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COSTA RICA


3 - 13 December 2004


by Georges Olioso (author) and Alain Pataud


Naturalist trip to Costa Rica (la version en français est Ici)


 

Some comments

 

-         Warning, prices are in $.

-         We bought all the services by internet.

-         Flight : Paris – Washington – San José (United Airlines), by ANYWAY, 1750 $. WARNING, don’t close your luggage if you have a transit in USA !.

-         Car : a little 4x4 Dahaitsu booked by Nouvelles Frontières and Adobe. Four seats, but not for large people !! Essential if you drive no tarred small roads.  Price  (9 days)  640 $ + 2 $/day for second driver and + 8 $/day for no insurance excess (usefull).

-         Roads and driving : In poor condition (but near Jaco)... WARNING ! Local drivers don’t  respect the rules of the road (yellow lines and trafic lights !).

-         Food : No problem ; we found all it is necessary. We don’t drink tap water and we don’t eat ice bought outside. Fruits are delicious (bananas and pineapples).

-         Money : you can pay with $ or Colones.

-         Tips are appreciated.

 

Itinerary:

-         3/12. Start from Roissy at 11 a.m. San José about 9 p.m. (local time is GMT -6). Taxi to Bougainvillea hotel (15 $).

-         4/12. Drive the CA2 to Savegre Mountain Hotel. Turn right on a very small road at the Km 80 and drive 7 Km.

-         5/12. Savegre and surroundings.

-         6/12. Savegre and café Giorgina (alt. 3100 m) near the Km 95 on the CA2 road.

-         7/12. We leave at 7 :30 a.m. to Selva Verde Lodge. There a mist everywhere above 1800 m between Savegre and San José and above 800 m between San José and Selva Verde ! From San José we drive the Limon road and we turn left at Santa Clara to Puerto Viejo. Near this small town there is small marshes. We arrvive in Selva Verde at 2 p.m.. Rains ...

-         8/12. All the day in Selva Verde. Ornitho guided walk (free), 6 :30 to 7 :30 a.m. (but busy). Another (20 $/person) 1 :30 to 3 :30 p.m. in the jungle. A third walk (free) at night (6 :30 to 7 :30 p.m.).

-         9/12. We leave at 8 a.m. to Villa Lapas, driving the road 32 by La Virgen, Alajuela and Garita. We stop at the Mirador catarata (about 30 min. from Selva Verde). After Garita, on the right of the downhill road, there is a small lake. Last stop on Tàrcoles bridge to observe the crocodiles. Hotel Villa Lapas near 3 p.m..

-         10/12. Villa Lapas and surrounding area (Tàrcoles beach, Playa Azul, durty road above the hotel). Late evening on Tàrcoles bridge for nightjars.

-         11/12. Villa Lapas. Morning (7 :30 to 10 :30), P.N. Carara. In the evening we drive to Jaco then to Paya Azul and the Rio Grande Tàrcoles.

-         12/12. We leave at 7 :30 a.m. and drive to Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas, then to San José. Night at Bougainvillea hotel.

-         13/12. Flight starts 10 a.m.

-         14/12. Paris Roissy airport, 6 :40 a.m. T= -3°C.

 

 

Hotels

 

-         Hotel Bougainvillea. We stay here 2 nights, the first and the last. Hotel is 20 min from the airport. Good rooms and beatiful garden with numerous birds (Red-billed Pigeon, Orange-chinned Parakeet, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Blue-crowned Momot, Grayish Saltator, etc.). Night price 105 $/ 2 with breakfeast. www.bougainvillea.co.cr

-         Savegre Mountain hotel. 90 km from San José by the CA2 (road to Panama). A large private reserve at altitude 2200 m. The downhill road to is very small, starting on the right at the km 80. Beautiful garden, cloud forest, river, numerous trails and birds. Numerous hummingbirds, Quetzal, Black Guan, Ruddy Pigeon, Red-headed Barbet, Torrent Tyrannulet, American Dipper, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, etc. Night price 75 $/2. www.savegre.co.cr

-         Selva Verde Lodge. Don’t mistake from Selva Verde Biological Station. The lodge is very near Puerto Viejo, 2 hours drive from San José by the Limon road (turn left at Santa Clara). Very rainy. Beautiful cloud forest, large river, trails, guided birds walks, nocturnal walks. We saw here Poison-dart Frogs, turtle and numerous birds (Great Tinamou, Semiplumbeus Hawk, Grey-headed Chachalaca, Sunbittern, ets.), big Iguana. We payed 243 $ for 2 nights, 2 breakfeasts, 2 lunches and 1 dinner (for 2). www.holbrooktravel.com

