Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: (Species Blog #3) – 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: Blue-winged Teal
The Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) is a bird of freshwater marshes and grassy wetlands. Its breeding abundance centers in the Prairie Pothole region of south-central Canada and north-central U.S. During winter, Blue-winged Teal concentrate in Florida, along the Gulf Coast of the U.S., Mexico, and in smaller numbers in the Caribbean. They also migrate south through Central America to Colombia, and some individuals can be seen anywhere in the eastern U.S. and locally in the West.
OBSERVATION ANECDOTES
I only saw this species once in Costa Rica as we were driving back from Rancho Naturalista. This a probably the second-most common waterfowl species from the southern US to northern South America and I like the Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, 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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