Here at Hotel Rivel, nature’s orchestra plays a constant melody. From the vibrant calls of toucans to the melodic whistles of wrens, our haven in the Costa Rican mountains is a paradise for birdwatchers. Today, we turn our ears to a more subtle musician, the aptly named Striped Cuckoo (Tapera naevia).

Though their song is a common thread in the Costa Rican soundtrack, the Striped Cuckoo itself is a master of disguise. Often skulking in the dense undergrowth, these birds are more likely heard than seen. But don’t let their secretive nature discourage you! With a keen eye and a patient spirit, you might just catch a glimpse of this fascinating creature.

A Striking Songster

While shy by nature, the Striped Cuckoo is far from silent. Their loud, two-part song is a familiar sound in the lowlands of Costa Rica, gracing our grounds at Hotel Rivel throughout much of the year. Listen for a series of clear, whistled notes followed by a lower, richer sequence. This distinctive call often emanates from fences, low perches, or the tangled canopy, making them more detectable by sound than by sight.

A Master of Deception

The Striped Cuckoo’s plumage offers another layer of intrigue. Adorned in a cryptic coat of greyish-brown streaked with black and buff, they blend seamlessly with the forest floor. Their pale eyebrow and the occasional flash of a chestnut and black crest, especially when raised during displays, are fleeting glimpses into their hidden world.

Young Stripped Cuckoos take camouflage a step further. Their spotted buff feathers and rufous tones on the back and wings make them even harder to distinguish from the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

A Bird of Two Worlds

The Striped Cuckoo is a unique resident of the Americas, one of the very few brood parasitic cuckoos found here (the other being the Dromococcyx). This means they lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the unsuspecting hosts to raise their young as their own.

The Striped Cuckoo primarily targets spinetails, but wrens and other birds with domed nests are also frequent victims of this elaborate trickery. The cuckoo’s chick, hatching in a mere 15 days and fledging even faster at 18 days old, often outcompetes the host’s offspring for food, ensuring its survival.

A Culinary Specialist

Despite their brood parasitic ways, Striped Cuckoos are valuable insectivores. Their diet consists mainly of large insects, particularly grasshoppers and caterpillars, which they expertly snatch from the forest floor. This helps control pest populations and maintains the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

Encountering the Striped Cuckoo at Hotel Rivel

While spotting a Striped Cuckoo can be challenging, their presence is undeniable. Listen for their calls as you explore the trails around Hotel Rivel. With a little patience, you might be rewarded with a glimpse of this elusive songster flitting through the undergrowth.

Our expert guides are also happy to lend a hand in your quest to see this remarkable bird. Their knowledge of the forest and keen ears will significantly increase your chances of encountering the Striped Cuckoo.

So, next time you visit Hotel Rivel, keep your ears tuned for the telltale song of the Striped Cuckoo. With a dash of patience and a sprinkle of luck, you might just unlock the secrets of this fascinating avian resident.

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

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