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COSTA RICA
21 January - 4 February 2007
by Mike Mulligan
You can’t go wrong taking bird folks to Costa Rica. The daily birdlife
spectacle is overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Throw in some
phenomenal scenery, an excellent guide, fine food and pleasant weather
and you’ve got a sure-fire winner. We had all that on this tour, and
more. Organized by Kim Risen of Naturescape Tours and guided by my good
friend Kevin Easley of Costa Rica Gateway, we enjoyed 13 days of widely
varied habitats from treeless (cold!) páramo to humid lowland
rainforests.
The group was composed of six Alberta birders, three Minnesotans and
one from Colorado. All but one were friends of mine, and three had been
in Costa Rica with me before. I’d worked with Kevin Easley on many
prior tours, in Costa Rica and elsewhere. He and I designed this
itinerary to give us maximum bird diversity, physical comfort and
reasonable pace. Here’s our story. (Only a few birds are included in
each day’s narrative – entire list follows separately.)
January 14
I arrive in San José and spend several days trying to add to my
country list. Blustery winds and rain are a daily challenge, luckily
ending just before our group arrives.
January 21
It’s “pretrip” day for Ben, Dave, Bob and his son Mike. Kevin picks us
up at Hotel Orquídeas and we drive up through coffee and
flower-growing plantations to Volcán Poás. The sky is
clear, the view is fine, and we spot some birds: Black-and-yellow
Silky-flycatcher, Yellow-thighed and Large-footed Finch, Black-cheeked
Warbler. At a stop on the way down we find Highland Tinamou and catch a
fleeting look at a Barred Forest-Falcon. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens we
see Bronzy Hermit, Magenta-throated Woodstar and Slaty Flowerpiercer.
Overnight Hotel Bougainvillea.
January 22
Everyone’s up and birding the hotel grounds at 6am; from the tower
Kevin finds us both Prevost’s and White-eared Ground-Sparrows and we
see our first Blue-crowned Motmot. After breakfast we meet our affable
driver Shampu, load the Coaster bus and head for the Pacific lowlands.
A stop at the Orotina town square gives us a pair of Black-and-white
Owls, residents here. At the Rio Tarcoles bridge we admire a number of
crocodiles, and then drive on a couple miles for a quick stop at the
Carara National Park entrance. In the afternoon boat operator Luis
takes us on a delightful cruise of the river mouth area and mangrove
forest; we spot our only Double-striped Thick-knee, an uncommon
Southern Lapwing and – rarest of all – a knockout close Agami Heron.
Panama and Northern Scrub-Flycatchers, both mangrove specialties, are
also seen. We overnight at the comfortable Hotel Villa Lapas.
January 23 At
early dawn we’ve no electricity, so Jay and I venture out early and
spot a low-flying Short-tailed Nighthawk. We bus to the River Trail at
Carara NP, return for breakfast, then try the Headquarters Trail. After
lunch and a rest break we return to the Figure Eight Trail and the
manakin pools. Carara, one of the finest birding sites in the country,
gives us (among others) Great Tinamou, our only Double-toothed Kite,
Black Hawk-Eagle, several iconic Scarlet Macaws, Spectacled Owl,
Baird’s Trogon and a very special Streak-chested Antpitta. Cedric finds
us a White-whiskered Puffbird and Laura comes up with a Golden-crowned
Spadebill. The magical pools yield Blue-crowned and Red-capped
Manakins, White-shouldered Tanager and Orange-billed Sparrow. O/N Punta
Leona Resort.
January 24 On
the hotel grounds a Three-wattled Bellbird bongs in the distance but
remains hidden. We walk trails through the Tarcoles mangrove forest and
visit the Carara NP entrance, finding Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet,
Masked Tityra, Long-tailed Manakin, “Mangrove” Warbler, Mangrove Vireo,
White-lored Gnatcatcher. An afternoon drive north to Guacimo, a
deciduous dry-forest habitat, gives us a nice assortment of raptors:
Plumbeous Kite, Collared Forest-Falcon (super look), Yellow-headed
Caracara, Laughing Falcon; plus several White-throated Magpie-Jays and
a close King Vulture. At dinner we’re entertained by a family of
capuchin monkeys and a huge iguana on a nearby tree. After dark our
nightbird search brings us a perched Barn Owl near Jaco. O/N Punta
Leona.
January 25 Our
early walk through the resort property turns up Crested Guan,
Steely-vented Hummingbird, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Fiery-billed Aracari,
Riverside Wren and Yellow-crowned Euphonia. After loading up we head
down the coast. South of Jaco we find a rare American Wigeon, and a
White Hawk is spotted on the way to Quepos (where we pick up lunch
supplies). We bump along the coast road to Dominical, leave the soaring
frigatebirds and turn uphill toward San Isidro. On our way to Talari
Mountain Lodge we find Tawny-crowned Greenlet, Scaled Pigeon and a pair
of Turquoise Cotingas. We O/N at the slightly funky Talari Lodge
(altitude 660m/2200ft) and note a skulking Orange-billed
Nightingale-Thrush on the grounds before supper.
