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BIOGEOGRAPHY

Birds and their habitats are not distributed randomly, and a basic understanding of how geography and

climate shape the distribution of habitat types—and consequently bird distribution—can help you to

both find and identify species. While there is still much to learn about the finer points of distribution and

seasonal occurrence of birds in Costa Rica, here we offer an overview of the physical geography, climate,

and habitat to give a sense of bird distribution in this remarkable country.

Geography

Centered at 10^oN and 84^oW, toward the southern end of Central America, Costa Rica is oriented roughly

from northwest to southeast and fronts both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In the far north,

just south of Lake Nicaragua, there is no clear division between Pacific and Caribbean lowlands, but south

from there a series of mountain ranges separates the two coastal slopes, influencing the climate and with

it the vegetation and bird distribution.

Figure 7. Physical geography of Costa Rica.

1. Volcán Rincon de la Vieja

2. Volcán Miravalles

3. Volcán Tenorio

4. Volcán Arenal

5. Volcán Viejo

6. Volcán Poás

7. Volcán Barva

8. Volcán Turrialba

9. Volcán Irazú

10. Cerro de la Muerte

11. Cerro Chirripó

> 2000m

1500–2000m

1000–1500m

500–1500m

0–500m

NICARAGUA

PANAMA

Lake

Nicaragua

Caribbean Sea

Pacific Ocean

11°N

8°N

83°W

86°W

Guanacaste

Cordillera

Tilarán

Cordillera

Central Valley

Nicoya

Peninsula

Osa

Peninsula

Rio San Juan

Gulf of Nicoya

Golfo Dulce

Río Tempisque

Río General

Río Coto

Brus

Río Térraba

Rio Frio

Río Reventazón

Río Sarapiquí

Río Chirripó

Río Bebedero

Río Tárcoles

NORTHERN

MOUNTAINS

CENTRAL MOUNTAINS

TALAMANCA MOUNTAINS

∆

∆∆

∆

∆∆∆

∆

∆

∆

∆

3

10

1

2

4

5

6

7

8

9

11