@ Carara National Park, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: (Species Blog #12) – 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: Inca Dove

The Inca Dove (Columbina inca) inhabits the southwestern part of the United States and Mexico, extending across Central America on the Pacific side to Costa Rica. It thrives in residential areas such as cities, towns, lawns, parks, and farmhouses, as well as in thorn forests and savannas. Typically found in arid and semiarid habitats, the Inca Dove has a low tolerance for cold temperatures. Despite its name, it does not occur in any of the lands that once constituted the Inca Empire.

Inca Pigeon Distribution Map (from eBird)

From the US down to Panama, the Inca Dove is a fairly common resident of the dryer, lower elevation zones. We observed them in the general vecinity of Punta Leona, Carara NP and in San José at the Robledal Hotel.

@ Hotel Robledal, Alajuela, Costa Rica
@ Estero Llano Grande SP, Hidalgo County, TX
@ Portal–Cave Creek Ranch, Cochise County, AZ

View the three most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.

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ABOUT ME

Through my lens and prose I hope to instill a greater sense of awe, compassion and inspiration as I discover new creatures, explore interesting habitats, and gain wisdom about the natural world that’s all around us. It is my hope that readers are motivated to learn more about our environment and its inhabitants, and become passionate advocates for conservation.

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 35 years, I worked in education as both a teacher and administrator, guiding students through the wonders of science and the joy of discovery. That same spirit of curiosity has carried me through decades of volunteer work in citizen science and conservation. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain