Northwest Costa Rica - Feb. 2-11, 2006
Bird/Species Trip List

Birds
Brown Pelican – Gulf of Nicoya
Neotropic Cormorant – Cano Negro, Gulf of Nicoya and various wetland areas
Anhinga – seen well on our boat trip days
Magnificent Frigatebird – fantastic flyers over the Gulf of Nicoya
Bare-throated Tiger Heron – a real favorite, calling and courting Cano Negro area
Great Blue Heron – seen throughout our trip, Tom’s photo of one eating an eel is superb!
Great Egret – seen almost daily
Snowy Egret – seen whenever in proper habitat
Little Blue Heron – also seen whenever in proper habitat
Tricolored Heron – seen on three occasions, far less common than other herons
Reddish Egret – a single bird in mangrove area of Gulf of Nicoya, fishing with erratic movements we won’t forget!
Cattle Egret – seen daily, very common in Guanacaste
Green Heron – seen in all wetland areas
Black-crowned Night-Heron – adult and immature, Solimar
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron – most wetland areas, more immature than mature
Boat-billed Heron – a great sighting with several roosting birds at Cano Negro
White Ibis – common, wetland areas
Roseate Spoonbill – one of the trip favorites, great views perched and in flight
Jabiru – adults with chicks on a NEST – what a thrill! Solimar
Wood Stork – seen most days, mainly in flight, feeing bird at Solimar
Black Vulture – daily
Turkey Vulture – daily
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture – one perched bird, later one flying Cano Negro
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck – large groups at Solimar and Salinas of La Ensenada, beautiful with their b right orange beaks!
Fulvous Whistling-Duck – about a dozen, mixed in with Black-bellieds, Solimar
Mallard – just a few pair, Solimar
Blue-winged Teal – Solimar and other wetlands around Gulf of Nicoya
Lesser Scaup – one bird, in marsh at boat ramp, Cano Negro
Osprey – seen almost every day, and fairly numerous. Vocal and delightful.
Swallow-tailed Kite – three seen above Biguaja at Helicona Lodge
White-tailed Kite – seen on several days, scope views at times
Snail Kite – most abundant at Solimar, but seen at several wetlands.
Black-collared Hawk – fantastic scope looks at Cano Negro, another trip favorite
Crane Hawk – seen quickly and only by part of the group – Cano Negro
Gray Hawk – seen on morning bird walk RdlV along road
Common Black-Hawk – best seen near dusk, catching a crab in a small roadside pool. Seen several other times in flight.
Roadside Hawk – Above the river at Cano Negro.
Broad-winged Hawk – Our first was an immature perched near feeders at Cinchona our first day, then several others, mainly Caribbean side.
Short-tailed Hawk – two seen above Cano Negro
Zone-tailed Hawk – Seen above town square in Cano Negro, then flying over mangroves, Gulf of Nicoya boat trip
Red-tailed Hawk – seen circling above Finca Los Quetzales
Crested Caracara – seen well on several occasions
Yellow-headed Caracara – seen mainly around cattle flying over open pastures, Guanacaste
Laughing Falcon – seen by Beth and Peg as we left La Ensenada, heard on several other days.
American Kestrel – seen by the group not riding horseback at RdlV near mudpots
Peregrine Falcon – Henry and Willy only, at the marsh at Cano Negro
Gray-headed Chachalaca – a delightful bird, seen in groups on the trails and from our porches at Villa Blanca.
Crested Guan – seen at our famous ‘two toucan’ stop near Volcan Arenal. Then seen again, very well, from the trails at Villa Blanca
Black Guan – seen on the road to Finca Los Quetzales, for Tom a fine ‘guan moment
Great Currassow – our adventurous hikers at Heliconia Lodge saw this rare bird on the trail with Donald.
White-throated Crake – heard only, several wetland areas
Gray-necked Wood-Rail – seen well on boat trip at Cano Negro
Purple Gallinule – seen in most of our wetland areas
Limpkin – very numerous at Solimar, first seen well near boat ramp Cano Negro.
Southern Lapwing – Willy led us to a staked out pair near Arenal, a new species for Costa Rica in the last few years, then we found two more near Cano Negro boat ramp.
Black-bellied Plover – Gulf of Nicoya
Wilson’s Plover – Salt Ponds, La Ensenada
Black-necked Stilt – elegant birds, seen at most wetland locations
Northern Jacana – vocal and striking, seen at most wetlands, adults and immatures.
Lesser Yellowlegs – Salt Ponds, La Ensenada
Solitary Sandpiper – single bird, salt ponds La Ensenada.
