Great Tinamou Tinamus major
One was seen in the forest across the bridge over Rio Sarapiqui at Selva Verde.

Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
One was seen at a lake in the hills somewhere between San José and the Pacific lowlands.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Along the Pacific coast at Tiskita we saw up to 70 daily, with 40 on our journey north as we passed along the coast near Puntarenas.

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
Two were seen associating with a fishing boat off Tiskita.

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
One was seen at a lake in the hills between San José and the Pacific lowlands, with up to three in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands around Selva Verde.

Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
Up to five in the Rio Tarcoles area, from ponds upriver from the bridge to the estuary.

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
We saw up to 70-80 each day at Tiskita and up to six in the Rio Tarcoles area.

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Two at ponds upriver from the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, one at the Tarcoles estuary and singles at Selva Verde and a pond between Virgen del Socorro and the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Great Egret Ardea alba
(Frequently placed in the genus Casmerodius, but listed as Egretta alba in HBW, with the comment that recent DNA work suggests a closer relationship with Ardea than Egretta).
Up to ten daily in the Rio Tarcoles/Carara area and up to four in the lowlands around Selva Verde and La Selva.

Tricoloured Heron Egretta tricolor
We encountered two singles at the Rio Tarcoles.

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Up to four in the Rio Tarcoles/Carara area and two on two occasions while at Selva Verde.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Surprisingly scarce, we saw one or two only in the Rio Tarcoles area and at Selva Verde.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
The first group to sample the Osa peninsula returned with tales of up to 25 there, and although numbers at Tiskita were generally low, we did see similar numbers there one day. Elsewhere, there were up to ten in the Rio Tarcoles area and 30 while driving through the Caribbean lowlands to Selva Verde.

Green Heron Butorides virescens
(Regarded by Clements as distinct from Striated Heron B.striatus but as a race of Green-backed Heron B.striatus in HBW).
Up to three a day in the Rio Tarcoles area and two at Selva Verde, with five near La Selva on our last day.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea
There were at least eight at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius
There were two at a lake in Carara NP.

Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum
Four or five were seen at a pond upriver from the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, with two on each of the following two days in the Carara/Rio Tarcoles area.

Fasciated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma fasciatum
An adult was seen in the rocky riverbed of Rio Guayabo, just beyond Venecia, as we drove into the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands, and a sub-adult was seen close to the lodge at Selva Verde on three days while we were there.

Wood Stork Mycteria americana
One at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Green Ibis Mesembrinibis cayennensis
One in a piece of swampy grassland by the entrance gate to La Selva.

White Ibis Eudocimus albus
12 on the Osa peninsula, up to nine at Tiskita and up to six in the Carara/Rio Tarcoles area.

Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja
There were up to four at various points along Rio Tarcoles.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Up to 25 daily in the Rio Tarcoles/Carara area and one somewhere between Laguna de Arenal and Selva Verde.

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
One was seen at a lake in the hills between San José and the Pacific lowlands and three were seen flying over the Caribbean lowlands as we approached Selva Verde.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Ubiquitous. Probably less abundant than Turkey Vulture on the Pacific side of the country, whereas on the Caribbean side Black tended to be more numerous.

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
See above remarks for Black Vulture. If you visit Costa Rica you will see both of these species.

King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
Up to five were seen daily at Tiskita and two were seen near Selva Verde.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Despite the word Tiskita meaning Osprey in the language of the indigenous people of Costa Rica, we saw only one during the trip, on the estuary of the Rio Tarcoles.

Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
Voted the bird of the trip, we saw up to 12 daily at Tiskita, where a flock would invariably appear just after midday to gracefully pick fruits from a tree near the lodge, which they devoured in the air before returning for more. We also saw up to eight each day whilst at Monteverde and a flock of at least 110 was seen moving steadily southward near La Selva on their post-breeding journey into South America.

White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
We saw singles just outside San José, near Rio Tarcoles and somewhere between the Pacific coast and Monteverde.

Double-toothed Kite Harpagus bidentatus
Up to three were seen daily at Tiskita and we saw one over Virgen del Socorro.

Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea
Two drifted over Carara NP.

Barred Hawk Leucopternis princeps
One was seen at Tiskita and at least three were seen over Virgen del Socorro.

Semiplumbeous Hawk Leucopternis semiplumbea
One was seen devouring a lizard near Selva Verde lodge and another was seen nearby along the river on our final day.

White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis
One or two were evident daily at Tiskita and one was seen at Virgen del Socorro.

Mangrove Black-Hawk Buteogallus subtilis
Until recently, considered a race of Common Black-hawk B.anthracinus but now elevated to specific status, although its taxonomic status remains uncertain in view of an unknown degree of hybridisation in Panama (HBW).
Up to three were seen at Tiskita and two were seen over the Rio Tarcoles estuary. They were described to us as Mangrove, rather than Common Black-Hawks, largely on the basis of habitat, but although Mangrove may be confined to mangroves for breeding, Common apparently also occurs in mangroves. It is doubtful that the views we had would allow separation on the basis of plumage details.

Grey Hawk Asturina nitidus
Included in the genus Asturina by Clements and on Avibase, but in Buteo by other sources, including HBW.
Three on the journey from the Pacific coast to Monteverde and six between Monteverde and Selva Verde, then two singles at Selva Verde.

Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
One at Tiskita, two between the lowlands and Virgen del Socorro and one near La Selva.

Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
Sightings at Tiskita involved at least one pale and two dark individuals, two pale birds were seen at Volcan Arenal and four, all pale morph, were seen circling over Virgen del Socorro.

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
One over Finca Mirador de Quetzales, situated at 2650m in Cerro de la Muerte.

Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Clements split Crested Caracara C.plancus in August 2000 into C.plancus of the Amazon basin and C.cheriway, extending from offshore Mexico into South America. However, HBW retains the original genus Polyborus and regards Crested Caracara P.plancus as monotypic.
One was seen on the Osa peninsula and another was seen in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands as we drove towards Selva Verde.

Yellow-headed Caracara Milvago chimachima
Up to three daily at Tiskita and four in the Pacific lowlands as we drove north from Villa Lapas.

Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
This much sought-after raptor was splendidly spotted from the bus as we rove up to Virgen del Socorro and ‘scoped for all to get very good views. Undoubtedly one of the birds of the trip.

Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
One drifted across the forest below the lodge at Tiskita, another was seen as we drove towards Monteverde, another was seen from our hotel there and a fourth was seen on our last day, near La Selva.

