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Migratory Birds of the Tropical Dry Forest

Costa Rica is one of the most important migratory corridors in the world. Every year, millions of birds travel across the country, moving between North and South America.

The tropical dry forest of Guanacaste plays a critical role as a resting, feeding, and survival habitat. Most migratory species do not breed here—instead, they spend the northern winter months in this region, where food is abundant and competition is lower.

 Many species remain in Costa Rica for up to 5–6 months before returning north to reproduce.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Type: Global migrant

Size: Small–medium

Identification

  • Deeply forked tail (very distinctive)
  • Glossy blue upperparts, pale to buff underparts
  • Reddish throat in adults
  • Juveniles duller with shorter tail

Behavior

  • Highly aerial insectivore
  • Feeds on the wing continuously
  • Frequently seen in flocks, especially at dusk

Migration

  • Present: September–April
  • Long-distance migrant from North America
  • Can remain for several months during non-breeding season

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America
  • Builds mud nests on human structures

Habitat

  • Open areas, towns, roads, agricultural land
  • Common around human settlements

Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

  • Type: Long-distance migrant
  • Size: Small

Identification

    • Pale buff forehead
    • Square tail (less forked than Barn Swallow)
    • Dark upperparts with lighter rump

    • Behavior

    • Strongly colonial species
    • Builds large mud nest colonies
    • Fast, erratic flight

    • Migration

    • Present: September–April
    • Travels in flocks during migration

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America
    • Constructs gourd-shaped mud nests

    • Habitat

  • Open areas, cliffs, bridges, buildings

Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia)

Type: Long-distance migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Brown upperparts, white underside
  • Distinct dark chest band
  • Small and slim compared to other swallows

Behavior

  • Flies low over water catching insects
  • Often seen in loose flocks

Migration

  • Present: September–April
  • Migrates from North America

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in northern regions
  • Nests in burrows along riverbanks

Habitat

  • Rivers, wetlands, coastal lagoons

Purple Martin (Progne subis)

Type: Long-distance migrant

Size: Medium

Identification

  • Males: glossy dark blue-black
  • Females: duller grayish tones
  • Long pointed wings

Behavior

  • Highly social
  • Feeds on flying insects
  • Roosts in large communal groups

Migration

  • Present: August–April
  • Among the earliest migrants to arrive

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America
  • Strong association with human nesting structures

Habitat

  • Open skies, towns, wetlands


Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

Type: Migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Iridescent blue-green upperparts
  • Bright white underparts
  • Juveniles browner

Behavior

  • Agile aerial feeder
  • Often seen near water
  • Forms small flocks

Migration

    • Present: September–April

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America (tree cavities)

    • Habitat

  • Wetlands, lakes, open areas

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America
    • Constructs gourd-shaped mud nests

    • Habitat

  • Open areas, cliffs, bridges, buildings

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Bright yellow body overall
  • Males show faint reddish streaks on chest
  • Females and juveniles duller, more uniform yellow
  • Slight seasonal variation in brightness

Behavior

  • Constantly active insectivore
  • Moves rapidly through branches and foliage
  • Frequently joins mixed-species flocks

Migration

  • Present: September–April
  • Widespread winter visitor across Costa Rica

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America
  • Builds small cup-shaped nests in shrubs

Habitat

  • Tropical dry forest, mangroves, gardens, forest edges

Tennessee Warbler (Leiothlypis peregrina)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Olive-green upperparts
  • Pale underparts with subtle gray tones
  • Thin, pointed bill
  • Faint eye line

Behavior

  • Fast-moving canopy forager
  • Feeds heavily on insects and nectar
  • Important pollinator during migration

Migration

  • Present: September–April
  • One of the more abundant warblers

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in boreal forests

Habitat

  • Forest canopy, secondary growth, edges


Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)

  • Type: Boreal migrant
  • Size: Small

Identification

    • Brown upperparts, buff underparts
    • Strong pale eyebrow stripe
    • Streaked chest
    • Resembles a small thrush

Behavior

    • Walks rather than hops
    • Constant tail bobbing
    • Forages on ground near water


    • Migration

    • Present: September–April
    • Common winter visitor

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America

    • Habitat

  • Wet forest floor, streams, mangroves

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

  • Type: Migratory
  • Size: Small

Identification

    • Males: black with bright orange patches
    • Females: gray with yellow patches
    • Distinctive tail markings

Behavior

    • Fans tail to flush insects
    • Very active and energetic
    • Forages in mid-level vegetation


    • Migration

    • Present: September–April

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America

    • Habitat

  • Forest edges, secondary growth, gardens 

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Type: Migratory

Size: Small

Identification

  • Bright golden-yellow head and chest
  • Blue-gray wings
  • Thick bill compared to other warblers

Behavior

  • Strong association with water
  • Slow, deliberate movements
  • Often low in vegetation

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America
  • Nests in tree cavities near water

Habitat

  • Mangroves, wetlands, river edges

Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

    • Brown upperparts, buff underparts
    • Strong pale eyebrow stripe
    • Streaked chest
    • Resembles a small thrush

    • Behavior

    • Walks rather than hops
    • Constant tail bobbing
    • Forages on ground near water

    • Migration

    • Present: September–April
    • Common winter visitor

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America

    • Habitat

  • Wet forest floor, streams, mangroves

Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Bold white eyebrow
  • Cleaner underparts than Northern Waterthrush
  • Longer legs

Behavior

  • Walks along streams
  • Frequently bobs tail
  • Territorial behavior even in winter

