from the length of time they spent dipping themselves in the bathing pools there, these must be the cleanest hummingbirds in Costa Rica!
STRIPE-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupherusa eximia)
BLACK-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupherusa nigriventris) – A female made several visits to one of the feeders at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, showing her distinctive little rusty wing patch as she hovered near the feeder port. We also saw a male perched in one of the bushes there -- thanks to some fine spotting by Betsy!
COPPERY-HEADED EMERALD (Elvira cupreiceps) – Especially close studies of a handful around the feeders at the Monteverde Hummingbird Gallery, with others at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is one of Costa Rica's endemics. [E]
SNOWCAP (Microchera albocoronata) – Daily around Rancho Naturalista, including a male bathing in the hummingbird pools (little more than a fluorescent white dot dipping and rising) our first afternoon and a couple of males sipping nectar from the vervain hedges near Lisa's house.
MANGROVE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia boucardi) – It took some patience and persistence, but we all got fine views of one of these rather plain (as hummingbirds go) endemics feeding at some mangrove flowers along the Tarcol River. What would we have done without the green dot?! [E]
STEELY-VENTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia saucerrottei)
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
CINNAMON HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia rutila)
BLUE-THROATED GOLDENTAIL (Hylocharis eliciae)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
RESPLENDENT QUETZAL (Pharomachrus mocinno) – WOW!! We started the day hoping for one, and ended the day with five -- including a pair provisioning a nest full of youngsters near the Waterfall trail, another pair industriously excavating a nest hole along the road down from Los Robles (with much soft cooing and showers of sawdust floating down from the tree) and a single male swooping across the valley, his long tail trailing out behind, as we birded along the road late in the afternoon. What a spectacular bird! [N]
SLATY-TAILED TROGON (Trogon massena)
BLACK-HEADED TROGON (Trogon melanocephalus)
BAIRD'S TROGON (Trogon bairdii) – Both groups connected with close birds on the walk to Carara's manakin pools: Kevin's group found a male along the river, while Megan's group found a female near the crumbling bridge.
GARTERED TROGON (Trogon caligatus)
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus)
ORANGE-BELLIED TROGON (Trogon aurantiiventris) – A softly calling female led us on a bit of a merry dance across the grounds of the Fonda Vela before finally perching out in the open where we could see her. Some taxonomists believe this species is conspecific with the next.
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris) – A male fluttered back and forth from perch to perch near Tapanti's entrance, plucking fruits from a tree over the stream.
Momotidae (Motmots)