January 26
Early on the lodge grounds we turn up a pair of Pearl Kites,
Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Snowy-bellied Hummingbird, Olivaceous Piculet,
Cherrie’s Tanager. Along a back road near San Isidro Kevin stops to
encourage a Smooth-billed Ani into the open, and finds a Tropical
Screech-Owl roosting in a fence post (weird!). A bit farther along a
local woman points out a nesting Long-billed Starthroat, and several
Fork-tailed Flycatchers wing over a field. Swallow-tailed Kites glide
overhead as we pull into Vista del Valle for lunch. Their feeders bring
us Violet Sabrewing (abundant), White-tailed Emerald and Speckled
Tanager. Higher up at Georgina’s Roadhouse on the PanAmerican Highway
we watch Green Violet-ear, Fiery-throated and Magificent Hummingbirds
plus a couple Sooty Robins. Stops along the road down to Savegre Lodge
(“Chacon’s”, altitude 2200m/7200ft) yield Spot-crowned Woodcreeper,
Mountain Elaenia, Flame-throated Warbler. O/N Savegre Lodge, a lovely
mountain retreat.
January 27 In
bright sunshine and crisp air we bird around the lodge and the feeders,
pause for breakfast, then walk the Waterfall Trail. Later in the day
Kevin takes us along the entrance road. A few of today’s sightings are
Sulphur-winged Parakeet, an Olive-striped Flycatcher found by Dave,
Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Ochraceous Wren and Long-tailed
Silky-flycatcher. Feeder birds include Volcano and Scintillant
Hummingbirds and Gray-tailed Mountain-gem, and Slaty Flowerpiercers
work the blossoms. Three pairs of Resplendent Quetzals are simply
breathtaking. An evening attempt for a Dusky Nightjar is highly
successful when one lands just a few feet from us. O/N Savegre Lodge
(yummy desserts here).
January 28
Mercifully we’re transported up the trail to the primary rainforest
reserve (a climb of over 1000 feet). We add Ruddy Pigeon, Buffy
Tuftedcheek, Ruddy Treerunner, Black-cheeked Warbler and Golden-browed
Chlorophonia. A Spotted Wood-Quail crosses cautiously in front of us.
Kevin shows us copulating Costa Rican Pygmy-Owls and several
Silvery-throated Jays, two outstanding highlands specialties. Later we
explore the treeless, chilly páramo habitat (3400m/11,000ft) on
the Tower Road. In light rain, fog and thin air we manage to find
Timberline Wren, Peg-billed Finch and Volcano Junco. O/N Savegre Lodge.
January 29
After breakfast we load up and drive north along the PanAmerican
Highway to Providencia Road. This productive highlands habitat gives us
Streak-breasted Treehunter, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo (heard), Barred
Becard, Mountain Robin, Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, Large-footed
Finch; and Kevin patiently coaxes out a secretive Wrenthrush. On our
way to La Selva we stop at the Cinchona “Restaurante”. At these
marvelous feeders we add Green Hermit, Green Thorntail, White-bellied
Mountain-gem and Green-crowned Brilliant. Red-headed and Prong-billed
Barbets hang out at the banana platform and a pair of Blue-throated
Toucanets perch close by. On our way to La Selva our driver Shampu
spots a Black Guan, and after supper we listen to the call of a Mottled
Owl. O/N in comfortable quarters at the famed La Selva Biological
Station.
January 30 At
dawn we’re gathered near a yard light, watching birds feeding on
attracted insects. Fasciated Antshrike, Bright-rumped Attila and an
oblivious Great Curassow pair are a few. Others spotted on the grounds
and trails include Green Ibis, a perched Semiplumbeous Hawk, Western
Long-tailed Hermit, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, a Chestnut-colored
Woodpecker pair, Rufous Mourner, Cinnamon Becard, male Snowy Cotinga,
Long-billed Gnatwren, Blue Dacnis, Chestnut-headed Oropendola. Little
Tinamou is heard-only. Shampu takes us south to Rio San José and
we pick up Fasciated Tiger-Heron and Buff-rumped Warbler. We finish the
busy, birdy day at El Tigre Marsh with White-tailed Kite, Gray-crowned
Yellowthroat and Nicaraguan Seed-Finch. O/N La Selva.
