Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pharomachrus ("mantle") mocinno (for naturalist Dr José Mariano Mociño)

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Pharomachrus mocinno costaricensis
Weight: 180-210g  /  Length: 36-40cm + 31-100cm tail in males /  Wingspan: 62cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

I feel there are few who would argue that the Resplendent Quetzal is one of the most beautiful bird species on earth, with the males having long flowing irridescent tails that give them a mythic quality. Indeed, they were associated with the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl of Mesoamerican myth and their plumes, taken from live birds which were then released due to laws preventing their killing, were used by rulers and nobility of certain Mezoamerican cultures as a symbol of wealth and power as part of elaborate headdresses and clothes. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
Genus: Pharomachrus
SUBSPECIES: P. m. mocinno, P. m. costaricensis
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Quetzal
A scarce cloud forest specialist
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Gartered Violaceous Trogon (Trogon caligatus)

OTHER NAMES: Gartered Trogon, Northen Violaceous Trogon
Latin Etymology: Trogon ("fruit eating") caligatus ("booted")

Gartered Violaceous Trogon (Trogon caligatus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Trogon caligatus sallaei
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 23cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A striking species of trogon  with a vivid cadmium yellow chest, they are sexually dimorphic with the female being otherwise sooty grey with white barring, while the male has rich blue and turquoise tones on head and back, plus a yellow eye ring absent in females. They are more frugivorous than most trogons but still consume invertibrates as part of their diet.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
Genus: Trogon
SUBSPECIES: T. c. sallaei, T. c. concinnus, T. c caligatus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish -  Trogón Enligado
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Alajuela

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Ramphastos ("snouted") ambiguus ("wandering")

Yellow-throated Toucan (Ramphastos ambiguus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: "Chestnut Mandibled Toucan" - Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii
Weight: 584-746g  /  Length: 47-61cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

The largest of Costa Rica's Toucans and one of the largest species of thefamily overall, they are primarily fructivores supplemented by small animals. They are inhabitants of lowland forests, and even human altered habitat like plantations, parks and gardens where the tree density is high enough. They are considered near threatened due to habitat loss and poaching.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae
Genus: Ramphastos
SUBSPECIES: R. a. swainsonii, R. a. ambiguuus, R. a. abbreviatus 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Tucán de Pecho Amarillo ("Yellow-chested Toucan")
A widespread inhabitant of wet lowland forests
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

OTHER NAMES: Rainbow-billed Toucan, Sulphur-breasted Toucan
Latin Etymology: Ramphastos ("snouted") sulfuratus ("sulphur coloured")

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Ramphastos sulfuratus brevicarinatus
Weight: 380-500g  /  Length: 42-55cm  /  Wingspan: 109-153cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Perhaps behind only the Toco Toucan the Keel-billed Toucan is an iconic member of that family. Their huge bill comproises a third of their length and is used as a versatile tool for feeding on anything from reptiles, invertibrates, eggs and fruit. They are a social species, usually living in small flocks which roost together in a single hole in a tree. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for the pet trade.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Piciformes
Family: Ramphastidae
Genus: Ramphastos
SUBSPECIES: R. s. brevicarinatus, R. s. sulfuratus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Tucán Piquiverde ("Green-beaked Toucan")
A widespread but uncommon species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

OTHER NAMES: Frigate Petrel, Man o' War
Latin Etymology: Fregata ("frigate") magnificens ("grand")

Colony of Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Fregata magnificens rothschildi
Weight: 1.1-1.5/kg  /  Length: 89-114cm  /  Wingspan: 2.1-2.4m
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An extremely distinctive curiousity of a bird - the Magnificent Frigatebird is the largest, most famous and widespread of the frigatebirds. Perhaps best known for the males possessing a bright red inflatable throat balloon that they use for mating displays. They also are one of the fastest birds in the world capable of moving up to 153km/h. Their feeding habits are a mix of catching fish from the water and using their speed, size and power to kleptoparasitise other seabirds, forging them to regurgitate their own catches.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Suliformes
Family: Fregatidae
Genus: Fregata
SUBSPECIES: F. m. magnificens, F. m. rothschildi
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Fragata Común ("Common Frigate")
Found around both coasts
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Strix ("owl") nigrolineata ("black lined")

