Brown-hooded Parrots photographed during a Wildlife With Ronen photo workshop in Costa Rica. Photo: Ronen Tivony.
Costa Rica parrots come in many forms, from scarlet macaws that steal every scene to smaller species that most visitors walk right past. This spotlight covers one of the quiet ones: the Brown-hooded Parrot (Pyrilia haematotis), photographed in the rainforest canopy during a Wildlife With Ronen photo workshop in Costa Rica.
Meet the Brown-hooded Parrot
The Brown-hooded Parrot is a compact, chunky bird, measuring about 8 to 9 inches long. Its name comes from the warm reddish brown feathers covering its crown, cheeks, and throat, set off by a pale, almost white ring around each eye and a small patch of pink red feathers just behind it. The rest of the body is mostly green, and the bill is a soft pale brown.
Its best feature only shows in flight. When a Brown-hooded Parrot takes off, it flashes bright red feathers under its wings, a detail most observers miss because the bird is usually moving fast and low over the treetops.
Like many Costa Rica parrots, this species feeds quietly in the upper canopy on figs and other forest fruit, which makes it surprisingly easy to overlook even in places where it is common. You are more likely to hear one before you see it: a sharp, high pitched “kee reek” call, often given in flight alongside a mate or a small flock.
Where to Find This Costa Rica Parrot in the Wild
The Brown-hooded Parrot ranges from Mexico to Colombia, and Costa Rica sits right in the middle of that range. Within the country, it turns up on both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes, though it is most reliable in the northern lowlands and foothills. Boca Tapada, La Selva, and the forests around Tortuguero are good bets, along with parts of the Osa Peninsula further south. It favors humid lowland forest and forest edges, and it will use secondary growth and even gardens near intact forest.
Breeding season runs roughly from December through March, when pairs nest in natural cavities high in old growth trees. Outside that window, small flocks range widely through the canopy in search of fruiting trees.
The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, and the eBird species account is a good resource if you want to study its calls and range map before a trip.
Fast Facts: Brown-hooded Parrot
- Scientific name: Pyrilia haematotis
- Length: 8 to 9 inches
- Range: Mexico to Colombia, both slopes of Costa Rica
- Habitat: Humid lowland forest and forest edge, up to about 5,250 feet elevation
- Conservation status: Least Concern
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to see Brown-hooded Parrots in Costa Rica? The northern Caribbean lowlands, including the Boca Tapada region and areas near La Selva, offer some of the most consistent sightings, along with parts of the Osa Peninsula.
Are Brown-hooded Parrots rare in Costa Rica? No. They are considered Least Concern and can be fairly common in the right habitat, but their quiet feeding habits and camouflaged coloring make them easy to miss.
What is the scientific name of the Brown-hooded Parrot? Pyrilia haematotis.
How can I tell a Brown-hooded Parrot apart from other Costa Rica parrots? Size and head color are the fastest clues. The Brown-hooded Parrot is smaller than Costa Rica’s Amazona parrots, such as the Red-lored and Mealy Parrot, and its head is solid reddish brown rather than marked with a single colored patch. Look for the pale, almost white eye ring, and listen for a sharp, high pitched call rather than the loud screeching of the larger species. In flight, a flash of red under the wings is another good giveaway.
What camera gear do you need to photograph Brown-hooded Parrots and other Costa Rica parrots? A long telephoto lens, at least 400mm, helps close the distance to birds feeding high in the canopy. A fast shutter speed matters too, since the best shots often come as a bird takes flight and flashes its red underwing. A monopod eases the strain of carrying a long lens through the forest, and weather-sealed gear or a simple rain cover is worth having given the humidity.
Join a Costa Rica Wildlife Photography Workshop
Whether you are after Costa Rica parrots, toucans, monkeys, or the countless other species that call the rainforest home, a guided workshop puts you in position instead of hoping for luck. View our Costa Rica wildlife photography workshops or contact us to start planning your trip.