Grey-headed Chachalaca Ortalis cinereiceps
There were at least ten around Laguna de Arenal and five at La Selva.

Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens
We saw one in the forest surrounding Laguna de Arenal and at least eight at La Selva.

Black Guan Chamaepetes unicolor
One was seen outside the Cloud Forest Preserve at Monteverde and an adult and two young were seen at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Great Curassow Crax rubra
A female put on a great performance for us at the edge of one of the forest trails at La Selva.

Black-breasted Wood-Quail Odontophorus leucolaemus
Between us, we saw a total of 11 in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Grey-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea
Two or three were seen close to one of the trails in the forest a La Selva and John W saw what was almost certainly this species at a traditional lurking spot (for Wood-Rails) at Selva Verde.

American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica
Rather parochially defined as Purple Gallinule in Clements, but as American Purple Gallinule by most other authorities.
Four at a series of pools upriver from the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, two at the Rio Tarcoles estuary and two near La Selva on our final day.

Sunbittern Eurypyga helias
We saw at least two on the river and adjacent forest, once close to the lodge, at Selva Verde, although there were reports from rafters that several more were present.

Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
15-20 at pools upriver from the bridge over Rio Tarcoles as we drove towards Villa Lapas, then up to eight on each of the following two days, four plus juveniles in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands as we drove towards Selva Verde and four, obviously nesting, near La Selva on our last day.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
One at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
About ten at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia
Two at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Collared Plover Charadrius collaris
Two at the Rio Tarcoles estuary, which seems to be just about the most reliable site in Costa Rica for this scarce and local species.

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus
Three at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Six at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
One at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Two at pools upriver from the bridge over the Rio Tarcoles, one on the river at Villa Lapas and four or five at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Three at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Five at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla
20-30 at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
One at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
One at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Five were seen around a fishing boat off Tiskita.

Royal Tern Sterna maxima
A roost of at least 60 exploded from the beach at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon Columba livia
Seen around areas of habitation, so not often, fortunately.

Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
We saw at least 100 on our day at Cerro de la Muerte and up to 60 at Monteverde/Santa Elena.

Pale-vented Pigeon Columba cayennensis
Three on a couple of occasions at Selva Verde.

Red-billed Pigeon Columba flavirostris
We saw up to five in the San José area, eight at Monteverde and six while at Selva Verde.

Short-billed Pigeon Columba nigrirostris
One on the Osa peninsula, one at Carara NP and one on our final day at Selva Verde.

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Up to six in the San José area and four in the lowlands while driving towards Selva Verde.

Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
One above Villa Lapas and two in Carara NP.

Plain-breasted Ground-Dove Columbina minuta
One was seen on the Osa peninsula.

Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Small numbers (up to ten) were recorded from the Osa peninsula, Tiskita, the Pacific lowlands north of Villa Lapas and in the lowlands around Selva Verde/La Selva.

Inca Dove Columbina inca
One on the outskirts of San José and up to ten in the dry lowlands around Carara NP.

Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa
The only one of the trip was seen along the access road to La Selva.

White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Singles were seen on the Osa peninsula and Villa Lapas and five were recorded in Carara NP.

Grey-chested Dove Leptotila cassini
Two were seen across the river from Selva Verde Lodge.

Olive-backed Quail-Dove Geotrygon veraguensis
One was seen on a bare patch of the forest floor at La Selva.

Great Green Macaw Ara ambigua
Against all expectations, we saw this spectacular species on three occasions at Selva Verde. Seven flew over on our first day, followed by six on our day at La Selva, one or two of which were watched feeding, and four on our final day, again at Selva Verde.

Scarlet Macaw Ara macao
Seen regularly at Tiskita, involving at least five and possibly as many as nine, with eight on the Osa peninsula and six in the Carara/Rio Tarcoles area.

Crimson-fronted Parakeet Aratinga finschi
Finsch’s Conure/Parakeet according to some authorities but listed at Crimson-fronted Parakeet by Clements and HBW.
Widespread in small numbers (up to ten daily), with records from San José, Tiskita, between Monteverde and Santa Elena and in the Sarapiqui lowlands.

Olive-throated Parakeet Aratinga nana
Two flew over open grassland with scattered trees and scrub near Selva Verde.

Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Up to ten were seen on the Osa peninsula, with up to four at Tiskita and up to eight during our stay in the Selva Verde area.

Brown-hooded Parrot Pionopsitta haematotis
We encountered small numbers (up to nine daily) on the Osa peninsula, at Monteverde and in the Rio Sarapiqui area.

White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis
Our first encounter with this rather smart little parrot was a party of six in forest surrounding Laguna de Arenal, after which we saw up to six on most days in the Selva Verde region.

White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons
10-20 were feeding at a fruiting tree somewhere between Monteverde and Tilarán.

Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Up to 11 daily in the Selva Verde/La Selva area.

Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
Up to 12 were seen daily at Tiskita and 10-15 were regular around Selva Verde.

Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Small numbers were seen on the Osa peninsula, Carara/Villa Lapas (including five in Carara NP), Monteverde and in the Selva Verde area.

Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
Common in the Pacific lowlands around Rio Tarcoles, where we recorded 20-30 one day, but less so in the Caribbean lowlands, where up to five were seen each day.

Striped Cuckoo Tapera naevia
One was seen and heard calling at an area of rough, dry grassland with scattered low bushes at the start of the approach road to Villa Lapas, near Carara NP.

Black-and-White Owl Ciccaba nigrolineata
Included in genus Strix by many authorities, including HBW.
Two were watched roosting in the town park in Orotina, north of Carara in the Pacific lowlands.

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
According to Avibase, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl has been split into four species: G.brasilianum, G.ridgwayi, G.tacumanum and G.nanum. The last two species are recognised by Clements and HBW as Tacuman Pygmy-Owl and Austral Pygmy-Owl, both of which occur only in South America, but ridgwayi (ranging from S.Texas to Panama) is still included by Clements under G.brasilianum, one of 12 races of a species that ranges from S.Arizona to S.Uruguay.
Two were seen at a grove of trees near the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Great Potoo Nyctibius grandis
One was seen on top of a dead tree overhanging the Rio Sarapiqui at Selva Verde.

Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
Two were found by Santiago, roosting in a tree at Villa Lapas, and a nighthawk, either this species or Common C.minor was seen from the bridge at La Selva at dusk.

Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutila
Included in genus Cypseloides in HBW, which discusses reasons for placing in genus Streptoprocne, in accordance with Clements’ view.
10-15 were identified with certainty only around Tiskita and Monteverde, though this species was probably present in a flock of swifts that passed our hotel in San José on our first morning.

White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonari
This impressive swift was seen over Tiskita, Monteverde and the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands, where 50 were recorded one day.

Costa Rican Swift Chaetura fumosa
Regarded as specifically distinct by Clements (December 2002), having been split from Band-rumped Swift C.spinicauda. Also recognised as such by AOU (Avibase), although HBW regards it as a race of spinicauda.
Up to six were seen over Tiskita and two were seen in the Carara area.

Grey-rumped Swift Chaetura cinereiventris
Up to eight were seen well as they flew low over the Rio Sarapiqui at Selva Verde on two mornings during our stay.

Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi
Up to ten around Carara NP and 20 at Monteverde and at least 70 circling around Volcan Arenal.

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
This elegant swift was seen at Tiskita and Selva Verde, four being involved on both occasions.

Bronzy Hermit Glaucis aenea
One was seen on just one occasion at Tiskita.

Band-tailed Barbthroat Threnetes ruckeri
One-two were seen on two days while we were at Tiskita.

Green Hermit Phaethornis guy
Two were seen at the hummingbird feeders at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and one came to the feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Western Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis longirostris
Considered by Clements and HBW to be specifically distinct from Eastern Long-tailed Hermit P.superciliosus of Venezuela, the Guianas and N.Brazil. Called Long-billed Hermit by the AOU.
One or two were seen daily at Tiskita and singles were recorded at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Stripe-throated Hermit Phaethornis striigularis
This species appears in the field guide as Little Hermit P.longuemareus. However, Clements, HBW and AOU regard that species as ranging from NE Venezuela to French Guiana and Trinidad. The species occurring in Costa Rica is as included here.
One was seen at Villa Lapas and another was seen at Selva Verde.

Green-fronted Lancebill Doryfera ludovicae
One was seen at a narrow stream close to La Paz waterfalls in Virgen del Socorro.

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Phaeochroa cuvierii
Singles were seen on a couple of occasions in the grounds of Villa Lapas.

Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus
One was seen at the hummingbird feeders at Savegre Mountain Lodge in Cerro de la Muerte, it was numerous (15-20 were estimated) at the feeders at Monteverde and two or three were seen at the feeders at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. About ten were also seen at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora
We saw singles at Tiskita and in the open area near Selva Verde Lodge, but not particularly well on either occasion, which is a pity, since it is a very attractive hummer.

Brown Violet-ear Colibri delphinae
There were about ten at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus
20-30 were recorded during our day in Cerro de la Muerte and there were three or four at the hummingbird feeders at Monteverde, one or two over the next couple of days at Monteverde and Santa Elena and one at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Violet-headed Hummingbird Klais guimeti
Singles were seen at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Black-crested Coquette Lophornis helenae
Singles were seen at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Green Thorntail Discosura conversii
A quite beautiful male was seen repeatedly at the hummingbird feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro, though not so often that we became tired of looking at it.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird Panterpe insignis
There were 20-30 during our day in Cerro de la Muerte and a poorly-looking individual with a malformed or broken bill at the hummingbird feeders at Monteverde.

Coppery-headed Emerald Elvira cupreiceps
Two or three were present at the hummingbird feeders at Monteverde, with small numbers in the Monteverde area over the next two days, and about six were seen at the hummingbird feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa eximia
Five-six were seen at the hummingbird feeders at Monteverde, with smaller numbers in the Monteverde area over the next two days.

Black-bellied Hummingbird Eupherusa nigriventris
One of the birds of the trip, one was seen on a few occasions at the hummingbird feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Violet-crowned Woodnymph Thalurania colombica
Included as Purple-crowned Woodnymph in HBW.
Up to four were regular around the lodge at Tiskita and up to three were recorded during our sojourn at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Blue-throated Goldentail Hylocharis eliciae
Up to two at Tiskita.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacati
The most widespread and regularly recorded of the hummers, we recorded singles at Tiskita, up to three in the Carara/Rio Tarcoles area, two at Monteverde and ten while at Selva Verde, including sightings at Selva Verde, La Selva and the hummingbird feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Blue-chested Hummingbird Amazilia amabilis
We saw singles at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Steely-vented Hummingbird Saucerottia saucerrottei
We encountered three individuals at Monteverde.

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer Chalybura urochrysia
We saw two at Selva Verde.

White-bellied Mountain-gem Lampornis hemileucus
One, possibly two were seen at the hummingbird feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Purple-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis calolaema
There were about ten at the hummingbird feeders at Monteverde and one at the feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Grey-tailed Mountain-gem Lampornis cinereicauda
Clements regards this as distinct from White-throated Mountain-gem Lcastaneoventris, but HBW regards it as a race of Variable Mountain-gem Lcastaneoventris, a position taken by AOU.
We recorded eight in Cerro de la Muerte, mostly at Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Green-crowned Brilliant Heliodoxa jacula
This was the most numerous species at the Monteverde hummingbird feeders, where 20-25 were present. Four-five were also seen at Santa Elena and there were about eight at the hummingbird feeders at Vera’s place in Virgen del Socorro.

Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens
We recorded 15-20 during our day in Cerro de la Muerte.

Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti
This elegant hummingbird was widespread but only in small numbers. We had two sightings of singles at the lodge at Tiskita, three in the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge and one at La Selva.

Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
The only individual seen on the trip was seen as we approached the open area across the river at Selva Verde.

Scintillant Hummingbird Selasphorus scintilla
Both this and the following species were seen at the hummingbird feeders at Savegre Mountain Lodge, but this species was a good deal less numerous, with no more than two being present.

Volcano Hummingbird Selasphorus flammula
10-15 were present at the hummingbird feeders at Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus
Two males were seen at a grove of trees near the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Baird’s Trogon Trogon bairdii
A female was seen in the forest at Tiskita and two males were located in Carara NP.

Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus
We found one in the hills above Villa Lapas, three at Carara NP and one at Selva.

Orange-bellied Trogon Trogon aurantiiventris
Two males were seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Black-throated Trogon Trogon rufus
Three individuals at Tiskita preceded a male at La Selva.

Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena
Singles were seen in the hills above Villa Lapas and Carara NP and five or six were recorded at La Selva.

Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno
After three at Finca Mirador de Quetzales in Cerro de la Muerte we saw another at Monteverde.

Ringed Kingfisher Megaceryle torquata
We recorded singles at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles and at the estuary of the same river, then three around Laguna de Arenal and one or two daily whilst at Selva Verde.

Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
There were three around Laguna de Arenal and one or two daily at Selva Verde.

Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
The most widespread and numerous kingfisher. We saw two near the village at Tiskita, two at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles, five in and around Carara NP, three while driving north along the Pacific coast from Villa Lapas, one between Laguna de Arenal and Selva Verde and one or two daily at Selva Verde and La Selva.

American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea
Two were seen at a lake in Carara NP, one of which was very close to our viewing position.

Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Two were seen in the hills between Monteverde and Tilarán.

Broad-billed Motmot Electron platyrhynchum
We were treated to singles at the edge of the forest at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa
We recorded three in Carara NP and one near the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
One was seen along the access road to La Selva.

White-necked Puffbird Notharchus macrorhynchos
Two in the forest on our final day at Tiskita and one near La Selva on the last day of the trip.

Red-headed Barbet Eubucco bourcierii
We found two females in the forest at Virgen del Socorro.

Prong-billed Barbet Semnornis frantzii
Five in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Blue-throated Toucanet Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis
Clements (July 2003) split Emerald Toucanet A.prasinus into seven species, the one occurring in the highlands of Costa Rica being Blue-throated Toucanet A.caeruleogularis. However, HBW does not follow this position, including all seven species within Emerald Toucanet A.prasinus.
We found two in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, four a little way above our accommodation at Monteverde and two at Virgen del Socorro.

Collared Araçari Pteroglossus torquatus
Common around Selva Verde and La Selva, where we recorded up to 15 daily.

Fiery-billed Araçari Pteroglossus frantzii
There were five at Carara NP.

Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
We first saw this species at Monteverde, where we saw up to ten each day, followed by up to four or five at Selva Verde and ten on our day at La Selva.

Black-mandibled Toucan Ramphastos ambiguus
Clements includes Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (formerly R.swainsonii) as a race of Black-mandibled Toucan R.ambiguus, following HBW, which rather more sensibly uses Yellow-throated Toucan as its English name.
We saw up to 12 at Tiskita, up to 14 between Villa Lapas and Rio Tarcoles and up to seven in the Selva Verde/La Selva area.

Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
There were 20-25 of this smart woodpecker, which was seen in parties of up to six, around Savegre Mountain Lodge on our day in Cerro de la Muerte.

Golden-naped Woodpecker Melanerpes chrysauchen
One or two were seen daily at Tiskita.

Black-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes pucherani
Fairly common in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands, where we saw up to ten daily.

Red-crowned Woodpecker Melanerpes rubricapillus
We recorded a probable total of nine individuals around Tiskita.

Hoffman’s Woodpecker Melanerpes hoffmannii
We recorded up to three around Rio Tarcoles/Carara NP, four or five on the Pacific lowlands on our journey north from Villa Lapas and a couple of singles at Monteverde.

Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
One was seen close to the entrance to Finca Mirador de Quetzales, at about 2500m.

Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus
One was seen in an open area with lines of large trees near Selva Verde Lodge.

Rufous-winged Woodpecker Piculus simplex
One was seen close to the bridge across the Rio Puerto Viejo at La Selva.

Chestnut-coloured Woodpecker Celeus castaneus
Four were seen at La Selva, with one nearby on our final day.

Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopos lineatus
Three in a grove of trees near the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatamalensis
One was seen briefly at Tiskita and singles were seen at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Red-faced Spinetail Cranioleuca erythrops
We saw at least five or six in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Spotted Barbtail Premnoplex brunnescens
The furnariids are not well represented in Costa Rica, many being at the northern edge of their ranges, but they provide a real flavour of the Andean forests. Most are furtive and many of them are at best cryptically coloured, but some are subtly beautiful, and this is as good an example as any that brown is not necessarily boring. We saw eight or nine in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and two in roadside forest at Virgen del Socorro.

Ruddy Treerunner Margarornis rubiginosus
A highland species that we saw at 2600m at Finca Mirador de Quetzales in Cerro de la Muerte and also at Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, near Monteverde, probably at around 1500m.

Plain Xenops Xenops minutes
We saw up to four daily whilst at Tiskita and one or two on each day of our stay at Villa Lapas.

Lineated Foliage-gleaner Syndactyla subularis
There were seven or eight, mostly low down in forest understorey, at Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner Automolus ochrolaemus
We found one in Carara NP.

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Dendrocincla anabatina
We saw just one, in the forest at Tiskita.

Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Two were seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorhynchus spirurus
This diminutive woodcreeper was seen at Tiskita (up to four), Carara NP (a single) and at Selva Verde and La Selva (one or two at each site).

Northern Barred Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
Since A Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica was published, Barred Woodcreeper has been split into two species: Northern Barred Woodcreeper D.sanctithomae, which ranges from Mexico into South America, and Amazonian Barred Woodcreeper D.certhia, which occurs only in South America (Clements, HBW).
From one extreme to the other, two were seen in Carara NP, with up to four daily during our stay in the Selva Verde/La Selva area.

Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus sussuratus
Also split (in May 2000 by Clements) since A Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica was published, this species now comprises Cocoa Woodcreeper X.sussuratus, which is found from Guatemala to Venezuela, and Buff-throated Woodcreeper X.guttatus, which is found only in South America (Clements, HBW).
We saw six individuals at Tiskita, one in Carara NP and one or two at Selva Verde/La Selva.

Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
There were two or three in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
The most widespread of the woodcreepers, we recorded singles at Carara NP, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and Laguna de Arenal, five or six at Selva Verde and three at la Selva.

Great Antshrike Taraba major
Normally found only in deep cover amid dense forest or scrub, we had superb and prolonged views of a male on the approach road to La Selva.

Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
After a male at the airstrip at Tiskita we saw a pair in Carara NP.

Black-hooded Antshrike Thamnophilus bridgesi
After one on our first day at Tiskita we saw ten on each of the following two days, mostly as the main species in feeding flocks in the forest. We also saw two above Villa Lapas and seven or eight in Carara NP.

Western Slaty Antshrike Thamnophilus atrinucha
Since A Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica was published, Slaty Antshrike has been split into Western Slaty Antshrike T.atrinucha of Central America and Guianan Slaty Antshrike T.punctatus, which ranges from the Guianas to Brazil.
We had great views of a male in the forest at La Selva.

Plain Antvireo Dysithamnus mentalis
We saw two in a mixed feeding flock at Tiskita that also included Black-hooded Antshrikes, Plain Xenops, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Chestnut-backed Antbird and a Tawny-capped Greenlet.

Slaty Antwren Myrmotherula schisticolor
We recorded three individuals in the forest at Tiskita and two in Carara NP.

