Starting in October of 2007, Monte Azul hired birding experts, Noel Ureña and Luis Sánchez Arguedasto to perform a year-long study of the bird population on our 125 acre Nature Preserve.
The property includes over 1200 meters of riverfront plus many creeks and streams. The variable topography ranges in elevation from 950 to over 1200 meters. Our diversity of habitats include riparian zones, primary, secondary and recovering rainforest, organic shade-grown coffee plantations and open fields. In all, Monte Azul was discovered to possess an astonishing number of avian inhabitants, from endemic species to passing migratory birds.
Our current count is of 229 species. These species are categorized under 41 family groups, among which are found 38 species of latitudinal migrants, 186 resident species and two species whose populations include both resident and migratory categories. As a result of our field observations within the Monte Azul Nature Preserve, 141 species are considered abundant, 67 as common and 18 less common.
Among outstanding observations are the facts that all five species of Honeycreepers reported in Costa Rica are found at Monte Azul, as are 23 species of Hummingbirds. Particularly exceptional are the presence of birds considered difficult to spot by even the most experienced bird watcher, such as the Turquoise Cotinga (Cotinga ridwayi) and the White Crested Coquette, both of which are relatively quite easy to spot at Monte Azul, especially among certain species of fig and guabas. Since the study was presented to Monte Azul in October of 2008, three additional species have been added to the Checklist.
To learn more about birding at Monte Azul, please visit the website link:
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