↑COSTA RICA">
COSTA RICA↑

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SPECIALTIES

NOSARA/OSTIONAL AREA

COSTA RICA
LOCALE

# Species:338
# Excl Vagrants:338
# Endemics:2
# Near Endemics:2

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

1Little TinamouCrypturellus soui
2Thicket TinamouCrypturellus cinnamomeus

 
Ducks: Anatidae

3Black-bellied Whistling-DuckDendrocygna autumnalis
4Muscovy DuckCairina moschata
5/Blue-winged Teal/Spatula discors
6/American Wigeon/Mareca americana
7/Lesser Scaup/Aythya affinis

 
Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows: Cracidae

8Plain ChachalacaOrtalis vetula
9Crested GuanPenelope purpurascens
10Great CurassowCrax rubra

 
New World Quail: Odontophoridae

11Crested BobwhiteColinus cristatus

 
Grebes: Podicipedidae

12Least GrebeTachybaptus dominicus

 
Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae

13Pale-vented PigeonPatagioenas cayennensis
14Red-billed PigeonPatagioenas flavirostris
15Band-tailed PigeonPatagioenas fasciata
16Short-billed PigeonPatagioenas nigrirostris
17Eurasian Collared-DoveStreptopelia decaocto
18Inca DoveColumbina inca
19Common Ground DoveColumbina passerina
20Ruddy Ground DoveColumbina talpacoti
21Blue Ground DoveClaravis pretiosa
22White-tipped DoveLeptotila verreauxi
23Gray-headed DoveLeptotila plumbeiceps
24White-winged DoveZenaida asiatica
25Mourning DoveZenaida macroura

 
Cuckoos: Cuculidae

26Smooth-billed AniCrotophaga ani
27Groove-billed AniCrotophaga sulcirostris
28\Striped Cuckoo\Tapera naevia
29Lesser Ground-CuckooMorococcyx erythropygus
30Squirrel CuckooPiaya cayana
31/Mangrove Cuckoo/Coccyzus minor

 
Nightjars and Allies: Caprimulgidae

32Lesser NighthawkChordeiles acutipennis
33Common NighthawkChordeiles minor
34Common PauraqueNyctidromus albicollis
35Rufous NightjarAntrostomus rufus

 
Potoos: Nyctibiidae

36Northern PotooNyctibius jamaicensis

 
Swifts: Apodidae

37Black SwiftCypseloides niger
38Spot-fronted SwiftCypseloides cherriei
39White-collared SwiftStreptoprocne zonaris
40Gray-rumped SwiftChaetura cinereiventris
41|Chimney Swift|Chaetura pelagica
42Vaux's SwiftChaetura vauxi
43Lesser Swallow-tailed SwiftPanyptila cayennensis

 
Hummingbirds: Trochilidae

44Bronzy HermitGlaucis aeneus
45Stripe-throated HermitPhaethornis striigularis
46Green-breasted MangoAnthracothorax prevostii
47Talamanca HummingbirdEugenes spectabilis
48Plain-capped StarthroatHeliomaster constantii
49/Ruby-throated Hummingbird/Archilochus colubris
50Canivet's EmeraldCynantus canivetii
51Scaly-breasted HummingbirdPhaeochroa cuvierii
52Blue-vented HummingbirdSaucerottia hoffmanni
53Blue-tailed HummingbirdSaucerottia cyanura
54Cinnamon HummingbirdAmazilia rutila
55Rufous-tailed HummingbirdAmazilia tzacatl
56Mangrove HummingbirdAmazilia boucardi
57Blue-throated GoldentailChlorestes eliciae

 
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae

58Spotted RailPardirallus maculatus
59Rufous-necked Wood-RailAramides axillaris
60Russet-naped Wood-RailAramides albiventris
61Gray-cowled Wood-RailAramides cajaneus
62/Sora/Porzana carolina
63Common GallinuleGallinula galeata
64/American Coot/Fulica americana
65Purple GallinulePorphyrio martinica
66Yellow-breasted CrakeHapalocrex flaviventer
67White-throated CrakeLaterallus albigularis

