Brown Robin,
Costa Rica's National Bird

In 1994 STC began to study the migrant and resident birds that use Tortuguero and the surrounding lowland rainforest as either wintering grounds or a stop-over location during their seasonal migration.

Birds of Tortuguero Program Capture List

Great Kiskadee

So, if turtle research and conservation won't hold your interest, try Neotropical migrant birds! The programs are run during the spring and fall migrations. The steps for getting to Tortuguero are the same as for the turtle programs, but you will receive training related to identifying local and migrant bird species, help researchers with mist netting and banding birds and conducting migration surveys.

Olive-backed Euphonia

Long-tailed Hermit (humming bird)

The Tortuguero region is especially rich in birds, notably the marine, aquatic and forest species. Dr. Gary Stiles of the University of Costa Rica studied the bird life of the park and was able to identify 300 species, although with more detailed studies another 30-50 could be added. For identification purposes, the park is divided into five zones or habitats: beaches and sea; rivers and lakes; areas of secondary growth; marshy woods and non-flooded tall forests.