The Birds of Costa Rica: A Field Guide (Zona Tropical Publications)

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There are also 2 species of hummingbirds that can only be found in Costa Rica, so spotting these is an extra special experience. They are the mangrove hummingbird and the coppery-headed emerald. How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level. Renting a Car

Monteverde is a region in the Puntarenas province, and one of the most popular ecotourism destinations in Costa Rica. Because of its beauty, tropical climate, and tremendous biodiversity, Costa Rica is a popular locale for birding. Therefore, a simple, effective field guide would be an invaluable tool for residents and visitors seeking to observe and identify birds. This is exactly the focus of The Birds of Costa Rica– to assist with identification in the field – and the book succeeds admirably. It is a pleasure to read." La Fortuna Waterfall is one of our favorite waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. You can easily visit it on this full-day tour in La Fortuna that also visits hot springs. The harpy eagle is the largest eagle in the country, reaching up to 3 feet in length (that’s almost 1 meter). Unfortunately, it’s also severely endangered.It’s pretty remote, and home to a variety of different ecosystems which means the birdlife here will blow your mind. It’s also home to Corcovado National Park, which is one of the best wildlife-spotting destinations in Costa Rica. However, cloud forests tend to have a particularly dense population of hummingbirds. In Monteverde Cloud Forest, for example, you’re likely to see hundreds flitting about at once. The park is between 2,000-3,000 meters (6,500 – 9,800 feet) above sea level, which is much higher than many of the other national parks in Costa Rica. For this reason, you’ll see lots of different birds here than you will at lower elevations

Graced with bounteous natural beauty, a stable democratic government, and friendly citizens, Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Birds play a prominent role in attracting visitors, too. The shimmering quetzals, gaudy macaws, and comical toucans only begin to hint at the impressive avian diversity to be found throughout this small country."--from the Introduction This is the one field guide the novice or experienced birder needs to identify birds in the field in the diverse habitats found in Costa Rica. It features descriptions and illustrations of more than 820 resident and neotropical migrant species found in Costa Rica, all in a compact, portable, user-friendly design. The detailed full-color illustrations show identifying features--including plumage differences among males, females, and juveniles--and views of birds in flight wherever pertinent. Additional features of this all-new guide include: The guide to Costa Rica’s amphibians, herpatofauna, and reptiles. This is a big book and not for the field but it’s one of our favorites on the bookshelf. Hundreds of fantastic color photos and detailed species accounts with range maps, breeding and much more Readable and accessible for tourists, students and scientists, this introduction to the American tropics, their rainforests and other ecosystems, and the creatures that live there is the most comprehensive one-volume guide to the Neotropics available today. Related Read: If spending more time in Costa Rica is for you, these multi-day guided tours are great options! 11. Cotingas Spangled CotingaThis is a beautiful bird with striking red feathers all over, as well as wings that are rainbow striped with green, yellow, and blue. They tend to inhabit lowland tropical rainforests, and the best places to spot them in Costa Rica are in Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula, as well as Carara National Park. All ornithologists, birders, hawkwatchers, conservation biologists, and others engaged in bird observations in Costa Rica will want to include this excellent field guide as part of their basic field equipment. Most highly recommended." If you’re looking for the definitive guide to mammals in Costa Rica, this is the guide book for you. It’s small and easy to carry, includes accurate illustrations and solid distribution maps to aid in correctly identifying everything you see. The text is clear and entertaining, and the author includes local folklore and mythology. This is a fantastic book for animal lovers and naturalists alike. 6. Costa Rican Natural History by Dan Janzen

The clay-colored thrush (this one isn’t known for its physical beauty, but rather its sweet-toned song!) This early morning birdwatching tourin the Monteverde Cloud Forest will maximize your chances of spotting rare birds, including the iconic resplendent quetzal. Your guide will also help you spot other interesting forms of wildlife as you go, including capuchin monkeys and coatis. Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour. The appearance of this new, compact guide to the birds of Costa Rica should spur even more international birders to come to this avian paradise. I congratulate the author and artist on a job well done." However, there are certain places that are absolute gems for bird lovers. Certain towns and national parks offer a truly exceptional variety of birdlife that is a dream come true for any keen birdwatcher. 1. Osa Peninsula Corcovado National Park is filled with birds!Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons: One of the most popular ways to see birds in La Fortuna is to float down the Peñas Blancas river. You’ll see some incredible birdlife as you float through the rainforest.

Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest on this early-morning birdwatching tour and possibly see the rare Resplendent Quetzal. The best place in the park to see birds is in the lower cloud forest. If you’re keen to see resplendent quetzals, then it’s best to book a tour because these birds are very shy and difficult to spot on your own – particularly if you’re a novice birdwatcher. The snowy cotinga is the most common type you’ll find, as they can be seen regularly around the Caribbean lowlands. These mid-sized cotingas are white in color. Piedras Blancas National Park used to be part of Corcovado National Park. It’s located in the Puntarenas province, across the gulf from the Osa Peninsula. It receives fewer visitors than Corcovado, but it’s still incredibly impressive. Don’t have time to read the full article? These are a few of our absolute favorite bird watching tours in Costa Rica:

What’s really cool about toucans is that they don’t tend to fly – their preferred method of travel is bouncing! It’s always fun to see these brightly colored guys hopping around. This is the one compact, portable, and user-friendly field guide the novice or experienced birder needs to identify birds in the field in the diverse habitats found in Costa Rica. It features descriptions and illustrations of all 903 species definitely known from Costa Rica, including pelagics and species regular to Cocos Island. Fifty-six of these species are placed in a "Rarities" section that includes accidentals, rarer pelagics, and species that have not been reported in more than twenty years. As we’ve mentioned, no matter where you are staying in Costa Rica, you’re sure to be close to some excellent birdwatching. To make the most of your experience and spot those especially sneaky birds hiding in the trees, we recommend booking a birdwatching tour. These are a few of our favs! 1. Monteverde We also saw lots of amazing birds on our mangrove kayaking tour in Puerto Jimenez. It’s one of the best spots to kayak in Costa Rica. What’s great about these two towns is that you’re also pretty much guaranteed to see some beautiful birds when you’re just strolling around, or chilling on the beach. There are so many birds in Costa Rica and there’s something extra special about seeing them in the wild. Plus, if you happen to spot one of the rare ones (like the quetzal!), it feels like a big accomplishment! While our list only covers a fraction of the birds you can spot here, it’s a great place to start whether you’re an expert birdwatcher or just hoping to see a few while you’re here.