Dot-winged Antwren Microhopias quixensis
We saw up to four on two of our forays into the forest at Tiskita.

Dusky Antbird Cercomacra tyrannina
We found a female in the forested hills above Villa Lapas and two in Carara NP.

Chestnut-backed Antbird Myrmeciza exsul
We managed to locate up to five in the forest around Tiskita, two in Carara NP, up to four at Selva Verde, two at La Selva and one in the forest at Virgen del Socorro.

Rufous Piha Lipaugus unirufus
Just about as decorous as its South American counterpart, but a good deal less vocal. We saw one in the forest at Tiskita, courtesy of some good work by Luis, our guide.

Snowy Cotinga Carpodectes nitidus
Against all expectations, we found several males and females in a flock that comprised at least seven individuals opposite the entrance to Selva Verde Lodge, with two more nearby later the same day, followed by a male at La Selva the next day.

Purple-throated Fruitcrow Querula purpurata
A flock of oropendolas and fruitcrows was heard moving through the forest at La Selva by Erick, our guide, and even though we got close enough to see several of the oropendolas, two or three or the fruitcrows showed themselves only briefly to a few of the group.

Three-wattled Bellbird Procnias tricarunculata
The sound of bellbirds and solitaires echoing from the forest at Monteverde was one of the most evocative memories of our few days on the Continental Divide, though both neither was easy to see well. We saw up to four bellbirds on treetops from our hotel each morning and had close ‘scope views of one along the Pig Farm Trail one afternoon.

White-collared Manakin Manacus candei
We saw a probable six individuals around Selva Verde, although only one was a male.

Orange-collared Manakin Manacus aurantiacus
This beautiful Pacific counterpart of the preceding species was seen in the hills above Villa Lapas and in Carara NP, amounting to four individuals, of which three were males.

White-ruffed Manakin Corapipo altera
Two or three females were seen in roadside forest at Virgen del Socorro.

Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis
A male was heard calling repeatedly at forest edge along the Pig Farm Trail at Monteverde, but showed itself only briefly to one or two of the group.

Blue-crowned Manakin Pipra coronata
We saw 11 individuals at Tiskita, involving up to seven a day.

Red-capped Manakin Pipra mentalis
At Tiskita, we were fairly underwhelmed by our first, a female, but stunned by our second, a quite superb male in trees near the lodge. We found a lek of four in the forest later.

Yellow Tyrannulet Capsiempis flaveola
There were six in an open area resembling English parkland across the river from Selva Verde Lodge.

Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
The most numerous and widespread Elaenia, we recorded three in dry scrubby grassland near Villa Lapas, up to three in the Monteverde area, up to three around Selva Verde and La Selva and six on our day at Virgen del Socorro.

Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii
We found seven or eight on our day in the Santa Elena/Monteverde area.

Torrent Tyrannulet Sepophaga cinerea
We saw singles at Savegre Mountain Lodge in Cerro de la Muerte and the Rio Sarapiqui at Selva Verde Lodge and four in the streams and rivers of Virgen del Socorro.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleaginous
Up to three at Tiskita and two at Selva Verde, this species did not appear on any lists of favoured birds of the trip.

Olive-striped Flycatcher Mionectes olivaceus
We found two or three in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and one in Virgen del Socorro.

Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus
One at Savegre Mountain Lodge in Cerro de la Muerte, two in the hills above Villa Lapas, three in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and one or two daily in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Black-capped Pygmy-tyrant Myiornis atricapillus
One was seen at Selva Verde Lodge.

Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare
We found one in the forest parallel to the main road at Carara NP.

Black-headed Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum nigriceps
After taking an age to see our first, high up in a tree at La Selva, we found another the following morning at Selva Verde, not exactly low down, but a good deal easier to see.

Common Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
Up to six at Carara NP and four at various points around Selva Verde.

Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
We saw one at Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
We saw just one, in Carara NP.

Yellow-margined Flycatcher Tolmomyias assimilis
One was seen close to the river bridge at La Selva.

Golden-crowned Spadebill Platyrinchus coronatus
There were four in the forest at Tiskita on our third day there.

White-throated Spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus
One was seen in a mixed feeding flock in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve that comprised Common Bush-Tanagers, Three-striped Warblers, Slate-throated Redstarts, Spotted Barbtail and Lineated Foliage-gleaner.

Black-tailed Flycatcher Myiobius atricaudus
One was seen in the forest just south of Tiskita Lodge.

Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
This attractive little flycatcher was seen in Cerro de la Muerte (three) and in Virgen del Socorro, where we saw at least six.

Dark Pewee Contopus lugubris
Two were seen in Virgen del Socorro.

Ochraceous Pewee Contopus ochraceus
We found two in Cerro de la Muerte.

Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus
According to A Field Guide to the birds of Costa Rica this species occurs earlier than the very similar Eastern Wood-Pewee (which appears from mid August) and possesses a blacker lower mandible. On this basis we identified a bird along the Pig Farm Trail at Monteverde as this species.

Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus
We found five or six individuals in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands, involving four one day around Selva Verde.

Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens
We recorded two in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Black-capped Flycatcher Empidonax atriceps
Found only in the highlands around 2500m in Cerro de la Muerte, where we recorded 10-15.

Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Two at Savegre Mountain Lodge, singles at Monteverde, Selva Verde and La Selva and three in Virgen del Socorro.

Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus
One was seen briefly at Tiskita and we saw up to six or seven around Selva Verde and La Selva.

Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna holerythra
Singles were seen on three occasions at Selva Verde Lodge.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
We found one at Tiskita and another at Selva Verde.

Panama Flycatcher Myiarchus panamensis
Two were seen at Tiskita.

Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Recorded on every day of the trip, probably most numerously in the Rio Tarcoles area, where we logged 15 one day.

Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarhynchus pitangua
Smaller numbers, up to three daily, were seen throughout the trip in similar situations to the previous species.

Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes
Between Great Kiskadee and Boat-billed Flycatcher in abundance, we also saw this species more or less throughout the trip, with up to six in the Carara NP area.

Grey-capped Flycatcher Myiozetetes granadensis
We recorded one at Carara NP and up to six daily in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

White-ringed Flycatcher Conopias albovittata
There were up to seven daily in the Selva Verde/La Selva area.

Golden-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes hemichrysus
One was seen in roadside forest in Virgen del Socorro.

Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculates
Two at Tiskita were followed by seven or eight in Carara NP and two at Villa Lapas.

