Vinales National Park

Birds

Viñales National Park is home to a rich variety of birdlife, including several Cuban endemics and migratory species. The mix of limestone formations, forests, and wetlands creates an ideal habitat for many unique birds.

Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus)
As Cuba’s national bird, the Cuban trogon is easily recognizable by its vibrant plumage of blue, red, and white—matching the Cuban flag. It is often found in forested areas, feeding on fruits and insects while calling with a distinct, melodious sound.

Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor)
This small, brightly colored bird is a favorite among birdwatchers. With its green body, pink throat, and bright red beak, the Cuban tody is an insectivore that perches low in the vegetation, making quick, darting flights to catch prey.

Great Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini)
A large and agile bird, the great lizard cuckoo has an elongated tail and a striking curved beak. It feeds on lizards, insects, and small birds, often using its speed to chase down prey through the undergrowth.

Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii)
This formidable bird of prey is found in coastal and forested regions of Viñales. It is an opportunistic hunter that preys on crabs, rodents, and birds. Its dark plumage and sharp talons make it an impressive sight in flight.

Blue-headed Quail-dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala)
A rare and beautiful species, this ground-dwelling dove is known for its striking blue head and chestnut-colored body. It is often seen foraging on the forest floor for seeds and insects.

Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju)
Despite its small size, this owl is a fierce predator, hunting insects, lizards, and small birds. It is active both during the day and night, making it one of the more commonly seen owls in the park.

Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)
The smallest bird in the world, the bee hummingbird is an incredible sight in Viñales. Males have dazzling iridescent red and blue plumage, while females are more subdued in color. They feed on nectar from flowers, playing a crucial role in pollination.

Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii)
This dazzling green hummingbird is one of Cuba’s most widespread hummingbird species. It flits through gardens and forests, feeding on nectar and occasionally catching insects mid-air.

Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae)
A rare woodpecker species, Fernandina’s flicker is known for its striking black-and-yellow striped plumage. It relies on old trees and soft wood to excavate nesting holes.

Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus)
This common but striking bird has bright red legs and a contrasting gray-and-black body. It is a generalist feeder, consuming fruits, insects, and small vertebrates, and can be found throughout the park’s forests and gardens.

Viñales National Park offers a spectacular array of wildlife, from rare cave-dwelling creatures to colorful birds soaring above its iconic mogotes. Whether exploring its caves, forests, or open valleys, visitors are sure to encounter some of Cuba’s most fascinating species.

Popular

Viñales National Park, located in western Cuba, is known for its striking limestone mogotes, lush valleys, and rich biodiversity. The park is home to a variety of fascinating wildlife, including endemic reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that thrive in its unique karst landscape.

Cuban Hutia (Capromys pilorides)
The Cuban hutia is the largest native land mammal in Cuba. This rodent, resembling a mix between a beaver and a guinea pig, has coarse brown fur and a strong, stocky build. It is an excellent climber and can be found in trees or rocky outcrops, feeding on leaves, fruits, and small invertebrates.

Cuban Solenodon (Solenodon cubanus)
Also known as the almiquí, this rare, nocturnal insectivore is one of the most unique mammals in the park. It has a long, flexible snout and produces venomous saliva, which it uses to subdue prey like insects and small vertebrates. The solenodon is an ancient species that has remained relatively unchanged for millions of years.

Cuban Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila)
This large, herbivorous lizard is one of the most iconic reptiles of the park. With rough, spiky skin and a powerful build, the Cuban rock iguana is often seen basking on rocky outcrops. It primarily feeds on fruits, flowers, and leaves, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal within the ecosystem.

Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)
A master of camouflage, this large, adaptable frog can be found in both humid forests and dry rocky areas of the park. It has the ability to change color based on its surroundings and is known for its loud, distinctive calls that echo through the valleys at night.

Western Giant Anole (Anolis luteogularis)
This striking lizard is one of the largest anoles in Cuba. It is easily recognized by its bright green coloration and large yellow-orange throat fan, which males use for territorial displays. The giant anole is highly arboreal, often found in trees and shrubs searching for insects and small vertebrates.

