At the biological crossroads of the Americas, Costa Rica hosts an astonishing array of plants and animals--over half a million species! Ecotourists, birders, and biologists come from around the world to immerse themselves in the country' unspoiled rain forests, mountains, and beaches, drawn by the likelihood of seeing more than three or four hundred species of birds and other animals during even a short stay. To help all of these visitors and local residents identify and enjoy the wildlife of Costa Rica, this field guide presents nearly three hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates.Carrol Henderson, an experienced wildlife biologist, traveler, and tour leader in Costa Rica, has chosen the species that ecotourists are most likely to see, along with a selection of rarer, sought-after animals. He gives a general introduction to each group of animals, followed by individual species accounts that highlight identification features and interesting ecological adaptations for survival. His stunning close-up photographs and distribution maps complete each entry.In addition, Henderson includes a wealth of data about Costa Rica' natural environment, as well as a trip preparation checklist and lists of conservation organizations, wildlife tourism sites, and wildlife vocalization tapes and CDs. With so much information so readily and readably accessible, this field guide will be essential for planning and enjoying your time in Costa Rica.

Foreword

xi

Alexander F. Skutch

Preface

xiii

Acknowledgments

xv

About the Author

xvii

Introduction

1

(39)

Historical Perspective

2

(9)

Research

3

(1)

Education

4

(1)

Preservation

5

(3)

Conservation

8

(1)

Nature Tourism

8

(3)

Geography

11

(2)

Biogeography

13

(4)

Migratory Birds

15

(2)

Endemic Species

17

(3)

Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands

18

(1)

Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands

19

(1)

Endemic Species of Cocos Island

20

(1)

Major Biological Zones

20

(14)

Tropical Dry Forest

21

(2)

Southern Pacific Lowlands

23

(1)

Central Plateau (Central Valley)

24

(2)

Caribbean Lowlands

26

(1)

Highlands

27

(5)

Coastal Beaches and Mangrove Lagoons

32

(2)

Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage

34

(6)

Butterflies and Moths

40

(28)

Swallowtail Family (Papilionidae)

42

(1)

Brush-footed Butterfly Family (Nymphalidae)

43

(17)

Giant Silkworm Moth Family (Saturniidae)

60

(2)

Noctuid Moth Family (Noctuidae)

62

(2)

Uraniid Moth Family (Uraniidae)

64

(4)

Other Invertebrates

68

(22)

Bee Family (Apidae)

70

(1)

Ant Family (Formicidae)

71

(7)

Long-horned Beetle Family (Cerambycidae)

78

(1)

Beetle Family (Scarabaeidae)

79

(2)

Dobson Fly Family (Corydalidae)

81

(1)

Katydid Family (Tettigoniidae)

82

(1)

Orb-weaver Spider Family (Araneidae)

83

(2)

Giant Damsetfly Family (Pseudostigmatidae)

85

(2)

Rock Runner Crab Family (Grapsidae)

87

(1)

Land Crab Family (Gecarcinidae)

88

(2)

Amphibians

90

(18)

Leptodactylid Frog Family (Leptodactylidae)

92

(4)

Toad Family (Bufonidae)

96

(2)

Hylid Frog Family (Hylidae)

98

(2)

Poison Dart Frog Family (Dendrobatidae)

100

(4)

Glass Frog Family (Centrolenidae)

104

(4)

Reptiles

108

(34)

Leatherback Turtle Family (Dermochelyidae)

110

(2)

Hard-shelled Sea Turtle Family (Cheloniidae)

112

(4)

Mud Turtle Family (Kinosternidae)

116

(1)

Semiaquatic Pond Turtle Family (Emydidae)

117

(2)

Lizard Family (Iguanidae)

119

(9)

Teiid Lizard Family (Teiidae)

128

(1)

Constrictor Family (Boidae)

129

(1)

Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae)

130

(3)

Viper Family (Crotalidae)

133

(1)

Coral Snake Family (Micruridae)

134

(1)

Crocodile Family (Crocodylidae)

135

(7)

Birds

142

(298)

Tinamou Family (Tinamidae)

145

(2)

Pelican Family (Pelecanidae)

147

(1)

Cormorant Family (Phalacrocoracidae)

