Birdwatching Costa Rica in the Southern Pacific Area

Birdwatching Costa Rica is an extraordinary activity. With 877 bird 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 region is no exception. Besides being a very intense area to birdwatching (in terms of number of species), it is also very popular due to the great endemism found here.

Why there are lots of birds? Over 60 million years ago, before Costa Rica even existed, the North American continent extended down to where we currently find Nicaragua, which was then a tropical peninsula. 50 million years ago, an intense process of vulcanism and tectonic lifting started forming islands between North America and South America. From 3 to 5 million years ago, a complete isthmus was formed, making possible the migration of species from the mainland to these islands. One of the biggest islands is the Talamanca Mountain Range, which heads southeast into western Panama.

The highest peak of Costa Rica, Mount Chirripó, rises 3,820 meters (12,532 feet), and is found in this range overlooking El General Valley. As the best suitable place for colonizing bird life, it ended up being a paradise for a generation of new species. As the mountain range gained elevation, new species were spotted within the same island. This territory was divided between the Caribbean and the Pacific, and had well defined slopes.

The southern pacific slope of Costa Rica contains many important types of ecosystems, such as the sub-alpine rain paramo in the high peaks of the Talamanca, which is over 2,950 meters (9,700 feet), tropical highland cloud forests, premontane tropical rain forests found in middle elevations of the Talamanca and the coastal range, lowland tropical rain forests, rocky rivers, mangroves, sandy and rocky sea shores, marine habitats, and of course different types of disturbed areas and secondary growth.

San Gerardo de Dota is a great destination for the birdwatching 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 among others. You can see the complete list of birds here.

In lower elevations of this mountainous system, averaging 1,500 meters (4,300 ft), birders can find special bird species like the Violet Sabrewing, White-Tailed Emerald, Purple-Crowned Fairy among others. You can see the complete list of birds here.

Along the coast south to Corcovado in the Osa peninsula and adjacent valleys, with elevations ranging from sea level to 750 meters (2,460 ft), the rain forest offers the chance to see the Fiery-Billed Aracari, ...among others. You can see the complete list of birds here; and further into the Osa peninsula, the Black-Cheeked Ant-Tanager.

Some other great destinations include the Sierpe River mangroves, which host the Yellow-Billed Cotinga and the Mangrove Hummingbird, Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary near San Isidro de El General, which is famous for the Turquoise Cotinga. The Las Cruces Biological Station offers the chance to find the Lance-Tailed Manakin and the Wattled Jacana, in nearby marshes.

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

From middle elevations to the lowlands, where primary forests are found, it is possible to observe, as they soar the skies: Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Black Hawk-Eagle, Great Black Hawk, King Vulture, and even the possibility to see the Harpy Eagle in 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, who will maximize your bird sightings, by taking you to the right spots for birdwatching and pointing out the birds. Knowing birds behaviors and habitats are essential when it comes to good birding adventures.

To explore the bird life in the Southern Pacific region and other areas of the country, we recommend that you get in touch with Tropical Feathers at Sunny Travel, where professional staff will help you develop extraordinary birding trips, which might include the services of professional birding guides.

Fila Costera Bird Count

Sunny Travel / Tropical Feathers sponsors (with support also from Hacienda Baru "Specialist in Costa Rica birdwatching") an important event for bird and habitat conservation is the Fila Costera Bird Count. This bird count has been held every Janaury 3rd for the last 4 years, and has gathered important birding guides from all over the Costa Rica to help us count in a most professional way.

For around 14 hours, birdwatchers count bird species and individuals found in a 15 mile diameter area, which covers the territory of San Isidro de El General, going above the coastal range and down towards the Pacific Coast.

The bird count seeks to provide a better understanding of the bird species and populations of the area, and at the same time to encourage conservation efforts and attract a more environmentally concerned type of tourism (ecotourism).

The four previous bird counts have recorded a cumulative list of more than 450 species of birds, which is more than 50% of the bird species found in Costa Rica, and has also revealed the great bird diversity of southern pacific Costa Rica. The next goal in this process is to be able to assess the populations of birds on a more frequent basis.

For more information, please contact the compiler and organizer: Noel Ureña at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Where can I practice the Birdwatching or birding?: It depends on what type of Birds you would like to see. The southern part of Costa Rica is very green and the Birds are plentiful but greatly vary due to the sharp contrast in topography, from very high mountains to coastal lowlands. The Birds types you will see depends on the location and region you visit.

What you will need to practice the Birdwatching or birding?: Binoculars or telescope, camera, a Bird watching guide book (such as “Birds of Costa Rica"), an umbrella, insect repellent, notebook to take notes, sweater (if you are in the mountains), and if you would like, a birding guide.

Where to stay?:
Mount Chirripó: Hotel Pelícano ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , more info in the “hotels” section), Talamanca Reserve ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 772-1715), Hotel Paraiso Parador Tapanti ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , more info in the “hotels” section)

On the pass, cerro de la Muerte: Hotel la Georgina, Mirador del Quetzales.

Lower mountain: Hotel Iguazú ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , tel.(506)-771-00-76) Hotel Parrot Bay ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), Hacienda Barú (www.HaciendaBaru.com).

Come to Costa Rica en enjoy the best birding or birdwatching Costa Rica!