Poás Volcano National Park

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

🐦 Highland Hummingbird Cloud Forest
🌍 #248 Global · 3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #42 in Central America #108 in Tropical Forest
Central Valley, Costa Rica 1261 spp. recorded

Poás protects one of the world's most accessible active volcanic craters — a massive turquoise acid lake surrounded by dwarf cloud forest at 2,700 meters elevation. The park is a highland birding hotspot where Fiery-throated Hummingbirds, Volcano Hummingbirds, and the elusive Resplendent Quetzal inhabit moss-draped forests just minutes from the crater rim.

10.198° N   84.228° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Fiery-throated Hummingbird ★
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

70–80% · Very likely
Volcano Hummingbird ★
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

50–60% · Likely
Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

10–20% · With luck
White-nosed Coati ★
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

70–80% · Very likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

70–80% · Very likely
Mountain Elaenia
LC

Mountain Elaenia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elaenia frantzii

60–70% · Likely
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
LC

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Henicorhina leucophrys

60–70% · Likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

60–70% · Likely
Black-and-yellow Phainoptila
LC

Black-and-yellow Phainoptila

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phainoptila melanoxantha

50–60% · Likely
Mountain Thrush
LC

Mountain Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plebejus

50–60% · Likely
Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-thighed Finch

Yellow-thighed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Atlapetes tibialis

50–60% · Likely
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
LC

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Catharus gracilirostris

50–60% · Likely
Sooty Thrush
LC

Sooty Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus nigrescens

50–60% · Likely
Common Chlorospingus
LC Endemic

Common Chlorospingus

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus flavopectus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

White-nosed Coati ★
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Variegated Squirrel
LC

Variegated Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus variegatoides

Insufficient data
Red-tailed Squirrel
LC

Red-tailed Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus granatensis

Insufficient data
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

Insufficient data
Central American Spider Monkey
EN

Central American Spider Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ateles geoffroyi

Insufficient data
Baird's Tapir

Baird's Tapir

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Tapirella bairdii

Insufficient data
Jaguar
NT

Jaguar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera onca

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Fiery-throated Hummingbird ★
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

70–80% · Very likely
Volcano Hummingbird ★
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

50–60% · Likely
Resplendent Quetzal ★
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
LC

Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus pileatus

70–80% · Very likely
Slaty Flowerpiercer
LC

Slaty Flowerpiercer

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Diglossa plumbea

70–80% · Very likely
Mountain Elaenia
LC

Mountain Elaenia

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elaenia frantzii

60–70% · Likely
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
LC

Gray-breasted Wood-Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Henicorhina leucophrys

60–70% · Likely
Rufous-collared Sparrow
LC Endemic

Rufous-collared Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zonotrichia capensis

60–70% · Likely
Black-and-yellow Phainoptila
LC

Black-and-yellow Phainoptila

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phainoptila melanoxantha

50–60% · Likely
Mountain Thrush
LC

Mountain Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus plebejus

50–60% · Likely
Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-thighed Finch

Yellow-thighed Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Atlapetes tibialis

50–60% · Likely
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
LC

Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Catharus gracilirostris

50–60% · Likely
Sooty Thrush
LC

Sooty Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus nigrescens

50–60% · Likely
Common Chlorospingus
LC Endemic

Common Chlorospingus

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlorospingus flavopectus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Side-striped palm pit viper
LC

Side-striped palm pit viper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Bothriechis lateralis

Insufficient data
Stream Anole
LC

Stream Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis oxylophus

Insufficient data
Middle American Ameiva
LC

Middle American Ameiva

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Holcosus festivus

Insufficient data
Slender Anole
LC

Slender Anole

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Anolis woodi

Insufficient data
Black Spiny-tailed Iguana
LC Endemic

Black Spiny-tailed Iguana

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenosaura similis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Red-eyed Treefrog
LC

Red-eyed Treefrog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis callidryas

Insufficient data
Golden-groined Robber Frog
LC

Golden-groined Robber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pristimantis cruentus

Insufficient data
Cerro Utyum Robber Frog
LC

Cerro Utyum Robber Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor podiciferus

