Los Quetzales National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Quetzals and Talamanca Hummingbirds
🌍 #177 Global · 3.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #30 in Central America #83 in Tropical Forest
Central Highlands, Costa Rica 887 spp. recorded

Hidden in the Talamanca Mountains at over 2,000 meters, Los Quetzales protects one of Costa Rica's most pristine cloud forests and is the country's best location to see the Resplendent Quetzal. Local guides achieve over 95% sighting success during nesting season (Feb–Jun).

9.601° N   83.821° 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

Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

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

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

30–40% · Possible
Talamanca Hummingbird ★
LC

Talamanca Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eugenes spectabilis

70–80% · Very likely
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher ★
LC

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilogonys caudatus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

80–90% · Very likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

70–80% · Very likely
Flame-colored Tanager
LC Endemic

Flame-colored Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga bidentata

70–80% · Very likely
White-throated Mountain-gem
LC

White-throated Mountain-gem

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lampornis castaneoventris

70–80% · Very likely
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

70–80% · Very likely
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

70–80% · Very likely
Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

70–80% · Likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

70–80% · Likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

60–70% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-thighed Finch

Yellow-thighed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Atlapetes tibialis

60–70% · Likely
Mountain Thrush
LC

Mountain Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plebejus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

50–60% · Likely
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

10–20% · With luck
Cacomistle
LC

Cacomistle

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Bassariscus sumichrasti

10–20% · With luck
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

10–20% · With luck
Alston's Brown Mouse
LC

Alston's Brown Mouse

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Scotinomys teguina

Insufficient data
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

5–10% · With luck
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

Insufficient data
Baird's Tapir

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

<5% · Rare
Mexican Deer Mouse
LC Endemic

Mexican Deer Mouse

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Peromyscus mexicanus

Insufficient data
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

Insufficient data
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

Insufficient data
Boquete Rice Rat
LC

Boquete Rice Rat

Mammal

Nephelomys devius

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

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

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

30–40% · Possible
Talamanca Hummingbird ★
LC

Talamanca Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eugenes spectabilis

70–80% · Very likely
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher ★
LC

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilogonys caudatus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

80–90% · Very likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

70–80% · Very likely
Flame-colored Tanager
LC Endemic

Flame-colored Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga bidentata

70–80% · Very likely
White-throated Mountain-gem
LC

White-throated Mountain-gem

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lampornis castaneoventris

70–80% · Very likely
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

70–80% · Very likely
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

70–80% · Very likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

70–80% · Likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

60–70% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-thighed Finch

Yellow-thighed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Atlapetes tibialis

60–70% · Likely
Mountain Thrush
LC

Mountain Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plebejus

50–60% · Likely
Blue-and-white Swallow
LC

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

70–80% · Likely
Talamancan Palm Pit Viper
Endemic

Talamancan Palm Pit Viper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bothriechis nubestris

10–20% · With luck
Montane Alligator Lizard

Montane Alligator Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Abronia monticola

10–20% · With luck
Thick Graceful Brown Snake
LC

Thick Graceful Brown Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Rhadinaea calligaster

5–10% · With luck
Costa Rica Montane Pitviper

Costa Rica Montane Pitviper

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cerrophidion sasai

Insufficient data
Swift Anole
LC Endemic

Swift Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis tropidolepis

Insufficient data
Cope's Coffee Snake
LC

Cope's Coffee Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Ninia psephota

Insufficient data
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

Insufficient data
Godman's Graceful Brown Snake
LC

Godman's Graceful Brown Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Rhadinella godmani

Insufficient data
Common Basilisk
LC

Common Basilisk

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus basiliscus

Insufficient data
Humble Anole
LC

Humble Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis humilis

Insufficient data
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Cerro Utyum Robber Frog
LC

Cerro Utyum Robber Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor podiciferus

5–10% · With luck
Red-legged Webfoot Salamander
LC Endemic

Red-legged Webfoot Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bolitoglossa pesrubra

