Tortuguero is one of the best places for birdwatching and bird observation in Costa Rica. Below you will find a list of all bird species found so far in the greater Tortuguero area and Tortuguero National Park.
Common Name |
Scientific Name |
Nombre Español |
TINAMIDAE: Tinamous |
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Great Tinamou |
Tinamus major |
Tinamú Grande |
Little Tinamou |
Crypturellus soui |
Tinamú Chico |
Slaty-breasted Tinamou |
Crypturellus boucardi |
Tinamú Pizarroso |
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PODICIPEDIDAE: Grebes |
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Least Grebe |
Tachybaptus dominicus |
Zambullidor Enano |
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SULIDAE: Boobies and Gannets |
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Brown Booby |
Sula leucogaster |
Piquero Moreno |
Red-footed Booby |
Sula sula |
Piquero Patirrojo |
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PELECANIDAE: Pelicans |
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Brown Pelican |
Pelecanus occidentalis |
Pelicano Pardo |
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PHALACROCORACIDAE: Cormorants |
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Neotropic Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax brasilianus |
Cormorán Neotropical |
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ANHINGIDAE: Darters |
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Anhinga |
Anhinga anhinga |
Pato Aguja o Aninga |
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FREGATIDAE: Frigatebirds |
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Magnificent Frigatebird |
Fregata magnificens |
Rabihorcado Magno |
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ARDEIDAE: Herons and Bitterns |
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Least Bittern |
Ixobrychus exilis |
Avetorillo Pantanero |
Rufescent Tiger-Heron |
Tigrisoma lineatum |
Garza-Tigre de Selva |
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron |
Tigrisoma mexicanum |
Garza-Tigre Cuellinuda |
Great Blue Heron |
Ardea herodias |
Garzón Azulado |
Great Egret |
Ardea alba |
Garceta Grande |
Snowy Egret |
Egretta thula |
Garceta Nivosa |
Little Blue Heron |
Egretta caerulea |
Garceta Azul |
Tricolored Heron |
Egretta tricolor |
Garceta Tricolor |
Reddish Egret |
Egretta rufescens |
Garceta Rojiza |
Cattle Egret |
Bubulcus ibis |
Garcilla Bueyera |
Green Heron |
Butorides virescens |
Garcilla Verde |
Agami Heron |
Agamia agami |
Garza Pechicastaña o Agamia |
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron |
Nyctanassa violacea |
Martinete Cabecipinto |
Boat-billed Heron |
Cochlearius cochlearius |
Pico-Cuchara o Chocuaco |
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THRESKIORNITHIDAE: Ibises and Spoonbills |
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Glossy Ibis |
Plegadis falcinellus |
Ibis Morito |
Green Ibis |
Mesembrinibis cayennensis |
Ibis Verde |
Roseate Spoonbill |
Ajaia ajaja |
Espatula Rosada |
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CICONIIDAE: Storks |
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Wood Stork |
Mycteria americana |
Cigueñón |
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CATHARTIDAE: New World Vultures |
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Black Vulture |
Coragyps atratus |
Zopilote Negro |
Turkey Vulture |
Cathartes aura |
Zopilote Cabecirrojo |
King Vulture |
Sarcoramphus papa |
Zopilote Rey |
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ANATIDAE: Ducks |
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Muscovy Duck |
Cairina moschata |
Pato Real |
American Wigeon |
Anas americana |
Pato Calvo |
Blue-winged Teal |
Anas discors |
Cerceta Aliazul |
Northern Shoveler |
Anas clypeata |
Pato Cuchara |
Lesser Scaup |
Aythya affinis |
Porrón Menor |
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ACCIPITRIDAE: Hawks, Kites, and Eagles |
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Osprey |
Pandion haliaetus |
Aguila Pescadora |
Gray-headed Kite |
Leptodon cayanensis |
Gavilán Cabecigrís |
Swallow-tailed Kite |
Elanoides forficatus |
Elanio Tijereta |