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris
Replacing the previous species on the Caribbean side of the country, we saw one or two on three days in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
One was seen in the hills between Santa Elena and Monteverde.

Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Seen throughout the trip, with up to eight a day, making it the second most numerous of the ‘big yellow’ flycatchers.

Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
One was seen at Selva Verde Lodge and three or four were seen at La Selva.

White-winged Becard Pachyramphus polychopterus
We found a pair in Carara NP and a male near Selva Verde Lodge.

Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
A female was seen in the town park at Orotina and there were six in Carara NP.

Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
This was the commonest and most widespread of the two tityras, with small numbers (up to four) at Tiskita, Carara/Rio Tarcoles, Monteverde/Santa Elena and the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Black-crowned Tityra Tityra inquisitor
There were two at Tiskita Lodge and up to three around Selva Verde and La Selva.

Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Up to six or seven were recorded at Tiskita, Rio Tarcoles and the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
There were one-two on the Osa peninsula and Tiskita and six at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles.

Blue-and-White Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
Included in the genus Pygochelidon by Clements.
30-40 were recorded in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte, with singles in San José and at Rio Tarcoles, up to 30 at Monteverde and up to 15 in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Four were seen between San José and the highlands, with five at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles.

Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Three or four were seen around Laguna de Arenal, with up to four around Selva Verde.

Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) Riparia riparia
One was seen at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Small numbers were seen at Rio Tarcoles, Monteverde and the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Black-and-Yellow Silky-flycatcher Phainoptila melanoxantha
We saw about ten around Finca Mirador de Quetzales, in the Cerro de la Muerte highlands at about 2600m.

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys caudatus
Eight around Finca Mirador de Quetzales, in the Cerro de la Muerte highlands.

American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
One was seen in one of Virgen del Socorro’s rushing, rocky rivers.

Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
We saw five or six individuals around Selva Verde.

Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Pretty common on the Pacific lowlands, we saw ten in the town park in Orotina and about 20 in Carara NP. We also saw one on our journey from Monteverde to Selva Verde.

Black-bellied Wren Thryothorus fasciatoventris
We found two in Carara NP: two males duetting at each other on either side of the trail.

Rufous-breasted Wren Thryothorus rutilus
One was seen at a scrubby gully in the hills above Villa Lapas.

Riverside Wren Thryothorus semibadius
The sound of this noisy wren became familiar at Tiskita, where we saw up to ten each day.

Bay Wren Thryothorus nigricapillus
Two were seen in the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge.

Stripe-breasted Wren Thryothorus thoracicus
One was seen in the forest beyond the bridge over the Rio Sarapiqui at Selva Verde.

Rufous-and-White Wren Thryothorus rufalbus
There were two in a scrubby gully in the hills above Villa Lapas and two in Carara NP.

Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus
Not particularly well named, since it is a good deal less plain than House Wren. We saw two at Tiskita, Monteverde and around Selva Verde and La Selva.

House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Although Clements and, apparently, the AOU treat House Wren as one species throughout its full range from SW Canada to Tierra del Fuego, other authorities split it into three species (in Avibase): - House Wren T.aedon, Brown-throated Wren T.brunneicollis and Antillean House Wren T.martinicensis.
Although we saw none on our day in the highlands, this species was seen everywhere else we went, though in fairly small numbers.

Ochraceous Wren Troglodytes ochraceus
We saw two at Finca Mirador de Quetzales, two in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and one in Virgen del Socorro.

Timberline Wren Thryorchilus browni
A high-altitude species, as its name suggests, we saw two or three at about 2600m at Finca Mirador de Quetzales.

White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
We recorded four in the forest around Selva Verde and three at La Selva.

Grey-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
There were five or six in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, two or three between Santa Elena and Monteverde and two in Virgen del Socorro.

Black-faced Solitaire Myadestes melanops
One of the most evocative sounds of any of the world’s forests is produced by this rather dowdy species that we saw on several occasions at Monteverde and at Santa Elena.

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris
Two were seen at the forest edge between Santa Elena and Monteverde.

Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus fuscater
There were two in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus mexicanus
The most numerous of the Nightingale-Thrushes, with 10-15 around Finca Mirador de Quetzales.

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii
There was just one, at the entrance to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Sooty Robin Turdus nigrescens
Abundant in the highlands, we saw 30-40 around Finca Mirador de Quetzales.

Mountain Robin Turdus plebejus
We recorded six in Cerro de la Muerte and two or three between Santa Elena and Monteverde.

Clay-coloured Robin Turdus grayi
Costa Rica’s national bird, presumably because they got into a sulk because Guatemala had already laid claim to Resplendent Quetzal. Common just about everywhere.

Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
‘It’s easier to see a gnat than a gnatwren’, goes the famous saying. Well, not quite. We did see two in the forest at Tiskita.

Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Small numbers (up to three) were seen at Tiskita, Villa Lapas and the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa
10-15 were seen at a grove of trees below the glowering cone of Volcan Arenal.

Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio
We recorded three in the hills above Villa Lapas and up to 20 each day in the Monteverde area.

Azure-hooded Jay Cyanolyca cucullata
There were singles in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and at a grove of trees at the forest edge below Santa Elena.

Yellow-winged Vireo Vireo carmioli
Four were seen around Savegre Mountain Lodge in Cerro de la Muerte.

Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys
There were two at Savegre Mountain Lodge in Cerro de la Muerte.

Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis
One was seen in the town park in Orotina.

Scrub Greenlet Hylophilus flavipes
There were two in scrub, no less, between Tiskita Lodge and the beach.

Tawny-crowned Greenlet Hylophilus ochraceiceps
One was seen briefly in a mixed feeding flock in the forest at Tiskita.

Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus
Probably overlooked, this rather insignificant species was seen in small numbers in the Villa Lapas/Carara area, Monteverde and Selva Verde.

Yellow-bellied Siskin Carduelis xanthogastra
We saw at least 20 on our day in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte.

Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
We found four in the forest around Laguna de Arenal.

Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
In Avibase, this species has been split into two species, Yellow Warbler D.petechia and Mangrove Warbler D.erithachorides, though it is still regarded at monotypic by Clements.
One was seen at the Rio Tarcoles estuary.

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis semiflava
At least four were seen at a site near La Selva on our final day.

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala
Up to three were seen near Villa Lapas, in the hills on the drive up to Monteverde, at Monteverde itself and in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands en route to Selva Verde.

Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Four or five were seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and there were three between Santa Elena and Monteverde and two in Virgen del Socorro.

Collared Redstart Myioborus torquatus
Four were recorded on our day in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte.

Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Two were seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
We saw five or six in hills above Villa Lapas and one between Santa Elena and Monteverde.

Black-cheeked Warbler Basileuterus melanogenys
A highland species that was seen at Finca Mirador de Quetzales at 2600m in Cerro de la Muerte.

Three-striped Warbler Basileuterus tristriatus
There were at least eight in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and six between Santa Elena and Monteverde.

Buff-rumped Warbler Basileuterus fulvicauda
A creature of shaded stream gullies, we saw up to three in the forest at Tiskita and one or two on a couple of occasions at Selva Verde.

Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Widespread in terms of geographical distribution and altitude, we saw this species at most sites we visited on the coast, including 10-15 at Tiskita, and as high as Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Ever-present in feeding flocks at middle elevation, we saw 10-15 at Monteverde and at least ten in the forest at Virgen del Socorro.

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus pileatus
Very common in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte where we recorded 30-40 at around 2500m but also at lower elevation between Santa Elena and Monteverde, where we recorded three.

Grey-headed Tanager Eucometis penicillata
We recorded two at Tiskita, two or three in the hills above Villa Lapas and five or six at Carara.

White-shouldered Tanager Tachyphonus luctuosus
There were at least eight in the hills above Villa Lapas and two at Carara NP.

White-lined Tanager Tachyphonus rufus
We saw five, associating loosely with the previous species, in the hills above Villa Lapas. There was also one at La Selva.

Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda
One or two were seen daily in the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge.

Flame-coloured Tanager Piranga bidentata
10-15 were present at Savegre Mountain Lodge in the Cerro de la Muerte highlands.

Crimson-collared Tanager Ramphocelus sanguiolentus
We saw two at La Selva and two at Virgen del Socorro.

Passerini’s Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii
The Caribbean counterpart of the following species, we saw our first at Laguna de Arenal, then up to eight daily at Selva Verde, 10-15 at La Selva and ten in Virgen del Socorro.

Cherrie’s Tanager Ramphocelus costaricensis
Common at Tiskita, where we recorded 15-20 daily, with smaller numbers in the Rio Tarcoles/ Carara area.

Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Seen in all areas throughout the trip, though scarcest at highest elevations; the most we recorded were 10-15 at Tiskita, Selva Verde and Virgen del Socorro.

Palm Tanager Thraupis palmarum
Similar remarks apply to this species as to the last, though it was generally rather less numerous away from Selva Verde where we saw up to 20 daily.

Blue-and-Gold Tanager Bangsia arcaei
A superb male of this hulking tanager, which in bulk resembles the mountain-tanagers of the Andes, was seen at Virgen del Socorro.

Yellow-crowned Euphonia Euphonia luteicapilla
We found five around Selva Verde and one at La Selva.

Thick-billed Euphonia Euphonia laniirostris
We saw up to eight in the Tiskita area.

Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
There were four in Carara NP and seven or eight between Santa Elena and Monteverde.

Spot-crowned Euphonia Euphonia imitans
Fairly common around Tiskita, where we saw up to 10-15 daily.

Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi
Seen only in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands, with up to six around Selva Verde and 10-15 at la Selva.

Tawny-capped Euphonia Euphonia anneae
One was seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and two were found at Virgen del Socorro.

Golden-browed Chlorophonia Chlorophonia callophrys
There were five in the forest at Finca Mirador de Quetzales, five or six in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and at least 20-25 along the Pig Farm Trail above our accommodation there. We also saw one at Virgen del Socorro.

Plain-coloured Tanager Tangara inornata
There were at least 14 at Selva Verde, mostly in a parkland landscape beyond the Rio Sarapiqui.

Emerald Tanager Tangara florida
At least four or five were seen at Virgen del Socorro.

Silver-throated Tanager Tangara icterocephala
One or two were seen in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, with 15-20 at Virgen del Socorro.

Speckled Tanager Tangara guttata
At least two were seen in a mixed tanager flock in roadside forest at Virgen del Socorro.

Bay-headed Tanager Tangara gyrola
Small numbers (up to three) of this smart tanager were seen at Tiskita and in Carara NP and we also saw two in Virgen del Socorro.

Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
In the Pacific lowlands we saw up to 10-15 at Tiskita and up to five in the Rio Tarcoles/Carara area, then up to seven or eight in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands on the Caribbean side, with two at Virgen del Socorro.

Spangle-cheeked Tanager Tangara dowii
There were three by the roadside when we stopped briefly in Cerro de la Muerte at around 2500m, on our way to Finca Mirador de Quetzales.

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis Dacnis venusta
Our first involved a party of six or seven below Volcan Arenal, after which we saw two daily at Selva Verde and La Selva and six in Virgen del Socorro.

Blue Dacnis Dacnis cayana
Up to four were seen at Tiskita, with two or three each day at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Green Honeycreeper Chlorophanes spiza
After four individuals at Tiskita we saw one at Villa Lapas and two at Virgen del Socorro.

Shining Honeycreeper Cyanerpes lucidus
There were up to six at Tiskita and one or two at Selva Verde and La Selva.

Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
We saw two singles at Tiskita and up to three in the Rio Sarapiqui lowlands.

Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
Our records amounted to two on the Osa peninsula, two at Tiskita, up to 20-30 at Carara NP and adjacent areas, eight en route to Selva Verde from Laguna de Arenal and up to ten in open areas at Selva Verde.

Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
Formerly considered conspecific with Wing-barred Seedeater S.americana (The Birds of South America Vol.1 by Ridgely & Tudor) but treated as distinct by AOU and Clements, who include it as S.corvina, which accords with the treatment accorded in recent field guides for Ecuador and Peru.
One of the first species we saw after landing at Tiskita, we found the black and white form throughout our stay on the Pacific coast, up to 10-15 a day being usual in open areas. It was not until seeing the black Caribbean form at Selva Verde that the significance of its name became fully apparent, however.

White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola
The only record we had was of a pair on a grassy bank by a lake between Virgen del Socorro and the lowlands.

Nicaraguan Seed-Finch Oryzoborus nuttingi
A female was found in palms close to a rough, swampy piece of grassland near La Selva.

Thick-billed Seed-Finch Oryzoborus funereus
Up to four in grassy areas at Tiskita and up to three in similar situations in the Caribbean lowland section of the trip.

Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
We saw two at Savegre Mountain Lodge at about 2600m, up to 30-40 in the Monteverde/Santa Elena area at around 1500m and six at much lower altitude somewhere between Laguna de Arenal and Selva Verde.

