Birds to See in Costa Rica in October
106 bird species on our list for Costa Rica are recorded regularly in October
Of these, the most often recorded are Turkey Vulture, Baltimore Oriole, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Swainson's Thrush and Palm Tanager. New this month: Philadelphia Vireo, Bay-breasted Warbler, Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak and 16 more.
On the move in October
GBIF · OctArriving
Bay-breasted WarblerRegular from October · Oct–Apr
Rose-breasted GrosbeakRegular from October · Oct–Apr
Gray-cheeked ThrushRegular from October · Oct–Nov
Philadelphia VireoRegular from October · Oct–Apr
Ruby-throated HummingbirdRegular from October · Oct–Apr
Scissor-tailed FlycatcherRegular from October · Oct–Apr
At their peak
Broad-winged HawkBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
Northern WaterthrushBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Yellow-bellied FlycatcherBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Mourning WarblerBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
Peregrine FalconBusiest month of the year · Sep–May
OvenbirdBusiest month of the year · Sep–Apr
From Costa Rica’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 106 birds in October
106 birds
Turkey VultureCathartes auraResidentCommon62–81 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Oct
Baltimore OrioleIcterus galbulaWinter visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 1.06% in Oct
Chestnut-sided WarblerSetophaga pensylvanicaWinter visitorCommon10–14 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.98% in Oct
Swainson's ThrushCatharus ustulatusWinter visitorCommon16–20 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.79% in Oct
Palm TanagerThraupis palmarumResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Oct
Tennessee WarblerLeiothlypis peregrinaWinter visitorCommon10–13 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.64% in Oct
White-winged DoveZenaida asiaticaResidentCommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Oct
Roadside HawkRupornis magnirostrisResidentUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.49% in Oct
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.44% in Oct- Broad-winged HawkButeo platypterusWinter visitorUncommon34–44 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.42% in Oct
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Oct- Northern WaterthrushParkesia noveboracensisWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.40% in Oct
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Oct- Yellow-bellied FlycatcherEmpidonax flaviventrisWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.32% in Oct
Scarlet TanagerPiranga olivaceaPassage migrantUncommon16–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.28% in Oct
Lineated WoodpeckerDryocopus lineatusResidentUncommon32–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Oct
Scarlet MacawAra macaoResidentUncommon81–96 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Oct- Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaWinter visitorUncommon14–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.24% in Oct
Great Crested FlycatcherMyiarchus crinitusWinter visitorUncommon17–22 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.21% in Oct
OspreyPandion haliaetusWinter visitorUncommon54–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Oct
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.18% in Oct- Mourning WarblerGeothlypis philadelphiaWinter visitorUncommon10–15 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.16% in Oct
- Rose-breasted GrosbeakPheucticus ludovicianusWinter visitorUncommon18–22 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.15% in Oct
Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citreaWinter visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.13% in Oct
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentUncommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Oct
Great Blue HeronArdea herodiasWinter visitorUncommon91–137 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Oct
American RedstartSetophaga ruticillaWinter visitorUncommon11–14 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.12% in Oct
Great CurassowCrax rubraResidentUncommon84–92 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct- Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusWinter visitorUncommon34–58 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.12% in Oct
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusResidentUncommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Oct
Black-throated Green WarblerSetophaga virensWinter visitorUncommon11–12 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.11% in Oct
WilletTringa semipalmataWinter visitorUncommon33–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Oct
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentUncommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Oct
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataResidentUncommon66–84 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Oct
Ferruginous Pygmy-owlGlaucidium brasilianumResidentUncommon15–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Oct
Least SandpiperCalidris minutillaWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.09% in Oct
Acorn WoodpeckerMelanerpes formicivorusResidentUncommon20–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Oct
Mottled OwlStrix virgataResidentUncommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct- Gray-cheeked ThrushCatharus minimusPassage migrantUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Oct–Nov · 0.07% in Oct
DickcisselSpiza americanaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.07% in Oct
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensisResidentUncommon45–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Oct
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct
Red-winged BlackbirdAgelaius phoeniceusResidentUncommon17–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Oct- Philadelphia VireoVireo philadelphicusWinter visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Oct
