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A Report from birdtours.co.uk

Costa Rica bird list ,

Udo Rijlaarsdam

This birdlist follows the spelling and nomenclature of A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Stiles and Skutch (1989)
The Olivaceous Cormorant is now generally called the Neotropic Cormorant

The Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus antracinus) has been split in the Mangrove Black-Hawk (Buteogallus subtilis) that is only found at the Pacific coast and the nominate race that is found throughout Costa Rica. We considered all the Black-Hawk we saw on both coasts to be Common Black-Hawks.

The central-american race of the Least Pygmy Owl has been separated from the nominate race is now called Central American Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium sanchezi)

 1. Brown Booby, Playa Ballena
 2. Magnificent Frigatebird, common on both coasts.
 3. Royal Tern, Dominical, Osa, Golfito, Tortuguero, Montezuma
 4. Sandwich Tern, Dominical, Golfito
 5. Laughing Gull, common
 6. Brown Pelican, common
 7. Anhinga, Tortuguero, Caño Negro, Laguna del Lagarto
 8. Olivaceous Cormorant, common
 9. Jabiru, Caño Negro
10. Wood Stork, Playa Ballena, Bebedero, Caño Negro
11. Roseate Spoonbill, Caño Negro
12. White Ibis, Dominical, Golfito, Caño Negro
13. Glossy Ibis, Caño Negro
14. Green Ibis, Caño Negro
15. Boat-billed Heron, Osa, Bebedero, Caño Negro
16. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Dominical, Tortuguero, Montezuma, Bebedero, Caño N.
17. Black-crowned Night-Heron, Bebedero, Caño Negro
18. Limpkin, Caño Negro
19. Great Blue Heron, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Bebedero, Caño Negro
20. Tricolored Heron, Dominical, Cahuita, Caño Negro
21. Little Blue Heron, common
22. Snowy Egret, common
23. Cattle Egret, common
24. Great Egret, common
25. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Tortuguero, Montezuma, Bebedero, Caño Negro
