Home to more than 800 recorded avian species; Costa Rica is a terrific destination for the avid bird lover. Naturally, the country that's home to this many birds has a national bird of its own--the clay-colored Robin.

If you are vacationing in Costa Rica, here are a few birds you may be interesting in spotting (think of them as the country's equivalent of the "Big Five"). Primary regions to spot birds include the North and South Pacific, the Central Valley, part of the Caribbean region and the Highlands:

Yiguirro: This is the name for Costa Rica's national bird, the clay-colored Robin. It's quite muted as far as colors go (it IS clay-colored after all), and some consider it pretty plain for a country with such a dense variety of bird species. The locals recognize it by its bold and beautiful singing. It has a tendency to live near people rather than wilderness.

Scarlet Macaw: The Macaw population is typically found in the Osa Peninsula. This is a large colorful macaw, and is also found in the Amazon and South American regions. You may recognize it by its exceptionally long tail, and it can live up to 50 years.

Quetzal:  These colorful birds have a bright green and golden-green wing and a red belly (the females tend to be rather a dull gray). It too has long brilliant tail feather, and it can be seen in Monteverde, along the Central Volcanic Mountain Range or in Los Santos.

Endangered Species:  Five of the endangered species in the world are found only in Costa Rica, so if your visit yields some spotting of these rare species, you should be more than happy. The Black-cheeked Ant- Tanager, the Mangrove Hummingbird and the Cocos Finch are all endangered species, and because of the country's highly varied landscape, it is possible to really travel to various regions given the small size of the country.

Book your flight to Costa Rica today but don't forget to bring your binoculars!

Love our blog? Sign up for our weekly blog newsletter and get the top five posts sent directly to your inbox!

photo: ahvega