@ 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 THE SITE

With a primary focus on birds, each blog series has it’s own unique look at the wildlife and wild places encountered at different locations that I have visited around the world.

ABOUT ME

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 40 years, I taught and led in public education, helping students discover the wonder woven into every corner of the natural world. That same drive has carried me through decades of citizen science and conservation work. As an active member of the Modesto Camera Club, I’ve developed a photographic practice that blends natural history with visual artistry, and my award‑winning images have been featured across the Internet on dozens of sites and field‑oriented platforms. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain