Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Fiery-throated Hummingbirds in Rainy Highlands
⏱ 1 day 🥾 Moderate trails
🌍 #233 Global · 3.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #40 in Central America #103 in Tropical Forest
Central Valley, Costa Rica 1261 spp. recorded

One of Costa Rica's least-visited national parks protects a vast expanse of cloud forest on the edge of the Talamanca Range. With over 400 bird species including the Resplendent Quetzal, 45 mammal species, and annual rainfall exceeding 7,000 mm, Tapantí is a paradise for birders and a sanctuary for some of Central America's most elusive wildlife.

9.688° N   83.742° 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

20–30% · Possible
Fiery-throated Hummingbird ★
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

40–50% · Likely
Talamanca Hummingbird ★
LC

Talamanca Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eugenes spectabilis

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

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

10–20% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

60–70% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

50–60% · Likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

50–60% · Likely
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

50–60% · Likely
Large-footed Finch
LC

Large-footed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pezopetes capitalis

40–50% · Likely
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
LC

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilogonys caudatus

40–50% · Likely
Mountain Thrush
LC

Mountain Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plebejus

40–50% · Likely
White-throated Mountain-gem
LC

White-throated Mountain-gem

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lampornis castaneoventris

40–50% · Likely
Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

40–50% · Likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

40–50% · Likely
Blue-and-white Swallow
LC

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Central American White-faced Capuchin ★
VU

Central American White-faced Capuchin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cebus imitator

10–20% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

30–40% · Possible
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

10–20% · Possible
Central American Agouti
LC Endemic

Central American Agouti

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Dasyprocta punctata

10–20% · Possible
Mantled Howler Monkey
VU

Mantled Howler Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alouatta palliata

10–20% · With luck
Baird's Tapir
EN

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

10–20% · With luck
Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

10–20% · With luck
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine
LC

Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Sphiggurus mexicanus

10–20% · With luck
Brown-throated Sloth
LC Endemic

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

0–10% · With luck
Tayra
LC

Tayra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eira barbara

0–10% · With luck
Central American Dwarf Squirrel
LC

Central American Dwarf Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Microsciurus alfari

0–10% · With luck
Cacomistle
LC

Cacomistle

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Bassariscus sumichrasti

0–10% · With luck
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

0–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

20–30% · Possible
Fiery-throated Hummingbird ★
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

40–50% · Likely
Talamanca Hummingbird ★
LC

Talamanca Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eugenes spectabilis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

60–70% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Lesser Violetear

Lesser Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri cyanotus

50–60% · Likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

50–60% · Likely
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

50–60% · Likely
Large-footed Finch
LC

Large-footed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pezopetes capitalis

40–50% · Likely
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
LC

Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ptilogonys caudatus

40–50% · Likely
Mountain Thrush
LC

Mountain Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plebejus

40–50% · Likely
White-throated Mountain-gem
LC

White-throated Mountain-gem

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lampornis castaneoventris

40–50% · Likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

40–50% · Likely
Blue-and-white Swallow
LC

Blue-and-white Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Notiochelidon cyanoleuca

40–50% · Likely
Flame-colored Tanager
LC Endemic

Flame-colored Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Piranga bidentata

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Emerald Swift
LC

Emerald Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus malachiticus

40–50% · Likely
Mesaspis monticola

Mesaspis monticola

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Abronia monticola

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

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

10–20% · With luck
Green Iguana
LC

Green Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Iguana iguana

10–20% · With luck
American Crocodile
VU

American Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus acutus

10–20% · With luck
Bighead Anole
LC

Bighead Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis capito

10–20% · With luck
Fer-de-lance
LC

Fer-de-lance

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Bothrops asper

10–20% · With luck
Border Anole
LC

Border Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis limifrons

10–20% · With luck
Basiisk Verde

Basiisk Verde

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Basiliscus plumifrons

10–20% · With luck
Humble Anole
LC

Humble Anole

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Anolis humilis

0–10% · With luck
Neotropical Green Anole
LC

Neotropical Green Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis biporcatus

0–10% · With luck
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

0–10% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

10–20% · Possible
Strawberry Poison-dart Frog
LC

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Oophaga pumilio

10–20% · With luck
Red-legged Webfoot Salamander
LC Endemic

Red-legged Webfoot Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Bolitoglossa pesrubra

10–20% · With luck
Masked Tree Frog
LC

Masked Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Smilisca phaeota

10–20% · With luck
Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

10–20% · With luck
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

10–20% · With luck
Wet Forest Toad
LC

Wet Forest Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Incilius melanochlorus

0–10% · With luck
Emerald Glass Frog
LC

Emerald Glass Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Espadarana prosoblepon

0–10% · With luck
Golden-groined Robber Frog
LC

Golden-groined Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pristimantis cruentus

0–10% · With luck
Green Climbing Toad
LC

Green Climbing Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Incilius coniferus

0–10% · With luck
Fitzinger's Robber Frog
LC

Fitzinger's Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Craugastor fitzingeri

0–10% · With luck
Clay-colored Rain Frog
LC

Clay-colored Rain Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pristimantis cerasinus

0–10% · With luck

Animal Events

🦜

Resplendent Quetzal Nesting

FebMarApr

During breeding season the male Resplendent Quetzal grows metallic green tail streamers that trail nearly a meter behind him, flashing crimson and emerald as he darts between the canopy. Pairs turn loud and conspicuous while excavating tree cavities and feasting on wild avocados, making this the easiest time to catch the highlands' most dazzling bird.

Resplendent Quetzal
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

20–30% · Possible
🐦

Migratory Warbler Arrival

OctNovDec

Tiny songbirds that bred far to the north pour into the cool highland forest to spend the winter here, swelling the park's warbler ranks. Wilson's Warbler flits through the undergrowth in flashes of yellow while the Black-throated Green Warbler works the mid-canopy, foraging restlessly among the mossy branches.

Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

30–40% · Possible
Black-throated Green Warbler
LC

Black-throated Green Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga virens

10–20% · Possible
🐦

Highland Hummingbird Gathering

FebMarApr

When the high-elevation flowers burst into bloom, Talamanca-endemic hummingbirds swarm the forest edges and gardens in a whirring rush of color. The Talamanca, Fiery-throated, and Volcano hummingbirds jostle at the same nectar sources, their throats glinting jewel-bright as they hover and spar.

Talamanca Hummingbird
LC

Talamanca Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Eugenes spectabilis

50–60% · Likely
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

40–50% · Likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

50–60% · 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
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
40–50
40–50
Resplendent Quetzal
20–30
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
Talamanca Hummingbird
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
20–30
50–60
50–60
Central American White-faced Capuchin
10–20
0–10
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
10–20
10–20
Rufous-collared Sparrow
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
Clay-colored Thrush
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
Lesser Violetear
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
Volcano Hummingbird
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
40–50
50–60
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
Large-footed Finch
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
40–50
40–50
Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
40–50
Mountain Thrush
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
White-throated Mountain-gem
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
20–30
40–50
40–50
Emerald Swift
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
0–10
30–40
40–50
Slaty Flowerpiercer
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
30–40
40–50
Blue-and-white Swallow
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
Animal Events
🐦 Migratory Warbler Arrival
🦜 Resplendent Quetzal Nesting
🐦 Highland Hummingbird Gathering

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
🐦 Fiery-throated Hummingbirds in Rainy Highlands

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
762
🐒 Mammals
225
🦎 Reptiles
159
🐸 Amphibians
115
1261 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
48 Threatened 101 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
50%
📊
Coverage (247 species at ≥5% of 1261 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 reptile)
47% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
166
🌟
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
4
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
16
⚖️

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