Search for Elusive Birds: 244 species in 9 days!
From Sunbittern in Cartago to Great Potoo in Tortuguero and Black-crested Coquette at Arenal, our October “Search for the Elusive Birds” tour delivered incredible sightings and unforgettable moments.
Trip Dates: 14–22 Oct 2024 (9 days)
Regions Visited: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Limón
Bird Guide: Minor Hidalgo, Costa Rica Focus
Our October 2024 Search for the Elusive Birds small group tour, led by top Costa Rican bird guide Minor Hidalgo, brought together five guests from the U.S. and Canada for nine days of exceptional birding. Although October is the rainy season on the Pacific side, this itinerary was designed to take advantage of the country’s best weather and birding conditions for the season — and it paid off. The group recorded 244 species, with many memorable highlights.
The adventure began at Hotel Bougainvillea in the Central Valley, then continued to the lush foothills of Cartago at Hotel Quelitales, where the group spotted specialties like the Green-fronted Lancebill and Sunbittern. From there, they traveled to the Caribbean Lowlands to explore the canals of Tortuguero by private boat, turning up species such as Great Potoo and Mississippi Kite.
Next, the tour headed to the foothills of the Arenal Volcano for two nights at Arenal Observatory Lodge, where the Black-crested Coquette and four different Manakin species were among the highlights. In addition to birding, the group enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the region’s mineral hot springs.
Throughout the journey, the small group size allowed for a relaxed pace, easy communication, and outstanding views. Out-of-the-way gems like La Marta and CATIE added unique sightings to the trip list. The tour concluded back in the Central Valley at Hotel Villa San Ignacio, wrapping up a week of camaraderie, exploration, and remarkable birding.
Itinerary & Key Locations
- Hotel Bougainvillea – Central Valley garden birding.
- Hotel Quelitales – Cartago foothill specialties.
- Tortuguero Canals – Private boat trips in the Caribbean lowlands.
- Arenal Observatory Lodge – Volcano views, hummingbirds, Manakins, and hot springs.
- La Marta & CATIE – Off-the-beaten-path birding gems.
- Hotel Villa San Ignacio – Closing the trip in the Central Valley.
Species observed include:
- Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata)
- Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
- Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
- Gray-headed Chachalaca (Ortalis cinereiceps)
- Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens)
- Great Curassow (Crax rubra)
- Great Potoo (Nyctibius grandis)
- Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagioenas cayennensis)
- Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis)
- White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis)
- Red-lored Amazon (Amazona autumnalis)
- Mealy Amazon (Amazona farinosa)
- Crimson-fronted Parakeet (Psittacara finschi)
- Black-crowned Antshrike (Thamnophilus atrinucha)
- Russet Antshrike (Thamnistes anabatinus)
- Dusky Antbird (Cercomacroides tyrannina)
- Chestnut-backed Antbird (Poliocrania exsul)
- Dull-mantled Antbird (Sipia laemosticta)
- Tawny-capped Euphonia (Euphonia anneae)
- Tropical Parula (Setophaga pitiayumi)
Full species list & trip details available on eBird: https://ebird.org/tripreport/285086