Curi Cancha

Purple-throated Mountain-gem

After a quick breakfast we grabbed a cab and headed into Monteverde. Monteverde is wildly different from the Osa peninsula, steeper, cooler, more populated and more touristy. In Monteverde there a dozens of private reserves most require a $40-$50 entrance fee. The reserves vary from gravel walking trails through butterfly gardens and patches of jungle, trails through active coffee farms and then trails through the mountains connected by huge bridges.

Long-tailed skipper

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

Variegated Squirrel

Curi Cancha was gravel trails through small jungle patches and buterfly gardens. We got there early and met up with Jorge. Jorge is a local guide in his early 30's and we got along right away. He took us into the reserve to begin exploring. Song birds, butterflies and hummingbirds were a great start. After a short time we started to hear this extraordinarliy loud noise which sounded like a fire alarm mixed with the sound of a car with really bad brakes. Jorge’s excitment was through the roof and we hurried along the trail to find the source. It sounded so close, but as we moved the sound somehow got louder which was perplexing. We found it a three-wattled bellbird. High up in the canopy a medium sized bird a little smaller than an american football. We watched through scopes, binoculars and lenses. He would open his mouth but no sound and then an almost ear shattering TSEEEEEEEEW…..BONKKK BONKK.

Three-wattled Bellbird

This bird is considered one of the loudest if not THE loudest species of bird in the world. We watched and listened for a while in awe. Jorge explained to us that they are endangered across their range in central america, and they have been known to pick up accents or different calls as they migrate through different regions and countries. This one is apparently a regular visitor to the reserve. They get their name from the three wattles or extra skin that hang from its face. They’re a secretive bird more often heard than seen so this was a real treat. We saw tons of other birds including a tinamou another uncommon species to be seen. Jorge said “you’re one lucky guy!” After a half day in Curi Cancha we parted ways with Jorge with a plan to reconnect for a night hike. We grabbed lunch at a small cafe in a mall not far from our hotel. Back at the hotel two motmots appeared outside the room and we took some time to watch them. After a short nap I repacked the gear for the night hike.

Highland Tinamou