April is an exciting time for birding in Costa Rica. Yeah, the birding is always exciting around here but I feel like April kicks it up a notch, just a little.
The fourth month is a transition between the dry season and the rainy season, a moment that reminds resident birds to nest and others to begin heading north. This means more local birds singing along with migrants passing through Costa Rica.
It’s a great time to be birding in Costa Rica, a time when you might see a Cerulean Warbler flocking to tanagers, woodcreepers, and other tropical delights.
Other birds are also on the move, hundreds, thousands of Eastern Kingbirds flying through Costa Rican airspace like strange swallows. They include other birds that winter in South America; Swainson’s Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos, wood-pewee, Scarlet Tanagers, and more.
I look forward to seeing them, to reconnect with the annual migration of spring migrants, birds I grew up with. Hopefully, I’ll have some chance to connect with these migrant waves in April.
In the meantime, for birders visiting Costa Rica, there are a few other birds and issues to think about. Look-
Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoos in the San Luis Canopy
The long-tailed mega has been there before, like most sightings of this mega bird, it was seen with Army Ants. I’m not sure how long it will stay this time but if you visit San Luis, you’ll know right away.
One of the helpful things about San Luis is that their workers keep track of ground-cuckoo sightings (and other birds). Just ask the front desk and they will know when and where they saw it.
If they haven’t seen the cuckoo yet, you might want to come in anyway. The quality of the middle elevation rainforest in this area is always good!
Note that trails in San Luis may have an entrance fee of $30.
Poas is active
Poas has been active all season but, lately, the volcano has been a little too active for comfort. Small eruptions and other indications indicate that the volcano is becoming more active.
No one can predict what will happen but the volcano’s situation could easily worsen. As far as I know, the park is currently closed and due to recent serious volcanic activity, you might want to stay away from birding on the entrance road too! No wonder they shut that down too.
Beautiful Birds at Pitilla Biological Sation
Pitilla Biological Station? Never heard of that place? Don’t be surprised, it’s very far from the regular birding track. However, this is a place you can try and visit.
It’s a bit rough and only for the adventurous but the accommodation is top notch and the birding is better than most sites in Costa Rica. This site is foothill/lowland rainforest with all the expected goodies including some rare country birds.
Recently, a local biologist found nesting Ocellated Poorwill and lekking Speckled Mourner. Oh! If you know how hardy those species are in Costa Rica, you know what I’m talking about!
However, Pitilla is not the easiest place to visit and there is no promise that the trails will be open. To visit, you must make arrangements through their website. If for any reason, you can’t visit Pitilla, or you need more comfort, don’t worry!
There are several other, great, little bird spots near there. Can they harbor the same birds? I wouldn’t be surprised. See sites on the northern slopes of Rincon de Vieja and other nearby areas.
Crested Eagle Spotted at Boca Tapada
Whoah! Yes, not that long ago, a Crested Eagle was documented from the Boca Tapada area, near Mirador de Pizote. If I’m not mistaken, it might have been seen in the same place where the Harpy Eagle was seen in 2022.
It is possible that eagles and other birds use that area as an occasional corridor between the forest from one side of the river to the next. The fact that they were both seen there may not be a coincidence; it is one of the only places in that area where the forest extends to the river on one side and then back to the bank just across the water.
Of course those eagles are rarely possible in other lodges in the area. If you’re going birding anywhere around Boca Tapada, it’s worth being prepared for some mega rare birds!
Where to Go Birding in Costa Rica in April
In April, the answer is the same most of the time. The best birding sites in Costa Rica depend on how you like to bird watch and what you want to see.
As long as you go birding in good habitat, you can’t go wrong. However, when I’m birding in April, my favorite places are the Caribbean lowlands and both coasts.
More migrant species pass through those areas than the rest of the country, especially places like Tortuguero and the southern Caribbean coast. Wish I was there today, hope we can get down there in the next few weeks!
