Xandari Birdwatching | Photos and descriptions of many colorful Birds of Costa Rica


1. Red - Billed Pigeon	2. Inca Dove	3. White-Winged Dove	4. Squirrel Cuckoo


5. Rufous Tailed Hummingbird	6. Black Vulture	7. Turkey Vulture	8. Blue Crowned Motmot


9. Rufous Motmot	10. Rufous - Naped Wren	11. Brown Jay	12. Clay Colored Robin


13. Great Tailed Grackle	14. White Vented Euphonia	15. Blue - Gray Tanager	16. Grayish Saltator


17. Yellow - Faced Grassquit	18. Rufous Colored Sparrow	19. Lesser Goldfinch	20. Tropical Kingbird


21. Western Kingbird	22. Boat Billed Flycatcher	23. Montezuma Oropendola	24. White - Eared Ground Sparrow


25. Lineated Woodpecker	26. Acorn Woodpecker	27. Hoffmann's woodpecker	28. Ruddy Treerunner

29. Lesser swallow tailed swift	30. Fascinated Ant shrike

1. Red - Billed Pigeon
Scientific name: Patagioenas flavirostris
Costa Rican Name: Morada, paloma morada, torcaza, paloma piquirroja

General Description	It measures around 12" (30 cm) and has a weight of 230 g. The adults present the head, neck and breast deep vinaceous-purple (brighter in male); also, the back is dark brownish gray. However, the tail is blackish, the iris orange and the legs magenta. The youthful ones have purplish areas much duller, the shoulder patch darker and the mantle and wings more brownish.
Habitat	It is easy to found in open areas of the country, for example: agricultural and forested areas.
Habitats	Usually singly or in pairs. Eats berries, acorns and buds plucked from trees or shrubs
Relationships	Sometimes it is a pest because they feed on seeds of corn or sorghum.
Nest	A thin and frail platform of coarse sticks usually located over 15-80 feet. (4.5-25m) It lays 1 white egg. And its breeding period goes from March to August.
Status	Very common in northwest lowlands and Central Valley, uncommon in the Caribbean lowlands, and occasionally in South Pacific lowlands. Found from Northwest of Mexico and South Texas to Costa Rica.

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2. Inca Dove
Scientific name: Columbina inca
Costa Rican Name: San Juan, tortolita colilarga

General Description	It measures around 8" (20 cm) and has a weight of 52 g. It is a small dove, pale grayish, scaled with black; also, it has a long white-edge tail. The adult is pale grayish-pink; above pale brownish-gray, palest on greater wing-coverts; scaled with blackish on face, besides, the iris is red, the bill blackish and it has legs flesh color. Females and males are similar.
Habitat	It prefers open lightly wooded country, scrubby second growth, lawns and dooryards.
Habitats	Usually in pairs or small groups. It feeds on seeds and grit from open vegetated ground.
Relationships	They are depredated by the "false vampire" (Vampyrum spectrum).
Nest	Its nest consists in a flimsy saucer of straws, fine twigs, and bits of weeds. Located over 3-26 feet (1-8m). It lays 2 white eggs. And its breeding period goes from April to August and possibly to October.
Status	An abundant resident throughout Northwest lowlands, common to see in the Central Valley East and also in North Guanacaste.

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3. White-Winged Dove
Scientific name: Zenaida asiatica
Costa Rican Name: Paloma ala blanca, paloma aliblanca

General Description	It measures around 10 ¼" (27 cm) and has a weight of 145 g. It has a medium size; in addition, its color is brownish with prominent white wing band and rounded white-tipped tail. Bill black and legs carmine.
Habitat	Prefers arid places with cacti, thorny shrubs and scattered trees. In open woodland and savannas; may roost in large flocks in savanna trees; when it is alarmed takes flight with loudly flapping wings.
Habitats	They are extremely gregarious.
Relationships	They are depredated by the "false vampire" (Vampyrum spectrum).
Nest	A shallow saucer of coarse sticks. Usually located over 25 feet (2-8m) up in a thorny tree, cactus, shrub, or small mangrove. They lay from 1 to 2 white eggs, white with a faint buffy tinge. And its breeding period goes from January to March.
Status	Fairly common to locally abundant permanent resident in dry Pacific Northwest to about 1650 feet (500m), Central Valley and large numbers of northern migrants also winter in Guanacaste.

