With almost 850 species of birds, Costa Rica has long been famous among serious bird watchers. One of the reasons for Costa Rica's extraordinary bird life is the country's great variety of habitats: rain forests, mangrove swamps, beaches, cloud forests, rivers, etc. And any two of those ecosystems, with their resident bird species, are often only a short distance apart. 

Fortunately, Costa Rica's birds are not shy. Seeing them is relatively easy. Depending on the season, location, and luck, you can expect to see many dozens of species on any one given day. Many of the birding tours are guided bird-study tours, and the country is well set up with mountain and jungle lodges which specialize in bird watching programs.

Many species of warblers, flycatchers, vireos, orioles, etc. migrate to Costa Rica every winter. You will also have the opportunity to see some amazing birds which are associated with the tropics such as: parrots, parakeets, macaws, toucans, toucanets and the elusive but legendary quetzal. However, there are many others, equally impressive species flitting around, such as the motmots, with their distinctive racket tails; oropendolas, which build remarkable hanging nests; and an amazing array of hawks, kites, and falcons. 

If you are looking for birds with magical colors then the country's tanagers, euphonias, manakins, cotingas, and trogons have some of the loveliest plumed creatures, but none of them match the iridescence of the fast flying hummingbirds. 

You won't find a better place for birding than Costa Rica.