Notes from Birding in Costa Rica: February, 2020

Have you ever wondered what birding is like in Costa Rica? Which birds are seen during birding tours and which ones the guides get excited about?

To be honest, we get excited about most birds especially when they are lifers for our clients but to give readers an idea about the fantastic birding awaiting them in Costa Rica, from time to time, we will publish blogs with notes from the field or other information about recent sightings. These posts might have information about rare birds or other aspects of birding during different times of the year. The following are some such notes pertaining to the birding scene in Costa Rica from this past February, 2020:

White-tipped Sicklebill and other good birds at Cope's Place

The bird oasis at Cope's has become an important stop for many a birder visiting Costa Rica. Roosting owls, oropendolas at the fruit feeder, and close looks at White-necked Jacobin are just a few of the reasons why we love birding at this site. Lately, some of the other great birds at Cope's have included one or more White-tipped Sicklebill, Black Hawk-Eagles displaying over nearby rainforest, and Semiplumbeous Hawk.

Lovely Cotinga at Rancho Naturalista

A fantastic and rare male Lovely Cotinga has been frequenting the vicinity of this classic birding lodge for several months now. Lately, it has been seen by many lucky guests of Rancho for several days. We hope it takes up residence to keep on entertaining birders who stay at Rancho Naturalista for years to come.

Three-wattled Bellbirds

These show-stopping birds are back near their breeding grounds in various parts of the country but especially in northern Costa Rica. Males are calling at various sites and should continue doing so for several months.

Arenal Observatory Lodge- tanagers, hummingbirds, and more

The birding is always good around Arenal and especially at this excellent site. As of late, fruiting trees right in the lodge gardens have been bringing in everything from toucans to guans and several tanagers, all at close range. When birders tire of admiring Emerald Tanager (if that is even possible!), they can switch to pondering over the exquisite appearance of Black-crested Coquette and other hummingbird species in nearby flowering hedges.

Quetzals are calling...

Saving one of the best for last, we are pleased to report that Resplendent Quetzals have been calling and displaying at various cloud forest sites. An expected occurrence at this time of the year and always appreciated!

We hope you enjoy this information and can make use of it for your time in Costa Rica. If you would like to learn more about the affordable, fantastic, locally guided tours we offer, please contact us at birdingcostarica@gmail.com today! Hope to share birds with you in Costa Rica.