Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity is not limited to its larger creatures; it’s also home to a dazzling array of tiny jewels of the skies – the hummingbirds. Known for their iridescent plumage and rapid wingbeats, these avian wonders are a delightful sight to behold.

During my journey through Costa Rica, I had the incredible opportunity to witness these miniature marvels in various locations, each offering a unique glimpse into their enchanting world.

In Monteverde National Park, the Cloud Forest provides a perfect habitat for hummingbirds. But whilst we saw plenty of them in the wild there, it did feel sort-of cheating, since the rangers had hung sugar syrup trays out to attract them. As I stood amidst the lush foliage, I spotted the dazzling Violet-Sabrewing Hummingbird, with its vibrant purple crown that seemed to change hues with every angle. The Green Lesser Violetear, adorned with striking emerald-green feathers, was also a constant visitor to the park’s enticing bird tables, hovering in mid-air as it sipped the syrup.

In Sarapiqui, by contrast, I spent a happy 20 minutes watching a Long-Billed Hermit Hummingbird buzz around a shop. Although I felt sorry for it at first, it appeared to have an unimpeded exit, which it repeatedly chose to ignore, so in the end I concluded it must enjoy hanging out with the brightly-coloured towels and plastic beach paraphernalia.

As we ventured into the Talamanca Mountains, Los Quetzales offered yet another hummingbird haven. The Fiery-throated Hummingbird lived up to its name, with its pinkish-red throat contrasting against its shimmering green and blue plumage. It was a true spectacle to witness these tiny birds engage in aerial acrobatics, darting from flower to flower with unmatched agility. I think the Fiery-throat was probably my favourite of the different species we saw.

The most remarkable encounter, however, was in San Gerardo de Dota, where the Long-tailed Silky-Flycatcher, Green-Crowned Brilliant, Purple-throated Mountain-Gem and Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird, along with many others, darted amongst the tall trees and flowers surrounding the hotel we were staying in. We were able to get incredibly close to these completely wild creatures, and they created a mesmerizing sight as they zipped from one plant to another, sipping the sweet nectar.

As you’ll know, hummingbirds are highly-specialized nectar feeders, relying on the energy-rich food to sustain their rapid metabolism. Their wingbeats can reach up to 80 times per second (or even more in some species) and this remarkable ability allows them to hover in mid-air, fly backward, and perform incredible aerial manoeuvres.

We even saw a nest with some recently-hatched chicks – though we were careful to keep our distance and leave the mother to do her thing. Hummingbirds build intricate nests made of plant materials, spider silk, and feathers, often secured to the branches of trees or shrubs. The female typically incubates the eggs and cares for the young, while the male defends the territory.

The sheer diversity of hummingbirds in Costa Rica is fantastic. It is home to over 50 different species, making it one of the most varied hummingbird habitats in the world. Each species has its unique charm and left a lasting impression. I really hope they can be enjoyed for generations to come! Hummingbirds face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and a myriad of other human activities. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect their homes and ensure their survival.

I found it hard to narrow down from my collection… So here are a few more, for good measure: