It does seem very freedom loving, don’t you think so? The highlands between Km. Ediciones Jadine: Susan C.L.Fogden. Venture outdoors on your next vacation to explore Costa Rica's Los Quetzales National Park. VIEW TESTIMONIALS. It is one of the country’s most famous birding hotspots. These birds inhabit the cloud forests of Costa Rica, however, they are easier to see in San Gerardo de Dota, and the entire Savegre River valley, where they are seen almost all year round. Remember: Rain Jacket, sunscreen and hiking shoes are essential. Hotel and Environment. Quetzals breed in cloud forests, but move to lower altitudes for part of the year.” To build nests in stumps or rotted trees Quetzals use their strong beaks. Known for its vibrant plumage, the quetzal is the largest member of the trogon avian order. That was when Chiruma realized that Quetzal’s necklace must be his protection. Famous for its majestic coloring and long feathered tails, quetzals are considered the most beautiful bird in the world. One day there was a battle between the Quiches and a neighboring tribe. The Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus moccino, is such a beautiful bird, that we thought to share useful information to encourage you to visit the area where it can be seen. Female quetzals exhibit similar, if more muted, color patterns than their male counterparts. Interested in Quetzals or other birds of Costa Rica? In Costa Rica, the resplendent quetzal is usually found in the cloud forest canopy, perched on the branches of the wild avocado, or aguatillo tree. They take turns incubating up to three eggs. Years later the Spaniards came and had a great battle with the Quiches. But the Quetzal is not the only attraction of its namesake national park. Look no further than the valley of San Gerardo de Dota in Costa Rica’s central highlands. The Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala, where it is also the name giver to the Guatemalan currency. The male has a crested head, glittering green back, maroon lower breast shading to a bright crimson belly and dramatic 25" streamers that trail as it flies. Suddenly Quetzal’s chest began to throb and a beautiful bird emerged from out of his body. Birdwatching Tour. 58 and Km. 7 endemic) bird species, an incredible variety of mammals, aquatic fauna of approximately 130 species of tropical fish, an abundance of amphibians (incl. There are deep, smooth, slurred melodies in simple patterns echoing through the dense cloud forest. Like it just came right over and bit me on the ass. A photographic guide to Birds of Costa Rica. Der smaragdgrün schimmernde Quetzal Vogel (Pharomachrus mocinno) gehört, neben dem Tukan, zu den beliebtesten Vögeln von Costa Rica.. Sein besonderes Merkmal ist eine bis zu 80cm lange Schwanzfedqueter, die ihm ein majestätisches Aussehen verleiht und dessen Anblick die Herzen der Vogelliebhaber höher schlagen lässt. The natural habitat of this stunningly gracious green and red bird is cloud forest, which in Costa Rica is located in … Magnificent sacred green and red bird. Other places to see resplendent quetzal in Costa Rica. CALL US AT 970-449-3645 Costa Rica +506 2200-0241 It was the Mayas who also believed the Quetzal as the “god of the air” and a symbol of lightness. But the Quetzal is not the only attraction of its namesake national park. 12,355 acres (5,000 hectares). Quetzal Valley Cabins San Gerardo de Dota Km 80 Interamericana Sur , 11701 San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica – Excellent location – show map ... San Jose, Costa Rica 376 contributions 19 helpful votes. They are most active in the forest canopy. During this period, the bay and avocado trees bear fruit–the Resplendent Quetzal’s favorites. It is well known for its colorful plumage. The quetzal was breathtaking to behold, even in print. They truly are the most ornate and spectacular of the Trogons and can grow up to 25 inches / 65 cm. More info. It is found from Chiapas, Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals of the genus Pharomachrus, which are found in South America and eastern Panama). Those feathers belonged to a male quetzal. I stayed at Quetzal Inn in August of 2012 while traveling in costa rica for 3 weeks. 11703 San Gerardo de Dota Provincia de San José. The highlands between Km. The type of cloud forest generated by different climatic conditions includes trees covered with 3 types of rainforest. This endangered species of bird are found only in a select few places of Central America, including this National Park of Costa Rica. The fight brought many of the Mayans to grave, so a Quetzal bird landed on the Mayan ruler Tecun Uman. Twenty-five years later, I was walking through the cloud forests of Monteverde in Costa Rica, hoping to make my lifelong dream of seeing a real quetzal … While it’s true that the resplendent quetzal can be elusive, you are bound to have luck with the help of a local birding guide. In Costa Rica, the resplendent quetzal is protected within five national parks – Braulio Carrillo, Poas Volcano, Chirripo, La Amistad and the new Quetzal National Park. During your stay at Paraíso Quetzal Lodge, you will be immersed in exuberant vegetation and pristine habitat where you will get to know the most intimate secrets of the region.. An extension of 80 hectares contains a wealth of fascinating and unique flora and fauna. Hikings, Tours. 