Costa Rica for Bird's Wildlife & Nature - Day 16 & 17 - 19th-20th November 2024

19^th

E-mails had arrived overnight from Iberia to say that we would be on a direct flight home from San Jose to Heathrow that late afternoon.  Priscille had heard nothing.  Our brief moment of joy turned to incredulity when we realised that it said the 20^th and not the 19^th and further digging revealed that it would not be direct but via Bogota in Colombia!

Given the number of Madrid cancellations there were far too many people requiring that route and thus our need to get to London required this different approach.  A quick chat with Emmanuel the Robledal manager secured us a room for a second night and so we resigned ourselves to a day around the grounds and do some of what is apparently called ‘relaxing’. 

Given our confinement it was of course a glorious day but we set out to make the most of it.  The garden regulars were all present and correct but there was more time to watch them this time.  I was hoping to find the Ferruginous Pygmy Owls having somehow not seen one in two weeks and the garden pair were duly found, admittedly with some help from Emmanuel and then a young Summer Tanager that was having a hissy fit and pointed me in the right direction.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

A Pileated Woodpecker was drumming and generally shouting at the world and we soon found it on some dead branches where it was very carefully, and at that point, quietly chipping the bark off to get to critters underneath.  I am not sure I have been so close to one before. Rufous-backed Wrens were bouncing around and a party of Scrub Euphonias stopped in the Cecropias.

Cinnamon and Ruby-throated Hummers were seen and a Canivet’s Emerald came into the poolside Verbenas (not that anyone was lounging in and around the pool) and up above we saw Anhinga, Wood Storks, Grey and Short-tailed Hawks and the Vulture duo (not spotted while any reclining was taking place).

 Pileated Woodpecker 

 Pileated Woodpecker 

 Pileated Woodpecker 

Scrub Euphonia

Scrub Euphonia

Rufous-backed Wren

Great-tailed Grackle

Cinnamon Hummingbird

Lunch was shared with the breakfast bar birds and even the Spot-breasted Orioles came in for a snack along with the super cool lounging Variegated Squirrel.  Yellow Warblers and Baltimore Orioles were in the canopy and it was good for the crew to chill out with now familiar birds.

Turkey Vulture

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Summer Tanager

Hoffmann's Woodpecker

Spot-breasted Oriole

Great Kiskadee

Great Kiskadee

Summer Tanager

Baltimore Oriole

Yellow Warbler

Variegated Squirrel

Yellow-headed Caracara

Black Witch

Priscille had been fortunate enough to be given a seat on the afternoon Madrid flight (she had to get back to Toulouse) and so bid our farewells after lunch and kept our fingers crossed.  As dark fell the fog rolled back in and although delayed we were pleased to see that she had finally taken off.

Our turn would come the following day.

20^th

The morning birds were all present and correct for the pre-breakfast amble including the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Woodpeckers and Orioles but it was the Yellow-naped Amazons that put on the best show and gleamed in the sunshine (yes it was still not raining).

Yellow-naped Amazons

Yellow-naped Amazons

Yellow-naped Amazons

Spot-breasted Oriole

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Summer Tanager

Blue-grey Tanager

Summer Tanager

Great Kiskedee

Variegated Squirrel

Variegated Squirrel

The same wildlife but different poses!

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Clay-coloured Thrush

Emmanuel had offered to take us out for a bit of local birding and I was pleased to accept his offer to revisit the Coyal Free Zone in Alajuela that I visited with his brother on my last visit. This heavily secure, huge industrial area is home to 25,000 employees and the grounds are sympathetically managed for wildlife and Emmanuel has been involved there for the last nine years.  It was far greener this time and here had been more planting but it was still a very open landscape with deliberate boulder areas and short grass and far more water than I imagined. 

We did not see the Spot-bellied Bobwhites this time but a pair of Double-Striped Thick-knees were quite approachable and Tropical Mockingbirds and Common Ground Doves poked around the beds. An Eastern Meadowlark was up on the wires and a Yellow-Green Vireo whizzed through and down below us in the creek that flowed into the lake we found three Spotted Sandpipers and several smallish Brown Basilisks and then at the end by the road culvert there were nine Least Sandpipers speedily picking up prey while busses, lorries and cars drove past on the road just a few metres above.

