La Tigra National Park

Birds

La Tigra National Park is a haven for birdwatchers, hosting an incredible variety of cloud forest species. From brightly colored toucans to secretive nocturnal owls, the park is a vital refuge for both resident and migratory birds.

Resplendent Quetzal
One of the most stunning birds in the world, the resplendent quetzal is a symbol of cloud forests. Its iridescent green and red plumage, along with its long, flowing tail feathers, make it a prized sighting for bird enthusiasts.

Keel-billed Toucan
This vibrant bird is instantly recognizable by its large, multicolored bill. The keel-billed toucan plays an essential role in seed dispersal, feeding primarily on fruits found in the mid-level canopy.

Emerald Toucanet
Smaller than the keel-billed toucan, the emerald toucanet is a brilliant green bird with a curved beak. It is commonly seen in pairs or small groups, feeding on fruit, insects, and small vertebrates.

Three-wattled Bellbird
This bird is famous for its loud, metallic call, which can be heard resonating through the cloud forest. Males are easily identified by the three long wattles hanging from their beaks.

Slate-colored Solitaire
This small, unassuming bird is known for its haunting, flute-like song that echoes through the misty cloud forest. It is often perched high in the trees, singing its beautiful and melodic tune.

Highland Guan
A turkey-like bird found in the highlands of La Tigra, the highland guan plays an essential role in the forest by dispersing seeds from the fruits it eats. It is often seen foraging in the understory.

White-collared Manakin
This small bird is known for its fascinating courtship displays, where males produce snapping sounds with their wings while performing quick movements to attract females. They prefer dense, forested areas.

Golden-hooded Tanager
A stunningly colorful bird with blue, black, and golden-yellow feathers, the golden-hooded tanager is often seen in mixed-species flocks, foraging for fruit and insects in the forest canopy.

Black-and-white Owl
A striking nocturnal hunter, the black-and-white owl preys on insects, rodents, and small birds in the park’s dense forests. Its piercing orange eyes and bold black-and-white plumage make it a fascinating species to spot during night hikes.

Violet Sabrewing
One of the largest hummingbirds in the region, the violet sabrewing is a spectacular sight with its iridescent purple plumage. It hovers around flowers, using its long, curved bill to extract nectar.

La Tigra National Park’s diverse wildlife and stunning cloud forest make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers, conservationists, and birdwatchers alike.

La Tigra National Park, located near Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is the country’s oldest national park and a crucial conservation area for cloud forest biodiversity. With its misty highland forests, rushing streams, and lush vegetation, La Tigra provides a sanctuary for a variety of fascinating wildlife, including rare mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.

Jaguar
This powerful and elusive big cat is the apex predator of La Tigra’s cloud forest. With its distinctive spotted coat, the jaguar is a skilled ambush hunter, preying on deer, peccaries, and smaller mammals. Its presence in the park indicates a healthy ecosystem.

Baird’s Tapir
The largest land mammal in Central America, Baird’s tapir thrives in La Tigra’s dense forests. Nocturnal and highly elusive, this herbivore forages for leaves, fruits, and aquatic vegetation. Despite its size, it is a shy animal, often avoiding human presence.

Margay
A small, tree-dwelling wild cat, the margay is an expert climber that can rotate its ankles to descend trees headfirst. Nocturnal and highly agile, it preys on birds, small mammals, and reptiles, using its stealth to ambush prey from the treetops.

Ocelot
This striking wild cat, slightly larger than the margay, is a solitary predator that hunts at night. Its beautifully patterned coat provides excellent camouflage in the dense undergrowth, allowing it to hunt rodents, birds, and lizards.

Honduran White Bat
A tiny and unique bat species, the Honduran white bat is known for its bright white fur and yellow ears and nose. It constructs leaf “tents” by folding large leaves, creating shelters to protect itself from predators. This bat primarily feeds on fruit and helps with seed dispersal.

Nine-banded Armadillo
Recognizable by its protective armored shell, the nine-banded armadillo is a nocturnal insectivore that digs burrows in the forest floor. It has a keen sense of smell to locate ants, termites, and other small invertebrates.

Central American Agouti
A small rodent resembling a tailless squirrel, the agouti is an essential seed disperser in La Tigra. It plays a crucial role in the park’s ecosystem by helping regenerate forests through its habit of burying and storing seeds.

Glass Frog
Known for its translucent skin, the glass frog allows observers to see its internal organs. These amphibians are mostly nocturnal and inhabit areas near streams, where they lay their eggs on leaves above the water.

Fer-de-lance
A highly venomous snake, the fer-de-lance is an ambush predator that uses its camouflage to hunt rodents, birds, and amphibians. Despite its dangerous reputation, it plays an important role in controlling rodent populations.

Northern Tamandua
A medium-sized anteater, the northern tamandua has strong claws and a long, sticky tongue, which it uses to extract ants and termites from their nests. It can be found both in trees and on the ground as it searches for food.