While our mountain retreat offers stunning views and a chance to reconnect with nature, you might be surprised by the international cast of characters you’ll encounter flitting through the trees. Today, we turn our binoculars to a little visitor with a surprising backstory, the Tricolored Munia.

This striking finch, native to Southeast Asia, isn’t originally Costa Rican. They were likely introduced as escaped cage birds, and have adapted well to the tropical lowlands here. While you won’t find them throughout Costa Rica, their presence adds a dash of vibrant color to the mountain’s lower slopes.

Spotting a Tricolored Munia:

Look for these little bundles of joy in small flocks, often alongside seedeaters and grassquits. They favor weedy and grassy areas, so keep an eye out near the forest edges or along paths where the sunlight reaches the ground.

A Tricolor Treat:

The Tricolored Munia lives up to its name with a stunning plumage combination. Adults are a feast for the eyes. The rich rusty brown of their upperparts contrasts beautifully with their jet black head and underparts. But the real showstopper is the broad white band that cuts across their lower breast and flanks, creating a truly tricolored masterpiece.

Their stout gray bill adds another distinctive touch, and their short, pointed tail helps differentiate them from seedeaters and grassquits. Juveniles lack the adult’s striking colors, but you can still identify them by their overall buffy brown plumage and the same distinctive stout, bluish-gray bill.

A Song in the Mountains:

The Tricolored Munia’s song is a series of chirps and whistles, often described as cheerful and tinkling. It’s a delightful addition to the morning chorus you’ll hear while enjoying your cup of coffee on the retreat’s balcony.

An Unexpected Guest:

The Tricolored Munia’s presence in Costa Rica is a reminder of the interconnectedness of our world. While not native, they’ve found a niche in the mountain ecosystem. Their cheerful presence adds a touch of the exotic to your Costa Rican birding adventure.

Keep your eyes peeled next time you’re exploring the retreat’s lower areas. You might just be surprised by this little tricolored visitor from afar!

For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica

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