Willit – Gulf of Nicoya boat ride
Spotted Sandpiper – seen nearly daily
Whimbrel – Gulf of Nicoya boat ride and salt ponds
Ruddy Turnstone – Gulf of Nicoya mudflats
Sanderling – salt ponds La Ensenada
Semi-palmated Sandpiper – salt ponds La Ensenada
Western Sandpiper – salt ponds La Ensenada
Least Sandpiper – salt ponds La Ensenada and a few other locations
Short-billed Dowitcher – Gulf of Nicoya and salt ponds La Ensenada
Wilson’s Snipe – seen in wetlands at La Ensenda en route to sunset wine and cheese party
Laughing Gull – large numbers Gulf of Nicoya
Royal Tern – large numbers Gulf of Nicoya
Rock Dove – Liberia
Pale-vented Pigeon – best seen on grounds of our lodge at Cano Negro
Red-billed Pigeon – seen well, in the scope at several locations
Short-billed Pigeon – seen on Caribbean side, near stop for Golden-olive Woodpecker
White-winged Dove – Guanacaste region, seen frequently
Inca Dove – Bouganvilla Hotel grounds and then daily
Common Ground Dove – quite common at La Ensenada
Ruddy Ground Dove – common in residential area near hotel at Cano Negro
Blue Ground Dove – one pair seen in residential area near Cano Negro
White-tipped Dove – seen mainly in Guanacaste, and also on the grounds of Villa Blanca
Gray-fronted Dove – seen in opening at forest edge, Cano Negro
Crimson-fronted Parakeet – Bouganvilla Hotel grounds, San Jose
Olive-throated Parakeet – Cano Negro area
Orange-fronted Parakeet – Guancaste, several locations
Orange-chinned Parakeet – San Jose and en route to Cano Negro
Brown-hooded Parrot – seen in fast flying flocks above Villa Blanca
White-crowned Parrot – Cano Negro and Villa Blanca
White-fronted Parrot – Rincon de la Vieja (RdlV) area
Red-lored Parrot – large parrot of Cano Negro area
Yellow-naped Parrot – great views at Solimar
Mangrove Cuckoo – Ed spotted this dry forest bird on the Red Pools trail, a rare find!
Squirrel Cuckoo – seen almost daily, magnificent bird
Lesser Ground Cuckoo – heard only, both at Rdlv and La Ensenada
Groove-billed Ani – common, seen daily in groups
Tropical Screech Owl – two seen very well at the entrance to La Ensenada
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl – two together on a branch, just over the road en route to our wine and cheese party at La Ensenada
Lesser Nighthawk – seen in flight at Solimar, and roosting by day at La Ensenada
Common Paraque – seen on road at Cano Negro, calling early and late everywhere and seen again in parking lot at Villa Blanca
Vaux’s Swift – seen high above cattle pastures, Guanacaste
Gray-rumped Swift – Central Highlands and Cano Negro
Stripe-throated (Little) Hermit – seen on trails of Villa Blanca, zipping by as they called from their lek perches.
Violet Saberwing – feeders at Cinchona our first day, this large species dominated all others. Also dominant on feeders at Villa Blanca, where Tom got a super photograph.
White-necked Jacobin – leader only – seen by Willy in the scope and then ‘se fue’
Brown Violet-ear – feeders at Cinchona
Green Violet-ear – feeders at Cinchona
Green-breasted Mango – one of our more common hummers, best seen the male on its nest near boat ramp, Cano Negro
Green Thorntail – very striking, esp. the male with its forked-tail – feeders at Cinchona only.
Carnivet’s (Fork-tailed) Emerald – in flowering tree near salt ponds La Ensenada
Steely-vented Hummingbird – fairly common, Guanacaste
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird – common in San Jose gardens and Cano Negro, later Villa Blanca.
Cinnamon Hummingbird – great bird, seen well at La Ensenada
Coppery-headed Emerald – an incredibly energetic small dynamo seen at Villa Blanca – white stripes in tail evident.
White-bellied Mountain-gem – female seen while at Cinchona, not at feeders but in with mixed flock
Purple-throated Mountain-gem – female seen on heliconia plants on trails at Finca los Quetzales.
Green-crowned Brilliant – feeders at Cinchona, and later at Villa Blanca
Plain-capped Starthroat – seen while birding dry forest at RdlV
Magenta-throated Woodstar – quick sighting by Peg at Cinchona feeders
Ruby-throated Hummingbird – seen several times Guanacaste
Black-headed Trogon – our tamest species, seen on several occasions, but best at the fruiting fig tree at La Ensenada
Violaceous Trogon – seen on many days, scope views
Black-throated Trogon – Cano Negro
Orange-bellied Trogon – seen on the phone cable and then in trees on the road into Finca los Quetzales
Slaty-tailed Trogon – seen from our horseback ride, RdlV
Resplendent Quetzal – marvelous scope views, on the road in, and out of Finca Los Quetzales. The high point of our bird watching for many!
Blue-crowned Motmot – heard only, RdlV, and seen by our local guide, near Finca los Quetzales.
