Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: (Species Blog #2) – Costa Rica’s national motto and tourism slogan, “La Pura Vida” loosely translates to Live Life or Enjoy Life. With over 900 bird species recorded here, there is certainly lots to enjoy! Join with me as I guide you through the scenic wonderland that is Costa Rica. From the slow-moving waters of the Coastal Mangrove Wetlands to the heights of the Talamanca Páramo, over 300 species of birds will be featured in this blog series. **Some of this Blog Series photos (all taken by me) may have been taken in other nearby countries.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
BIRDS & BIRDING IN COSTA RICA WEBSITE LINK: Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is a gangly duck with long neck and legs. Unmistakable adult has chestnut-and-black body with electric pink legs and bill. Look for the bold white wing stripe, especially visible in flight. Flocks gather in marshes, lakes, rice fields, and swamps, sometimes by the hundreds. Active day and night. Occurs throughout Middle and South America. Range is expanding northward in the U.S., but still largely restricted to southern states.
OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
I only saw this species twice in Costa Rica as we were driving through San José and while driving back from Rancho Naturalista. This a probably the most common waterfowl species from the southern US to northern South America and I have observed it many times in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala.
PHOTO GALLERY
View the three most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.
- A Streak-headed Woodcreeper Feeds its Offspring Near the Arenal Observatory Lodge, Costa Rica
- PALE-BILLED WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
- SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
- HOFFMANN’S WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
- BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER – Pura Vida Birds and Birding
Reflections of the Natural World 
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