Birdwatching in the Southern Pacific Region of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an extraordinary tropical destination for birdwatchers, with 878 species recorded to date, the diversity of habitats provides within relatively short distances the opportunity to explore the abundant bird life of the country.

Each region of Costa Rica has its specialties, and the Southern Pacific Costa Rica is not the exception. Besides being a very intense area to birdwatch, in terms of number of species, it is also very special for the great endemism found here.

Over 60 millions years ago when Costa Rica didn't even exist, the North American continent would extend down to where currently we find Nicaragua which was then a tropical peninsula. 50 million years ago an intense process of volcanism and tectonic liftings started forming islands between North America and South America. From 5 to 3 million years ago a complete isthmus had been formed, making possible the colonization of species from main continental land to these islands. One of the biggest islands was the current Talamanca Mountain Range, which heads Southeast into Western Panama. The highest peak of Costa Rica, Mount Chirripó, rises to 3,820 meters / 12,532 feet and is found in this mountain range overlooking El General Valley. As the best suitable place for colonizing bird life it ended up being a paradise for the generation of new species. Also, as the mountain range gained elevation, new species resulted as well within the same island, because the territory was divided between Caribbean and Pacific with well-defined slopes.

The Southern Pacific Slope of Costa Rica contains different important types of ecosystems such Sub-Alpine Rain Paramo in the high peaks of the Talamanca over 2,950 meters / 9,700 feet, Tropical Highland Cloud Forest, Premontane Tropical Rain Forests found in middle elevations of the Talamanca and the Coastal Range, Lowland Tropical Rain Forest, Rocky rivers, Mangroves, Sandy and Rocky Sea Shore and Marine habitats, and of course different types of disturbed areas with varied land uses and secondary growth.

San Gerardo de Dota is a great destination for the observation of Cloud Forest species, including the spectacular Resplendent Quetzal, and other species such as Collared Trogon, Silver-throated Jay, Emerald Toucanet, Zeledonia, Silvery-fronted Tapaculo, Collared Redstart, Spangled-cheeked Tanager, Black-cheeked Warbler, Flame-throated Warbler, Silver-throated Tanager, Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Ochraceous Pewee, Black-capped Flycatcher, Ochraceous Wren, Black-thighed Grosbeak, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, Spotted Wood-Quail, Buff-fronted Quail-Dove, Black Guan. Most of these species could be observed along the Talamanca Mountain Range at similar elevations averaging 2,200 m / 7,200 ft. The Sub-Alpine Rain Paramos of Cerro de La Muerte along the highest point of the Pan-American Highway and Chirripo over 3,400 m / 11,150 ft are ideal to find the Volcano Junco, Slaty Flowerpiercer, Timberline Wren, Sooty Robin, Fiery-throated Robin, Red-tailed Hawk, and Peg-billed Finch and Slaty Finch in flowering bamboo of the genus Chusquea.

In lower elevations of this mountainous system, averaging 1,500 m / 4,300 ft, special sightings include Violet Sabrewing, White-tailed Emerald, Purple-crowned Fairy, Speckled Tanager, Three-striped Warbler, Golden-crowned Warbler, Slate-throated Redstart, Red-headed Barbet, Scaled Antpitta, White-throated Spadebill, Plain Ant vireo, Slaty-capped Flycatcher, Spotted Barb tail, Scaly-throated Foliage-Gleaner, Red-faced Spine tail, Brown-billed Scythe bill, Immaculate Ant bird, Golden-olive Woodpecker.

Along the coast and adjacent valleys expanding down South to Corcovado into the Osa Peninsula, with elevations ranging from sea level to 750 m / 2,460 ft, the rain forest offers the chance to see Fiery-billed Aracari, Orange-collared Manikin, Red-capped Manikin, Blue-crowned Manikin, Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Northern-Barred Woodcreeper, Violaceous Trogon, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Baird's Trogon, Black-throated Trogon, Gray-headed Tanager, Chestnut-backed Ant bird, Bicoloured Ant bird, Black-faced Ant thrush, Streak-chested Antpitta, Rufous-winged Woodpecker, Mealy Parrot, Red-lored Parrot, Spectacled Owl, Crested Owl, Tropical Screech-Owl, Mottled Owl, Scaly-throated Leaf tosser, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, and specifically into the Osa Peninsula find the Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager.

Some other great destinations include the Sierpe River Mangroves, which host the Yellow-billed Cotinga and Mangrove Hummingbird. Also Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary near San Isidro de El General which is famous for the Turquoise Cotinga and for being the site where Dr. Alexander Skutch's Home was located for most of his life. Las Cruces Biological Station and the area of San Vito offer the chance to find the Lance-tailed Manikin and the Wattled Jacana in a marsh nearby.

Some species that have colonized the area from South America are Brown-throated Parakeet, Southern Lapwing, Rusty-margined Flycatcher, Pearl Kite, and Crested Oropendola.

From middle elevations to lowlands where primary forest is found, it is possible to observe as they soar the skies: Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black Hawk-Eagle, Great Black Hawk, King Vulture, and even possibilities for Harpy Eagle in the heart of the Osa Peninsula. (This last one requires lots of luck!)

In order to get the best out of a birding experience in Southern Pacific Costa Rica, you might like to have a professional birding guide that will maximize your bird sightings, by taking you to the right spots and pointing out the birds. Knowing behaviours and habitats is essential when it comes to good birding adventures.

Email: For questions about the Southern Pacific Region and its birds please contact us at bigblueyonder@bigblueskyadventures.com

The following is a list of endemic birds to the Southern Pacific Slope of Costa Rica