Birding Experiences

02/04/2024

Between March 03rd and March 28th 2024, we at Birding Experiences had the joy of hosting a group of Aussies (+1 Canadian) organized by my friend Ken Cross.

What an amazing group it was, enthusiastic naturalist and birders, with the best sense of humor and always ready to go out for more.

I really enjoyed this trip, a long one indeed, but with amazing birds and wildlife in general. We visited every possible habitat in the country, and by doing so, we saw many species of insects, butterflies, frogs, reptiles and a great selection mammals including Tapirs, Tayra, Tamandua, the 4 species of Monkeys for the country, Kinkajous, Cacomistles and much more!

Here is our eBird Trip report with our final tally at 555 species.

03 Mar, 2024 – 28 Mar, 2024. Created by Diego Quesada

05/01/2024

Green Jay (Inca) - Cyanocorax yncas - Taken at the Eastern Slope of the Andes in Ecuador.

Happy New Year everyone!

24/12/2023

Magnificent Frigatebird, male display at Tarcoles River, Costa Rica.

Wishing you all Merry Christmas 🎄

02/09/2023

Gorgeted Woodstar (Chaetocercus heliodor) found in South America between Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. This beautiful male was frequently visiting the Verbenas at Las Brisas near Baeza, Ecuador.

03/08/2023

Cabanis’s Ground Sparrow (Melozone cabanisi ) is an Endemic species in Costa Rica. They do have a very limited distribution in the Central Valley of the country, with populations as far East as Turrialba and as far Northwest as Monteverde.

Their habitat is a combination of secondary growth, grasses and crops such as Sugar Cane, Coffee Fields and Squash Plantations amongst others.

The urban development for housing and industry is rapidly taking away their habitat. And efforts to ensure their survival are paramount.

Proyecto Cabanisi - Cabanisi Project is an initiative to promote their conservation by means of education and research.

You can now see a beautiful statue in the central park of Paraiso in Cartago, a community that recently declared the species as a symbol.

23/07/2023

Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys) Taken at , Costa Rica.

22/07/2023

Always a favorite in our wetland birding trips, Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) Taken at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica.

23/06/2023

A Blue-footed B***y (Sula nabouxii) taking care of its chicks, at North Seymour Island, Galapagos.

18/06/2023

Always a real treat for every first visitor to the Neotropics. The Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is one of the most colorful species of toucans, and a regular in our birding experiences.

16/06/2023

Even the most common species have something beautiful to offer. Great Egret (Ardea alba), taken at Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

11/06/2023

Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) Taken at Bartolome Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

09/06/2023

During our last visit to Caño Negro Wetlands, our group was enjoying the wonders of this wildlife rich environment, including a Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) standing at about an average of 5 feet and with a wingspan of 8 feet. When the bird took off I kept taking pictures. Afterwards I noticed an Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) standing proud on its perch, as that gigantic Airbus A380 like bird, passed along the skyline.

13/05/2023

A male Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculatus) stretching on his perch, during his daily routine of displays.

Taken in Los Ángeles de San Ramon, Costa Rica.

28/04/2023

While birding at , we were enjoying a Lattice-tailed Trogon, when out of the blue a large bird dropped from the trees into the understory. To everyone’s surprise it turned out to be a Spectacled Owl, probably hunting for something spotted from above. I managed to capture this picture, looking at me in between all the vegetation

It was a really cool encounter!

27/04/2023

Nesting season of Resplendent Quetzal has been amazing. Proyecto Kabek started by supports farmers that protect the habitat of this extraordinary birds. We feel proud of supporting them as well.

We have one more group heading to the highlands of Talamanca to enjoy them.

Conservation that brings benefits to the community.

25/04/2023

How much cuteness can you get in one picture?

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth. Mother and Baby.
La Fortuna, Costa Rica

20/04/2023

Skutch (1944) described the male Resplendent Quetzal as "a supremely lovely bird; the most beautiful, all things considered, that I have ever seen. He owes his beauty to the intensity and arresting contrast of his coloration, the resplendent sheen and glitter of his plumage, the elegance of his ornamentation, the symmetry of his form, and the noble dignity of his carriage."

19/04/2023

It’s been amazing, great nature, wonderful people, fantastic birds!!! Bring in the next with Naturesportal Photography Workshops

Well, two groups finished, my final group arriving on Friday. All getting great images of this magnificent bird, the Resplendent Quetzal. As this male exited the nest, I decided to try the new Pre Capture on the Z9. I set it for 30 fps, and 1 sec., so it gave me about 11mb jpegs. I checked the exposure because I knew I would not have as much latitude with the processing. I was setup on a tripod and had a wired cable release, so the second I saw the male move to fly out, I slammed the shutter. I was thrilled with the results, with frames I am sure I would not have been able to get otherwise, this being one of them. I wanted the tailed showing just in the nest and possibly the full wing up position. Taken with the Nikon 300 f/4 PF lens with the Nikon 1.4E III TC, iso 6400, f/7.1, 1/3200, 3d AF mode with animal detection. Please check out my main website at www.naturesportal.net.

08/04/2023

Golden-browed Chlorophonia (Chlorophonia callophrys)

One of the most beautiful regional endemics shared between Costa Rica and Panama.

Photographed at

13/03/2023

Our tour with Ventures Birding Tours is off to a great start!

22/02/2023

Bare-necked Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus glabricollis)

This male has been showing recently at the . Making displays and showing its “Mohican-style” crest and scarlet bare-throat skin.

I managed to get some pics while twitching the also iconic Rufous-vented Ground-cuckoo ( Pics coming soon). Not a bad birding day!

04/02/2023

From the field: Rob Ripma and Jehudy Carballo are having a great time in Costa Rica leading a fundraising tour for the Ohio Ornithological Society. Yesterday, while birding the San Gerardo de Dota Valley, they were treated to incredible views of the stunning Resplendent Quetzal! Contact us to learn more about birding in Costa Rica and how to fundraise for your organization. And check out Rob's awesome photo from yesterday!

03/02/2023

Canivet’s Emerald (Cynanthus canivetii)

A beautiful male shows it’s colors near Bijagua, Costa Rica. This small hummingbirds are found in lowland and foothill tropical forest from Mexico through Central Valley in Costa Rica.

02/02/2023

Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus)

Celebrating International Wetland Day, we give you this beautiful South American wetland species, photographed in Colombia near La Guajira back in 2008.

01/02/2023

Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias)

Back in early December 2022, while guiding a private photography tour, this beautiful individual was quietly feeding along the stream just entering . Suddenly sunlight came out and it decided to spread its wings and gave us an amazing full display.