Blog
Stories, tips and guides about birdwatching and wildlife in Costa Rica.
Photographing the Long-tailed Manakin Dance: Witnessing One of Nature's Greatest Courtship Performances
Discover the extraordinary courtship dance of the Long-tailed Manakin (*Chiroxiphia linearis*), one of Central America's most fascinating birds. Learn how this remarkable cooperative display works, where to photograph it, and why local guides can help you witness one of nature's most unforgettable wildlife spectacles.
Birding Costa Rica's South Pacific: A Guide to the Region's Most Remarkable Birds
Discover the remarkable birds of Costa Rica's South Pacific, from Scarlet Macaws and colorful cotingas to endemic species found nowhere else. Learn where to bird and why local guides can make all the difference.
Finding the "Phantom": Photographing the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo in Costa Rica
Known to many as the 'Ghost of the Rainforest,' the Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo is one of the most elusive prizes in neotropical birding. While many spend years searching for a glimpse of this bird, the secret to a successful encounter lies in a fascinating relationship between the bird, army ants, and the local guides who track them. Discover how local guides are turning the impossible into the unforgettable in the forests of Costa Rica.
Photographing the Cabanis's Ground-Sparrow: Finding Costa Rica's Hidden Endemic
Discover how to photograph the elusive Cabanis's Ground-Sparrow, one of Costa Rica's most remarkable endemic birds. Learn how local expertise, habitat conservation, and BirdnWild's expert guides make it possible to find and photograph this secretive species while supporting its conservation.
The Secret to Photographing the Resplendent Quetzal: Right Place, Right Time
Photographing the Resplendent Quetzal in Costa Rica takes more than a long lens. Learn why local guide networks are the real secret to getting the perfect shot.
When a Resplendent Quetzal Chooses a Family Backyard
What if one of the world's most sought-after birds chose to nest in a family garden? In the mountains of Costa Rica, Ignacio and Romaín have spent more than two decades creating the perfect conditions for the Resplendent Quetzal. Their remarkable story shows how people and wildlife can thrive together, transforming a backyard into a sanctuary for one of Central America's most iconic birds while creating new opportunities for conservation through nature tourism.
Photographing the Three-wattled Bellbird in Costa Rica
Deep in Costa Rica’s cloud forests, the explosive call of the Three-wattled Bellbird reveals one of the Neotropics’ most iconic species. Discover when and where to find it, why it’s so challenging to photograph, and how local expertise can transform your chances of capturing this extraordinary bird.