Migration

  • Present: September–April
  • Less common than Northern Waterthrush

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America (near streams)

Habitat

  • Clear forest streams, shaded riverbanks
Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Bright yellow body
  • Distinct black cap (males)
  • Females may lack or have faint cap

Behavior

  • Very active and restless
  • Forages in shrubs and low vegetation
  • Often in mixed flocks

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Shrublands, forest edges, gardens
Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Yellow underparts
  • Gray upperparts
  • Distinct black “necklace” across chest

Behavior

  • Prefers dense understory
  • Quick, darting movements
  • Often difficult to observe

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Dense forest understory, shaded areas

Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)

  • Type: Boreal migrant
  • Size: Small

Identification

    • Bright yellow underparts with bold black streaks
    • Gray back
    • Distinct tail pattern

Behavior

    • Forages in mid to upper canopy
    • Active and vocal during migration

    • Migration

    • Present: September–April

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in boreal forests

    • Habitat

  • Forest canopy, edges, secondary growth
  •  
Blackburnian Warbler (Setophaga fusca)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Bright orange throat and face (males)
  • Females duller yellow-orange
  • Black and white upperparts
  • Very distinctive among warblers

Behavior

  • Strong preference for high canopy
  • Active insect hunter
  • Often difficult to see due to height

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North American coniferous forests

Habitat

  • Forest canopy, mature woodland


Chestnut-sided Warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • White underparts
  • Chestnut streak along sides
  • Yellow crown

Behavior

  • Active in shrubs and edges
  • Frequently joins mixed flocks

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Forest edges, secondary growth, shrubs

Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

    • Greenish upperparts
    • Yellow face
    • Distinct dark throat (males)

    • Behavior

    • Forages in canopy
    • Moves methodically along branches

    • Migration

    • Present: September–April

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America

    • Habitat

  • Forest canopy, mixed woodland
Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Gray hood
  • Yellow underparts
  • Lacks strong markings

Behavior

  • Secretive and low in vegetation
  • Prefers dense cover

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Dense shrubs, forest understory


 Kentucky Warbler (Geothlypis formosa)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Bright yellow body
  • Bold black facial mask
  • Olive upperparts

Behavior

  • Ground-dwelling warbler
  • Walks through leaf litter

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Forest floor, dense understory

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula)

  • Type: Boreal migrant
  • Size: Medium

  • Identification

    • Males: bright orange and black
    • Females: duller yellow-orange
    • Slender pointed bill

    • Behavior

    • Feeds on fruit, nectar, and insects
    • Often seen in canopy or fruiting trees
    • Occasionally visits feeders

    • Migration

    • Present: September–April

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America
    • Builds hanging woven nests

    • Habitat

  • Forest edges, gardens, open woodland 
  •  
Mourning Warbler (Geothlypis philadelphia)

: Small–medium

Identification

  • Males: chestnut and black
  • Females: greenish-yellow
  • Smaller than Baltimore Oriole

Behavior

  • Active canopy forager
  • Feeds on insects and nectar

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Open woodland, edges, scattered trees
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Medium

Identification

  • Males: bright red overall
  • Females: yellowish-olive
  • Thick bill

Behavior

  • Specializes in catching bees and wasps
  • Forages slowly in canopy

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Forest, woodland, edges

Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Medium

Identification

  • Males: red body with black wings
  • Females: yellow-green
  • Strong bill

Behavior

    • Prefers upper canopy
    • Feeds on insects and fruit

    • Migration

    • Present: September–April

    • Breeding

    • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
    • ✔️ Breeds in North America

    • Habitat

  • Forest canopy, mature woodland

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small (10–13 cm)

Identification

  • Bright yellow plumage (males more vivid)
  • Females and juveniles are duller → seasonal and age-related plumage variation

Behavior

  • Highly active insectivore
  • Frequently joins mixed-species flocks

Migration

  • Arrival: September–October
  • Departure: March–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat in Costa Rica

  • Dry forest, mangroves, gardens

 

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

Type: Regional migrant / resident

Size: Large (up to 80 cm)

Identification

  • Bright pink coloration (diet-based pigments)
  • Spoon-shaped bill
  • Juveniles are pale → plumage changes with age

Behavior

  • Feeds by sweeping bill through water
  • Often seen in groups

Migration

  • Present year-round with local movements

Breeding

  • ✔️ Can breed in Central America
  • Nests in mangroves and wetland trees

Habitat

  • Wetlands like Parque Nacional Palo Verde

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Medium

Identification

  • Males: black and white with bright red chest patch
  • Females: heavily streaked brown and white
  • Thick conical bill

Behavior

  • Feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects
  • Often slow-moving in canopy
  • Strong bill adapted for cracking seeds

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Forest edges, gardens, woodland

 

Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Medium

Identification

  • Deep blue body (males)
  • Brownish wings with rufous tones
  • Females brown

Behavior

  • Feeds on seeds and insects
  • Often perches in open view

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Open areas, scrub, edges

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Males: bright blue overall
  • Females: brown
  • Small conical bill

Behavior

  • Active and often visible
  • Feeds on seeds and insects

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Open woodland, edges, fields

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris)

Type: Boreal migrant

Size: Small

Identification

  • Males: multicolored (blue, red, green)
  • Females: greenish overall
  • One of the most colorful passerines

Behavior

  • Shy and often hidden in dense vegetation
  • Feeds on seeds

Migration

  • Present: September–April

Breeding

  • ❌ Does NOT breed in Costa Rica
  • ✔️ Breeds in North America

Habitat

  • Dense shrubs, edges, scrub