Double-Striped Thick-knee

Double-Striped Thick-knee

Common Ground Dove

Brown Basilisk

Brown Basilisk & Spotted Sandpiper

Brown Basilisk

Least Sandpipers

Least Sandpipers

Least Sandpipers

Eastern Meadowlark in a car park

Tropical Mockingbirds

Moving to the other end of the lake gave us closer views of Little Blue Herons and Cattle and Great White Egrets.  Southern Lapwings were scattered along the banks with 30 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and a pair with a well grown brood were paddling around in the middle looking nervous.

Cattle Egrets

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks

There were Barn Swallows hawking around us and amongst them was a Mangrove Swallow which was surprising.  I do not think Emmanuel had seen one before and I am not sure how often they occur this far in from the Pacific coast.  A Green Heron was catching tiddlers by the outflow but seemed to be taking far too much interest in the huge Tilapia there. 

Green Heron 

Green Heron 

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

We were at this wild fenced area alongside the lake and Emmanuel was hopeful of getting us a Lesser Ground Cuckoo. We had not been there too long when a ginger bird literally crawled under the fence and flew up on top.  We stood there and listened as it sung quietly whilst fluffing up it rump and lower back feathers and drooping its wings.  I had heard them before but never seen one and to have this content and wonderful little cuckoo doing his thing just in front was a magnificent end to the trip.  We waved and walked away leaving him to his slightly mournful solo.

Lesser Ground Cuckoo

We chilled out back at the Robledal, had lunch and then headed for the airport where our plane to Bogata left on time.  Two hours later we were on Colombian tarmac and before too long back in the air for the overnight plane with Avianca en route to Heathrow.

Out of San Jose in the nick of time as the next thunderstorm arrived

The extra two days may have been unplanned and we were indebted to the Robladal for coming to our rescue but wherever you find yourself, there are always birds to dial down the stresses and bring moments of joy.  Pura Vida indeed…

