If You Love Birds, You Will Love Living in Junquillal, Costa Rica.
The Nandamojo Watershed is one of the few watersheds in Costa Rica that has been a success story because of the commitment of landowners to its protection and restoration. As a result, residents in this area of Junquillal enjoy scores of different birds that live there year round or migrate there for the season.
In the wetlands you’ll see and hear the Muscovy Duck, a large and colorful species that lives in the area year round. The males have iridescent black and green feathers with a white head and neck; both sexes have a white bill surrounded by red or pink wattles. The female has a quiet coo while the male has a soft, low call.
Sharing the same marsh or pond, you may see or hear Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, a beautiful bird whose wings have white patches that are quite prominent when they are flying. It is a medium sized duck with a wingspan up to 3 feet, a long red bill and a grey head. Its plumage is grayish-brown with a black tail and stomach while the back of its neck and its cap are covered in chestnut-colored feathers. Up close you’ll notice a thin, white ring around the eye.
True to their name, their call is loud and reminiscent of a whistle.
Other water birds include the Double-striped Thick-knee, a medium sized wader with grey, brown and white feathers and a beautifully patterned face. The striking Black Necked Stilt can be found in the wetlands or along the shore, wading through the water on its pinkish legs looking for crustaceans, small fish, and tadpoles; its dark brown back feathers hide a fantastic wealth of white plumage visible in flight; its chest, front of its neck and half its face is also white.
It looks almost as if it’s wearing spectacles with the white rings around its eyes, starkly prominent against the dark brown of its head above the dark bill.
Much smaller than their water dwelling relatives are the many hummingbirds you’ll find throughout the country. The Mangrove Hummingbird has beautiful bronze-green plumage and a greenish brown breast that positively glitters in the sun. The bronze appears in its tail and crown.
It has narrow wings perfect for hovering, weighs less than 5 grams (.18 oz) and averages about 4 inches in length. They prefer the flowers in the mangrove estuary to the nectar in hummingbird feeders but they may be occasional visitors.
You’ll find many stunning varieties of hummingbirds in the area, among them the Steely-Vented Hummingbird. Bronze-green with a blue-black tail, the male has a glittering green breast, a blue vent and white thighs. These small birds are a very aggressive toward other birds in defending their territory.
You’ll love watching them, particularly if you provide a feeder. Along with the green breasted mango hummingbird, bronzy hermit hummingbird, and many more you’ll find here in this paradise for this amazing species of bird.
Among the migratory birds you’ll enjoy when you live in Junquillal are:
- Ruby Throated Hummingbird
- Spotted Sandpiper
- Solitary Sandpiper
- Great Blue Heron
- Snowy Egret
- Yellow Crowned High Heron
- Osprey
- Yellow-Throated Vireo
- Fly Catchers
- Tanagers
Birds that are year-round residents include:
- White Collared Swift
- Great Egret
- Green Heron
- Boat-Billed Heron
- White Ibis
- Green Kingfisher
- Squirrel Cuckoo
- Crested Hara Hara
- Graw Hawk
- Laughing Falcon
- Woodpeckers
- White Fronted Parrot
- Orange Fronted Parakeet
There are so many interesting birds living in Junquillal – including dozens of rare and endangered species – that you’ll never tire of their amazing variety and breathtaking beauty.
Written by Scott Oliver, author of 1: How To Buy Costa Rica Real Estate Without Losing Your Camisa, 2: Costa Rica’s Guide To Making Money Offshore and 3. ¿Cómo Comprar Bienes Raices en Costa Rica, Sin Perder Su Camisa?
If You Love Birds, You Will Love Living in Junquillal, Costa Rica.
Article/Property ID Number 4180
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Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
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