Ballena Marine National Park

Birds

Ballena Marine National Park is not only home to fascinating marine life but also a sanctuary for numerous coastal and seabird species. Many migratory and resident birds rely on the park’s mangroves, rocky islands, and sandy beaches.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
A common sight along the coast, brown pelicans are expert fishers, diving from great heights to catch their prey. They have distinctive throat pouches used to scoop up fish.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
These large seabirds are known for their striking black plumage and the males’ red throat pouch, which inflates during mating season. They often steal food from other birds in midair.

Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii)
Recognizable by their bright blue feet, these charismatic birds perform elaborate mating dances. They are excellent divers, plunging into the ocean to catch fish.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
A close relative of the blue-footed booby, the brown booby has distinctive brown-and-white plumage. They are frequently seen perching on rocks or gliding over the waves.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
This sleek seabird has a sharp orange beak and is often found resting on sandbars and beaches. It hunts by diving into the water to catch small fish.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
This elegant white wading bird is commonly seen in the park’s mangroves and estuaries. It uses its long legs and sharp beak to catch fish in shallow waters.

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Starting as a white juvenile and maturing into a slate-blue adult, this heron is often seen stalking fish along the shoreline and in the park’s wetlands.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
A nocturnal bird, the yellow-crowned night heron hunts crabs and small fish along the coast. It has striking yellow and black markings on its head.

Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
A common shorebird, the willet is often seen foraging along the beach. It has a distinctive black-and-white wing pattern that is visible in flight.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
This powerful bird of prey is frequently seen soaring over the ocean, searching for fish. It is known for its dramatic hunting style, diving feet-first to snatch fish from the water.

Ballena Marine National Park is a spectacular destination for wildlife lovers, offering incredible opportunities to observe both marine and bird species in their natural habitat.

Popular

Ballena Marine National Park, located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is a haven for marine life, offering stunning biodiversity both in its waters and along its shoreline. This park is famous for its marine species, coral reefs, and protected coastal environments, making it an essential conservation area.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
One of the most famous visitors to the park, humpback whales migrate here from both the northern and southern hemispheres to breed and give birth in the warm waters. These majestic creatures are known for their acrobatic breaches and haunting songs.

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Often seen playing in the waves, bottlenose dolphins are intelligent and social marine mammals. They are highly curious and frequently approach boats, delighting visitors with their playful antics.

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin (Stenella attenuata)
These smaller dolphins are known for their sleek bodies and distinctive spotted patterns. They travel in large pods and are highly energetic, often leaping and spinning above the water.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
This species of sea turtle nests along the beaches of the park. Recognized by their relatively small size and heart-shaped shells, they are famous for their mass nesting events, known as arribadas.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
This critically endangered species is often found in the coral reefs of the park, where it feeds on sponges. Its beautifully patterned shell has made it a target for illegal poaching.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Named for the greenish hue of its body fat, the green sea turtle is an essential species in maintaining seagrass beds and marine ecosystems. It can often be spotted in the shallow waters of the park.

Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)
These gentle giants glide effortlessly through the ocean, filtering plankton from the water. With wingspans that can exceed 20 feet, manta rays are among the most impressive marine creatures found in the park.

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The largest fish in the world, whale sharks occasionally visit the park’s waters. Despite their massive size, they are filter feeders and pose no threat to humans.

White-Tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus)
This small shark species is commonly seen resting in caves and crevices along the coral reefs. Unlike many sharks, it does not need to keep swimming to breathe and is often seen lying still on the ocean floor.

Mobula Rays (Mobula spp.)
These smaller relatives of manta rays are known for their incredible aerial displays, leaping out of the water in groups. They are often spotted in schools swimming near the park’s coast.

Birds

Ballena Marine National Park is not only home to fascinating marine life but also a sanctuary for numerous coastal and seabird species. Many migratory and resident birds rely on the park’s mangroves, rocky islands, and sandy beaches.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
A common sight along the coast, brown pelicans are expert fishers, diving from great heights to catch their prey. They have distinctive throat pouches used to scoop up fish.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
These large seabirds are known for their striking black plumage and the males’ red throat pouch, which inflates during mating season. They often steal food from other birds in midair.

Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii)
Recognizable by their bright blue feet, these charismatic birds perform elaborate mating dances. They are excellent divers, plunging into the ocean to catch fish.

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)
A close relative of the blue-footed booby, the brown booby has distinctive brown-and-white plumage. They are frequently seen perching on rocks or gliding over the waves.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
This sleek seabird has a sharp orange beak and is often found resting on sandbars and beaches. It hunts by diving into the water to catch small fish.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
This elegant white wading bird is commonly seen in the park’s mangroves and estuaries. It uses its long legs and sharp beak to catch fish in shallow waters.

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
Starting as a white juvenile and maturing into a slate-blue adult, this heron is often seen stalking fish along the shoreline and in the park’s wetlands.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
A nocturnal bird, the yellow-crowned night heron hunts crabs and small fish along the coast. It has striking yellow and black markings on its head.

Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
A common shorebird, the willet is often seen foraging along the beach. It has a distinctive black-and-white wing pattern that is visible in flight.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
This powerful bird of prey is frequently seen soaring over the ocean, searching for fish. It is known for its dramatic hunting style, diving feet-first to snatch fish from the water.

Ballena Marine National Park is a spectacular destination for wildlife lovers, offering incredible opportunities to observe both marine and bird species in their natural habitat.