-         Hotel Villa Lapas. Near the Pacific Ocean in a secondary forest patch. A small river. P.N. Carara entrance is only 3 km and Tàrcoles bridge (Crocodiles) 7 km. Night price, 68 $/ 2,  breakfeast (buffet) 8$. Somme good birds : 3 species of Trogon, Scarlet Macaw, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan de Swainson, etc. At sea, numerous Magnificent Frigatebirds and Brown Pelicans. info@villalapas.com

 

Other Sites Visited

 

-         Café la Giorgina km 95 on the road to Panama. Altitude 3100 m, near the Cerro de la Muerte. Busy, but numerous hummingbirds ; we saw also Volcano Junco.

-         Mirador catarata. Small Café on the left of the road between (about 30 min drive from Selva Verde) Selva Verde and San José (by La Virgen). Very numerous tame hummingbirds, Bananaquit, Prong-billed Barbet, etc.

-         Parc National de Carara. We walk 3 hours in the cloud forest. Numerous wrens, Boat-billed Heron, numerous Antshrikes, American Pygmy Kingfisher, etc., also pecaris and agouti.

-         Rio Grande Tarcoles and surrounding area. From Villa Laps, when you are arriving at the main road, drive straight. At the village entrance, turn right then, turn left to the beach. Scarlet Macaws in the evening. If you don’t turn left, after some km you arrive in Playa Azul. Just before the entrance of the Crocodiles Safari, turn left and drive straight to the Rio Tarcoles. Waders, herons, terns, etc.

-         Tarcoles bridge. Good for crocodiles and also for Lesser Nighthawk late in the evening.

-         Puntarenas. Numerous birds in the large lagoon. At sea, Frigatebirds, Pelicans, Terns (we saw also only 1 Brown Booby...

 

 

We saw and/or heared 256 species (ou seulement entendues) in 9 days. 21 tyrannidae (not easy to determine), 19 hummingbirds, 17 parulidée, 11 wrens and 8 psittacidae.

 

 

Birds

 

Species order and taxonomy like Birds of the World. A checklist (J.F. Clement) and supplements.

 