Black-and-white Owl (Strix nigrolineata) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 400-535g  /  Length: 35-40cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This visually striking owl is a species that is found only in Central America and the most adjacent lowland parts of South America. They are a forest species, but are quite tolerant of nesting hear humans compared to other owls, perhaps as it tends to nest high in very tall tree species like mahogany. Its favoured prey include dung beetles, bats, cicadas and diurnal birds snatched from their roosts.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cárabo Blanquinegro ("Black and White Owl")
A widespread species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius)

OTHER NAMES: Boatbill
Latin Etymology: Cochlearius (a snail shaped spoon) cochlearius (a snail shaped spoon)

Juvenile Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) at Alajuela, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Cochlearius cochlearius panamensis
Weight: 500-770g  /  Length: 54cm  /  Wingspan: 76cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

This bizarre looking heron is unique in that it is the only heron that attacks with a scooping motion rather than the typical spearing one. They are found around swamps, marshes and ponds with dense foliage around, and then hunt nocturnally thanks to their large eyes. Their range consists of Central America and most of Brazil on into it's neighbouring countries
 
Related Species: 
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Cochlearius
SUBSPECIES: C. c. zeledoni, C. c. phillipsi, C. c. ridgwayi, C. c. panamensis, C. c. cochlearius
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Pico Cuchara ("Spoonbeak")

Widespread resident of lowlands where appropraite habitat is found
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Alajuela

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Harpagus ("rapacious person, harpy") bidentatus ("two toothed")

Double-toothed Kite (Harpagus bidentatus) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Harpagus bidentatus fasciatus
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 29-35cm  /  Wingspan: 60-72cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Double-toothed kites are specialist predators of rainforest interiors, primarily snatching prey from branches, primarily insects but will, as seen here, also take small vertebrates including frogs and lizards. Despite the name, the name "kite" doesn't have any particular taxonomic significance as it is applied to a wide range of species across numerous taxons, many of which are only distantly related to each other.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Accipitriformes
Family: Accipitridae
Genus: Harpagus
SUBSPECIES: H. b. bidentatus, H. b. fasciatus
 

- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Milano Bidentado ("Two-toothed Kite")
Widespread resident of lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Anser ("goose") caerulescens caerulescens ("ceruleanish")

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) at Deeping Lakes, Lincolnshire - January 2026

Featured Subspecies: Unknown
Weight: 2-3kg  /  Length: 64-79cm  /  Wingspan: 135-165cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that breeds on the Arctic tundra of North America, just tipping over into Siberia, it is notable for coming in two morphs; the snow morph seen here has the bird as entirely white plumaged except the black tail, while the "blue" morph  have only white heads on otherwise dark grey bodies. While this bird was presumably a vagrant as it was associating with whooper swans, typically the Wintering range of Snow Geese is various pockets in the USA and Mexico.

Related Species: 
Order: Anseriformes 
Family: Anatidae 
Genus: Anser
SUBSPECIES: A. c. caerulescens, A. c. atlanticus

 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM 
 Rare vagrant and also feral breeding species
-  One bird seen at Deeping Lakes in January 2026 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao)

OTHER NAMES: Red-and-Yellow Macaw, Red-and-blue Macaw
Latin Etymology: Ara (onomatapoeiac name from Tupi for macaws) macao (macaw)

 

Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Ara macao cyanopterus
Weight:1kg  /  Length: 81-96cm  /  Wingspan: 107-122cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Scarlet macaws are an instantly recognisable species and an icon among tropical birds of the most long-lived of all bird species with an expected lifespan of 40-50 years but recorded as living to 90. They are one of the largest of all parrots and being loud, social and brightly coloured are easily one of the most conspicuous species in areas they occur. They are recorded as being kept as pets as early as the 11th century, and today are still a popular species in aviculture.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Ara
SUBSPECIES: A. m. macao, A. m. cyanopterus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Guacamayo Escarlata ("Scarlet Macaw")
A highly local species found near the Nicaragian Border, at Tarcoles and Corcovado National Park.
Found in - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Glaucidium ("small owl") brasilianum ("of Brazil")

