Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic celebrates the holidays with the Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count. More than a hundred ornithologists, tour guides and bird enthusiasts explore the rainforest by foot and aerial tram to monitor populations, while also identifying species new to the area. The data helps illustrate the behavior of migrating bird species.
Bird Species Counting Tradition
The Christmas Bird Count is considered to be within the most important educational and scientific events of the Americas. It brings together bird watching aficionados to study habitats and stress the importance of preservation.
This event, organized by the Audubon Society, brings together about 50,000 birders in 2,000 spots in the Americas. This tradition dates back to 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman, called to end the shooting of birds that took place during the holidays. Mr. Chapman suggested that instead, the people should meet to count them. Thus began the Christmas Bird Count. Recognition goes to the circle with the most species of birds.
At Rainforest Adventures, bird populations find a sustainable habitat in which to stay, thanks to the species of plants that serve as food and shelter for the birds.
In 2008 at Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic, the most observed bird was the Grey-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea), with 354 individuals spotted. The park recorded seven new species, an overall total 397 bird species and 9,211 individuals.
In the 111th Christmas Bird Count (2010), the most observed bird was the White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) with 258 individuals spotted and the Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) with 231 individuals spotted.