January 31 Early-birding the grounds is
productive today. In addition to several noisy Red-throated
Ant-Tanagers near our cabins, we spot Gray-headed Kite, Blue-chested
Hummingbird, Violaceous Trogon, White-ringed Flycatcher. Then we’re off
to La Virgen del Socorro road, but make two stops on the way. The first
is Pozo Azul for Crimson-fronted and Olive-throated Parakeets and Giant
Cowbirds, and the second is Laguna de la Luna (Slaty-Spinetail after
some effort, and Nimali finds us a White-throated Flycatcher). It’s a
fine day at La Virgen, and we see Barred Hawk, White-necked Jacobin,
Smoky-brown Woodpecker, Plain Xenops, Brown-billed Scythebill, Torrent
Tyrannulet, Blue-and-gold Tanager, our only Scarlet-thighed Dacnis,
Sooty-faced Finch and a Shining Honeycreeper thanks to Ben. At Cinchona
we find Brown Violet-ear, Black-bellied Hummingbird and the endemic
Coppery-headed Emerald (14 hummers today). At dusk we prowl La Selva
trails, listen to a reluctant Vermiculated Screech-Owl and watch a
vocal Great Potoo wing overhead. It’s our biggest day with over 150
species tallied. O/N La Selva and sleep well.
February 1 We
make the most of our last shot at La Selva: Gray-headed Chachalaca,
Ruddy Quail-Dove, Spot-fronted Swift, Pied Puffbird, Collared Aracari,
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Long-tailed Tyrant (exactly where I saw my
first 16 years ago), Black-headed Saltator, Yellow-tailed Oriole,
Scarlet-rumped Cacique and a striking Crimson-collared Tanager. We
drive a decent highway to La Fortuna, a busy tourist town near
Volcán Arenal, and on to Arenal Observatory Lodge. Along the way
we find Brown-hooded and Mealy Parrots, and near Fortuna we finally
locate a couple foraging Tropical Mockingbirds. The lodge feeders
attract Yellow-throated and Olive-back Euphonias and Golden-hooded
Tanagers, and we note a hovering Stripe-throated Hermit. The grounds
are meticulously landscaped and the facilities are first-class; our
rooms face the active volcano, although clouds obscure our view. Jay
says “I might bring my wife here.” O/N Arenal Observatory Lodge.
February 2
Kevin prepares early coffee on the deck. In the garden a Band-tailed
Barbthroat displays beautifully, a Black-crested Coquette feeds on the
verbena and we watch an uncommon White-throated Robin searching for
breakfast. The day’s “best” bird is a rare Rufous-winged Tanager. On
the Hanging Bridges trails we find Broad-billed and Rufous Motmots,
Streak-crowned Antvireo, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Common Tody-Flycatcher,
Song Wren (great view) and Montezuma Oropendola. An Ornate Hawk-Eagle
shows well for us, and a vagrant Hooded Warbler is my 747th country
bird (muchas gracias, Kevin). From our lunch vantage point we watch
huge belched-up boulders crashing down the flank of Volcan Arenal. On
the Waterfall Trail we hear the melody of the Nightingale Wren; most of
us get a decent look at this secretive singer. Those who persevere find
a Green-fronted Lancebill near the falls. We also pick up
Violet-crowned Woodnymph, Purple-crowned Fairy, Russet Antshrike and
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher. It’s hard to believe that our adventure is
almost over. O/N Arenal Observatory Lodge.
February 3 The
climate in this part of the Caribbean lowlands is generally pleasant
--the lodge is just high enough for comfortable days and cool evenings.
But early morning today it’s drizzly and windy, the first time weather
has interfered with our birding. We check the garden, then take the
road near Lake Arenal. For a travel day we do see some birds: Muscovy
Duck (distant on the lake), a shy White-throated Crake, Gray-chested
Dove, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Keel-billed and Chestnut-mandibled
Toucans, Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner, a female Great Antshrike,
Bicolored and Spotted Antbirds, Black-throated Wren, Emerald and
Bay-headed Tanagers, Yellow-billed Cacique. As we’re driving along the
lake road Kevin leaps to his feet and shouts “Crested Owl!” We quietly
exit the bus and there it is, perched right over the road. We are
treated to a first-class view of a secretive bird that normally
inhabits dark forest. Following lunch in La Fortuna Shampu points the
Coaster toward San José. We manage to pick up a Plain Wren at a
gift-shop stop along the way. Nice words are spoken at our final
dinner. O/N Hotel Bougainvillea.
February 4
Fly home, happy and tired.
Mammals recorded include Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, tent-making bat,
mantled howler monkey, white-faced capuchin, spider monkey, variegated
squirrel, red-tailed squirrel, Central American agouti, white-nosed
coati, collared peccary. Other life forms seen are Central American
crocodile, green iguana, spiny-tailed iguana, basilisk lizard, emerald
swift lizard, house gecko, pug-nosed anole, green tree anole, slender
anole, olive tree frog, marine toad, fer-de-lance (dead), leafcutter
ant, bullet ant, army ant, bess beetle, sphinx moth, helicopter
damselfly, blue morpho and other butterflies.