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum) at Taroles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Glaucidium brasilianum ridgwayi
Weight: 53-79g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: 30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

The most widely distributed of all pygmy owls ranging from the US Southern border to Argentina, albeit somewhat patchily. Despite its small size they are versatuke oredators taking almost any prey of appropriate size including birds, lizards, rodents, grasshoppers and scorpions. Across their range, their plumage comes in a range of different morphs from duller dark browns through to russet. The subspecies seen here that is found in Central and North America has been proposed for being split but this has not currently been accepted by any authorities.
 
Related Species: 
Order:  Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Glaucidium

SUBSPECIES: G. b. cactorum, G. b. intermedium, G. b. ridgwayi, G. b. medianum, G. b. margaritae, G. b. phaloenoides, G. b. duidae, G. b. olivaceum, G. b. ucayalae, G. b. brasilianum, G. b. pallens, G. b. stranecki, G. b. tucumanum

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish -  Tecolote Bajeño ("Lowland Owl")

Found in the North West 
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Piaya (Creole name for species) cayana (of Cayenne, French Guiana)

Common Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Piaya cayana thermophila
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 43-46cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Named for its habit of clambering along branches with little flight involved, the squirrel cuckoo is an insectivore, particularly of larger insects like caterpillars and cicadas, although they will also take small lizards and amphibians. Unlike many cuckoos, they are not brood parasites, but construct their own nests by making a cup of leaves and twigs high in trees.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Genugs: Piaya
SUBSPECIES: P. c. thermophila, P. c. nigricrissa, P. c. mehleri, P. c. mesura, P. c. circe, P. c. cayana, P. c. insulana, P. c. obscura, P. c. hellmayri, P. c. pallescens, P. c. cabanisi, P. c. macroura, P. c. mogenseni

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cucu Ardilla Común
A common and widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Alajuela

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus)

OTHER NAMES: Mexican Eagle
Latin Etymology: Caracara (from old Tupi name for species) plancus ("flat")

Juvenile Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Caracara plancus cheriway
Weight: 0.9-1.6kg  /  Length: 50-65cm  /  Wingspan: 120-132cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very widely ranging species found from the Southern USA to Patagonia, they are primarily carrion feeders but are broadly opportunistic and will also hunt or pirate food from other species. They are also adaptable and tactical and will follow things disturbing a habitat such as farming or wildfire as an opportunity to snatch fleeing prey.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Caracara
SUBSPECIES: C. p. cheriway, C. p. plancus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Carancho
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose and Tarcoles

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Talamanca Hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis)

OTHER NAMES: Admirable Hummingbird
Latin Etymology: Eugenes ("noble") spectabilis ("remarkable") 

Talamanca Hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 8.5-10g  /  Length: 13cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As the name suggests, as endemic of the Talamancan Montane Forest habitat, almsot endemic to Costa Rica, just extending over slightly into Panama. They primarily occur from 2000m altitude upwards but get more common above 2500m, particularly in oak forests. They were only split from Rivoli's Hummingbird in 2017, and BirdLife still considers them a subspecies of such, which in turn is how the IUCN considers them. 