Insufficient data
Tico Salamander
Endemic

Tico Salamander

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Bolitoglossa tica

Insufficient data
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

Insufficient data
Grainy Cochran Frog
LC

Grainy Cochran Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Cochranella granulosa

Insufficient data
Pygmy Rain Frog
LC

Pygmy Rain Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pristimantis ridens

Insufficient data
Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

Insufficient data
Banded-thighed Rain Frog
LC

Banded-thighed Rain Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor melanostictus

Insufficient data
Red-webbed Tree Frog

Red-webbed Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Boana rufitela

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Resplendent Quetzal Breeding Season

FebMarAprMay

During the breeding season the male Resplendent Quetzal grows iridescent emerald tail streamers that trail nearly a meter behind him, and pairs excavate nest cavities in decaying trunks to raise their young. Watch for the flash of crimson breast and shimmering green as they slip through the mossy cloud forest.

Resplendent Quetzal
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

50–60% · Likely
🐦

Highland Endemic Hummingbird Season

NovDecJanFeb

Lesser Violetears, Fiery-throated Hummingbirds and Volcano Hummingbirds gather to feed at flowering shrubs across these high Talamanca slopes, jostling and hovering in glittering aerial skirmishes. The Fiery-throated's rainbow gorget blazes copper, blue and green when it catches the mountain light.

Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

70–80% · Very likely
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

30–40% · Possible
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

70–80% · Likely
🐦

Talamanca Cloud-Forest Specialty Season

MarAprMayJun

As the cloud-forest specialties enter breeding, Long-tailed Silky-flycatchers perch in family groups fly-catching for berries and insects, Talamanca Hummingbirds defend flowering territories, and Northern Emerald-Toucanets probe the canopy for fruit. Together they showcase the endemic-rich birdlife found only in these misty highland forests.

Talamanca Hummingbird
LC

Talamanca Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eugenes spectabilis

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Emerald-Toucanet
LC Endemic

Northern Emerald-Toucanet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

30–40% · Possible
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
LC

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilogonys caudatus

60–70% · Likely

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
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Resplendent Quetzal
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
20–30
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
Talamanca Hummingbird
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
Rufous-collared Sparrow
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
Lesser Violetear
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
Flame-colored Tanager
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
White-throated Mountain-gem
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
Acorn Woodpecker
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Emerald Swift
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
Volcano Hummingbird
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Slaty Flowerpiercer
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
Clay-colored Thrush
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Yellow-thighed Finch
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
Mountain Thrush
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
Animal Events
🐦 Resplendent Quetzal Breeding Season
🐦 Highland Endemic Hummingbird Season
🐦 Talamanca Cloud-Forest Specialty Season

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
🐦 Quetzals and Talamanca Hummingbirds

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
500
🐒 Mammals
199
🦎 Reptiles
131
🐸 Amphibians
57
887 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
28 Threatened 85 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
72%
📊
Coverage (120 species at ≥5% of 887 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
14%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
97
🌟
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
5
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
34

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Los Quetzales National Park?

The most likely sightings are Rufous-collared Sparrow (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Talamanca Hummingbird (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Lesser Violetear (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Flame-colored Tanager (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), White-throated Mountain-gem (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 887 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Los Quetzales National Park for wildlife?

April 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 Resplendent Quetzal in Los Quetzales National Park?

Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Resplendent Quetzal sighting in Los Quetzales National Park, based on 3,264 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Fiery-throated Hummingbird in Los Quetzales National Park?

Yes — about 39% of wildlife watchers report a Fiery-throated Hummingbird sighting in Los Quetzales National Park, based on 2,567 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Talamanca Hummingbird in Los Quetzales National Park?

Yes — about 77% of wildlife watchers report a Talamanca Hummingbird sighting in Los Quetzales National Park, based on 5,032 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher in Los Quetzales National Park?

Yes — about 64% of wildlife watchers report a Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher sighting in Los Quetzales National Park, based on 4,186 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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