Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-billed-aracari/ Species photography guide # Fiery-billed Aracari Photography Holidays *Pteroglossus frantzii* Explore our Fiery-billed Aracari photography holidays in [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/), shaped around patient, repeatable field sessions with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-billed-aracari/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-billed-aracari/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-billed-aracari/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-billed-aracari/#nl-species-related) ![Fiery-billed Aracari photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-red-eyed-tree-frog-sat-on-a-leaf-in-the-jungle-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) ## At a glance Trips2 associated holidays Where[Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) Species profile ## About this species The Fiery-billed Aracari is a striking toucan found in the Pacific slopes of Costa Rica & western Panama, distinguished by its vivid orange-red upper mandible & bold plumage. It displays a bright yellow & red belly with a distinctive dark band, contrasting sharply with its glossy black head & green upperparts. This social species is typically found in small flocks & is known for its loud, sharp calls that echo through the forest canopy. **Habitat** Fiery-billed Aracaris inhabit humid lowland & foothill forests, forest edges, & semi-open areas with tall trees, primarily on the Pacific slopes of Costa Rica & western Panama, typically ranging from sea level up to around 1500 metres elevation. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiery-billed_aracari) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Fiery-billed Aracari with us in [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/). These departures are part of our [Central America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Early morning hours between 6am & 9am are ideal, when the birds are most active & feeding. The dry season from December to April offers clearer skies & better light conditions in Costa Rica, making it the best period for photography. **Approach** Position yourself near fruiting trees at forest edges, as Fiery-billed Aracaris are attracted to fruit & will return repeatedly to productive feeding sites, giving you multiple composition opportunities. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000s to freeze the bird's quick movements & capture the vivid contrast between its multi-coloured bill & plumage in sharp detail. A telephoto lens of 400-600mm is recommended to maintain a respectful distance while still filling the frame with the bird's colourful features. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Basilisk Lizard](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/basilisk-lizard/)[Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-jeans-poison-dart-frog/)[Chestnut-headed Oropendola](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-headed-oropendola/)[Chestnut-mandibled Toucan](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-mandibled-toucan/)[Collared Aracari](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/collared-aracari/)[Emerald Toucanet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/emerald-toucanet/)[Fiery-throated Hummingbird](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/fiery-throated-hummingbird/)[Glass Frog](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/glass-frog/)[Great Kiskadee](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/great-kiskadee/)[Green Iguana](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/green-iguana/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Fiery-billed Aracari The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Fiery-billed Aracari in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-red-eyed-tree-frog-sat-on-a-leaf-in-the-jungle-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) #### Related holiday Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife gives guests time in Costa Rica where Fiery-billed Aracari can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Fiery-billed Aracari is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Fiery-billed Aracari in Costa Rica. During our photography holidays, the Fiery-billed Aracari is often photographed alongside Basilisk Lizard, Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Collared Aracari, & Emerald Toucanet. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Photography themes commonly associated with this species include the hummingbirds of central & South America. Single occupancy Group Size: 5-6 guests Experienced guidance 2 departures - [![Join Us For The Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-red-eyed-tree-frog-sat-on-a-leaf-in-the-jungle-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) Full ### 1st - 17th Dec 2026 - Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Travel to Costa Rica with us for a wildlife photography tour, which boasts an itinerary that allows extended time photographing Costa Rica's rainforest icons. **16 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **David Miles** [View Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) - [![Join Us For The Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-red-eyed-tree-frog-sat-on-a-leaf-in-the-jungle-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife/) ### 30th Nov - 16th Dec 2027 - Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Travel to Costa Rica with us for a wildlife photography tour, which boasts an itinerary that allows extended time photographing Costa Rica's rainforest icons. **16 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£6999** Guided By **David Miles** [View Ultimate Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/ultimate-costa-rican-wildlife/) -