Turquoise-browed Motmot – this has to be a candidate for all around trip favorite, just a bold and outrageous bird, with so many colors. Fairly tame and easy to see, RdlV and La Ensenada
Ringed Kingfisher – Cano Negra and Gulf of Nicoya
Amazon Kingfisher - very common along Cano Negro, also seen Solimar
Green Kingfisher – seen in several wetland areas, not as common as Amazon
Prong-billed Barbet – great views in trees and at feeders at Cinchona our first day
Emerald Toucanet – seen well in trees above feeders, mobbed by smaller birds, Cinchona
Collared Aracari – Tom found us a great look at this bird, which had been seen but secretive other locations, at our hacienda, RdlV
Keel-billed Toucan – seen in the scope at our famous ‘two toucan’ stop near Arenal
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan – the other species seen in the scope at our famous ‘two toucan’ stop near Arenal, also at Cano Negro Lodge
Olivaceous Piculet – seen well by Tom and Willy, out of normal range at Cano Negro Lodge
Black-cheeked Woodpecker – very common, Cano Negro area
Hoffman’s Woodpecker – San Jose and Guanacaste
Smoky-brown Woodpecker – Villa Blanca
Rufous-winged Woodpecker – seen in mixed flock while in boats on river, Cano Negro, difficult to see by all…
Golden-olive Woodpecker – outstanding looks from the bus, spotted by Henry, Caribbean side. Then we watched two females in an intricate display on the road to Finca los Quetzales.
Cinnamon Woodpecker – female investigating a nest at our lodge, Cano Negro
Linneated Woodpecker – seen on several locations, Cano Negro area
Slaty Spinetail – quite vocal in dense vegetation at Villa Blanca, heard only.
Red-faced Spinetail – seen in a mixed flock on trails at Villa Blanca
Plain Xenops – Marcyes and Willy saw this the first early morning walk, Cano Negro
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper – seen along Heliconia trail
Spotted Woodpecker – also seen along Heliconia trail, mixed flock and heard at Finca Los Quetzales.
Streak-headed Woodcreeper – seen Cano Negro area, on two occasions
Barred Antshrike – great views at two dueling males and a female, Cano Negro boat trip.
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet – Cano Negro area
Yellow-bellied Elaenia – Cano Negro Lodge
Paltry (Mistletoe) Tyrannulet – Cano Negro area
Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant – what a cutie! Seen in mixed flock, and below our porches at Villa Blanca
Common Tody-Flycatcher – grounds of Cano Negro Lodge, and Villa Blanca
Yellow-olive Flycatcher – seen in several areas of Guanacaste
Eastern (Western?) Wood Pewee sp. – fairly common in residential area, Cano Negro – never calling…
Black Phoebe – seen at our swimming hole at Red Pools trail, RdlV
Dusky-capped Flycatcher – Guanacaste, and on grounds of Villa Blanca
Nutting’s Flycatcher – La Ensenada
Great-crested Flycatcher – seen in several locations, calling
Brown-crested Flycatcher – very common RdlV area
Great Kiskadee – everyday, very common
Boat-billed Flycatcher – seen well at La Ensenada, also Cano Negro
Social Flycatcher – seen at all locations
Gray-capped Flycatcher – Cano Negro area
Tropical Kingbird – ‘T.K’ – our most common flycatcher
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – seen well on several days Guanacaste
Cinnamon Becard – gorgeous bird, grounds at Cano Negro Lodge
Rose-throated Becard – seen from our tractor ride, then hotel grounds, La Ensenada
Masked Tityra – scope views while walking, RdlV, and good looks from the bus going into Finca los Quetzales.
Black-crowned Tityra – Heliconia Trail near Bijuagua
White-collared Manakin – female only, Red Pool trail Rincon de la Vieja
Long-tailed Manakin – good looks at both male and female, trails at and near Rincon de la Vieja
Mangrove Vireo – in mangroves, from boat trip into Gulf of Nicoya
Yellow-throated Vireo – seen well at several locations, often calling to bring in mixed flocks
Philadelphia Vireo – first seen at RdlV, then on several days Guanacaste, Villa Blanca
Red-eyed Vireo – seen in nearly all locations, often with other species
Lesser Greenlet – noisy small flocks, best seen at Cano Negro, Villa Blanca
White-throated Magpie Jay – a show stopper, coming into feed on the tables at La Ensenada, also at RdlV
Brown Jay – heard at RdlV, seen often in noisy flocks at Villa Blanca.
