Gull - Terns - Skimmers - Oystercatcher

Manuel Antonio National Park is home to a variety of coastal birds, including Gulls (Laridae), Terns (Sternidae), Skimmers (Rynchopidae), and Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae), which are often found along the park’s beaches, estuaries, and coastal areas. Gulls, such as the Laughing Gull, are common along the shorelines, scavenging for food and feeding on fish, crabs, and other small marine creatures. Terns, like the Elegant Tern, are graceful seabirds that hunt for fish by diving into the water from the air. Skimmers, such as the Black Skimmer, are easily recognized by their unique long lower mandibles, which they use to skim the surface of the water to catch small fish. Oystercatchers, including the Black Oystercatcher, have strong, bright red bills that they use to pry open shellfish along rocky shorelines. These coastal birds are vital to the park’s ecosystems, playing key roles in maintaining the balance of marine food webs and contributing to the biodiversity of Manuel Antonio National Park’s coastal habitats.