Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 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, Islands, and Mangrove Lagoons -- Wildlife Overview and Species Coverage -- Species Accounts -- Photography -- Bibliography -- Bird Species Accounts -- Tinamou Family (Tinamidae) -- Duck Family (Anatidae) -- Chachalaca, Guan, and Curassow Family (Cracidae) -- Booby Family (Sulidae) -- Pelican Family (Pelecanidae) -- Cormorant Family (Phalacrocoracidae) -- Anhinga Family (Anhingidae) -- Frigatebird Family (Fregatidae) -- Heron Family (Ardeidae) -- Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae) -- Stork Family (Ciconiidae) -- American Vulture Family (Cathartidae) -- Osprey Family (Pandionidae) -- Accipiter Family (Accipitridae) -- Falcon Family (Falconidae) -- Rail Family (Rallidae) -- Sungrebe Family (Heliornithidae) -- Sunbittern Family (Eurypygidae) -- Thick-Knee Family (Burhinidae) -- Plover Family (Charadriidae) -- Oystercatcher Family (Haematopodidae) -- Stilt Family (Recurvirostridae) -- Jacana Family (Jacanidae) -- Sandpiper Family (Scolopacidae) -- Gull and Tern Family (Laridae) -- Dove and Pigeon Family (Columbidae) -- Parrot Family (Psittacidae) -- Cuckoo Family (Cuculidae) -- Owl Family (Strigidae) -- Nighthawk Family (Caprimulgidae) -- Potoo Family (Nyctibiidae) -- Hummingbird Family (Trochilidae) -- Trogon Family (Trogonidae) -- Motmot Family (Momotidae) -- Kingfisher Family (Alcedinidae).

Puffbird Family (Bucconidae) -- Jacamar Family (Galbulidae) -- Toucan Family (Ramphastidae) -- Woodpecker Family (Picidae) -- Spinetail Family (Furnariidae) -- Woodcreeper Family (Dendrocolaptidae) -- Antbird Family (Thamnophilidae) -- Flycatcher Family (Tyrannidae) -- Tityra and Becard Family (Tityridae) -- Cotinga Family (Cotingidae) -- Manakin Family (Pipridae) -- Vireo Family (Vireonidae) -- Jay Family (Corvidae) -- Swallow Family (Hirundinidae) -- Wren Family (Troglodytidae) -- Dipper Family (Cinclidae) -- Thrush and Robin Family (Turdidae) -- Silky-Flycatcher Family (Ptilogonatidae) -- Wood-Warbler Family (Parulidae) -- Bananquit Family (Coerebidae) -- Tanager Family (Thraupidae) -- Seedeater, Finch, and Sparrow Family (Emberizidae) -- Saltator and Grosbeak Family (Cardinalidae) -- Blackbird, Oriole, and Grackle Family (Icteridae) -- Goldfinch, Euphonia, and Chlorophonia Family (Fringillidae) -- Glossary -- Bibliography -- Appendices -- Appendix A: Costa Rican Conservation Organizations, Research Stations, Birding Groups, and Bird Information Sources -- Appendix B: Wildlife Tourism Sites and Field Stations Referred to in the Distribution Maps -- Appendix C: Costa Rican Trip Preparation Checklist -- Appendix D: Travel Tips for a Successful Wildlife Viewing Trip in Costa Rica -- Appendix E: Eco-Misconceptions about Bird Feeding, Flash Photography, and Sound Recordings -- About the Author -- Index.