Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/montezuma-oropendola/ Species photography guide # Montezuma Oropendola Photography Holidays *Psarocolius montezuma* Explore our Montezuma Oropendola 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 breeding season from January through to June.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/montezuma-oropendola/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/montezuma-oropendola/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/montezuma-oropendola/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/montezuma-oropendola/#nl-species-related) ![Montezuma Oropendola photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) ## At a glance Trips6 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 Montezuma Oropendola is a large, striking bird native to Central America, known for its vivid chestnut & black plumage, bright yellow tail feathers, and distinctive blue & pink facial markings. Males are significantly larger than females and are renowned for their elaborate, gurgling calls accompanied by dramatic bowing displays. They are highly social birds that nest in large colonies, constructing impressive woven hanging nests that can exceed a metre in length. **Habitat** Montezuma Oropendolas inhabit tropical & subtropical lowland forests, forest edges, and adjacent open areas with tall trees, primarily found from southern Mexico through Central America to north-western Colombia, often near rivers & forest clearings. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montezuma_oropendola) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Montezuma Oropendola 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 offer the best light & activity, particularly during the breeding season from January through to June when colony displays are at their peak. **Approach** Position yourself near an active nesting colony early in the morning when birds are most active & displaying, using a telephoto lens of at least 400mm to capture detail without disturbing the colony. Focus on the distinctive bowing display of males, using a fast shutter speed of 1/1000s or higher to freeze their swinging, pendulous movements. Shooting upward from below the nest trees can provide dramatic compositions that showcase both the hanging nests & the birds against a bright sky, so use exposure compensation to avoid silhouetting. 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 Montezuma Oropendola 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 Montezuma Oropendola in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Essential Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-costa-rican-wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg) #### Related holiday Essential Costa Rican Wildlife gives guests time in Costa Rica where Montezuma Oropendola can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) Route Destination Signature Destination Photographing Montezuma Oropendola The largest oropendola in Costa Rica, the Montezuma Oropendola is a remarkable bird both visually & behaviourally: chestnut body, bicoloured bill of red & orange-yellow, pale blue facial skin, & a pendulous yellow tail that fans extravagantly during the exaggerated bowing display of the male. The display itself – a deep forward bow with wings spread & a loud, liquid gurgling call – is one of the most entertaining pieces of avian theatre found on a Costa Rica photography trip. Where NaturesLens Takes You NaturesLens encounters the Montezuma Oropendola at colony sites & fruiting trees across Costa Rica’s lowland forests & forest edges. Colony trees with multiple active nests provide continuous photographic opportunities from early morning through to mid-day, with displaying males often returning to the same prominent perch repeatedly. Photography Technique & Gear The bowing display is the defining image of this species: position yourself so the displaying bird is seen against open sky or a clean forest background rather than a tangle of branches. A 300-500mm focal length at f/5.6-6.3 works well for the perched bird. Shoot in burst mode during the bow to capture the precise moment the tail fans & the wings spread. The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Montezuma Oropendola 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 Montezuma Oropendola in Costa Rica. During our photography holidays, the Montezuma Oropendola 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 amphibian macro photography, Costa Rican photography, Costa Rican wildlife, frog photography, macro photography of flowers, insects & other miniature flora & fauna, & macro photography subjects. Single occupancy Group Size: 5-6 guests Experienced guidance 6 departures - [![Join Us For The Essential Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-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/essential-costa-rican-wildlife-2026/) Limited Places ### 21st - 28th Nov 2026 - Essential Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Join us in Costa Rica for a wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, during November 2026, focused on core Costa Rica species across key rainforest habitats. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £4249 Now: £3499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Essential Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-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/) 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/) - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) Full ### 23rd Apr - 4th May 2027 - Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Explore the itinerary for an amazing wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, April 2027, focused on some Costa Rica's signature species across key habitats. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** - **Full** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/icons-of-costa-rica-2027/) - [![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-2027/) ### 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-2027/) - [![Join Us For The Essential Costa Rican Wildlife Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a-keel-billed-toucan-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/essential-costa-rican-wildlife/) ### 16th - 23rd Dec 2027 - Essential Costa Rican Wildlife **Location:** Costa Rica Join us in Costa Rica for a wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, during December 2027, focused on core Costa Rica species across key rainforest habitats. **7 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£4499** Guided By **David Miles** [View Essential Costa Rican Wildlife](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/essential-costa-rican-wildlife/) - [![Join Us For The Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/A-Keel-billed-Toucan-opens-his-beak-typical-of-the-kind-of-image-we-hope-you-will-capture-during-our-Costa-Rican-Wildlife-photography-holiday-for-hero-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wildlife-icons-of-costa-rica/) ### 6th - 17th May 2028 - Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica **Location:** Costa Rica Explore the itinerary for an amazing wildlife photography holiday in Costa Rica, May 2028, focused on some Costa Rica's signature species across key habitats. **11 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **£5999** Guided By **David Miles** [View Wildlife Icons of Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/costa-rica/wildlife-icons-of-costa-rica/) -