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4. Squirrel Cuckoo
Scientific name: Piaya cayana
Costa Rican Name: Bobo chizo, cuco ardilla

General Description	It measures 18" (46 cm) and has a weight of 105 g.
Habitat	Prefers arid places with cacti, thorny shrubs and scattered trees. In open woodland and savannas; may roost in large flocks in savanna trees; when it is alarmed takes flight with loudly flapping wings.
Habitats	They are extremely gregarious.
Relationships	They are depredated by the "false vampire" (Vampyrum spectrum).
Nest	Its nest is a mass of brown or green leaves. Also it lays 2 chalky white eggs. And its breeding period goes from January to August.

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5. Rufous Tailed Hummingbird
Scientific name: Amazilia tzacatl
Costa Rican Name: Colibrí, gorrión, Amazilia Rabirrufa

General Description	It measures around 4" (10 cm) and has a weight of 5.2 g. It is the only medium sized hummingbird with a green breast. The adult is bronzy green color, also, it has a belly grayish buff with a red mostly bill. And the female has the below glittering green less extensive.
Habitat	Prefers non forest habitats; for example: open scrub, second growth, semi open areas, coffee plantation, gardens, dooryards and entering humid forests.
Habitats	They are aggressive and territorial.
Nest	A compact cup made of plant's fibers, dead leaves and cobwebs. Sometimes, the nest is located over 3 - 20 feet (1-6 meters). On the other hand, the breeding season goes from May to January on the Pacific Slope and from October to June on the Caribbean Slopes.
Status	It is the most abundant and widespread Costa Rican humming bird. Besides it is common in the North West Pacific.

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6. Black Vulture
Scientific name: Coragyps atratus
Costa Rican Name: Zopilote negro, Gallinazo, zoncho, zopilote

General Description	It measures around 25” (64 cm) and has a weight of 1.8 k g. They have a larger head and longer neck than Turkey Vulture. The tail is short and the wings broad. Their plumage is entirely black, also, naked head.
Habitat	They are abundant around towns and in open areas of the country and is rarer to see in forested regions.
Habitats	They are aggressive, gregarious and opportunistic. Besides, they’re the major predator of hatching sea turtles; also they feed on fruits including bananas.

Nest	The nest is located on ground beneath overhanging rocks. Also they lay 2 eggs that are grayish green with dark brown color. And the breeding season goes from November to February or March sometimes.
Status	They are resident from the coast to the high in mountains. Part of the population may be migratory.

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7. Turkey Vulture
Scientific name: Cathartes aura
Costa Rican Name: zonchiche, zoncho, zopilote, zopilote, cabecirrojo

General Description	It measures around 30" (76 cm) and has a weight of 1.4 kg. Wings and the tail are long and narrow. The undersurface of the flight feathers is gray, and the body plumages are black color. Adults present the bare head, red color.
Habitat	Often fallowing odor trails upwind to carcasses hidden by vegetation.
Habitats	Usually alone or in pairs or trios, never in large groups except during spectacular migratory flights; most often seen over country but also occurs in forested regions.
Nest	They put their nests on unlined floor or caves. Also they lay 2 eggs and the breeding season goes from November to February.
Status	It is a common resident countrywide, principally over Caribbean lands.

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8. Blue Crowned Motmot
Scientific name: Momotus momota
Costa Rican Name: Bobo, pájaro bobo, momoto común

General Description	Resident throughout lowlands and middle elevations of Pacific Slope to 5000 feet (1500 m.) and 7000 feet (2150 feet). And also in the middle elevations of Central Mountain Ranges.
Habitat	They are very adaptable, Frequently in rain forests, drier woodland, shady gardens, semi open areas and coffee plantations.
Habitats	It is solitary or usually in pairs. Captures large spiders, earthworms, insects, small lizards and snakes.
Relationships	They accompany the "army ants".

Nest	It lays from 3 to 4 eggs, between on March and on May. The Nest consists in a long and winding burrow from 5 to 14 (1.5 - 4 m) feet long.
Status	Resident throughout lowlands and middle elevations of Pacific Slope to 5000 feet (1500 m.) and 7000 feet (2150 feet). And also in the middle elevations of Central Mountain Ranges.