BIRD LIST
The accompanying list of over 470 species represents birds recorded on
this trip, including several heard only. For most of them I’ve
indicated one or more locations, usually including our initial
sighting. More common species are marked daily, almost daily,
frequently, or several.
473 species
(birds seen on 21 January pretrip only marked with *)
TINAMOUS
Great Tinamou – Carara NP, La Selva
*Highland Tinamou – near Poás NP
Little Tinamou – heard Punta Leona, La Selva
GREBES
Least Grebe – pond near Jaco
Pied-billed Grebe – Lake Arenal
PELICANS
Brown Pelican – Pacific coast
CORMORANTS
Neotropic Cormorant – Rio Tarcoles, coastal
ANHINGAS
Anhinga – Rio Tarcoles, Lake Arenal
FRIGATEBIRDS
Magnificent Frigatebird – Pacific coast
HERONS, EGRETS AND BITTERNS
Great Blue Heron – frequently
Great Egret – frequently
Tricolored Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Little Blue Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Snowy Egret – Rio Tarcoles
Cattle Egret – almost daily
Green Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Agami Heron – Rio Tarcoles, rare
Black-crowned Night-Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Boat-billed Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron – Rio Tarcoles
Fasciated Tiger-Heron – Rio San José
STORKS
Wood Stork – Rio Tarcoles
IBIS AND SPOONBILLS
Green Ibis – La Selva
White Ibis – Rio Tarcoles
Roseate Spoonbill – Rio Tarcoles
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – near Jaco
Muscovy Duck – Lake Arenal
American Wigeon – female near Jaco, uncommon
Blue-winged Teal – near Jaco
NEW WORLD VULTURES
Black Vulture – daily (“bingo” bird)
Turkey Vulture – daily
King Vulture – Carara, Guacimo
OSPREY
Osprey – frequently
HAWKS, EAGLES AND KITES
Gray-headed Kite – several times
Swallow-tailed Kite – near San Isidro
Pearl Kite – pair Talari Lodge
White-tailed Kite – near San Isidro, El Tigre
Double-toothed Kite – Carara NP
Plumbeous Kite – Rio Tarcoles, Guacimo
Barred Hawk – La Virgen
Semiplumbeous Hawk – La Selva
White Hawk – La Virgen, Arenal
Mangrove Black-Hawk – Rio Tarcoles
Harris's Hawk – SE of La Fortuna
Gray Hawk – Carara, seen frequently
Roadside Hawk – near San Isidro
Broad-winged Hawk – seen frequently
Short-tailed Hawk – seen several times
Zone-tailed Hawk – Carara, Puerto Viejo
Red-tailed Hawk – Savegre road, several
Black Hawk-Eagle – Carara, immature
Ornate Hawk-Eagle – La Virgen, Arenal
FALCONS AND CARACARAS
Crested Caracara – seen frequently
Yellow-headed Caracara – Rio Tarcoles
Laughing Falcon – seen frequently
*Barred Forest-Falcon – near Poás NP
Collared Forest-Falcon – Guacimo
*Merlin – Hotel Orquídeas
Bat Falcon – La Selva
Peregrine Falcon – Rio Tarcoles
GUANS, CHACHALACAS, CURASSOWS
Gray-headed Chachalaca – La Selva
Crested Guan – Punta Leona, frequently
Black Guan – way to La Selva
Great Curassow – close pair, La Selva
NEW WORLD QUAIL
Spotted Wood-Quail – Savegre Lodge
RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOTS
White-throated Crake – Arenal
Gray-necked Wood-Rail – Talari Lodge
Purple Gallinule – Rio Tarcoles
JACANAS
Northern Jacana – seen frequently
AVOCETS AND STILTS
Black-necked Stilt – Rio Tarcoles, Jaco
THICK-KNEES
Double-striped Thick-knee – Rio Tarcoles
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS
Southern Lapwing – Rio Tarcoles
Black-bellied Plover – Rio Tarcoles
Semipalmated Plover – Rio Tarcoles
SANDPIPERS
Whimbrel – Rio Tarcoles
Solitary Sandpiper – near Jaco
Spotted Sandpiper – Rio Tarcoles, several
Willet – Rio Tarcoles
Ruddy Turnstone – Rio Tarcoles
Western Sandpiper – Rio Tarcoles
Least Sandpiper – Rio tarcoles
GULLS
Laughing Gull – Quepos
TERNS
Sandwich Tern – Quepos
Royal Tern – Quepos
PIGEONS AND DOVES
Rock Dove – seen frequently
Scaled Pigeon – near San Isidro
Band-tailed Pigeon – Savegre, several
Pale-vented Pigeon – La Selva
