Welcome to Hotel Rivel

As the twilight descends upon our mountain retreat, a chorus of nocturnal creatures awakens. Among them, the Buff-collared nightjar, a captivating yet elusive bird, takes center stage. This blog post delves into the fascinating world of this resident, allowing you to appreciate its beauty and the vital role it plays in Costa Rica’s ecosystem. Make the most of your stay: continue with Hiking Trails Costa Rica. A Master of Camouflage: The Buff-collared nightjar, also known as Ridgway’s whip-poor-will (Antrostomus ridgwayi), is a fairly large nightjar, typically ranging from 9 to 11 inches in length. Its plumage embodies the art of camouflage, with a blend of pale grays and browns that seamlessly blend into the forest at dusk. Despite its cryptic coloring, a distinguishing feature is the buff-colored collar adorning the back of its neck, giving it its namesake. This subtle detail might be your only glimpse during the day, as these nocturnal birds are most active after sunset. Habitat & Distribution: While primarily found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the Buff-collared nightjar extends its range into the drier regions of northwestern Costa Rica. Here at our mountain retreat, nestled amidst scrubby woodlands and thorn forests, you have a

While our mountain retreat offers a symphony of birdsong each morning, some avian wonders require a different kind of Costa Rican adventure. Today, we set our sights (and ears) on the ocean, specifically the elusive Leach’s storm-petrel. If this topic speaks to you, you’ll love Hiking Trails Costa Rica. This tiny seabird, a mere 18-21 cm long with a wingspan reaching 48 cm, is a master of the open ocean. Unlike the vibrantly colored residents flitting through our trees, Leach’s storm-petrel is a creature of subtle elegance. Its plumage is primarily dark, with a characteristic white rump – though in some populations on the west coast of North America, you might find a rare dark-rumped individual. These birds are aptly named for their habit of riding the wind and waves, often following ships or gathering where currents meet, creating upwellings rich in food. Their wings are perfectly adapted for this life, long and narrow, allowing them to glide effortlessly just above the water’s surface. While sightings from our mountain retreat are unlikely, avid birdwatchers can glimpse these fascinating creatures on pelagic birding tours offered along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. These boat trips venture offshore, specifically targeting areas

Our mountain retreat here in Costa Rica offers not only stunning vistas and tranquil rainforests, but also an unparalleled opportunity to witness the incredible diversity of birdlife. Today, we turn our attention to a nocturnal resident, the aptly named Short-tailed Nighthawk (Lurocalis semitorquatus). If this topic speaks to you, you’ll love Hiking Trails Costa Rica. While you won’t find them flitting about during your morning yoga session, these fascinating creatures are quite common throughout Costa Rica, inhabiting a range that stretches from Mexico down to Argentina. A Master of Camouflage The Short-tailed Nighthawk is a member of the nightjar family, and with good reason. Their plumage is a masterpiece of camouflage, with a mottled blend of dark browns, buffs, and rufous speckles that allows them to disappear seamlessly into the bark of trees during the day. Their relatively large size (around 8 inches long) is masked by their exceptional perching habits, where they sit upright with their short tails pressed against the branch. Nighttime Hunters As dusk falls, the Short-tailed Nighthawk comes alive. With wide, owl-like eyes and large mouths, they take flight to become aerial insectivores. Their powerful wings allow for agile maneuvers as they snatch flying insects

High in the mountain forests of our Costa Rican retreat, a flash of emerald catches your eye. It’s the Black-throated Green Warbler, a tiny songbird that brings a touch of sunshine into the lush foliage. This vibrant visitor graces our mountain cloud forests during its migratory journey, and its presence is a delight for birdwatchers. If this topic speaks to you, you’ll love Hiking Trails Costa Rica. A Dazzling Distinction The Black-throated Green Warbler (Setophaga virens) is a medium-sized warbler, typically measuring just 4.5 inches long. While many warblers are known for their dazzling plumage, the Black-throated Green Warbler offers a subtle elegance. A Life Amongst the Leaves These active and agile birds are insectivores, flitting through the upper canopy in search of a tasty meal. Their short, pointed bills are perfect for gleaning small insects hidden amongst the leaves of tall trees. During the breeding season further north, males become territorial and sing a distinctive song, sometimes described as “trees trees, I love trees!” Here in Costa Rica, you’ll likely encounter them during their migration between their breeding grounds in eastern North America and their wintering grounds in Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. A Bird

High in the Costa Rican mountains, where the emerald embrace of the rainforest meets the crisp kiss of cloud forest, a fascinating aerial artist paints the twilight canvas with its silent grace – the Lesser Nighthawk. This blog post, part of our series on the captivating birds of Costa Rica, delves into the world of this little wonder, a master of the disappearing act during the day and a dazzling hunter come nightfall. Looking for the best next step? Explore Hiking Trails Costa Rica. A Creature of Camouflage Spotting a Lesser Nighthawk during the day is a feat in itself. These masters of disguise prefer to roost on the ground or on a low tree branch, blending seamlessly into their surroundings. Their mottled brown, buff, and grey plumage with intricate patterns acts as a natural camouflage, making them nearly invisible amongst fallen leaves and forest debris. Look Up for the Night Show But as dusk descends and the symphony of the rainforest quiets, the Lesser Nighthawk takes center stage. With long, pointed wings that beat with a soft whir, they emerge into the twilight sky. Their nocturnal habits make them particularly well-suited for our mountain retreat, where the absence

High in the canopy of our Costa Rican mountain retreat, a burst of orange flickers through the leaves. It’s the Blackburnian warbler, a dazzling songbird gracing our forests with its vibrant presence for a fleeting part of the year. While not native to Costa Rica, these tiny travelers visit our mountain cloud forests during their remarkable migrations. Want a deeper dive? Start here: Hiking Trails Costa Rica. For birders, a glimpse of the Blackburnian warbler is a treat. The male, in his breeding plumage, is a masterpiece of contrasting colors. His head is a tapestry of black and white, with a bold black cap and mask framing a bright white throat patch. But the true showstopper is the fiery orange that explodes across his face and breast, a blaze that seems to glow even in the dappled light of the forest. Females and immature Blackburnian warblers are more subdued. They lack the male’s fiery breast, instead sporting a wash of yellow and the same distinctive black-and-white facial pattern. But even in these plumages, the Blackburnian’s elegance shines through. These little acrobats flit through the highest branches of our tallest trees, flitting and hopping as they glean insects and their