SPECIES	SCIENTIFIC NAME
Great Tinamou	Tinamus major
Highland Tinamou	Nothocercus bonapartei
Little Tinamou	Crypturellus soui
Black-bellied Whistling Duck	Dendrocygna autumnalis
Muscovy Duck	Cairina moschata
Blue-winged Teal	Spatula discors
Grey-headed Chachalaca	Ortalis cinereiceps
Crested Guan	Penelope purpurascens
Black Guan	Chamaepetes unicolor
Great Curassow	Crax rubra
Spotted Wood Quail	Odontophorus guttatus
Black-eared Wood Quail	Odontophorus melanotis
Black-breasted Wood Quail	Odontophorus leucolaemus
Lesser Nighthawk	Chordeiles acutipennis
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis
Great Potoo	Nyctibius grandis
Common Potoo	Nyctibius griseus
Chestnut-collared Swift	Streptoprocne rutila
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
Grey-rumped Swift	Chaetura cinereiventris
Costa Rican Swift	Chaetura fumosa
Vaux's Swift	Chaetura vauxi
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift	Panyptila cayennensis
White-necked Jacobin	Florisuga mellivora
White-tipped Sicklebill	Eutoxeres aquila
Bronzy Hermit	Glaucis aeneus
Stripe-throated Hermit	Phaethornis striigularis
Green Hermit	Phaethornis guy
Long-billed Hermit	Phaethornis longirostris
Green-fronted Lancebill	Doryfera ludovicae
Brown Violetear	Colibri delphinae
Lesser Violetear	Colibri cyanotus
Purple-crowned Fairy	Heliothryx barroti
Green-breasted Mango	Anthracothorax prevostii
Green Thorntail	Discosura conversii
Black-crested Coquette	Lophornis helenae
Green-crowned Brilliant	Heliodoxa jacula
Talamanca Hummingbird	Eugenes spectabilis
Fiery-throated Hummingbird	Panterpe insignis
Long-billed Starthroat	Heliomaster longirostris
White-bellied Mountaingem	Lampornis hemileucus
Purple-throated Mountaingem	Lampornis calolaemus
White-throated Mountaingem (Grey-tailed)	Lampornis castaneoventris cinereicauda
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Archilochus colubris
Heliotrope Volcano Hummingbird	Selasphorus flammula torridus
Poás-Barva Volcano Hummingbird	Selasphorus flammula simoni
Scintillant Hummingbird	Selasphorus scintilla
Canivet's Emerald	Cynanthus canivetii
Violet-headed Hummingbird	Klais guimeti
Violet Sabrewing	Campylopterus hemileucurus
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer	Chalybura urochrysia
Crowned Woodnymph	Thalurania colombica
Snowcap	Microchera albocoronata
Coppery-headed Emerald	Microchera cupreiceps
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird	Eupherusa eximia
Black-bellied Hummingbird	Eupherusa nigriventris
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird	Phaeochroa cuvierii
Blue-vented Hummingbird	Saucerottia hoffmanni
Cinnamon Hummingbird	Amazilia rutila
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird	Amazilia tzacatl
Mangrove Hummingbird	Amazilia boucardi
Blue-chested Hummingbird	Polyerata amabilis
Blue-throated Goldentail	Chlorestes eliciae
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris
Lesser Ground Cuckoo	Morococcyx erythropygus
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon)	Columba livia
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata
Pale-vented Pigeon	Patagioenas cayennensis
Red-billed Pigeon	Patagioenas flavirostris
Ruddy Pigeon	Patagioenas subvinacea
Short-billed Pigeon	Patagioenas nigrirostris
Inca Dove	Columbina inca
Common Ground Dove	Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground Dove	Columbina talpacoti
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
Grey-headed Dove	Leptotila plumbeiceps
Grey-chested Dove	Leptotila cassinii
Buff-fronted Quail-Dove	Zentrygon costaricensis
White-winged Dove	Zenaida asiatica
Uniform Crake	Amaurolimnas concolor
Russet-naped Wood Rail	Aramides albiventris
Sora	Porzana carolina
Common Gallinule	Gallinula galeata
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio martinica
Yellow-breasted Crake	Laterallus flaviventer
White-throated Crake	Laterallus albigularis
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps
Double-striped Thick-knee	Burhinus bistriatus
Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola
Southern Lapwing	Vanellus chilensis
Wilson's Plover	Anarhynchus wilsonia
Semipalmated Plover	Charadrius semipalmatus
Northern Jacana	Jacana spinosa
Hunsonian Whimbrel	Numenius hudsonicus
Sanderling	Calidris alba
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria
Willet	Tringa semipalmata
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Laughing Gull	Leucophaeus atricilla
Franklin's Gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan
American Royal Tern	Thalasseus maximus
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana
Jabiru	Jabiru mycteria
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens
Anhinga	Anhinga anhinga
Neotropic Cormorant	Nannopterum brasilianum
Green Ibis	Mesembrinibis cayennensis
American White Ibis	Eudocimus albus
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja
Fasciated Tiger Heron	Tigrisoma fasciatum
Bare-throated Tiger Heron	Tigrisoma mexicanum
Pinnated Bittern	Botaurus pinnatus
