Costa Rica is well known for its rich biodiversity and for being a haven for bird watchers and photographers. The small size of the country and the easy accessibility of a wide variety of habitats and life zones make it one of the world’s top destinations for bird enthusiasts. If you’re wondering where to see trogons in Costa Rica, there are plenty of hotspots across the country to catch a glimpse of these stunning birds.

Trogon in Costa Rica

One of the most favored species to see is the Trogon. There are 46 species of Trogons in the world and Costa Rica is home to ten species of Trogons, 22% of the world’s population. There is a controversy over the number of species that are endemic to Costa Rica. Previously, three species in Costa Rica were classified as endemic, found only in Costa Rica, the Baird’s Trogon, Orange-Bellied Trogon, and the Lattice-Tailed Trogon. Recently, some Ornithologists have proclaimed that the Orange Bellied Trogon is in fact the same as the Collared Trogon and the two species were joined and re-named Northern Collared Trogon. This remains a controversy, so depending on which research you ascribe to, Costa Rica has either two or three endemic species.

Trogons are stand out species with vibrant plumage, beautiful, sometimes mournful calls, and the habit of long sessions perched on the same branches. These traits make the species very attractive for birders, looking for long looks through their binoculars, and for photographers, hoping for that one in a million shot of one of the most beautiful birds in the rainforest.

While Trogons can be seen throughout the country, there are distinct areas that are most reliable for viewing or photographing the various Trogon Species.

In this article we’ll review where to see trogons in Costa Rica.

Braulio Carillo National Park:

Braulio Carrillo National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Costa Rica with over 50,000 hectares of primary and secondary rainforest and cloud forest. The landscape consists of high mountains densely covered with trees, canyons and valleys with a web of rivers and streams. Luckily, as a National Park, visitors can access the park via the ranger station and enjoy hiking on a series of trails. Visitors will want to hike Braulio with a guide as there are many different trails, with different degrees of difficulty. Trails range in length from 1 – 60 kms. Braulio Carillo is a lush, dense forest and birds can be hard to spot unless you’re with a professional birding guide. We recommend visiting with a guide and looking for three species of trogons, The Slaty-Tailed, Lattice-tailed, and Black-throated Trogons. The Lattice-Tailed is a very difficult species to find and Braulio Carillo National Park remains the most reliable location for this species.

Where to see Trogons in Costa Rica

La Selva Biological Station:

La Selva’s influence on tropical ecology is immeasurable. It served 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. The species richness of La Selva is outstanding, with more than 2,077 species of plants; 125 species of mammals (72 of them bats); 470 species of birds; 48 amphibian species; 87 species of reptiles; 45 species of freshwater fish; and tens of thousands of insects, arachnids and other arthropods.

For birders and bird photographers, La Selva provides a network of well maintained, groomed trails that provide comfortable access to lush primary rainforest in the Caribbean Lowlands. La Selva encompasses a variety of life zones making it one of the best locations for birding in all of Costa Rica. When on the search for Trogons, visitors to La Selva can find the Slaty-Tailed, Black-Throated, and Gartered Trogons.

Birdwatching a Trogon in Costa Rica

Arenal Observatory Lodge:

A day of birding at the Arenal Observatory Lodge is a must for bird watchers and nature lovers visiting the Arenal area. The lodge is located in the unique Caribbean foothills at the base of the Arenal Volcano. This area has become one of the most diverse life zones for avifauna because both highland and lowlands birds inhabit the area. The Observatory Lodge has recorded more than 400 different bird species. This makes Arenal Observatory Lodge an absolute top-location for birding, nature and bird photography in Costa Rica. Visitors can enjoy an excellent network of forest trails, observation towers and a feeder platform at the main lodge. When visiting Arenal guests have a chance to see the Black Throated Trogon, The Slaty-Tailed Trogon, and the Orange Bellied/ Northern Collared Trogon.

Where to See Trogons in Costa Rica: Monteverde

The cloud forest of Monteverde is an excellent habitat for two species of Trogons. Monteverde is blessed with several reserves that are quite prolific for birding. There are exceptional birding opportunities at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Curi Cancha Reserve, The Children’s Eternal Rainforest Reserve and many small private reserves. The two species on your target list are the Orange Bellied / Northern Collared Trogon and of course the Resplendent Quetzal. The Quetzal is probably the most “wanted” bird for all birders and photographers visiting Costa Rica. The cloud forest of Monteverde is one of the top locations to see the Resplendent Quetzal. With its iridescent green and red plumage and long tail feathers, the male Quetzal is a sight to behold.

Trogon in Costa Rica

San Gerardo de Dota:

Although only two species of Trogons can be seen in the San Gerardo de Dota region (Talamanca Highlands), it’s important to include this area because it is the easiest and most reliable spot to see the Resplendent Quetzal. The consistent food source provided by the wild Avocado Trees ensures a consistent and healthy population year round. The nesting season (late January through April) is the time when the birds are the most active, but the Quetzal can generally be seen throughout the entire year. The second species of Trogons possible in the area is the Orange Bellied / Northern Collared Trogon. This species also prefers the highlands and the cloud forest.

Carara National Park:

Carara National Park, located along the Central Pacific coast, is a birding hotspot, a transition zone between the dry forests of the north and the humid rainforests of the south. This unique area supports a wide variety of bird species, including the most number of Trogons in one area. Visiting Carara National Park and its well groomed trails birders and photographers can be on the watch for the Baird’s Trogon, the Black Headed Trogon, the Black-Throated Trogon, the Slaty-Tailed Trogon and the Gartered Trogon (formerly Violaceous). The Laguna Meandrica Trail and Sendero Las Araceas offer great viewing opportunities. With temperatures being quite hot in this region, visitors should plan to get to the park as soon as it opens and enjoy walking and hiking the trails early in the morning, before the heat of the day sends the birds to perch quietly in the depths of the foliage.

Spotting a Trogon in Costa Rica

Guanacaste / Rincon de la Vieja National Park:

There is one lone species of Trogon, found only in the Guanacaste Province. That is the Elegant Trogon. This lovely bird prefers the lowland dry forest. Rincon de la Vieja is one of our favorite places to take our birders and bird photographers, but the other National Parks and even forested areas around the beaches will often produce this species.

Trogon in Costa Rica

If you would like to investigate opportunities to see Trogons in Costa Rica, click here and send us a contact form, we’ll reply right away. We can create a private tour just for you, or you may want to consider joining our “Tracking the Trogons” small group adventure. It’s designed to give birders the chance to see every species of Trogon. Together we can create the birding or photography trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Photo Credits:

First Quetzal and Female Quetzal: Nina Irvin
Slaty Tailed Trogon – David Larson
Gartered Trogon – Craig Hedlund
Quetzal Flying – Calvin Schnure

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