Barra Honda National Park

Birds

The diverse landscapes of Barra Honda National Park provide an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species, from vibrant parrots to stealthy birds of prey. The dry tropical forest is home to numerous resident and migratory birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

Turquoise-browed Motmot
With its vivid green and blue plumage and distinctive racket-shaped tail feathers, the turquoise-browed motmot is one of the most striking birds in the park. Often seen perched on branches, it swings its tail rhythmically while scanning for insects and small reptiles.

White-throated Magpie-Jay
This large, bold jay is easily recognized by its striking blue body, black-and-white markings, and feathery crest. It is highly social and intelligent, often seen in noisy groups scavenging for food.

Plain Chachalaca
A relative of the turkey, this ground-dwelling bird is often heard before it is seen, thanks to its loud, cackling calls. It forages for fruits and seeds on the forest floor, sometimes venturing into clearings near human settlements.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
One of the park’s smallest owls, this fierce predator is active both during the day and at night. Despite its size, it is an adept hunter, preying on insects, lizards, and even small birds.

Crested Caracara
A powerful bird of prey, the crested caracara has a striking appearance with a black cap, white neck, and long yellow legs. It is often seen scavenging along roadsides or soaring above the dry forest in search of carrion.

Lineated Woodpecker
With its bold black-and-white plumage and vibrant red crest, the lineated woodpecker is a common sight in the park. It uses its strong beak to drill into trees in search of insects, often leaving behind large, oval-shaped holes.

Black-headed Trogon
This beautiful bird sports a deep black head and bright yellow belly. It is often found perching motionless in the canopy, waiting to catch insects or feed on fruits.

Streak-backed Oriole
A vibrant orange-and-black songbird, the streak-backed oriole is commonly seen flitting through the trees. It is known for its melodious song and its habit of weaving intricate hanging nests.

Double-striped Thick-knee
This nocturnal bird is well-camouflaged with its sandy-colored plumage, making it difficult to spot during the day. At night, it becomes more active, hunting insects and small vertebrates on the ground.

Roadside Hawk
A small but fierce raptor, the roadside hawk is often seen perched on tree branches or fence posts, scanning the ground for prey. It primarily feeds on lizards, rodents, and small birds.

Barra Honda National Park is a hidden gem for wildlife lovers, offering a chance to see a unique blend of mammals, reptiles, and birds in a rarely visited dry tropical forest ecosystem.

Popular

Barra Honda National Park, located in the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, is known for its unique limestone caves, dry tropical forest, and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a variety of fascinating mammals and reptiles that thrive in this distinct ecosystem.

White-faced Capuchin Monkey
This intelligent and social primate is often seen swinging through the trees in groups. Recognizable by its distinctive white face and black body, the white-faced capuchin is highly adaptable and plays an important role in seed dispersal within the park.

Mantled Howler Monkey
Easily identified by its loud, guttural howls, which can be heard from miles away, the mantled howler monkey is one of the most iconic species in Barra Honda. With its black fur and a golden-brown mantle along its sides, this monkey spends most of its time in the treetops, feeding on leaves and fruits.

Nine-banded Armadillo
A nocturnal creature, the nine-banded armadillo is often spotted foraging on the forest floor for insects and small invertebrates. It is known for its protective armored shell and its ability to dig burrows for shelter.

Collared Peccary
Resembling a wild pig, the collared peccary is a social animal that roams the park in small groups. These herbivorous mammals feed on roots, fruits, and small plants, using their strong snouts to dig for food.

Ocelot
This elusive and nocturnal wild cat is one of the most stunning predators in the park. With its beautifully patterned coat, the ocelot primarily hunts small mammals, birds, and reptiles, often stalking its prey with remarkable stealth.

Tayra
A large, weasel-like mammal with sleek dark fur and a yellowish throat, the tayra is an agile climber and skilled predator. It is known for its curiosity and adaptability, feeding on a variety of foods, including small animals, fruits, and insects.

Baird’s Tapir
One of the largest land mammals in Central America, Baird’s tapir is a rare sight in Barra Honda. These gentle giants have prehensile snouts that help them grasp leaves and fruits. Despite their bulky appearance, they are excellent swimmers.

Boa Constrictor
One of the largest snakes in the park, the boa constrictor is a non-venomous species that subdues its prey by constriction. It is an ambush predator, often seen camouflaged among the leaf litter or coiled in trees.

Green Iguana
A striking reptile that can grow up to six feet long, the green iguana is commonly found basking in the sun or resting on tree branches. Though primarily herbivorous, it is capable of swift movements when threatened.

Coyote
Although more commonly associated with North America, the coyote has also adapted to the dry tropical forests of Costa Rica. This opportunistic carnivore hunts small mammals, reptiles, and insects, often moving alone or in pairs.

Birds

The diverse landscapes of Barra Honda National Park provide an ideal habitat for a variety of bird species, from vibrant parrots to stealthy birds of prey. The dry tropical forest is home to numerous resident and migratory birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

Turquoise-browed Motmot
With its vivid green and blue plumage and distinctive racket-shaped tail feathers, the turquoise-browed motmot is one of the most striking birds in the park. Often seen perched on branches, it swings its tail rhythmically while scanning for insects and small reptiles.

White-throated Magpie-Jay
This large, bold jay is easily recognized by its striking blue body, black-and-white markings, and feathery crest. It is highly social and intelligent, often seen in noisy groups scavenging for food.

Plain Chachalaca
A relative of the turkey, this ground-dwelling bird is often heard before it is seen, thanks to its loud, cackling calls. It forages for fruits and seeds on the forest floor, sometimes venturing into clearings near human settlements.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
One of the park’s smallest owls, this fierce predator is active both during the day and at night. Despite its size, it is an adept hunter, preying on insects, lizards, and even small birds.

Crested Caracara
A powerful bird of prey, the crested caracara has a striking appearance with a black cap, white neck, and long yellow legs. It is often seen scavenging along roadsides or soaring above the dry forest in search of carrion.

Lineated Woodpecker
With its bold black-and-white plumage and vibrant red crest, the lineated woodpecker is a common sight in the park. It uses its strong beak to drill into trees in search of insects, often leaving behind large, oval-shaped holes.

Black-headed Trogon
This beautiful bird sports a deep black head and bright yellow belly. It is often found perching motionless in the canopy, waiting to catch insects or feed on fruits.

Streak-backed Oriole
A vibrant orange-and-black songbird, the streak-backed oriole is commonly seen flitting through the trees. It is known for its melodious song and its habit of weaving intricate hanging nests.

Double-striped Thick-knee
This nocturnal bird is well-camouflaged with its sandy-colored plumage, making it difficult to spot during the day. At night, it becomes more active, hunting insects and small vertebrates on the ground.

Roadside Hawk
A small but fierce raptor, the roadside hawk is often seen perched on tree branches or fence posts, scanning the ground for prey. It primarily feeds on lizards, rodents, and small birds.

Barra Honda National Park is a hidden gem for wildlife lovers, offering a chance to see a unique blend of mammals, reptiles, and birds in a rarely visited dry tropical forest ecosystem.