List of birds of Costa Rica

Although Costa Rica is a small country, it is in the bird-rich neotropical region and has a huge number of species for its area. The official bird list published by the Costa Rican Rare Birds and Records Committee of the Asociación Ornitológica de Costa Rica (AOCR) contained 923 species as of July 2021.^[1]

Of those species, seven are endemic (three of which are found only on Cocos Island), 69 are rare or accidental, and four have been introduced by humans. Another 73 are near-endemic with ranges that include only Costa Rica and Panama. Twenty-seven species, including five of the seven endemics, are globally vulnerable or endangered.^[2] Over an area of 51,100 km², an area smaller than West Virginia, this is the greatest density of bird species of any continental American country. About 600 species are resident, with most of the other regular visitors being winter migrants from North America.

Costa Rica's geological formation played a large role in the diversification of avian species. North America and South America were initially separate continents, but millions of years of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions eventually fused the two continents together. When this happened, species from the north and south poured into the land bridge that became Central America. Birds like the hummingbird came from the south, while birds like the jay came from the north.^[3]

Part of the diversity stems from the wide array of habitats, which include mangrove swamps along the Pacific coast, the wet Caribbean coastal plain in the northeast, dry northern Pacific lowlands, and multiple mountain chains that form the spine of the country and rise as high as 3,500 m. These mountain chains, the largest of which is the Cordillera de Talamanca, form a geographical barrier that has enabled closely related but different species to develop on either side of the chain. A good example of this speciation is the white-collared manakin of the Caribbean side, which is now distinct from the orange-collared manakin of the Pacific slope.

In the past, higher sea levels left the mountains as highlands, and isolation again led to distinct species developing, with over thirty now endemic to the mountains, especially the Talamanca range which extends from southern Costa Rica into Panama.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).^[4] Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

Unless otherwise noted, all species on the list are considered to occur regularly in Costa Rica as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following tags have been used to highlight certain categories of occurrence:

• (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Costa Rica
• (R?) Residence uncertain - a species which might be resident
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Costa Rica
• (E-R) Regional endemic - a species found only in Costa Rica and Panama
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Costa Rica as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions

Tinamous[]

Order: Tinamiformes   Family: Tinamidae

The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of birds. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes) which includes the rheas, emu, and kiwis.

• Highland tinamou, Nothocercus bonapartei
• Great tinamou, Tinamus major
• Little tinamou, Crypturellus soui
• Thicket tinamou, Crypturellus cinnamomeus
• Slaty-breasted tinamou, Crypturellus boucardi

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Guans, chachalacas, and curassows[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Cracidae

The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments.

• Plain chachalaca, Ortalis vetula
• Gray-headed chachalaca, Ortalis cinereiceps
• Crested guan, Penelope purpurascens
• Black guan, Chamaepetes unicolor (E-R)
• Great curassow, Crax rubra (vulnerable)

New World quail[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quail are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.

• Tawny-faced quail, Rhynchortyx cinctus
• Buffy-crowned wood-partridge, Dendrortyx leucophrys
• Crested bobwhite, Colinus cristatus
• Marbled wood-quail, Odontophorus gujanensis
• Black-eared wood-quail, Odontophorus melanotis
• Black-breasted wood-quail, Odontophorus leucolaemus (E-R)
• Spotted wood-quail, Odontophorus guttatus

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

• Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (A)

Pigeons and doves[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

• Greater ani, Crotophaga major (A)
• Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani
• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris
• Striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia
• Pheasant cuckoo, Dromococcyx phasianellus
• Lesser ground-cuckoo, Morococcyx erythropygus
• Rufous-vented ground-cuckoo, Neomorphus geoffroyi
• Squirrel cuckoo, Piaya cayana
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Mangrove cuckoo, Coccyzus minor (R?)
• Cocos cuckoo, Coccyzus ferrugineus (E) (vulnerable)
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Nightjars and allies[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

• Short-tailed nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus
• Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Common pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis
• Ocellated poorwill, Nyctiphrynus ocellatus
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis
• Rufous nightjar, Antrostomus rufus
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus
• Dusky nightjar, Antrostomus saturatus (E-R)
• White-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis cayennensis

Oilbird[]

Order: Steatornithiformes   Family: Steatornithidae

The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird distantly related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.

• Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis

Potoos[]

Order: Nyctibiiformes   Family: Nyctibiidae

The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars.

• Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis
• Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus
• Northern potoo, Nyctibius jamaicensis

Swifts[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

• Black swift, Cypseloides niger (vulnerable)
• White-chinned swift, Cypseloides cryptus
• Spot-fronted swift, Cypseloides cherriei
• Chestnut-collared swift, Streptoprocne rutila
• White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
• Gray-rumped swift, Chaetura cinereiventris
• Costa Rican swift, Chaetura fumosa (E-R)
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (vulnerable)
• Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi
• Lesser swallow-tailed swift, Panyptila cayennensis
• Great swallow-tailed swift, Panyptila sanctihieronymi (A)

Hummingbirds[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.

