Ringed Plover
February 2013 – Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
One of the many shorebirds that spend the winters down south. Smart birds.
Semipalmated Plover
Boat-billed Heron
Boat-billed Heron
February 2013 – Cahuita, Costa Rica
These are another unlikely-looking bird. The bill is neat, but I love the feet on this bird. A number of these were hanging out in the trees near the entrance to Cahuita National Park in the early morning.
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
If someone had described the Toucan without any evidence, I doubt it would be believed. There are a number of toucan species in Costa Rica, and I did see a couple others, but they zoomed by very quickly. This is the only one I was able to identify and photograph.
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
This Snowy Egret was wading in the shallows on Carate Beach, acting more like a sandpiper than an Egret… but, whatever works, I suppose!
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
This bird was bellowing in the early morning on a small island in a lagoon near Carate Beach.
Tricolored Heron
Tricolored Heron
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
There is a lagoon in the Carate Beach area, that comes within about 100 yards of the ocean. A good variety of herons and related birds probe the water’s edge in the early morning.
Tricolored Heron
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Red-legged Honeycreeper
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
These birds were seen regularly in the mid-canopy in the Carate Beach area. This image was taken along the trail in Corcovado National Park.
Cherrie’s Tanager
Cherrie’s Tanager
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
These striking birds are somewhat common in the Osa Peninsula, and many other parts of western Costa Rica. These were both near the Carate Beach area.
The second image can be a bit odd to look at. This is a view of the bird’s back, and his head is turned around.
The females of this species look quite different than the males.. they’re sort of a mottled orange and brown color – still very lovely, but not quite as striking.
Cherrie’s Tanager
Roadside Hawk
Roadside Hawk
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Yup, that’s the official name of this bird… To me, it’s like calling a sparrow “Brown Bird” or something. But, I will admit… I got this photo along the side of a road. So, I suppose there’s something to it.
Yellow-headed Caracara
Yellow-headed Caracara
February 2013 – Osa Peninsula
I know what you’re thinking… this bird does not have a yellow head. But, it’s a youngster… its plumage changes after the 2nd year. I do have other shots of the adult bird, but I like this one better with the palms… This was on Carate Beach.