Red-billed Pigeon – seen frequently
Short-billed Pigeon – La Selva
Ruddy Pigeon – Savegre trails
*Mourning Dove – near Heredia (Dave)
White-winged Dove – several days
Common Ground-Dove – Guacimo
Ruddy Ground-Dove – seen frequently
Inca Dove – seen several days
Blue Ground-Dove – Tarcoles, heard
White-tipped Dove – seen several times
Gray-chested Dove – Carara, several times
Ruddy Quail-Dove – Carara, La Selva
PARROTS
Scarlet Macaw – Carara NP, La Selva
Crimson-fronted Parakeet – Tarcoles, Pozo Azul
Olive-throated Parakeet – Pozo Azul
Sulphur-winged Parakeet – Savegre
Orange-chinned Parakeet – seen frequently
Brown-hooded Parrot – Savegre, La Fortuna
White-crowned Parrot – Arenal, several
White-fronted Parrot – Rio Tarcoles
Red-lored Parrot – Arenal, several
Yellow-naped Parrot – Rio Tarcoles
Mealy Parrot – La Selva
CUCKOOS
Squirrel Cuckoo – seen frequently
Smooth-billed Ani – near San Isidro
Groove-billed Ani – seen frequently
Striped Cuckoo – Guacimo heard
BARN-OWLS
Barn Owl – night near Jaco
OWLS
Tropical Screech-Owl – near San Isidro in post
Vermiculated Screech-Owl – La Selva heard
Mottled Owl – La Selva heard
Black-and-white Owl – pair Orotina
Crested Owl – near Lake Arenal, rare
Spectacled Owl – Carara NP
Costa Rican Pygmy-Owl – pair Savegre, rare
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Hotel Bougainvillea
POTOOS
Great Potoo – night La Selva
NIGHTJARS
Short-tailed Nighthawk – Villa Lapas
Lesser Nighthawk – Guacimo
Pauraque – seen, heard frequently
Dusky Nightjar – Savegre
SWIFTS
Spot-fronted Swift – La Selva
White-collared Swift – seen frequently
Gray-rumped Swift – La Selva
Vaux's Swift – seen several times
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift – La Selva
HUMMINGBIRDS
*Bronzy Hermit – La Paz Gardens
Band-tailed Barbthroat – La Selva, Arenal
Green Hermit – Cinchona
Western Long-tailed Hermit – Carara, La Selva
Stripe-throated Hermit – Arenal
Green-fronted Lancebill – Arenal waterfall
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird – Carara, Talari
Violet Sabrewing – Vista del Valle, several
White-necked Jacobin – La Virgen, Arenal
Brown Violet-ear – Cinchona
Green Violet-ear – Georgina’s, Savegre
Green-breasted Mango – Guacimo
Violet-headed Hummingbird – Arenal
Black-crested Coquette – Arenal
Green Thorntail – Cinchona
Fiery-throated Hummingbird – Georgina’s
White-tailed Emerald – Vista del Valle
Coppery-headed Emerald – Cinchona
Black-bellied Hummingbird – Cinchona
Violet-crowned Woodnymph – La Selva, Arenal
Blue-throated Goldentail – Carara, several
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – almost daily
Cinnamon Hummingbird – Guacimo
Blue-chested Hummingbird – La Selva
Steely-vented Hummingbird – Villa Lapas
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird – Talari Lodge
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer – La Selva
White-bellied Mountain-gem – Cinchona
Gray-tailed Mountain-gem – Savegre
Green-crowned Brilliant – Cinchona
Magnificent Hummingbird – Savegre
Purple-crowned Fairy – La Virgen, Arenal
Plain-capped Starthroat – Guacimo
Long-billed Starthroat – near San Isidro
*Magenta-throated Woodstar – La Paz Gardens
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – Guacimo
Scintillant Hummingbird – Savegre
Volcano Hummingbird – Savegre
TROGONS AND QUETZALS
Black-headed Trogon – Guacimo
Baird's Trogon – Carara NP
Violaceous Trogon – La Selva
Collared Trogon – La Virgen
Black-throated Trogon – La Selva
Slaty-tailed Trogon – Punta Leona
Resplendent Quetzal – Savegre Lodge
KINGFISHERS
Belted Kingfisher – Pacific coastal
Ringed Kingfisher – Talari Lodge
Amazon Kingfisher – Rio Tarcoles
Green Kingfisher – Rio Tarcoles
American Pygmy Kingfisher – Rio Tarcoles
MOTMOTS
Blue-crowned Motmot – Hotel Bougainvillea
Rufous Motmot – Arenal
Broad-billed Motmot – Arenal
Turquoise-browed Motmot – Guacimo
