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Manuel
Antonio Bird Paradise
I remember
a time when I was lying on the beach enjoying the shade of
an overhanging tree after a morning of birdwatching in the
forest. The soothing sounds of the waves were about to lull
me into siestaville when I heard a flock of birds in the tree
above me. With the songs of scarlet-rumped tanagers, buff-throated
saltators, and several other species all chiming in turn overhead,
I had to open my eyes to have a look. But to my urprise, I
couldn't find any birds. After a minute or so of walking around
the tree, I finally glimpsed a small bird on one of the upper
branches. It was a lone male thick-billed euphonia that was
singing through a repertoire of other birds' songs. Sure enough,
this species is one of the few birds in Costa Rica that mimic
the calls of others !
Once the
sun goes down, the action doesn't stop. (Okay, anyone who's
been to Manuel Antonio can tell you that, but I'm referring
to the bird life.) An incredibly abundant population of striped
owls inhabits the vast expanses of African oil palm plantations
to the north and south of Quepos. Drive out of town in either
direction and check the power lines where these handsome owls
perch as they scan for a meal. You might also spot a barn
owl quartering low over open fields or sitting on a fence
post.
Common
pauraques are likely to flush from the edges of any lesser-traveled
road. And if you really get lucky, you might encounter a common
potoo - a strange looking bird that resembles a piece of dead
wood while roosting during the day and at night opens great
big eyes, the better to see flying insects with.
And finally,
anybody who keeps a life-list of birds seen will want to try
to chalk up views of the various southern Pacific endemics
- all birds found only in this portion of Costa Rica and adjacent
western Panama. These include the fiery-billed aracari, orange-collared
manakin, riverside wren, golden-naped woodpecker, Baird's
trogon, beryl-crowned hummingbird, white-crested coquette,
and yellow-billed and turquoise cotingas. Additionally, the
aforementioned scarletorumped tanager has now been split into
two distinct species by the American Ornithologists Union
taxonomic committee with the result that the birds seen in
Manuel Antonio are now called Cherrie's tanagers (the Caribbean
counterpart now receives the name Passerini's tanage and become
another of the southern endemics. Good luck and happy birding!
Check
out our Birding tour
For more
information
or to make reservations in Bird
Watching
Other Featured Activities:
Titi
Canopy | ATV
Tours | Mangrove Tours
| Sportfishing
| Mountain Bike | Rivers
rafting | Horse back riding
in the rainforest | Bird Watching
| Rainmaker |
Surfing
| Diving Tours | Sunset
Sails Tours |
Nature
Farm
| Golf
Tour
| Canyoning
Tour
| Caves
of Damas
Costa
Rica Rent a Car
Manuel Antonio/Quepos area car rentals, quotation click
here
National
and International
Flight tickets, click
here!
Manuel Antonio Park
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