Some of the most animated and expressive birds I encountered in Costa Rica were the parrots, parakeets, and macaws. Whether calling overhead, gathering in small groups, or quietly perched among the leaves, they brought both color and personality to the forest. Their movements felt less like fleeting glimpses and more like moments of interaction—curious, social, and often just a little playful. This collection highlights a range of these birds, from the iconic scarlet macaws to the smaller, vibrant parakeets that seemed to appear just when you thought the forest had gone still.
SCARLET MACAWS
Even at rest, macaws carry an unmistakable presence—bold, unmistakable, and impossible to overlook.
GREAT GREEN MACAWS
Less vivid than their scarlet relatives, the great green macaws offered a quieter, more subtle beauty.
PARROTS & PARAKEETS
Brown-hooded Parrots
Crimson-fronted Parakeets
Orange-chinned Parakeets
Together, these smaller parrots and parakeets added movement and life to the forest—never still for long, and always just slightly out of reach.
From the dramatic presence of the macaws to the quick movements of the parakeets, these birds brought a sense of energy and personality to every moment in Costa Rica. Each encounter felt a little different—sometimes bold and unmistakable, sometimes quiet and fleeting—but always memorable.
