Birds Seen or Heard in Costa Rica

15-23 December 2005

There are hundreds (more than 830) of bird species in Costa Rica, which provides tropical habitats from the Caribbean coast, humid swamps and wetlands, to the high, relatively cool cloud forests, to alpine habitats on the highest mountains, to the humid but relatively mild Central Valley, to the Pacific Coast.   Twenty-five percent of Costa Rica's natural habitats are preserved in national parks or biological preserves, and represented by each major habitat type.   This habitat preservation by the Costa Rican government and private conservation organizations and individuals has allowed the high species diversity and richness of this part of torrid Central America to retain much of its native bird species.   A little more than 850 bird species have been recorded as occurring in Costa Rica, including Cocos Island.   Of these, about 600 species are residents.   A considerable number are endemic species.   About 200 species are migrant species.

Armed with only a couple of relatively cheap digital cameras (a Canon Powershot A510 and an Olympus D550 - I didn't have the luxury of hauling my old Canon AT-1 or heavy F-1 and their bulky lenses, especially the 300 mm telephoto which would have allowed for good close-ups), I was able to obtain only mediocure to poor photographs of some of the over 70 species of birds I saw or heard during our Caravan tour of eight days, but at least they are "proof" that I saw, or heard, them.   The video clips were taken with the Canon.   Any misidentifications are mine, but I did the best I could with what I could see and distinguish with my bird guide book.   Let me know of any misidentifications, and I will correct them.

Links to other Costa Rica photo pages

Photos of Birds Seen in various parts of Costa Rica