  1. Great Tinamou Tinamus major. 08/12 - one, Selva Verde jungle.
  2. Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus. 9/12 - 5, small lake near Garita.
  3. Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis. Abundant, Pacific coast.
  4. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster or  Nazca Booby Sula granti ( ?, recent split). 12/12 -  one young bird Puntarenas beach.
  5. Neotropical Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Widespread but not abundant Pacific coast and main rivers.
  6. Anhinga Anhinga anhinga. Uncommon. Some birds along the Pacific coast. One, 9/12, small lake near Garita.
  7. Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnifiscens. Hundreds along Pacific coast.
  8. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias . Uncommon. Regular Pacific coast. Only one far the sea (small lake near Garita).
  9. Great Egret Ardea albus egretta. Savegre (one), near Selva Verde and Pacific coast. Maximum 4 (9/12) Tàrcoles beach.
  10. Tricolored Egret Egretta tricolor. Only in Tàrcoles area.
  11. Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea. Some, Selva Verde. Abundant, Pacific coast.
  12. Snowy Egret Egretta thula. Common near Selva Verde (there was a roost) anda long the Rio Tàrcoles.
  13. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ibis. Abundant in the Central Valley and near Selva Verde. Some in Tàrcoles area.
  14. Green Heron Butorides virescens. 10/12 – one, Tàrcoles beach ; 11/12 - one Playa Azul and one P.N. Carara.
  15. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (hoactli). One heared (11 :15 p.m.) Bougainvillea hotel, 03/12.
  16. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassia violacea. One young, 9/12, small lake near Garita. 11/12 – 10, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul at high tide (8 adults).
  17. Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius. 11-12 -  4  at roost P.N. Carara.
  18. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum. 11/12 – early morning (5:30 a.m.) one fishing in the small river, Villa Lapas.
  19. Wood Stork Mycteria americana. 7/12 - 2 flying near Puerto Viejo (uncommon species here). ± 12, 10/12  - Tàrcoles beach ; one, 12/12 - Tàrcoles bridge and one, same day, near Puntarenas.
  20. White Ibis Eudocimus albus. Only Pacific coast ; maximum ± 10, 10/12 - Tàrcoles beach (some young birds).
  21. Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja. Only one (adult) in flyght, P.N. Carara, 11/12.
  22. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis. 10/12 - 11 (3 youngs) Tàrcoles bridge; 11/12 – one young bird in a garden, Playa Azul and 7 or 8 (3 young birds) Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul.
  23. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors. 17, 9/12, lake near Garita.
  24. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus. Very abundant everywhere
  25. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura. Widespread, but not abundant
  26. King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa. Adult flying 10/12 above Villa Lapas.
  27. Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Seen everywhere in small number, also at 2200 m  (Savegre)
  28. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus. One, 6/12 - Savegre and one 7/12 - café Giorgina (Cerro de la Muerte).
  29. Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens . One flying 10/12 Tàrcoles.
  30. Semiplombeus Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbea. One, branched, Selva Verde, 8/12.
  31. Mangrove Black-Hawk Buteogallus subtilis. 10/12 – two near Tàrcoles, one adult in flyght and an immature branched in the mangrove.
  32. Gray Hawk Asturina nitida. One, roadside, 10/12 - 5 km north of Jaco.
  33. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus. One near San Ramon le 12/12.
  34. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus. One, 11/12 - P.N. Carara.
  35. Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus. One, 9/12 - Tàrcoles.
  36. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis. Near Cartago and Savegre (5, 5/12).
  37. Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway. Seen twice near Tàrcoles. 12/12 – two adults feeding on the ground near Puerto Caldera.
  38. Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima. One, 10/12 - Villa Lapas ; 2, 11/12 - Playa Azul and one, same day, le P.N. Carara.
  39. Gray-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps. Sall group, 6/12 - Selva Verde. Another party, 12/12 – road above Villa Lapas.
  40. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens. Very good sights of 2 birds 10/12 and 12/12 above Villa Lapas.
  41. Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor. One, early morning, 5/12, trail above Savegre.
  42. Sunbittern Eurypyga helias. One near the river 8/12 and 9/12 early morning, Selva Verde.
  43. Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa. 7/12 - 6 or 7 near Puerto Viejo. Common near Tàrcoles. In a flooded garden, Playa Azul, 4 adults and 4 youngs, 9/12 and 10/12. Also P.N. Carara.
  44. Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus. A small party (3 to 5) every day near Tàrcoles bridge and Playa Azul.
  45. Double-striped Thick-Knee Oedicnemus bistriatus. One, 12/12 near Puerto Caldera.
  46. Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola. Some everywhere along Pacific coast.
  47. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus. 10/12 and 11/12, two Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul. 12/12 -  4 or 5, Puntarenas.
  48. Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus. One, 11/12, high tide, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul.
  49. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus. One, 10/12, Playa Azul ; some, 12/12, Puntarenas.
  50. Greater Yellowleg Tringa melanoleuca. One, 11/12, high tide, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul. Another, 12/12, Puntarenas.
  51. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia. Widespread and common along Pacific coast anda long the rivers. Not seen Savegre.
  52. Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (inornatus). Common along Pacific coast.
  53. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres morinella. Only along Pacific coast where it is a common bird (25, 11/12, Tàrcoles.
  54. Sanderling Calidris alba. Widespread along Pacific coast (maximum ± 50, 11/12, Playa Azul).
  55. Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri. One, 10/12, Playa Azul.
  56. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla. ± 30, 10/12 and 11/12, Playa Azul.
  57. Laughing Gull Larus atricilla. ± 50 at high tide, 11/12, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul.
  58. Elegant Tern Sterna elegans. Rare. One or two, 10/12, Tàrcoles beach and 11/12, high tide, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul.