Least Bittern	Ixobrychus exilis
Yellow-crowned Night Heron	Nyctanassa violacea
Green Heron	Butorides virescens
Western Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias
Great Egret	Ardea alba
Tricolored Heron	Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis
King Vulture	Sarcoramphus papa
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture	Cathartes burrovianus
Western Osprey	Pandion haliaetus
White-tailed Kite	Elanus leucurus
Grey-headed Kite	Leptodon cayanensis
Hook-billed Kite	Chondrohierax uncinatus
Black Hawk-Eagle	Spizaetus tyrannus
Ornate Hawk-Eagle	Spizaetus ornatus
Double-toothed Kite	Harpagus bidentatus
Tiny Hawk	Accipiter superciliosus
Bicolored Hawk	Accipiter bicolor
Northern Harrier	Circus hudsonius
Black-collared Hawk	Busarellus nigricollis
Snail Kite	Rostrhamus sociabilis
Mangrove Black Hawk	Buteogallus anthracinus subtilis
Great Black Hawk	Buteogallus urubitinga
Barred Hawk	Morphnarchus princeps
Roadside Hawk	Rupornis magnirostris
Harris's Hawk	Parabuteo unicinctus
White Hawk	Pseudastur albicollis
Semiplumbeous Hawk	Leucopternis semiplumbeus
Grey Hawk	Buteo plagiatus
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus
Short-tailed Hawk	Buteo brachyurus
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis
American Barn Owl	Tyto furcata
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl	Glaucidium brasilianum
Striped Owl	Asio clamator
Pacific Screech Owl	Megascops cooperi
Spectacled Owl	Pulsatrix perspicillata
Crested Owl	Lophostrix cristata
Mottled Owl	Strix virgata
Black-and-white Owl	Strix nigrolineata
Resplendent Quetzal	Pharomachrus mocinno
Slaty-tailed Trogon	Trogon massena
Black-headed Trogon	Trogon melanocephalus
Gartered Trogon	Trogon caligatus
Northern Black-throated Trogon	Trogon tenellus
Collared Trogon	Trogon collaris
Amazon Kingfisher	Chloroceryle amazona
American Pygmy Kingfisher	Chloroceryle aenea
Green Kingfisher	Chloroceryle americana
Ringed Kingfisher	Megaceryle torquata
Tody Motmot	Hylomanes momotula
Lesson's Motmot	Momotus lessonii
Rufous Motmot	Baryphthengus martii
Keel-billed Motmot	Electron carinatum
Broad-billed Motmot	Electron platyrhynchum
Turquoise-browed Motmot	Eumomota superciliosa
Rufous-tailed Jacamar	Galbula ruficauda
White-whiskered Puffbird	Malacoptila panamensis
White-fronted Nunbird	Monasa morphoeus
Red-headed Barbet	Eubucco bourcierii
Prong-billed Barbet	Semnornis frantzii
Blue-throated Emerald Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus caeruleogularis
Collared Aracari	Pteroglossus torquatus
Fiery-billed Aracari	Pteroglossus frantzii
Keel-billed Toucan	Ramphastos sulfuratus
Yellow-throated Toucan	Ramphastos ambiguus
Acorn Woodpecker	Melanerpes formicivorus
Black-cheeked Woodpecker	Melanerpes pucherani
Hoffmann's Woodpecker	Melanerpes hoffmannii
Hairy Woodpecker	Leuconotopicus villosus
Rufous-winged Woodpecker	Piculus simplex
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus
Pale-billed Woodpecker	Campephilus guatemalensis
Crested Caracara	Caracara plancus
Yellow-headed Caracara	Milvago chimachima
Laughing Falcon	Herpetotheres cachinnans
Collared Forest Falcon	Micrastur semitorquatus
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius
Bat Falcon	Falco rufigularis
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus
Barred Parakeet	Bolborhynchus lineola
Orange-chinned Parakeet	Brotogeris jugularis
Brown-hooded Parrot	Pyrilia haematotis
White-crowned Parrot	Pionus senilis
Red-lored Amazon	Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-naped Amazon	Amazona auropalliata
Northern Mealy Amazon	Amazona guatemalae
Sulphur-winged Parakeet	Pyrrhura hoffmanni
Olive-throated Parakeet	Eupsittula nana
Orange-fronted Parakeet	Eupsittula canicularis
Great Green Macaw	Ara ambiguus
Pacific Scarlet Macaw	Ara macao macao
Caribbean Scarlet Macaw	Ara macao cyanoptera
Finsch's Parakeet	Psittacara finschi
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	Sittasomus griseicapillus
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper	Glyphorynchus spirurus
Cocoa Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Spotted Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Brown-billed Scythebill	Campylorhamphus pusillus
Streak-headed Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes affinis
Plain Xenops	Xenops minutus
Buffy Tuftedcheek	Pseudocolaptes lawrencii
Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner	Automolus cervinigularis
Ruddy Treerunner	Margarornis rubiginosus
Russet Antshrike	Thamnistes anabatinus
Checker-throated Stipplethroat	Epinecrophylla fulviventris
Slaty Antwren	Myrmotherula schisticolor
Plain Antvireo	Dysithamnus mentalis
Streak-crowned Antvireo	Dysithamnus striaticeps
Barred Antshrike	Thamnophilus doliatus
Black-crowned Antshrike	Thamnophilus atrinucha
Fasciated Antshrike	Cymbilaimus lineatus
Ocellated Antbird	Phaenostictus mcleannani
Bicolored Antbird	Gymnopithys bicolor
Dusky Antbird	Cercomacroides tyrannina
Spotted Antbird	Hylophylax naevioides
