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

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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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Black-hooded Antshrike (Thamnophilus bridgesi)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Thamnophilus ("bush loving") bridgesi (collector of holotype)

 

Male Black-hooded Antshrike (Thamnophilus bridgesi) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 26-27g  /  Length: 15-17cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Found only on the Pacific Slope of Costa Rica and Panama, they are insectivores which generally keeps fairly low to the ground, snatching invertibrates where it can find them. It will use tactics such as joining mixed species feeding flocks or even following army ant swarms to pick off prey that flees it from above.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thamnophilidae
Genus: Thamnophilus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Batará Negruzco

Widespread on the Pacific Slope.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park

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

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Rufous Piha (Lipaugus unirufus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Lipaugus ("devoid of ligh") unirufus ("singly reddish brown")

 

Rufous Piha (Lipaugus unirufus) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Lipaugus unirufus unirufus
Weight: 79-97g  /  Length: 22-26cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite appearing very much like a thrush, and the local clay-coloured thrush in particular, the rufous piha is actually a member of the generally far more colourful contingas, or which it is one of the most northerly members. They have loud and distinctive calls resulting in them being seen far more often than heard.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Cotingidae
Genus: Lipaugus
SUBSPECIES: L. u. unirufus, L. u. castaneotinctus
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rican) -  Piha

Found in East Coast Lowlands and West Coast from Tarcoles Southwards
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park

 

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

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Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Xiphorhynchus ("sword snout") susurrans ("whispering")

Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Xiphorhynchus susurrans costaricensis 

Weight: 43-58g  /  Length: 21-25.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large species of woodcreeper that prefers denser forest than the more common streak-headed, they are furthermore differentiateable in the field by their thick two-toned bill. Previously regarded as part of the Buff-throated Woodcreeper, it has been split since the 1980s, but there is some potential that it may be split further.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Xiphorhynchus
SUBSPECIES: X. s. confinis, X. s. costaricensis, X. s. marginatus, X. s. nana, X. s. rosenbergi, X. s. jardinei, X. s. margaritae, X. s. susurrans

 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Trepatroncos Cacao

Widespread in 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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Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Megarynchus ("large bill") pitangua (from Tupi name for species)

 

Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Megarynchus pitangua mexicanus
Weight: 53-70g  /  Length: 21.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A particularly large member of the tyrant flycatchers with a distinctive large bill that is uses for preying on large invertibrates such as cicadas, but will also eat fruit and small vertebrates. It has similar plumage to the also locally common great kiskadee and social flycatcher, but the huge beak is diagnostic although equally, I found it the least confiding of the three species with this photo representing my only good view.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Tyrannidae
Genus: Megarhynchus
SUBSPECIES: M. p. tardiusculus, M. p. caniceps, M. p. mexicanus, M. p. deserticola, M. p. pitangua, M. p. chrysogaster
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Bienteveo Pitanguá

Widespread and common
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park and Tarcoles 

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

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Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Chordeiles ("evening dance") acutipennis ("sharp winged")

 

Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Chordeiles acutipennis littoralis
Weight: 45-50g  /  Length: 20-23cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Despite the name, the size difference between this and the common nighthawk is fairly subtle, with subtle differences in the feathering being a more useful diagnostic feature. They have a more southerly distribution than the common with their breeding grounds being in States on the US Southern border into Mexico, with a few isolated resident areas further South while they Winter in Central and South America.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Caprimulgiformes
Family: Caprimulgidae
Genus: Chordeiles
SUBSPECIES: C. a. texensis, C. a. littoralis, C. a. micromeris, C. a. acutipennis, C. a. crissalis, C. a. aequatorialis, C. a. exilis
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Añapero Garrapena
Widespread Wintering species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park, Costa Rica and Tarcoles

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

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Dot-winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis)

OTHER NAMES: Velvety Antwren
Latin Etymology: Microrhopias ("small bush dweller") quixensis ("of Quijo", an area in Peru/Ecuador)

Dot-winged Antwren (Microrhopias quixensis) at Carara National Parl, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Microrhopias quixensis virgatus
Weight: 7.5-11.5g  /  Length: 10-12.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A widespread secies of Antbird found in Central America and the Amazon basin. While the name suggests greater specificity, they feed on arthropods in general, foraging in small family groups, or, when they enter its territory, joining mixed species flocks.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thamnophilidae
Genus: Microrhopias
SUBSPECIES: M. q. boucardi, M. q. virgatus, M. q. consobrina, M. q. quixensis, M. q. intercedens, M. q. nigriventris, M. q. albicauda, M. q. microstictus, M. q. bicolor, M. q. emiliae
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Hormiguerito del Quijos

Found in Caribean Lowlands and Central Pacific 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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Slaty-Tailed Trogon (Trogon massena)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Trogon ("fruit eating") massena (for individual named Massena)

Adult male Slaty-Tailed Trogon (Trogon massena) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Trogon massena hoffmanii
Weight: 140-155g  /  Length: 30-35cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large species of trogon of Central America, their habitat is the midstory of mature forests of the lowlands. They eat primarily fruit and insects, and have been recorded following groups of capuchin monkeys to catch insects displaced by them. While the male has chest and upperparts in a rich bottle green, in the female this is a steely grey instead.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Trogoniformes
Family: Trogonidae
Genus: Trogon
SUBSPECIES: T. m. hoffmanni, T. m. massena, T. m . australis
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Surucuá Grande Azul ("Great Blue Trogon")
A widespread but uncommon resident of mature forest
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park 