• 

  Female gray-tailed mountain-gem

• 

  Male coppery-headed emerald, one of Costa Rica's endemics

• 

  Female green-crowned brilliant

• 

  Male volcano hummingbird

Rails, gallinules, and coots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Finfoots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

• Sungrebe, Heliornis fulica

Limpkin[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab-brown plumage and a grayer head and neck.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna

Thick-knees[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes, and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

• Double-striped thick-knee, Burhinus bistriatus

Stilts and avocets[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Oystercatchers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Plovers and lapwings[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

• Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (A)
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (A)
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia
• Collared plover, Charadrius collaris
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus

Jacanas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a family of waders which are found throughout the tropics. They 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.

• Northern jacana, Jacana spinosa
• Wattled jacana, Jacana jacana (A)

Sandpipers and allies[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

• 

  Long-billed dowitcher

• 

  Western sandpiper

• 

  Spotted sandpiper

Skuas and jaegers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

• South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (A)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, kittiwakes, terns, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

Sunbittern[]

Order: Eurypygiformes   Family: Eurypygidae

The sunbittern is a bittern-like bird of tropical regions of the Americas and the sole member of the family Eurypygidae (sometimes spelled Eurypigidae) and genus Eurypyga.

• Sunbittern, Eurypyga helias

Tropicbirds[]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans which have exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (A)
• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
• Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda (A)

Albatrosses[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

• Waved albatross, Phoebastria irrorata (A) (critically endangered)

Southern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's three species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina

Northern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (vulnerable)
• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (A)
• Wedge-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates tethys
• Black storm-petrel, Hydrobates melania
• Markham's storm-petrel, Hydrobates markhami
• Least storm-petrel, Hydrobates microsoma

Shearwaters and petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

• Black-capped petrel, Pterodroma hasitata (A)
• Galapagos petrel, Pterodroma phaeopygia (A) (critically endangered)
• Tahiti petrel, Pterodroma rostrata
• Parkinson's petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni (vulnerable)
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (A)
• Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacifica
• Short-tailed shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna grisea
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
• Pink-footed shearwater, Ardenna creatopus (vulnerable)
• Christmas shearwater, Puffinus nativitatis (A)
• Galapagos shearwater, Puffinus subalaris
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
• Black-vented shearwater, Puffinus opisthomelas (A)
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

• Maguari stork, Ciconia maguari (A)
• Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria
• Wood stork, Mycteria americana

Frigatebirds[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens
• Great frigatebird, Fregata minor

Boobies and gannets[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
• Nazca booby, Sula granti (R?)
• Blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii
• Peruvian booby, Sula variegata (A)
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula

Anhingas[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The anhingas have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Cormorants and shags[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful.

• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (A)
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons, egrets, and bitterns[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Ibises and spoonbills[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi
• Green ibis, Mesembrinibis cayennensis
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja

New World vultures[]

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion.

• King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa
• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
• Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes burrovianus

Osprey[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

Barn-owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Trogons[]

Order: Trogoniformes   Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.

• Lattice-tailed trogon, Trogon clathratus (E-R)
• Slaty-tailed trogon, Trogon massena
• Black-headed trogon, Trogon melanocephalus
• Baird's trogon, Trogon bairdii (E-R)
• Gartered trogon, Trogon caligatus
• Black-throated trogon, Trogon rufus
• Elegant trogon, Trogon elegans
• Collared trogon, Trogon collaris
• Resplendent quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno

Motmots[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Momotidae

The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft and creating a racket-shaped tail.

• Tody motmot, Hylomanes momotula
• Lesson's motmot, Momotus lessonii
• Rufous motmot, Baryphthengus martii
• Keel-billed motmot, Electron carinatum (vulnerable)
• Broad-billed motmot, Electron platyrhynchum
• Turquoise-browed motmot, Eumomota superciliosa

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

• Ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquatus
• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
• Amazon kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
• American pygmy kingfisher, Chloroceryle aenea
• Green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
• Green-and-rufous kingfisher, Chloroceryle inda

Puffbirds[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Bucconidae

The puffbirds are related to the jacamars and have the same range, but lack the iridescent colors of that family. They are mainly brown, rufous, or gray, with large heads and flattened bills with hooked tips. The loose abundant plumage and short tails makes them look stout and puffy, giving rise to the English common name of the family.

• White-necked puffbird, Notharchus hyperrhynchus
• Pied puffbird, Notharchus tectus
• White-whiskered puffbird, Malacoptila panamensis
• Lanceolated monklet, Micromonacha lanceolata
• White-fronted nunbird, Monasa morphoeus

Jacamars[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Galbulidae

The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America, with a range that extends up to Mexico. They feed on insects caught on the wing, and are glossy, elegant birds with long bills and tails. In appearance and behavior they resemble the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to puffbirds.

