Welcome, birding enthusiasts, to the first instalment of our Hotel Rivel birding blog! Costa Rica boasts an incredible diversity of avian life, with over 900 species gracing our skies. Within a mere 10km radius of our Adventure and Nature Retreat, you can spot a remarkable 600 of them! Today, we set our sights on the majestic albatrosses, incredible gliders of the ocean currents.

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Costa Rica’s Albatross Trio

While not the most common visitors, three albatross species grace Costa Rica’s Pacific waters:

• Salvin’s Albatross (Thalassarche salvini): Primarily a breeder on New Zealand’s Bounty Islands, these medium-sized mollymawks (albatross relatives) can be spotted off our shores during their non-breeding season. Look for a bird with a wingspan reaching a staggering 8.4ft (2.56m). Adults have a silver-grey crown and black back with a contrasting white rump and underparts. Males and females look similar, though males might have a slightly larger bill. Their mournful calls echo across the waves.
• Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchus): This impressive visitor boasts a wingspan of up to 10ft (3m). Adults are mostly black and white, with a diagnostic yellow stripe along their bill (absent in juveniles). Interestingly, unlike Salvin’s albatross, females tend to be slightly larger than males. Their calls are described as a series of whinnies, growls, and whistles.
• Waved Albatross (Phoebastria [Diomedea] ondulate): The largest of our albatross visitors, the waved albatross can reach a wingspan of a whopping 11.5ft (3.5m). Adults have a beautiful black and white waved pattern on their backs, giving them their name. Sexual dimorphism is subtle, with females having a browner head. Their calls are a variety of moans, bellows, and whistles.

Masters of the Open Ocean

Albatrosses are incredible adaptations to pelagic (open ocean) life. Their streamlined bodies, long wings, and forked tails allow them to exploit wind currents, barely needing to flap their wings as they soar for vast distances. They are also excellent swimmers, using their webbed feet for take-off and landing on water.

Behavior and Characteristics

These magnificent birds are scavengers, feeding on squid, fish, and carrion found floating on the surface. They are known for their spectacular courtship displays, involving elaborate dances and vocalizations. Albatrosses are monogamous, forming long-lasting pair bonds and displaying remarkable parental care, with both parents taking turns incubating the single egg and raising the chick.

Unfortunately, albatrosses face threats from longline fishing, where they can become accidentally hooked and drown. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring these majestic birds continue to grace our skies.

Spotting Albatrosses at Hotel Rivel

While not guaranteed sightings due to their nomadic nature, keeping an eye out on the horizon, especially during boat tours or whale watching excursions, might reward you with an unforgettable encounter with these aerial giants.

Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we’ll explore another fascinating group of Costa Rican birds!