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9. Rufous Motmot
Scientific name: Baryphthengus martii
Costa Rican Name: Bobo, pájaro bobo, momoto canelo mayor

General Description	It measures around 18" (46 cm) and has a weight of 195 g. It is very large and robust too. It has along slim tail. Adults have a broad black mask and a small black spot on the chest. The rest: the head, neck and the breast is cinnamon rufous color.
Habitat	Frequents in tall humid forest and semi open areas.
Habitats	It feeds on many fruits, especially those of palms and Heliconia; captures insects and spiders, small frogs and lizards on sally to ground or vegetation.

Relationships	In addition, they are solitary or usually in pairs, but more often in groups, especially at dawn.
Nest	Often it is a long winding burrow where the eggs couldn't be seen; but the breeding season goes from March to June.
Status	They are very common residents of lowlands and foothills of Caribbean Slopes.

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10. Rufous - Naped Wren
Scientific name: Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Costa Rican Name: Chico piojo, saltapiñuelas, soterrey nuquirrufo

General Description	It measures around 6 ¾" (17 cm) and has a weight of 36 g. It is long and above boldly patterned. Also, it is white below with a white tipped tail. The iris is rufous, bill black except the base of the lower mandibles that is gray.
Habitat	Frequent to see in gallery forest, open woodlands, savanna trees and around houses.
Habitats	Active and noisy. Usually in pairs or family groups. They feed on bettles, crickets, larvae of insects and spiders.

Relationships	They are depredated by the "false vampire" (Vampyrum spectrum).
Nest	It is a roughly globular structure with a side entrance; the nest is usually located on a thorny tree or shrub. The Rufous - Naped Wren lays from 3 to 5 eggs. And the breeding season goes from April to June.
Status	Common Resident of lowlands of the Pacific Slopes and Central Valley.

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11. Brown Jay
Scientific name: Cyanocorax morio
Costa Rican Name: Piapia, urraca parda

General Description	It measures around 15 ½ " (39 cm) and has a weight of 235 g. They are very large and without a crest. The adults present the head, the chest and the upperparts dark brown color.
Habitat	Very common in open woodland, banana and coffee plantations and forest edge.
Habitats	They are straggling and noisy.
Relationships	They are considered as plagues because they feed on maize grains, peas, fruits of avocado, zapallo and also on hen eggs.
Nest	The nest is a bulky foundation of coarse sticks, and, they lay from 2 to 7 eggs. The breeding period goes from March to June.
Status	Common resident of deforested parts of North Mountain Ranges.

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12. Clay Colored Robin (National Bird of Costa Rica)
Scientific name: Turdus grayi
Costa Rican Name: Yigüirro, mirlo pardo
Also called Garden, Gray’s or Thrush

General Description	It measures around 9 ¼ "(23.5 cm) and has a weight of 76 g. This bird has a brownish color with a yellowish bill and reddish - brown iris.
Habitat	It is very frequent in cultivated districts of all sorts, in suburban lawns and gardens, pastures with scattered trees.
Habitats	It feeds on earthworms, slugs and adult insects. Besides, occasional lizard and fruits of many kinds.

Clay Colored Robin (National Bird of Costa Rica)

Relationships	Quite aggressive in immediate vicinity of nest, but evidently does not defend large territories. Something that is important to know is that our national bird has 14 different singing voices.
Nest	It is composed of coarse vegetal materials with mud and rootlets. It lays from 2 to 3 eggs. In addition, the breeding season goes from March to July.
Status	Resident countrywide, from lowlands to 8000 feet (2 450 m).

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13. Great Tailed Grackle
Scientific name: Quiscalus mexicanus
Costa Rican Name: Sanate, zanate, clarinero, zanate grande
NOTE: The Nicaraguan Grackle (Zanate de Laguna), also can be seen in the Xandari Plantation Inn, nevertheless it is a small

General Description	It measures around 17"(43 cm) and has a weight of 230 g. This bird has large legs and long tail. The head and body is black and the bill and legs, also.
Habitat	From its original habitat of open marshes, mangroves and estuaries has spread and occupied no forest habitats including agricultural areas, savannas, towns, and suburbs.