Several Blue-crowned Motmots were regulars at the feeders outside the Fonda Vela's dining room windows. (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT (LESSON'S) (Momotus coeruliceps lessonii) – Widespread throughout. Our first were four birds -- including one with two brand new tail feathers, thus lacking those distinctive paddles -- interacting on the grounds of the Hotel Bougainvillea. And our last were a confiding pair hanging around the feeders outside the Fonda Vela dining room.
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii)
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (Electron platyrhynchum) – Several seen well along one of the paths at La Selva, including one perched on a looping vine right over the trail as the light faded.
TURQUOISE-BROWED MOTMOT (Eumomota superciliosa)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
BELTED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle alcyon)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona) – A female sat on a snag that had fallen into the river near La Quinta, beyond the Sunbittern. While we watched, a male rocketed in with a fish, which he presented to her before zipping off again.
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea) – A tiny male flashed in to mangroves right beside our boat on the Tarcol River and perched just inches above the water -- and fortunately, Luis spotted him! After long, motionless minutes, it dropped into the water and snatched a tiny fish, which it then beat senseless on a branch before swallowing it.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) – One perched high in a tree overlooking the clearing full of cabins at La Selva, not far from our Snowy Cotinga.
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus) – One of these tiny puffbirds sat near the top of a leafless tree along La Selva's entrance road.
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus) – This one was certainly a surprise! We heard one calling as we tried to refind a White-whiskered Puffbird near one of the bridges at La Selva, then spotted it singing from the top of a huge emergent tree in the background. This is a very uncommon species on our tour route.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda) – Especially nice looks at a pair sitting (and hunting) together on a looping vine on a back trail at La Selva. Their long beaks help jacamars to capture stinging insects more safely -- they can hold them out at "arm's length" so to speak!
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii)
Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)
PRONG-BILLED BARBET (Semnornis frantzii) – Two flew in to a tree not far from the picnic grounds at Tapanti and serenaded us with their duet. We heard others calling from the forests around Monteverde.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
EMERALD TOUCANET (BLUE-THROATED) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus caeruleogularis) – A few near the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve showed magnificently as they searched for fruits among the trees.
COLLARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus torquatus)
BLACK-MANDIBLED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii) – Regular throughout, with particularly nice views of two gobbling figs -- and occasionally calling to each other -- in trees near La Selva's cabins.
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus)
GOLDEN-NAPED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes chrysauchen) – Two flew back and forth, calling, over the heads of those who spent a second morning in Carara before one finally landed high up in one of the nearby trees.
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)
HOFFMANN'S WOODPECKER (Melanerpes hoffmannii) – Common on the grounds at Hotel Bougainvillea, including a very ratty-faced bird apparently nesting in a broken palm stump near the main building, with many others around Villa Lapas and Carara on the west coast.
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus varius) – One on the grounds of the Hotel Bougainvillea our first afternoon flicked through several nearby trees before disappearing off to the other side of the garden. The big white wing stripe of this species is distinctive.
SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER (Picoides fumigatus)
HAIRY WOODPECKER (Picoides villosus) – Two, looking distinctly dark to our North American eyes, foraged in trees over an abandoned cabin along the Savegre valley road.
RUFOUS-WINGED WOODPECKER (Piculus simplex)
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – A male in a little tree beside the road into Tapanti proved very accommodating, leading to a discussion of the many benefits of air-conditioned birding.
CINNAMON WOODPECKER (Celeus loricatus)
CHESTNUT-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus castaneus) – A male hammered away on a small branch right beside a trail at La Selva, completely unfazed by our rather noisy presence nearby, and another male caused considerable confusion when it appeared on the other side of the same tree as our first Cinnamon Woodpecker.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
PALE-BILLED WOODPECKER (Campephilus guatemalensis) – A male bounded across an open field along "Bridge Road", swooping in to land in a tree along the field's edge -- nice spotting, Don A! Shortly afterwards, the bird's mate arrived, and the two of them moved down onto a pile of fallen branches to check them for tidbits.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus mexicanus) – The second time was the charm at Rancho Naturalista's bathing pools, when a couple of these shy forest dwellers came in for a splash and a preen on rocks and branches next to the puddles.
SCALY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus guatemalensis) – One seen tossing leaves -- and occasionally lifting its head up for a look around -- along one of the trails at Carara, seen by those who visited the park again on the second morning.
GRAY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus albigularis) – One flung leaves aside along the main trail at Monteverde Forest Reserve, searching for tidbits underneath.
SLATY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis brachyura)
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops)
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens)
RUDDY TREERUNNER (Margarornis rubiginosus)
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla subalaris)
STRIPED WOODHAUNTER (Hyloctistes subulatus) – Kevin's group in Braulio Carrillo spotted a close bird at eye level in the big mixed flock they found along the trail.
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (HYPOPHAEUS) (Automolus ochrolaemus hypophaeus)
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (EXSERTUS) (Automolus ochrolaemus exsertus)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus) – Two foraged, chickadee-like, above a trail at La Selva, often hanging upside down from vines and leaf clusters.
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa) – One of these aptly-named (plain, brown) woodcreepers spent long minutes clinging to vines just above the massive army ant swarm we found at Rancho Naturalista.
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
LONG-TAILED WOODCREEPER (Deconychura longicauda) – One came in with a mixed flock for those who visited Carara on the second morning, and showed briefly in several spots before moving off into the forest.