  59. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicnesis acuflavidus. Rare. One, 10/12, Tàrcoles beach and 11/12, high tide, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul. Two, 12/12, Puntarenas lagoon.
  60. Royal Tern Sterna maxima.  Abundant along Pacific coast, particularly at the Rio Tàrcoles mouth.
  61. Black Skimmer Rynchops niger. Two, 11/12, high tide, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul.
  62. Rock Dove Columba livia « domestica ». Uncommon but San José and surrounding area.
  63. Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata. A mountain species here. Seen only above Savegre (maximum 12, 6/12).
  64. Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris. At least 11, 4/12, near hotel Bougainvillea and 3, 9/12 between Selva Verde and Alajuela.
  65. Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  66. Ruddy Pigeon Patagioenas subvinacea. Seen every day in small number, Savegre.
  67. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica. Some near Tàrcoles and Villa Lapas. 12/12 - 3 or 4, Puerto Caldera.
  68. Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina. 10/12 - 2 or 3 near Tàrcoles beach.
  69. Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti. One, Selva Verde, 8/12. Some, Tàrcoles and Villa Lapas.
  70. Inca Dove Columbina inca. Common Tàrcoles and surrounding area.
  71. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi. Some in the forest near Villa Lapas and in P.N. Carara.
  72. Gray-headed Dove Leptotila plumbeiceps. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  73. Gray-chested Dove Leptotila cassini. 9/12 - 4 on the ground, Selva Verde garden.
  74. Scarlet Macaw Ara macao. Uncommon Tàrcoles and surrounding area. Easy to see flying or in the trees near the beach in the evening     after 4 p.m. (± 30, 9/12).
  75. Crimson-fronted Parakeet Aratinga finschi. 12/12, late evening, ± 60 in small parties above hotel Bougainvillea.
  76. Sulfur-winged Parakeet Pyrrhura hoffmanni. Mountain species only seen near Savegre.
  77. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis. One, 4/12, hotel Bougainvillea ; 2, Villa Lapas, and one, 11/12, Playa Azul.
  78. Brown-hooded Parrot Pionopsitta haematotis. Selva Verde, heared, 8/12 then 2 seen, 9/12. 11/12 - 2 flying above P.N. Carara.
  79. White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis. One, 8/12, Selva Verde and 2 flying above P.N. Carara, 11/12.
  80. Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis . Two in flight, 12/12, Tàrcoles bridge.
  81. Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa . 8/12 - ± 12, Selva Verde. Heared, 11/12, P.N. Carara and ± 12, 12/12, in trees near the road above Villa Lapas.
  82. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana. One, 10/12, Tàrcoles and 2, 12/12 near Puerto Caldera.
  83. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris. Common Tàrcoles and surrounding area.
  84. Black-and-white Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata. THE TWO BIRDS in the Orotina town-park.
  85. Crested Owl Lophostrix cristata. Two adults seen 8/12, nocturnal walk Selva Verde.
  86. Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis . Tens above Rio Tàrcoles, late evening 9/12. Early morning, some birds landed on the road above Villa Lapas.
  87. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris. ± 30, 8/12, Selva Verde and ± 50, 10/12, Villa Lapas.
  88. Costa Rica Swift Chaetura fumosa. Splited from Chaetura spinicauda. Only 2, 10/12 near Tàrcoles.
  89. Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus. Some, 9/12, Mirador Catarata and 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  90. Little Hermit Phaethornis longuemareus. Some, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  91. Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Phaeochroa cuvierii. 10/12, Villa Lapas.
  92. Violet Sabrewing Campilopterus hemileucurus. Only 9/12, Mirador Catarata.
  93. White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora. One, 10/12, Villa Lapas.
  94. Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus. Mountain species, common Savegre and café Giorgina (Cerro de la Muerte). Nest building in Savegre.
  95. Green Thorntail Discosura conversii. Some, 9/12, Mirador Catarata.
  96. Fiery-throated Hummingbird Panterpe insignis. Mountain species. 6/12 - 4 or 5, Café Giorgina.
  97. Coppery-headed Emerald Elvira cupreiceps. Some, 9/12, Mirador Catarata.
  98. Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae. Only P.N. Carara, 9/12.
  99. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl. Common everywhere but Savegre.
  100. Red-footed Plumeleteer Chalybura urochrysia. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  101. White-bellied Mountain-Gem Lampornis hemileucus. Numerous, 9/12, Mirador Catarata.
  102. Purple-throated mountain-Gem Lampornis calolaema. Seen every day Savegre ; also Giorgina.
  103. Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula. Numerous, 9/12, Mirador Catarata.
  104. Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens. Seen every day Savegre. Numerous café Giorgina.
  105. Scintillant Hummingbird Selasphorus scintilla. Common Savegre and café Giorgina.
  106. Volcano Hummingbird Selasphorus flammula. One, 4/12, Cerro de la Muerte.
  107. Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus. Male, 11/12, Villa Lapas.
  108. Violaceus Trogon Trogon violaceus. Male, 10/12 and 11/12, Villa Lapas.
  109. Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena. Female, 10/12, Villa Lapas.
  110. Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno. Male flying and female branched near Savegre, 5/12.
  111. Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquatus. Selva Verde, Rio Tàrcoles, Villa Lapas and small lake near Garita.
  112. Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona. Near Puerto Viejo, Selva Verde, Rio Tàrcoles and Villa Lapas.
  113. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  114. American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea. Only at P.N. Carara lagoon (one adult and one immature).
  115. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota. Two birds in the hotel Bougainvillea garden, 4/12.
  116. Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii. One, 5/12, Savegre.
  117. Prong-billed Barbet Semnornis frantzii. One, 9/12, Mirador Catarata.
  118. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus. Only seen Selva Verde where is common.
  119. Fiery-billed Aracari Pteroglossus frantzii. 10/12 – 2 near the road above Villa Lapas.
  120. Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus. Some Selva Verde.
  121. Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus. some, noisy in the morning, Villa Lapas.
