↑COSTA RICA
COSTA RICA↑

TARGETS
SPECIALTIES

OSA PENINSULA

COSTA RICA
LOCALE

# Species:365
# Excl Vagrants:365
# Endemics:3
# Near Endemics:17
Habitat: Subtropical forest

BIRD CHECKLIST

The table below lists species recorded at this locale but does not indicate frequency of occurrence there. It does indicate whether each species is globally threatened or endangered according to the IUCN and also whether it is migratory, very rare, or accidental in the country. The list is based on available data and may be incomplete.*

color codes

 
Tinamous: Tinamidae

1Great TinamouTinamus major
2Little TinamouCrypturellus soui

 
Ducks: Anatidae

3Black-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalis
4Muscovy DuckCairina moschata
5/Lesser Scaup/Aythya affinis

 
Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows: Cracidae

6Gray-headed ChachalacaOrtalis cinereiceps
7Crested GuanPenelope purpurascens
8Great CurassowCrax rubra

 
New World Quail: Odontophoridae

9Crested BobwhiteColinus cristatus
10Marbled Wood-QuailOdontophorus gujanensis

 
Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae

11Pale-vented PigeonPatagioenas cayennensis
12Red-billed PigeonPatagioenas flavirostris
13Short-billed PigeonPatagioenas nigrirostris
14Ruddy Ground DoveColumbina talpacoti
15Blue Ground DoveClaravis pretiosa
16Ruddy Quail-DoveGeotrygon montana
17White-tipped DoveLeptotila verreauxi
18Gray-chested DoveLeptotila cassinii

 
Cuckoos: Cuculidae

19Smooth-billed AniCrotophaga ani
20\Striped Cuckoo\Tapera naevia
21Squirrel CuckooPiaya cayana
22/Mangrove Cuckoo/Coccyzus minor

 
Nightjars and Allies: Caprimulgidae

23Lesser NighthawkChordeiles acutipennis
24Short-tailed NighthawkLurocalis semitorquatus
25Common PauraqueNyctidromus albicollis
26White-tailed NightjarHydropsalis cayennensis

 
Potoos: Nyctibiidae

27Common PotooNyctibius griseus

 
Swifts: Apodidae

28Black SwiftCypseloides niger
29White-collared SwiftStreptoprocne zonaris
30Costa Rican SwiftChaetura fumosa
31Lesser Swallow-tailed SwiftPanyptila cayennensis

 
Hummingbirds: Trochilidae

32White-necked JacobinFlorisuga mellivora
33White-tipped SicklebillEutoxeres aquila
34Bronzy HermitGlaucis aeneus
35Band-tailed BarbthroatThrenetes ruckeri
36Long-billed HermitPhaethornis longirostris
37Stripe-throated HermitPhaethornis striigularis
38Purple-crowned FairyHeliothryx barroti
39Green-breasted MangoAnthracothorax prevostii
40&White-crested CoquettelLophornis adorabilis
41Long-billed StarthroatHeliomaster longirostris
42Garden EmeraldChlorostilbon assimilis
43Violet-headed HummingbirdKlais guimeti
44Violet SabrewingCampylopterus hemileucurus
45Crowned WoodnymphThalurania colombica
46Scaly-breasted HummingbirdPhaeochroa cuvierii
47Rufous-tailed HummingbirdAmazilia tzacatl
48Mangrove HummingbirdChrysuronia boucardi
49Charming HummingbirdPolyerata decora
50Blue-throated GoldentailChlorestes eliciae

 
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae

51Paint-billed CrakeMustelirallus erythrops
52Uniform CrakeAmaurolimnas concolor
53Gray-cowled Wood-RailAramides cajaneus
54Purple GallinulePorphyrio martinica
55White-throated CrakeLaterallus albigularis

 
Finfoots: Heliornithidae

56SungrebeHeliornis fulica

 
Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostridae

57Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus

 
Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae

58American OystercatcherHaematopus palliatus

 
Plovers and Lapwings: Charadriidae

59/Black-bellied Plover/Pluvialis squatarola
60|American Golden-Plover|Pluvialis dominica
61/Semipalmated Plover/Charadrius semipalmatus
62Wilson's PloverAnarhynchus wilsonia
63Collared PloverAnarhynchus collaris

