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

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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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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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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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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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Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)

OTHER NAMES: Quero-quero
Latin Etymology: Vanellus ("lapwing") chilensis ("of Chile")

 

Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) at San Jose, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Vanellus chilensis cayennensis
Weight: 250-425g  /  Length: 32-38cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An extremely widespread wader of the Neotropics, found from Nicaragua to Patagonia and largely only missing from the interior of the Amazon, deserts and the Andes. Like some other members of the lapwing family, it possesses bony spurs on its forewings to intimidate potential predators. The taxon found in Costa Rica is considered a potential future split.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Vanellus
SUBSPECIES: V. c. fretensis, V. c. chilensis, V. c. cayennensis, V. c. lampronotus 
 
- Sighting Locations -

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

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

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White-throated Magpie-jay (Cyanocorax formosus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Cyanocorax ("cyan crow") formosus ("beautiful")

White-throated Magpie-jay (Cyanocorax formosus) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Cyanocorax formosus pompatus
Weight: 205-213g  /  Length: 43-56cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A resident of the Pacific Slope of Central America with Costa Rica representing its most sourtherly point. They are social birds, often travelling in small noisy flocks. It was formerly considered to have a fourth subspecies, but that is now considered its own species as the Black-throated Magpie-jay.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocorax
SUBSPECIES: C. f. formosus, C. f. azureus, C. f. pompatus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Urraca Hermosa Cariblanca ("beautiful white-faced magpie")
Common resident of North-West Costa-Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii)

OTHER NAMES: Prevost's Mango
Latin Etymology:  Anthracothorax ("coal chest") prevostii (for naturalist Florent Prévost)

Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Anthracothorax prevostii gracilirostris
Weight: 5.7-7g  /  Length: 10-12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species that reaches its Southernmost range in Costa Rica, in parrallel with a discontinuous range in Venezuela. While the male is irridescent green with a purple-blue throat, the female has a pale underside with a thin black stripe running vertically down her length in the middle making them appear visually very distinct.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Anthracothorax
SUBSPECIES: A. p. prevostii, A. p. gracilirostris, A. p. hendersoni, A. p. viridicordatus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Manguito Pechiverde
A resident of Northern lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Tachycineta ("moving quickly") albilinea ("white lined") 

Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 14g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Unlike many hirundines, the mangrove swallow is a solitary nester built into nooks near water, either manmade or artificial. These particular birds pictured had made the bold choice to make a nest on one of the tour boats for the Tarcoles River, and thus periodically they would follow their moving nest up and down the river before returning to dock, seemingly unphased.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Genus: Tachycineta
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Golondrina de Manglar ("Mangrove Swallow")

Found in coastal and wetland lowlands, particularly Mangroves
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Morelet's Seedeater (Sporophila morelleti)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sporophila ("seed loving") morelleti (for naturalist Pierre Morelet)

 

Female Morelet's Seedeater (Sporophila morelleti) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Sporophila morelleti morelleti
Weight: 6-12g  /  Length: 9.5-11cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The most northerly ranging member of the seedeaters being found up to to the Rio Grande along the Southern US border. Interestingly, while as adults they live up to their name as seedeaters, they primarily feed their chicks insects as a higher protein food source to help them grow, who then switch to seeds on fledging.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Sporophila
SUBSPECIES: S. m. sharpei, S. m. morelleti
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Semillero de Morelet
A widespread resident of lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sporophila ("seed loving") corvina ("raven black")

 

Male Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Sporophila corvina hoffmannii
Weight: 11g  /  Length: 10.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small member of the tanager family, the seedfinches as a group have evolved into a very finchlike form. As the other half of the name suggests, they are visually quite distinct acoss the range, with males ranging from almost entirely black to various levels of black and white. It was formerly considered part of a much broader species under the same name, but unusually, while the variable seedeater retained the common name, the then binomial Sporophila americana went to the wing-barred seedeater.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Thraupidae
Genus: Sporophila
SUBSPECIES: S. c. corvina, S. c. hoffmannii, S. c. hicksii, S. c. ophthalmica
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Semillero variable

Common resident of lowlands
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Euphonia ("good sound") affinis ("similar")

 

Female Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Euphonia affinis affinis
Weight: 10g  /  Length: 9-11cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The members of the genus Euphonia are a number of species of small finches of the Neotropics with various slight variations on a black and yellow plumage patterning in the males, and ochre green in the females, in actual fact this unusually makes it somewhat easier to tell a female Scrub Euphonia from the overlapping Yellow-throated Euphonia, as the female has a distinct white collar while the males are superficially very similar.
 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Euphonia
SUBSPECIES: E. a. olmecorum, E. a. affinis
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Fruterito de Garganta Negra
Found in North-West Costa Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

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

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White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Polioptila ("grey plumage") albiloris ("white lores")

White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Polioptila albiloris albiloris
Weight: 6-9g  /  Length: 11-12cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A member of the Gnatcatchers, a sister family to the Wrens found only in the Americas, the white lored is a species found predominantly on the Pacific Slope of Central America with this sighting at Tarcoles in Costa Rica representing the very most southerly point of its range. As the name implies, they are insectivorous, although they more typically "glean" food from surfaces rather than catching them in the air. 

Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Polioptilidae
Genus: Polioptila
SUBSPECIES: P. a. vanrossemi, P. a. albiloris
 
- Sighting Locations - 

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Perlita Cavecinegra ("Black-headed Pearl")

Resident in North West Costa Rica
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Northern Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dendrocolaptes ("tree chiseller") sanctithomae ("St. Thomas's")

 

Northern Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae sanctithomae
Weight: 53-83g  /  Length: 25-29cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern*

Another species with somewhat unresolved taxonomy, as some split it into the Eastern and Western Barred Woodceeper, and occassionally a third as well. In this instance, the species here would be the Western Barred Woodcreeper. A more timid bird than several of its woodcreeper counterparts, this represents the only view I got of one on the trip.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Dendrocolaptes
SUBSPECIES: D. s. scheffleri, D. s. sanctithomae, D. s. hesperius, D. s. punctipectus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish (Costa Rica) - Trepador Barreteado

Widespread resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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Brown Jay (Cyanocorax morio)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Cyanocorax ("cyan crow") morio (a dark brown stone) 

Brown Jay (Cyanocorax morio) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Cyanocorax morio morio
Weight: 235g  /  Length: 38-44cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

An omnivorous forest corvid found largely down the Atlantic slope of Central America from Texas to Panama. They vary somwhat across their range with the white belly seen in this image here being a feature of Southern populations while further North they become much more brown. They have a vocal structure used to produce a hiccup like sound not found in any of their relatives.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Cyanocorax
SUBSPECIES: C. m. palliatus, C. m. morio, C. m. vociferus
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Chara Papán 
Widespread Resident
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles 

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

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