 
Limpkin: Aramidae

68LimpkinAramus guarauna

 
Thick-knees: Burhinidae

69Double-striped Thick-kneeHesperoburhinus bistriatus

 
Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostridae

70Black-necked StiltHimantopus mexicanus
71/American Avocet/Recurvirostra americana

 
Oystercatchers: Haematopodidae

72American OystercatcherHaematopus palliatus

 
Plovers and Lapwings: Charadriidae

73/Black-bellied Plover/Pluvialis squatarola
74|American Golden-Plover|Pluvialis dominica
75/Killdeer/Charadrius vociferus
76/Semipalmated Plover/Charadrius semipalmatus
77Southern LapwingVanellus chilensis
78Wilson's PloverAnarhynchus wilsonia
79Collared PloverAnarhynchus collaris

 
Jacanas: Jacanidae

80Northern JacanaJacana spinosa

 
Sandpipers and Allies: Scolopacidae

81|Upland Sandpiper|Bartramia longicauda
82WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus
83Long-billed CurlewNumenius americanus
84Hudsonian GodwitLimosa haemastica
85/Marbled Godwit/Limosa fedoa
86/Short-billed Dowitcher/Limnodromus griseus
87/Long-billed Dowitcher/Limnodromus scolopaceus
88/Wilson's Phalarope/Phalaropus tricolor
89Red PhalaropePhalaropus fulicarius
90|Red-necked Phalarope|Phalaropus lobatus
91Spotted SandpiperActitis macularius
92/Solitary Sandpiper/Tringa solitaria
93|Wandering Tattler|Tringa incana
94/Lesser Yellowlegs/Tringa flavipes
95WilletTringa semipalmata
96/Greater Yellowlegs/Tringa melanoleuca
97/Ruddy Turnstone/Arenaria interpres
98/Red Knot/Calidris canutus
99/Surfbird/Calidris virgata
100Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferruginea
101/Stilt Sandpiper/Calidris himantopus
102|Buff-breasted Sandpiper|Calidris subruficollis
103/Sanderling/Calidris alba
104DunlinCalidris alpina
105|Baird's Sandpiper|Calidris bairdii
106|White-rumped Sandpiper|Calidris fuscicollis
107/Least Sandpiper/Calidris minutilla
108|Pectoral Sandpiper|Calidris melanotos
109/Western Sandpiper/Calidris mauri
110/Semipalmated Sandpiper/Calidris pusilla

 
Skuas and Jaegers: Stercorariidae

111Parasitic JaegerStercorarius parasiticus

 
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Laridae

112Laughing GullLeucophaeus atricilla
113/Franklin's Gull/Leucophaeus pipixcan
114/Ring-billed Gull/Larus delawarensis
115/Herring Gull/Larus argentatus
116/Black Skimmer/Rynchops niger
117Brown NoddyAnous stolidus
118Bridled TernOnychoprion anaethetus
119/Least Tern/Sternula antillarum
120/Gull-billed Tern/Gelochelidon nilotica
121Caspian TernHydroprogne caspia
122Black TernChlidonias niger
123/Common Tern/Sterna hirundo
124/Elegant Tern/Thalasseus elegans
125Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis
126Royal TernThalasseus maximus

 
Storks: Ciconiidae

127JabiruJabiru mycteria
128Wood StorkMycteria americana

 
Frigatebirds: Fregatidae

129Magnificent FrigatebirdFregata magnificens

 
Boobies and Gannets: Sulidae

130Red-footed BoobySula sula
131Brown BoobySula leucogaster
132Blue-footed BoobySula nebouxii

