Costa Rica boasts several species of parrots, parakeets, and two spectacular macaws. The smaller members of this family are generally known as parakeets while the larger, “square-tailed” birds are known as parrots, and the macaws are basically big parrots with long tails.
No matter where you go birding in Costa Rica, you have a good chance of seeing at least one or two species of parrots and parakeets. In San Jose and other parts of the Central Valley, Crimson-fronted Parakeets have become adapted to nesting on buildings. Long-tailed parakeets seen in cities and towns in the Central Valley are this species.
Parrots are also a common sight in the lowlands and middle elevations, one of the most common being the beautiful White-crowned Parrot.
Red-lored Parrots are one of the more common parrot species in the humid lowlands (especially because they are adapted to edge habitats), while the White-fronted Parrot is commonly seen in the Pacific northwest and other other dry habitats, including parts of the Central Valley.
In humid middle elevations, foothills, and forested areas in the humid lowlands, the exotic Brown-hooded Parrot is seen once in a while as it flies high overhead in flocks of a dozen of so birds. It can be tough to get good shots of this species but they sometimes visit the fruit feeders at Laguna del Lagarto for fantastic photo opportunities.
Identify and learn about parrots, parakeets, and other bird species with the Costa Rica Birds Field Guide app.