Habitats	It feeds on earthworms, slugs and adult insects. Besides, occasional lizard and fruits of many kinds.
Relationships	Highly gregarious; eats berries and larger fruits, lizards, smalls fish, eggs and nestlings of other birds.
Nest	A bulky bowl with a foundation of miscellaneous plant matter, mud or cow dung. Usually located between 17-65 feet (5-20 m) up. It lays 2 or 3 eggs. And the breeding season goes from January to July.
Status	Resident of Costa Rica.

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14. White Vented Euphonia
Scientific name: Euphonia minuta
Costa Rican Name: Agüío, canaria, eufonia menuda

General Description	It measures around 3 ¾ "(9.5 cm) and has a weight of 10 g. The White Vented Euphonia is very small, it's under parts are bright yellow color. The rest: head, neck and throat are blue black.
Habitat	Frequently to see in humid forest, clearings with scattered trees, semi opens areas, and crowns of small trees.

Habitats	Eats mainly berries, especially of mistletoes; hunts small insects on high. They form small pairs or groups.
Nest	A globe with a side entrance, of green moss, small ferns and orchids roots. It lays from 3 to 5 eggs. Also the breeding season goes from February to July.
Status	It is an uncommon resident of lowlands and lower foothills. In addition it ranges to South Mexico to Ecuador, North Bolivia and Brazil.

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15. Blue - Gray Tanager
Scientific name: Thraupis episcopus
Costa Rican Name: Viuda, tangara azuleja

General Description	It measures around 6 "(15 cm) and has a weight of 32 g. One of the commonest and best known birds of Costa Rica. The Adults have the head, throat and under parts pale gray color; and the tail is brighter blue.
Habitat	In all types of open country with trees and shrubs, suburban gardens, town's parks and on edges of the humid forest.

Habitats	All the time in pairs, straggling flocks. Usually feeds on many kinds of berries and seeds, insects and spiders. As well it feeds on tender green leaves.
Nest	A neat cup of soft materials bound together with spider web. Usually in a tree or shrub at not great height, occasionally in an open shed or in a bunch of green bananas; sometimes steals nest of a smaller tanager and incubates builder's eggs along with its own. It lays 2 eggs. And the breeding season goes from March to July.
Status	Common to abundant resident trough most of country from lowlands to 6600 feet (2000).

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16. Grayish Saltator
Scientific name: Saltator coerulescens
Costa Rican Name: Come chayotes, sensontle, sinsonte.

General Description	It measures around 8 "(20 cm) and has a weight of 52 g. This bird is different of the other saltators because it is darker and more uniformly grayish.
Habitat	Frequents on coffee plantations, semi open areas and gardens.
Habitats	Usually in pairs, and feeds on many fruits, flowers, tender leaves and young shoots vines. Besides, it sings from tops of small trees.

Nest	A rather bulky cup with a foundation of twigs. Moreover, it lays 2 eggs, occasionally 3. The breeding season goes from April to July.
Status	Fairly common resident of Central Valley, Turrialba, Nicoya, and Sarapiqui Region.

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17. Yellow - Faced Grassquit
Scientific name: Tiaris olivacea
Costa Rican Name: Gallito, semillerito cariamarillo.

General Description	It measures around 4" (10 cm) and has a weight of 10 g. It is small, greenish, black bill, legs grayish. Like adult female is duller and grayer; male begins acquiring adult plumage during first year.
Habitat	Frequents weedy fields, pastures and roadsides.
Habitats	Sometimes singly or in pairs; often breeds in loose colonies. When grass seeds are scarce, gathers berries from shrubs and trees.

Nest	An ovoid or roughly globular structure with narrow side entrance. And it lays from 2 to 3 eggs. Besides, the breeding period takes place from May to August.
Status	Common to abundant resident in open areas of Caribbean slope and Pacific. And the Central Valley, too.

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18. Rufous Colored Sparrow
Scientific name: Zonotrichia capensis
Costa Rican Name: Comemaíz, Pirrí

General Description	It measures around 5 ½" (13.5 cm) and has a weight of 20 g. It is medium sized with a short crest; also it has head pale gray color with a black bow on chest.
Habitat	Frequents urban, suburban, country lawns, parks, gardens and agricultural fields.
Habitats	Holding small territories throughout year, nonterritorial birds live furtively in the same areas or form flocks that wander locally. Gathering grass and weed seeds, fallen grain and insects.
Nest	An ovoid or roughly globular structure with narrow side entrance. And it lays from 2 to 3 eggs. Besides, the breeding period takes place from May to August.