Among the many high altitude specialties we found was this handsome male Sooty Thrush -- one of what seemed to be zillions that live along the Continental Divide. (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
NORTHERN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) – One working its way slowly up a tree beside a trail at La Selva showed its barred back and stomach nicely. This species is often in attendance at army ant swarms.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) – One along the road through Tapanti was a nice surprise; this is a rare species at mid elevations on the Caribbean slope.
COCOA WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)
BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus) – One heard calling near the manakin pools in Carara, with another (or the same one) seen as it clung to a tree high over the heads of the group (for a great view of its underside) on the second morning there.
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius) – Particularly common at Rancho Naturalista, with birds seen well along the trails there; we had others at Tapanti and Virgen del Socorro.
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
SPOT-CROWNED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes affinis) – Quite common in the Savegre Valley, including two chasing each other around a tree trunk near where we found our first Flame-throated Warblers.
BROWN-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus pusillus) – One at Santa Elena was a bit elusive at first (and had us scuttling up and down the path in pursuit), but eventually, it settled down next to a big bromeliad and allowed us long, satisfying scope studies. That strongly decurved beak is diagnostic.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) – A pair danced through vegetation along the Meandrico trail at Carara, with the male showing very well as he sang challenges to a rival with his topknot aggressively flared. We saw others in the mangroves along the Tarcol River and some of the group found one nibbling berries in a tree up the road from the Villa Lapas.
WESTERN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha) – An eye-level male along one of the trails at La Selva was a treat.
BLACK-HOODED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus bridgesi) – A handful, including a very speckled female, seen well along several of the trails in Carara. This species is found only in Costa Rica and western Panama.
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE (Thamnistes anabatinus)
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis) – A dark male showed very well as it searched for tasty morsels near Rancho Naturalista's moth sheet.
STREAK-CROWNED ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus striaticeps) – Those in Megan's group at Braulio Carrillo had fine studies of a cooperative pair along the latter part of the loop trail.
CHECKER-THROATED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla fulviventris)
SLATY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula schisticolor)
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis)
RUFOUS-RUMPED ANTWREN (Terenura callinota) – Two flicked through a tree above our heads on the road to Silent Mountain, showing well their lovely patterned wings -- but not so well their rufous rumps.
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra tyrannina)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza exsul)
DULL-MANTLED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza laemosticta) – One along the stream near the start of the loop trail at Braulio Carrillo performed beautifully for both groups, singing from rocks in the middle of the stream.
IMMACULATE ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza immaculata) – Nice looks at a pair (particularly the male) near the army ant swarm at La Paz Waterfall Garden, seen as they worked their way back and forth through the big tangle of downed trees uphill from the path.
SPOTTED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevioides) – Megan's group at Rancho Naturalista had fine views of a male sitting just a few feet off the ground, downslope from the huge army ant swarm. Sadly, Kevin's group only heard it singing.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis) – One rummaged through the leaf litter near the paved path at Carara, kicking leaves aside as it searched for tasty morsels. With its cocked-up tail, this species almost looks like a tiny bantam chicken -- except for the bare blue skin around its eyes, that is!
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STREAK-CHESTED ANTPITTA (Hylopezus perspicillatus) – It took some tracking through the undergrowth, but we all got fine views of one singing just off the paved path at Carara.
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
SILVERY-FRONTED TAPACULO (Scytalopus argentifrons)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Ornithion semiflavum) – One called and called and called from the canopy over the heads of those who spent a second morning at Carara, but was sadly never spotted. [*]
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum) [*]
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola)
GREENISH ELAENIA (Myiopagis viridicata)
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
MOUNTAIN ELAENIA (Elaenia frantzii)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus) – A female with a lovely nest hanging right beside the trail out to the forest feeders at Rancho Naturalista was surprisingly confiding, making several visits to the nest and sitting for long minutes on the fence despite our nearby presence as we searched for the Bicolored Hawks.
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris)
PALTRY TYRANNULET (Zimmerius vilissimus) – One of these tiny flycatchers flicked through a fruiting tree right outside of the dining room at La Selva, showing well as it perched on a whole succession of small twigs.
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis atricapillus) – We worked hard for our first, which twitched back and forth through some trees over a trail at La Selva -- and were rewarded with a point-blank view of one sitting about waist-high off the ground right beside the trail a bit later in the morning. This tiny bird isn't much bigger than a ping pong ball!
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)
NORTHERN BENTBILL (Oncostoma cinereigulare)
SLATE-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus sylvia)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps) – One of these small flycatchers flicked through some roadside trees near the bridge at Virgen del Socorro, remarkably low for this typically canopy-dwelling species.
EYE-RINGED FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus brevirostris)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis) [*]
STUB-TAILED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus cancrominus)
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus mystaceus) – Kevin's group at Rancho Naturalista spotted one working above the massive army ant swarm.
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus coronatus)
ROYAL FLYCATCHER (NORTHERN) (Onychorhynchus coronatus mexicanus) – We found the extraordinary nest of this species near a dry creek bed in Carara, with at least one large youngster inside and a restless adult flitting from branch to branch in the clearing around it. [N]
RUDDY-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Terenotriccus erythrurus) – Those in Megan's group spotted one of these tiny flycatchers while hiking in to Carara's manakin pools late one afternoon.
TAWNY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Aphanotriccus capitalis) – Superb views of one -- often literally at arm's length -- clearing moths from bushes around the moth sheet at Rancho Naturalista. This forest species can be tough to find over most of its very restricted range.
TUFTED FLYCATCHER (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)
DARK PEWEE (Contopus lugubris)
OCHRACEOUS PEWEE (Contopus ochraceus)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens)
TROPICAL PEWEE (Contopus cinereus)
YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax flaviventris)
WHITE-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax albigularis) – One sang from a series of little bushes along the back edge of a wet meadow near Platanillo. Overall, it was certainly quite plain -- though we all agreed it did indeed have a white throat!
YELLOWISH FLYCATCHER (Empidonax flavescens)
BLACK-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Empidonax atriceps)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans) – One hunted from a big rock in the middle of the stream near the start of our drive up the Silencio Mountain road, and we saw others at Virgen del Socorro and Savegre.
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus) – One in the big leafless tree near the entrance marsh at La Selva was a big hit. Males have slightly longer streamers than females do.
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) – Our best views probably came around the moth sheet at Rancho Naturalista, where one spent long minutes perched on various low branches, looking for insects -- with its namesake rump (a rather flashy yellow) often showing.
RUFOUS MOURNER (Rhytipterna holerythra) – Two hunted along the entrance road at La Selva, not far from the gate posts and another flashed back and forth among a big mixed flock Megan's group found at Rancho Naturalista. The mournful two-note song of this species was a regular part of the tour soundtrack in the Caribbean lowlands and foothills.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
PANAMA FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus panamensis) – One in the mangroves along the Rio Tarcoles showed its distinctive lack of rufous -- unique among Costa Rica's Myiarchus flycatchers.
NUTTING'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus nuttingi)
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus crinitus)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis) – Seen well on many days, including some in good comparison with Social Flycatchers and White-ringed Flycatchers on the wires near La Selva's dining room, and a busy pair with a nest near our cabins at Villa Lapas.
WHITE-RINGED FLYCATCHER (Conopias albovittatus) – A noisy pair bounced through the palm trees near the entrance gate at La Selva. The white supercilium stripes on this species continue right around to meet at the back of its head, and its bill is considerably longer than the bill of the similar Social Flycatcher.
GOLDEN-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes hemichrysus)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) – Including one singing from the big tree over Carara's visitor's center, and others around the main clearing at La Selva. This species steals recently completed nests from orioles and caciques, saving themselves much time and effort.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus forficatus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)