Related Species: 
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Eugenes
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Colibrí de la Talamanca
Endemic to the Talamancan Montane Forest
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus)

OTHER NAMES: Grey-necked Wood Rail
Latin Etymology: Aramides ("resembling limpkin") cajaneus ("of Cayenne, French Guiana")

 

Grey-cowled Wood Rail (Aramides cajaneus) at Location, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Aramides cajaneus cajaneus
Weight: 320-465g  /  Length: 33-40cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large distinctive rail of the neotropics, they are an adaptable species that can be found in both mature rainforests to, as this one, small urban rivers in fragmented habitat. Typically nocturnal, where they feed on invertibrates, with mangrove populations being particularly specialised in crabs but are more broadly omnivours, supplementing their diet with fruits, seeds and grain as needed.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Aramides
SUBSPECIES: A. c. latens, A. c. morrisoni, A. c. cajaneus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Cotara Chiricote
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi)

OTHER NAMES: Finsch's Parakeet, Finsch's Conure
Latin Etymology: Psittacara ("parrot head") finschi (for explorer Friedrich Finsch)

 

Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi) at Location, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 135-175g  /  Length: 28cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A parrot species with a limited range from Nicaragua to Panama, that favours less dense forests and semi open landscapes, though has also adapted to urban life in cities such as San Jose. They are a social bird which may gather in flocks of up to 30 to feed. Their primary food sources include fruits, flowers and grains.

Related Species: 

Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Psittacara
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic  

- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Perico Frentirrojo ("Red-fronted Parakeet")

A widespread resdent of lowlands.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Jose

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Spotted Wood Quail (Odontophorus guttatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Odontophorus ("tooth bearing") guttatus ("speckled")

Spotted Wood Quail (Odontophorus guttatus) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 300g  /  Length: 25cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species of dense highland forests, particularly ones with dense understories where they can remain safer from predators. They travel is small groups of 4 to 10 where they will search for invertibrates and fallen fruit on the forest floor. In some parts of their range they are threatened due to deforestation.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Galliformes
Family: Odontophoridae
Genus: Odontophorus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Corcovado Goteado
Found in Mountain Forests
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)

OTHER NAMES: Barbary Duck
Latin Etymology: Cairina ("of Cairo") moschata (muscovy, though of unclear origin - see text)

Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1.25-4kg  /  Length: 71-84cm  /  Wingspan: 137-152cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While the Muscovy Duck is widely spread across Central and South America, it is perhaps more familiar to many as a domesticated species reared for it's meat since Pre-Columbian times, but can now be found worldwide in farms, and in places, as a result feral populations. They are capable of producing exceptionally large clutch sizes of up to 16 eggs. Feral birds often have white or piebald plumage but wild birds only have white on the wings.  The origin of why they are called "Muscovy" is unclear as they have no natural connection to Moscow, and several theories have been presented as to how this would have come about.   
 
Related Species: 
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Cairina
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - El Pato Criollo ("Creole Duck")
A widespread resident of lowland wetlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Streptoprocne ("collar + mythological figure Prokne) zonaris ("girdle")

White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Streptoprocne zonaris boucharis
Weight: 90-125g  /  Length: 20-21cm  /  Wingspan: 45-55cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the largest swifts of the Neotropics, the White-collared Swift primarily nests in caves where they use mud in nooks and niches to produce small platforms. Many aspects of their life cycle is poorly understood including their diet and migratory habits. They are able to attain flying speeds of over 100kph.
 

Related Species: 
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Apodidae
Genus: Streptoprocne

SUBSPECIES: S. z. mexicana, S. z. bouchellii, S. z. pallidifrons, S. z. minor, S. z. albicincta, S. z. subtropicalis, S. z. altissima, S. z. kuenzeli, S. z. zonaris

 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Vencejo Acollarado
Widespread resident.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

OTHER NAMES: Louisiana Heron
Latin Etymology: Egretta ("egret") tricolor ("three coloured")

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Egretta tricolor ruficollis
Weight: 415g  /  Length: 50-76cm  /  Wingspan: 96cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very widely distributed but very coastal egret species fond from New England to Northern Brazil on the Atlantic Side, and California to Northern Peru on the Pacific. They are more solitary than most egret species and prey primarily on small fish and prawns to a degree far greater than the other members of Egretta which supplement their diets with terrestial invertibrates. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Ardeidae
Genus: Egretta
SUBSPECIES: E. t. rufficollis, E. t. tricolor
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Garcetta Tricolor ("Tricoloured Heron")
A common species near coast and estuary
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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