 
Jacanas: Jacanidae

64Northern JacanaJacana spinosa

 
Sandpipers and Allies: Scolopacidae

65WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus
66Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanus
67/Short-billed Dowitcher/Limnodromus griseus
68|Red-necked Phalarope|Phalaropus lobatus
69Spotted SandpiperActitis macularius
70/Solitary Sandpiper/Tringa solitaria
71|Wandering Tattler|Tringa incana
72/Lesser Yellowlegs/Tringa flavipes
73WilletTringa semipalmata
74/Greater Yellowlegs/Tringa melanoleuca
75/Ruddy Turnstone/Arenaria interpres
76/Sanderling/Calidris alba
77/Least Sandpiper/Calidris minutilla
78/Western Sandpiper/Calidris mauri
79/Semipalmated Sandpiper/Calidris pusilla

 
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Laridae

80Laughing GullLeucophaeus atricilla
81/Black Skimmer/Rynchops niger
82Brown NoddyAnous stolidus
83Royal TernThalasseus maximus

 
Grebes: Podicipedidae

84Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus

 
Storks: Ciconiidae

85Wood StorkMycteria americana

 
Frigatebirds: Fregatidae

86Magnificent FrigatebirdFregata magnificens

 
Boobies and Gannets: Sulidae

87Red-footed BoobySula sula
88Brown BoobySula leucogaster
89Masked BoobySula dactylatra

 
Anhingas: Anhingidae

90AnhingaAnhinga anhinga

 
Cormorants and Shags: Phalacrocoracidae

91Neotropic CormorantNannopterum brasilianus

 
Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae

92White IbisEudocimus albus
93Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajaja

 
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: Ardeidae

94Bare-throated Tiger-HeronTigrisoma mexicanum
95Boat-billed HeronCochlearius cochlearius
96Agami HeronAgamia agami
97Yellow-crowned Night HeronNyctanassa violacea
98/Little Blue Heron/Egretta caerulea
99/Tricolored Heron/Egretta tricolor
100Snowy EgretEgretta thula
101Green HeronButorides virescens
102Western Cattle-EgretBubulcus ibis
103Great EgretArdea alba
104/Great Blue Heron/Ardea herodias

 
Pelicans: Pelecanidae

105Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalis

 
New World Vultures: Cathartidae

106King VultureSarcoramphus papa
107Black VultureCoragyps atratus
108Turkey VultureCathartes aura
109Lesser Yellow-headed VultureCathartes burrovianus

 
Osprey: Pandionidae

110/Osprey/Pandion haliaetus

 
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites: Accipitridae

111Pearl KiteGampsonyx swainsonii
112White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus
113Hook-billed KiteChondrohierax uncinatus
114Gray-headed KiteLeptodon cayanensis
115Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatus
116Black Hawk-EagleSpizaetus tyrannus
117Ornate Hawk-EagleSpizaetus ornatus
118Black-and-white Hawk-EagleSpizaetus melanoleucus
119Crested EagleMorphnus guianensis
120Harpy EagleHarpia harpyja
121Bicolored HawkAstur bicolor
122Tiny HawkMicrospizias superciliosus
123Double-toothed KiteHarpagus bidentatus
124Crane HawkGeranospiza caerulescens
125Black-collared HawkBusarellus nigricollis
126Snail KiteRostrhamus sociabilis
127Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus
128Savanna HawkButeogallus meridionalis
129Great Black HawkButeogallus urubitinga
130Solitary EagleButeogallus solitarius
131Roadside HawkRupornis magnirostris
132White-tailed HawkGeranoaetus albicaudatus
133White HawkPseudastur albicollis
134Gray HawkButeo plagiatus
135/Broad-winged Hawk/Buteo platypterus
136Short-tailed HawkButeo brachyurus
137|Swainson's Hawk|Buteo swainsoni
138Zone-tailed HawkButeo albonotatus
139Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis

 
Barn-Owls: Tytonidae

140Western Barn OwlTyto alba

 
Owls: Strigidae

141Crested OwlLophostrix cristata
142Spectacled OwlPulsatrix perspicillata
143Mottled OwlStrix virgata
144Black-and-white OwlStrix nigrolineata
145Striped OwlAsio clamator

 
Trogons: Trogonidae

146Slaty-tailed TrogonTrogon massena
147Black-headed TrogonTrogon melanocephalus
148Baird's TrogonTrogon bairdii
149Gartered TrogonTrogon caligatus
150Northern Black-throated TrogonTrogon tenellus

 
Motmots: Momotidae

151Lesson's MotmotMomotus lessonii

 
Kingfishers: Alcedinidae

152Ringed KingfisherMegaceryle torquata
153/Belted Kingfisher/Megaceryle alcyon
154Amazon KingfisherChloroceryle amazona
155American Pygmy KingfisherChloroceryle aenea
156Green KingfisherChloroceryle americana