Insufficient data
Common Worm Salamander
LC Endemic

Common Worm Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Oedipina uniformis

Insufficient data
Green and Black Dart-poison Frog
LC

Green and Black Dart-poison Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dendrobates auratus

Insufficient data
Warszewitsch's Frog

Warszewitsch's Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Lithobates warszewitschii

Insufficient data
Blue-sided Tree Frog
VU

Blue-sided Tree Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Agalychnis annae

Insufficient data
Rana Montanera

Rana Montanera

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates vibicarius

<5% · Rare

Animal Events

🦜

Quetzal Breeding Season

AprMayJun

During the breeding season the Resplendent Quetzal turns loud and conspicuous, the male trailing shimmering emerald tail plumes as he calls and courts through the montane cloud forest. It is the best window to catch this legendary bird perched, vocal, and tending its nest.

Resplendent Quetzal
NT Endemic

Resplendent Quetzal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pharomachrus mocinno

10–20% · With luck
🐦

Highland Hummingbird Peak

JanAprNov

High on the volcano's flanks, Fiery-throated and Volcano Hummingbirds swarm the summit bromeliads and feeders, jewel-bright specks buzzing through the cold mountain air. Watch them hover and dart between blossoms, iridescent throats flaring as they refuel at these chilly elevations.

Fiery-throated Hummingbird
LC

Fiery-throated Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Panterpe insignis

70–80% · Very likely
Volcano Hummingbird
LC

Volcano Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Selasphorus flammula

50–60% · Likely
🐦

Neotropical Migrant Season

OctNovDecJanFebMar

North American warblers like Wilson's Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler pour into the Poás highlands to spend the northern winter, flitting through the cloud-forest canopy alongside resident birds. Their arrival swells the mountain's diversity with flashes of yellow and restless, foliage-gleaning energy.

Wilson's Warbler
LC

Wilson's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardellina pusilla

50–60% · Likely
Black-throated Green Warbler
LC

Black-throated Green Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga virens

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
Volcano Hummingbird
60–70
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
Resplendent Quetzal
10–20
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
20–30
10–20
10–20
White-nosed Coati
40–50
30–40
5–10
50–60
10–20
10–20
10–20
40–50
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
Slaty Flowerpiercer
90–100
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Mountain Elaenia
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
Rufous-collared Sparrow
60–70
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
Black-and-yellow Phainoptila
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
Mountain Thrush
30–40
60–70
40–50
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
70–80
40–50
50–60
60–70
Wilson's Warbler
80–90
50–60
60–70
50–60
20–30
20–30
10–20
20–30
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
Yellow-thighed Finch
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
60–70
Black-billed Nightingale-Thrush
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
70–80
60–70
Sooty Thrush
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
30–40
30–40
60–70
50–60
Common Chlorospingus
60–70
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
Animal Events
🐦 Highland Hummingbird Peak
🦜 Quetzal Breeding Season
🐦 Neotropical Migrant Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐦 Highland Hummingbird Cloud Forest

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
760
🐒 Mammals
219
🦎 Reptiles
167
🐸 Amphibians
115
1261 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
50 Threatened 102 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (107 species at ≥5% of 1261 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
8%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
86
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
3
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
15

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Poás Volcano National Park?

The most likely sightings are Fiery-throated Hummingbird (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Sooty-capped Bush-Tanager (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Slaty Flowerpiercer (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Mountain Elaenia (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1261 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Poás Volcano National Park for wildlife?

November has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Fiery-throated Hummingbird in Poás Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a Fiery-throated Hummingbird sighting in Poás Volcano National Park, based on 263 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Volcano Hummingbird in Poás Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 53% of wildlife watchers report a Volcano Hummingbird sighting in Poás Volcano National Park, based on 185 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Resplendent Quetzal in Poás Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 18% of wildlife watchers report a Resplendent Quetzal sighting in Poás Volcano National Park, based on 62 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White-nosed Coati in Poás Volcano National Park?

Yes — about 28% of wildlife watchers report a White-nosed Coati sighting in Poás Volcano National Park, based on 4 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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