Costa Rica's avifauna includes some truly stunning tanagers. This is the Spangle-cheeked Tanager, a highland vision in peach, pale blue, and black. (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

RUFOUS PIHA (Lipaugus unirufus) – Great scope studies of one -- looking rather like an oversized Rufous Mourner -- over the paved trail at Carara. Interesting how he called every time a noisy truck went by!
THREE-WATTLED BELLBIRD (Procnias tricarunculatus) – Some super spotting by Luis (and later by Maurice) netted us our first rather distant views of one calling from a dead snag far across a wide valley near Monteverde, but our best views came in the forest preserve the following day -- when we found one bonging from a huge tree right over the path. It's an amazingly loud sound, considering it's made by a relatively small living creature!
YELLOW-BILLED COTINGA (Carpodectes antoniae) – A trio of males flashed around in a fruiting tree along the Rio Tarcoles, looking exceptionally white among the greenery.
SNOWY COTINGA (Carpodectes nitidus) – WOW!! One perched up in a leafless tree beyond the cabins at La Selva, giving us a great chance to study it in the scopes. This lovely bird is uncommon in the Caribbean lowlands from southern Nicaragua to northern Panama.
Pipridae (Manakins)
WHITE-RUFFED MANAKIN (Corapipo altera)
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata) – A male made a couple of quick visits to Carara's bathing pools as the light faded; sadly, it was dark enough by then that some of the group struggled to find it against the shadowy foliage.
WHITE-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus candei)
ORANGE-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus aurantiacus) – Several startlingly bright males bounced around on low branches just off the Meandrico trail at Carara. This is a sister species to the White-collared Manakin of the Caribbean slope.
LONG-TAILED MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia linearis)
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Pipra pipra) – It's quite the climb to the active lek at Rancho Naturalista, but well worth the effort considering how close we got to the "singing" males.
RED-CAPPED MANAKIN (Pipra mentalis) – A bright male and a drabber female made repeated visits to Carara's manakin pools, splashing vigorously between bouts of preening.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
THRUSH-LIKE SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis turdina) – Those in Kevin's group saw one along the edge of the big army ant swarm, and we all watched one bathing in the manakin pools at Carara late one afternoon.
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus) – A pair along La Selva's entrance road, and another pair -- with a rapidly growing nest -- in the clearing near the dining room there. [N]
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
MANGROVE VIREO (Vireo pallens)
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO (Vireo flavifrons) – One appeared among the big tanager flock along the road to Silent Mountain -- good spotting, Kathleen! This is a common and widespread winter visitor throughout much of the country.
YELLOW-WINGED VIREO (Vireo carmioli) – Great encounters with several small flocks in Savegre Valley, particularly in the garden around our hotel, where the birds were very low and close.
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys) – One, carrying some bright green nesting material, twitched through a tree beside the main trail at La Paz Waterfall Garden shortly before lunch. This species strongly resembles a Warbling Vireo, but with a dark brown cap. [N]
PHILADELPHIA VIREO (Vireo philadelphicus)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO (Vireo flavoviridis)
TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Hylophilus ochraceiceps)
LESSER GREENLET (Hylophilus decurtatus)
GREEN SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius pulchellus)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
SILVERY-THROATED JAY (Cyanolyca argentigula) – A trio of these dark jays moved through the big oaks along the Robles trail at Savegre, poking and prodding along the epiphyte-laden branches. With patience, we all got good looks at those namesake pale throats.
WHITE-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY (Calocitta formosa)
BROWN JAY (Psilorhinus morio)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – This was the common swallow of the highlands, with particularly nice looks at several birds preening on the wires over the little reservoir at Rio Birris and at Savegre Mountain Lodge.
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
MANGROVE SWALLOW (Tachycineta albilinea) – Particularly common along the Rio Tarcoles, including dozens swarming around our boat. Their white rump patch is diagnostic.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
BAND-BACKED WREN (Campylorhynchus zonatus)
RUFOUS-NAPED WREN (Campylorhynchus rufinucha)
BLACK-BELLIED WREN (Pheugopedius fasciatoventris) – One moved slowly through the undergrowth alongside the Meandrico trail at Carara, regularly stopping with its very white throat (and black belly) facing our direction. When it moved into sunlit patches, we could really see the narrow black barring on its wings and tail.
RUFOUS-BREASTED WREN (Pheugopedius rutilus)
BLACK-THROATED WREN (Pheugopedius atrogularis) – Two chortled from thick vegetation along one of the grassy paths at La Selva, eventually -- with a bit of patience -- giving everybody a nice look.