Status

Common to abundant resident in open areas of Caribbean slope and Pacific. And the Central Valley, too.

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19. Lesser Goldfinch
Scientific name: Carduelis psaltria
Costa Rican Name: Mozotillo de Charral

General Description	It measures around 4" (10 cm) and has a weight of 10g. It is small with a rather thick and sharp - pointed bill. Furthermore it has white patches in wings and tail. Entire underparts bright yellow.
Habitat	Prefers open country highlands, including weedy fields, plantations and clearings with scattered trees.
Habitats	Usually in small flocks of 10 or fewer that fly undulating. And descending to forage for grass seeds on or near the ground in coffee plantations.

Nest	A compact and thick cup of grasses, stems, rootless and fibers. It lays from 3 to 4 eggs. From August to January.
Status	Uncommon, nomadic resident in upper parts of Central Valley and also along the Pacific Slope.

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20. Tropical Kingbird
Scientific name: Tyrannus melancholicus
Costa Rican Name: Pecho amarillo, tirano tropical

General Description	It measures around 8 ½" (21 cm) and has a weight of 40g. It is large, active, yellow flycatcher with dark. Immatures are like adults but little or no vermillion in crown or emargination of primaries.
Habitat	Frequents open places of all sorts, from savannas, agricultural lands and banks of large rivers to towns and cities.
Habitats	Captures wasps, bees, dragonflies, and butterflies on long, eats many berries. They are territorial.

Nest	A broad nest of grasses, weed stems and sometimes horsehair. They lay from 2 to 3. And the breeding season goes from March to July.
Status	Abundant resident countrywide from lowlands to 6000 feet. (1850 m).

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21. Western Kingbird
Scientific name: Tyrannus verticalis
Costa Rican Name: Tirano occidental

General Description	It measures around 8" (20 cm) and has a weight of 40g. Resembles Tropical Kingbird but below paler, smaller bill; Bill and legs are black.
Habitat	Prefers open country with scattered trees that serve as lookout perches from aerial flycatcher.
Status	Sporadic winter resident on Pacific Slope, Central Valley and Térraba, may be fairly common at a site in 1 year, rare or absent the next.

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22. Boat Billed Flycatcher
Scientific name: Megarhynchus pitangua
Costa Rican Name: Pecho amarillo, mosquerón picudo

General Description	It measures around 9" (23 cm) and has a weight of 70g. It is very large; bill very heavy. The crown and sides of head dull black. Wings and tail more dusky, and the rest of underparts are bright yellow color.
Habitat	Frequent canopy and edge of humid or dry forest, semi open areas and savanna with scattered tall trees.
Habitats	Usually in pairs or family groups of 3 or 5. Locates insects while perching, then flies up to pluck them from leaf or bark without alighting.

Nest	A shallow bowl of twigs, dry vines, roots and rhizomes of epiphytes gathered from trees rather than ground. It lays from 2 to 3 eggs and the breeding season goes from March to July.
Status	Common resident countrywide from lowlands to 6000 feet. (1850 m).

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23. Montezuma Oropendola
Scientific name: Psarocolius montezuma
Costa Rican Name: Oropéndola, oropéndula de Montezuma

General Description	It measures around 20" (50 cm) and has a weight of 520g. It is very large and has pale facial skin, dark eyes and orange bill.
Habitat	Usually nests in dense colonies in isolated trees, clearings or semi open areas but often enters forest canopy to forage.
Habitats	Searches for a variety of invertebrate and small vertebrate prey in foliage, epiphytes and undersides of branches and fronds.
Nest	A tightly woven, massive and long. They lay 2 eggs. And the breeding season goes from January to August.
Status	Common resident in Caribbean lowlands and local in dry Northwest lowlands, mainly near bases of ranges.

