21 FEBRUARY – 01 MARCH 2025
By Jacob Roalef
Close views of the difficult Blue-and-gold Tanager were a real highlight of this tour!
Overview
This nine-day tour of Costa Rica serves as part two of our introduction to Neotropic birding series and was a great way to escape the northern winter. The trip visited several habitat zones from the northern Pacific lowlands to Caribbean foothills and slopes, to middle elevation rainforests, to boat rides along rivers. This included visits to many incredible birding locations such as Arenal Lodge and Observatory, Heliconias Lodge, Celeste Mountain Lodge, Tapir Valley Nature Reserve, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Medio Queso wetlands, Bogarin Reserve, San Luis Canopy, and more! Much of the birding took place along roadside or nicely maintained trails providing some easier walks, with a few bird feeder stations mixed in. A perfect opportunity for an introduction to birding the Neotropics.
The great diversity of habitats visited produced an impressive variety of bird species and a fantastic list for our short tour in the amazing birding country of Costa Rica. Highlights included Three-wattled Bellbird, Sungrebe, Pinnated Bittern, Tody Motmot, Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, Great Curassow, Blue-and-Gold Tanager, Green Shrike-Vireo, Long-tailed Tyrant, Black-and-White Owl, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Jabiru, White-throated Crake, Green-fronted Lancebill, and so much more!
A total of 300 bird species were seen, with an additional ten species added as heard only. Of course, Costa Rica also offers many amazing opportunities for other wildlife sightings, and this trip enjoyed several mammal highlights like Proboscis Bat, White-faced Capuchin, Mantled Howler, and Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth. Full bird and mammal checklists can be found at the end of the report and be sure to check out our Costa Rica Escape Part I trip for more exciting birding in this fantastic country!
It is hard to beat the cuteness of Black-crested Coquette.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 21st February 2025. Hotel Bougainvillea and welcome dinner
Some of us had arrived at Hotel Bougainvillea the previous night, so we all decided to meet up in the morning after breakfast for our first taste of birding in Costa Rica, around the hotel grounds. We began to learn some of the more common species of the country like Clay-colored Thrush, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Great Kiskadee, and Tropical Kingbird. The highlights of the morning walk had to be a pair of roosting Mottled Owls and a stunning Lesson’s Motmot. The remainder of the day was at everyone’s leisure as we awaited the arrival of the rest of the group. Just before dinner, with the whole group present, we made another loop through the impressive gardens of the hotel. We caught everyone up on what we had seen that morning, plus we added a few other species like Hoffman’s Woodpecker, Brown Jay, Rufous-backed Wren, Melodious Blackbird, and Cinnamon-bellied Saltator. It was time for our first dinner and better introductions, before the real adventure that was to begin tomorrow.
Spotting this Mottled Owl was a great way to begin the trip.
Day 2, 22nd February 2025. Guacimo Road and Punta Morales
Before breakfast, we took one final lap around the grounds of Hotel Bougainvillea to see if we could turn up any new species. This early morning birding paid off well and we added the tough White-eared Ground Sparrow, Mistletoe Tyrannulet, Boat-billed Flycatcher, and Cabinis’s Wren. Just before we went back inside, a Bicolored Hawk buzzed through the grounds here, a real rarity for the area! After we fueled up, we loaded up the bus and hit the road to begin our exploration of Costa Rica. The remainder of the morning was spent birding the hot and dry Pacific lowlands along Guacimo Road. We birded several spots along the road, varying between dry scrubby areas and more riparian forested areas. It was a fantastic morning, full of great species like White-lored Gnatcatcher, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Nutting’s Flycatcher, Barred Antshrike, Black-headed Trogon, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Zone-tailed Hawk, Squirrel Cuckoo, and Double-striped Thick-knee. By now, the sun was fully out, and it was getting toasty outside, so we began our drive towards lunch and refreshments. Along the coastal route, we spotted a few more species like Magnificent Frigatebird and Brown Pelican.
After lunch, we headed off for the cocorocas salinas in Punta Morales. These fields looked a bit dry today compared to their normally flooded state, but we still managed some nice birds here like Stripe-headed Sparrow, Royal Tern, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Morelet’s Seedeater, and Red-legged Honeycreeper. Nearly as soon as we loaded back up to head off, we filed back out as we spotted a little family of White-throated Magpie-Jays moving through the brush. With a little luck we managed to catch up to them and enjoy some nice views of these odd-looking birds. Back on the bus and then back out again, this time for a Spot-breasted Oriole. A little patience was needed but we managed to refind this bird and get everyone a nice look at it. Finally, we made it into the bus and covered some distance to our final birding stop of the day along some side farm roads. Here we managed to hear a Lesser Ground Cuckoo several times but, as expected, the bird did not want to make itself visible for us. No matter, we still managed to spot many other nice species like Streak-backed Oriole, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and Black-headed Trogon. From here, we made the drive to our hotel and arrived just in time to drop off our luggage and enjoy a tasty dinner.
