There’s one thing exciting about getting off a airplane and understanding that during only a few hours, you’ll be surrounded through one of the most maximum breathtaking birds on this planet. That’s precisely what you’ll be expecting whilst you land in San José, Costa Rica, and get started your force to San Gerardo de Dota. Agree with me, it’s value each twist and switch…, even the near-death defying studies with the Costa Ricans drivers!
San Gerardo de Dota is tucked away within the Talamanca Mountains, a serene valley cradled through towering peaks and cloud forests, it’s about 3 hrs through automobile from the San Jose Global Airport. This isn’t simply any birding vacation spot, it’s paradise for somebody with binoculars, a digicam, or only a love for feathered wonders.
And likely, San Gerardo de Dota is legendary for the Resplendent Quetzal, sure, the only with the inconceivable to omit lengthy inexperienced feathers, however let’s dive into one of the most different birds that deserve consideration as smartly. And no, I gained’t point out the Trogon both, as a result of who wishes the most obvious selection when there’s so a lot more on be offering?
Golden-Browed Chlorophonia: A reputation like Chlorophonia sounds as unique as this fowl seems to be.
The male sports activities a shiny inexperienced, yellow, black and blue color, with each female and male additionally having a violet-blue cap. That is a kind of birds that make you recognize how colourful nature may also be.
In case you’re fortunate, you’ll catch one bouncing between the timber, a bit sprint of tropical colour in opposition to the greenery.
Lengthy-tailed Silky-flycatcher: Those chic birds transfer in the course of the woodland with easy grace, their swish, silky feathers flowing as they flit from department to department.
Their identify could be a mouthful, however recognizing one is a sight for sore eyes and a deal with to your digicam. Thankfully, they appeared to now not have a lot concern of people and had been ever provide across the resort feeding on those yellow berries.
Talamanca Hummingbird: This glittering gem turns out to all the time be in a rush, zipping round flora adore it’s past due for a vital date, and really stern taking a look too.
It’s discovered within the high-altitude areas of Costa Rica and western Panama and is a member of the “mountain gemstones” tribe of hummingbirds, it’s identified for its colourful and unique look.
The Scintillant Hummingbird: It is a tiny wonder of nature, discovered completely within the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.
Hummingbirds are normally small, however this one needs to be the smallest I’ve ever noticed thus far.
Lesser Violetear: Identified for the unique violet patches on its ears (sure, birds with ears!), this hummingbird is any other common customer across the native resorts.
It’s a kind of birds that once it flares its feathers, it seems to be adore it belongs in a myth novel, however no, that is actual lifestyles in San Gerardo de Dota.
Whilst looking at this fowl I realised that it might flare the violet feathers every time any other fowl got here shut, in all probability to warn them off or draw in the ladies.
The Acorn Woodpecker: It is a charming fowl that brings a dash of colour and a slightly of caprice to the cloud forests of Costa Rica.
Believe a medium-sized woodpecker, about 20 centimeters lengthy, with a placing look that makes it simple to identify. Its head is decorated with a colourful purple cap, contrasting sharply with its white brow and throat. The remainder of its frame is a shiny black, with white patches on its wings and rump that flash brilliantly when it takes flight.
The Silver-Throated Tanager: Tanagers are like the colourful jewels of the woodland, and the Silver-throated Tanager isn’t any exception. If in case you have learn my article on “My 7 Favorite birds of the Americas and Caribbean” you’re going to know that Tanagers are one in all my favorite birds.
The silver and yellow plumage of Sliver-throated Tanager is placing, particularly whilst you see it set in opposition to the deep vegetables of the cloud woodland.
Black-thighed Grosbeak: This fowl confirmed up one morning simply out of doors our cottage.
The Rufous-collared Sparrow: This will not be as flashy as one of the most different birds right here, however it’s fascinating in its personal proper.
With its unique rusty neck and melodic tune, it’s a reminder that even the extra delicate birds have one thing particular to provide.
The Flower-piercer: A peculiar taking a look fowl the primary time you lay your eyes on it. They have got a novel and interesting feeding behaviour that units them aside from different nectar-feeding birds.
In contrast to hummingbirds, which sip nectar without delay from the flower, flower-piercers use their specialised expenses to pierce the bottom of the flower permitting them to succeed in the nectar with no need to go into the flower itself. Whilst this habits would possibly appear a bit sneaky, you’ll’t assist however respect its cleverness.
The Yellowish Flycatcher: Small and unassuming, it’s knowledgeable at darting in the course of the cover, catching bugs mid-air.
It’s the type of fowl it is advisable simply put out of your mind, however while you spot one, you’ll realize its comfortable yellow hues and calm demeanor. This actual one simply sat there and gave the impression to be looking at me as an alternative of the opposite direction round as its eyes adopted my each transfer.
The Chestnut-capped Brushfinch: I used to be extremely joyful after I first noticed this fowl, it have been described to me through a fellow birder now not lengthy earlier than and will have in all probability been the exact same fowl as I noticed it in a lot the similar location as used to be discussed. It’s a secretive fowl and slightly elusive so I felt fortunate having noticed it.
The Black Guan: A large rooster like fowl present in Costa Rica and western Panama, is well identified through its all-black plumage, shiny blue facial pores and skin, and purple eyes. Who prefer the cloud forests of the Talamancan mountains, it prospers at elevations between 1,000 and a pair of,250 meters.
This fowl essentially feeds on culmination, taking part in a a very powerful function in seed dispersal. In most cases noticed by myself or in small teams, the black guan is most commonly sedentary however would possibly transfer seasonally.
The Sooty-Capped Chlorospingus: This small tanager like sparrow got here into view on one in all my early morning journeys, excessive up on a useless department and in the course of the early morning fog I used to be shocked that I controlled to identify it.
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush: A small fowl thats now not simple to identify because it feeds principally at the flooring and blends in with the dried leaves and so on. This one used to be noticed past due morning alongside the non-public path of some of the resorts within the space.
Noticed Wooden-Quail: On our solution to breakfast one morning, about 5 meters from our cottage a gaggle of those Noticed Wooden-Quails had been noticed foraging at the flooring. They paid little or no consideration to us as we walked previous.
San Gerardo de Dota provides an unprecedented birding revel in, the place the colourful colours and melodic calls of numerous fowl species create a symphony of nature. Whether or not you’re a seasoned birder or a curious traveler, the plush cloud forests and serene landscapes of this Costa Rican gem promise unforgettable encounters and lasting reminiscences. So pack your binoculars, embody the journey, and let the avian wonders of San Gerardo de Dota captivate your soul. Glad birding!.