Over seven hundred bird species have been documented in Nicaragua. In Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, 225 bird species have been documented.
Several bird are associated with the water of Lake Apoyo, others with the forest habitats.
Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve has lots of easily accessible, tropical dry forest habitat and shore areas for birdwatching.
Birdwatching Guides
At Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo, we have trained, capable, professional guides available to help you learn the most while
birdwatching. Our guides know the birds,
plants and geography of the area. Their knowledge comes from professional training and from work on bird monitoring in Laguna de Apoyo
Nature Reserve and throughout Nicaragua. We are in the field studying
birds weekly, so we know the local birds better than anyone. Additionally, all our guides have experience in bird research projects in several
other areas in the country. No other bird guide service in Nicaragua can provide guides with as much
experience, knowledge, or accomplishment.
Birdwatching
A one-hour birdwatching excursion in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve with one of our professional bird guides can be arranged for five dollars
per person (two to five persons per guide). From twenty to forty species will be sighted during this time, depending on the participant. The
walks can be made from light to moderate in physical exertion, according to the abilities of the participants. The participants will be
expected to provide their own binoculars, we will have bird field guide books on hand. Typical birds from this excursion will include the
following:
Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechiae)*
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)*
Hoffmann's Woodpecker (Melanerpes hoffmannii)
Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus)
Osprey (Pandion heliaetus)
Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis)
Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus)
Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha)
Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomotus superciliosa)
Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila)
Canivet's Emerald (Chlorostilbon canivetii)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)*
Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua)
Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulfurescens)
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus)*
Montezuma Oropendola (Psaracolius montezuma)
Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives)
Northern Oriole (Icterus gularis)*
Stripe-headed Sparrow (Aimophila ruficauda)
Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis)
A more extensive birdwatching excursion of three hours or longer can also be provided for the more serious birdwatcher. We arrange these tours
at cost of fifteen dollars per person (two to four persons per guide). These excursions go into deeper forest and provide opportunities to see
several species not easily seen on the shorter walks. Depending on the specific habitat and timing, the birds likely to be seen on the
longer walks include:
Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometes penicillata)
Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis)
Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis)
Northern Barred Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithornae)
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
White-necked Puffbird (Notharchus hyperrhynchus)
Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus momota)
Lesser Greenlet (Hylophila decurtatus)
Blue-throated Goldentail (Hylocharis eliceae)
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verrauxi)
White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris)
Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)*
Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus)
Elegant Trogon (Trogon elegans)
Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula)
Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
Collared Forest-Falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus)
Note: *-migratory birds may only be seen in season.
Our staff at Estacion Biologica would be happy to take you birdwatching. Additionally, we are eager to discuss our biodiversity
research program with scientists, science students, and potential longer-term volunteers who want to study the
birds of Nicaragua with us. Volunteers interested in mist-netting can learn the birds and help us protect the wildlife of the
Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve by collecting valuable field data. Whether you are a scientist or a passionate bird lover, please
contact us!
Blog Entry: Birdwatching in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve I