 
Anhingas: Anhingidae

133AnhingaAnhinga anhinga

 
Cormorants and Shags: Phalacrocoracidae

134Neotropic CormorantNannopterum brasilianus

 
Pelicans: Pelecanidae

135Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalis

 
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: Ardeidae

136Bare-throated Tiger-HeronTigrisoma mexicanum
137Boat-billed HeronCochlearius cochlearius
138Pinnated BitternBotaurus pinnatus
139/Least Bittern/Ixobrychus exilis
140Yellow-crowned Night HeronNyctanassa violacea
141Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax
142/Little Blue Heron/Egretta caerulea
143/Tricolored Heron/Egretta tricolor
144/Reddish Egret/Egretta rufescens
145Snowy EgretEgretta thula
146Green HeronButorides virescens
147Western Cattle EgretBubulcus ibis
148Great EgretArdea alba
149/Great Blue Heron/Ardea herodias

 
Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae

150White IbisEudocimus albus
151Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus
152Green IbisMesembrinibis cayennensis
153Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajaja

 
New World Vultures: Cathartidae

154Black VultureCoragyps atratus
155Turkey VultureCathartes aura

 
Osprey: Pandionidae

156/Osprey/Pandion haliaetus

 
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites: Accipitridae

157White-tailed KiteElanus leucurus
158Hook-billed KiteChondrohierax uncinatus
159Gray-headed KiteLeptodon cayanensis
160Swallow-tailed KiteElanoides forficatus
161Black Hawk-EagleSpizaetus tyrannus
162Snail KiteRostrhamus sociabilis
163\Plumbeous Kite\Ictinia plumbea
164Crane HawkGeranospiza caerulescens
165Common Black HawkButeogallus anthracinus
166Great Black HawkButeogallus urubitinga
167Barred HawkMorphnarchus princeps
168Roadside HawkRupornis magnirostris
169Harris's HawkParabuteo unicinctus
170White-tailed HawkGeranoaetus albicaudatus
171Gray HawkButeo plagiatus
172/Broad-winged Hawk/Buteo platypterus
173Short-tailed HawkButeo brachyurus
174Zone-tailed HawkButeo albonotatus
175Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis

 
Barn-Owls: Tytonidae

176Barn OwlTyto alba

 
Owls: Strigidae

177Pacific Screech-OwlMegascops cooperi
178Crested OwlLophostrix cristata
179Spectacled OwlPulsatrix perspicillata
180Ferruginous Pygmy-OwlGlaucidium brasilianum
181Mottled OwlStrix virgata
182Striped OwlAsio clamator

 
Trogons: Trogonidae

183Black-headed TrogonTrogon melanocephalus
184Gartered TrogonTrogon caligatus
185Elegant TrogonTrogon elegans

 
Motmots: Momotidae

186Lesson's MotmotMomotus lessonii
187Turquoise-browed MotmotEumomota superciliosa

 
Kingfishers: Alcedinidae

188Ringed KingfisherMegaceryle torquata
189/Belted Kingfisher/Megaceryle alcyon
190Amazon KingfisherChloroceryle amazona
191American Pygmy KingfisherChloroceryle aenea
192Green KingfisherChloroceryle americana

 
Puffbirds: Bucconidae

193White-necked PuffbirdNotharchus hyperrhynchus

 
Toucans: Ramphastidae

194Collared AracariPteroglossus torquatus

 
Woodpeckers: Picidae

195Hoffmann's WoodpeckerMelanerpes hoffmannii
196Pale-billed WoodpeckerCampephilus guatemalensis
197Lineated WoodpeckerDryocopus lineatus

 
Falcons and Caracaras: Falconidae

198Laughing FalconHerpetotheres cachinnans
199Collared Forest-FalconMicrastur semitorquatus
200Crested CaracaraCaracara cheriway
201Yellow-headed CaracaraDaptrius chimachima
202/American Kestrel/Falco sparverius
203Bat FalconFalco rufigularis
204/Peregrine Falcon/Falco peregrinus

 
Parrots: Psittacidae

205Red-fronted ParrotletTouit costaricensis
206Orange-chinned ParakeetBrotogeris jugularis
207Red-lored ParrotAmazona autumnalis
208Yellow-naped ParrotAmazona auropalliata
209White-fronted ParrotAmazona albifrons
210Orange-fronted ParakeetEupsittula canicularis

 
Typical Antbirds: Thamnophilidae

211Barred AntshrikeThamnophilus doliatus
212Dusky AntbirdCercomacroides tyrannina
213Spotted AntbirdHylophylax naevioides