White-tailed Kite |
Elanus leucurus |
Elanio Coliblanco |
Double-toothed Kite |
Harpagus bidentatus |
Gavilán Gorgirrayado |
Mississippi Kite |
Ictinia mississippiensis |
Elanio Colinegro |
Plumbeous Kite |
Ictinia plumbea |
Elanio Plomizo |
Black-collared Hawk |
Busarellus nigricollis |
Gavilán de Ciénega |
Tiny Hawk |
Accipiter superciliosus |
Gavilán Enano |
Crane Hawk |
Geranospiza caerulescens |
Gavilán Ranero |
Semiplumbeous Hawk |
Leucopternis semiplumbea |
Gavilán Dorsiplomizo |
White Hawk |
Leucopternis albicollis |
Gavilán Blanco |
Common Black-Hawk |
Buteogallus anthracinus |
Gavilán Cangrejero |
Great Black-Hawk |
Buteogallus urubitinga |
Gavilán Negro Mayor |
Roadside Hawk |
Buteo magnirostris |
Gavilán Chapulinero |
Broad-winged Hawk |
Buteo platypterus |
Gavilán Aludo |
Short-tailed Hawk |
Buteo brachyurus |
Gavilán Colicorto |
Swainson's Hawk |
Buteo swainsoni |
Gavilán de swainson |
Black Hawk-Eagle |
Spizaetus tyrannus |
Aguilillo Negro |
Ornate Hawk-Eagle |
Spizaetus ornatus |
Aguilillo Penachudo |
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FALCONIDAE: Falcons |
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Barred Forest-Falcon |
Micrastur ruficollis |
Halcón de Monte Barreteado |
Slaty-backed Forest-Falcon |
Micrastur mirandollei |
Halcón de Monte Dorsigrís |
Collared Forest-Falcon |
Micrastur semitorquatus |
Halcón de Monte Collarejo |
Laughing Falcon |
Herpetotheres cachinnans |
Guaco |
American Kestrel |
Falco sparverius |
Cernícalo Americano |
Merlin |
Falco columbarius |
Esmerejón |
Bat Falcon |
Falco rufigularis |
Halcón Cuelliblanco |
Peregrine Falcon |
Falco peregrinus |
Halcón Peregrino |
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CRACIDAE: Curassows and Guans |
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Gray-headed Chachalaca |
Ortalis cinereiceps |
Chachalaca Cabecigrís |
Crested Guan |
Penelope purpurascens |
Pava Crestada |
Great Curassow |
Crax rubra |
Pavón Grande |
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ODONTOPHORIDAE: New World Quails |
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Black-eared Wood-Quail |
Odontophorus melanotis |
Codorniz Orejinegra |
White-throated Crake |
Laterallus albigularis |
Polluela Gargantiblanca |
Gray-necked Wood-Rail |
Aramides cajanea |
Rascón Cuelligrís |
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RALLIDAE: Rails and allies |
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Purple Gallinule |
Porphyrula martinica |
Gallareta Morada |
Common Moorhen |
Gallinula chloropus |
Gallareta Frentirroja |
American Coot |
Fulica americana |
Focha Americana |
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HELIORNITHIDAE: Sungrebes |
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Sungrebe |
Heliornis fulica |
Pato Cantil |
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EURYPYGIDAE: Sunbitterns |
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Sunbittern |
Eurypyga helias |
Garza de Sol |
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ARAMIDAE: Limpkins |
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Limpkin |
Aramus guarauna |
Carao |
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CHARADRIIDAE: Lapwings and Plovers |
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Black-bellied Plover |
Pluvialis squatarola |
Chorlito Gris |
Collared Plover |
Charadrius collaris |
Chorlitejo Collarejo |
Wilson's Plover |
Charadrius wilsonia |
Chorlitejo Picudo |
Semipalmated Plover |
Charadrius semipalmatus |
Chorlitejo Semipalmado |
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HAEMATOPODIDAE: Oystercatchers |
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American Oystercatcher |
Haematopus palliatus |
Ostrero Americano |
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RECURVIROSTRIDAE: Stilts and Avocets |
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Black-necked Stilt |
Himantopus mexicanus |
Cigüeñuela Cuellinegro |
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JACANIDAE: Jacanas |
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Northern Jacana |
Jacana spinosa |
Jacana Centroamericana |
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SCOLOPACIDAE: Sandpipers and allies |
