An Excellent Time to See Rare Birds in Costa Rica

When is the best time to see rare birds in Costa Rica? It could be now. We find uncommon and rare species all year long but, once in a while, certain challenging species are more accessible. Take Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo for example. We know that shy rainforest roadrunner is present in large areas of high quality rainforest but, their reclusive behavior and low numbers make them exceedingly hard to find.

However, when we locate ground-cuckoos using an active antswarm, this mega can be downright reliable!

We don't have any ground-cuckoos staked out just right now (although that could change in a moment's notice) but we do know accessible sites for several other tough birds. Ironically, we can blame their occurrence on bad weather! Lately, ongoing cold fronts have driven several species typically found in inaccessible and dense montane forest to easier sites in lower elevations. For Costa Rica, that's normal and it happens every year but, this winter, those altitudinal movements have been much more pronounced. Compared to other years, we're seeing more cloud forest birds like Silver-throated Tanagers and Black-faced Solitaires in the lowlands, more White-ruffed Manakins, and other birds.

Some of those other birds are especially enticing, including these ones:

Yellow-eared Toucanet

Six species of toucans live in Costa Rica and most are common and easy to see! The Yellow-eared Toucanet is the exception. This small, smart-looking toucan is more tied to mature forest and isn't as social as the other species. Once in a while, it can venture into edge and second growth, especially if it finds a bountiful fruiting tree. Most times, though, birders have to be fortunate enough to chance on them at Pocosol and other forested areas.

At the moment, Yellow-eared toucanets aren't exactly abundant in the lowlands but there are definitely more around than other years. Recently, two have even been visiting easily accessible edge habitats in the Aguas Zarcas area! We've been having fun watching those birds and are sure others are also at various accessible sites.

Bare-necked Umbrellabird

This also the time of year for this mega bird! After nesting, Bare-necked Umbrellabirds move into foothill and lowland forest, especially sites just downhill from their cloud forest breeding grounds. They stick around until February and even March.

Right now, with so much rain and cool weather happening in the highlands, umbrellabirds are still very much frequenting their foothill and lowland haunts. There's also been some indication that the crow-sized cotingas are moving into new areas, even some edge and open sites. Not many, but enough to increase your chances of seeing this rare and fantastic bird.

Blue-and-gold Tanager

In Costa Rica, most tanagers are fairly easy to see but, there are a few exceptions. One is the beautiful Blue-and-gold Tanager. It lives in many of the same forests as the Yellow-eared Toucanet and, like that bird, seems to prefer staying in mature forest. It can be a tricky bird to see but lately, a pair has been frequenting a fruit feeder at a very accessible site.

Although they aren't readily known to make altitudinal movements, the rough weather could be driving this beauty to more accessible feeding situations such as feeders and forest edge. It's not ideal for the birds but it does make them easier to see.

Lovely Cotinga?

No, we haven't been seeing many of these fancy rarities but, it's worth mentioning why now might be a good time to see one. In Costa Rica, Lovely Cotingas have been known to migrate to lower elevations, especially in cool and wet weather. With that in mind, there's a very good chance that small numbers are in much more accessible areas than we usually see them.

It's a matter of finding them and we'll be looking! We'll check figs and any other fruiting trees in Caribbean foothill and lowlands sites, especially if other birds are present.

Coming to Costa Rica soon? Thinking of planning a spur of the moment birding trip? Do it now and you'll have a better chance at the species mentioned above! Send us a message to learn more about seeing these and hundreds of other birds in Costa Rica.