20 Likes (0) It had shimmering emerald wing feathers, a small yellow beak and a three-foot long tail with iridescent blue feathers. Green open spaces. 15 Likes (0) Views. 850 (incl. Los Quetzales National Park is located in the district of Copey and canton of Dota, San José province, 76.5 kilometers south of the capital. 14 different ecosystems. Look for quetzals and other high-altitude avian species in the wonderful Costa Rican parks and reserves. La Ruta del Quetzal, Turrialba, Cartago, Costa Rica. If I had to pick my favorite two-winged wonder in Costa Rica, it would have to be the resplendent quetzal bird. The region’s cloud forests are covered in wild avocado trees, the quetzal’s favorite food. Maybe I was meant to be here after all. Though many Central American cloud forests have fallen pray to deforestation and other man-made threats, many of Costa Rica’s cloud forests remain protected by law, providing opportunities for quetzals to live and breed in relative peace. Los Quetzales National Park in Costa Rica derives its name from a majestic looking bird, the Resplendent Quetzal. Dancing with Quetzals: Birding Costa Rica Vacation Itinerary. December through May is the best time to see them, but some travelers have luck during other months of the year. First if you want to do birdwatching you know the earliest the better. This magnificent bird, also known as Pharomachrus mocinno, belongs to the Trogan family and counts 6 species as members over all: the Crested, the Golden-headed, the White-tipped, the Pavonine, the Eared and of course the Resplendent Quetzal. Like he read my horoscope. 3 types of rainforest. Paraíso Quetzal Lodge has been selected by the European Association of Friends for Nature (EAFN) Paraíso Quetzal Lodge is a 50-minute drive from Cartago City Center and 90 minutes’ drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport. Un regalo. Le Quetzal est l'un des oiseaux emblématiques du Costa Rica, avec l’ara écarlate et le toucan. During your stay at Paraíso Quetzal Lodge, you will be immersed in exuberant vegetation and pristine habitat where you will get to know the most intimate secrets of the region.. An extension of 80 hectares contains a wealth of fascinating and unique flora and fauna. We will help you spotting one in Costa Rica! Toward the end of the rearing period, the female quetzal tends to leave her young, and the male must stay behind until the baby quetzals are ready to live on their own. Bird watchers from all over the world come to spot the Resplendent Quetzal in Costa Rica. Singing with the most beautiful voice ever heard of any other bird before or since, it flew down towards the murderer and took the necklace up into the trees. Of course there is the ever present Clay-Colored Thrush (Turdus grayi), the national bird of Costa Rica… Famous for its majestic coloring and long feathered tails, quetzals are considered the most beautiful bird in the world. Flying Resplendent Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno, Costa Rica, with green forest in background. An adult quetzal weighs about seven ounces and measures approximately 14 inches long; in addition, the adult male resplendent quetzal grows a streamer tail, which can measure up to 30 inches long during mating season. We will help you. Hmmm. More than 140 species, many of them are unique in Costa Rica, makes this place a birdwatcher's dream. That is one of the reasons the Quetzal became a symbol of liberty in several cultures. I was extremely lucky to have this amazing bird pose for me just a few meters away. Birdwatching, Tours. About Us. Diet The Quetzal mostly eats fruits of the avocado family, as well as figs. And in life? 58 and Km. The tourism billed the area as the place where you can see the most famous bird of the cloud forest, the Resplendent Quetzal. Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, Costa Rica At the Paraiso Quetzal Lodge, they really only have feeders for hummingbirds so other bird sightings are a little hit or miss. Read more. There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricensis. The prime time for Resplendent Quetzal watching in Costa Rica is mid-February to July–their mating season. This endangered species of bird are found only in a select few places of Central America, including this National Park of Costa Rica. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Avid bird watchers should note that December through June is peak quetzal season in Costa Rica, though they can be spotted less frequently year-round. Common name: Resplendent Quetzal Type: Bird Family: Trogonidae Range: When you consider about the range of Resplendent Quetzal, it normally occurs in the cloud forests available in the Central America from Southern Mexico to Panama including Costa Rica. The Mayas believed the quetzal is the “god of the air” and a symbol of lightness and good. Previously the Los Santos Reserve, the park protects sections of the Savegre River which originates high up on the Cerro de la Muerte and flows through the picturesque valley of San Gerardo de Dota. In many cultures it is considered a crime to kill the Quetzal. Our guides are ready to serve your birding and nature photography needs in the USA, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Jamaica. Quetzal Resplendissant du Costa Rica ©Frank Vassen Cette faculté à réfléchir la lumière, perturbe les autres animaux, qui apprécient mal la taille de l’oiseau, et sa position exacte. These birds inhabit the cloud forests of Costa Rica, however, they are easier to see in San Gerardo de Dota, and the entire Savegre River valley, where they are seen almost all year round. An altitude between 6,562-9.843 feet (2,000-3,000 meters). Los Quetzales National Park and Coope-Dota Coffee Experience. Here, both Mayan and Aztec cultures considered the species sacred, due to its unique beauty and relative inability to live in captivity. Costa Rica is an incredible country in Central America that is perfect for bird watching, birding vacations and birding tours. Cerro de la Muerte, Ruta 2 Sur km 70. Our guides are ready to serve your birding and nature photography needs in the USA, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Jamaica. My 8-year-old son loves birds, and with both kids intrigued about quetzals because of that “Q” picture, we couldn’t pass up the chance to see them while were in Costa Rica. The Center helps students learn about field biology and research, while also promoting biodiversity, sustainability and social responsibility. CABINAS EL QUETZAL. The overall body length without the males long tail feathers is about 14 – 16 inches /  36 to 40 cm. And then the quetzal thing. Costa Rica The Resplendant Quetzal The spectacular iridescent plumage of the Resplendent Quetzal, a bird of the cloud forest and the sacred bird of the Maya. Quetzal Birdwatching Experience at San Gerardo De Dota Group Tour. You will live forever.”. They generally live alone, but during mating season can be found in pairs and even in small groups. Newsletter. Size: If you go through the size of Resplendent Quetzal, it normally has the length of 36 to 40 cm along with the 65 cm tail streamer … Resplendent quetzals have beautiful green body feathers, red breasts and long wings. Young Resplendent Quetzals start to fly at about three weeks of age, although male birds only grow their long tail streamers after about three years. They may also dine on insects and frogs, depending on season and avocado availability. The IUCN listed them as ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN. There are already reserves in Costa Rica and Guatemala in which the Quetzal still survives, but if the Resplendent Quetzal is to endure, it would be most beneficial to have a system of cloud forest parks from Mexico through Panama. They can be found in the mountain forests of this Costa Rica, where they call home. Restaurant AEAP: Costa Rica is the country that As Early As possible. It still often refers to that bird specifically but now also names all the species of the genera Pharomachrus and Euptilotis. It was my understanding at the … Its size and color green and red (especially visible in the males) makes it a real gem. It is a special area for birdwatching, particularly the quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), a near-endangered species according to the UICN list. So where can you observe this beautiful, yet somewhat mysterious creature? Quetzal Tour. After 18 days of incubation, the eggs hatch, and both the male and female quetzal share parenting duties, feeding their babies fruit, insects, frogs and tadpoles. Contacto: Fressy Ramirez Guests come here from all over the world to enjoy the wonderful birdwatching, to catch a glimpse of the infamous Quetzal bird, or to simply relax in the beauty of the lush green valley. The gift of merely seeing its bad self. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Miriam's Quetzals and the San Gerardo de Dota valley offer amazing birding, so much that the San Gerardo de Dota is the only destination in Costa Rica mentioned in the book: Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die. In Costa Rica, the resplendent quetzal is protected within five national parks – Braulio Carrillo, Poas Volcano, Chirripo, La Amistad and the new Quetzal National Park. The Quetzal Education Research Center brings students and researchers from around the world, including the host country, to engage dialogue and research focused on the tropical cloud forest and its floral and faunal community for the purpose of sustainability. When it comes to looking for quetzals in Costa Rica, most people head to the isolated cloud forests of Monteverde, a four-hour journey from the Central Valley on windy, partially-unpaved roads.The lesser known-spot is buried in Costa Rica's pristine mountains of … Males, in addition to their long tail feathers and jewel-like colorings, also display a green feather crest atop their heads. Most likely seen in Costa Rica’s central highlands at Poas, Monteverde and in San Gerardo de Dotaaround the Cerro de la Muerte. Los Quetzales National Park is located in the district of Copey and canton of Dota, San José province, 76.5 kilometers south of the capital. They may also be spotted in the private cloud forest reserves of Monteverde and in the cool highlands of San Gerardo de Dota, which sits 7200 feet above sea level along the Cerro de la Muerte. There are already reserves in Costa Rica and Guatemala in which the Quetzal still survives, but if the Resplendent Quetzal is to endure, it would be most beneficial to have a system of cloud forest parks from Mexico through Panama. $204.00 $262 per adult. My Costa Rica (CostaRica.Org) is a Travel Agency that offers Custom Costa Rica Vacations & Packages Including Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts and Tours. The resplendent quetzal has often been called the most spectacular bird in the New World. Because of its ancient significance, the resplendent quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird, and today lends its name to their currency. Venture outdoors on your next vacation to explore Costa Rica's Los Quetzales National Park. Quetzal is the “Q” on the animal alphabet in my kids’ classroom. Maybe I was meant to be here after all. There are also many great Birding Lodges throughout Costa Rica from where you can start your Birding Adventure! Many avid birders consider the Resplendent Quetzal the glittering crown jewel of birding in Costa Rica and Central America. Females lay two pale, blue eggs, and both parents take turns incubating their developing young. animaux costa rica observation des oiseaux oiseaux costa rica quetzal quetzales Vincent VARENNE Je m’appelle Vincent Varenne, je suis Franco-Costaricien et fondateur du blog de voyage Vert-Costa-Rica.fr. The birds thrive in San Gerardo. Un regalo. The region’s cloud forests are covered in wild avocado trees, the quetzal’s fav… © Copyright 2004-2021 all rights reserved. When not attacked and killed by its main predators, the gray squirrel, hawks and owls, the Quetzal can live 20 to 25 years. The word quetzal was originally used for just the resplendent quetzal, the long-tailed quetzal of Guatemala, (more specifically a town called Petén) which is the national bird and the name of the currency of Guatemala. © 1996-2021 costarica.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Dancing with Quetzals: Birding Costa Rica Vacation Itinerary. $302.57 per adult. Situated among the mist-covered peaks of the Talamanca Mountains, Los Quetzales is Costa Rica's newest national park, covering more than 12,000 acres of cloud forest. In Monteverde, the quetzal is most frequently observed from March through June, during its mating season. The Quetzal is found throughout the mountainous rainforests of … Panama Costa Rica Guatemala Belize Nicaragua Honduras. There are two subspecies, P. m. mocinno and P. m. costaricenis, respectively known as the resplendent quetzal and the Costa Rican resplendent quetzal, a species important to Mesoamerican myth. Quetzal fell to the ground dead and Chiruma would now be the new leader when his brother Cacique would die. Twenty-five years later, I was walking through the cloud forests of Monteverde in Costa Rica, hoping to make my lifelong dream of seeing a real quetzal … It is well known for its colorful plumage. The Quetzal is said to be easier to see in Costa Rica due to its protected forests with good infrastructure in terms of trails, roads and tours, especially in two main areas, Cerro de la Muerte and Monteverde Costa Rica. The Quetzal Education and Research Center is located in San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica, and acts as a second campus for the Southern Nazarene University. 243 likes. Read more. As Chiruma looked in astonishment at the resplendent bird above, a jaguar leapt upon him killing him with one bite. You can definitely watch them at highland sites in Chiapas, Mexico but there aren't too many places that are readily accessible where the Hmmm. ... San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica +506-2740-1010 qerc@snu.edu. So where can you observe this beautiful, yet somewhat mysterious creature? CALL US AT 970-449-3645 Well, the bird was once worshipped by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs for its radiant beauty. Due to the continued destruction of their cloud forest habitat, these beautiful birds are now threatened in Guatemala and elsewhere throughout their range. 1 review. Costa Rica is a shelter for one of the richest biodiversities on Earth.