Cuban Boa (Chilabothrus angulifer)
The Cuban boa is the island’s largest snake and a top predator in Viñales. This non-venomous constrictor preys on birds, rodents, and even small hutias. It is an excellent climber and often hunts in caves, rock crevices, or dense vegetation.

Cuban Parrot Snake (Arrhyton taeniatum)
This slender, fast-moving snake is commonly found in forested and rocky areas of the park. It has a distinct striped pattern and preys primarily on lizards and frogs. Unlike the Cuban boa, this species is non-constricting and uses its speed to catch prey.

Cuban Funnel-eared Bat (Natalus primus)
One of the rarest bats in the world, this species was rediscovered in Cuban cave systems, including those in Viñales. It has long, funnel-shaped ears and plays an important role in insect population control by consuming large numbers of moths and beetles.

Cuban Lesser Racer (Caraiba andreae)
This small, agile snake is commonly found in dry, rocky areas of Viñales. It is non-venomous and preys on small lizards, frogs, and insects. Despite its name, it is not an aggressive species and will usually flee rather than confront threats.

Viñales Cave Scorpion (Troglocubanus gibarensis)
This rare, cave-dwelling scorpion is a fascinating example of adaptation to underground life. It has pale coloration, long, slender pincers, and relies on touch and vibrations to locate prey in the darkness of Viñales’ famous cave systems.

Birds

Viñales National Park is home to a rich variety of birdlife, including several Cuban endemics and migratory species. The mix of limestone formations, forests, and wetlands creates an ideal habitat for many unique birds.

Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus)
As Cuba’s national bird, the Cuban trogon is easily recognizable by its vibrant plumage of blue, red, and white—matching the Cuban flag. It is often found in forested areas, feeding on fruits and insects while calling with a distinct, melodious sound.

Cuban Tody (Todus multicolor)
This small, brightly colored bird is a favorite among birdwatchers. With its green body, pink throat, and bright red beak, the Cuban tody is an insectivore that perches low in the vegetation, making quick, darting flights to catch prey.

Great Lizard Cuckoo (Coccyzus merlini)
A large and agile bird, the great lizard cuckoo has an elongated tail and a striking curved beak. It feeds on lizards, insects, and small birds, often using its speed to chase down prey through the undergrowth.

Cuban Black Hawk (Buteogallus gundlachii)
This formidable bird of prey is found in coastal and forested regions of Viñales. It is an opportunistic hunter that preys on crabs, rodents, and birds. Its dark plumage and sharp talons make it an impressive sight in flight.

Blue-headed Quail-dove (Starnoenas cyanocephala)
A rare and beautiful species, this ground-dwelling dove is known for its striking blue head and chestnut-colored body. It is often seen foraging on the forest floor for seeds and insects.

Cuban Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium siju)
Despite its small size, this owl is a fierce predator, hunting insects, lizards, and small birds. It is active both during the day and night, making it one of the more commonly seen owls in the park.

Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)
The smallest bird in the world, the bee hummingbird is an incredible sight in Viñales. Males have dazzling iridescent red and blue plumage, while females are more subdued in color. They feed on nectar from flowers, playing a crucial role in pollination.

Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii)
This dazzling green hummingbird is one of Cuba’s most widespread hummingbird species. It flits through gardens and forests, feeding on nectar and occasionally catching insects mid-air.

Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae)
A rare woodpecker species, Fernandina’s flicker is known for its striking black-and-yellow striped plumage. It relies on old trees and soft wood to excavate nesting holes.

Red-legged Thrush (Turdus plumbeus)
This common but striking bird has bright red legs and a contrasting gray-and-black body. It is a generalist feeder, consuming fruits, insects, and small vertebrates, and can be found throughout the park’s forests and gardens.

Viñales National Park offers a spectacular array of wildlife, from rare cave-dwelling creatures to colorful birds soaring above its iconic mogotes. Whether exploring its caves, forests, or open valleys, visitors are sure to encounter some of Cuba’s most fascinating species.