Nature Field Guide
Three-wattled Bellbird
- Spanish name
- Pájaro campana
- Scientific name
- Procnias tricarunculatus
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “That call sounds like a forest bell!”
Tati: “Let’s look high in the trees without calling it closer.”
Species overview
About the Three-wattled Bellbird
The Three-wattled Bellbird spends much of its time in the forest canopy. Adult males are conspicuous when calling during the breeding season, but quiet birds can be difficult to locate. Fruit is the main food, collected in mature forest and older regenerating woodland.
Bellbirds swallow small fruits whole and release seeds, connecting their feeding behavior with forest renewal. Seasonal movements mean the same bird depends on several forest areas. Monteverde Institute describes a population that occupies the Tilarán mountains around Monteverde for part of the year. Protecting feeding habitat along its movements is as important as protecting its calling perches.
Identification
Key Features of the Three-wattled Bellbird
Adult male: white head, chestnut body and three hanging wattles.
Females lack the male’s conspicuous wattles.
A loud, distinctive call from high forest perches.
Habitat & range
Breeds in mountain forest and moves downslope seasonally. Guanacaste includes mountain habitats; South Pacific includes Talamanca slopes and the General Valley. Not a year-round lowland bird throughout these regions.
Local observations
Monteverde Institute documents seasonal presence around Monteverde. San Ramón’s municipal birdwatching route lists bellbird in its cloud forests.
When to observe
Plan a quiet observation with a local guide. Weather, food availability and the chosen habitat affect what you may see; a location record does not guarantee a sighting.
Seasonal Calendar
Seasonal presence
Monteverde / Tilarán mountains
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Reported upland presence; not a guarantee of calling, nesting or sightings throughout each month.
Event source ↗Breeding
Caribbean slope of the Tilarán mountains, east of Monteverde
Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Reported for the Monteverde population; a different area from its later Pacific-slope feeding habitat.
Event source ↗Post-breeding feeding movement
Pacific slope around Monteverde
Jun, Jul, Aug
Reported movement into fruiting forest; some birds remain into September.
Event source ↗Conservation & care
Stay on authorized trails or viewing routes. Give birds space, keep voices low and leave nests undisturbed. Observe without bait, feeding or recorded calls.
Threats & pressures
Loss of mature forest and breaks in habitat along seasonal movement routes can reduce feeding and breeding opportunities.
Conservation assessment
American Bird Conservancy reports Vulnerable. Source checked 7 October 2026. This is a global species category, not a count of birds in the tagged towns.
Observation activity
Record three features you actually observe: shape, movement and habitat. Draw the bird from a respectful distance and compare your notes with a field guide.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Highlands · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Alajuela · Puntarenas · Monteverde · San Ramón