Birding Heliconias Rainforest Lodge
The forest and trails at Heliconias Rainforest Lodge is one of the best primary forest habitats in northwestern Costa Rica. Located just a few minutes from Bijagua, we can explore this unique, untouched habitat that is home to some very special species of birds.
Jorge has been birding at Heliconias Rainforest Lodge his whole life and will make sure you have a memorable day of birdwatching here.
Tody Motmot
The Tody Motmot is a very special bird and a target species for many birders. These birds are small and elusive, and they love the dark forest: all attributes that make finding one more difficult.
The trails at Heliconias are one of the best places in Costa Rica to see the Tody Motmot. They're year-round residents here, and they love the steep, forested hillsides for their nesting burrows.
Yellow-eared Toucanet
These toucanets are one of the more difficult to see in Costa Rica, but they love the ficus trees here at Heliconias, especially near the hanging bridges.
A great place for antbirds
Antbirds are an interesting family of birds that follow army ants. They don't eat the ants, but forage on the insects and spiders that are fleeing ant raids.
Heliconias is one of the best antbird locations in Costa Rica, with a few active swarms year-round.
During an ant swarm, it's possible to see Ocellated Antbirds, Bicolored Antbirds, Spotted Antbirds, Northern Barred Woodcreepers, and other birds that flock together.
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush
The Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus mexicanus) is a very special bird of the primary forest. Commonly heard but seldom seen.
Neotropical Migrants
In the winter months, many North American migrants make Heliconias their home.