Wednesday, April 22nd
A highlight for everyone today was seeing a pair of Resplendent Quetzals. During our walk through the Monteverde Cloudforest, we heard a male bird calling. However, we did not see this elusive bird. After the walk, we all got onto the bus, and as we were ready to go, another guide came jogging up the road telling our guide that they had spotted the bird. We all walked silently down the road a bit to where there were a few people gathered around a spotting scope. The guide carefully directed our attention to where the bird was and soon many of our group could spot it with their naked eye or with their binoculars. Three feet away from the male bird was the female. The male Resplendent Quetzal is a stunning bird. The male is about 14” tall with long, green tail-like, feather streamers extending another 25”! It is mostly glittering green with a crimson colored belly. It has a distinctive crest with a small, yellow bill.
The guide then kindly offered us the chance to see this remarkable bird through his scope. One at a time, everyone in our group got a phenomenal look at the Costa Rican national bird. The guide then took several of the students’ cameras and took “digiscope” photos of the bird through the spotting scope.
Many bird watchers travel thousands of miles and spend mucho dinero in an attempt to see this fantastic bird. Many are unsuccessful. We got lucky and, due to the generous spirit of that local guide, we all saw a very special “life” bird! Pura vida!