Gray-breasted Martin – San Jose and Cano Negro area, Villa Blanca
Mangrove Swallow – wetland areas, fairly common
Blue-and-white Swallow – mountain areas, San Jose and Villa Blanca
So. Rough-winged Swallow – agricultural areas
Cliff Swallow – agricultural areas – large flocks
Barn Swallow – our most common swallow, Guanacaste
Rufous-naped Wren – seen best on hotel grounds
Bay Wren – heard only
Stripe-breasted Wren
Rufous-breasted Wren – heard only Gulf of Nicoya in mangroves
Banded Wren – this bird gets the cute award, seen well and often in Guanacaste
Plain Wren – Villa Blanca
House Wren – San Jose and Villa Blanca
Ochraceous Wren – secretive little bird of the bromeliad realm, Villa Blanca
White-breasted Wood-Wren – heard only trail at Heliconia Trail near Bijuagua
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren – seen on trails at Villa Blanca
White-lored Gnatcatcher – dry forests, a little cutie!
Slaty-backed Nightingale Thrush – heard only, but a memorable song! Finca los Quetzales.
Clay-colored Robin – very common throughout much of our trip
Mountain Robin – Villa Blanca and Finca los Quetzales
Golden-winged Warbler – quick looks at this little beauty, trails at Villa Blanca
Tennessee Warbler – seen at numerous locations, very common but not in large numbers
Tropical Parula – gorgeous bird, seen well at Villa Blanca
Yellow Warbler – a regular once we arrived in Guanacaste
Mangrove Warbler – boat ride from Cano Negro, a treat to see this red-headed form of Yellow Warbler…
Chestnut-sided Warbler – seen at most locations
Black-throated Green Warbler – Finca los Quetzales
Blackburnian Warbler – great views from the feeders at Cinchona.
Black-and-White Warbler – seen well several times, Caribbean side
American Redstart – seen on many days, not in large numbers
Prothonotary Warbler – best views from our boat trip at La Ensenada, also Cano Negro area
No. Waterthrush – heard only, Cano Negro
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat – dry forest in brush pile, RdlV
Wilson’s Warbler – seen throughout, most common around Villa Blanca
Slate-throated Redstart – a trip favorite for many, active and lovely bird – several locations and very tame
Collared Redstart – Villa Blanca trails
Three-striped Warbler – Villa Blanca trails, secretive
Rufous-capped Warbler – best seen on Red Pool trail, RdlV
Bananaquit – Cano Negro and Villa Blanca
Common Bush Tanager – “CBT” – one of our most common birds
Olive Tanagaer – Heliconia Trails near Bijuagua, heard only
Summer Tanager – seen nearly daily, in all varieties of plumage
Western Tanager – in fruiting fig tree, Red Pools trail RdlV
Crimson-collared Tanager – what a looker! Seen near Cinchona, and again on trails at Villa Blanca
Passerini’s Tanager – best views on feeders at Cano Negro, but also at most locations of our journey
Blue-gray Tanager – one of the most common tanagers, most locations
Palm Tanager – along with Blue-gray, very common and widespread
Yellow-throated Euphonia – Cano Negro
Olive-backed Euphonia – Heliconia Trail near Biguajua
Blue-crowned (Golden-browed) Chlorophonia – spotted by Ed in large trees visable from porch at Cinchona
Silver-throated Tanager – such lovely views at feeders of Cinchon, then again in mixed flocks Villa Blanca
Golden-hooded Tanager – a real hit at Cano Negro Lodge, on our walks then at the feeders for a close study!
Green Honeycreeper – our adventurous hiking group picked up this beauty on trails at Heliconia Lodge
Red-legged Honeycreeper – another delight in the area and at feeders, Cano Negro Lodge
Blue-black Grassquit – one of our more common and widespread open area species
Variable Seedeater – Cano Negro
White-collared Seedeater – Cano Negro
Yellow-faced Grassquit – Villa Blanca
Black-striped Sparrow – Cano Negro, grounds of lodge and town
Stripe-headed Sparrow – RdlV area, quite tame and feeding young
Rufous-collared Sparrow – a little cutie, seen right away at Hotel Bougainvilla and then at Villa Blanca
Grayish Saltator
Buff-throated Saltator – we enjoyed close looks at the feeders at Cano Negro and other areas
Painted Bunting – Peg got a super quick glimpse in a mixed flock at RdlV, wow.
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Melodious Blackbird
Great-tailed Grackle
Nicarguan Grackle
Bronzed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Streak-backed Oriole – What a beauty – best looks at La Ensenada
Spot-breasted Oriole – this bird was also at La Ensenada, and several got good views
Baltimore Oriole – always a favorite, so bright!
Montezuma Oropendola – nest buiding and busy, very common
Lesser Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Mammals
Agouti
Tayra
Howler Monkey
White-faced Capuchin Monkey
Variagated Squirrel
Jacarundi (Henry only!)
Coatimundi
Three-toed Sloth
Prehensile tailed (Mexican) Porcupine

Green Iguana
Spiny-tailed Iguana
Red-bellied Snake
Spectacled Caiman
American Crocodile
Emerald Basilisk (Jesus Christ Lizard)
Skink, sp.

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