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Greater Yellowlegs |
Tringa melanoleuca |
Patiamarillo Mayor |
Lesser Yellowlegs |
Tringa flavipes |
Patiamarillo Menor |
Solitary Sandpiper |
Tringa solitaria |
Andarríos Solitario |
Willet |
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus |
Pigüilo |
Spotted Sandpiper |
Actitis macularia |
Andarríos Maculado |
Whimbrel |
Numenius phaeopus |
Zarapito Trinador |
Ruddy Turnstone |
Arenaria interpres |
Vuelvepiedras Rojizo |
Sanderling |
Calidris alba |
Playero Arenero |
Semipalmated Sandpiper |
Calidris pusilla |
Correlimos Semipalmado |
Western Sandpiper |
Calidris mauri |
Correlimos Occidental |
Least Sandpiper |
Calidris minutilla |
Correlimos Menudo |
Short-billed Dowitcher |
Limnodromus griseus |
Agujeta Común |
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LARIDAE: Jaegers, Gulls, Terns and Skimmers |
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Pomarine Jaeger |
Stercorarius pomarinus |
Págalo Pomarino |
Parasitic Jaeger |
Stercorarius parasiticus |
Págalo Parásito |
Laughing Gull |
Larus atricilla |
Gaviota Reidora |
Ring-billed Gull |
Larus delawarensis |
Gaviota Piquianillada |
Gull-billed Tern |
Sterna nilotica |
Charrán Piquinegro |
Royal Tern |
Sterna maxima |
Pagaza Real |
Sandwich Tern |
Sterna sandvicensis |
Pagaza Puntiamarilla |
Common Tern |
Sterna hirundo |
Charrán Común |
Black Tern |
Chlidonias niger |
Charrancito Negro |
Brown Noddy |
Anous stolidus |
Tiñosa Común |
Black Skimmer |
Rynchops niger |
Rayador Negro |
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COLUMBIDAE: Pigeons |
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Pale-vented Pigeon |
Columba cayennensis |
Paloma Colorada |
White-crowned Pigeon |
Columba leucocephala |
Paloma Coroniblanca |
Short-billed Pigeon |
Columba nigrirostris |
Paloma Piquicorta |
Ruddy Ground-Dove |
Columbina talpacoti |
Tortolita Rojiza |
Blue Ground-Dove |
Claravis pretiosa |
Tortolita Azulada |
White-tipped Dove |
Leptotila verreauxi |
Paloma Coliblanca |
Gray-chested Dove |
Leptotila cassini |
Paloma Pechigris |
Ruddy Quail-Dove |
Geotrygon montana |
Paloma-Perdiz Rojiza |
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PSITTACIDAE: Parakeets, Parrots, and Macaws |
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Crimson-fronted Parakeet |
Aratinga finschi |
Perico Frentirrojo |
Olive-throated Parakeet |
Aratinga nana |
Perico Azteco |
Great Green Macaw |
Ara ambigua |
Lapa Verde |
Scarlet Macaw |
Ara macao |
Lapa Roja |
Orange-chinned Parakeet |
Brotogeris jugularis |
Periquito Barbinaranja |
Brown-hooded Parrot |
Pionopsitta haematotis |
Loro Cabecipardo |
White-crowned Parrot |
Pionus senilis |
Loro Coroniblanco |
Red-lored Parrot |
Amazona autumnalis |
Loro Frentirrojo |
Mealy Parrot |
Amazona farinosa |
Loro Verde |
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CUCULIDAE: Cuckoos and Anis |
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Black-billed Cuckoo |
Coccyzus erythropthalmus |
Cuclillo Piquinegro |
Yellow-billed Cuckoo |
Coccyzus americanus |
Cuclillo Piquigualdo |
Mangrove Cuckoo |
Coccyzus minor |
Cuclillo de Antifaz |
Squirrel Cuckoo |
Piaya cayana |
Cuco Ardilla |
Striped Cuckoo |
Tapera naevia |
Cuclillo Listado/Tres Pesos |
Groove-billed Ani |
Crotophaga sulcirostris |
Garrapatero Piquiestriado |
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TYTONIDAE: Barn Owls |
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Barn Owl |
Tyto alba |
Lechuza ratonera |
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STRIGIDAE: Typical Owls |
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Vermiculated Screech-Owl |
Otus guatemalae |
Lechucita Vermiculada |
Crested Owl |
Lophostrix cristata |
Buho Penachudo |
Spectacled Owl |
Pulsatrix perspicillata |
Buho de Anteojos (Oropopo) |
Central American Pygmy-Owl |
Glaucidium griseiceps |
Mocheulo Enano |
Mottled Owl |
Ciccaba virgata |
Lechuza Café |
Black-and-white Owl |
Ciccaba nigrolineata |
Lechuza Blanco y Negro |
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CAPRIMULGIDAE: Nighthawks and Allies |
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Short-tailed Nighthawk |
