# Costa Rica Birds — Field Guide for mobile devices

> Offline digital field guide for identifying birds in Costa Rica. (iPhone/iPad app by Patrick ODonnell.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/costa-rica-birds/id568719936 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Patrick ODonnell](https://appshunter.io/developer/1863275756)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 25 App Store ratings · 47 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 574 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-01-22
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/costa-rica-birds/id568719936/reviews.md

## What is Costa Rica Birds?

Full featured digital field guide for birding in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Birds includes all of the birds that have occurred in this beautiful country as well as several species that may eventually occur. This digital field guide requires no Internet connection and has a wealth of information and features that make it an excellent reference guide before, during, and after any trip to Costa Rica.

Since this app was released in 2015, local bird experts in Costa Rica have updated features and information to turn this app into a comprehensive digital tool that can be personalized with target lists, lists of birds seen and heard, and notes.

It also includes accurate and up to date information about bird identification, habits and habitats for 930 plus species on the Costa Rica list as well as 70 plus additional species that may eventually occur in Costa Rica.

Features include:
 
•	Full-featured birding field guide for Costa Rica.
•	Images and vocalizations for more than 1000 species.
•	Information, field marks, range maps and tips for seeing each species in Costa Rica.

•	NO ADVERTISEMENTS. FREE UPGRADES WITH ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND SOUNDS.

•	Additional features to customize your birding experience:
•	Comprehensive SEARCH filter
•	-Search by name
•	-Sorting options, including by family, group, bird characteristics, region, habitat, nocturnal and regional endemic birds and more!
•	-Make target lists
•	-Check as seen, heard, or unseen/heard
•	-Personal notes
•	-Camera
•	-Similar Species feature to compare similar birds.
•	-Information about major habitats in Costa Rica.
•	-Information about Conservation status.

•	‘Which Bird is it?' Record and photo bird, email to us for help in identification.

•	Larger font for easier reading.

•	Pinch images to make them bigger.

## Key features

- Offline birding field guide
- Over 1000 species with images and sounds
- Detailed identification information
- Customizable sighting lists
- Advanced search and sorting filters
- Similar species comparison
- Habitat and conservation status information

## Chart rankings

- #163 in Top Paid · Reference (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 47)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/costa-rica-birds/id568719936/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Mixed

*2026-02-27, version 6.36*

Excellent information presented here. But the app is terrible to use with a really poor design. For example, if you haven’t displayed range before you search, you have to cancel the search, show the range and search again. 

Once you have found a bird you cannot move to the next bird in the search without returning first. 

Suggest the writers look at some of the best in class  apps like the Sasol Birds of South Africa to see how you can make it what the quality of data needs.

### 5/5 — Excellent guide

*2026-02-07, version 6.14.6*

We’re heading back to Costa Rica and beginning to think about what to take with us. I will (again) use this app as field guide, supplement information to that provided by locals, and my trip journal. I like that it is easy to use and is unfussy.

### 1/5 — Terrible!

*2025-12-22, version 6.14.6*

Don’t waste your money!  Buggy, poorly made app.

### 5/5 — Great phone app

*2025-10-10, version 6.14.6*

I purchased this field guide for my trip to Costa Rica.  Great asset in the field.  Clear and concise.

### 2/5 — Two thumbs down

*2024-12-07, version 6.14.6*

Urgh. Not worth the space it takes up on my phone. Poorly organized and difficult to use.

### 2/5 — Oh man 🤦🏽‍♂️

*2024-12-01, version 6.14.6*

This is not a well constructed app. Search does not even fully load and is therefore not useable. The set up is horrible for figuring out the identity of birds seen and is nearly impossible without the ability to filter birds. This is a $15 list of the birds of Costa Rica with minimal pictures and inconsistent quality of sounds. Spend your money on “The Birds of Costa Rica” field guide book and start exploring eBird!

### 5/5 — A top notch birding app!

*2024-04-08, version 6.13.0*

This Costa Rica app was one of the best we have ever used, having tried not only North American bird apps like iBird Pro and Sibleys, but also Collins for Europe and other apps. It was extremely easy to use, quickly recording species seen (or heard) and any extra notes. The range maps and natural history information were also very helpful, as was the ability to sort by common name, groups of birds, etc. One of the nicest features is having the ability to export a CSV file with the list of birds seen or even better, the Notes file which includes scientific names, notes, family, GPS coordinates etc. We brought along the paper field guide as well, but most days we were happy just to have our phones with the app and look at the book later. Highly recommended!