148

(2)

Anhinga Family (Anhingidae)

150

(2)

Frigatebird Family (Fregatidae)

152

(2)

Heron Family (Ardeidae)

154

(12)

Stork Family (Ciconiidae)

166

(4)

American Vulture Family (Cathartidae)

170

(6)

Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae)

176

(3)

Duck Family (Anatidae)

179

(4)

Osprey Family (Pandionidae)

183

(2)

Accipiter Family (Accipitridae)

185

(10)

Falcon Family (Falconidae)

195

(5)

Chachalaca, Guan, and Curassow Family (Cracidae)

200

(7)

Rail Family (Rallidae)

207

(3)

Sunbittern Family (Eurypygidae)

210

(2)

Jacana Family (Jacanidae)

212

(2)

Oystercatcher Family (Haematopodidae)

214

(3)

Stilt Family (Recurvirostridae)

217

(1)

Thick-knee Family (Burhinidae)

218

(2)

Plover Family (Charadriidae)

220

(2)

Sandpiper Family (Scolopacidae)

222

(6)

Gull and Tern Family (Laridae)

228

(6)

Dove and Pigeon Family (Columbidae)

234

(8)

Parrot Family (Psittacidae)

242

(13)

Cuckoo Family (Cuculidae)

255

(4)

Owl Family (Strigidae)

259

(5)

Potoo Family (Nyctibiidae)

264

(2)

Nighthawk Family (Caprimulgidae)

266

(2)

Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae)

268

(26)

Trogon Family (Trogonidae)

294

(9)

Kingfisher Family (Alcedinidae)

303

(5)

Motmot Family (Momotidae)

308

(4)

Jacamar Family (Galbulidae)

312

(2)

Puffbird Family (Bucconidae)

314

(1)

Toucan Family (Ramphastidae)

315

(8)

Woodpecker Family (Picidae)

323

(9)

Woodcreeper Family (Dendrocolaptidae)

332

(3)

Antbird Family (Thamnophilidae)

335

(3)

Tityra Family (Tityridae)

338

(1)

Manakin Family (Pipridae)

339

(4)

Flycatcher Family (Tyrannidae)

343

(14)

Swallow Family (Hirundinidae)

357

(2)

Jay Family (Corvidae)

359

(3)

Dipper Family (Cinclidae)

362

(1)

Wren Family (Troglodytidae)

363

(5)

Thrush and Robin Family (Turdidae)

368

(6)

Silky-flycatcher Family (Ptilogonatidae)

374

(2)

Bananaquit Family (Coerebidae)

376

(2)

Warbler Family (Parulidae)

378

(9)

Blackbird and Oriole Family (Icteridae)

387

(7)

Tanager Family (Thraupidae)

394

(26)

Saltator, Grosbeak, and Finch Family (Emberizidae)

420

(20)

Mammals

440

(57)

Opossum Family (Didelphidae)

443

(2)

Porcupine Family (Erethizontidae)

445

(2)

Sheath-tailed Bat Family (Emballonuridae)

447

(2)

Leaf-nosed Bat Family (Phyllostomidae)

449

(1)

New World Monkey Family (Cebidae)

450

(10)

Anteater Family (Myrmecophagidae)

460

(2)

Sloth Family (Bradypodidae)

462

(5)

Armadillo Family (Dasypodidae)

467

(2)

Squirrel Family (Sciuridae)

469

(2)

Cavy Family (Dasyproctidae)

471

(3)

Weasel Family (Mustelidae)

474

(2)

Raccoon Family (Procyonidae)

476

(3)

Cat Family (Felidae)

479

(7)

Peccary Family (Tayassuidae)

486

(4)

Deer Family (Cervidae)

490

(1)

Tapir Family (Tapiridae)

491

(2)

Baleen Whale Family (Balaenopteridae)

493

(4)

Glossary

497

(6)

Appendix A. Costa Rica Conservation Organizations and Field Stations

503

(2)

Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Referred to in the Distribution Maps

505

(13)

Appendix C. Wildlife Vocalization Tapes and CDs

518

(2)

Appendix D. Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist

520

(3)

Index

523

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Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica

9780292734593

029273459X

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