The peculiar White-throated Magpie-Jay was enjoyed by everyone.
Day 3, 13th January 2025. Celeste Mountain Lodge and Heliconias Lodge
This morning began with some leisurely birding from the Celeste Mountain Lodge balcony feeder area while we awaited our breakfast. It is always amazing to be sipping coffee and enjoying the morning birds feasting on fresh fruit. We spotted species like Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Montezuma Oropendola, Scarlet-rumped and Crimson-collared Tanagers, and Buff-throated Saltator. After a tasty breakfast and a little more feeder watching, we headed off to spend the rest of the morning along the trails of Heliconias Lodge nearby. Along the road we got our first taste of toucans for the trip in the form of Yellow-throated and Keel-billed Toucans, plus a White-crowned Parrot and Red-lored Amazon. It was a bit windy this morning, but that didn’t stop us from seeing loads of species at Heliconias. As soon as we walked onto the trail, a Keel-billed Motmot was there to greet us. We all walked under its branch, waving “Hi” as we went by. Not far from there we heard a key target and luckily managed to spot one deep in the forest, perched way down low. It took some effort, but we all managed to see the small Tody Motmot before it disappeared. This was a great sign of birds to come and, after spending several hours here, we tallied over 40 species including some nice ones like Green Shrike-Vireo, Scaly-crested Pygmy-Tyrant, Olive-backed Euphonia, White-ruffed Manakin, Rufous Mourner, Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, and Spotted Antbird. We were officially tired. Time for lunch and a short break back at Celeste Mountain Lodge.
We reconvened for a little bit of pre-dinner birding in the early evening hours. Near the lodge we managed to spot a few new species for the trip like Bay Wren, Grey-capped Flycatcher, and Rufous-winged Tanager. The rest of the time we spent birding the roadside near Tapir Valley. These couple of hours proved to be quite fruitful, with several great species like King Vulture, Broad-billed Motmot, Bicolored Antbird, Giant Cowbird, Green Honeycreeper, Long-tailed Tyrant, Crested Guan, and Purple-crowned Fairy. A great cap to a great day of birding!
This Keel-billed Motmot perched over the trail and allowed us to walk under it.
Day 4, 14th January 2025. Tapir Valley and transfer to Caño Negro
Today was an early start as we headed to Tapir Valley across the street, for a little optional pre-breakfast birding. It was a calm morning as we investigated a few flowering areas and found some nice species like Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Green Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, and Golden-winged Warbler. We headed back to the lodge for breakfast, more coffee, and to meet up with those who had stayed back this morning. After filling up, we spent the rest of the morning really exploring the grounds of Tapir Valley. It was an incredible morning of birding, with well over 50 species spotted. We began near some flowers, with a few great hummingbird species like Blue-throated Goldentail and Black-crested Coquette, plus a Mealy Amazon off in the distance. We then hiked the nice trails to the feeder station established here. We spent some time here and were treated to close-up views of many great species like Great Curassow, Collared Aracari, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Yellow-throated and Keel-billed Toucans, and Yellow-throated Euphonia. A whole band of White-nosed Coati were also checking out the feeders and causing a ruckus from time to time. After we got our fill of the feeders, we hit the trails. Along our walk we noted many new species for the trip list like Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Bat Falcon, Cinnamon Woodpecker, Gartered Trogon, White Hawk, and Golden-hooded Tanager. It was a great morning spent at Tapir Valley but, sadly, it was time to have lunch, load our luggage, and move on to our next location.
The camouflage of the Great Potoo makes it difficult to spot at times.
It was a longer drive from here to Caño Negro, so we made several stops along the way anytime there was good birding to be had. Some of the top highlights along the way included Pied Puffbird, Olive-throated Parakeet, Black-headed Trogon, and Groove-billed Ani. As we got close to the river, we had some time for birding along the water’s edge and picked up several new species like Little Blue Heron, White Ibis, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Mangrove Swallow, and Spot-breasted Wood-Wren. Then a local birder took us down an ally to show us a roosting Great Potoo that he had found earlier in the day. It was fantastic to watch this incredible bird camouflage and sun itself in the tree. After this, we made it to Caño Negro lodge and got checked in. Some of us opted in for a little pre-dinner birding along the Rio Frio while others chose to hang back, relax, and enjoy the lodge. This short evening walk yielded several great species with the best being a sighting of a Green-and-Rufous Kingfisher, a tough species to find. Other species included Greenish Elaenia, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Northern Jacana, Green Heron, and Dusky-capped Flycatcher. We enjoyed a tasty dinner together back at the lodge and then again there was an optional night birding session for those who wanted to explore more. Our owl-prowl netted us a stunning Black-and-White Owl on a telephone pole as well as a Pacific Screech-Owl feasting on a giant water bug. It was a great feeling to nail a few birds in the dark before bed.
