Cerro Verde National Park

Birds

Cerro Verde National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with a diverse range of avian species thriving in its cloud forests and volcanic landscapes. From vibrant hummingbirds to majestic raptors, the park offers stunning birdwatching opportunities.

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
One of the most breathtaking birds in the region, the quetzal has shimmering green and red plumage with a long, elegant tail. It is a symbol of Central American culture and thrives in high-altitude cloud forests.

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
A small yet vibrant toucan species with a bright green body and a striking yellow bill. It feeds primarily on fruits but will also eat insects and small lizards.

White-Bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra)
A turkey-like bird known for its loud, raucous calls. Often found in small groups, it forages in trees and shrubs, consuming fruit, seeds, and leaves.

Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
This colorful relative of the toucan has a black body with a striking red belly band. It moves through the forest canopy in search of fruit, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

Blue-Crowned Motmot (Momotus coeruliceps)
Easily recognized by its long tail with racket-like tips, this motmot is often seen perched motionless, scanning the ground for insects and small reptiles.

Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii)
Similar to the blue-crowned motmot but with more vibrant green and blue plumage, this bird prefers shaded forest areas where it digs burrows in earthen banks for nesting.

Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
A common yet dazzling hummingbird with iridescent green feathers and a distinct reddish tail. It is highly territorial and frequently seen feeding on nectar from flowering plants.

Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
A powerful raptor with bold black plumage and a distinctive crest. It soars high above the forest, searching for small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Yellow-Eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis)
A rare and striking bird with a distinctive yellow patch behind its eyes. It inhabits dense forests, where it feeds on fruits and insects.

Swallow-Tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
An elegant black-and-white raptor with a deeply forked tail, often seen gliding effortlessly over the treetops as it hunts for insects, reptiles, and small birds.

Cerro Verde National Park is a remarkable destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of El Salvador’s volcanic highlands. Whether you’re spotting mammals in the dense forest or watching birds soar over the canopy, the park is a true gem of Central America.

Popular

Cerro Verde National Park, located in El Salvador, is a biodiverse haven nestled among volcanoes, cloud forests, and lush landscapes. This park is home to a variety of fascinating wildlife, particularly mammals and reptiles, that thrive in its unique volcanic ecosystem.

Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii)
This large, herbivorous mammal is one of the most elusive species in the park. Recognizable by its short, flexible snout, the Baird’s tapir is a key species in maintaining the ecological balance by dispersing seeds throughout the forest.

Cougar (Puma concolor)
Also known as the mountain lion, this powerful predator is one of the top carnivores in Cerro Verde. While rarely seen by visitors, it plays a crucial role in controlling the population of herbivores and maintaining ecosystem health.

Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata)
A small, rodent-like mammal that is commonly spotted foraging for fruits and nuts on the forest floor. Agoutis are important seed dispersers, helping regenerate the park’s diverse plant life.

Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
This armored mammal is often seen scurrying through the undergrowth at dusk. With its keen sense of smell and ability to dig rapidly, the armadillo is an expert at finding insects and small invertebrates.

White-Nosed Coati (Nasua narica)
A curious and social member of the raccoon family, the white-nosed coati is often seen in groups foraging for fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. Its long, striped tail helps with balance as it climbs trees in search of food.

Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
A beautifully patterned wild cat that is nocturnal and highly elusive. Ocelots hunt small mammals, birds, and reptiles, playing an important role in the food chain.

Common Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)
Recognized by its long snout and prehensile tail, the common opossum is an opportunistic feeder, scavenging for fruits, insects, and small animals. It is one of the few marsupials found in the region.

Boa Constrictor (Boa imperator)
This large, non-venomous snake is a formidable predator in the park. It relies on ambush tactics to capture rodents, birds, and even small mammals, using its strong body to constrict prey.

Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
A striking reptile often seen basking in the sun on tree branches. Despite their fierce appearance, green iguanas are herbivorous and feed mainly on leaves, flowers, and fruit.

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
Found in freshwater areas within the park, this medium-sized crocodilian is a stealthy predator that feeds on fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Its name comes from the bony ridges between its eyes that resemble spectacles.

Birds

Cerro Verde National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers, with a diverse range of avian species thriving in its cloud forests and volcanic landscapes. From vibrant hummingbirds to majestic raptors, the park offers stunning birdwatching opportunities.

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
One of the most breathtaking birds in the region, the quetzal has shimmering green and red plumage with a long, elegant tail. It is a symbol of Central American culture and thrives in high-altitude cloud forests.

Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
A small yet vibrant toucan species with a bright green body and a striking yellow bill. It feeds primarily on fruits but will also eat insects and small lizards.

White-Bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra)
A turkey-like bird known for its loud, raucous calls. Often found in small groups, it forages in trees and shrubs, consuming fruit, seeds, and leaves.

Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
This colorful relative of the toucan has a black body with a striking red belly band. It moves through the forest canopy in search of fruit, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

Blue-Crowned Motmot (Momotus coeruliceps)
Easily recognized by its long tail with racket-like tips, this motmot is often seen perched motionless, scanning the ground for insects and small reptiles.

Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii)
Similar to the blue-crowned motmot but with more vibrant green and blue plumage, this bird prefers shaded forest areas where it digs burrows in earthen banks for nesting.

Rufous-Tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
A common yet dazzling hummingbird with iridescent green feathers and a distinct reddish tail. It is highly territorial and frequently seen feeding on nectar from flowering plants.

Black Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
A powerful raptor with bold black plumage and a distinctive crest. It soars high above the forest, searching for small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Yellow-Eared Toucanet (Selenidera spectabilis)
A rare and striking bird with a distinctive yellow patch behind its eyes. It inhabits dense forests, where it feeds on fruits and insects.

Swallow-Tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
An elegant black-and-white raptor with a deeply forked tail, often seen gliding effortlessly over the treetops as it hunts for insects, reptiles, and small birds.

Cerro Verde National Park is a remarkable destination for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of El Salvador’s volcanic highlands. Whether you’re spotting mammals in the dense forest or watching birds soar over the canopy, the park is a true gem of Central America.