Tropical Kingbird – Zulu Surf Hotel, CR

The Tropical Kingbird is one of Tamarindo’s most familiar flycatchers, and we watched this individual was calling from an exposed perch outside the Zulu Surf Hotel. Loud, rolling calls help pairs stay in contact while defending their breeding territory, and this bird appeared determined to get its mate’s attention. Look for the gray head, olive-green back, bright yellow underparts, sturdy bill, and deeply notched tail, which separate it from similar kingbirds. If the mate was impressed, the strategy worked. If not, at least everyone else in Tamarindo knew it was trying.