  122. Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus. Common near Savegre.
  123. Black-cheecked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  124. Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus. One, 9/12, Tàrcoles.
  125. Hoffmann’s Woodpecker Melanerpes hoffmannii. Abundant near Tàrcoles and Villa Lapas. One, small lake near Garita, 9/12.
  126. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis. One, 8/12, Selva Verde. 
  127. Ruddy Treerunner Margarornis rubiginosus. Two, 5/12, above Savegre.
  128. Northern Barred Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae. Splited from D. certhia. One, Selva Verde, 8/12.
  129. Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorynchus susurrans. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  130. Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii . Widespread. Seen Savegre, Villa Lapas, and P.N. Carara.
  131. Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis. 5/12 – 2,  Savegre.
  132. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus. One, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  133. Black-hooded Antshrike Thamnophilus bridgesi. Numerous, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  134. Dot-winged Antwren Microrhopias quixensis. Two, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  135. Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina. One, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  136. Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul. 8/12, Selva Verde and 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  137. White-collared Manakin Manacus candei. Seen three times Selva Verde.
  138. Red-capped Manakin Pipra mentalis. Male, 7/12, and female, 8/12, à Selva Verde.
  139. Yellow-bellied Eleania Elaenia flavogaster. One, 7/12, Savegre.
  140. Torrent Tyrannulet Serpophaga cinerea. Only in the Rio Savegre.
  141. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleaginus. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  142. Mistletoe Tyrannulet Zimenius vilissimus. One, 6/12, Savegre, high in the trees.
  143. Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum. 10/12, Tàrcoles and 11/12 P.N. Carara.
  144. Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens. 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  145. Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus. Only Savegre.
  146. Dark Pewee Contopus lugubris. Two, 5/12, Savegre.
  147. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris. 9/12, Tàrcoles.
  148. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens. Every day Savegre.
  149. Black-capped Flycatcher Empidonax atriceps. Savegre and café Giorgina.
  150. Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans. Only Savegre.
  151. Bright-rumper Attila Attila spadiceus. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  152. Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna holerythra. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  153. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer. One, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  154. Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis. One, 10/12 near Tàrcoles beach and another, 11/12, Playa Azul.
  155. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus. Widespread, but in mountain.
  156. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua. Very like Great Kiskadee ! Seen everywhere.
  157. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis. Widespread. Selva Verde, Villa Lapas and P.N. Carara.
  158. Gray-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis. Only Selva Verde.
  159. Golden-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes hemichrysus. One, 4/12, Savegre.
  160. Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus. Villa Lapas, P.N. Carara and,12/12, Puerto Caldera.
  161. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus. Abundant and widespread.
  162. Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus. Heared, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  163. Black-and-white Becard Pachyramphus albogriseus. Male and female, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  164. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae. Tàrcoles, Villa Lapas and P.N. Carara.
  165. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata. Two, 9/12, Villa Lapas.
  166. Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor. Villa Lapas, 10/12 and P.N. Carara, 11/12.
  167. Gray-brested Martin Progne chalybea. 6 or 7 in small villages between Selva Verde and Alajuela, 9/12.
  168. Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea. Widespread along Pacific coast, also near mangroves than along.
  169. Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca. The commoner. Numerous Savegre and central valley.
  170. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Some near Tàrcoles.
  171. Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  172. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica erythrogaster. Numerous, 10/12, Tàrcoles beach.
  173. Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher Ptilogonys caudatus. Mountain species only seen Savegre (a party of 6 or 7, 6/12 ; one female, 7/12).
  174. American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus. One, very tame, 4/12, downstream Savegre.
  175. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha. Common everywhere near Tàrcoles.
  176. Black-bellied Wren Thryothorus fasciatoventris. 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  177. Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus. Idem !
  178. Riverside Wren Thryothorus semibadius. Idem !
  179. Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  180. Stripe-breasted Wren Thryothorus thoracicus. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  181. Rufous-ans-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus . 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  182. Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus. One, 4/12, hotel Bougainvillea.
  183. House Wren Troglodytes aedon. One, 9/12, Selva Verde ; one 10/12, Tàrcoles beach.
  184. Ochraceus Wren Troglodytes ochraceus. One 5/12, Savegre.
  185. White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta. 8/12, Selva Verde.
  186. Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus gracilirostris. Common Savegre and surrounding area.
  187. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii. Common Savegre and surrounding area.
  188. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus. One, 10/12, road above Villa Lapas.
  189. Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina. Common Selva Verde.
  190. Sooty Robin Turdus nigrescens. Very like our Blackbird ! Only above 2500 m between Savegre and Cerro de la Muerte.
  191. Mountain Robin Turdus plebejus. Only seen Savegre.
