Birding and Wildlife Attractions of Talari Mountain Lodge
| Birding at the Lodge: The grounds of Talari Mountain Lodge support a host of interesting Costa Rican species.Just outside your cabin at dawn and dusk watch for the ground foraging Gray-necked Wood-Rail and Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush.
Blue-crowned Motmots are resident and easily seen, their bobo call can be frequently heard in the early morning. Flowering trees attract a host of hummingbirds including Long-billed Starthroat, Scaly-breasted and Snowy-bellied Hummingbirds, Garden Emerald, and the occasional White-crested Coquette along with several others. Fruiting trees attract Fiery-billed Aracari, dacnis, honeycreepers, a host of flycatchers and tanagers, and, and even the glorious Turquoise Cotinga. Species found typically here and and further to the south are well represented with Pearl Kite, Scaled Pigeon, Olivaceous Piculet, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Pale-breasted Spinetail, Though not a large area, you can see that Talari has plenty to keep you occupied during you stay here! |
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| Olivaceous Piculet | |
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| Pale-breasted Spinetail | |
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Nearby sites:If spending more than one night in the San Isidro area we recommend a visit to nearby Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary located just 20 minutes by vehicle from the lodge.This sanctuary was home to the renowned ornithologist, botanist, and author Dr. Alexander Skutch from 1941 to when he passed away in 2004. It was here that Dr. Skutch unlocked many mysteries of tropical bird behavior.
Dr. Skutch also co-authored “A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica” which greatly increased a southerly migration to Costa Rica of not birds but birders. The sanctuary protects a section of land complete with primary Pacific rainforest. Birds to watch for during your visit here that you are unlikely to encounter at Talari Mountain Lodge include Black Hawk-Eagle, Golden-naped Woodpecker, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Bicolored Antbird, Rufous Piha, and Red-capped Manakin while Fiery-billed Aracari and Turquoise Cotinga are more regular here than at the lodge. Transport and guide can be arranged for your visit to this unique sanctuary while at Talari Mountain Lodge. |
| Orange-collared Manakin | |
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| Red-capped Manakin | |
| We recommend one to two nights at Talari Mountain Lodge although three nights would be more relaxing and give you an opportunity to visit other sites in the area. | |
Specialty birds of Talari Mountain Lodge: |
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| Gray-necked Wood-Rail – Though found throughout the lowlands, Talari is one of the best sites to see this large and colorful rail. Pearl Kite – Not uncommon in the fields near the lodge and adjacent area. Scaled Pigeon – A spectacular canopy pigeon found here and further south. Tropical Screech-Owl – Resident on the grounds, can be difficult to locate. Common Potoo – Seasonal? Can sometimes be seen in the forest patch by the lodge. White-crested Coquette – An uncommon SW Costa Rica, NW Panama endemic occurring seasonally to flowering trees in the area. Smooth-billed Ani – Common in the open fields of the area. Long-billed Starthroat – Another widespread bird found more easily here than most other places in Costa Rica. Garden Emerald – Not uncommon when there are flowering bushes in the area. Snowy-bellied Hummingbird – regularly nests on the grounds of the lodge. Fiery-billed Aracari – A stunning bird, fairly common in small groups around the lodge and at nearby Los Cusingos. Olivaceous Piculet – Mostly in secondary growth, behavior and call like diminutive woodpecker. Red-crowned Woodpecker – Common at the lodge, becomes the common woodpecker from here south into Pacific foothills and lowlands. Turquoise Cotinga – Electric!!! Often perches high on open branches. Not uncommon on the grounds of Talari and at Los Cusingos. Orange-collared Manakin – Common in Talari’s private forest and fruiting trees in the garden. Fork-tailed Flycatcher – Spectacular! Fairly common in open fields near lodge and vicinity. Bran-colored Flycatcher – Local, stays low in grassy pastures with scattered trees. Lesser Elaenia – Fairly common, secondary growth, distinctive call and short but definite crest help separate it from Yellow-bellied and seasonal Mountain Elaenias in the area. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush – A widespread middle elevation garden bird found readily in the early morning at the lodge. Streaked Saltator – Common around lodge, more widespread further south. Yellow-bellied Seedeater – Another common SW Costa Rica species, this being its most northern stronghold. Red-breasted Blackbird – To be looked for in cattle pastures south of Talari, spreading. |
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| Gray-necked Wood-Rail | |
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| Tropical Screech-Owl | |
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| Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush | |
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| Streaked Saltator | |