Solitary SandpiperTringa solitariaWinter visitorUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.05% in Oct
Lesser YellowlegsTringa flavipesWinter visitorUncommon23–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Oct- OvenbirdSeiurus aurocapillaWinter visitorUncommon12–15 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.05% in Oct
Western SandpiperCalidris mauriWinter visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Oct
Semipalmated SandpiperCalidris pusillaWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.05% in Oct
Hairy WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus villosusResidentUncommon18–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
Short-billed DowitcherLimnodromus griseusWinter visitorUncommon23–32 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.04% in Oct- Ruby-throated HummingbirdArchilochus colubrisWinter visitorUncommon7–9 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Oct
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxResidentUncommon58–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Oct
VeeryCatharus fuscescensPassage migrantRare16–19 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.04% in Oct
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorRare24–33 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.03% in Oct
Greater YellowlegsTringa melanoleucaWinter visitorUncommon29–40 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Oct
Willow FlycatcherEmpidonax trailliiWinter visitorRare13–17 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Oct
Purple MartinProgne subisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.03% in Oct
Least FlycatcherEmpidonax minimusWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.03% in Oct
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisResidentUncommon36–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct- Scissor-tailed FlycatcherTyrannus forficatusWinter visitorUncommon28–38 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.02% in Oct
Alder FlycatcherEmpidonax alnorumPassage migrantRare13–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Oct
Stilt SandpiperCalidris himantopusWinter visitorRare18–23 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Oct
Marbled GodwitLimosa fedoaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in Oct
Common PotooNyctibius griseusResidentRare33–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Oct
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantUncommon19–23 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Oct
Black TernChlidonias nigerResidentRare22–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Sharp-shinned HawkAccipiter striatusWinter visitorRare24–34 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Mourning DoveZenaida macrouraResidentRare23–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusWinter visitorRare48–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Wilson's PhalaropePhalaropus tricolorPassage migrantRare22–24 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Oct
Baird's SandpiperCalidris bairdiiPassage migrantRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Oct
Gull-billed TernGelochelidon niloticaWinter visitorRare33–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorRare44–51 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.01% in Oct
Upland SandpiperBartramia longicaudaPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Oct
Gray CatbirdDumetella carolinensisWinter visitorRare20–24 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Common TernSterna hirundoWinter visitorRare31–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorResidentRare45–53 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Oct
Western KingbirdTyrannus verticalisWinter visitorRare20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Oct
Magnolia WarblerSetophaga magnoliaWinter visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in Oct
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorRare23–26 cmRegularly Aug–Feb · 0.01% in Oct
Black-billed CuckooCoccyzus erythropthalmusPassage migrantRare28–32 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in Oct
Cape May WarblerSetophaga tigrinaWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.00% in Oct
Pied-billed GrebePodilymbus podicepsResidentRare31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusWinter visitorRare18–19 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Buff-breasted SandpiperCalidris subruficollisPassage migrantRare18–20 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
White-rumped SandpiperCalidris fuscicollisPassage migrantRare15–18 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
American Golden-PloverPluvialis dominicaPassage migrantRare24–28 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Oct
Palm WarblerSetophaga palmarumWinter visitorRare12–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Franklin's GullLeucophaeus pipixcanWinter visitorRare32–36 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Oct
Common YellowthroatGeothlypis trichasWinter visitorRare11–13 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.00% in Oct
Long-billed DowitcherLimnodromus scolopaceusPassage migrantRare27–30 cmRegularly Oct–Dec · 0.00% in Oct
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentRare30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Oct
BobolinkDolichonyx oryzivorusPassage migrantRare16–20 cmRegularly Sep–Nov · 0.00% in Oct
Cinnamon TealSpatula cyanopteraWinter visitorRare36–43 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronataWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.00% in Oct
Blue-headed VireoVireo solitariusWinter visitorRare12–15 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantRare33–39 cmRegularly Sep–Oct · 0.00% in Oct
Blackpoll WarblerSetophaga striataWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusResidentRare41–46 cmRegularly Sep–Jul · 0.00% in Oct
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusWinter visitorRare19–22 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.00% in Oct
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusWinter visitorRare46–51 cmRegularly Oct–Jun · 0.00% in Oct
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made