Costa Rica Wildlife Guide - Costa Rica - page 1032

Birds
Toucan Six species of this classic rainforest bird are found in Costa Rica. Huge bills
and vibrant plumage make the commonly sighted chestnut-mandibled toucan and
keel-billed toucan hard to miss. Listen for the keel-billed's song: a repetitious
'carrrick!'
Scarlet Macaw Of the 16 parrot species in Costa Rica, none is as spectacular as the
scarlet macaw. Unmistakable for its large size, bright-red body and ear-splitting
squawk, it's common in Parque Nacional Carara and the Península de Osa. Macaws
have long, monogamous relationships and can live 50 years.
Resplendent Quetzal The most dazzling bird in Central America, the quetzal once
held great ceremonial significance for the Aztecs and the Maya. Look for its
iridescent-green body, red breast and long green tail at high elevations and near
Parque Nacional Los Quetzales .
Roseate Spoonbill This wading bird has a white head and a distinctive spoon-shaped
bill, and feeds by touch. Common around the Península de Nicoya, Pacific lowlands
and on the Caribbean side at the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro .
Tanager There are 42 species of tanager in the country - many are brightly colored
and all have bodies about the size of an adult fist. Look for them everywhere except
at high elevation. Their common name in Costa Rica is viuda, meaning widow.
Hummingbird More than 50 species of hummingbird have been recorded - and most
live at high elevations. The largest is the violet sabrewing, with a striking violet head
and body and dark-green wings.