This incredibly beautiful bird is blending so well with its environment that it can be in a tree right in front of you and you will still miss it. When perched it will sit still and only slowly move its head around to assess its surroundings, and its gorgeous long tail feathers will sway with […]
A female quetzal consuming a freshly picked fruit from the tree nearby. In the early morning it does this trip to-and-fro several times until satisfied, and then perhaps return in the evening or next morning. The resplendent quetzal is blending in so well with its environment that it can be in a tree right in […]
One of the larger species of hummingbird, here seen in an orchard of several species of fruit trees as the daylight is fading. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2268 meters
One of the larger species of hummingbird, here seen in an orchard of several species of fruit trees. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2252 meters
A sip of nectar from one of a large number of fuchsia species found in Costa Rica. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2268 meters
A fitting name and clearly seen here against its otherwise green plumage. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2268 meters
On occasion there might be a few hummingbirds feeding at the same time on a given flower, but that is usually a very brief moment in time, as many are territorial and will swoop in to chase them off. The on on the left is the woodnymph. It sounds like this: Crowned Woodnymph: White-necked Jacobin:
A large hummingbird with a distinct hum from its large wings. Its visit to feeders is very brief and sporadic so it’s harder to photograph than many of the other hummers. It sounds like this:
Capturing a hummingbird perched for a prolonged time is not easy nor predictable as they perch only for brief moments between feeding and squabbling over territory. It sounds like this:
The crowned woodnympth is a common visitor to feeders in Costa Rica. It sounds like this:
The white-necked jacobin is a common visitor to feeders in Costa Rica. It sounds like this:
A wonderful encounter thanks to a local bird lover that knows where to find them. They are easily heard during night, but as with most owls hard to see during the day. This pair was quite active, and soon after this picture one took to the wings for a perch nearby. The individual to the […]
This is one of the larger species of hummingbird. It sounds like this:
A curious individual looking for food at a feeding station at private home that has understood that wild animals should always be wild. As such this individual will roam free to visit whenever it likes, instead of being locked up in a cage for its remaining life. Parakeets and parrots are some of the most […]
Oropendolas are omnivores and will frequent any feeding station with fruits. They are expert weavers and their hanging nests will dangle violently in strong winds, but rarely fail for the experienced builders. Their courtship vocalization not as impressive and distinct as that of the Montezuma oropendula. It sounds like this:
This is one of the larger species of hummingbird frequenting feeding stations. Here it’s taking a break from the high-energy chases of other hummers perceived to be competitors. It sounds like this:
An opportunistic and inquisitive individual looking for tidbits on a feeding station at Selva Verde Lodge. They are excellent weavers and make hanging nests that will withstand gusts from any thunderstorm, but perhaps their most peculiar and intriguing trait is their song during courting. It sounds like this:
A female foraging for food at a feeding station offering various types of fruits. It sounds like this:
A species preferring dense thickets and forest, here venturing out to the edge where it found some tidbits on the feeding station of Selva Verde Lodge. It sounds like this:
A common bird frequenting feeding stations where fruit is found. This is the male of the species. It sounds like this:
A common bird frequenting feeding stations where fruit is found. This is the female of the species. It sounds like this:
A common species in Costa Rica, and a frequent visitor to easy meals provided by humans – just like the squirrels in Europe and North America, except it is not a hoarder. There are several subspecies and a great variety of coloration. This one is one with a uniform coloration, but some stand out with […]
A common and opportunistic bird that gladly eats from human feeding stations during its daily rounds in its range. It sounds like this:
Tender love between a pair of Scarlet macaws in Costa Rica where they should be – in the wild. Watching these magnificent birds in the wild is amazing, even more so when they in some places come regularly to feed on handouts from humans and are thus so comfortable around humans that they will land […]
Soaked in rain this individual is taking a short break on a heliconia inflorescense. It sounds like this:
This bronze-tailed plumeleteer is taking a short braeak on its favourite perch – the tip of a heliconia inflorescense. It sounds like this:
A beautiful species with a very unique vocalization that adds depth and mystery to the myriads of songs in the forest. Sometimes it will rhythmically move the tail like a pendulum in a clock. It sounds like this:
A brief moment of togetherness. Birds are constantly on the move and capturing them sitting seemingly together is not straightforward, and would have been a very brief situation in a movie. I caught them during a foraging in a downpour, which made everything wet and messy. It sounds like this:
One of the 6 incredibly beautiful toucan species in Costa Rica, and one that happily eats human offerings like bananas, and here it has a sizable chunk on its way down the hatch. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
Oropendolas are omnivores and will frequent any feeding station with fruits. They are expert weavers and their hanging nests will dangle violently in strong winds, but rarely fail for the experienced builders. Their courtship vocalization not as impressive and distinct as that of the Montezuma oropendula. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
Imagine the world without vultures! Most see vultures as dirty and unpleasant, but the fact is that without them decaying flesh of all species would contaminate their surroundings and ground water with countless diseases. Humans are far less efficient in dealing with this, than vultures. Yet humanity has failed them in a profound way, perhaps […]
Imagine the world without vultures! Most see vultures as dirty and unpleasant, but the fact is that without them decaying flesh of all species would contaminate their surroundings and ground water with countless diseases. Humans are far less efficient in dealing with this, than vultures. Yet humanity has failed them in a profound way, perhaps […]
A clever, opportunistic omnivore often seen perched high as seen here, surveying the land for food. It will jump at any opportunity, even if it means stealing a catch from someone else. It will happily eat carrion, eggs, reptiles and fruits. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
A female foraging for fruits. Its plumage ensures it blends perfectly with the foliage, and is best seen if you offer fruits or have a preferred fruiting tree in your gardern. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
A spotty plumage reveals this is a male juvenile of the species. It’s a common species in its range and is a frequent visitor of the fruiting trees as well as to the feeding stations offering fruits of choice. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
A female foraging for fruit and not easily seen when doing so in the canopy. But here it’s out in the open, tempted by delicious fruits handed out by humans. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
A small bird blending perfectly with the foliage of the canopy where it forages for fruits. The best way to get up close is to offer a selection of fruits in the garden. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
Opposed to the bland plumage of the female, which might look like a different species altogether, the male is unmistakeble. A common species in its range and a frequent visitor to human offerings of fruits and feeding stations and fruiting trees. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
When people think of tanagers they think of brightly colored birds, but some are drab and inconspicuous and named as such. They are equally attracted to fruiting trees and handouts in people’s gardens. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
As with most bird species, the female is inconspicuous and bland compared to the male, and more often than not the species is also named after the male. This species is a frequent visitor to feeding stations when they offer fruits, and to fruiting trees in gardens. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
Tanagers are beautifully colored bird species, and golden-hooded tanager is no exception. Fortunately many of them will gladly feast on human handouts like bananas and papaya so we can sit back and enjoy their behavior. It sounds like this: Elevation: 73 meters
A beautiful male, foraging on the lawn of La Laguna Del Lagarte Lodge with several other individuals, looking for fallen fruits or up in the trees. One of the females came back and continued eating off of what seemed like unripe plantains. They have a beautiful head plume that is erected when excited but their […]
One of several species of Toucan found in Costa Rica. If you have papaya or bananas growing or laying around, they will definitely come. It sounds like this:
One of the 6 incredibly beautiful toucan species in Costa Rica, and one that happily eats human offerings like fruits. They have a diverse menu, ranging from insects, reptiles, amphibians, eggs to all kinds of fruit species. Being fruit eaters, they are important seed dispersers, and as such one of many species upholding the diversity […]