Chances of seeing a Quetzal (1 Viewer)

[dedennedillo]

I might be going to Costa Rica from later July to August of 2026.
Part of the itinerary is a trip to the Cloud Forests, which from what I understand is the native range of the resplendent quetzal.
But this will be about the time from what I understand when the breeding season will be finishing and the birds will begin to moult out their tails and be more secretive.
The camera that I have has max shutter speed of 1/8000 second and max ISO of 3200. I have a 300mm lens with f4.5 aperture, and a 400mm lens with f2.8 aperture. But given the latter is rather valuable I feel more comfortable bringing the 300mm along as I have taken it before to the continent [I am from UK] without trouble.
What would you say my chances are of successfully sighting and photographing a resplendent quetzal?
I am aware it may be the most cliche bird to see in this part of the world but so it is. It has been a childhood dream of mine to see one!

 

[Muppit17]

I might be going to Costa Rica from later July to August of 2026.
Part of the itinerary is a trip to the Cloud Forests, which from what I understand is the native range of the resplendent quetzal.
But this will be about the time from what I understand when the breeding season will be finishing and the birds will begin to moult out their tails and be more secretive.
The camera that I have has max shutter speed of 1/8000 second and max ISO of 3200. I have a 300mm lens with f4.5 aperture, and a 400mm lens with f2.8 aperture. But given the latter is rather valuable I feel more comfortable bringing the 300mm along as I have taken it before to the continent [I am from UK] without trouble.
What would you say my chances are of successfully sighting and photographing a resplendent quetzal?
I am aware it may be the most cliche bird to see in this part of the world but so it is. It has been a childhood dream of mine to see one!

I have found them easily around the Savegre Hotel and looking on eBird there are lists and photos from Jul this year see https://ebird.org/checklist/S189542845 for example. I am sure there are other places to see them, but this was one of my favourite places to stay so perhaps worth considering on your itinerary.

 

[dalat]

We were in August last year, and finding the Quetzal was also sth like making a dream come true. In the end, we found plenty. In Monteverde it took a while to find a good avocado tree. In San Gerardo de Dota, we found them easy and close in several locations, such as the terrace at the small restaurant Miriam's Quetzales.

 

[temmie]

Take the best optical gear you have, you”ll regret taking your second tier stuff for such a bird.

 

[TicoTyler]

If you go to the Dota area almost 100%. If you want a good chance at photographing them there's a local community organization that pairs up farmers and guides to encourage the farmers to report the Quetzal activity and protect patches of forest on their farms. I've gone out with them a half dozen times and always seen several individuals. At some of the farms they've set up perches near the trees they feed on and sometimes they cooperate and land on the perches. I got these shots last month the last time I was up there, both were in trees and not on perches though. Shot both on a Sony a7iv and a 200-600:






The owner of Gemas del Bosque hotel is the manager of the farmers-quetzal program and is IMO the best guide in the area (Eric Granados). Savegre is also a great spot to see them and just for birding in general and a nice spot to stay. A budget option is Cabinas El Quetzal that just underwent some renovations. The only thing I'll add (sorry to be the bearer of bad news) is that in July/August is when the males undergo their annual molt and lose their long tail feathers that are so emblematic. The best times are Nov/Dec for fresh plumage and April/May for flight shots when they're nesting. If you want more info let me know.

 

[KathyP]

On our last visit, we stayed at Paraiso Quetzal and used David Cespedes for a guide (@quetzal_planet). We also spent time at an Airbnb near Cabinas El Quetzal and had some good sightings without a guide. Take your longest lens - these were taken with a 500 f/5.6. High ISO but these days, noise can be removed (reduced).

 

[TicoTyler]

On our last visit, we stayed at Paraiso Quetzal and used David Cespedes for a guide (@quetzal_planet). We also spent time at an Airbnb near Cabinas El Quetzal and had some good sightings without a guide. Take your longest lens - these were taken with a 500 f/5.6. High ISO but these days, noise can be removed (reduced).

Fantastic shots