Hudsonian Godwit (Limosa haemastica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Limosa (species specific name) haemastica ("bloody)

Moulting adult Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica) at Cattawade, Suffolk - August 2026

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 300g  /  Length: 37-42cm  /  Wingspan: 74cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 

Arguably the most remote and understudied of the four godwit species, they breed in largely remote near coastal bogs of Alaska and Canada before migrating to the very south of South America, primarily along the Argentinian Coast. This bird was a very off course vagrant having somehow found its way to the UK, where less than 10 individuals have ever been recorded.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Limosa
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Extremely infrequent vagrant.

 - Birds seen at Cattawade, Suffolk 

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

.

Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)

OTHER NAMES: Rufous-backed Shrike
Latin Etymology: Lanius ("to tear to pieces") schach (onomatopoeic based on call)

Adult Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) at Oxfordshire, UK - July 2026

Featured Subspecies: Unknown, though erysthronotus would seem most likely
Weight: 33-52g  /  Length: 20-25cm  /  Wingspan: 30-35cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread resident of Southern and Central Asia, although not present in much of mainland South East Asia or Borneo.  They are a fairly visually diverse species with some species having a typical shrike "bandit mask" while some subspecies have much more vivid colours and the black extends into more towards being a full "cap". This bird on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border is only the third ever reported in the UK, thought fascinatingly the second arrived just a week prior and their stays overlapped, a bizarre coincidence for such a rare species!
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Laniidae
Genus: Lanius

SUBSPECIES: L. s. erythronotus, L. s. caniceps, L. s. tricolor, L. s. schach, L. s. longicaudatus, L. s. bentet, L. s. nasutus, L. s. suluensis, L. s. stresemanni 

 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An extremely rare vagrant.

A vagrant bird seen on the Gloucestershire/Oxfordshire border is only the third ever UK record of this species, one being here at the same time

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

.

Collared Forest Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Micrastur ("little goshawk") semitorquatus ("half collared")

Alex Holt · Collared Forest Falcon 

Calling Collared Forest Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Micrastur semitorquatus semitorquatus
Weight: 460-940g  /  Length: 46-58cm  /  Wingspan: 72-86cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest of the forest falcons, collared forest falcons have are agile hunters who have facial discs similar to owls and harriers to aid in them hearing potential prey, which is primarily small mammals and birds. They inhabit a wide range of forest types including mangroves and rain forest and are believed to have territories of approximately 100 km² where they communicate via low calls capable of carrying many miles.

 
Related Species: 
Order: Falconiformes
Family: Falconidae
Genus: Micrastur
SUBSPECIES: M. s. nasi, M. s. semitorquatus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A widespread resident except in the highlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Heard at Tarcoles

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

.

Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus)

OTHER NAMES: Orange-flanked Bush-robin
Latin Etymology: Tarsiger ("flat of foot, carry") cyanurus ("blue-tailed") 

First Winter male Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus) at Gressenhall, Norfolk - February 2026

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 10-18g/kg  /  Length: 13-14cm  /  Wingspan: 21-24.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species whose breeding range largely comprises the Russian Far East, along with Northern Japan, Mongolia, and probably more pertinent to this species in pockets of Finland and Sweden. They Winter in South East Asia, particularly Southern China.  The adult male has a striking deep blue head and wings, while the female and first Winter male have a colour scheme resembling more a faded eurasian robin with a blue tail. Formely consided to have two subspecies, the second has now been split into the Himalayan Bluetail.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Tarsiger
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare but increasingly regular vagrant

 - One vagrant bird at Gressenhall, Norfolk in February 2026

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

.

Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Selasphorus ("flame carrying") scintilla ("scintillant")

Adult female Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 2g  /  Length: 6.5-8cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the smallest birds on earth with only a handful of other hummingbirds smaller and at its smallest, a mere 4mm larger than the bee hummingbird, the very smallest. A close relation of the Volcano Hummingbird also found across a similar range, though at higher elevations - the females can only be reliably separated by seeing the underside of their tail. The males however have an irridescent orange gorget which separates them.
 

Related Species: 
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Selasphorus
SUBSPECIES: N/A
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rican)- Colibrí chispita gorginaranja ("Sparkling orange-throated Hummingbird")

Endemic to the Talamancan Montane Forest Ecoregion
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at hummingbird feeders at San Gerardo de Dota 

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

.

Lesser Greenlet (Pachysylvia decurtata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Pachysylvia ("stout woodland sprite") decurtata ("short")

 

Lesser Greenlet (Pachysylvia decurtata) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Pachysylvia decurtata decurtata
Weight: 6.6-10.3g  /  Length: 9.4-10.2cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small member of the vireo family found in Central America, it is primarily insectivorous and has a lifestyle somewhat resembling a phylloscopus warbler - following mixed feeding flocks to hunt prey taken from branches. It's subspecies are somewhat unresolved with different taxonomies treating it as having either three or six subspecies.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vireonidae
Genus: Pachysylvia
SUBSPECIES: P. d. brevipennis, P. d. dickermani, P. d. phillipsi, P. d. decurtata, P. d. dariensis, P. d. minor
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Verdillo Menudo 
A widespread inhabitant of lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park

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

.

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Melospiza ("song finch") lincolnii (Thomas Lincoln, a friend of Audobon)

Adult Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Melospiza lincolnii gracilis
Weight: 17-19g/kg  /  Length: 13-15cm  /  Wingspan: 19-22cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A somewhat more timid member of the New World Sparrows, Lincoln's Sparrow favour more mountainous and boggy habitats where they are primarily ground feeding. They winter in the Southern US and Mexico. Thomas Lincoln for whom they are named, shot a bird in Nova Scotia, which he presented to his friend James Audobon who named it after him.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passerellidae
Genus: Melospiza
SUBSPECIES: M. l. lincolnii, M. l. gracilis, M. l. alticola
 
- Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Breeds in Alaska, Rockies and inland on the West Coast States, Winters on West Coast and Southern Saates 
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.