Country: Costa Rica
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Afternoon Feeder Photography at The Nest Nature Center
An afternoon spent at The Nest Nature Center feeders, where Crested Guan, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Keel-billed Toucan, Yellow-throated Toucan and Black-crested Coquette are regular visitors; the property also hosts roosting Spectacled and Striped Owls.
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Lodge-Garden Black-crested Coquette Search at Arenal Observatory Lodge
In the gardens of Arenal Observatory Lodge, make a dedicated search for the striking Black-crested Coquette with volcano views as a backdrop. The source also assigns Green Thorntail, Lovely Cotinga, Green Hermit, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Crowned Woodnymph and Scaly-breasted Hummingbird as garden or nearby possibilities; no sighting is guaranteed.
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Family-Run Avitourism Project and Three-wattled Bellbird
The morning is spent at a family-run avitourism project downslope of Monteverde, with some of the region's best photo opportunities. Feeders draw Crimson-collared Tanager, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Red-headed Barbet, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Montezuma Oropendola, Blue-gray Tanager and Hoffman's Woodpecker, but the primary target is the male Three-wattled Bellbird - an ostentatious, boisterous altitudinal migrant whose calling male is one of the wonders of the birding world. We give it dedicated time.
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Afternoon Monteverde Reserve Feeder Session
In the afternoon we return upslope to the Monteverde Reserve feeders for Coppery-headed Emerald, Purple-throated Mountain-Gem, Green-crowned Brilliant, Violet Sabrewing and, with luck, the Magenta-throated Woodstar. White-nosed Coatimundi is a frequent visitor here.
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Central Pacific Lowland Target Campaign
With two flexible nights in the Central Pacific lowlands we use the time to chase a rich target list: Fiery-billed Aracari, Marbled Wood-quail, Velvety Manakin, Crowned Woodnymph, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Turquoise Cotinga, Violet-headed Hummingbird, Charming Hummingbird, Thick-billed Euphonia, Spot-crowned Euphonia, Golden-naped Woodpecker and Band-tailed Barbthroat, among others.
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Long-tailed Manakin Lek at Orotina
En route to Monteverde we detour to the Orotina area for Long-tailed Manakin at their lek, where the males perform their remarkable display - one of the classic photography subjects of the lowlands.
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White-crested Coquette Search at Esquipulas Rainforest Reserve
For the endemic White-crested Coquette, Esquipulas Rainforest Reserve is named the best site. Because this seasonal endemic visits gardens sporadically, we use the most recent local information to decide exactly where to look, giving the flexible search the best chance of connecting with this suave little hummingbird.
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Early-Afternoon Feeder Photography in the Savegre Valley
An accessible nearby feeder setup provides close, reliable photography in the early afternoon, with Acorn Woodpecker, Flame-colored Tanager, Long-tailed Silky Flycatcher and Northern Emerald Toucanet all regular at the feeders.
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Return to Quetzal Photography and Sunset Flocks
We return for more time with the Resplendent Quetzal, then stay on as the light drops. At dusk, Band-tailed Pigeon and Barred Parakeet stream across the sky in loose flocks - a beautiful end to a day that has one of Central America's most sought-after birds at its heart.
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