Lurocalis semitorquatus |
Añapero Colicorto |
Lesser Nighthawk |
Chordeiles acutipennis |
Añapero Menor |
Common Nighthawk |
Chordeiles minor |
Añapero Zumbón |
Common Pauraque |
Nyctidromus albicollis |
Tapacaminos Común |
Chuck-will's-widow |
Caprimulgus carolinensis |
Chotacabras de Paso |
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NYCTIBIIDAE: Potoos |
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Great Potoo |
Nyctibius grandis |
Nictibio Grande |
Common Potoo |
Nyctibius griseus |
Nictibio Común |
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APODIDAE: Swifts |
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White-collared Swift |
Streptoprocne zonaris |
Vencejón Collarejo |
Chimney Swift |
Chaetura pelagica |
Vencejo de Paso |
Gray-rumped Swift |
Chaetura cinereiventris |
Vencejo Lomigrís |
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift |
Panyptila cayennensis |
Vencejo Tijereta Menor |
Great Swallow-tailed Swift |
Panyptila sanctihieronymi |
Vencejo Tijereta Mayor |
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TROCHILIDAE: Hummingbirds |
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Bronzy Hermit |
Glaucis aenea |
Ermitaño Bronceado |
Band-tailed Barbthroat |
Threnetes ruckeri |
Ermitaño Barbudo |
Long-tailed Hermit |
Phaethornis superciliosus |
Ermitaño Colilargo |
Little Hermit |
Phaethornis longuemareus |
Ermitaño Enano |
Violet Sabrewing |
Campylopterus hemileucurus |
Ala de Sable Violáceo |
White-necked Jacobin |
Florisuga mellivora |
Jacobino Nuquiblanco |
Green-breasted Mango |
Anthracothorax prevostii |
Manguito Pechiverde |
Violet-crowned Woodnymph |
Thalurania colombica |
Ninfa Violeta y Verde |
Blue-throated Goldentail |
Hylocharis eliciae |
Colibrí Colidorado |
Blue-chested Hummingbird |
Amazilia amabilis |
Amazilia Pechiazul |
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird |
Amazilia tzacatl |
Amazilia Rabirrufa |
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer |
Chalybura urochrysia |
Colibrí Patirrojo |
Purple-crowned Fairy |
Heliothryx barroti |
Colibrí Picopunzón |
Long-billed Starthroat |
Heliomaster longirostris |
Colibrí Piquilargo |
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TROGONIDAE: Trogons |
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Violaceous Trogon |
Trogon violaceus |
Trogón Violáceo |
Black-throated Trogon |
Trogon rufus |
Trogón Cabeciverde |
Slaty-tailed Trogon |
Trogon massena |
Trogón Coliplomizo |
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MOMOTIDAE: Motmots |
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Rufous Motmot |
Baryphthengus martii |
Momoto Canelo Mayor |
Broad-billed Motmot |
Electron platyrhynchum |
Momoto Piquiancho |
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ALCEDINIDAE: Kingfishers |
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Ringed Kingfisher |
Ceryle torquata |
Martín Pescador Collarejo |
Belted Kingfisher |
Ceryle alcyon |
Martín Pescador Norteño |
Amazon Kingfisher |
Chloroceryle amazona |
Martín Pescador Amazónico |
Green Kingfisher |
Chloroceryle americana |
Martín Pescador Verde |
Green-and-rufous Kingfisher |
Chloroceryle inda |
Martín Pescador Vientrirrufo |
American Pygmy Kingfisher |
Chloroceryle aenea |
Martín Pescador Enano |
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BUCCONIDAE: Puffbirds |
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White-necked Puffbird |
Notharchus macrorhynchos |
Buco Collarejo |
White-whiskered Puffbird |
Malacoptila panamensis |
Buco Barbon |
White-fronted Nunbird |
Monasa morphoeus |
Monja Frentiblanca |
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GALBULIDAE: Jacamars |
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Rufous-tailed Jacamar |
Galbula ruficauda |
Jacamar Rabirrufo |
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RAMPHASTIDAE: Toucans |
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Collared Aracari |
Pteroglossus torquatus |
Tucancillo Collarejo |
Keel-billed Toucan |
Ramphastos sulfuratus |
Tucán Pico Iris |
Chestnut-mandibled Toucan |
Ramphastos swainsonii |
Tucán de Swainson |
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PICIDAE: Woodpeckers |
