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 bit.
The fourth month is a transition between dry and wet seasons, a moment that reminds resident birds to nest and others to start 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 spot a Cerulean Warbler flocking with tanagers, woodcreepers, and other tropical delights.
Other birds are on the move too, hundreds, thousands of Eastern Kingbirds flying through Costa Rican airspace like odd-looking swallows. They are joined by the other birds that wintered in South America; Swainson’s Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos, wood-pewees, Scarlet Tanagers, and more.
I look forward to seeing them, to reconnecting with the annual move of spring migrants, birds I grew up with. Hopefully, I’ll get some chances to connect with these April migrant waves.
In the meantime, for birders visiting Costa Rica, there’s some other birds and issues to think about. Check it out-
Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoos at the San Luis Canopy
The long-tailed mega has been there before, as with 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 very helpful things about San Luis is that their workers keep track of ground-cuckoo sightings (and other birds too). Just ask at the front desk and they’ll know when and where they have been seeing it.
If they haven’t been seeing the cuckoo, you might want to enter anyways. The quality middle elevation rainforest at this spot is always good!
Keep in mind that the trails at San Luis may have an entrance fee of $30.
Poas is Active
Poas has been active all along but, lately, the volcano has been a bit too active for comfort. Small eruptions and other indications point to the volcano becoming even more active.
No one can predict what will happen but the volcanic situation could easily become worse. As far as I know, the park is presently closed and given the volcano’s serious recent activity, you might want to stay away from birding the entrance road too! It won’t be surprising if they close that too.
Good Birds at Pitilla Biological Sation
Pitilla Biological Station? Never heard of that place? Don’t be surprised, it’s very much off the regular birding track. Even so, this is one place you might want to try and visit.
It’s somewhat rough and only for the adventurous but the habitat is tops and the birding better than most sites in Costa Rica. This site is foothill/lowland rainforest with all expected goodies along with a couple of the rarest birds in the country.
Recently, a local biologist found nesting Ocellated Poorwill and lekking Speckled Mourner. Yikes! If you know how tough those species are in Costa Rica, you know what I’m talking about!
However, Pitilla isn’t the easiest place to visit and there’s no promise that the trails will be open. To visit, you must make arrangements via their website. If for whatever reason, you can’t visit Pitilla, or need more comfort, not to fret!
There are some other, excellent, little birded areas near there. Could they harbor the same birds? I wouldn’t be surprised. Check out sites on the northern slopes of Rincon de Vieja and other nearby places.
Crested Eagle Seen at Boca Tapada
Whoah! Yes, not that long ago, a Crested Eagle was documented from the Boca Tapada area, close to Mirador de Pizote. If I’m not mistaken, it may have been seen in the same spot where Harpy Eagle was sighted in 2022.
It’s possible that the eagles and other birds might use that spot as an occasionally corridor between forest from one side of the river to the next. The fact that both were seen there might not be a coincidence; it’s one of the only spots in that area where forest reaches the river on one side and then again on the bank just across the water.
Of course those eagles are just as rarely possible at other lodges in the area. If you go birding anywhere around Boca Tapada, it pays to be ready for some mega rare birds!
Where to Go Birding in Costa Rica in April
In April, the answer is the same as most seasons. The best birding sites in Costa Rica depend on how you want to watch birds and what you want to see.
As long as you go birding in good habitat, you can’t go wrong. However, when I go birding in April, the spots I prefer are in the Caribbean lowlands and along both coasts.
More migrant species pass through those areas than other parts of the country, especially places like Tortuguero and the southern Caribbean coast. I wish I was there now, hopefully we can get down there in the next couple weeks!