BANDED WREN (Thryophilus pleurostictus)
RUFOUS-AND-WHITE WREN (Thryophilus rufalbus) – One sat for long minutes atop a stick beside a stream near Guacalillo, giving us all multiple opportunities to study it in the scope.
STRIPE-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus thoracicus)
PLAIN WREN (Cantorchilus modestus)
PLAIN WREN (CANEBRAKE) (Cantorchilus modestus zeledoni) – Two bounced through the vegetation under the lights at La Selva's entrance gate, checking for insects. This subspecies has a song type distinctive from its higher elevation brethren, and was formerly considered to be a distinct species -- the Canebrake Wren.
RIVERSIDE WREN (Cantorchilus semibadius)
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus) – Two danced through some tangled vegetation along the banks of a little stream, occasionally peeking out for a look around.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
OCHRACEOUS WREN (Troglodytes ochraceus)
TIMBERLINE WREN (Thryorchilus browni) – Super views of two as they twitched back and forth through the stunted paramo growth -- only a foot or two above the ground -- on Cerro de la Muerte.
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
NIGHTINGALE WREN (Microcerculus philomela) – We all heard one singing (and singing and singing) near the start of the trail at Braulio Carrillo, but only Kevin's group saw it, when they went back past its territory at the start of their hike.
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (WHISTLING) (Microcerculus marginatus luscinia) – Brief but satisfying looks at one that crept across the trail to its roosting hole, late one afternoon at Rancho Naturalista; we also heard its mellow descending whistles while birding in the forest there.
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
TAWNY-FACED GNATWREN (Microbates cinereiventris) – One fluttered low along a path in Braulio Carrillo, showing very well for some and not at all for others.
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
WHITE-LORED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila albiloris) – A scolding pair crept through some thorny bushes along the road to Guacalillo.
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (Polioptila plumbea)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
BLACK-FACED SOLITAIRE (Myadestes melanops)
BLACK-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus gracilirostris) – Best seen along the road out of the Savegre Valley, where we found one sitting quietly at eye level on the guy wire holding up a telephone pole.
ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus aurantiirostris)
SLATY-BACKED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus fuscater) – Fabulous views of as many as five at once, bouncing in the trail and along the edges of the big army ant swarm at La Paz Waterfall Garden. We saw others by another ant swarm along the main trail at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
RUDDY-CAPPED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus frantzii)
BLACK-HEADED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus mexicanus) – Those in Megan's group at Braulio Carrillo had fine views of one singing softly from a waist-high branch right near the trail, and most of the group (sorry Dee Dee!) spotted another bathing in one of the pools at Rancho Naturalista.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)
WOOD THRUSH (Hylocichla mustelina)
SOOTY THRUSH (Turdus nigrescens) – Common in the highlands around Cerro de la Muerte, and high in the Savegre Valley, where dozens bounced across fields and roads, sang from wires or flitted between paramo bushes.
MOUNTAIN THRUSH (Turdus plebejus)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi) – If we had a penny for every one we saw...
WHITE-THROATED THRUSH (Turdus assimilis)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus) – Seen well on the grounds of Casa Turiri, where we had a pair bouncing around between fence posts and a lone tree in one of the pastures.
Ptilogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)
BLACK-AND-YELLOW SILKY-FLYCATCHER (Phainoptila melanoxantha) – A trio made us work for a bit near the front doors of the Paraiso Quetzal Restaurant (flitting through thick bushes in the fog, just upslope from where we stood) before finally flying to our side of the parking lot and sitting in trees near the cabins.
LONG-TAILED SILKY-FLYCATCHER (Ptilogonys caudatus) – Small numbers in the Savegre Valley, with especially nice views of a pair busily constructing a mossy nest in the tree right over the hotel's reception area. [N]
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla) – One bobbed on rocks along the stream near the bridge into Savegre Mountain Lodge on each of our days there.
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis)
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (Vermivora chrysoptera)
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
FLAME-THROATED WARBLER (Oreothlypis gutturalis) – Daily in the Savegre Valley, including a busy quartet searching for tidbits in some of the trees around our first quetzal nest.
TENNESSEE WARBLER (Oreothlypis peregrina)
GRAY-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis poliocephala)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia) – A handsome male bounced across the lawn at Rancho Naturalista one morning, interrupting breakfast as everyone scrambled for a look.


