It’s not difficult to find Squirrel Cuckoos (Piaya cayana) in Costa Rica, as they live all over the country, except at the highest elevations. These rufous colored birds with long tails do indeed seem squirrel-like as they hop about on tree branches, hunting for caterpillars.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
Sally Lightfoot Crabs (Graspus graspus) can be found on rocks at or above the spray line on both the Caribbean and Pacific shores of Costa Rica. This photograph was taken along the gorgeous stretch of rocky beach at the Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
The Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) looks a bit like a large chicken or perhaps a turkey, and so it is surprising to see one hopping and flying in trees overhead. Crested Guans are fairly common in Costa Rica’s protected regions, and are distinguished by the red flap of skin on the throat and white flecks on the breast. This Crested Guan was photographed in Serena.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
Collared Araçari (Pteroglossus torquatus) can be found on the Caribbean and north-Pacific coasts. They have black bands across their breasts and white on their upper mandibles, which differ from the Fiery-billed Araçari (Pteroglossus frantzii) native to the south-Pacific region. This Collared Araçari was photographed in Selva Verde.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
Smaller than the American Crocodile, the Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) is the only other member of the Crocodylidae family that lives in Costa Rica. The primary distinguishing feature is a transverse ridge in front of the eyes. Caimans are common in lowland rivers, streams, ponds, and mangroves, where there is a lot of rainfall. This one was photographed from a kayak near Tortuguero.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
Yellow-crowned Night-herons (Nyctanassa violacea) are common all along Costa Rica’s coasts, both Caribbean and Pacific. They like to roost during the day near streams and mangroves. This one was photographed at the Tortuguero River in 2004.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
This young Northern Jaçana (Jacana spinosa) was so adorable that I wanted to take it home. The little bird and its companions were unafraid of the boat, and just kept hunting for water bugs as we slowly drifted past snapping pictures. Their extraordinarily long toes allow Northern Jaçana to walk on the web of plant life that floats on the Tortuguero river. Adults of the species have black bellies instead of white, and no stripe above the eye.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
Scarlet Macaws, like this pair, mate for life. I’m amazed by how loving and affectionate these gentle, giants of the rainforest can be. Happy Valentine’s Day!
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
Male Orange-collared Manakins (Manacus aurantiacus) are easy to identify by their yellow bodies, black caps, and orange throats. Females and juveniles, however, are olive green, and difficult to distinguish from females and juveniles of other manakin species. The little woodland birds are fairly common and endemic to the southern-Pacific region of Costa Rica and western Panama.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
The Parrot Snake (Leptophis ahaetulla) in the above photo is furious because it just lost an epic battle with its lunch. Wrestling in the mud of the rainforest floor near Serena, the unidentified frog (possibly a member of the genus Phrynohyas) kept scrambling, and the writhing reptile just couldn’t get a solid grip. After several minutes, the amphibian finally slipped free and made a break for it!
A Parrot Snake winds and twists in its attempt to grab ahold of a slippery frog.
The frog’s body appears to swell and secrete a mucus that aids in its escape.
All media is copyright costaricawildlife.net, 2013.
