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Birds of Paquera - Where Forest, Rivers and Sea Meet
You don't have to be a birdwatcher to enjoy the birds of Paquera. They are simply part of being here - calling from the trees in the morning, soaring above the coastline, hiding among the mangroves or appearing unexpectedly beside a hiking trail.
One of the reasons Paquera has such varied birdlife is its landscape. Within a relatively small area, the Gulf of Nicoya meets beaches and rocky shores, rivers flow through mangroves and wetlands, and further inland the landscape changes to tropical dry forest, farmland and hills. Each habitat brings a different group of birds.
Along the gulf, pelicans, frigatebirds, cormorants, herons and other waterbirds are part of the scenery. Around rivers, mangroves and wetlands you might encounter species such as the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, while the Common Black Hawk is closely associated with coastal and mangrove environments and can sometimes be seen watching from a high perch.
Head inland and the cast changes completely. Paquera's tropical dry forest and more open countryside are home to everything from the impressive Pale-billed Woodpecker to Groove-billed Anis, Banded Wrens, Long-billed Gnatwrens, Blue Grosbeaks and small flycatchers such as the Northern Tropical Pewee.
And some residents are much easier to hear than to see. After sunset, the calls of owls become part of the soundtrack. The Pacific Screech-Owl, beautifully camouflaged against tree trunks and branches, is one of the area's nocturnal inhabitants.
What makes birdlife here so enjoyable is that you don't necessarily have to plan a birdwatching excursion to experience it. Take a kayak through a quiet mangrove, hike into the hills, explore the countryside, spend a day on the gulf or simply sit outside early in the morning - and keep your eyes and ears open.
In Paquera, nature has a habit of coming to you.
Tip: Bring binoculars if you have them, but don't worry if you don't. Sometimes all you need to do is slow down, look up and listen.
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