Costa Rica is a beautiful country. Jade green mountains topped with clouds seem to be part of the scenery no matter where you look, two oceans beckon with tropical waves and palm-flanked shores, and lush rainforests await with colorful frogs, stunning butterflies, strange bugs, and hundreds of birds.
The exciting beauty of Costa Rica’s biodiversity is one of her biggest attractions and birds play a pretty big role. Whether watching birds or not, you can’t help but notice spectacular Scarlet Macaws near Carara, amazing toucans in rainforest areas, and a glittering treasure of hummingbirds at a number of hotels and attractions.
More than 50 hummingbird species have been seen in Costa Rica and many of these amazing birds are common. They readily come to feeders, especially in the highlands and the following are ten of the most spectacular, frequently seen species:
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The male White-necked is fairly common in areas with humid forest. -
Crowned Woodnymph- this breathtaking hummingbird is one of the most common hummingbird species in rainforest. -
Coppery-headed Emerald, a common cloud forest species that is mostly found in Costa Rica. It was thought to be endemic to Costa Rica until birds were recorded from Nicaragua a few years ago. -
The striking colors of the Fiery-throated Hummingbird only show in certain lighting conditions. Watch them long enough at high elevations in Costa Rica and you should see a few showing colors like this one! -
Green Violetears are one of the most common hummingbird species around Monteverde and other middle elevations areas in Costa Rica. -
See this male Green-crowned Brilliant at middle elevation sites in Costa Rica. -
The Magnificent Hummingbird is a common, big hummingbird species of high elevations in Costa Rica. -
Watch for near endemic Purple-throated Mountain-gems in and near cloud forest. -
Happily, the big, bold, and beautiful Violet Sabrewing is a common bird of middle elevations. -
Last but not least, you will see many a Rufous-tailed Hummingbird in hotel gardens.
Be prepared to identify and learn about these and other hummingbird species when visiting Costa Rica with the Costa Rica Birds Field Guide app.