 
Puffbirds: Bucconidae

157White-necked PuffbirdNotharchus hyperrhynchus
158White-whiskered PuffbirdMalacoptila panamensis

 
Jacamars: Galbulidae

159Rufous-tailed JacamarGalbula ruficauda

 
Toucans: Ramphastidae

160Fiery-billed AracariPteroglossus frantzii
161Yellow-throated ToucanRamphastos ambiguus
162Keel-billed ToucanRamphastos sulfuratus

 
Woodpeckers: Picidae

163Olivaceous PiculetPicumnus olivaceus
164Golden-naped WoodpeckerMelanerpes chrysauchen
165Red-crowned WoodpeckerMelanerpes rubricapillus
166Smoky-brown WoodpeckerDryobates fumigatus
167Pale-billed WoodpeckerCampephilus guatemalensis
168Lineated WoodpeckerDryocopus lineatus
169Rufous-winged WoodpeckerPiculus simplex

 
Falcons and Caracaras: Falconidae

170Laughing FalconHerpetotheres cachinnans
171Collared Forest-FalconMicrastur semitorquatus
172Barred Forest-FalconMicrastur ruficollis
173Crested CaracaraCaracara cheriway
174Red-throated CaracaraIbycter americanus
175Yellow-headed CaracaraDaptrius chimachima
176Bat FalconFalco rufigularis
177/Peregrine Falcon/Falco peregrinus

 
Parrots: Psittacidae

178Red-fronted ParrotletTouit costaricensis
179Orange-chinned ParakeetBrotogeris jugularis
180Brown-hooded ParrotPyrilia haematotis
181Blue-headed ParrotPionus menstruus
182White-crowned ParrotPionus senilis
183Red-lored AmazonAmazona autumnalis
184Mealy AmazonAmazona farinosa
185Scarlet MacawAra macao
186Crimson-fronted ParakeetPsittacara finschi

 
Typical Antbirds: Thamnophilidae

187Great AntshrikeTaraba major
188Black-hooded AntshrikeThamnophilus bridgesi
189Russet AntshrikeThamnistes anabatinus
190Plain AntvireoDysithamnus mentalis
191Slaty AntwrenMyrmotherula schisticolor
192Dot-winged AntwrenMicrorhopias quixensis
193Dusky AntbirdCercomacroides tyrannina
194Bare-crowned AntbirdGymnocichla nudiceps
195Chestnut-backed AntbirdPoliocrania exsul
196Bicolored AntbirdGymnopithys bicolor

 
Antpittas: Grallariidae

197Streak-chested AntpittaHylopezus perspicillatus

 
Antthrushes: Formicariidae

198Black-faced AntthrushFormicarius analis
199Rufous-breasted AntthrushFormicarius rufipectus

 
Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers: Furnariidae

200Scaly-throated LeaftosserSclerurus guatemalensis
201Piping WoodcreeperDeconychura typica
202Tawny-winged WoodcreeperDendrocincla anabatina
203Plain-brown WoodcreeperDendrocincla fuliginosa
204Wedge-billed WoodcreeperGlyphorynchus spirurus
205Northern Barred-WoodcreeperDendrocolaptes sanctithomae
206Strong-billed WoodcreeperXiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
207Cocoa WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus susurrans
208Black-striped WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus lachrymosus
209Spotted WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus erythropygius
210Brown-billed ScythebillCampylorhamphus pusillus
211Streak-headed WoodcreeperLepidocolaptes souleyetii
212Northern Plain-XenopsXenops mexicanus
213Chiriqui Foliage-gleanerAutomolus exsertus
214Western WoodhaunterAutomolus virgatus
215Pale-breasted SpinetailSynallaxis albescens
216Slaty SpinetailSynallaxis brachyura

 
Manakins: Pipridae

217White-ruffed ManakinCorapipo altera
218Velvety ManakinLepidothrix velutina
219Orange-collared ManakinManacus aurantiacus
220Red-capped ManakinCeratopipra mentalis

 
Cotingas: Cotingidae

221&Turquoise CotingalCotinga ridgwayi
222Rufous PihaLipaugus unirufus
223Three-wattled BellbirdProcnias tricarunculatus
224&Yellow-billed CotingalCarpodectes antoniae