JACAMARS
Rufous-tailed Jacamar – Carara, La Selva
PUFFBIRDS
Pied Puffbird – La Selva
White-whiskered Puffbird – Carara NP
BARBETS
Red-headed Barbet – Cinchona
Prong-billed Barbet – Cinchona
TOUCANS
Blue-throated Toucanet -- Cinchona
Collared Aracari – La Selva, several
Fiery-billed Aracari – Punta Leona, Talari
Keel-billed Toucan – La Selva, several
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan – Carara, several
WOODPECKERS
Olivaceous Piculet – Talari Lodge
Acorn Woodpecker – Savegre Lodge
Black-cheeked Woodpecker – La Selva. several
Red-crowned Woodpecker – Talari Lodge
Hoffmann's Woodpecker – Carara NP
Hairy Woodpecker – Savegre Lodge
Smoky-brown Woodpecker – La Virgen
Rufous-winged Woodpecker – La Selva
Golden-olive Woodpecker – La Virgen
Cinnamon Woodpecker – La Selva
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker – La Selva
Lineated Woodpecker – La Selva
Pale-billed Woodpecker – Carara NP
OVENBIRDS
Slaty Spinetail – Laguna de la Luna
Red-faced Spinetail – La Virgen
Ruddy Treerunner – Savegre Lodge
Plain Xenops – Carara NP, La Virgen
Buffy Tuftedcheek – Savegre Lodge
Streak-breasted Treehunter – Providencia Road
Lineated Foliage-gleaner – Savegre Lodge
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner – Arenal
WOODCREEPERS
Olivaceous Woodcreeper – La Virgen
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper – La Selva
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper – La Selva
Cocoa Woodcreeper – Carara NP, several
Spotted Woodcreeper – La Virgen
Streak-headed Woodcreeper – Carara, several
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper – Savegre Lodge
Brown-billed Scythebill – La Virgen
TYPICAL ANTBIRDS
Fasciated Antshrike – La Selva
Great Antshrike – Arenal
Barred Antshrike – pair Tarcoles forest
Black-hooded Antshrike – pair Carara NP
Western Slaty-Antshrike – La Selva
Russet Antshrike – La Virgen, Arenal
Streak-crowned Antvireo – Arenal
Dot-winged Antwren – Carara NP
Dusky Antbird – Carara NP
Chestnut-backed Antbird – Carara, several
Bicolored Antbird – Arenal
Spotted Antbird – Arenal
ANTTHRUSHES AND ANTPITTAS
Black-faced Antthrush – Carara NP
Streak-chested Antpitta – Carara NP
Thicket Antpitta – Arenal
TAPACULOS
Silvery-fronted Tapaculo – Savegre heard
COTINGAS
Rufous Piha – Carara NP heard
Turquoise Cotinga – pair near San Isidro
Snowy Cotinga – m&f La Selva
Three-wattled Bellbird – Punta Leona heard
MANAKINS
White-collared Manakin – poor look La Selva
Orange-collared Manakin – on lek Carara NP
White-ruffed Manakin – female La Virgen
Long-tailed Manakin – Carara(?)
Blue-crowned Manakin – Carara pools
Red-capped Manakin – Carara pools
TYRANT FLYCATCHERS
Southern Beardless-Tyrannulet – Tarcoles forest
Yellow Tyrannulet – Talari Lodge
Greenish Elaenia – Tarcoles forest
Yellow-bellied Elaenia – Quepos, several
Lesser Elaenia – near San Isidro
Mountain Elaenia – Savegre, several
Torrent Tyrannulet – Savegre, La Virgen
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher – Carara, La Selva
Olive-striped Flycatcher – Savegre Lodge
Slaty-capped Flycatcher – La Virgen
Rufous-browed Tyrannulet – La Virgen
Paltry Tyrannulet – Talari, several
Northern Scrub-Flycatcher – Rio Tarcoles
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant – La Selva
Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant – Arenal heard
Northern Bentbill – Carara NP
Slate-headed Tody-Tyrant – Carara NP
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher – La Selva heard
Common Tody-Flycatcher – frequently
Yellow-olive Flycatcher – Carara, La Virgen
Yellow-margined Flycatcher – La Selva
Golden-crowned Spadebill – Carara NP
Northern Royal-Flycatcher – a few see, Carara
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher – Arenal
Tufted Flycatcher – Savegre Lodge
Olive-sided Flycatcher – La Virgen
Dark Pewee – Savegre Lodge