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24. White - Eared Ground Sparrow
Scientific name: Melozone leucotis
Costa Rican Name:Cuatro ojos, pinzón orejiblanco

General Description	It measures around 7" (17.5 cm) and has a weight of 43g. Large, chunky, big footed with black foreparts. Iris reddish brown and also it has a black bill.
Habitat	Prefers dark thickets in moist ravines, forest edge and patchy woodland.
Habitats	Usually stays on or near ground and it feeds on insects, spiders, other arthropods and seeds.

Nest	A massive bowl of narrow dead leaves stems and thin twigs. Also it is well hidden among banana plants, orchids, etc. They lay 2 eggs and the breeding season goes from April to July.
Status	Locally uncommon to fairly common resident of Pacific Slopes.

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25. Lineated Woodpecker
Scientific name: Dryocopus lineatus
Costa Rican Name: Carpintero lineado

General Description	It measures around 13" (33 cm) and has a weight of 197g. With a pointed crest, striped face, below with indistinct patter. The crest is pale red.
Habitat	At forest edge and in gallery forest in drier areas, but seldom enters close wet forest, preferring semi open areas, shade gardens, trees in pastures and forages on trunks.
Habitats	They take many ants and their brood. Also take fruits.
Nest	In a tree hole, they lay from 3 to 4 years. And the breeding season goes from January to May.

Status

Uncommon to fairly common resident lowlands.

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26. Acorn Woodpecker
Scientific name: Melanerpes formicivorus
Costa Rican Name: Carpintero careto

General Description	It measures around 8 ½" (21 cm) and has a weight of 85g. Black and white with bold harlequin face pattern.
Habitat	Frequents highlands forest and clearings with scattered dead trees, pastures with remnant forest trees.
Habitats	Sociable and very active.
Nest	A hole excavated usually in decayed trees. The breeding season goes from April to August.
Status	Resident at middle and upper elevations of Cordillera Central.

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27. Hoffmann's Woodpecker
Scientific name: Melanerpes hoffmannii
Costa Rican Name: Carpintero, carpintero de Hoffmann

General Description	It measures around 7" (18 cm) and has a weight of 68g. Above boldly barred; head and underparts mostly pale brownish.
Habitat	Prefers deciduous forest, light woodland, shade trees in coffee plantations and gardens and scattered trees in pastures.
Habitats	Searches for ants, beetles and their larvae, eats many fruits, including figs; drinks nectar flowers and sleeps singly in holes.
Nest	A hole in a dead trunk or branch and they lay from 2 to 3 eggs on February.

Status

Common to abundant resident of North Pacific Slope, including Central Valley and adjacent slopes.

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28. Ruddy Treerunner
Scientific name: Margarornis rubiginosus
Costa Rican Name: Subepalo rojizo

General Description	It measures around 6 ¼" (16 cm) and has a weight of 18g. Bright reddish brown color, short bill, little woodcreeper but tail ends in projecting spines that are soft.
Habitat	Frequents all levels of montane forest, up to middle canopy, as well as adjacent edges and clearings with scattered trees.
Habitats	Alone or in pairs, frequently joins mixed flocks or bands of tanagers.
Nest	Unknown.
Status	Common resident of highlands mountains.

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29. Ruddy Treerunner
Scientific name: Cymbilaimus lineatus
Costa Rican Name: Batará Lineado

General Description	It measures around 7" (18 cm) and has a weight of 41g. Heavy bodied and bushy crowned with a very stout, sharply hooked and plumage finely barred above and below.
Habitat	Prefers thickets and vine tangles at low to middle heights around gaps in forest, also, along stream and edges, and in tall second growth.
Habitats	Sits for long periods peering about, then makes sudden sally or hops rapidly and heavily to snatch crickets, katydids, beetles, bugs, caterpillars, or other insects, or spiders and small lizards from vegetation.
Nest	Cup attached by rim in a horizontal fork of dark fibers so loosely woven. The lay 2 eggs and the breeding season goes from April to June.
Status	Fairly common resident of the Caribbean lowlands, Central Valley and Talamanca.

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30. Lesser Swallow Tailed Swift
Scientific name: Panyptila cayennensis
Costa Rican Name: Macuá, vencejo tijereta menor

General Description	It measures around 5" (13 cm) and has a weight of 18g. Graceful with long deeply forked tail. Mostly breast white and bill and feet black.
Habitat	Flies singly or in pairs, occasionally small groups, over forest, pastures and towns.