Day 5, 15th January 2025. Boat rides at Caño Negro and Medio Queso
Boat day! The exciting plans for the day included two boat rides, one in Caño Negro and the other at Medio Queso, but first was birding via land around the lodge and surrounding area. The feeding station at the lodge hosted a few nice species like Grey-headed Chachalaca, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, and Red-legged Honeycreeper. Our walk around the town netted us some good birds like Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Slaty-tailed Trogon, and Roadside Hawk. It was time to board the boat for our trip along the river and what a spectacular time it was. Even the docks produced a great sighting of Proboscis Bat, what an odd mammal. Our three-hour river cruise was full of so many waterbirds, raptors, and even some forest species. We tallied over 60 species this morning, with kingfishers and herons everywhere we looked. Too many highlights to name them all, but a few were Sungrebe, Boat-billed Heron, Wood Stork, Jabiru, Tricolored Heron, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Crane and Black-collared Hawks, Ringed, Amazon, American Pygmy, and Green Kingfishers, Olivaceous Piculet, and Nicaraguan Grackle. What a morning!
We headed back to the lodge for lunch and to finish packing our luggage. We loaded up the bus and headed off towards boat ride number two for the day, at Medio Queso wetlands. Along the way, we stopped and birded the roadside along some impressive fields and wetland habitat. These efforts were quite fruitful and netted us several new species for the trip, including some seriously good ones like Nicaraguan Seed-Finch, Red-breasted Meadowlark, and Yellow Tyrannulet. By mid-afternoon we arrived at the docks for our next boating adventure. We loaded up and set sail around the wetlands of Medio Queso. It wasn’t long before we had our first highlight of this trip, a Pinnated Bittern, hiding in the reeds near the boat. This tough to see species is always a treat to get. We continued along, ticking more and more species as we went, including Purple Gallinule, Least Grebe, Green-breasted Mango, Northern Jacana, Snowy Egret, and Canebrake Wren. Once we had the vast majority of water species nailed down, we shifted our attention to the scrubby habitat for songbirds. We picked up several good species like Grey-crowned Yellowthroat, Fork-tailed Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, Yellow Warbler, and Slaty Spinetail. Of course, we always had one eye to the sky in this area and eventually one of the many Turkey Vultures turned into a Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture for us. It was finally time to head back after a long and productive day on the waters. Boat day was a huge success! We made the long drive to our next lodge, supper, and some much-deserved sleep.
Our boat trip managed to score many highlights like this Pinnated Bittern.
Day 6, 16th January 2025. El Arenal Observatory Lodge and trails
We began today at the feeders of El Arenal Lodge before breakfast. It’s always nice to let the birds come to you as you stand there and enjoy them. These feeders and observation platform hosted loads of birds this morning, like Bay-headed, Emerald, Silver-throated, and Black-and-Yellow Tanagers, White-throated Thrush, Grey-capped Flycatcher, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, and Baltimore Oriole. After breakfast, we began our adventure around the massive property that is El Arenal. The plan was to spend the entire day birding the various areas and trails on offer here. The flower and garden area was full of different hummers like Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Crowned Woodnymph, Green Thorntail, and Brown Violetear. This more open area also netted us Swallow-tailed Kite, Masked Tityra, and Piratic Flycatcher. We continued along into the deeper more forested habitat, where the birding was a bit more difficult as the birds tended to stay more hidden. With some effort and patience, we managed to spot several great species like Cinnamon Becard, Dull-mantled Antbird, Russet Antshrike, Tawny-faced Gnatwren, and Smoky-brown Woodpecker. On our way out, we heard the loudest Thicket Antpitta calling, but despite our best efforts, it remained a heard only species for us. In total, we had an amazingly productive morning of birding and tallied 77 species before it was time to have a lunch break.
The afternoon had us back on the trails of El Arenal, but a different area this time. Things were a bit slow at this time of day compared to the morning, but that didn’t stop us from adding new species to our trip list like Black-headed Saltator and Broad-winged Hawk. Our final stop was along a river crossing where we scanned the water’s edge and rocks and turned up several great species like Black Phoebe, Fasciated Tiger-Heron, and Green-fronted Lancebill. It was time to call it quits after a long day of hiking and birding, so we headed for dinner and then to the hotel to catch some sleep.
It is hard to beat the stunning Emerald Tanager.
Day 7, 17th January 2025. Bogarin Reserve and Arenal Dam Road
After breakfast at a local restaurant in town, we headed over to Bogarin Reserve to spend the morning birding. Just outside the entrance we spotted a White-throated Crake in the small puddle along the edge of the parking lot. This tiny bird, which is typically secretive, allowed us all some excellent views and was a good sign for how this day was going to go. Inside the reserve, we spent some time at the feeders. These were loaded with birds like Orange-chinned Parakeet, Melodious Blackbird, Golden-hooded Tanager, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator, and even a White-winged Becard stopped by for a visit. After some relaxing time here, we ventured out along the many trails here. Not far from the feeders were a pair of Brown-throated Three-toed Sloths, our first ones for the trip, these are always exciting! Our hike yielded plenty of good birds such as Broad-billed Motmot, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Ochre-bellied Flycatcher, Bright-rumped Attila, Wood Thrush, and Orange-billed Sparrow. A roosting Black-and-White Owl was great for those who hadn’t gone out on the owl-prowl on a previous evening. We circled back round to the feeder station and rested a bit there, soaking up more of the relaxed birding, before venturing off onto some trails on the other side of the park. More trails meant more new species for the day and even a few for the trip. Highlights on this side of the park included Kentucky Warbler, Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Fasciated Antshrike, Streak-headed Woodcreeper, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. By now, the morning was gone, and we had racked up a nice list of species, so we headed off to the restaurant next door to enjoy some lunch and refreshments.