Tropical Pewee – Arenal
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher – Carara NP heard
White-throated Flycatcher – Laguna de la Luna
Yellowish Flycatcher – Savegre Lodge
Black-capped Flycatcher – highlands
Black Phoebe – Rio San José
Long-tailed Tyrant – La Selva
Bright-rumped Attila – La Selva
Rufous Mourner – Carara NP, La Selva
Dusky-capped Flycatcher – Tarcoles forest
Panama Flycatcher – Rio Tarcoles
Nutting's Flycatcher – Tarcoles forest
Great Crested Flycatcher – Carara, several
Brown-crested Flycatcher – Tarcoles forest
Great Kiskadee – almost daily
Boat-billed Flycatcher – frequently
Social Flycatcher – frequently
Gray-capped Flycatcher – Carara, several
White-ringed Flycatcher – La Selva
Golden-bellied Flycatcher – Savegre Lodge
Streaked Flycatcher – Tarcoles forest
Piratic Flycatcher – Talari Lodge
Tropical Kingbird – daily
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Guacimo
Fork-tailed Flycatcher – near San Isidro
Thrush-like Schiffornis – Carara pools
Barred Becard – Savegre, Arenal
Cinnamon Becard – La Selva
White-winged Becard – Talari, La Selva
Rose-throated Becard – Carara NP
Masked Tityra – Talari, La Selva
Black-crowned Tityra – La Selva
SWALLOWS
Gray-breasted Martin – Orotina, frequently
Mangrove Swallow – coastal, frequently
Blue-and-white Swallow – almost daily
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – Tarcoles
Southern Rough-winged Swallow – La Selva
Barn Swallow – Guacimo, several
SILKY-FLYCATCHERS
Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher – Providencia
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher -- Savegre
DIPPERS
American Dipper – La Virgen
WRENS
Band-backed Wren – La Selva, Arenal
Rufous-naped Wren – Tarcoles area
Black-throated Wren – La Selva
Rufous-breasted Wren – Carara NP
Riverside Wren – Carara, Punta Leona
Bay Wren – La Selva heard
Stripe-breasted Wren – La Selva, Arenal
Rufous-and-white Wren – Carara NP
Plain Wren – SE of La Fortuna
“Southern” House Wren – Talari, Arenal
Ochraceous Wren – Savegre, La Virgen
Timberline Wren – Tower Road
White-breasted Wood-Wren – Arenal
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren – Savegre
Nightingale Wren – Arenal
Song Wren – Arenal
MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS
Tropical Mockingbird – La Fortuna
THRUSHES
Black-faced Solitaire – Savegre Lodge
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush – Talari
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush – Savegre
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush – Savegre
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush – Arenal
Wood Thrush – Carara, La Selva
Sooty Robin – Georgina’s, Savegre
Mountain Robin – Savegre Lodge
Clay-colored Robin – daily
White-throated Thrush – Arenal Lodge
GNATCATCHERS
Long-billed Gnatwren – Carara NP
White-lored Gnatcatcher – Carara NP
Tropical Gnatcatcher – Carara, Punta Leona
CROWS AND JAYS
White-throated Magpie-Jay – Guacimo, Arenal
Brown Jay – Villa Lapas
Silvery-throated Jay – Savegre, rare
VIREOS AND ALLIES
Mangrove Vireo – Tarcoles forest
Yellow-throated Vireo – Savegre, Arenal
Yellow-winged Vireo – Savegre Lodge
Warbling Vireo – La Virgen, rare
Brown-capped Vireo – Savegre Lodge
Philadelphia Vireo – Talari Lodge
Yellow-green Vireo – Talari Lodge
Scrub Greenlet – Talari Lodge
Tawny-crowned Greenlet – Punta Leona
Lesser Greenlet – Carara NP, La Selva
Green Shrike-Vireo – Carara NP heard
Rufous-browed Peppershrike – Savegre
WOOD WARBLERS
Golden-winged Warbler – Talari, La Virgen
Tennessee Warbler – almost daily
Flame-throated Warbler – Savegre Lodge
Tropical Parula – Arenal Lodge
Yellow Warbler – Rio Tarcoles
Mangrove Warbler – Rio Tarcoles
Chestnut-sided Warbler – frequently
Black-throated Green Warbler – Talari, Savegre
Townsend's Warbler – Savegre Lodge
Blackburnian Warbler – La Virgen(?)