26. Green-backed Heron, common
27. Gray-necked Wood-Rail, Osa, Wilson BG, Tortuguero, Caño Negro
28. Purple Gallinule, Osa, Golfito, San Vito, Caño Negro
29. Northern Jacana, Pavona, Caño Negro
30. American Coot, Tortuguero
31. Least Grebe, Osa, Laguna del Lagarto
32. Masked Duck, San Vito
33. Sungrebe, Tortuguero
34. Blue-winged Teal, Caño Negro
35. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Pavona, Caño Negro
36. Muscovy Duck, Rio Corobici, Laguna del Lagarto
37. Black-bellied Plover, Playa Ballena, Tortuguero
38. Willet, Dominical, Playa Ballena
39. Marbled Godwit, Dominical
40. Black-necked Stilt, Tortuguero, Caño Negro
41. Whimbrel, Dominical, Tortuguero
42. Wilson’s Plover, Osa
43. Semipalmated Plover, Dominical
44. Ruddy Turnstone, Osa
45. Wandering Tattler, Playa Ballena
46. Greater Yellowlegs, Dominical
47. Lesser Yellowlegs, Caño Negro
48. Stilt Sandpiper, Golfito
49. Spotted Sandpiper, common near water
50. Sanderling, Dominical
51. Red Knot, Dominical
52. Gray-headed Chachalaca, Playa Ballena, Monteverde
53. Great Curassow, Golfito, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio
54. Crested Guan, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
55. Black Guan, Monteverde
56. Marbled Wood-Quail, Wilson BG
57. Spotted Wood-Quail, San Gerardo
58. Thicket Tinamou, Rincon de la Vieja
59. Turkey Vulture, common
60. Black Vulture, common
61. King Vulture, Osa
62. Common Black-Hawk, Playa Ballena, Cahuita, Tortuguero
63. Crane Hawk, Osa
64. White-tailed Hawk, Monteverde
65. Crested Caracara, Bebedero
66. Black-shouldered Kite, road to Puntarenas
67. American Swallow-tailed Kite, Playa Ballena, Mirador Quetzales, Tenorio, Monteverde
68. Laughing Falcon, Golfito, Caño Negro
69. Yellow-headed Caracara, Dominical, Playa Ballena
70. Bat Falcon, Laguna del Lagarto
71. Double-toothed Kite, Cahuita
72. Roadside Hawk, Playa Ballena
73. Broad-winged Hawk, Rincon de la Vieja
74. Gray Hawk, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
75. White Hawk, Osa
76. Black-collared Hawk, Caño Negro
77. Red-tailed Hawk, Mirador Quetzales
78. Osprey, Tortuguero, Bebedero, Rio Corobici, Caño Negro
79. Band-tailed Pigeon, Mirador Quetzales, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde
80. Red-billed Pigeon, Fortuna, Alajuela
81. Pale-vented Pigeon, Golfito, Tortuguero
82. Short-billed Pigeon, Playa Ballena, San Gerardo, Montezuma, Laguna del Lagarto
83. Blue Ground-Dove, Osa, Caño Negro
84. Ruddy Ground-Dove, common
85. Common Ground-Dove, Montezuma
86. Inca Dove, Dominical, Montezuma
87. White-winged Dove, Puntarenas, Cañas, Rincon de la Vieja, Alajuela
88. White-tipped Dove, Playa Ballena, Montezuma, Rincon de la Vieja
89. Gray-chested Dove, Osa, Wilson BG
90. Rock Dove, common
91. Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Laguna del Lagarto
92. Scarlet Macaw, Osa, Laguna del Lagarto
93. Great Green Macaw, Laguna del Lagarto
94. Mealy Parrot, Playa Ballena, Tenorio
95. Red-lored Parrot, Playa Ballena, Golfito, San Vito, Laguna del Lagarto
96. Yellow-naped Parrot, Bebedero
97. White-fronted Parrot, Montezuma, Rincon de la Vieja
98. White-crowned Parrot, Osa, San Vito, Tortuguero, Caño Negro
99. Brown-hooded Parrot, Wilson BG, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
100. Crimson-fronted Parakeet, Golfito, San Vito
101. Olive-throated Parakeet, Cahuita, Caño Negro
102. Orange-fronted Parakeet, Montezuma, Bebedero
103. Orange-chinned Parakeet, Golfito, Montezuma, Tenorio, Caño Negro
104. Barn-Owl, Bebedero
105. Pacific Screech-Owl, Bebedero
106. Least Pygmy-Owl, Tenorio
107. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Osa
108. Mangrove Cuckoo, Playa Ballena, Cahuita
109. Squirrel Cuckoo, seen regularly in small numbers
110. Smooth-billed Ani, Golfito
111. Groove-billed Ani, Playa Ballena, Rio Corobici, Rincon de la Vieja, Laguna del Lagarto
112. Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Rincon de la Vieja
113. White-collared Swift, Osa, Mirador Quetzales, Cahuita
114. Gray-rumped Swift, Tortuguero
115. Band-rumped Swift, Golfito
116. Purple Martin, Upala
117. Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Caño Negro
118. Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Playa Ballena
119. Blue-and-white Swallow, Dominical, Mirador Quetzales, Caño Negro
120. Mangrove Swallow, Playa Ballena, Bebedero, Caño Negro, Laguna del Lagarto
121. Little Hermit, Osa, Laguna del Lagarto
122. Long-tailed Hermit, Playa Ballena, Laguna del Lagarto
123. Green Hermit, Wilson BG, San Gerardo, Tenorio
124. Band-tailed Barbthroat, Osa
125. Brown Violet-ear, Tenorio
126. Green Violet-ear, Monteverde
127. White-tipped Sicklebill, Osa
128. Violet Sabrewing, San Gerardo, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
129. Green-breasted Mango, Montezuma
130. Purple-crowned Fairy, Playa Ballena
131. Green-crowned Brilliant, Monteverde
132. Magnificent Hummingbird, Monteverde
133. White-necked Jacobin, Osa
134. Long-billed Starthroat, Osa
135. Plain-capped Starthroat, Rincon de la Vieja
136. Crowned Woodnymph, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
137. Purple-throated Mountain-gem, Monteverde
138. Blue-throated Goldentail, Playa Ballena
139. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, common
140. Cinnamon Hummingbird, Montezuma, Rio Corobici, Rincon de la Vieja
141. Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Mirador Quetzales
142. Fork-tailed Emerald, Monteverde
143. Steely-vented Hummingbird, Montezuma, Rio Corobici
144. Striped-tailed Hummingbird, Monteverde
145. Beryl-crowned Hummingbird, Osa
146. Coppery-headed Emerald, Monteverde
147. Magenta-throated Woodstar, Monteverde
148. Volcano Hummingbird, Mirador Quetzales
149. White-crested Coquette, Osa
150. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Playa Ballena
151. Resplendent Quetzal, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
152. Slaty-tailed Trogon, Playa Ballena, Laguna del Lagarto
153. Baird’s Trogon, Playa Ballena
154. Elegant Trogon, Rincon de la Vieja
155. Violaceous Trogon, Osa, Golfito, Cahuita, Rincon de la V., Tenorio , Laguna del Lagarto
156. Black-throated Trogon, Golfito
157. Black-headed Trogon, Rio Corobici, Caño Negro
158. Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Osa
159. Ringed Kingfisher, Playa Ballena, Tortuguero, Bebedero, Caño Negro, Laguna del L.
160. Belted Kingfisher, Dominical, Tortuguero, Caño Negro
161. Amazon Kingfisher, Playa Ballena, Tortuguero, Bebedero, Caño Negro, Laguna del L.
162. Green Kingfisher, Playa Ballena, Tortuguero, Rincon de la V., Caño Negro
163. American Pygmy Kingfisher, Caño Negro, Laguna del Lagarto
164. Blue-crowned Motmot, Osa, San Gerardo, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde, Alajuela
165. Turquoise-browed Motmot, Bebedero
166. Lineated Woodpecker, Osa, San Gerardo, Tenorio, Caño Negro
167. Pale-billed Woodpecker, Rincon de la Vieja, Caño Negro
168. Collared Aracari, Tenorio, Caño Negro, Laguna del Lagarto
169. Fiery-billed Aracari, Playa Ballena, Osa, Golfito
170. Emerald Toucanet, San Gerardo, Monteverde
171. Keel-billed Toucan, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Rincon de la V., Tenorio , Laguna del Lagarto
172. Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Playa Ballena, Osa, Golfito, Tortuguero
173. Prong-billed Barbet, Monteverde
174. Red-headed Barbet, San Gerardo
175. White-necked Puffbird, Cabo Blanco
176. Golden-olive Woodpecker, Wilson BG, Tenorio
177. Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Cahuita, Caño Negro, Laguna del Lagarto
178. Hoffmann’s Woodpecker, Dominical, Montezuma, Bebedero, Monteverde, Alajuela
179. Red-crowned Woodpecker, Playa Ballena, Osa, Wilson BG
180. Golden-naped Woodpecker, Osa