After lunch, we took a little break in the afternoon to enjoy the hotel and get some rest before heading off for more birding, this time along the Arenal Dam road. It was a lovely afternoon for roadside birding and we started off strong with Keel-billed and Broad-billed Motmots, White-fronted Nunbird, and Pale-billed Woodpecker right at the start of our walk. Some sections of the road were very slow with little to no activity, but occasionally things picked up and we got into nice mixed flocks with species like Chestnut-sided Warbler, Gartered Trogon, Great Antshrike, Bay Wren and Rufous-winged Woodpecker. Towards the end of our walk there was a great viewpoint with a lot of open sky, this allowed us to spot a distant Ornate Hawk-Eagle soaring over the trees, as well as a pair of Black-cowled Orioles foraging in a distant flower tree. The final highlight of the day came in the form of a Grey-headed Kite which cruised across the road. We hurried up and managed to spot it as it ate a lizard and gave us some prolonged views. What a stunning bird to finish a fantastic day full of birds and wildlife!
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth was a top mammal highlight.
Day 8, 18th January 2025. San Ramon, San Luis Canopy, and back to San Jose
Our final full day had a lot of ground to cover and birds to see, so we hit the road very early to arrive in the San Ramon area just after sunrise. Here we birded a local guide’s feeders for a bit and noted White-crowned Parrot, Common Chlorospingus, and Rufous-collared Sparrow, before heading off for breakfast. After we ate and got properly caffeinated, we set off for our main target for the day. Thankfully our local guide and friend had a good track of these birds and their preferred lekking areas and times, so we didn’t have to wait long until we heard the unique call of a Three-wattled Bellbird. We continued to hike down towards its lekking tree and there it was in all its strange glory. We watched and enjoyed it for a while until the birds moved on to their next lek area. On our way out, we stumbled into an amazing mixed flock of birds with so many species that it was difficult to keep up with everything. There was Coppery-headed Emerald, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Red-faced Spinetail, Philadelphia Vireo, Ochraceous Wren, Tawny-capped Euphonia, Mountain Thrush, Tropical Parula, Slate-throated Whitestart, Blackburnian Warbler, and more! What a flock, and just like that, they were gone, and so we moved on as well. We spent the rest of the morning hiking out to another lek location and enjoyed another Three-wattled Bellbird as well as a Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher. This was a longer and more strenuous hike so by the time we returned to the bus, it was time to head off to San Luis Canopy to relax and bird at their feeders and enjoy some lunch.
The feeders here were absolutely loaded with amazing birds and photographic opportunities. Some of the most colorful and beautiful species of the trip were so close and eye level, species such as Emerald, Bay-headed, Crimson-collared, and Silver-throated Tanagers, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, and Black-cheeked Woodpecker all put on a show. The main attraction of these feeders was Blue-and-Gold Tanager, a difficult species that does not visit feeder stations often. What a highlight! After we ate lunch, we ventured down the trail to a different area of the park, where we spotted more great species like Green Hermit, Green-crowned Brilliant, and Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush. This was the perfect last stop of the day and just what we needed after some tough hiking in the morning. We began the long, traffic-filled journey back to San Jose, but of course we had to stop for one last bird when we spotted a Laughing Falcon perched along the road. It didn’t stay long, we loaded back up and made it back to the city and near to the airport. We enjoyed our final dinner together at the hotel and shared our favorite bird sightings of the trip.
It was incredible to watch this Three-wattled Bellbird call and display!
Day 9, 19th January 2025. Departure from San Jose
Our trip concluded this morning with transfers from the hotel to the San Jose airport. Those who had later flights had a little time to bird the hotel grounds and enjoyed species like Cinnamon Hummingbird, Lineated Woodpecker, and Spot-breasted Oriole. This final bit of birding wrapped up a great tour of Costa Rica, full of fantastic birds, mammals, and memories!
