You may be wondering what kind of birds you can find in Nuevo Arenal. Our area is a fantastic place to visit for effortless birdwatching. On almost any day, you can just get up at the crack of dawn and go for a walk by the lake with your binoculars. We can almost guarantee you’ll see at least a few of these birds. You could even walk around town in the afternoon with no binoculars and spot some, too, if you want to be even more casual about it.
It’s important to point out that some species are migratory. Due to this, some birds that may be very common during part of the year may not be at a different time.
By the way, this little article would not have been possible to write without the Merlin Bird ID app and ebird.org. Their app is a really nice tool to have while birdwatching. They definitely haven’t sponsored this post, or know that we exist, obviously. It was, however, highly recommended by some wildlife guides who know much more than I do about this stuff. It helped me put a name on some of the birds I see all the time around here. Most importantly, though, it gave me enough information so that I’m not completely talking out of my behind when I give you this list.
Here it is, people, 15 species of birds you can find in Nuevo Arenal (in no kind of order whatsoever). If you want to know what other people have observed close to the Lake in Nuevo Arenal, please check out the sightings list that our amazing friends from the Pollinator Towns Network put together.
Anhinga
At certain times of the year, it’s common to see anhingas around Nuevo Arenal. You’re most likely to spot them by the lake between February and May, often with their wings outstretched as they dry them in the sun.
This long-necked bird lives in swamps and wetlands. Males are black with white spots/stripes on their wings and back. Female anhingas are similar, but have a light brown body. They feel right at home in the shallow parts of the Lake Arenal.
Great White Egret Birds in Nuevo Arenal
The great white egret is one of the easiest birds to find in Nuevo Arenal. Mainly because they’re quite big. Also because you can observe impressively large groups of them during the first months of the year. It’s a beautiful sight!
That’s not to say that you won’t find them around if you’re visiting at other times of the year, though! There are almost always one or two hanging around the lake at any given time.
Crested Guan
The crested guan is another one of those birds that you’ll see a lot in Nuevo Arenal, without really trying to. You’ll easily spot these strange turkey-like animals hanging out in or around trees year-round.
You’re pretty much guaranteed to see some of these guys if you go for a walk by the lake, or if you’re staying anywhere with a yard.
Montezuma Oropendola: one of the most iconic birds you can find in Nuevo Arenal
The montezuma oropendola is always a favorite for people visiting this area. With this bird’s striking yellow tail, iconic call, and wild pendulum-shaped nests, I can’t blame them.
You’ll be able to find them year-round, all around Lake Arenal, anywhere with tall trees. If you’re close to Nuevo Arenal, you can have a delicious meal right across from a bunch of oropendola nests at Paellas Aracari.
Black Vulture
The black vulture is another one of those birds that are instantly recognizable, and easy to spot all year in Nuevo Arenal and the surrounding areas. These scavengers are particularly impressive in flight, due to their massive wingspan.
They’re pretty much everywhere, but especially on the sides of roads – looking for roadkill, or sunbathing with their wings spread out.
Crested Cacaraca
Crested Caracaras are some of our favorite sightings around here. These birds of prey are easily identified by their distinctive black and white plumage, bright orange beak and their striking crested head.
You can spot these fancy fellows all year round, but especially from September to May. It’s most common to see them in grassy fields and pastures, or sometimes just walking in the middle of the road, likely looking for dead stuff to feast on.
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
We’re lucky enough to have many different species of hummingbirds in the Arenal area! That said, the most common one is probably the lovely rufous-tailed hummingbirds, which you can recognize by its rust-colored tail (I know, thanks, Capitan Obvious) and iridescent green feathers.
You’ll find them a lot in gardens, or anywhere there are lots of flowers. They are important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem of Costa Rica.
Orange-chinned Parakeet
It’s likely that you’ll see some orange-chinned parakeets during your stay in Nuevo Arenal. They’re commonly seen in palm trees (the one in our yard even hosts nests of these lovely green birds from time to time), and flying around in large groups. Their flocks can reach up to 20 individuals, as they’re a social species.
Keep your eyes open for them, especially if you hear loud squawking and chirping above you. It might be some of these cute little guys.
Collared Aracari
Collared Aracaris are small, colorful toucans that can be found in the forests and jungles of Central and South America. These colorful birds have a black collar around their necks, and their feathers are mostly black with patches of bright yellow, red, and green.
They love to eat fruit (and insects. And small animals) and are some of the birds you’re most likely to see in Nuevo Arenal if you put out some overripe food on a feeding station. A lot of people around town have them in their gardens, and it can be quite a show!
Keel-billed Toucan – One of the most beautiful birds in Nuevo Arenal
Another toucan on the list! Because this is Costa Rica, and you can’t have enough of these. The keel-billed toucan (or rainbow-billed toucan, for a more descriptive name) is probably the most striking of the species you can see in this area.
They have a very distinctive, weird (it’s the scientific terms) call, and you’ll find them in trees looking for seeds, fruit, insects and baby birds to feast on. They’re also easy to spot flying overhead, thanks to their large, colorful beak.
Black-cheeked Woodpecker
I have to admit that, out of all of the birds on this list, the Black-cheeked Woodpecker is one of the least common ones to see on a regular day. With that said, you may just be lucky enough to hear the hammering sound they make as they use heir strong bills to drill into trees and capture insects hiding within. They also use these drumming sounds to communicate with other woodpeckers and establish their territory.
Looking up into whatever tree the sound is coming from, you might be able to spot a small black and white bird, with a bright red crest. You’ll be happy you brought your binoculars with you (or sad if you didn’t).
White-throated Magpie-Jay
The White-throated Magpie-Jay is one of the most stunning birds you can find in Nuevo Arenal, and in many other parts of Costa Rica, to be fair. With its distinctive blue, black and white plumage, and fabulous little crown, these rascals are easily recognizable and often spotted perched on treetops or flying across the forest canopy.
They are loud, and usually travel in groups looking for fruits, seeds, and insects. They’re definitely not shy, and won’t hesitate to try to get close and steal your food if you have any. Please don’t feed them, even though it’s very tempting. Food is abundant, and they are perfectly capable of finding it themselves.
Great Kiskadee Birds in Nuevo Arenal
Great Kiskadees, which are actually pretty small, are a common sight in Nuevo Arenal. We all but guarantee you’ll see at least a couple during your stay here. These charismatic little dudes are easily recognizable, due to their bright yellow chest and you’ll often see them perched on trees, in bushes or on telephone wires, scanning their surroundings for insects, lizards, or small fish to catch.
Their loud call is supposed to sound like “kis-ka-dee, kis-ka-dee.”, which, to be honest, I don’t really get. I’ll let you be the judge of that, though: here is a link to recordings of Great Kiskadee sounds – click on the calls. Then, please let us know what you thought it sounded like!
Scarlet-rumped Tanager
The Scarlet-rumped Tanager is one of my personal favorite sightings around Nuevo Arenal. The males are very distinctive, with their bright red rump contrasting starkly against the rest of their body which is pitch black. The females are quite different, and a brownish-yellow color.
Scarlet-rumped tanagers are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, fruits, and seeds. They’re quite common in the forests all around the area.
Clay-colored Thrush (Yigüirro – national bird of Costa Rica)
Last on this list, but absolutely not least, we have the Clay-colored Thrush, or Yigüirro in Spanish. It may not seem as impressive as others, but this is the National bird of Costa Rica and holds a special place in the country’s culture and folklore.
Their melodious song is often associated with the arrival of the rainy season, an important event in the country’s agricultural calendar. You’ll find them almost anywhere you go, including in gardens, parks, and forests.
