Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s classic birding hotspots. The cloud forests have always been a good place to see Resplendent Quetzals, Black Guans, and lots of other birds. The area is always good, it’s always worth birding there but right now, it might even be a little bit better.
There’s some sweet birding benefits for birding Monteverde right now. Check it out.
Bare-necked Umbrellabird
In the past, Umbrellabirds rarely if ever visited the cloud forests of Monteverde. They lived close though, just a little bit lower on the Caribbean side of mountains. There are a couple of trails that descend from Monteverde and the Santa Elean Reserve to reach those spots, notably at the San Gerardo Biological Station.
This fantastic area used to be one of the most reliable areas for these endangered crow-like cotingas. You can still see them there but, sadly, they no longer seem to frequent a lekking spot that they previously used.
However, these days, lucky birders can run into umbrellabirds in much more accessible spots! Although not exactly common, a small number of Bare-necked Umbrellabirds use the cloud forests in Curi-Cancha and other reserves near Santa Elena. There have been recent sightings and the birds may stick around until August or September.
As with other sites, seeing them requires a lot of luck but you might up your chances by watching fruiting trees, especially the same ones used by quetzals (because everyone likes a good avocado!).
Three-wattled Bellbird
Bellbirds live in a few different parts of Costa Rica but Monteverde is the easiest spot. Visit the Monteverde area from March to August and you should hear their calls.
They can turn up in all sorts of spots, even right outside of town! The best way to see them is to scan the canopy wherever you can and to track down calling birds.
Oilbird
Oilbird? What?!? Oh yes. These nocturnal mystery birds aren’t common by any means but some Oilbirds do seem to visit the Monteverde area every wet season. I don’t know how many are present this year but do know that at least one has been seen.
More are probably present. The best way to see them is to take a night tour, especially in the Monteverde Wildlife Reserve.
Azure-hooded Jay and the other Usual Good Birds
Oh yeah, there’s always lots of other nice birds to watch in Monteverde too. Recently, a Black Hawk-Eagle was nesting in the area and Ornate Hawk-Eagles are regularly seen.
Patiently watch trails and the forest floor in the Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserves and you might see shy species like Black-breasted Wood-Quail, Highland Tinamou, quail-doves, and leaftossers.
The cloud forests are also the best place in Costa Rica to connect with Azure-hooded Jay (which should also be eventually split), and there’s lots of other birds to watch too. Even sites around and near town can be good!
A Bit More Elbow Room
Not to mention, these days, there’s also fewer visitors than during the high season. You’ll still share nature space with a fair number of people but not nearly as much as the windy winter months.
Headed to Costa Rica soon? I hope you make it to Monteverde! Hopefully, I can visit that birdy area soon too. Get my birding site guide for Costa Rica to learn more about birding sites in Monteverde as well as the rest of Costa Rica. Good birding, I hope to see you here!