*Palm Warbler – Hotel Orquídeas
Black-and-white Warbler – frequently
American Redstart – Rio Tarcoles
Prothonotary Warbler – Rio Tarcoles
Northern Waterthrush – Rio Tarcoles
Mourning Warbler – Talari Lodge
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat – Laguna de la Luna
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat – El Tigre marsh
Hooded Warbler – Arenal
Wilson's Warbler – frequently
Slate-throated Redstart – La Virgen
Collared Redstart – Savegre Lodge
Black-cheeked Warbler – Savegre Lodge
Buff-rumped Warbler – La Selva, Arenal
Wrenthrush – Providencia Road
BANANAQUIT
Bananaquit – frequently
TANAGERS AND ALLIES
Common Bush-Tanager – Savegre Lodge
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager – Savegre Lodge
Olive Tanager – Arenal Lodge
Gray-headed Tanager – Carara NP
White-shouldered Tanager – Carara pools
Red-throated Ant-Tanager – La Selva
Hepatic Tanager – Arenal feeders
Summer Tanager – almost daily
Western Tanager – Pacific coastal
Flame-colored Tanager – Savegre Lodge
Crimson-collared Tanager – La Selva, Arenal
Passerini's Tanager – frequently
Cherrie's Tanager – Talari Lodge
Blue-gray Tanager – daily
Palm Tanager – frequently
Blue-and-gold Tanager – La Virgen
Scrub Euphonia – Carara NP
Yellow-crowned Euphonia – Punta Leona
Yellow-throated Euphonia – Arenal
Olive-backed Euphonia – Arenal
Tawny-capped Euphonia – La Virgen
Golden-browed Chlorophonia – Savegre
Plain-colored Tanager – La Selva
Emerald Tanager – Arenal
Silver-throated Tanager – frequently
Speckled Tanager – Vista del Valle
Bay-headed Tanager – Talari Lodge
Rufous-winged Tanager – Arenal, rare
Golden-hooded Tanager – frequently
Spangle-cheeked Tanager – Savegre
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis – La Virgen
Blue Dacnis – La Selva
Green Honeycreeper – frequently
Shining Honeycreeper – La Virgen
Red-legged Honeycreeper – frequently
BUNTINGS, SEEDEATERS, ALLIES
Blue-black Grassquit – near San Isidro
Variable Seedeater – frequently
White-collared Seedeater – Guacimo
Nicaraguan Seed-Finch – El Tigre Marsh
Yellow-faced Grassquit – Vista del Valle
Peg-billed Finch – Tower Road
Slaty Flowerpiercer – Savegre Lodge
Sooty-faced Finch – La Virgen
Yellow-thighed Finch – Savegre Lodge
Large-footed Finch – Georgina’s
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch – Vista del Valle
SPARROWS, TOWHEES, JUNCOS
Orange-billed Sparrow – Carara ponds
Black-striped Sparrow – Talari, Arenal
Prevost's Ground-Sparrow – Hotel Bouginvillea
White-eared Ground-Sparrow – Bougainvillea
Stripe-headed Sparrow – Guacimo
Rufous-collared Sparrow – frequently
Volcano Junco – Georgina’s
SALTATORS, CARDINALS AND ALLIES
Streaked Saltator – Talari Lodge
Grayish Saltator – Hotel Bougainvillea
Buff-throated Saltator – Talari, several
Black-headed Saltator – La Selva
Slate-colored Grosbeak – Arenal heard
Black-thighed Grosbeak – Savegre
Rose-breasted Grosbeak – frequently
Blue-black Grosbeak – Carara NP
Blue Grosbeak – Guacimo
Indigo Bunting – Talari Lodge
Painted Bunting – Talari Lodge
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, GRACKLES, ETC.
Red-winged Blackbird – Rio Tarcoles
Eastern Meadowlark – Guacimo
Melodious Blackbird – La Selva, several
Great-tailed Grackle – almost daily
Bronzed Cowbird – Pozo Azul
Giant Cowbird – Pozo Azul
Yellow-tailed Oriole – La Selva
Baltimore Oriole – daily
Orchard Oriole – Guacimo
Black-cowled Oriole – La Selva
Yellow-billed Cacique – La Selva
Scarlet-rumped Cacique – La Selva
Chestnut-headed Oropendola – La Selva
Montezuma Oropendola – La Selva, Arenal
FINCHES, SISKINS, CROSSBILLS
Yellow-bellied Siskin
OLD WORLD SPARROWS
House Sparrow
Additional birds noted January 15 – 19 by Mike
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Cooper’s Hawk
Black-breasted Wood-Quail
Blue-headed Parrot
Chestnut-collared Swift
Snowcap
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Yellow-eared Toucanet
Spotted Barbtail
Streaked Xenops
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner
Plain-brown Woodcreeper
Plain Antvireo
Slaty Antwren
Dull-mantled Antbird
Immaculate Antbird
Black-headed Antthrush
Scaled Antpitta
Ochre-breasted Antpitta
White-crowned Manakin
Eye-ringed Flatbill
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher
Tawny-chested Flycatcher
Black-and-white Becard
Tawny-faced Gnatwren
Azure-hooded Jay
Louisiana Waterthrush
Golden-crowned Warbler
Rufous-capped Warbler
Three-striped Warbler
Ashy-throated Bush-Tanager
Black-and-yellow Tanager
White-lined Tanager
Elegant Euphonia
White-naped Brush-Finch
Black-faced Grosbeak
Mike Mulligan
Calgary Alberta Canada
potoo@shaw.ca