 
Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers: Furnariidae

214Olivaceous WoodcreeperSittasomus griseicapillus
215Ruddy WoodcreeperDendrocincla homochroa
216Northern Barred-WoodcreeperDendrocolaptes sanctithomae
217Cocoa WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus susurrans
218Ivory-billed WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus flavigaster
219Streak-headed WoodcreeperLepidocolaptes souleyetii
220Plain XenopsXenops minutus

 
Manakins: Pipridae

221Long-tailed ManakinChiroxiphia linearis

 
Tityras and Allies: Tityridae

222Black-crowned TityraTityra inquisitor
223Masked TityraTityra semifasciata
224White-winged BecardPachyramphus polychopterus
225Rose-throated BecardPachyramphus aglaiae

 
Sharpbill: Oxyruncidae

226Tropical Royal-FlycatcherOnychorhynchus coronatus
227Black-tailed FlycatcherMyiobius atricaudus

 
Tyrant Flycatchers: Tyrannidae

228Ochre-bellied FlycatcherMionectes oleagineus
229Northern BentbillOncostoma cinereigulare
230Slate-headed Tody-FlycatcherPoecilotriccus sylvia
231Common Tody-FlycatcherTodirostrum cinereum
232Yellow-olive FlatbillTolmomyias sulphurescens
233Yellow-winged FlatbillTolmomyias flavotectus
234Northern Beardless-TyrannuletCamptostoma imberbe
235Greenish ElaeniaMyiopagis viridicata
236Yellow-bellied ElaeniaElaenia flavogaster
237White-fronted TyrannuletPhyllomyias zeledoni
238Mistletoe TyrannuletZimmerius parvus
239Northern Tropical PeweeContopus bogotensis
240|Eastern Wood-Pewee|Contopus virens
241/Yellow-bellied Flycatcher/Empidonax flaviventris
242|Acadian Flycatcher|Empidonax virescens
243|Alder Flycatcher|Empidonax alnorum
244/Willow Flycatcher/Empidonax traillii
245Northern Scrub-FlycatcherSublegatus arenarum
246Bright-rumped AttilaAttila spadiceus
247Dusky-capped FlycatcherMyiarchus tuberculifer
248Panama FlycatcherMyiarchus panamensis
249Nutting's FlycatcherMyiarchus nuttingi
250/Great Crested Flycatcher/Myiarchus crinitus
251Brown-crested FlycatcherMyiarchus tyrannulus
252Great KiskadeePitangus sulphuratus
253Boat-billed FlycatcherMegarynchus pitangua
254Social FlycatcherMyiozetetes similis
255White-ringed FlycatcherConopias albovittatus
256Streaked FlycatcherMyiodynastes maculatus
257Sulphur-bellied FlycatcherMyiodynastes luteiventris
258Tropical KingbirdTyrannus melancholicus
259/Western Kingbird/Tyrannus verticalis
260|Eastern Kingbird|Tyrannus tyrannus
261/Scissor-tailed Flycatcher/Tyrannus forficatus
262Fork-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus savana

 
Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis: Vireonidae

263Rufous-browed PeppershrikeCyclarhis gujanensis
264Lesser GreenletPachysilvia decurtata
265Mangrove VireoVireo pallens
266/Yellow-throated Vireo/Vireo flavifrons
267Blue-headed VireoVireo solitarius
268/Philadelphia Vireo/Vireo philadelphicus
269|Red-eyed Vireo|Vireo olivaceus
270Yellow-green VireoVireo flavoviridis

 
Crows, Jays, and Magpies: Corvidae

271White-throated Magpie-JayCalocitta formosa

 
Swallows: Hirundinidae

272|Bank Swallow|Riparia riparia
273/Tree Swallow/Tachycineta bicolor
274Mangrove SwallowTachycineta albilinea
275Gray-breasted MartinProgne chalybea
276Northern Rough-winged SwallowStelgidopteryx serripennis
277/Barn Swallow/Hirundo rustica
278|Cliff Swallow|Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

