Costa Rican Birdwatching
The first time I saw a Resplendent Quetzal was in a Costa Rican rain forest. It was more than 20 years ago, but it was so exciting I remember it vividly. I was with an experienced birdwatcher, a classmate in a Costa Rican Spanish school, and I probably would have never seen the amazing bird without his help. These days there are many experienced guides who can help novices like me.
Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia, but has more bird species than all of the continental United States and Canada combined – more than 900 different species. One-tenth of all bird species on the planet lives here. It is truly a bird-watching paradise, and you’re likely to see your first flocks of green parrots even before leaving the capitol city.
The Costa Rican ‘Bird Route’ officially opened in February 2009. The route contains 5000 acres of trails and forests proposed originally to protect the habitat of the endangered Great Green Macaw. It offers visitors the chance to experience some of the rarest members of the planet’s bird population.
Mike Weddle, co-owner, Villa Amarilla
