Let’s Talk About Birds

Let’s Talk About the Northern Jacana

June 10, 2020

The jacanas are a group of wetland birds, which are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. In Jamaica this bird is also known as

Let's Talk About Birds

Let’s Talk About the Great Potoo

March 11, 2020

Much like owls, this species is nocturnal. They prey on large insects and small vertebrates, which they capture in sallies from high perches. Possibly its most well-known characteristic is its unique moaning growl that the Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis) vocalizes throughout the night, creating an unsettling atmosphere in the Neotropics

Guest Writer Let's Talk About Birds

Let’s Talk About Trogons

February 3, 2020

The fossil record of the Trogons dates back 49 million years to the Early Eocene. They are closely related to Mousebirds and Owls. The word trogon is Greek for “nibbling” and refers to the fact that these birds gnaw holes in trees to make their nests. Trogons are residents of

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s Talk About the Costa Rican Pygmy Owl

January 18, 2020

By Paul Gerace Costa Rican Pygmy Owls hunt from a low perch in dense forest. They wait for small prey, usually birds, lizards, or large insects, and then strikes in swift flight. If the target is missed, the bird returns to perch rather than pursuing. Like other pygmy owls, they

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s Talk About the Crested Caracara

December 26, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Crested Caracara has broad wings and a long tail that is white in color with a broad terminal band and black barring. With the help of long yellow legs it can easily run and walk on the ground. This bird normally stays low to the ground

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s Talk About the Bare-Throated Tiger Heron

November 29, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Bare-Throated Tiger Heron is one of 12 different types of “herons” in Costa Rica. This one is identified by its bare yellow throat skin and its black cap. They are widespread coastal birds and can be seen in our area around marshes, lagoons, swamps, and mangroves.

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s Talk about the SnowCap Hummingbird

October 25, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Snowcap is a very unique looking hummingbird. The male and female are very different in appearance. The male has a dark body and a deep purple and bronze iridescence to its feathers. The female is more white with some metallic green and bronze. But it’s only

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s Talk about the Golden-Hooded Tanager

July 21, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Golden-Hooded tanager has a very wide range of distribution. It can be found as far north as southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and down through Colombia. They are distinguished by their golden hoods and beautiful blue and black feathers. Golden-Hooded tanagers like to eat fruit and

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Emerald Toucanet

June 8, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Emerald Toucanet is the smallest of the 6 toucan species found here in Costa Rica. It also has the shortest bill. It’s a very colorful bird with shades of green including emerald, grass, and olive. Other colors displayed are red, blues, chestnut, yellow, & white. The

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Yellow-Throated Toucan

April 14, 2019

By Paul Gerace I can’t think of another bird that I was more excited to see during my first trip to Costa Rica than the Yellow-Throated Toucan. It is one of 6 different types of toucan species found throughout Costa Rica and one of two that can be found in

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Lineated Woodpecker

March 22, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Lineated Woodpecker is a large woodpecker with a very distinctive red crest. It is found all throughout our area and it’s habitat ranges from Mexico down to South America. You can often hear it pecking away at old trees as it looks for ants and other

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Red-Headed Barbet

February 26, 2019

The Red-Headed Barbet is a very colorful bird found in the humid mountainous forests of Costa Rica. It has a wide range that also includes Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This is another one of those bird species that shows a very different color pattern between the male and female.

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird

January 18, 2019

By Paul Gerace The Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird is one of the most common hummingbirds seen here in Costa Rica. It is named after its very distinct rufous colored tail. It has a very pink bill and a bright green body that appears to glitter when the sunlight hits it just right.

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Resplendent Quetzal

December 28, 2018

By Paul Gerace One of the most colorful birds found here in Costa Rica is also a personal favorite of mine. The Resplendent Quetzal has iridescent feathers that can show colors of green, cobalt blue, lime, yellow, and ultramarine. It’s body can appear green, gold, or blue-violet also depending on

Let's Talk About Birds Paul Gerace

Let’s talk about the Montezuma Oropendula

November 25, 2018

By Paul Gerace One of the more interesting birds found in our area is the Montezuma Oropendola. When you hear its call there will be no doubt about what it is. The sound is a very strange kind of gurgling. This class of bird is aptly named for the golden