• Rufous-tailed jacamar, Galbula ruficauda
• Great jacamar, Jacamerops aureus

New World barbets[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Capitonidae

The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored.

• Red-headed barbet, Eubucco bourcierii

Toucan-barbets[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Semnornithidae

The toucan-barbets are birds of montane forests in the Neotropics. They are highly social and non-migratory.

• Prong-billed barbet, Semnornis frantzii (E-R)

Toucans[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Ramphastidae

Toucans are near passerine birds from the Neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colorful bills which in some species amount to half their body length.

• Northern emerald-toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
• Collared aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus
• Fiery-billed aracari, Pteroglossus frantzii (E-R)
• Yellow-eared toucanet, Selenidera spectabilis
• Keel-billed toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus
• Yellow-throated toucan, Ramphastos ambiguus

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

Falcons and caracaras[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

• Laughing falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans
• Barred forest-falcon, Micrastur ruficollis
• Slaty-backed forest-falcon, Micrastur mirandollei
• Collared forest-falcon, Micrastur semitorquatus
• Red-throated caracara, Ibycter americanus
• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus
• Yellow-headed caracara, Milvago chimachima
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Aplomado falcon, Falco femoralis
• Bat falcon, Falco rufigularis
• Orange-breasted falcon, Falco deiroleucus (R?)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

New World and African parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.

Manakins[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pipridae

The manakins are a family of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly colored, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries, and insects.

• Lance-tailed manakin, Chiroxiphia lanceolata
• Long-tailed manakin, Chiroxiphia linearis
• White-ruffed manakin, Corapipo altera
• Blue-crowned manakin, Lepidothrix coronata
• White-collared manakin, Manacus candei
• Orange-collared manakin, Manacus aurantiacus (E-R)
• White-crowned manakin, pseudopipra pipra
• Red-capped manakin, Ceratopipra mentalis

Cotingas[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly colored or decorated with plumes or wattles.

• Purple-throated fruitcrow, Querula purpurata
• Bare-necked umbrellabird, Cephalopterus glabricollis (E-R) (endangered)
• Lovely cotinga, Cotinga amabilis
• Turquoise cotinga, Cotinga ridgwayi (E-R) (vulnerable)
• Rufous piha, Lipaugus unirufus
• Three-wattled bellbird, Procnias tricarunculata (vulnerable)
• Yellow-billed cotinga, Carpodectes antoniae (E-R) (endangered)
• Snowy cotinga, Carpodectes nitidus

Tityras and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tityridae

Tityridae are suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The species in this family were formerly spread over the families Tyrannidae, Pipridae, and Cotingidae. They are small to medium-sized birds. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring.

• Northern schiffornis, Schiffornis veraepacis
• Speckled mourner, Laniocera rufescens
• Masked tityra, Tityra semifasciata
• Black-crowned tityra, Tityra inquisitor
• Barred becard, Pachyramphus versicolor
• Cinnamon becard, Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
• White-winged becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus
• Black-and-white becard, Pachyramphus albogriseus
• Rose-throated becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae

Sharpbill[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oxyruncidae

The sharpbill is a small bird of dense forests in Central and South America. It feeds mostly on fruit but also eats insects.

• Sharpbill, Oxyruncus cristatus

Royal flycatcher and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Onychorhynchidae

The members of this small family, created in 2018, were formerly considered to be tyrant flycatchers, family Tyrannidae.

• Royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus
• Ruddy-tailed flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus
• Sulphur-rumped flycatcher, Myiobius sulphureipygius
• Black-tailed flycatcher, Myiobius atricaudus

Tyrant flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

Gnateaters[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Conopophagidae

The members of this small family are found across northern South America and into Central America. They are forest birds, usually seen on the ground or in the low understory.

• Black-crowned antpitta, Pittasoma michleri

Typical antbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thamnophilidae

The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds which tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat small invertebrates that leave their hiding places to flee from the ants. Many species lack bright color, with brown, black, and white being the dominant tones.

Antpittas[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Grallariidae

Antpittas resemble the true pittas with strong, longish legs, very short tails, and stout bills.

• Scaled antpitta, Grallaria guatimalensis
• Streak-chested antpitta, Hylopezus perspicillatus
• Thicket antpitta, Hylopezus dives
• Ochre-breasted antpitta, Grallaricula flavirostris

Tapaculos[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhinocryptidae

The tapaculos are small suboscine passeriform birds with numerous species in South and Central America. They are terrestrial species that fly only poorly on their short wings. They have strong legs, well-suited to their habitat of grassland or forest undergrowth. The tail is cocked and pointed towards the head.

