osprey | Victoria's Secret Blog

A short one today! Situated on the border of the Central and South Pacific regions of Costa Rica, Carara National Park is a unique reserve that’s a Mecca for avian enthusiasts, boasting a spectacular variety of bird species.

Boarding a small boat to navigate the waterways, I hadn’t appreciated the park is also home to the impressive American crocodiles. One notable – and colossal – croc named Captain Hook stood out due to (yep, you guessed it) the loss of one of its limbs. I felt a tad apprehensive as we passed slowly by the sleeping giant. But the egrets perched on his back seemed pretty non-plussed. Witnessing these ancient reptiles in their natural habitat was quite special.

My eyes were quickly drawn to the skies though, where a symphony of winged wonders greeted us. Perched atop trees and soaring through the skies, we spotted beautiful Ospreys, also known as fish hawks, exhibiting their exceptional fishing skills. With keen eyesight, they hovered above the water before swooping down with talons outstretched to catch their slippery prey. Anhingas, white ibis, mangrove swallows, a variety of egrets and herons, sandpipers, whimbrels and kingfishers were all spotted.

As we continued our exploration, the sky above Carara became a mesmerizing spectacle. Hundreds of Magnificent Frigatebirds (that’s their name, not an effusive adjective) circled overhead, creating a breath-taking aerial ballet. These large seabirds, known for their distinctive forked tails and striking red throat pouches, captivated us with their acrobatic displays. And they shared the coastal vistas with dozens of brown pelicans.

One of the most striking sightings was the elegant Roseate Spoonbill, a captivating wading bird with its pink plumage and distinctively spoon-shaped bill. This majestic bird stood gracefully in the shallow waters, sweeping its bill from side to side in search of its aquatic prey. As avid fans of the board game Wingspan (yes, I’m revealing my not-so-well-hidden dorky side), Paul and I were particularly excited by this one!

We also spotted vultures soaring high above the treetops and picking at bones in the swallows. These efficient scavengers play a crucial role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion, making them an essential part of Carara’s natural balance.

Whilst the scenery itself is not as verdant and stunning as some of the other national parks we visited on our trip, I was really pleased we’d visited Carara. The diversity of the bird species is testament to the park’s commitment to preserving its rich biodiversity.