 
Tityras and Allies: Tityridae

225Black-crowned TityraTityra inquisitor
226Masked TityraTityra semifasciata
227Ruddy-tailed FlycatcherTerenotriccus erythrurus
228Northern SchiffornisSchiffornis veraepacis
229Cinnamon BecardPachyramphus cinnamomeus
230White-winged BecardPachyramphus polychopterus
231Rose-throated BecardPachyramphus aglaiae

 
Royal Flycatchers and Allies: Onychorhynchus

232Tropical Royal-FlycatcherOnychorhynchus coronatus
233Sulphur-rumped FlycatcherMyiobius sulphureipygius
234Black-tailed FlycatcherMyiobius atricaudus

 
Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae

235Golden-crowned SpadebillPlatyrinchus coronatus
236Ochre-bellied FlycatcherMionectes oleagineus
237Scale-crested Pygmy-TyrantLophotriccus pileatus
238Northern BentbillOncostoma cinereigulare
239Slate-headed Tody-FlycatcherPoecilotriccus sylvia
240Common Tody-FlycatcherTodirostrum cinereum
241Eye-ringed FlatbillRhynchocyclus brevirostris
242Yellow-olive FlatbillTolmomyias sulphurescens
243Southern Beardless-TyrannuletCamptostoma obsoletum
244Yellow-bellied TyrannuletOrnithion semiflavum
245Yellow TyrannuletCapsiempis flaveola
246Yellow-bellied ElaeniaElaenia flavogaster
247Lesser ElaeniaElaenia chiriquensis
248Mistletoe TyrannuletZimmerius parvus
249|Olive-sided Flycatcher|Contopus cooperi
250Northern Tropical PeweeContopus bogotensis
251|Eastern Wood-Pewee|Contopus virens
252/Yellow-bellied Flycatcher/Empidonax flaviventris
253Bright-rumped AttilaAttila spadiceus
254Rufous MournerRhytipterna holerythra
255Dusky-capped FlycatcherMyiarchus tuberculifer
256Panama FlycatcherMyiarchus panamensis
257/Great Crested Flycatcher/Myiarchus crinitus
258Brown-crested FlycatcherMyiarchus tyrannulus
259Great KiskadeePitangus sulphuratus
260Boat-billed FlycatcherMegarynchus pitangua
261Social FlycatcherMyiozetetes similis
262Gray-capped FlycatcherMyiozetetes granadensis
263Streaked FlycatcherMyiodynastes maculatus
264Sulphur-bellied FlycatcherMyiodynastes luteiventris
265(Piratic Flycatcher)Legatus leucophaius
266Tropical KingbirdTyrannus melancholicus
267/Western Kingbird/Tyrannus verticalis
268|Eastern Kingbird|Tyrannus tyrannus
269/Scissor-tailed Flycatcher/Tyrannus forficatus
270Fork-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus savana

 
Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis: Vireonidae

271Scrub GreenletHylophilus flavipes
272Green Shrike-VireoVireolanius pulchellus
273Tawny-crowned GreenletTunchironis ochraceiceps
274Lesser GreenletPachysilvia decurtata
275/Yellow-throated Vireo/Vireo flavifrons
276/Philadelphia Vireo/Vireo philadelphicus
277|Red-eyed Vireo|Vireo olivaceus
278Yellow-green VireoVireo flavoviridis

 
Swallows: Hirundinidae

279Mangrove SwallowTachycineta albilinea
280|Purple Martin|Progne subis
281Gray-breasted MartinProgne chalybea
282Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis
283Southern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx ruficollis
284/Barn Swallow/Hirundo rustica
285|Cliff Swallow|Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

 
Gnatcatchers: Polioptilidae

286Long-billed GnatwrenRamphocaenus melanurus
287White-browed GnatcatcherPolioptila bilineata

 
Wrens: Troglodytidae

288Scaly-breasted WrenMicrocerculus marginatus
289Southern House WrenTroglodytes musculus
290Black-bellied WrenPheugopedius fasciatoventris
291Rufous-breasted WrenPheugopedius rutilus
292Isthmian WrenCantorchilus elutus
293Riverside WrenCantorchilus semibadius

 
Thrushes and Allies: Turdidae

294|Gray-cheeked Thrush|Catharus minimus
295|Swainson's Thrush|Catharus ustulatus
296/Wood Thrush/Hylocichla mustelina
297White-throated ThrushTurdus assimilis
298Clay-colored ThrushTurdus grayi

 
Old World Sparrows: Passeridae

299House SparrowPasser domesticus

 
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies: Fringillidae

300Yellow-crowned EuphoniaEuphonia luteicapilla
301White-vented EuphoniaEuphonia minuta
302Thick-billed EuphoniaEuphonia laniirostris
303Spot-crowned EuphoniaEuphonia imitans