Chestnut-backed Antbird	Poliocrania exsul
Dull-mantled Antbird	Sipia laemosticta
Bare-crowned Antbird	Gymnocichla nudiceps
Zeledon's Antbird	Percnostola zeledoni
Scaled Antpitta	Grallaria guatimalensis
Thicket Antpitta	Myrmothera dives
Yellow-bellied Elaenia	Elaenia flavogaster
Mountain Elaenia	Elaenia frantzii
Rufous-browed Tyrannulet	Phylloscartes superciliaris
Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet	Ornithion semiflavum
Torrent Tyrannulet	Serpophaga cinerea
Yellow Tyrannulet	Capsiempis flaveola
Mistletoe Tyrannulet	Zimmerius parvus
Olive-streaked Flycatcher	Mionectes olivaceus
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher	Mionectes oleagineus
Slaty-capped Flycatcher	Leptopogon superciliaris
Northern Scrub Flycatcher	Sublegatus arenarum
Northern Bentbill	Oncostoma cinereigulare
Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant	Lophotriccus pileatus
Common Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum cinereum
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher	Todirostrum nigriceps
Eye-ringed Flatbill	Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
Yellow-olive Flatbill	Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Black Phoebe	Sayornis nigricans
Northern Tufted Flycatcher	Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Eastern Wood Pewee	Contopus virens
Northern Tropical Pewee	Contopus bogotensis
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Empidonax flaviventris
Acadian Flycatcher	Empidonax virescens
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus
Yellowish Flycatcher	Empidonax flavescens
Black-capped Flycatcher	Empidonax atriceps
Long-tailed Tyrant	Colonia colonus
Social Flycatcher	Myiozetetes similis
Grey-capped Flycatcher	Myiozetetes granadensis
Great Kiskadee	Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher	Megarynchus pitangua
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus
Fork-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus savana
Rufous Mourner	Rhytipterna holerythra
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer
Great-crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus crinitus
Brown-crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus tyrannulus
Bright-rumped Attila	Attila spadiceus
Bare-necked Umbrellabird	Cephalopterus glabricollis
Snowy Cotinga	Carpodectes nitidus
Long-tailed Manakin	Chiroxiphia linearis
White-ruffed Manakin	Corapipo altera
White-collared Manakin	Manacus candei
Red-capped Manakin	Ceratopipra mentalis
Northern Royal Flycatcher	Onychorhynchus mexicanus
Sulphur-rumped Myiobius	Myiobius sulphureipygius
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher	Terenotriccus erythrurus
Black-crowned Tityra	Tityra inquisitor
Masked Tityra	Tityra semifasciata
Northern Schiffornis	Schiffornis veraepacis
Barred Becard	Pachyramphus versicolor
Cinnamon Becard	Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
Rose-throated Becard	Pachyramphus aglaiae
Rufous-browed Peppershrike	Cyclarhis gujanensis
Lesser Greenlet	Pachysylvia decurtata
Yellow-green Vireo	Vireo flavoviridis
Philadelphia Vireo	Vireo philadelphicus
Brown-capped Vireo	Vireo leucophrys
Yellow-throated Vireo	Vireo flavifrons
Yellow-winged Vireo	Vireo carmioli
Brown Jay	Psilorhinus morio
White-throated Magpie-Jay	Calocitta formosa
Black-and-yellow Phainoptila	Phainoptila melanoxantha
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher	Ptiliogonys caudatus
Mangrove Swallow	Tachycineta albilinea
Blue-and-white Swallow	Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Southern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
Grey-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
Band-backed Wren	Campylorhynchus zonatus
Rufous-backed Wren	Campylorhynchus capistratus
Black-throated Wren	Pheugopedius atrogularis
Spot-breasted Wren	Pheugopedius maculipectus
Cabanis's Wren	Cantorchilus modestus
Canebrake Wren	Cantorchilus zeledoni
Riverside Wren	Cantorchilus semibadius
Bay Wren	Cantorchilus nigricapillus
Stripe-breasted Wren	Cantorchilus thoracicus
Southern House Wren	Troglodytes musculus
Ochraceous Wren	Troglodytes ochraceus
Timberline Wren	Thryorchilus browni
White-breasted Wood Wren	Henicorhina leucosticta
Grey-breasted Wood Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys
Northern Nightingale-Wren	Microcerculus philomela
Trilling Gnatwren	Ramphocaenus melanurus
Tawny-faced Gnatwren	Microbates cinereiventris
White-browed Gnatcatcher	Polioptila bilineata
Tropical Mockingbird	Mimus gilvus
Black-faced Solitaire	Myadestes melanops
Wood Thrush	Hylocichla mustelina
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus mexicanus
Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus fuscater
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus gracilirostris
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus frantzii
Sooty Thrush	Turdus nigrescens
Mountain Thrush	Turdus plebejus
Pale-vented Thrush	Turdus obsoletus
Clay-coloured Thrush	Turdus grayi