Slaty Flowerpiercer Diglossa plumbea
There were at least ten on our day in Cerro de la Muerte, mostly at Finca Mirador de Quetzales.

Sooty-faced Finch Lysurus crassirostris
Three were seen coming to rice scraps at a workers’ hut in Virgen del Socorro.

Yellow-thighed Finch Pselliophorus tibialis
We saw six at Finca Mirador de Quetzales and two in the forest at Santa Elena.

Large-footed Finch Pezopetes capitalis
There were six at Finca Mirador de Quetzales on our day in the highlands.

Yellow-throated Brush-Finch Atlapetes gutturalis
This species’ treatment here differs from that in Clements, where it is considered a race of White-naped Brush-Finch A.albinucha. However, Avibase (reflecting Sibley & Monroe) and most recent sources treat White-naped Brush-Finch as restricted to Mexico, with Yellow-throated Brush-Finch ranging from the Mexican border with Guatemala through Central America into Colombia.
Seven were recorded in the Monteverde area.

Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes brunneinucha
Included in the genus Buarremon by Clements.
One was seen in Cerro de la Muerte.

Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris
Up to six in the forest at Tiskita, one in Carara NP and up to 20 around Selva Verde Lodge.

Black-striped Sparrow Arremonops conirostris
We saw up to five at Tiskita and three in the Selva Verde/La Selva area.

White-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotis
There were six at the forest edge along the fairly open Pig Farm Trail at Monteverde.

Stripe-headed Sparrow Aimophila ruficauda
Two were seen flying across the road as we drove from Orotina into the Pacific lowlands and the rest of the group caught up with two or three at a rough, grassy field at the start of the track to Villa Lapas.

Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
This attractive sparrow soon became one of the also-rans after we saw our first in San José, with plenty of others in Cerro de la Muerte and around Monteverde.

Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
There were four in the town park in Orotina.

Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
We saw two at Tiskita, up to ten in the Rio Tarcoles/Carara area, up to four in the Monteverde area, up to four around Selva Verde and ten at La Selva.

Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster
Two were seen along the approach road to Selva Verde.

Blue-black Grosbeak Cyanocompsa cyanoides
We encountered one in Carara NP and four at La Selva.

Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
There were three in the lowlands between Orotina and Carara and up to 30-40 in the Caribbean lowlands between Laguna de Arenal and Selva Verde.

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Up to three were seen on the outskirts of San José, with two at our hotel at Monteverde.

Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
When A Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica was published in 1989 this species was known from one individual photographed in the extreme NW of the country. The text noted that it was to be expected more frequently in future as it had been expanding its range along the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and the fact that we saw four near the Rio Tarcoles estuary suggests that this range expansion is well under way.

Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Abundant in open areas throughout the trip, with high counts of 40-50 between San José and Cerro de la Muerte and 50 at Monteverde. In truth, we could have counted a lot more.

Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
One was seen at Monteverde, then about 30 between Laguna de Arenal and Selva Verde.

Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius
A pair was seen in a rough, swampy area of grass near La Selva.

Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas
Clements (August 2000) split Black-cowled Oriole I.dominicensis into Black-cowled Oriole I.prosthemelas and Greater Antillean Oriole I.dominicensis.
A sub-adult male was seen at Laguna de Arenal and two were seen in an open parkland-like area across the Rio Sarapiqui from Selva Verde Lodge.

Scarlet-rumped Cacique Cacicus uropygialis
There were at least two in the grounds of Selva Verde Lodge and seven at La Selva.

Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri
Common around Selva Verde and La Selva, including a gang of 21 at the bird tables at Selva Verde Lodge.

Montezuma Oropendola Gymnostinops Montezuma
We saw up to six at Monteverde and 40-60 in and around Selva Verde Lodge.


Mammals and Other Wildlife

BATS A roost of nine Common Tent-making Bats was found on the underside of a banana (?) leaf at Tiskita and a Northern Ghost Bat was seen around the huts at the edge of the forest near the lodge. Three White Tent-making Bats were seen at La Selva.

MONKEYS We saw up to about 40 Central American Squirrel Monkeys at Tiskita, where up to six Mantled Howler Monkeys were seen. Howlers were also recorded at Monteverde and La Selva. White-faced Capuchins were seen in Carara NP and at Monteverde.

Coyote One was seen crossing open ground below our hotel at Monteverde.

Northern Tamandua For many of us, this was the sighting of the trip. Erick pointed one out to us
in trees just above our heads in the forest near Selva Verde Lodge.

Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth We saw two singles at Tiskita, one in the town park in Orotina and one at Santa Elena.

Three-toed Sloth We saw a probable five individuals at Tiskita.

Nine-banded Armadillo There was one in the forest at La Selva.

Variegated Squirrel We recorded up to three in Carara NP, Santa Elena/Monteverde and Virgen del Socorro.

Deppe’s Squirrel There were singles in the forest at Tiskita on two occasions.

Red-tailed Squirrel One was seen in the highlands of Cerro de la Muerte.

Southern River Otter One was seen at a pond between Virgen del Socorro and the lowlands.

Central American Agouti We saw up to 35 in the forest at Tiskita and small numbers at Carara NP and Monteverde.

Collared Peccary Up to 25 were seen in the forest at La Selva.

Red Brocket Deer There was one near Rio Tarcoles.

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

We saw Fer-de-Lance in the forest at Tiskita and Carara NP and a beautiful Side-striped Palm Pit-viper in Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, while Don found Brown Blunt-headed Vine Snake, Northern Cat-eyed Snake and two species of Earth Snake. There were at least 31 American Crocodiles below the bridge over the Rio Tarcoles and red and black poison-arrow frogs were seen at Tiskita (Granular Poison Arrow Frog) and Carara NP (Blue Jeans Poison Arrow Frog) and Black-and-Green Dart Frog was seen at Tiskita. Every evening at Tiskita we were treated to Cane Toads that came out to cavort in the lodge restaurant and a large turtle, probably an Olive Ridley Turtle, was seen from a plane over Golfo Dulce. Green Iguanas and Black-spined Iguanas were seen at Tiskita and Basilisk Lizards were seen at several sites, the species involved being Common, Green and Striped Basilisk. Among species recorded by Don were Common, Canopy and Stream Anoles, Four-lined and Central American Whip-tailed Lizards. Adventures into the forest at night by Don, mainly at Selva Verde, produced Common Tink Frog, Vaillant’s Frog, Red-eyed Leaf Frog, Hourglass Tree Frog, Masked Tree Frog and Common and Noble’s Rain Frogs.

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Ian Hodgson 2004