 
New World Sparrows: Passerellidae

304Black-striped SparrowArremonops conirostris
305Costa Rican BrushfinchArremon costaricensis
306Orange-billed SparrowArremon aurantiirostris

 
Troupials and Allies: Icteridae

307Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna
308Red-breasted MeadowlarkLeistes militaris
309Yellow-billed CaciqueAmblycercus holosericeus
310Chestnut-headed OropendolaPsarocolius wagleri
311Scarlet-rumped CaciqueCacicus uropygialis
312/Baltimore Oriole/Icterus galbula
313Shiny CowbirdMolothrus bonariensis
314Bronzed CowbirdMolothrus aeneus
315Giant CowbirdMolothrus oryzivorus
316Melodious BlackbirdDives dives
317Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus

 
New World Warblers: Parulidae

318/Ovenbird/Seiurus aurocapilla
319/Northern Waterthrush/Parkesia noveboracensis
320/Golden-winged Warbler/Vermivora chrysoptera
321Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta varia
322/Tennessee Warbler/Leiothlypis peregrina
323Gray-crowned YellowthroatGeothlypis poliocephala
324/Mourning Warbler/Geothlypis philadelphia
325/Kentucky Warbler/Geothlypis formosa
326/Common Yellowthroat/Geothlypis trichas
327/Hooded Warbler/Setophaga citrina
328/American Redstart/Setophaga ruticilla
329Tropical ParulaSetophaga pitiayumi
330/Yellow Warbler/Setophaga petechia
331/Chestnut-sided Warbler/Setophaga pensylvanica
332Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striata
333Prairie WarblerSetophaga discolor
334Buff-rumped WarblerMyiothlypis fulvicauda
335|Canada Warbler|Cardellina canadensis

 
Cardinals and Allies: Cardinalidae

336Hepatic TanagerPiranga flava
337/Summer Tanager/Piranga rubra
338|Scarlet Tanager|Piranga olivacea
339Black-cheeked Ant-TanagerDriophlox atrimaxillaris
340/Rose-breasted Grosbeak/Pheucticus ludovicianus
341Blue-black GrosbeakCyanoloxia cyanoides

 
Tanagers and Allies: Thraupidae

342Gray-headed TanagerEucometis penicillata
343White-shouldered TanagerLoriotus luctuosus
344White-lined TanagerTachyphonus rufus
345White-throated Shrike-TanagerLanio leucothorax
346Scarlet-rumped TanagerRamphocelus passerinii
347Blue-gray TanagerThraupis episcopus
348Palm TanagerThraupis palmarum
349Golden-hooded TanagerStilpnia larvata
350Bay-headed TanagerTangara gyrola
351Silver-throated TanagerTangara icterocephala
352Scarlet-thighed DacnisDacnis venusta
353Blue DacnisDacnis cayana
354Shining HoneycreeperCyanerpes lucidus
355Red-legged HoneycreeperCyanerpes cyaneus
356Green HoneycreeperChlorophanes spiza
357Blue-black GrassquitVolatinia jacarina
358Ruddy-breasted SeedeaterSporophila minuta
359Thick-billed Seed-FinchSporophila funerea
360Variable SeedeaterSporophila corvina
361Morelet's SeedeaterSporophila morelleti
362Yellow-bellied SeedeaterSporophila nigricollis
363BananaquitCoereba flaveola
364Buff-throated SaltatorSaltator maximus
365Streaked SaltatorSaltator striatipectus

 

 *Nomenclature and taxonomic affinities are based on Clements 6th Edition published 2007 with updates through 2021 maintained by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, which relies largely on the AOU and SACC nomenclature committees. IUCN status may reflect splits not currently recognized by Clements.
**Species not accepted by Clements, AOU, or SACC that we recognize based on the IOC, field observations along with geographical separation, consensus opinions of field guide authors, and other sources. These species are potential splits in future Clements updates.

OTHER LOCALES

PRESENCE CODES

CodeDescription##
//Boreal Visitor43
\\Austral Visitor1
||Transient14
##Non-breeding Dispersal0
<>Erratic/Irregular3
()Breeding Season Only1
{}Casual/Vagrant2
[]Accidental1

STATUS CODES

CodeDescription##
NTNear Threatened16
VVulnerable6
ENEndangered1
CRCritically Endangered0

Species counts in code tables depend on completeness of the data. For some countries or locales, data may not include all species or information on species presence may be incomplete.