Birding Club of Costa Rica

23/06/2026

Happiest of birthdays to the clubs favorite guide in the world, Patrick ODonnell . Hope your day s filled with lifers.

07/06/2026

Northern barred woodcreeper at dusk tonight in Jaco.

Lori Haskell, treasurer

27/05/2026

Clay Colored Thrush on a nest near my home gym. Hoping to see babies soon.

26/05/2026

24/05/2026

This book looks beautiful.

19/05/2026

A reminder that the prettiest things in nature are usually the deadliest.

Everyone else was looking at a huge crocodile but as usual, I was distracted by a bird. In specific, one of my favs, the bare throated tiger heron. It's no secret that my fav birds are the evil ones...... This type of heron is the number one killer of baby crocodiles on the tarcoles river. Beautiful on the outside, savage on the inside. I have a couple that also hang out on my property at home. I love seeing the juveniles as their coloring is totally different. I hear one at night quite often calling from my Guanacaste tree.

Interesting facts about the Bare-throated Tiger Heron:

Despite the name “tiger,” this bird is actually a type of heron known for its striped, tiger-like neck pattern.

They are masters of camouflage and can stand perfectly motionless for long periods while hunting.

Bare-throated Tiger Herons are commonly found around mangroves, rivers, estuaries, and wetlands in Costa Rica.

Their diet includes fish, crabs, frogs, insects, and even small reptiles.

Juveniles look completely different from adults — younger birds are much browner and more heavily striped.

The bright yellow bare skin on the face becomes more vibrant during breeding season.

They hunt with extreme precision, striking prey lightning-fast with their long spear-like bill.
Unlike some noisy tropical birds, tiger herons are usually quiet and solitary.

They are often seen in places like Tárcoles River and mangrove areas along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

Bird photographers love them because they look prehistoric and almost dinosaur-like when standing still in the shadows.

Lori, club treasurer

18/05/2026

Tell us....

Whats your dream bird to see in Costa Rica that you have no yet seen?

Comment below and tell us.

Mine is obviously the Harpy Eagle.

Lori, group treasurer

18/05/2026

Perched above the world with the patience of a hunter and the calm of a king. The Osprey reminds us that strength doesn’t always need noise.

I took this Pic on the tarcoles river. I've taken many pics of the Osprey and usually don't take them when they are further away, but I couldnt resist as I had not seen one in a long time and he was just beautiful waiting there.

My fav Osprey experience was with Gary Willmott during covid. Him, Allen and I went rafting on a river (I can't remember the name). Nobody was out. Nobody. We had an an amazing time and saw so many birds including tons of spoonbill and Osprey super close up. Some of my most amazing wildlife adventures were during covid. I think the animals likes all the people were hiding and they had their jungle back to themselves. We also had an amazing lunch after at a place I had never been to. The food and bakery were incredible. Again, blanking on the name.

*********Interesting Facts About Osprey

The Osprey is one of the only raptors in the world that eats almost exclusively fish.

They can dive feet-first into water at speeds up to about 80 mph to catch prey.

Ospreys have reversible outer toes — two forward and two backward — which helps them grip slippery fish like built-in talons for fishing.

Their feathers are oily and dense, helping them shed water quickly after diving.

An Osprey will often rotate a fish head-first in flight to make carrying it more aerodynamic.

They have exceptional eyesight and can spot fish from high above the water.

Unlike many birds of prey, Ospreys are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Their nests can become enormous over the years, sometimes weighing hundreds of pounds.

Ospreys nearly disappeared in some areas due to DDT pesticide use in the mid-1900s, but conservation efforts brought them back dramatically — one of the great wildlife recovery stories.

They often return to the exact same nesting site year after year.

Lori, group treasurer