 
Gnatcatchers: Polioptilidae

279Long-billed GnatwrenRamphocaenus melanurus
280White-browed GnatcatcherPolioptila bilineata
281White-lored GnatcatcherPolioptila albiloris

 
Wrens: Troglodytidae

282Rufous-naped WrenCampylorhynchus rufinucha
283Banded WrenThryophilus pleurostictus
284Rufous-and-white WrenThryophilus rufalbus
285Cabanis's WrenCantorchilus modestus
286Gray-breasted Wood-WrenHenicorhina leucophrys

 
Thrushes and Allies: Turdidae

287|Gray-cheeked Thrush|Catharus minimus
288|Swainson's Thrush|Catharus ustulatus
289/Wood Thrush/Hylocichla mustelina
290Clay-colored ThrushTurdus grayi

 
Old World Sparrows: Passeridae

291House SparrowPasser domesticus

 
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies: Fringillidae

292Scrub EuphoniaEuphonia affinis
293Yellow-throated EuphoniaEuphonia hirundinacea

 
New World Sparrows: Passerellidae

294Stripe-headed SparrowPeucaea ruficauda
295Olive SparrowArremonops rufivirgatus

 
Troupials and Allies: Icteridae

296Eastern MeadowlarkSturnella magna
297Yellow-billed CaciqueAmblycercus holosericeus
298/Orchard Oriole/Icterus spurius
299Streak-backed OrioleIcterus pustulatus
300Spot-breasted OrioleIcterus pectoralis
301/Baltimore Oriole/Icterus galbula
302Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceus
303Bronzed CowbirdMolothrus aeneus
304Melodious BlackbirdDives dives
305Great-tailed GrackleQuiscalus mexicanus

 
New World Warblers: Parulidae

306/Ovenbird/Seiurus aurocapilla
307/Louisiana Waterthrush/Parkesia motacilla
308/Northern Waterthrush/Parkesia noveboracensis
309Black-and-white WarblerMniotilta varia
310/Prothonotary Warbler/Protonotaria citrea
311/Tennessee Warbler/Leiothlypis peregrina
312Gray-crowned YellowthroatGeothlypis poliocephala
313/Mourning Warbler/Geothlypis philadelphia
314/Common Yellowthroat/Geothlypis trichas
315/American Redstart/Setophaga ruticilla
316/Yellow Warbler/Setophaga petechia
317/Chestnut-sided Warbler/Setophaga pensylvanica
318Chestnut-capped WarblerBasileuterus delattrii
319Buff-rumped WarblerMyiothlypis fulvicauda
320|Canada Warbler|Cardellina canadensis
321Wilson's WarblerCardellina pusilla

 
Cardinals and Allies: Cardinalidae

322Hepatic TanagerPiranga flava
323/Summer Tanager/Piranga rubra
324|Scarlet Tanager|Piranga olivacea
325/Western Tanager/Piranga ludoviciana
326/Rose-breasted Grosbeak/Pheucticus ludovicianus
327Blue-black GrosbeakCyanoloxia cyanoides
328Blue GrosbeakPasserina caerulea
329/Indigo Bunting/Passerina cyanea
330/Painted Bunting/Passerina ciris

 
Tanagers and Allies: Thraupidae

331Gray-headed TanagerEucometis penicillata
332Blue-gray TanagerThraupis episcopus
333Palm TanagerThraupis palmarum
334Red-legged HoneycreeperCyanerpes cyaneus
335Blue-black GrassquitVolatinia jacarina
336Variable SeedeaterSporophila corvina
337Morelet's SeedeaterSporophila morelleti
338Yellow-faced GrassquitTiaris olivaceus

 

 *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 Visitor71
\\Austral Visitor2
||Transient20
##Non-breeding Dispersal0
<>Erratic/Irregular0
()Breeding Season Only0
{}Casual/Vagrant2
[]Accidental4

STATUS CODES

CodeDescription##
NTNear Threatened9
VVulnerable4
ENEndangered1
CRCritically Endangered1

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.