La Selva Biological Station

Private Forest Conservation Pioneer La Selva’s influence on tropical ecology is immeasurable. It serves as a key training and research site for numerous scientists in many fields of study. La Selva Research Station pioneered private forest conservation in Costa Rica, as it was the first of what is now a large network of private forest reserves…

Quick Facts on La Selva Biological Station
- Hotspot Type
  Biological Research Station
- Habitat
  Lowland Rainforest
- Bird Species
  Tiny Hawk, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Yellow-billed Cotinga, Pied Puffbird, Snowy Cotinga, Three-wattled Bellbird, Uniform Crake, Green Ibis, Sunbittern, Sungrebe, Great Green Macaw, White-collared Manakin, Little Tinamou, Great Tinamou, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Black-throated Trogon, Gartered Trogon, Broad-billed Motmot, Rufous Motmot, Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer, Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher, Great Antshrike, Dusky Antbird, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Olive-backed Quail-Dove, Great Curassow, Crested Guan, White-necked Puffbird, Black-throated Wren, Shining Honeycreeper, Crimson-collared Tanager, Collared Forest-Falcon, King Vulture, MiddleAmerican Screech-Owl, Spectacled Owl, Great Potoo, Purple-throated Fruit crow, Russet-naped Wood-Rail, Mealy Parrot, Olive-throated Parakeet, Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Blue-chested Hummingbird, Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant, Brown-capped Tyrannulet, White-ringed Flycatcher, Fasciated Antshrike, Cinnamon Woodpecker, White-fronted Nunbird, Stripe-breasted Wren, Bay Wren, Canebrake Wren, Dusky-faced Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Crested Owl, Black-and-white Owl, Short-tailed Nighthawk, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, Yellow-throated Toucan, Montezuma Oropendola, Great Kiskadee, Clay-colored Thrush, Olive-backed Euphonia, Collared Aracari, Blue-gray Tanager, Golden-hooded Tanager, Silver-throated Tanager, Tropical Pewee, Violet-headed Hummingbird

Private Forest Conservation Pioneer

La Selva’s influence on tropical ecology is immeasurable. It serves as a key training and research site for numerous scientists in many fields of study. La Selva Research Station pioneered private forest conservation in Costa Rica, as it was the first of what is now a large network of private forest reserves in the country. It has provided a base for the study of all tropical flora and fauna.

Birding La Selva Biological Station

A birding visit to La Selva Biological Station is not only an opportunity to see a remarkable diversity of tropical bird species, but also to experience one of the most influential sites for tropical ecological research in the world. Operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), La Selva has played a foundational role in advancing conservation science. Its protected 1,600+ hectares of lowland rainforest serve as a living laboratory, hosting hundreds of long-term research projects and contributing significantly to our understanding of tropical ecology.

La Selva’s Birding Trails

Explore a network of well-maintained trails—ranging from wide gravel paths to paved and elevated concrete walkways—that provide excellent access to a variety of habitats, including primary and secondary forest, open clearings, and riverside zones. The station’s layout makes it possible to observe an impressive range of species with relative ease. Signature birds of La Selva include Great Green Macaw, Snowy Cotinga, Semiplumbeous Hawk, Broadbill Motmot, Long-Billed Hermit, and dozens of species of trogons, manakins, flycatchers, and antbirds.

Early morning is typically the most productive time for bird activity, and your guide will tailor the visit to maximize sightings based on current conditions. In addition to exceptional birding, you’ll gain insights into La Selva’s ecological importance and its ongoing contributions to biodiversity research and forest conservation in Costa Rica.

The species richness of La Selva

The station’s extraordinary biodiversity showcases over 2,077 plant species, 125 mammal species (including 72 bat species), 470 bird species, 48 amphibian species, 87 reptile species, 45 freshwater fish species, and countless invertebrates. This remarkable concentration of life makes La Selva a premier destination for every bird watcher.

Alongside your expert guide, explore this living laboratory, seeking the Caribbean lowland rainforest’s most iconic and elusive species.