The sun sets on another gorgeous day in paradise. (Photo by guide Megan Crewe)

KENTUCKY WARBLER (Geothlypis formosa) – Brief views for many of one that made a quick visit to the bathing pools at Rancho Naturalista, and another at the big ant swarm for those in Kevin's group.
OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis semiflava) – One sat on a low, big-leafed plant in an open field near "Bridge Road", allowing nice comparison with the Gray-crowned Yellowthroat we'd seen just minutes before. We saw another -- though not nearly so well -- skulking through the tall grass along the edge of the road at Virgen del Socorro.
AMERICAN REDSTART (Setophaga ruticilla) – A female flicked through the mangroves along the Rio Tarcoles, creating a brief bit of confusion during our Mangrove Vireo search.
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca) – Particularly nice looks at a bright male in a roadside bush near the little bridge on the Silent Mountain road, with others at Tapanti and in the Savegre Valley.
YELLOW WARBLER (Setophaga petechia)
YELLOW WARBLER (MANGROVE) (Setophaga petechia erithachorides)
CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER (Setophaga pensylvanica) – Obviously, every Chestnut-sided Warbler in North America must overwinter in Costa Rica. We saw hundreds, in every conceivable plumage.
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga virens)
RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (Basileuterus rufifrons) – A pair on the grounds of the Hotel Bougainvillea proved very cooperative the first afternoon of the tour, working along the edge of the lawn in plain view. They (or another pair) proved equally confiding the next morning.
BLACK-CHEEKED WARBLER (Basileuterus melanogenys)
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (Basileuterus culicivorus) – Super looks at two hunting around the moth sheet at Rancho Naturalista one morning.
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda)
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis)
WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
COLLARED REDSTART (Myioborus torquatus) – Particularly common around Savegre, including an endearing pair that flicked all around us in a pile of downed branches along Los Robles trail, with others in Santa Elena National Park. Because of its often close association with people (which it sees as giant insect stirrers), it has the wonderful local nickname of "Amigo de Hombre" or "Friend of Man".
WRENTHRUSH (Zeledonia coronata) – One crept through roadside bushes near a bridge on the road out of Savegre Valley, periodically peeking out and letting us see its stocky gray shape and bright orange crown stripe. It took a bit of time and maneuvering, but I think we all got a look in the end!
Coerebidae (Bananaquit)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLACK-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Chrysothlypis chrysomelas) – Fantastic views of an aptly-named male (looking surprisingly like a Prothonotary Warbler) in a nearby bush at Virgen del Socorro, with others (males and females) in Braulio Carrillo and along the road to Silent Mountain.
WHITE-THROATED SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio leucothorax) – A pair with the big mixed flock that Kevin's group encountered at Braulio Carrillo; the female gathered small twigs (presumably for a nest) while the male kept an eye on things.
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii) – A sizeable flock along the trail at Braulio Carrillo rummaged through the forest at eye level, allowing super views of the flame-colored crowns on the heads of the males.
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
CRIMSON-COLLARED TANAGER (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) – Two of these handsome tanagers worked their way up a brushy hillside beyond the bridge at Virgen del Socorro -- great spotting, Betsy!
PASSERINI'S TANAGER (Ramphocelus passerinii)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus) – Regular throughout, including eight at once feasting at Rancho Naturalista's "banana tree" feeder during lunch one day.
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Bangsia arcaei)
EMERALD TANAGER (Tangara florida) – Best seen in the big mixed tanager flock that swirled through the fruiting trees along the Silent Mountain road; those with Kevin at Braulio Carrillo also saw some in the big mixed flock they found there.
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala)
SPECKLED TANAGER (Tangara guttata)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola) – Small numbers on three days in the Caribbean foothills, with especially nice looks at several pairs in the big mixed tanager flock along Silent Mountain road.
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata) – Especially common on the Caribbean slope, with great views of several cooperative pairs in berrying trees around La Selva's dining room.
SPANGLE-CHEEKED TANAGER (Tangara dowii) – Spectacular views of one resting for several minutes near one of the fruit trays at La Paz Waterfall Garden, showing nicely how its cheek subtly changed colors as it turned its head. We had more good studies at Tapanti and Monteverde.
SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS (Dacnis venusta) – Seen on scattered days at mid-elevations, including a trio near the feeders at the Fonda Vela. A preening male at La Cinchona flashed his namesake thighs briefly for some.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
SHINING HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes lucidus)
RED-LEGGED HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes cyaneus) – Regular in the lowlands on both slopes, including a male with a very odd-looking leucistic female in a vine tangle near the forest restrooms at Carara.
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
BLACK-HEADED SALTATOR (Saltator atriceps)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus) – One gobbled berries in a tree just over the path at Braulio Carrillo, seen by Megan's group; occasionally, it even hung upside down, just to get a particularly tasty-looking fruit -- super spotting, Kathleen!
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (Sporophila corvina)
WHITE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila torqueola)
NICARAGUAN SEED-FINCH (Oryzoborus nuttingi) – A couple of distant males perched up on tall weeds at El Tigre marsh, their pinkish beaks visible against the dark foliage.
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Oryzoborus funereus)
