Table of Contents

* Foreword by Alexander F. Skutch * Preface * Acknowledgments * About the Author * Introduction * Historical Perspective * Research * Education * Preservation * Conservation * Nature Tourism * Geography * Biogeography * Migratory Birds * Endemic Species * Endemic Wildlife of the Highlands * Endemic Species of the Southern Pacific Lowlands * Endemic Species of Cocos Island * Major Biological Zones * Tropical Dry Forest * Southern Pacific Lowlands * Central Plateau (Central Valley) * Caribbean Lowlands * Highlands * Coastal Beaches and Mangrove Lagoons * Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage * Butterflies and Moths * Swallowtail Family (Papilionidae) * Brush-footed Butterfly Family (Nymphalidae) * Giant Silkworm Moth Family (Saturniidae) * Noctuid Moth Family (Noctuidae) * Uranlid Moth Family (Uraniidae) * Other Invertebrates * Bee Family (Apidae) * Ant Family (Formicidae) * Long-horned Beetle Family (Cerambycidae) * Beetle Family (Scarabaeidae) * Dobson Fly Family (Corydalidae) * Katydid Family (Tettigoniidae) * Orb-weaver Spider Family (Araneidae) * Giant Damselfly Family (Pseudostigmatidae) * Rock Runner Crab Family (Grapsidae) * Land Crab Family (Gecarcinidae) * Amphibians * Leptodactylid Frog Family (Leptodactylidae) * Toad Family (Bufonidae) * Hylid Frog Family (Hylidae) * Poison Dart Frog Family (Dendrobatidae) * Glass Frog Family (Centrolenidae) * Reptiles * Leatherback Turtle Family (Dermochelyidae) * Hard-shelled Sea Turtle Family (Cheloniidae) * Mud Turtle Family (Kinosternidae) * Semiaquatic Pond Turtle Family (Emydidae) * Lizard Family (Iguanidae) * Teiid Lizard Family (Teiidae) * Constrictor Family (Boidae) * Colubrid Snakes (Colubridae) * Viper Family (Crotalidae) * Coral Snake Family (Micruridae) * Crocodile Family (Crocodylidae) * Birds * Tinamou Family (Tinamidae) * Pelican Family (Pelecanidae) * Cormorant Family (Phalacrocoracidae) * Anhinga Family (Anhingidae) * Frigatebird Family (Fregatidae) * Heron Family (Ardeidae) * Stork Family (Ciconiidae) * American Vulture Family (Cathartidae) * Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae) * Duck Family (Anatidae) * Osprey Family (Pandionidae) * Accipiter Family (Accipitridae) * Falcon Family (Falconidae) * Chachalaca, Guan, and Curassow Family (Cracidae) * Rail Family (Rallidae) * Sunbittern Family (Eurypygidae) * Jacana Family (Jacanidae) * Oystercatcher Family (Haematopodidae) * Stilt Family (Recurvirostridae) * Thick-knee Family (Burhinidae) * Plover Family (Charadrlidae) * Sandpiper Family (Scolopacidae) * Gull and Tern Family (Laridae) * Dove and Pigeon Family (Columbidae) * Parrot Family (Psittacidae) * Cuckoo Family (Cuculidae) * Owl Family (Strigidae) * Potoo Family (Nyctiblidae) * Nighthawk Family (Caprimulgidae) * Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae) * Trogon Family (Trogonidae) * Kingfisher Family (Alcedinidae) * Motmot Family (Momotidae) * Jacamar Family (Galbulidae) * Puffbird Family (Bucconidae) * Toucan Family (Ramphastidae) * Woodpecker Family (Picidae) * Woodcreeper Family (Dendrocolaptidae) * Antbird Family (Thamnophilidae) * Tityra Family (Tityridae) * Manakin Family (Pipridae) * Flycatcher Family (Tyrannidae) * Swallow Family (Hirundinidae) * Jay Family (Corvidae) * Dipper Family (Cinclidae) * Wren Family (Troglodytidae) * Thrush and Robin Family (Turdidae) * Silky-flycatcher Family (Ptilogonatidae) * Bananaquit Family (Coerebidae) * Warbler Family (Parulidae) * Blackbird and Oriole Family (Icteridae) * Tanager Family (Thraupidae) * Saltator, Grosbeak, and Finch Family (Emberizidae) * Mammals * Opossum Family (Didelphidae) * Porcupine Family (Erethizontidae) * Sheath-tailed Bat Family (Emballonuridae) * Leaf-nosed Bat Family (Phyllostomidae) * New World Monkey Family (Cebidae) * Anteater Family (Myrmecophagidae) * Sloth Family (Bradypodidae) * Armadillo Family (Dasypodidae) * Squirrel Family (Sciuridae) * Cavy Family (Dasyproctidae) * Weasel Family (Mustelidae) * Raccoon Family (Procyonidae) * Cat Family (Felidae) * Peccary Family (Tayassuidae) * Deer Family (Cervidae) * Tapir Family (Tapiridae) * Baleen Whale Family (Balaenopteridae) * Glossary * Appendix A. Costa Rica Conservation Organizations and Field Stations * Appendix B. Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Referred to in the Distribution Maps * Appendix C. Wildlife Vocalization Tapes and CDs * Appendix D. Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist * Index

About the Author

Carrol L. Henderson, a professional wildlife biologist, has made over twenty-five trips to Costa Rica since 1969 and has led over thirty-five birding and wildlife tours there and throughout Latin America since 1987. He lives in Blaine, Minnesota.