Great Kiskadee – Arenal Observatory Lodge, CR

A Great Kiskadee perched in the open at Arenal Observatory Lodge, where forest edges and clearings provide perfect hunting grounds for this widespread flycatcher. The bold black-and-white head pattern, bright yellow belly, and rich chestnut wings make it one of Costa Rica’s easiest birds to identify. The Great Kiskadees is an opportunistic hunters, catching insects in flight, snatching small lizards, and even taking fish when available. Their loud, unmistakable “kis-ka-dee” call often gives them away before they come into view, making them one of the first birds many visitors notice around the lodge. Watching one patiently scan from an exposed perch reminded us that sometimes the most familiar birds are also among the most entertaining to observe.