Birds of Costa Rica

More than 850 different species of birds are found in the distinct habitats of Costa Rica. Although because of the shrunken habitats along the rivers and in national parks it's very easy to find and watch them.

Boat Billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) The Boat Billed Heron lives in swamps and wetlands of Middle- and Southamerica (Mexico to Peru and Brazil). It is characterized by its broad, scoop-like bill. Th photo was taken in the channels of Tortuguero.

Hummingbird There are more trhan 340 species of hummingbirds which are typical for centralamerica. Only on rar occasions those small, bustling birds can be watched sitting. Hovering in front of (most times red) flowers they use their long tongue which ...

Collared Redstart (Myioborus torquatus) The Collared Redstart is a warbler living in flocks in the wet mountain forests (in a height from 1600 m) of Costa Rica. Its blazing red crown is lined with a black border. The shining yellow frontside is interrupted by a band of black ...

Collared Redstart (Myioborus torquatus) When walking in the Cloudforests at Mirador de Quetzales near Cerro de la Muerte we met a flock of Collared Redstart.

Darter (Anhinga anhinga) One of the many species of birds we were able to watch and to take pictures of at Rio Sarapiqui was this Darter. Darters are cormorant-like water birds with very long necks and long, straight beaks. They often swim with only the neck above ...

Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno costaricensis) The cloudforests at Cerro de la Muerte are home to the Costa Rican Resplendent Quetzal. The bird plays a prominent role in the Pre-Columbian mythology and in modern legend of Central America. With some luck at dawn the quetzal can easily ...