Bird List – Following IOC (14.2)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen. Species seen only on the pre-trip day of this trip are marked with (+) after the common name.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following BirdLife International: CE = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Tinamous (Tinamidae) | |
| Little Tinamou (H) | Crypturellus soui |
| Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae) | |
| Black-bellied Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna autumnalis |
| Muscovy Duck | Cairina moschata |
| Blue-winged Teal | Spatula discors |
| Chachalacas, Curassows, Guans (Cracidae) | |
| Gray-headed Chachalaca | Ortalis cinereiceps |
| Crested Guan | Penelope purpurascens |
| Great Curassow | Crax rubra |
| Nightjars (Caprimulgidae) | |
| Pauraque (H) | Nyctidromus albicollis |
| Potoos (Nyctibiidae) | |
| Great Potoo | Nyctibius grandis |
| Swifts (Apodidae) | |
| White-collared Swift | Streptoprocne zonaris |
| Vaux’s Swift | Chaetura vauxi |
| Hummingbirds (Trochilidae) | |
| White-necked Jacobin | Florisuga mellivora |
| Green Hermit | Phaethornis guy |
| Green-fronted Lancebill | Doryfera ludovicae |
| Brown Violetear | Colibri delphinae |
| Purple-crowned Fairy | Heliothryx barroti |
| Green-breasted Mango | Anthracothorax prevostii |
| Green Thorntail | Discosura conversii |
| Black-crested Coquette | Lophornis helenae |
| Green-crowned Brilliant | Heliodoxa jacula |
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Archilochus colubris |
| Violet-headed Hummingbird | Klais guimeti |
| Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer | Chalybura urochrysia |
| Crowned Woodnymph | Thalurania colombica |
| Coppery-headed Emerald (Endemic) | Microchera cupreiceps |
| Scaly-breasted Hummingbird | Phaeochroa cuvierii |
| Blue-vented Hummingbird | Saucerottia hoffmanni |
| Cinnamon Hummingbird | Amazilia rutila |
| Rufous-tailed Hummingbird | Amazilia tzacatl |
| Blue-throated Goldentail | Chlorestes eliciae |
| Cuckoos (Cuculidae) | |
| Groove-billed Ani | Crotophaga sulcirostris |
| Lesser Ground-cuckoo (H) | Morococcyx erythropygus |
| Squirrel Cuckoo | Piaya cayana |
| Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) | |
| Rock Pigeon | Columba livia |
| Pale-vented Pigeon | Patagioenas cayennensis |
| Red-billed Pigeon | Patagioenas flavirostris |
| Short-billed Pigeon (H) | Patagioenas nigrirostris |
| Inca Dove | Columbina inca |
| Common Ground Dove | Columbina passerina |
| Ruddy Ground Dove | Columbina talpacoti |
| White-tipped Dove | Leptotila verreauxi |
| Gray-chested Dove | Leptotila cassinii |
| White-winged Dove | Zenaida asiatica |
| Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae) | |
| Russet-naped Wood Rail | Aramides albiventris |
| Common Gallinule | Gallinula galeata |
| Purple Gallinule | Porphyrio martinicus |
| White-throated Crake | Laterallus albigularis |
| Finfoots (Heliornithidae) | |
| Sungrebe | Heliornis fulica |
| Thick-knees (Burhinidae) | |
| Double-striped Thick-knee | Hesperoburhinus bistriatus |
| Stilts and Avocets (Recurvirostridae) | |
| Black-necked Stilt | Himantopus mexicanus |
| Plovers (Charadriidae) | |
| Southern Lapwing | Vanellus chilensis |
| Jacanas (Jacanidae) | |
| Northern Jacana | Jacana spinosa |
| Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) | |
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus |
| Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularius |
| Solitary Sandpiper | Tringa solitaria |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Tringa flavipes |
| Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers (Laridae) | |
| Royal Tern | Thalasseus maximus |
| Grebes (Podicipedidae) | |
| Least Grebe | Tachybaptus dominicus |
| Pied-billed Grebe | Podilymbus podiceps |
| Storks (Ciconiidae) | |
| Jabiru | Jabiru mycteria |
| Wood Stork | Mycteria americana |
| Frigatebirds (Fregatidae) | |
| Magnificent Frigatebird | Fregata magnificens |
| Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) | |
| Anhinga | Anhinga anhinga |
| Cormorants and Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) | |
| Neotropic Cormorant | Nannopterum brasilianum |
| Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) | |
| White Ibis | Eudocimus albus |
| Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus |
| Green Ibis | Mesembrinibis cayennensis |
| Roseate Spoonbill | Platalea ajaja |
| Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae) | |
| Pinnated Bittern | Botaurus pinnatus |
| Bare-throated Tiger Heron | Tigrisoma mexicanum |
| Fasciated Tiger Heron | Tigrisoma fasciatum |
| 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 |
| Boat-billed Heron | Cochlearius cochlearius |
| Pelicans (Pelecanidae) | |
| Brown Pelican | Pelecanus occidentalis |
| New World Vultures (Cathartidae) | |
| King Vulture | Sarcoramphus papa |
| Black Vulture | Coragyps atratus |
| Turkey Vulture | Cathartes aura |
| Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture | Cathartes burrovianus |
| Ospreys (Pandionidae) | |
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus |
| Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae) | |
| White-tailed Kite | Elanus leucurus |
| Gray-headed Kite | Leptodon cayanensis |
| Swallow-tailed Kite | Elanoides forficatus |
| Ornate Hawk-Eagle | Spizaetus ornatus |
| Bicolored Hawk | Accipiter bicolor |
| Black-collared Hawk | Busarellus nigricollis |
| Crane Hawk | Geranospiza caerulescens |
| Roadside Hawk | Rupornis magnirostris |
| White Hawk | Pseudastur albicollis |
| Gray Hawk | Buteo plagiatus |
| Broad-winged Hawk | Buteo platypterus |
| Short-tailed Hawk | Buteo brachyurus |
| Zone-tailed Hawk | Buteo albonotatus |
| Owls (Strigidae) | |
| Pacific Screech-Owl | Megascops cooperi |
| Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl | Glaucidium brasilianum |
| Mottled Owl | Strix virgata |
| Black-and-white Owl | Strix nigrolineata |
| Trogons (Trogonidae) | |
| Slaty-tailed Trogon | Trogon massena |
| Black-headed Trogon | Trogon melanocephalus |
| Gartered Trogon | Trogon caligatus |
| Northern Black-throated Trogon | Trogon tenellus |
| Motmots (Momotidae) | |
| Tody Motmot | Hylomanes momotula |
| Lesson’s Motmot | Momotus lessonii |
| Keel-billed Motmot | Electron carinatum |
| Broad-billed Motmot | Electron platyrhynchum |
| Turquoise-browed Motmot | Eumomota superciliosa |
| Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) | |
| Ringed Kingfisher | Megaceryle torquata |
| Amazon Kingfisher | Chloroceryle amazona |
| American Pygmy Kingfisher | Chloroceryle aenea |
| Green Kingfisher | Chloroceryle americana |
| Green-and-rufous Kingfisher | Chloroceryle inda |
| Puffbirds (Bucconidae) | |
| Pied Puffbird | Notharchus tectus |
| White-fronted Nunbird | Monasa morphoeus |
| Jacamars (Galbulidae) | |
| Rufous-tailed Jacamar | Galbula ruficauda |
| Toucans (Ramphastidae) | |
| Collared Aracari | Pteroglossus torquatus |
| Keel-billed Toucan | Ramphastos sulfuratus |
| Yellow-throated Toucan | Ramphastos ambiguus |
| Woodpeckers (Picidae) | |
| Olivaceous Piculet | Picumnus olivaceus |
| Black-cheeked Woodpecker | Melanerpes pucherani |
| Hoffmann’s Woodpecker | Melanerpes hoffmannii |
| Smoky-brown Woodpecker | Dryobates fumigatus |
| Rufous-winged Woodpecker | Piculus simplex |
| Golden-olive Woodpecker | Colaptes rubiginosus |
| Cinnamon Woodpecker | Celeus loricatus |
| Lineated Woodpecker | Dryocopus lineatus |
| Pale-billed Woodpecker | Campephilus guatemalensis |
| Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) | |
| Laughing Falcon | Herpetotheres cachinnans |
| Crested Caracara | Caracara plancus |
| Yellow-headed Caracara | Milvago chimachima |
| American Kestrel | Falco sparverius |
| Bat Falcon | Falco rufigularis |
| African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae) | |
| Olive-throated Parakeet | Eupsittula nana |
| Orange-fronted Parakeet | Eupsittula canicularis |
| Orange-chinned Parakeet | Brotogeris jugularis |
| Brown-hooded Parrot | Pyrilia haematotis |
| White-crowned Parrot | Pionus senilis |
| Red-lored Parrot | Amazona autumnalis |
| Mealy Parrot | Amazona farinosa |
| Scarlet Macaw | Ara macao |
| Finsch’s Parakeet (Crimson-fronted) | Psittacara finschi |
| Typical Antbirds (Thamnophilidae) | |
| Fasciated Antshrike | Cymbilaimus lineatus |
| Great Antshrike | Taraba major |
| Barred Antshrike | Thamnophilus doliatus |
| Russet Antshrike | Thamnistes anabatinus |
| Dusky Antbird (H) | Cercomacroides tyrannina |
| Chestnut-backed Antbird | Poliocrania exsul |
| Dull-mantled Antbird | Sipia laemosticta |
| Spotted Antbird | Hylophylax naevioides |
| Bicolored Antbird | Gymnopithys bicolor |
| Antpittas (Grallariidae) | |
| Thicket Antpitta (H) | Hylopezus dives |
| Ovenbirds (Furnariidae) | |
| Wedge-billed Woodcreeper | Glyphorynchus spirurus |