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Black-cheeked Woodpecker |
Melanerpes pucherani |
Carpintero Carinegro |
Rufous-winged Woodpecker |
Piculus simplex |
Carpintero Alirrufo |
Cinnamon Woodpecker |
Celeus loricatus |
Carpintero Canelo |
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker |
Celeus castaneus |
Carpintero Castaño |
Lineated Woodpecker |
Dryocopus lineatus |
Carpintero Lineado |
Pale-billed Woodpecker |
Campephilus guatemalensis |
Carpintero Picoplata |
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THE PASSERINES |
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FURNARIIDAE: Ovenbirds |
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Slaty Spinetail |
Synallaxis brachyura |
Arquitecto Plomizo |
Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner |
Philydor rufus |
Trepamusgo Rojizo |
Buff-throated Foliage-gleaner |
Automolus ochrolaemus |
Hojarrasquero Gorgianteado |
Plain Xenops |
Xenops minutus |
Xenops Común |
Scaly-throated Leaftosser |
Sclerurus guatemalensis |
Tirahojas Barbiescamado |
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DENDROCOLAPTIDAE: Woodcreepers |
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Plain-brown Woodcreeper |
Dendrocincla fuliginosa |
Trepador Pardo |
Olivaceous Woodcreeper |
Sittasomus griseicapillus |
Trepadorcito Aceitunado |
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper |
Glyphorynchus spirurus |
Trepadorcito Pico de Cuña |
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper |
Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae |
Trepador Barreteado |
Cocoa Woodcreeper |
Xiphorhynchus susurrans |
Trepador Gorgianteado |
Black-striped Woodcreeper |
Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus |
Trepador Pinto |
Streak-headed Woodcreeper |
Lepidocolaptes souleyetii |
Trepador Cabecirrayado |
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THAMNOPHILIDAE: Antbirds |
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Fasciated Antshrike |
Cymbilaimus lineatus |
Batará Lineado |
Great Antshrike |
Taraba major |
Batará Grande |
Barred Antshrike |
Thamnophilus doliatus |
Batará Barreteado |
Western Slaty-Antshrike |
Thamnophilus atrinucha |
Batará Plomizo |
Streak-crowned Antvireo |
Dysithamnus striaticeps |
Batarito Pechirrayado |
Checker-throated Antwren |
Myrmotherula fulviventris |
Hormiguerito Café |
White-flanked Antwren |
Myrmotherula axillaris |
Hormiguerito Flanquiblanco |
Dot-winged Antwren |
Microrhopias quixensis |
Hormiguerito Alipunteado |
Dusky Antbird |
Cercomacra tyrannina |
Hormiguero Negruzco |
Chestnut-backed Antbird |
Myrmeciza exsul |
Hormiguero Dorsicastaño |
Spotted Antbird |
Hylophylax naevioides |
Hormiguero Moteado |
Bicolored Antbird |
Gymnopithys leucaspis |
Hormiguero Bicolor |
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FORMICARIIDAE: Antthrushes and Antpittas |
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Black-faced Antthrush |
Formicarius analis |
Gallito Hormiguero Carinegro |
Streak-chested Antpitta |
Hylopezus perspicillatus |
Tororoi Pechilistado |
Thicket Antpitta |
Hylopezus dives |
Tororoi Pechicanelo |
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TYRANNIDAE: Tyrant Flycatchers |
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Brown-capped Tyrannulet |
Ornithion brunneicapillum |
Mosquerito Gorricafé |
Yellow Tyrannulet |
Capsiempis flaveola |
Mosquerito Amarillo |
Yellow-bellied Elaenia |
Elaenia flavogaster |
Elainia Copetona |
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher |
Mionectes oleagineus |
Mosquerito Aceitunado |
Slaty-capped Flycatcher |
Leptopogon superciliaris |
Mosquerito Orejinegro |
Paltry Tyrannulet |
Zimmerius vilissimus |
Mosquerito Cejigrís |
Black-capped Pygmy-Tyrant |
Myiornis atricapillus |
Mosquerito Colicorto |
Northern Bentbill |
Oncostoma cinereigulare |
Piquitorcido Norteño |
Common Tody-Flycatcher |
Todirostrum cinereum |
Espatulilla Común |
Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher |
Todirostrum nigriceps |
Espatulilla Cabecinegra |
Eye-ringed Flatbill |
Rhynchocyclus brevirostris |
Piquiplano de Anteojos |
Yellow-olive Flycatcher |
Tolmomyias sulphurescens |