American Dipper	Cinclus mexicanus
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus
Lesser Goldfinch	Spinus psaltria
Elegant Chlorophonia	Chlorophonia elegantissima
Golden-browed Chlorophonia	Chlorophonia callophrys
Scrub Euphonia	Euphonia affinis
Yellow-crowned Euphonia	Euphonia luteicapilla
White-vented Euphonia	Euphonia minuta
Yellow-throated Euphonia	Euphonia hirundinacea
Olive-backed Euphonia	Euphonia gouldi
Tawny-capped Euphonia	Euphonia anneae
Sooty-capped Chlorospingus	Chlorospingus pileatus
Common Chlorospingus	Chlorospingus flavopectus
Stripe-headed Sparrow	Peucaea ruficauda
Olive Sparrow	Arremonops rufivirgatus
Black-striped Sparrow	Arremonops conirostris
Orange-billed Sparrow	Arremon aurantiirostris
Chestnut-capped Brushfinch	Arremon brunneinucha
Sooty-faced Brushfinch	Arremon crassirostris
Volcano Junco	Junco vulcani
Rufous-collared Sparrow	Zonotrichia capensis
Large-footed Finch	Pezopetes capitalis
White-eared Ground Sparrow	Melozone leucotis
Cabanis's Ground Sparrow	Melozone cabanisi
Yellow-thighed Brushfinch	Atlapetes tibialis
Zeledonia	Zeledonia coronata
Eastern Meadowlark	Sturnella magna
Red-breasted Meadowlark	Leistes militaris
Yellow-billed Cacique	Amblycercus holosericeus
Chestnut-headed Oropendola	Psarocolius wagleri
Montezuma Oropendola	Psarocolius montezuma
Scarlet-rumped Cacique	Cacicus microrhynchus
Streak-backed Oriole	Icterus pustulatus
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula
Spot-breasted Oriole	Icterus pectoralis
Black-cowled Oriole	Icterus prosthemelas
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus
Giant Cowbird	Molothrus oryzivorus
Bronzed Cowbird	Molothrus aeneus
Melodious Blackbird	Dives dives
Nicaraguan Grackle	Quiscalus nicaraguensis
Great-tailed Grackle	Quiscalus mexicanus
Ovenbird	Seiurus aurocapilla
Louisiana Waterthrush	Parkesia motacilla
Northern Waterthrush	Parkesia noveboracensis
Golden-winged Warbler	Vermivora chrysoptera
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia
Prothonotary Warbler	Protonotaria citrea
Flame-throated Warbler	Oreothlypis gutturalis
Tennessee Warbler	Leiothlypis peregrina
Grey-crowned Yellowthroat	Geothlypis poliocephala
Olive-crowned Yellowthroat	Geothlypis semiflava
Mourning Warbler	Geothlypis philadelphia
Kentucky Warbler	Geothlypis formosa
Hooded Warbler	Setophaga citrina
Cape May Warbler	Setophaga tigrina
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla
Tropical Parula	Setophaga pitiayumi
Bay-breasted Warbler	Setophaga castanea
Blackburnian Warbler	Setophaga fusca
American Yellow Warbler	Setophaga aestiva
Mangrove Warbler	Setophaga petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Setophaga pensylvanica
Black-throated Green Warbler	Setophaga virens
Buff-rumped Warbler	Myiothlypis fulvicauda
Chestnut-capped Warbler	Basileuterus delattrii
Black-cheeked Warbler	Basileuterus melanogenys
Golden-crowned Warbler	Basileuterus culicivorus
Wilson's Warbler	Cardellina pusilla
Slate-throated Whitestart	Myioborus miniatus
Collared Whitestart	Myioborus torquatus
Flame-coloured Tanager	Piranga bidentata
Tooth-billed Tanager	Piranga lutea
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra
Scarlet Tanager	Piranga olivacea
Red-throated Ant Tanager	Habia fuscicauda
Carmiol's Tanager	Chlorothraupis carmioli
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus
Blue-black Grosbeak	Cyanoloxia cyanoides
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea
Green Honeycreeper	Chlorophanes spiza
Black-and-yellow Tanager	Chrysothlypis chrysomelas
Red-legged Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes cyaneus
Shining Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes lucidus
Scarlet-thighed Dacnis	Dacnis venusta
Blue Dacnis	Dacnis cayana
Cinnamon-bellied Saltator	Saltator grandis
Buff-throated Saltator	Saltator maximus
Black-headed Saltator	Saltator atriceps
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Yellow-faced Grassquit	Tiaris olivaceus
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina
White-shouldered Tanager	Loriotus luctuosus
Tawny-crested Tanager	Tachyphonus delatrii
White-throated Shrike-Tanager	Lanio leucothorax
Crimson-collared Tanager	Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
Passerini's Scarlet-rumped Tanager	Ramphocelus passerinii passerinii
Morelet's Seedeater	Sporophila morelleti
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
Thick-billed Seed Finch	Sporophila funerea
Nicaraguan Seed Finch	Sporophila nuttingi
Peg-billed Finch	Acanthidops bairdi
Slaty Flowerpiercer	Diglossa plumbea
Blue-and-gold Tanager	Bangsia arcaei
Speckled Tanager	Ixothraupis guttata
Blue-grey Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Palm Tanager	Thraupis palmarum
Golden-hooded Tanager	Stilpnia larvata
Spangle-cheeked Tanager	Tangara dowii
Bay-headed Tanager	Tangara gyrola
Rufous-winged Tanager	Tangara lavinia
Emerald Tanager	Tangara florida
Silver-throated Tanager	Tangara icterocephala
Plain-coloured Tanager	Tangara inornata