| Cocoa Woodcreeper | Xiphorhynchus susurrans |
| Spotted Woodcreeper | Xiphorhynchus erythropygius |
| Streak-headed Woodcreeper | Lepidocolaptes souleyetii |
| Red-faced Spinetail | Cranioleuca erythrops |
| Slaty Spinetail | Synallaxis brachyura |
| Manakins (Pipridae) | |
| White-ruffed Manakin | Corapipo altera |
| White-collared Manakin | Manacus candei |
| Cotingas (Cotingidae) | |
| Three-wattled Bellbird | Procnias tricarunculatus |
| Tityras, Becards, Sharpbill (Tityridae) | |
| Masked Tityra | Tityra semifasciata |
| Black-crowned Tityra | Tityra inquisitor |
| Cinnamon Becard | Pachyramphus cinnamomeus |
| White-winged Becard | Pachyramphus polychopterus |
| Rose-throated Becard | Pachyramphus aglaiae |
| Tyrant Flycatchers, Calyptura (Tyrannidae) | |
| Ochre-bellied Flycatcher | Mionectes oleagineus |
| Scale-crested Pygmy-Tyrant | Lophotriccus pileatus |
| Slate-headed Tody-Flycatcher | Poecilotriccus sylvia |
| Common Tody-Flycatcher | Todirostrum cinereum |
| Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher | Todirostrum nigriceps |
| Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet | Camptostoma imberbe |
| Yellow Tyrannulet | Capsiempis flaveola |
| Greenish Elaenia | Myiopagis viridicata |
| Yellow-bellied Elaenia | Elaenia flavogaster |
| Mistletoe Tyrannulet | Zimmerius parvus |
| Bright-rumped Attila | Attila spadiceus |
| Rufous Mourner | Rhytipterna holerythra |
| Dusky-capped Flycatcher | Myiarchus tuberculifer |
| 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 |
| Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher | Myiodynastes luteiventris |
| Piratic Flycatcher | Legatus leucophaius |
| Tropical Kingbird | Tyrannus melancholicus |
| Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus |
| Fork-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus savana |
| Tropical Pewee | Contopus cinereus |
| Yellow-bellied Flycatcher | Empidonax flaviventris |
| Black Phoebe | Sayornis nigricans |
| Long-tailed Tyrant | Colonia colonus |
| Vireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblers (Vireonidae) | |
| Green Shrike-Vireo | Vireolanius pulchellus |
| Lesser Greenlet | Pachysylvia decurtata |
| Yellow-throated Vireo | Vireo flavifrons |
| Philadelphia Vireo | Vireo philadelphicus |
| Crows, Jays (Corvidae) | |
| White-throated Magpie-Jay | Calocitta formosa |
| Brown Jay | Psilorhinus morio |
| Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) | |
| Mangrove Swallow | Tachycineta albilinea |
| Blue-and-white Swallow | Pygochelidon cyanoleuca |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow | Stelgidopteryx serripennis |
| Southern Rough-winged Swallow | Stelgidopteryx ruficollis |
| Gray-breasted Martin | Progne chalybea |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica |
| Gnatcatchers (Polioptilidae) | |
| Long-billed Gnatwren (H) | Ramphocaenus melanurus |
| Tawny-faced Gnatwren | Microbates cinereiventris |
| White-lored Gnatcatcher | Polioptila albiloris |
| Wrens (Troglodytidae) | |
| Black-throated Wren (H) | Pheugopedius atrogularis |
| Spot-breasted Wren | Pheugopedius maculipectus |
| Stripe-breasted Wren (H) | Cantorchilus thoracicus |
| Cabanis’s Wren | Cantorchilus modestus |
| Canebrake Wren | Cantorchilus zeledoni |
| Bay Wren | Cantorchilus nigricapillus |
| White-breasted Wood-Wren (H) | Henicorhina leucosticta |
| Rufous-naped Wren | Campylorhynchus rufinucha |
| Southern House Wren | Troglodytes musculus |
| Ochraceous Wren | Troglodytes ochraceus |
| Mockingbirds, Thrashers (Mimidae) | |
| Tropical Mockingbird | Mimus gilvus |
| Thrushes (Turdidae) | |
| Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush | Catharus mexicanus |
| Wood Thrush | Hylocichla mustelina |
| Pale-vented Thrush | Turdus obsoletus |
| Mountain Thrush | Turdus plebejus |
| Clay-colored Thrush | Turdus grayi |
| White-throated Thrush | Turdus assimilis |
| Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) | |
| House Sparrow (Introduced) | Passer domesticus |
| Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae) | |
| Scrub Euphonia | Euphonia affinis |
| Yellow-throated Euphonia | Euphonia hirundinacea |
| Olive-backed Euphonia | Euphonia gouldi |
| Tawny-capped Euphonia | Euphonia anneae |
| Lesser Goldfinch | Spinus psaltria |
| New World Sparrows (Passerellidae) | |
| Common Chlorospingus | Chlorospingus flavopectus |
| Stripe-headed Sparrow | Peucaea ruficauda |