181. Hairy Woodpecker, San Gerardo, Mirador Quetzales
182. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Playa Ballena
183. Olivaceous Piculet, Playa Ballena, Golfito
184. Plain Xenops, Playa Ballena, Cabo Blanco, Monteverde
185. Ruddy Treerunner, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
186. Spotted Barbtail, Monteverde
187. Wedge-billed Woodcreeper, Osa, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
188. Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Wilson BG, Cabo Blanco
189. Streaked-headed Woodcreeper, Playa B., Cahuita, Cabo Blanco, Caño N., Laguna del L.
190. Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Laguna del Lagarto
191. Buff-throated Woodcreeper, Osa
192. Barred Woodcreeper, Tortuguero, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
193. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Cabo Blanco, Rincon de la Vieja
194. Buffy Tuftedcheek, Mirador Quetzales
195. Tawny-throated Leaftosser, Monteverde
196. Red-faced Spinetail, Monteverde
197. Great Antshrike, Osa
198. Barred Antshrike, Cabo Blanco
199. Slaty Antshrike, Tortuguero
200. Black-hooded Antshrike, Osa, Golfito
201. Ocellated Antbird, Laguna del Lagarto
202. Bicolored Antbird, Laguna del Lagarto
203. Chestnut-backed Antbird, Osa, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
204. Spotted Antbird, Laguna del Lagarto
205. Dotted-winged Antwren, Osa, Tortuguero
206. White-flanked Antwren, Cahuita, Laguna del Lagarto
207. Tawny-crowned Greenlet, Osa
208. Streaked-crowned Antvireo, Laguna del Lagarto
209. Slaty Spinetail, Osa
210. Long-billed Gnatwren, Cahuita
211. White-collared Manakin, Tortuguero, Laguna del Lagarto
212. Orange-collared Manakin, Osa
213. Long-tailed Manakin, Cabo Blanco, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde
214. Red-capped Manakin, Laguna del Lagarto
215. Blue-crowned Manakin, Wilson BG
216. Cinnamon Becard, Cahuita, Laguna del Lagarto
217. Rose-throated Becard, Wilson BG
218. Masked Tityra, Osa, San Vito, San Gerardo, Montezuma, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
219. Black-crowned Tityra, Playa Ballena, Laguna del Lagarto
220. Yellow-billed Cotinga, Osa
221. Snowy Cotinga, Laguna del Lagarto
222. Turquoise Cotinga, Osa
223. Tropical Kingbird, common
224. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Montezuma, Cañas, Rincon de la Vieja
225. Bright-rumped Attila, Wilson BG
226. Piratic Flycatcher, Playa Ballena, Osa
227. Streaked Flycatcher, Playa Ballena, Cabo Blanco
228. Boat-billed Flycatcher, Wilson BG
229. Great Kiskadee, common
230. Social Flycatcher, common
231. Gray-capped Flycatcher, Dominical
232. White-ringed Flycatcher, Bebedero, Caño Negro
233. Great Crested Flycatcher, Osa
234. Brown-crested Flycatcher, Cabo Blanco
235. Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Osa, San Gerardo, Caño Negro
236. Nutting’s Flycatcher, Rio Corobici
237. Olive-sided Flycatcher, Osa
238. Black Phoebe, San Isidro, San Gerardo
239. Long-tailed Tyrant, Cahuita, Laguna del Lagarto
240. Eastern Wood-Pewee, Monteverde
241. Tropical Pewee, Caño Negro
242. Black-capped Flycatcher, Mirador Quetzales
243. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, San Gerardo, Cabo Blanco
244. Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Osa
245. Olive-striped Flycatcher, Monteverde
246. Stub-tailed Spadebill, Cabo Blanco
247. Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Laguna del Lagarto
248. Common Tody-Flycatcher, common
249. Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Laguna del Lagarto
250. Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Caño Negro
251. Eye-ringed Flatbill, Monteverde
252. Mountain Elaenia, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
253. Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Playa Ballena, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Tenorio