• Silvery-fronted tapaculo, Scytalopus argentifrons (E-R)

Antthrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Formicariidae

Antthrushes resemble small rails with strong, longish legs, very short tails, and stout bills.

• Black-faced antthrush, Formicarius analis
• Black-headed antthrush, Formicarius nigricapillus
• Rufous-breasted antthrush, Formicarius rufipectus

Ovenbirds and woodcreepers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Furnariidae

Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. The woodcreepers are brownish birds which maintain an upright vertical posture supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks.

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood warblers apart from their heavier bills.

Crows, jays, and magpies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

• Silvery-throated jay, Cyanolyca argentigula (E-R)
• Azure-hooded jay, Cyanolyca cucullata
• White-throated magpie-jay, Calocitta formosa
• Brown jay, Psilorhinus morio
• Black-chested jay, Cyanocorax affinis

Swallows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
• Mangrove swallow, Tachycineta albilinea
• Blue-and-white swallow, Pygochelidon cyanoleuca
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Southern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
• Brown-chested martin, Progne tapera
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Gray-breasted martin, Progne chalybea
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva (A)

Waxwings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.

• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Silky-flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ptiliogonatidae

The silky-flycatchers are a small family of passerine birds which occur mainly in Central America, although the range of one species extends to central California. They are related to waxwings and like that group have soft silky plumage, usually gray or pale yellow. They have small crests.

• Black-and-yellow silky-flycatcher, Phainoptila melanoxantha (E-R)
• Long-tailed silky-flycatcher, Ptiliogonys caudatus (E-R)

Gnatcatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, which nest in bushes or trees.

• Long-billed gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus
• Tawny-faced gnatwren, Microbates cinereiventris
• White-browed gnatcatcher, Polioptila bilineata
• White-lored gnatcatcher, Polioptila albiloris

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

Mockingbirds and thrashers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their coloring tends towards dull-grays and browns.

• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Tropical mockingbird, Mimus gilvus

Dippers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements.

• American dipper, Cinclus mexicanus

Thrushes and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

• Black-faced solitaire, Myadestes melanops (E-R)
• Black-billed nightingale-thrush, Catharus gracilirostris (E-R)
• Orange-billed nightingale-thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris
• Slaty-backed nightingale-thrush, Catharus fuscater
• Ruddy-capped nightingale-thrush, Catharus frantzii
• Black-headed nightingale-thrush, Catharus mexicanus
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina
• Sooty thrush, Turdus nigrescens (E-R)
• Mountain thrush, Turdus plebejus
• Pale-vented thrush, Turdus obsoletus
• Clay-colored thrush, Turdus grayi
• White-throated thrush, Turdus assimilis

Waxbills and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.

• Tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca (I)

Old World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Wagtails and pipits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens (A)

Finches, euphonias, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

• Elegant euphonia, Chlorophonia elegantissima
• Golden-browed chlorophonia, Chlorophonia callophrys (E-R)
• Scrub euphonia, Euphonia affinis
• Yellow-crowned euphonia, Euphonia luteicapilla
• White-vented euphonia, Euphonia minuta
• Yellow-throated euphonia, Euphonia hirundinacea
• Thick-billed euphonia, Euphonia laniirostris
• Spot-crowned euphonia, Euphonia imitans (E-R)
• Olive-backed euphonia, Euphonia gouldi
• Tawny-capped euphonia, Euphonia anneae
• Yellow-bellied siskin, Spinus xanthogastra
• Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria

Thrush-tanager[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhodinocichlidae

This species was historically placed in family Thraupidae. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Rosy thrush-tanager, Rhodinocichla rosea

New World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns.

Wrenthrush[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Zeledoniidae

Despite its name, this species is neither a wren nor a thrush, and is not closely related to either family. It was moved from the New World warblers (Parulidae) and placed in its own family in 2017.

• Wrenthrush, Zeledonia coronata (E-R)

Yellow-breasted chat[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the New World warblers but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

New World warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae

The New World warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

Cardinals and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

Microspingid tanagers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mitrospingidae

The members of this small family were previously included in Thraupidae ("true" tanagers). They were placed in this new family in 2017.

• Dusky-faced tanager, Mitrospingus cassinii

Tanagers and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. As a family they are omnivorous, but individual species specialize in eating fruits, seeds, insects, or other types of food. Most have short, rounded wings.

• 

  Blue-gray tanager

• 

  Crimson-collared tanager

• 

  Blue dacnis

• 

  Bananaquit

• 

  Green honeycreeper

• 

  Variable seedeater

• 

  Slaty flowerpiercer

See also[]

• List of amphibians of Costa Rica
• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region
• List of mammals of Costa Rica
• List of non-marine molluscs of Costa Rica
• List of reptiles of Costa Rica

References[]

External links[]

• Birdlist.org: Birds of Costa Rica - World Institute for Conservation and Environment
• https://listaoficialavesdecostarica.wordpress.com/