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

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Green-and-Black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus)

OTHER NAMES: Green-and-black Poison Arrow Frog, Green Poison Dart Frog, Green Poison Frog
Latin Etymology: Dendrobates ("tree climber") auratus ("gilded")

Adult Green and Black Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) at Carara, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 3-10 grams  /  Length: 1.9-2.5cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

As a member of the famous poison dart frog family, this species is indeed intensely poisonous, however, this actually comes from their diet of ants and mites which the frogs metabolise into a complex set of alkaloid poisons which can cause many side effects including numbness, loss of motor control, cardiac arrest or death to a creature foolish enough to consume one.  Despite the name, it is extremely colour variable and some populations lack green, black or in one case, eiter for different colour combinations.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Anura
Family: Dendrobatidae
Genus: Dendrobates
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A fairly widespread species of coast
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park

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

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Panamanian White-faced Capuchin (Cebus imitator)

OTHER NAMES: Panamanian White-headed Capuchin
Latin Etymology: Cebus ("long-tailed monkey") imitator ("mimic")

Panamanian White-faced Capuchin (Cebus imitator) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A

Weight: 3.9kg  /  Length: up to 100cm

NO UK STATUS /IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

A versatile species of monkey that lives in troops which can exceed 20 individuals. It is considered to be an intelligent and adaptable species with records of not only tool use but seemingly rudimentary herbal medicine and even weapons. They are also long lived, with an individual on record having lived to over 54 years. They are omnivores, but the majority usually consists of fruit, of which they have been recorded eating at least 95 different species.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Primates
Family: Haplorhini
Genus: Cebus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Carara

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

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Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Saccopteryx ("sac winged") bilineata ("two lined")

Adult Greater Sac-winged Bat (Saccopteryx bilineata) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Saccopteryx bilineata centralis
Weight: 5-30g  /  Length: 5-13cm  /  Wingspan: 20-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very widely distributed bat of Central and South America, their name comes from small perculiar pouches on their wings which males inbue with glandular secretions and urine, and then hover infront of prospective mates to fan her with his scent. They are also the only species of mammal outside of primates that have being recorded "babbling" as they learn their calls.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Saccopteryx
SUBSPECIES: S. b. villai, S. b. centralis
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park 

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

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Delicate Ameiva (Holcosus leptophrys)

OTHER NAMES: Delicate Whiptail
Latin Etymology:  Holcosus (a type of grain) leptophrys ("fine eyebrow")

Adult Delicate Ameiva (Holcosus leptophrys) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A decenbtly sized lizard found from Panama to Columbia.  Despite the name it is a comparatively sturdily built lizard which forages around in leaf litter for small invertebrates. It overlaps with other members of the genus Holcosus in Costa Rica but can be identified by the distinctive zig zagged pattern on its sides.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Squamata
Family: Teiidae
Genus: Holcosus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A common resident.
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Carara National Park 

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

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Yellow-headed Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis)

OTHER NAMES: White-throated Clawed Gecko, White-throated Gecko
Latin Etymology: Gonatodes ("resembling a knee") albogularis ("white throat")

Adult male Yellow-headed Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Gonatodes albogularis fuscus
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 6.9-9cm 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A distinctive small gecko of Central and South America, they live around trees and breed in the bases of trees, particularly amongst leaf litter. They are primarily diurnal, but avoid direct sunlight and indeed, on an individual seen in Carara National Park, actively in a darker section of forest. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Squamata
Family: Sphaerodactylidae
Genus: Gonatodes
SUBSPECIES: G. a. albogularis, G. a. bodinii, G. a. fuscus, G. a. notatus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 
A widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Carara 

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

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Copper Anole (Anolis cupreus)

OTHER NAMES: Dry Forest Anole
Latin Etymology: Anolis ("Anole") cupreus ("copper")

 

Adult Copper Anole (Anolis cupreus) at Carara National Park, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 10-15cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Actually one of two species to be called the "Copper Anole" - this one is found in Hondruas, Nicaragua and Costa Rica while the other is endemic to Mexico. They a live in forests where they forage for prey amongst the forest floor and trees.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Squamata
Family: Dactyloidae
Genus: Anolis
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 

A locally common resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Location (details) and Location (details)

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

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Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis)

OTHER NAMES: Black Iguana
Latin Etymology: Ctenosaura ("comb back lizard") similis ("similar")

 

Adult Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Ctenosaura similis similis
Weight: 1-2kg  /  Length: 1.3cm  
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest member of the genus Ctenosaura found widely in lowland Coastal regions from the Yucatan to Panama. Primarily herbivorous, they eat most parts of plants, but will opportunistically take smaller animals too. Impressively, they are one of the few animals to eat machineel - a tree of which every part is very toxic to most species. They are considered the fastest lizard in the world and capable of running at 21mph. 
 
Related Species: 
Order: Squamata 
Family: Iguanidae 
Genus: Ctenosaura
SUBSPECIES: C. s similis, C. s. multipunctata
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA 

Common in Pacific Lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Carara 

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

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