254. Rufous-naped Wren, Montezuma, Bebedero, Alajuela
255. Striped-breasted Wren, Tortuguero, Tenorio
256. Banded Wren, Montezuma, Rincon de la Vieja
257. Spotted-breasted Wren, Caño Negro
258. Rufous-breasted Wren, Wilson BG, San Gerardo
259. Rufous-and-white Wren, Cabo Blanco, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde
260. Riverside Wren, Playa Ballena, Osa, Golfito
261. Bay Wren, Cahuita
262. Black-throated Wren, Cahuita
263. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, Monteverde
264. White-breasted Wood-Wren, Tenorio
265. Plain Wren, Wilson BG, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Tenorio, Monteverde
266. House Wren, common
267. Ochraceous Wren, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
268. Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Mirador Quetzales
269. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Monteverde
270. Wood Thrush, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
271. Mountain Robin, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
272. Sooty Robin, Mirador Quetzales
273. Clay-colored Robin, abundant
274. Black-and-yellow Silky-flycatcher, Mirador Quetzales
275. Gray Catbird, Cahuita, Tortuguero
276. Black-faced Solitaire, Monteverde
277. Cedar Waxwing, Tortuguero, Rincon de la Vieja
278. Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
279. White-throated Magpie-Jay, Montezuma, Rio Corobici, Rincon de la Vieja
280. Brown Jay, San Gerardo, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, Monteverde
281. Yellow-throated Vireo, Golfito, Cabo Blanco, Rio Corobici, Rincon de la Vieja
282. Lesser Greenlet, Golfito, Montezuma, Tenorio
283. Yellow-winged Vireo, Mirador Quetzales
284. Rufous-capped Warbler, Cabo Blanco, Rincon de la Vieja, Monteverde, Alajuela
285. Three-striped Warbler, Monteverde
286. Worm-eating Warbler, Cabo Blanco
287. Tennessee Warbler, common
288. Buff-rumped Warbler, Osa
289. Bananaquit, common
290. Tropical Gnatcatcher, Playa Ballena, Cabo Blanco
291. Tropical Parula, Tenorio
292. Golden-winged Warbler, Monteverde
293. Flame-throated Warbler, Mirador Quetzales
294. Black-and-white Warbler, regularly seen, especially middle and higher elevations
295. Prothonotary Warbler, Cahuita, Tortuguero
296. Yellow Warbler, common
297. Wilson’s Warbler, common above 1000m
298. Collared Redstart, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
299. Slate-throated Redstart, Wilson BG, San Gerardo, Monteverde
300. Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio
301. Mourning Warbler, Osa, Wilson BG
302. Chestnut-sided Warbler, common
303. Black-throated Green Warbler, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
304. Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cahuita, Monteverde
305. Ovenbird, Cahuita, Tenorio
306. Northern Waterthrush, Playa Ballena, Golfito, Tortuguero
307. Spotted-breasted Oriole, Cabo Blanco
308. Black-cowled Oriole, Cahuita, Monteverde
309. Northern Oriole, common
310. Montezuma Oropendola, Cahuita, Tortuguero, Tenorio, Caño Negro, Laguna del Lag.
311. Giant Cowbird, Rincon de la Vieja
312. Scarlet-rumped Cacique, Playa Ballena, Osa, Golfito, Cahuita
313. Yellow-billed Cacique, Osa, Laguna del Lagarto
314. Red-winged Blackbird, Rio Corobici, Caño Negro
315. Bronzed Cowbird, Cahuita
316. Great-tailed Grackle, common
317. Nicaraguan Grackle, Caño Negro
318. Yellow-crowned Euphonia, Osa, Golfito, Wilson BG
319. Olive-backed Euphonia, Cahuita, Tenorio
320. Yellow-throated Euphonia, Cabo Blanco, Rio Corobici, Monteverde
321. White-vented Euphonia, Playa Ballena
322. Thick-billed Euphonia, Osa, Golfito
323. Blue-hooded Euphonia, San Gerardo
324. Golden-browed Chlorophonia, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
325. Common Bush-Tanager, Wilson BG, San Gerardo, Monteverde
326. Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
327. Olive Tanager, Tenorio
328. Gray-headed Tanager, Osa, Rincon de la Vieja
329. Palm Tanager, common
330. Shining Honeycreeper, Laguna del Lagarto
331. Red-legged Honeycreeper, regularly seen
332. Blue Dacnis, Osa, San Gerardo
333. Scarlet-tighed Dacnis, Playa Ballena, San Gerardo
334. Silver-throated Tanager, Wilson BG, San Gerardo, Tenorio, Monteverde
335. Green Honeycreeper, Osa, Golfito, Wilson BG, San Gerardo, Tenorio
336. Speckled Tanager, Wilson BG, San Gerardo
337. Bay-headed Tanager, Wilson BG, San Gerardo
338. Spangled-cheeked Tanager, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
339. Golden-hooded Tanager, Playa B., Osa, Wilson BG, San Ger., Caño N., Laguna del L.
340. Blue-gray Tanager, common
341. White-lined Tanager, Osa, Cahuita
342. White-shouldered Tanager, Osa, Golfito
343. Scarlet-rumped Tanager
            a. Passerini’s Tanager, seen regularly on Caribbean side of the country
            b. Cheri’s Tanager, common on Pacific side of the country
344. Summer Tanager, Playa Ballena, Golfito, San Vito, San Gerardo, Mirador Q., Cahuita
345. Flame-colored Tanager, San Gerardo, Mirador Quetzales
346. Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Cabo Blanco, Rincon de la Vieja
347. Black-cheeked Ant-Tanager, Osa
348. Black-headed Saltator, Fortuna, Monteverde
349. Buff-throated Saltator, common
350. Grayish Saltator, Fortuna, Alajuela
351. Streaked Saltator, Wilson BG
352. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, San Vito, San Gerardo, Tenorio, Alajuela
353. Blue-black Grosbeak, Osa, Tenorio
354. Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, Monteverde
355. Orange-billed Sparrow, Osa, Golfito, Tortuguero, Tenorio
356. White-eared Ground-Sparrow, Monteverde
357. Large-footed Finch, Mirador Quetzales
358. Yellow-tighed Finch, San Gerardo, Mirador Quetzales, Monteverde
359. White-collared Seedeater, common
360. Variable Seedeater, common
361. Yellow-faced Grassquit, San Vito, San Gerardo, Monteverde
362. Blue-black Grassquit, common
363. Slaty Flowerpiercer, Mirador Quetzales
364. Thick-billed Seed-Finch, Golfito, Cahuita, Caño Negro
365. Striped-headed Sparrow, Rio Corobici, Rincon de la Vieja
366. Rufous-collared Sparrow, common above 600m.
367. Black-striped Sparrow, Osa, Wilson BG, Cahuita, Tenorio, Laguna del Lagarto
368. Olive Sparrow, Cabo Blanco
369. House Sparrow, common
370. White-crowned Pigeon, Tortuguero

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