  192. Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi. Like Mountain Robin. The two species are common in Savegre. Clay-colored is present everywhere in the country.
  193. Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea. Heared, 8/12, Selva Verde, then seen, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  194. Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio. Some along the road above Villa Lapas.
  195. House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Only one female in a small village west of Selva Verde.
  196. Yellow-winged Vireo Vireo carmioli. Mountain species. 2, Savegre, 5/12.
  197. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons. One, 7/12, near Rio San José, south of Puerto Viejo.
  198. Philadelphia Vireo Vireo philadelphicus. One, Savegre.
  199. Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus. 8/12 - Selva Verde and 10/12, above Villa Lapas where is common.
  200. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis. One, 10/12, Tàrcoles beach.
  201. Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra. Another mountain species seen near Savegre in small parties.
  202. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina. Savegre and P.N. Carara.
  203. Flame-throated Warbler Parula gutturalis. Endemic Costa Rica and Panama mountains. One, 4/12, in a small forest patch, 50 km south of Cartago. Seen twice above Savegre.
  204. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia. Common Tàrcoles and surrounding area. We don’t see the local ruffous-headed form.
  205. Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pennsylvanica. Very common P.N. Carara and Selva Verde.
  206. Black-throated green WarblerDendroica virens. Common above 2000 m (Savegre and Cerro de la Muerte).
  207. Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi. One, 4/12, near Cartago.
  208. Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca. One, 4/12, Savegre.
  209. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia. Two, Savegre, 6/12. Also Selva Verde.
  210. Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea. Two, 10/12, Tàrcoles beach.
  211. Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis. One, 10/12, near Tàrcoles.
  212. Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla. Rio Savegre and Selva Verde.
  213. Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus. Selva Verde and P.N. Carara.
  214. Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala. Male, 9/12, between Villa Lapas and Tàrcoles.
  215. Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla. Abundant Savegre. Not seen another places.
  216. Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus. Endemic in mountain cloud forests of Costa Rica and Panama. Common Savegre and surrounding area.
  217. Black-cheeked Warbler Basileuterus melanogenys. Common Savegre.
  218. Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda. One, 7/12, Selva Verde.
  219. Bananaquit Coereba flaveola. One, 4/12, hotel Bougainvillea garden then 2, 9/12, Mirador catarata.
  220. Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophtalmicus. Seen twice, Savegre.
  221. Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus pileatus. Common Savegre and surrounding area.
  222. Gray-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata. 10/12, road above Villa Lapas.
  223. Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda. Seen twice, Selva Verde.
  224. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra. Seen twice, Savegre.
  225. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata. One, 4/12, in a small forest patch, 50 km south of Cartago ; common Savegre.
  226. Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus. Widespread, seen everywhere.
  227. Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum. Common, Selva Verde.
  228. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea. Male, 12/12, Tàrcoles bridge.
  229. Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima. Seen twice, Savegre.
  230. Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi. One, 7/12, Selva Verde.
  231. Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala. Seen twice, Savegre.
  232. Spangle-cheeked Tanager Tangara dowii. Endemic Costa Rica and Panama mountains. Common Savegre and near Cerro de la Muerte.
  233. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus. One, 10/12, road above Villa Lapas.
  234. Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina. Common near Tàrcoles.
  235. Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina = S. aurita. Tàrcoles and P.N. Carara.
  236. Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus funereus. Common, Selva Verde.
  237. Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea. One, 5/12, Savegre.
  238. Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea. Mountoin species. Common, Savegre.
  239. Yellow-thighed Finch Pselliophorus tibialis. Common, Savegre. Endemic Costa Rica and Panama mountains.
  240. Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis. Endemic Costa Rica and Panama mountains. Only seen café Giorgina, very tame.
  241. Yellow-throated Bush-Finch Atlapetes gutturalis. One, 4/12, near Cerro de la Muerte.
  242. Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris. P.N. Carara and Selva Verde where is common.
  243. White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis. 4/12 and 12/12, hotel Bougainvillea garden.
  244. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis. The commonest species. Seen from Pacific coast to Cerro de la Muerte.
  245. Volcano Junco Junco vulcani. Seen only near café Giorgina, 1 bird.
  246. Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens. One in the garden, hotel Bougainvillea, 4/12 and 12/12. Darker than guide drawing.
  247. Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus. Regular, Selva Verde ; common P.N. Carara.
  248. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus. Seen twice, Savegre (male then female) ; 2 males, road above Villa Lapas.
  249. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus. A small party in the reeds, Rio Tàrcoles near Playa Azul, 11/12.
  250. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus. Abundant, Pacific coast ; some, 4/12, flying above hotel Bougainvillea.
  251. Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus. Only near Selva Verde.
  252. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula. Widespread and common, seen everywhere.
  253. Black-cowled Oriole à capuchon Icterus prosthemelas. Recently splited from I. dominicensis. Male, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  254. Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  255. Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri. Only seen Selva Verde.
  256. Montezuma Oropendola. Gymnostinops montezuma. Common, Selva Verde ; also hotel Bougainvillea.
   

