When birder and naturalist Gabriel Willow visited the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Rainforest in Costa Rica, he had one mission: to spot some of the region’s most elusive and spectacular bird species. What he discovered was a journey filled with wonder, rare sightings, and unforgettable moments.
Into the Heart of the Rainforest
Just an hour after sunrise, the forest was alive with heat and humidity. As Gabriel and his team descended into a stream valley, the air was still, heavy, and rich with the sounds of distant birdsong. Every step brought anticipation, especially for one very special bird.
Biodiversity
The SWAROVSKI OPTIK Rainforest
For the love of nature (per amore della natura): il principio guida di SWAROVSKI OPTIK. Per vivere questo principio e fare la differenza, abbiamo acquistato 115 ettari di foresta pluviale nella Penisola di Osa, in Costa Rica: la foresta pluviale SWAROVSKI OPTIK. Con questo coinvolgimento diretto in un progetto di conservazione della natura, vogliamo assumerci un ruolo di piena responsabilità di fronte alla crisi della biodiversità.
The Black-Cheeked Ant Tanager: A Hidden Gem
This secretive species wasn’t even described until the 1920s. Found almost exclusively in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula and around the Golfo Dulce, the Black-cheeked Ant Tanager is a true rarity. Both males and females share a dark plumage with a soft orange throat.
Suddenly, the forest erupted. A herd of peccaries crashed through the understory, and in their wake, Gabriel glimpsed what he had hoped for: a pair of Black-cheeked Ant Tanagers, darting low to snatch insects stirred up by the herd. A fleeting but magical encounter.
A Burst of Color: Baird’s Trogon
Next on Gabriel’s list was the Baird’s Trogon, a bird as striking as its name suggests. The male dazzles with a deep blue head, strawberry-red belly, and white tail, while the female wears elegant slate-gray tones with orange accents.
As the morning wore on, the team reached a clearing and climbed a lookout hill. There, the forest delivered a spectacle: three male Baird’s Trogons calling loudly from the same tree, their vivid plumage glowing in the sunlight. A moment of pure rainforest drama.
A Royal Surprise: King Vulture
Just as the walk ended, another highlight appeared overhead—a King Vulture, soaring majestically with stark black-and-white wings. By breakfast, the count had grown to three, circling high above the canopy. A reminder of the rainforest’s grandeur.
The Jewel of the Canopy: Turquoise Cotinga
As evening fell, Gabriel returned to the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Rainforest property for one last target: the Turquoise Cotinga. Known for its electric-blue plumage, this bird is a living gemstone.
And there it was: perched on the tallest treetop, glowing against dramatic thunderheads. Through the scope, its brilliance was breathtaking, a tiny monarch surveying his emerald kingdom. The team watched until night blurred the horizon and rain swept across the forest.
About the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Rainforest
Osa peninsula
SWAROVSKI OPTIK protects 285 acres (115 ha) of primary rainforest on the Osa peninsula, a vital corridor between Piedras Blancas National Park and Corcovado National Park. This land is crucial for conservation, ensuring connectivity between two of Costa Rica’s most important protected areas.
About the birder:
Gabriel Willow
Gabriel Willow is a naturalist and environmental educator based in New York City. He leads tours for The NYC Bird Alliance and Wave Hill, sharing his passion for birds and urban ecology. Equipped with his EL binoculars, Gabriel uncovers wildness in unexpected places, from peregrine falcons on skyscrapers to hidden gems in the tropics.