YELLOW-FACED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus) – Including a male singing from a barbed wire fence near where we looked for Three-wattled Bellbirds on our misty morning near Monteverde, and others on the lawns at Rancho Naturalista.
SLATY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa plumbea)
YELLOW-THIGHED FINCH (Pselliophorus tibialis)
LARGE-FOOTED FINCH (Pezopetes capitalis)
SOOTY-FACED FINCH (Arremon crassirostris) – Two down the hill from the "bus stop" below La Paz Waterfall Garden showed very nicely indeed as we peered over the side from a concrete bench -- though giving directions while a noisy nearby bus reversed and went forwards again and again and again ("beep beep beep beep...") proved somewhat challenging!!
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha) – Fine views of one scurrying back and forth along the edges of the main trail at Monteverde Forest Reserve, seen shortly after we entered the park.
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris) – Best seen at Rancho Naturalista, where one took a long bath in one of the concrete pools near the dining room. We had others at Braulio Carrillo and Carara.
OLIVE SPARROW (Arremonops rufivirgatus)
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris)
WHITE-NAPED BRUSH-FINCH (YELLOW-THROATED) (Atlapetes albinucha gutturalis)
WHITE-EARED GROUND-SPARROW (Melozone leucotis) – Gorgeous views of two rummaging in the gardens at Hotel Bougainvillea, demonstrating nicely their "towhee two-step" method of scratching.
PREVOST'S GROUND-SPARROW (CABANIS'S) (Melozone biarcuata cabanisi) – Fantastic looks at one that sat for long minutes in a small, leafless tree not far from the road overlooking Cachi Reservoir. What a handsome bird!
STRIPE-HEADED SPARROW (Peucaea ruficauda)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
VOLCANO JUNCO (Junco vulcani) – Several rummaged through the grass along the edges of the track up Cerro de la Muerte, and the male spent long minutes singing sweetly from one of the low paramo bushes. This species is found only in the highest highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama.
COMMON BUSH-TANAGER (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus)
SOOTY-CAPPED BUSH-TANAGER (Chlorospingus pileatus)
ASHY-THROATED BUSH-TANAGER (Chlorospingus canigularis) – Best seen along the road to Silent Mountain, part of the big mixed tanager flock we encountered. Megan's group saw others in a mixed feeding flock at Rancho Naturalista, while descending from the manakin leks.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea) – A couple of handsome males, already in their retina-searing breeding plumage, at La Selva, including one in the fruiting fig where we found our first Yellow-crowned Euphonias.
FLAME-COLORED TANAGER (Piranga bidentata)
WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera) – A pair building a nest over the road through Tapanti National Park were a treat -- great spotting, Kathleen! [N]
RED-THROATED ANT-TANAGER (Habia fuscicauda) – A male beat several moths to death atop La Selva's entrance gate our first morning there, a pair searched for insects around the moth light at Rancho Naturalista, and another male splashed vigorously in the bathing pools there on our second evening's visit there.
CARMIOL'S TANAGER (Chlorothraupis carmioli)
BLACK-FACED GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes poliogaster)
BLACK-THIGHED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus tibialis) – One along the road through Tapanti National Park gleamed on an overcast afternoon.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus)
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa cyanoides)
BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)
PAINTED BUNTING (Passerina ciris)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus)
RED-BREASTED BLACKBIRD (Sturnella militaris) – A couple of bright-fronted males trundled around in the grass at the feet of several cows in the pastures at Casa Turiri.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)
MELODIOUS BLACKBIRD (Dives dives)
GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis) – One in a tree right beside the road at Casa Turiri; this brood parasite only recently arrived (first reported in 2004) in Costa Rica.
BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus) – A group of these very large brood parasites, which parasitize oropendola nests, marched around the feet of several cows and water buffalo at Casa Turiri, grabbing the insects they stirred up.
BLACK-COWLED ORIOLE (Icterus prosthemelas)
BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)
YELLOW-BILLED CACIQUE (Amblycercus holosericeus)
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (SCARLET-RUMPED) (Cacicus uropygialis microrhynchus) – One dropped in to the bananas nailed to the tree by Rancho Naturalista's dining room, providing a nice finale to our first lunch there. The scarlet rump patch of this species is invisible when the bird's wings are closed.
CHESTNUT-HEADED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius wagleri)
MONTEZUMA OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius montezuma)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
SCRUB EUPHONIA (Euphonia affinis)
YELLOW-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia luteicapilla) – Super scope views of a male -- showing well his big yellow crown spot -- in the fruiting fig near the cabins at La Selva. Lenin was a scope-focusing machine!
YELLOW-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia hirundinacea)
ELEGANT EUPHONIA (Euphonia elegantissima) – A few of these gorgeous birds explored the mistletoe clumps in trees near the Sanchiri Lodge restaurant, effectively delaying our departure for Tapanti!
OLIVE-BACKED EUPHONIA (Euphonia gouldi)
WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta) – A pair visited in the fruiting fig tree near the cabins at La Selva; their white vents quickly distinguish them from other euphonias.
TAWNY-CAPPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia anneae)
GOLDEN-BROWED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia callophrys) – They made us work for it, calling and calling and calling from densely leafed trees over the road up to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve while we scanned and searched fruitlessly from below, but one pair finally relented and moved down into the open, where we could get a scope on them and delight in that glorious combination of colors.
YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN (Spinus xanthogastrus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

