BirdnWild
Blog
Stories, tips and guides about birdwatching and wildlife in Costa Rica.
Photographing the Agami Heron: An Encounter with One of the most beautiful and elusive herons
Birdwatching in Costa Rica’s Caribbean Lowlands: A Complete Guide to the Region’s Most Emblematic Species
Explore the birdwatching paradise of Costa Rica’s Caribbean Lowlands! From endangered Great Green Macaws and majestic King Vultures to elusive Agami Herons, discover top bird species, key regional hotspots like Sarapiquí and Boca Tapada, and expert guided tours.
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.
Birdwatching in 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.
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.
Birdwatching in Monteverde: A Complete Guide to Costa Rica's Legendary Cloud Forest
Discover why Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s most legendary birdwatching destinations. Explore its mist-covered cloud forests, more than 400 recorded bird species, and iconic specialties such as the Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, Black Guan, and an extraordinary diversity of hummingbirds. Learn about the best places and seasons for birdwatching, and why local guides can make all the difference when searching for Monteverde’s most remarkable birds.
Great Green Macaw: Costa Rica’s Conservation Success Story
The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular birds — and an inspiring conservation success story. Once severely threatened by habitat loss and the decline of its favorite food and nesting tree, the Mountain Almond (Dipteryx panamensis), this magnificent macaw has made an important recovery in parts of Costa Rica. Discover the Great Green Macaw, its fascinating relationship with the Mountain Almond, the conservation efforts helping protect it, and where to see and photograph this iconic species in Costa Rica.
Whale & Dolphin Watching in Costa Rica: Where Two Oceans of Migration Meet
Discover the incredible world of whales and dolphins along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, where humpback whales gather to give birth and raise their calves, and dolphins can form spectacular mega-pods of hundreds or even thousands. Join experienced guide Sierra Goodman as she shares nearly three decades of encounters in the waters of Drake Bay and the Osa Peninsula, and learn why this remarkable region is one of the world’s most important habitats for marine mammals.
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.
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.
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.