Irazú Volcano National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Highland Hummingbirds & Quetzals
🌍 #215 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #36 in Central America #96 in Tropical Forest
Central Valley, Costa Rica 1075 spp. recorded

At 3,432 meters, Irazú is Costa Rica's tallest active volcano — one of the few places on Earth where you can see both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean on a clear day. Beyond the dramatic crater, the Prusia forest sector shelters endemic highland birds including the Volcano Junco and Volcano Hummingbird.

9.983° N   83.849° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Volcano Hummingbird ★
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

90–100% · Very likely
Volcano Junco ★
LC

Volcano Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco vulcani

50–60% · Likely
Fiery-throated Hummingbird ★
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

60–70% · Likely
Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Sooty Thrush
LC

Sooty Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus nigrescens

90–100% · Very likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

80–90% · Very likely
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

80–90% · Very likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

70–80% · Very likely
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

70–80% · Very likely
Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

60–70% · Likely
Flame-throated Warbler
LC

Flame-throated Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oreothlypis gutturalis

60–70% · Likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

60–70% · Likely
Band-tailed Pigeon
LC Endemic

Band-tailed Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas fasciata

60–70% · Likely
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
LC

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Catharus gracilirostris

50–60% · Likely
Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

50–60% · Likely
Large-footed Finch
LC

Large-footed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pezopetes capitalis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Variable Pocket Gopher

Variable Pocket Gopher

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Orthogeomys heterodus

Insufficient data
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

Insufficient data
Chiriqui Harvest Mouse
LC

Chiriqui Harvest Mouse

Mammal

Reithrodontomys creper

Insufficient data
Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

Insufficient data
Talamancan Deermouse

Talamancan Deermouse

Mammal

Peromyscus nudipes

Insufficient data
Rodriguez's harvest mouse
LC Endemic

Rodriguez's harvest mouse

Mammal

Reithrodontomys rodriguezi

Insufficient data
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

10–20% · With luck
Gray Fox
LC Endemic

Gray Fox

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

5–10% · With luck
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Volcano Hummingbird ★
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

90–100% · Very likely
Volcano Junco ★
LC

Volcano Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco vulcani

50–60% · Likely
Fiery-throated Hummingbird ★
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

60–70% · Likely
Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Sooty Thrush
LC

Sooty Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus nigrescens

90–100% · Very likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

80–90% · Very likely
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

80–90% · Very likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

70–80% · Very likely
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

70–80% · Very likely
Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

60–70% · Likely
Flame-throated Warbler
LC

Flame-throated Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oreothlypis gutturalis

60–70% · Likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

60–70% · Likely
Band-tailed Pigeon
LC Endemic

Band-tailed Pigeon

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Patagioenas fasciata

60–70% · Likely
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
LC

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Catharus gracilirostris

50–60% · Likely
Large-footed Finch
LC

Large-footed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pezopetes capitalis

50–60% · Likely
Mountain Elaenia
LC

Mountain Elaenia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elaenia frantzii

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

50–60% · Likely
Montane Alligator Lizard

Montane Alligator Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Abronia monticola

Insufficient data
Spotted Coffee Snake
LC

Spotted Coffee Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Ninia maculata

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Blue-sided Tree Frog
VU

Blue-sided Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis annae

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦜

Resplendent Quetzal Breeding Season

FebMarAprMay

During the breeding season the male Resplendent Quetzal grows shimmering emerald tail streamers that trail nearly a meter behind him, flashing through the cloud forest as pairs court and nest in old woodpecker cavities. Watch for them near fruiting wild avocado trees, their favorite food while raising young.

Resplendent Quetzal
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

40–50% · Likely
🐦

Highland Hummingbird Territory Season

JanFebMarDec

As breeding gets underway, male Volcano and Fiery-throated Hummingbirds fiercely defend flowering slopes, chasing rivals in buzzing aerial duels and flaring their iridescent throats to dazzle. These tiny high-altitude jewels hover at paramo blooms right at the volcano's chilly edge.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

60–70% · Likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

90–100% · Very likely
🐦

Paramo Specialist Congregation

MayJunJul

In the wind-scoured paramo above the tree line, Volcano Juncos and Timberline Wrens grow bold and vocal as they pair up and stake out breeding territories among the stunted shrubs. Both are highland specialists found almost nowhere else, hopping close to visitors on the open volcanic terrain.

Volcano Junco
LC

Volcano Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco vulcani

50–60% · Likely
Timberline Wren
LC

Timberline Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryorchilus browni

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
Volcano Hummingbird
90–100
90–100
90–100
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
Volcano Junco
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
30–40
60–70
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
Resplendent Quetzal
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
10–20
20–30
60–70
30–40
50–60
Sooty Thrush
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
70–80
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
Rufous-collared Sparrow
80–90
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
90–100
80–90
90–100
70–80
90–100
90–100
80–90
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
90–100
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
90–100
80–90
90–100
Slaty Flowerpiercer
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
90–100
Acorn Woodpecker
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
60–70
Wilson's Warbler
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
40–50
10–20
10–20
10–20
80–90
90–100
90–100
70–80
Flame-throated Warbler
50–60
50–60
60–70
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
Lesser Violetear
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
30–40
50–60
30–40
30–40
40–50
80–90
70–80
70–80
Band-tailed Pigeon
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
30–40
30–40
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
Emerald Swift
20–30
50–60
40–50
50–60
20–30
60–70
80–90
60–70
20–30
70–80
30–40
60–70
Large-footed Finch
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
60–70
40–50
Animal Events
🦜 Resplendent Quetzal Breeding Season
🐦 Highland Hummingbird Territory Season
🐦 Paramo Specialist Congregation

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐦 Highland Hummingbirds & Quetzals

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
617
🐒 Mammals
224
🦎 Reptiles
150
🐸 Amphibians
84
1075 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
39 Threatened 98 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
74%
📊
Coverage (93 species at ≥5% of 1075 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
9%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
69
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
1
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
23

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Irazú Volcano National Park?

The most likely sightings are Sooty Thrush (seen by 90–100% of wildlife watchers), Volcano Hummingbird (seen by 90–100% of wildlife watchers), Rufous-collared Sparrow (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Slaty Flowerpiercer (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 1075 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Irazú Volcano National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Volcano Hummingbird in Irazú Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 90% of wildlife watchers report a Volcano Hummingbird sighting in Irazú Volcano National Park, based on 532 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Volcano Junco in Irazú Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 54% of wildlife watchers report a Volcano Junco sighting in Irazú Volcano National Park, based on 320 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Fiery-throated Hummingbird in Irazú Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 68% of wildlife watchers report a Fiery-throated Hummingbird sighting in Irazú Volcano National Park, based on 403 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Resplendent Quetzal in Irazú Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 45% of wildlife watchers report a Resplendent Quetzal sighting in Irazú Volcano National Park, based on 265 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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