### 5/5 — Excellent App

*2023-11-19, version 6.13.0*

I was surprised to see low ratings for this app, then noticed most were 7-9 years old! It has been updated many times since it’s release and is now, late 2023 an excellent app for birding in Costa Rica.  To be clear you will not find a serious birder in Costa Rica without this APP!

### 2/5 — Semi useful app

*2023-02-17, version 6.9.31*

There are so many more things that need to be done to make it more user friendly and easier to find the bird you are looking for that I don’t think it’s worth the money. 
I am currently in Costa Rica and gave up using this app within a few days and downloaded the Merlin Bird app with the Costa Rica bird pack and this has been my go to app for bird iD in the field. To top it off the Merlin bird app is free, easier to use and can be used off line.

### 2/5 — Could be something but it is what it is.

*2023-02-15, version 6.9.31*

You get exactly what you expect from people from Panama creating a book for another country. The range maps are god awful. They could of spent a little time im trying to make them even a little accurate. How about actually adding a rare color to the maps instead of telling us bare faced ibis residents. So many of these inaccuracies. For people that boast on their photos. You would think there would be more. Or actually good Ones. So many talented photographers could of been used in submissions. The audio is basically the worst. No consistency what so ever. If you are just an average birder or non birder. This online book will barely get you by. 

They could of done so much more with this. Or spent time creating it. 

Also never updates species. Lots of wrong names and merges that will likely never get changed. 

I give it 2 stars cause it’s adaquate as a list for the country. It pretty much ends there

## Frequently asked questions about Costa Rica Birds

### What does the Costa Rica Birds app do?

This app serves as a comprehensive digital field guide for birding in Costa Rica. It provides detailed information, images, and vocalizations for over 1000 bird species found in the country, along with features to track sightings and personalize your birding experience.

### What are the key features of this birding app?

Key features include an offline database of over 1000 species with identification details, range maps, and vocalizations. Users can create target lists, mark birds as seen or heard, add personal notes, and utilize advanced search filters based on various characteristics. It also includes a similar species comparison tool and information on habitats and conservation status.

### Is this app free to download and use?

The application is a paid app, meaning there is an upfront cost to purchase it. However, the description explicitly states 'NO ADVERTISEMENTS. FREE UPGRADES WITH ADDITIONAL IMAGES AND SOUNDS,' indicating that once purchased, users will receive free updates and content additions without further charges.

### What devices is Costa Rica Birds compatible with?

The application is designed for mobile devices. While specific operating system versions are not detailed in the description, it functions as a digital field guide for mobile use, implying compatibility with common smartphone and tablet operating systems.

### How can I use this app to improve my birdwatching in Costa Rica?

This app is an excellent reference before, during, and after your trip. You can use its detailed species information and range maps to identify birds you encounter. The ability to create lists of birds seen and heard, add notes, and compare similar species will help you document and learn about the diverse avian life of Costa Rica.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 6.44 — 2026-06-23

Minor improvements and images for juvenile Solitary Eagle and Gray-bellied Hawk, a few other species in flight.
One new species that could potentially occur, the Peruvian Pelican.

### 6.42 — 2026-05-05

A few minor edits and four new vocalizations.

### 6.36 — 2026-02-19

Name updates to reflect most current lists.
Edits for better bird finding information.
Additional bird species that may occur in Costa Rica.

### 6.14.6 — 2024-11-09

Name changes, Range updates

### 6.13.0 — 2023-10-14

Minor Edits

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## More apps by Patrick ODonnell

- [Panama Birds Field Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/panama-birds-field-guide/id682684474)
- [Costa Rica Birds Basic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/costa-rica-birds-basic/id1072427641)
- [Belize Birds Field Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/belize-birds-field-guide/id1216497184)

All apps by Patrick ODonnell: https://appshunter.io/developer/1863275756

## Related topics

[costa rica birds](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/costa-rica-birds) · [costa rica birds basic](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/costa-rica-birds-basic)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*