Mammals

Names, order and taxonomy in A field guide to the mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico (F.A Reid).

 

Indetermided bats everywhere...

 

  1. Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth Bradypus variegatus. One young sleeping, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  2. White-faced Capuchin Cebus capucinus. A small party (± 12) eating flowers, 11/12 road above Villa Laps.
  3. Mantled Howler Alouatta paliatta. Common, Selva Verde ; eared P.N. Carara.
  4. Variegated Squirrel Sciurus variegatoides. Common and widespread. Numerous, Selva Verde and Tàrcoles.
  5. Red-tailed Squirrel Sciurus granatensis. Savegre.
  6. Central American Agouti Dasyprocta punctata. Two, P.N. Carara.
  7. Armored Rat Hoplomys gymnurus. One, dead on the road near P.N. Carara entrance.
  8. Collared Peccary Tayassu tajacu. 4, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
   

Amphibians and reptiles

Names, Order and taxonomy in A guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica (T. Leenders).

 

  1. Green-and-black Poison-dart Frog Dendrobates auratus. Selva Verde and P.N. Carara.
  2. Strawberry Poison-dart Frog Dendrobates pumilio. Very little (± 2 cm) red and blue. One, Selva Verde.
  3. Spectacled Caiman Caiman crocodilus. One, sleeping, in a small river, south Puerto Caldera, 12/12.
  4. American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus. Numerous (± 30) below Tàrcoles bridge.
  5. Red-cheeked mud Turtle Kinosternon scorpioides. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  6. Litter Gecko Lepidoblepharis xanthodtigma. One, 8/12, Selva Verde.
  7. Common Basilik Basiliscus basiliscus. One, Selva Verde.
  8. Green Basilisk Basiliscus plumifrons. One Selva Verde.
  9. Black spiny-tailed Iguana Ctenosaura similis. One, 11/12, P.N. Carara.
  10. Green Iguana Iguana iguana. Very large (± 2 m with tail), always in the canopy (but the immatures). Numerous, Selva Verde.
  11. Green spiny Lizard Scelophorus malachiticus. Mountain species, Savegre.
  12. Central American whip-tailed Lizard Ameiva festiva. Some, Selva Verde and P.N. Carara.

 

georges.olioso
georges.olioso AT wanadoo.fr



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