Between the group we experienced 459 species and everyone saw well over 400 and heard many more.  Given the weather conditions and areas we could not visit, we did remarkably well and it was, as ever an un-forgettable experience.  I somehow had 27 new species along with nine extra Costa Rican ticks that I had seen in other countries before.

Mammals	Scientific name
White-nosed Coatimundi	Nasua narica
Variagated Squirrel	Sciurus variegatoides
Deppe's Mountain Squirrel	Sciurus deppei
Red-tailed Mountain Squirrel	Sciurus granatensis
Alfaro's Pygmy Squirrel	Microsciurus alfari
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth	Bradypus variegatus
Collared Peccary	Pecari tajacu
Baird's Tapir	Tapirus bairdii
Central American Spider Monkey	Ateles geoffroyi
Mantled Howlers	Alouatta palliata
White-faced Capuchin	Cebus imitator
Central American Tapeti	Sylvilagus gabbi
Central American Tent Bat	Uroderma bilobatum
Herps	Scientific name
Neotropical Slider	Trachymys sp
Strawberry Blue Jeans Poison Arrow Frog	Oophaga pumilio
Green & Black Poison Arrow Frog	Dendrobates auratus
Brilliant Forest Frog	Lithobates warszewitschii
Common Rain Frog	Craugastor fitzingeri
Swamp Tree Frog	Tlalocohyla sp
Hour Glass Tree Frog	Dendropsophus ebraccatus
Red-eyed Tree Frog	Agalychnis callidryas
Common Dink Frog	Diasporus diastema
Central American Bull Frog	Leptodactylus savagei
Cane Toad	Rhinella marina
Central American Boa	Boa imperator
Afro-American House Gecko	Hemidactylus mabouia
Dry Forest Anole	Anolis cupreus
Pug Nosed Anole	Anolis capito
Emerald Basilisk	Basiliscus basiliscus
Brown Basilisk	Basiliscus vittatus
Central American Whiptail	Ameiva festiva
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana	Ctenosaura similis
Green Iguana	Iguana iguana
American Crocodile	Crocodylus acutus
Spectacled Caiman	Caiman crocodilus