Costa Rica National Parks
Costa Rica is host to approximately 850 species of bird tagged and recorded which constitutes one-tenth of the total known species all over the world. Of these species, 630 are Costa Rican native species while the remainder are migratory birds that fly in when winter arrives in their natural habitat. Species of birds that have almost disappeared in some countries still find sanctuary in Costa Rica’s protected lands. There are many species that face extinction mainly from deforestation and encroachment of human habitation into previously secluded areas.
The Costa Rica national parks offer hope for rare birds and exotic bird species of the world like the scarlet macaw and the quetzal. Both birds are included in the endangered species list, but they are still commonly seen in Costa Rica national parks.
With all the exotic species of birds to choose from, it is surprising that the national bird of Costa Rica is the viguirro or clay colored robin. It is a relatively drab bird, with its brown and buff color and brick red eyes. Male viguirros sing their hearts out during the breeding season from March through May. The campesino folklore believes that the singing of the viguirro is meant to call for rain. After the mating season is over, both sexes become quiet birds.
Fortunately, it is fairly easy to spot Costa Rica’s birds as they are not shy and as afraid of people as in other places. A Costa Rica vacation will not be complete without a photograph of the colorful birds. From The Costa Rican Condo, you can find occasions to see dozens of species of birds depending on the season, your outing location and luck. You can stay in comfort and luxury at the Hotel Costa Rica in San Jose and arrange a side trip for bird watching on the fringes of the forest, where there are large clearings. There are also many water courses in Costa Rica where birds congregate in large flocks. Bird watching is not recommended to be done in the deep jungle because you will not be able to see the bright colors of the birds in there with the trees and shrubberies casting deep shadows.
There are four major avi-faunal zones in Costa Rica roughly corresponding with the geographic subdivisions of the country. They are the northern pacific lowlands, the Caribbean lowlands, the southern pacific lowlands and the interior highlands. The dry habitats of Guanacaste contain distinct species that are rarely found in the other parts of the country. The Southern Pacific lowlands host many South American tropical species like the antbirds, the jamacars and the parrots. Birdwatchers are always delighted to find some bright-billed toucans.
It is also delightful to hear birds singing on your Costa Rica vacation, although some of these singing birds are rarely seen. The male three-wattled bellbird produces an eerie call but is rarely spotted because it stays on top of the cloud forests. At dusk, one can hear a lunatic-like laughter in the lowland jungles produced by the laughing falcon.
Among the birds found in Costa Rica are the harpy eagle, boobies, parakeets, pelicans, woodpeckers and oropendolas. Some of the more exotic birds are: violaceouse trogons, scarlet-thighed dacnis, lameolated monlets, tody motmots, blackcapped pygmy tyrants, and lineated foliage-gleaners.
