Costa Rica Wildlife Guide
72 species across birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, and insects. Filter by category, region, or elevation.
Catalog expanding — Michael adds species after each tour.
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Showing 72 of 72 species
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Photo: Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Roadside Hawk in Costa Rica
Rupornis magnirostris
Hawks & Eagles · ~36 cm · all
Central ValleyCaribbeanPacific
Hear this bird
Recorded by Unknown · Public domain
Small adaptable hawk of forest edges and farmland. Brown above, finely barred rufous-and-white below. Often seen on power lines or fence posts beside roads.
Fun Facts
- ▸Costa Rica's most commonly seen hawk — exactly what its name promises.
- ▸Yellow legs and yellow cere stand out against the brown plumage.
- ▸Hunts large insects, small lizards, and the occasional rodent from low perches.
Best Months
Year-round
Featured On
- · Poás + Doka + La Paz Day
- · 7-Day Private Birding Tour
