Cerro Miramundo National Park

Birds

In addition to its diverse mammalian fauna, Cerro Miramundo National Park is renowned for its avian diversity, making it a significant area for bird conservation. The park’s unique habitats support a variety of bird species, including several that are endemic or of conservation concern.

Pink-headed Warbler
The pink-headed warbler (Cardellina versicolor) is a small, vibrant songbird endemic to the highlands of Guatemala and southern Mexico. It is easily recognized by its rosy-pink head and chest contrasting with a gray body. This species inhabits montane forests and is considered globally threatened due to habitat loss.

Turquoise-browed Motmot
The turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) is a striking bird with vibrant plumage featuring shades of blue and green. It has a distinctive racket-tipped tail and is often seen perched quietly in open areas. This species feeds on insects and small reptiles.

Resplendent Quetzal
The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a symbol of Guatemala, celebrated for its iridescent green plumage and long tail feathers. Inhabiting cloud forests, this frugivorous bird plays a role in seed dispersal. Habitat destruction has led to its classification as near threatened.

White-throated Magpie-Jay
The white-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) is a large, conspicuous bird with striking blue, white, and black plumage and a distinctive crest. Highly social, these jays are often found in groups and are known for their loud calls. Their diet includes fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.

Blue-crowned Chlorophonia
The blue-crowned chlorophonia (Chlorophonia occipitalis) is a small, colorful bird with bright green plumage and a blue cap. Inhabiting humid montane forests, it feeds primarily on fruits and berries. Its vibrant colors make it a favorite among bird watchers.

Cerro Miramundo National Park, located in Guatemala, is a protected area encompassing approximately 3.48 square miles. The park is situated within the Motagua Valley, one of the driest regions in Central America, characterized by unique thorn scrub vegetation. This distinctive habitat supports a variety of wildlife, including several notable mammalian species.

Jaguar
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest feline in the Americas. Preferring dense forests and riverine habitats, jaguars are solitary predators known for their powerful build and distinctive rosette-patterned coat. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem by controlling prey populations.

Cougar
Also known as the mountain lion or puma (Puma concolor), the cougar is a versatile and adaptable predator found in various habitats, including the thorn scrub regions of Cerro Miramundo. With a tawny coat and a long tail, cougars are solitary animals that primarily hunt deer and other mammals.

White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a common herbivore in the park. Recognizable by the characteristic white underside of its tail, which it raises when alarmed, this deer species thrives in diverse environments, including the open areas and forest edges of the park.

Raccoon
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a nocturnal mammal known for its distinctive black “mask” across its eyes and ringed tail. Highly adaptable, raccoons are omnivorous and have dexterous front paws, allowing them to forage for a wide variety of foods, from fruits to small animals.

Ocelot
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a medium-sized wild cat with a strikingly patterned coat featuring dark spots and stripes. Primarily nocturnal, ocelots are solitary hunters, preying on small mammals, birds, and reptiles within the dense vegetation of the park.

Nine-banded Armadillo
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is easily identified by its armored shell and sharp claws used for digging. This solitary, primarily nocturnal animal feeds on insects, grubs, and other invertebrates, playing a role in controlling insect populations.

Guatemalan Spiny-tailed Iguana
Endemic to the Motagua Valley, the Guatemalan spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura palearis) is a threatened lizard species. It inhabits arid thorn scrub environments and is recognized by its robust body and distinctive spiny tail. This iguana primarily feeds on leaves, fruits, and flowers.

Motagua Valley Beaded Lizard
The Motagua Valley beaded lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti) is one of the world’s most endangered lizards, endemic to this ecoregion. Characterized by its dark, beaded skin and venomous bite, this lizard inhabits dry, forested areas and feeds on eggs, small mammals, and birds.

Collared Peccary
The collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is a medium-sized mammal resembling a wild pig. It has a coarse coat with a distinctive “collar” of lighter fur around its neck. Peccaries are social animals, often found in groups, and their diet includes roots, fruits, and small invertebrates.

Gray Fox
The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is a small canid with a salt-and-pepper coat and a distinctive black-tipped tail. Notably, it is one of the few canid species capable of climbing trees. Gray foxes are omnivorous, feeding on small mammals, fruits, and insects.