Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Quetzals and Bellbirds in the Clouds
⏱ 1–2 days 🥾 Moderate trails
🌍 #129 Global · 3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #24 in Central America #63 in Tropical Forest
Central Highlands, Costa Rica 1205 spp. recorded

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve protects 10,500 hectares of pristine cloud forest along the Continental Divide in Costa Rica's Tilarán mountain range — one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. The reserve shelters over 400 bird species including the iconic Resplendent Quetzal, the endangered Three-wattled Bellbird, and 14 species of hummingbirds that visit feeders at the entrance.

10.304° N   84.800° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

30–40% · Possible
Three-wattled Bellbird ★
VU

Three-wattled Bellbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Procnias tricarunculatus

10–20% · Possible
Northern Emerald-Toucanet ★
LC Endemic

Northern Emerald-Toucanet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

60–70% · Likely
White-nosed Coati ★
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Brown Jay

Brown Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psilorhinus morio

60–70% · Likely
Side-striped palm pit viper
LC

Side-striped palm pit viper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bothriechis lateralis

60–70% · Likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

60–70% · Likely
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

60–70% · Likely
Lesson's Motmot
LC

Lesson's Motmot

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Momotus lessonii

60–70% · Likely
Southern House Wren

Southern House Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Troglodytes musculus

50–60% · Likely
Slate-throated Redstart
LC

Slate-throated Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myioborus miniatus

50–60% · Likely
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
LC

Purple-throated Mountain-gem

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lampornis calolaemus

50–60% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eupherusa eximia

50–60% · Likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

50–60% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

White-nosed Coati ★
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

60–70% · Likely
Central American White-faced Capuchin
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

50–60% · Likely
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

30–40% · Possible
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

30–40% · Possible
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine
LC

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

10–20% · Possible
Dicotyles tajacu
Endemic

Dicotyles tajacu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

10–20% · Possible
Kinkajou
LC

Kinkajou

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Potos flavus

10–20% · Possible
Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

10–20% · With luck
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

10–20% · With luck
Central American Dwarf Squirrel
LC

Central American Dwarf Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Microsciurus alfari

10–20% · With luck
Chiriqui Olingo
LC

Chiriqui Olingo

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Bassaricyon gabbii

0–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

30–40% · Possible
Three-wattled Bellbird ★
VU

Three-wattled Bellbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Procnias tricarunculatus

10–20% · Possible
Northern Emerald-Toucanet ★
LC Endemic

Northern Emerald-Toucanet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Brown Jay

Brown Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psilorhinus morio

60–70% · Likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

60–70% · Likely
Lesson's Motmot
LC

Lesson's Motmot

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Momotus lessonii

60–70% · Likely
Southern House Wren

Southern House Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Troglodytes musculus

50–60% · Likely
Slate-throated Redstart
LC

Slate-throated Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myioborus miniatus

50–60% · Likely
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
LC

Purple-throated Mountain-gem

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lampornis calolaemus

50–60% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
LC

Stripe-tailed Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eupherusa eximia

50–60% · Likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

50–60% · Likely
Keel-billed Toucan
NT

Keel-billed Toucan

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ramphastos sulfuratus

40–50% · Likely
Common Chlorospingus
LC Endemic

Common Chlorospingus

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus flavopectus

40–50% · Likely
Violet Sabrewing
LC

Violet Sabrewing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Campylopterus hemileucurus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Side-striped palm pit viper
LC

Side-striped palm pit viper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bothriechis lateralis

60–70% · Likely
Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

40–50% · Likely
Humble Anole
LC

Humble Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis humilis

20–30% · Possible
Central American Boa
LC

Central American Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boa imperator

20–30% · Possible
Decorated Anole
LC

Decorated Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis insignis

10–20% · With luck
Chicken Snake
LC

Chicken Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Spilotes pullatus

10–20% · With luck
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

10–20% · With luck
Green Rat Snake
LC

Green Rat Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Senticolis triaspis

10–20% · With luck
Puffing Snake
LC

Puffing Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phrynonax poecilonotus

10–20% · With luck
Common House Gecko
LC

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

10–20% · With luck
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

10–20% · With luck
Stream Anole
LC

Stream Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis oxylophus

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

30–40% · Possible
Pygmy Rain Frog
LC

Pygmy Rain Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pristimantis ridens

20–30% · Possible
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

20–30% · Possible
Rufous-eyed brook frog
LC Endemic

Rufous-eyed brook frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Duellmanohyla rufioculis

20–30% · Possible
Golden-groined Robber Frog
LC

Golden-groined Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pristimantis cruentus

10–20% · Possible
Forrer's Grass Frog
LC Endemic

Forrer's Grass Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Lithobates forreri

10–20% · With luck
Emerald Glass Frog
LC

Emerald Glass Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Espadarana prosoblepon

10–20% · With luck
Meadow Tree Frog
LC

Meadow Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Isthmohyla pseudopuma

10–20% · With luck
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

10–20% · With luck
Drab Tree Frog
LC

Drab Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca sordida

10–20% · With luck
Fitzinger's Robber Frog
LC

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

0–10% · With luck
Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

0–10% · With luck

Animal Events

🐦

Three-wattled Bellbird Season

MarAprMayJunJulAug

Male Three-wattled Bellbirds gather on high canopy perches to deliver an ear-splitting metallic 'bonk', the three fleshy wattles dangling from the bill quivering with each call. Their booming voices carry across the ridges, making them far easier to hear than to spot.

Three-wattled Bellbird
VU

Three-wattled Bellbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Procnias tricarunculatus

10–20% · Possible
🐦

Resplendent Quetzal Breeding Season

FebMarAprMayJunJul

The male Resplendent Quetzal grows tail streamers up to a meter long and blazes emerald and crimson as pairs excavate nest holes in decaying trees and court along the cloud forest ridges. Watch for them near fruiting wild avocado trees, a favorite food that draws them into the open.

Resplendent Quetzal
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

30–40% · Possible
🐦

Neotropical Migrant Bird Season

NovDecJanFebMar

Waves of northern songbirds pour into the cloud forest to escape winter, brightening the understory with Wilson's Warblers, Black-and-white Warblers creeping along trunks, and rich-red Summer Tanagers. Mixed feeding flocks make this one of the liveliest times for birders.

Black-and-white Warbler
LC

Black-and-white Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Mniotilta varia

20–30% · Possible
Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

30–40% · Possible
Summer Tanager
LC

Summer Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga rubra

20–30% · 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
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Resplendent Quetzal
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
40–50
10–20
10–20
20–30
30–40
Three-wattled Bellbird
<5
0–10
10–20
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
10–20
0–10
<5
<5
<5
Northern Emerald-Toucanet
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
White-nosed Coati
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
Brown Jay
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Side-striped palm pit viper
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
Lesser Violetear
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Central American Agouti
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
Lesson's Motmot
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Southern House Wren
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
Slate-throated Redstart
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
50–60
Clay-colored Thrush
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Great-tailed Grackle
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
Central American White-faced Capuchin
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
Animal Events
🐦 Three-wattled Bellbird Season
🐦 Resplendent Quetzal Breeding Season
🐦 Neotropical Migrant Bird 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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐦 Quetzals and Bellbirds in the Clouds

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
742
🐒 Mammals
225
🦎 Reptiles
141
🐸 Amphibians
97
1205 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
42 Threatened 95 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (210 species at ≥5% of 1205 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
17%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile)
47% Global avg
54%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
134
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
14
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
24
⚖️

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