| Black-striped Sparrow | Arremonops conirostris |
| Orange-billed Sparrow | Arremon aurantiirostris |
| Chestnut-capped Brushfinch | Arremon brunneinucha |
| Rufous-collared Sparrow | Zonotrichia capensis |
| White-eared Ground-Sparrow | Melozone leucotis |
| Oropendolas, Orioles, Blackbirds (Icteridae) | |
| Eastern Meadowlark | Sturnella magna |
| Red-breasted Meadowlark | Leistes militaris |
| Chestnut-headed Oropendola | Psarocolius wagleri |
| Montezuma Oropendola | Psarocolius montezuma |
| Black-cowled Oriole | Icterus prosthemelas |
| Orchard Oriole | Icterus spurius |
| Streak-backed Oriole | Icterus pustulatus |
| Spot-breasted Oriole | Icterus pectoralis |
| Baltimore Oriole | Icterus galbula |
| Red-winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus |
| Bronzed Cowbird | Molothrus aeneus |
| Giant Cowbird | Molothrus oryzivorus |
| Melodious Blackbird | Dives dives |
| Great-tailed Grackle | Quiscalus mexicanus |
| Nicaraguan Grackle | Quiscalus nicaraguensis |
| New World Warblers (Parulidae) | |
| Northern Waterthrush | Parkesia noveboracensis |
| Golden-winged Warbler | Vermivora chrysoptera |
| Black-and-white Warbler | Mniotilta varia |
| Prothonotary Warbler | Protonotaria citrea |
| Tennessee Warbler | Leiothlypis peregrina |
| Gray-crowned Yellowthroat | Geothlypis poliocephala |
| Kentucky Warbler | Geothlypis formosa |
| Olive-crowned Yellowthroat | Geothlypis semiflava |
| American Redstart | Setophaga ruticilla |
| Tropical Parula | Setophaga pitiayumi |
| Blackburnian Warbler | Setophaga fusca |
| Yellow Warbler | Setophaga petechia |
| Chestnut-sided Warbler | Setophaga pensylvanica |
| Black-throated Green Warbler | Setophaga virens |
| Chestnut-capped Warbler | Basileuterus delattrii |
| Golden-crowned Warbler | Basileuterus culicivorus |
| Wilson’s Warbler | Cardellina pusilla |
| Slate-throated Redstart | Myioborus miniatus |
| Cardinals & Allies (Cardinalidae) | |
| Hepatic Tanager | Piranga flava |
| Summer Tanager | Piranga rubra |
| Red-throated Ant-Tanager | Habia fuscicauda |
| Carmiol’s Tanager | Chlorothraupis carmioli |
| Black-faced Grosbeak | Caryothraustes poliogaster |
| Blue-black Grosbeak | Cyanoloxia cyanoides |
| Blue Grosbeak | Passerina caerulea |
| Painted Bunting | Passerina ciris |
| Tanagers & Allies (Thraupidae) | |
| Blue-and-gold Tanager | Bangsia arcaei |
| Blue-gray Tanager | Thraupis episcopus |
| Palm Tanager | Thraupis palmarum |
| Golden-hooded Tanager | Stilpnia larvata |
| Rufous-winged Tanager | Tangara lavinia |
| Bay-headed Tanager | Tangara gyrola |
| Emerald Tanager | Tangara florida |
| Silver-throated Tanager | Tangara icterocephala |
| Green Honeycreeper | Chlorophanes spiza |
| Black-and-yellow Tanager | Chrysothlypis chrysomelas |
| White-shouldered Tanager | Loriotus luctuosus |
| White-throated Shrike-Tanager | Lanio leucothorax |
| Crimson-collared Tanager | Ramphocelus sanguinolentus |
| Scarlet-rumped Tanager | Ramphocelus passerinii |
| Shining Honeycreeper | Cyanerpes lucidus |
| Red-legged Honeycreeper | Cyanerpes cyaneus |
| Scarlet-thighed Dacnis | Dacnis venusta |
| Bananaquit | Coereba flaveola |
| Yellow-faced Grassquit | Tiaris olivaceus |
| Thick-billed Seed-Finch | Sporophila funerea |
| Nicaraguan Seed-Finch | Sporophila nuttingi |
| Variable Seedeater | Sporophila corvina |
| Morelet’s Seedeater | Sporophila morelleti |
| Black-headed Saltator | Saltator atriceps |
| Buff-throated Saltator | Saltator maximus |
| Cinnamon-bellied Saltator | Saltator grandis |
| Total Seen | 300 |
| Total Heard | 10 |
| Total Recorded | 310 |
Mammal List
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
| Three-toed Sloths (Bradypodidae) | |
| Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth | Bradypus variegatus |
| Spider, Howler, and Woolly Monkeys (Atelidae) | |
| Mantled Howler – VU (H) | Alouatta palliata |
| Central American Spider Monkey – EN | Ateles geoffroyi |
| Cebid Monkeys (Cebidae) | |
| White-faced Capuchin – VU | Cebus capucinus |
| Agoutis and Acouchis (Dasyproctidae) | |
| Central American Agouti | Dasyprocta punctata |
| Squirrels (Sciuridae) | |
| Variegated Squirrel | Sciurus variegatoides |
| Sheath-tailed Bats (Emballonuridae) | |
| Proboscis Bat | Rhynchonycteris naso |
| Raccoons, Coatis, and Allies (Procyonidae) | |
| White-nosed Coati | Nasua narica |
| Total seen | 8 |
This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.