MAMMALS
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso) – Two hung from the roof over the common area at La Quinta during our first lunch there, occasionally making a few circuits around the restaurant before hanging themselves up again.
MANTLED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta palliata)
WHITE-THROATED CAPUCHIN (Cebus capucinus) – A good-sized troop, including several females carrying young on their backs, bounded through trees over Carara's Meandrico trail, keeping a watchful eye on us as they went.
CENTRAL AMERICAN SPIDER MONKEY (Ateles geoffroyi)
HOFFMANN'S TWO-TOED SLOTH (Choloepus hoffmanni) – Best seen near Monteverde, where a group gathered along the roadside led us to discover one moving slowly through a nearby tree; we saw another at La Selva.
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus)
VARIEGATED SQUIRREL (Sciurus variegatoides)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
DUSKY RICE RAT (Melanomys caliginosus) – One of these dark little rodents made several darting forays from the hedges around the lawn at Rancho Naturalista, snatching tidbits ostensibly left for the birds.
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
NORTHERN RACCOON (Procyon lotor)
WHITE-NOSED COATI (Nasua narica) – One ambled along the back of a concrete bench near the waterfall overlook at La Paz, mooching for handouts, and a second showed up shortly afterwards.
GREATER GRISON (Galictis vittata) – One loped across the road in front of the bus as we drove to Cachi Reservoir en route to Orosi.
COLLARED PECCARY (Tayassu tajacu)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Marine (Cane) Toad (Bufo marinus) - These were the gigantic toads hopping around near the kitchen gardens at Rancho Naturalista, and along the paths at Villa Lapas.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio) - These tiny rainforest frogs enchanted early in our first day at La Selva, when we found a few singing along one of the paths.

Green and Black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) - Those in Kevin's group found one of these handsome frogs en-route to the Carara manakin pools.

American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) - Some of the specimens lurking below the bridge across the Rio Tarcoles were truly monsters -- and the cattle venturing down to the river for a drink were certainly tredding carefully!

Black River Turtle (Rhinoclemmys funereal) - This was the turtle snoozing in the middle of the stream along the path near La Selva's soccer field.

Meso-American Slider (Trachemys venusta) - Another of the turtles seen at Carara, this one in the big river below the suspension bridge.

Fer-de-lance or Central American Lancehead (Bothrops asper) - We spotted a huge one along the trail out to the arboretum at La Selva -- in the dark, which made the rest of the walk out there a bit creepy!

Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) - Dozens patrolled the walls at La Quinta (and elsewhere), and their distinctive calls were a regular part of the tour soundtrack on many evenings.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) - A big green male rested in a tree near the big suspension bridge at La Selva.

Common Basilisk (Basiliscus basiliscus) - A few along the trails at Carara.                                          

Green Basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) - Several seen, including a little one that scampered across a stream at La Selva, showing just why one folkname for the species is the "Jesus Lizard".

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosuara similis) - These were the big gray and black, spiny-backed iguanas we found in several places along Carara's Meandrico trail.

Central American Whiptail (Ameiva festiva) - These slender, speedy lizards were fairly common in rainforest leaf litter, especially on the Caribbean slope.


Totals for the tour: 509 bird taxa and 14 mammal taxa