Roseate Spoonbill in Costa Rica is a regular visitor at the Refuge of Cano Negro.
The roseate spoonbill can be found in marshes and water habitats, and this is the predominant ecosystem of Caño Negro Refuge. They are easy to recognize for their distinctive pink coloring, wading in very shallow water. Mostly you will find them looking for food, stirring their bills in the shallow water. They eat whatever comes in touch with their bill, mostly fish, crustaceans, frogs, and snails.
Roseate spoonbills in Costa Rica are large long-legged wading birds. The adults have a deep green color, almost black color head, and a white to the yellow neck, back, and breast, and are otherwise a deep pink. The colors can range from pale pink to bright magenta, depending on age, whether breeding or not, and location. Unlike herons, spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched, and they alternate groups of stiff, shallow wingbeats with glides.
In Costa Rica, Roseate Spoonbill is resident and migrant. They fly around the country looking for wetland with shallows water, where they can easily feed.
In Costa Rica, the Roseate Spoonbill is a year-round resident to a short-distance migrant. Some individuals are year-round residents, but others move short distances away from the breeding colony. These movements are often associated with changes in food and water levels.
“…Roseate spoonbills in Costa Rica are gregarious birds and prefer to feed and fly in groups. They are active during the day spending many hours foraging in shallow fresh waters. The birds feed by swinging their bill from side to side as they steadily walk through the water, often in groups. Their spoon-shaped bill allows them to sift easily through mud feeling and looking for prey.
The bill has sensitive nerve endings and once the birds feel the prey touch their bill they snap it closed. Roseate spoonbills roost in colonies often with other waders. They sleep standing, often on one leg with their head hidden under a shoulder. These birds are usually silent but when alarmed they will produce a low-pitched ‘huh-huh-huh’; when feeding they may utter a very low, guttural sound…” (Read More)
At the National Wildlife Refuge of Caño Negro, you can be birding in this very rich hotspot all year round. But if the Roseate Spoonbill is on your birding list for Costa Rica, you should choose the dry season.
The dry season in Cano Negro Refuge begins around December and until May. But water level is the key to spotting Spoonbills in Caño Negro. At the beginning of the dry season, the water level of the lagoons is too high, so only a few Roseate Spoonbill will be around. A month like February and March are a better moment, or the beginning of the rainy season in May.
During the month of May, the water level begins to rise, and empty grass fields and lagoons begin to flood. This creates an excellent environment for this pinky bird.
The best way to spot Roseate Spoonbill in Caño Negro Refuge is by boat. A boat tour in the refuge of Caño Negro is all you need for a great birding tour in Costa Rica.
For more information about birding tours in Costa Rica at the Refuge of Caño Negro, check those links:
Hotel de Campo Caño Negro – Costa Rica. It is the place to stay when your visit the refuge of Caño Negro.
https://www.hoteldecampo.com/
Birding in Caño Negro – Costa Rica. This is the tour operator of Hotel de Campo. Here is where you can directly organize your birdwatching tour in Caño Negro
https://birdingcanonegro.com/
Birding in Costa Rica. A trustful travel agency for Private birding trips or birding on your own in Costa Rica
https://birdingcostaricatours.com/
Boat tours in Caño Negro – Costa Rica. Be sure to visit Caño Negro Refuge when you opt for a 1-day tour to the Refuge of Caño Negro
https://realcanonegroboattourcostarica.com/
The Original Caño Negro Refuge – Costa Rica
https://theoriginalcanonegro.com/
The National Wildlife Refuge of Caño Negro – Costa Rica
https://canonegro.com/
Vacation Rental in Caño Negro – Costa Rica
https://costaricavacationrentals.canonegro.com/
Moving to Costa Rica at the Refuge of Caño Negro
https://movingtocostarica.hoteldecampo.com/
You may also like
