Tiskita's Rainforest

Tiskita is a birder’s paradise with over 270 species recorded (view our list of birds). For years people have been coming to Tiskita from around the world just to see the rich variety of avian species observed here.

View the image Gallery of the birds of Tiskita here.

"The birding is stupendous" - National Georgraphic Traveller

This diversity is attributed to two main factors. One is that both Central and South American bird species are represented in Tiskita, as it is located in the middle of these two regions. The other is that our 800 acre reserve protects a range of habitats including virgin and secondary rainforests, coastline and open areas with fruit trees.

Along the coast there are brown pelicans, olivaceous cormorants, brown boobies, and magnificent frigate birds. Fruit trees and shrubs lure chestnut-mandibled toucans, green honeycreepers, colorful golden-hooded tanagers and spotted-crowned euphonias out into the open. South America species include the fiery-billed aracaris, blue-headed parrots, and red-crowned and golden-naped woodpeckers.

Among the forest's flashier residents are the slaty-tailed trogon and Baird's trogon, red-capped manakin, and rufous-tailed jacamar. A dozen species of hummingbirds, attracted by the heliconia flowers on the grounds are easily spotted hovering around the blossoms near the main lodge. There are many species of cuckoos, woodcreepers, wrens and owls and a good range of raptors, from the peregrine falcon and white hawk to kestrels, and kites. A resident pair of spectacled owls lives in the forest by the stream near the lodge, and majestic white king vultures are often seen riding thermals above the hill behind the lodge. Recently, a rare red-throated caracara visited for a few days.

Tiskita's naturalist guides are very knowledgeable on the local avifauna and will be able to take you to the best birding spots for the various different species. If you are equipped with a good pair of binoculars and the lodge's bird list, you may find you don't need to move from the vantage point offered by the hammock on the verandah of your cabin.

Monkeys and Other Mammals

You are likely to encounter a great diversity of mammals during your visit to Tiskita thanks to the large areas of both primary and secondary forest, creating both habitat and providing food for these animals. View the Tiskita Mammal Image Gallery here.

Always a favourite are the monkeys. Three species of monkey are found at Tiskita, and all are commonly seen by our visitors. Watching them in action is a day's entertainment in itself.

The Central American Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri oerstedii) or 'Titi' is the smallest monkey at Tiskita. Weighing only about two pounds, these mostly golden-colored monkeys are critically endangered, and found only along the southwest coast of Costa Rica and possibly in northwest Panama. Despite being rare elsewhere, these monkeys are abundant at Tiskita and their populations seem to be increasing. Tiskita serves as an important refuge for these little primates.

These monkeys are very active (just try to photograph them!) and spend much of their day feeding frantically on fruits with brief resting periods.

Learn more about the critically endangered Titi monkey here.

White-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus) monkeys are highly intelligent. They travel in small troops at Tiskita, foraging among the trees for fruits, insects, lizards and other small creatures. They often break open rotting branches to extract insects and spend long periods searching for food. These monkeys are also learning which fruits in Peter's fruit orchard taste best!

Mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) are the largest monkies at Tiskita, with the males weighing up to about 15 pounds. They are also one of the loudest land mammals in the world, being heard from many kilometers away. The male howlers have an enlarged throat enabling them to communicate with troops far away.

Strictly vegetarians, these monkeys tend to stay highest up in the canopy feeding on foliage.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and amphibians are also abundant in the jungles and beaches of Tiskita. Around the lodge one can see several species of iguanas, and hear the nearby sounds of the abundant geckos. View the Tiskita Reptiles and Amphibians Gallery here.

The beaches at Tiskita serve as a nesting ground for Olive Ridley, Pacific greens and hawksbill sea turtles. At different times during the year, one can see them come to the shore and lay their eggs. Learn more about our turtle conservation program.

Poison dart frogs are commonly found in moist areas, especially by the forest stream behind the lodge.

Butterflies and Moths

From the well known Monarch to the large and incredibly beautiful Blue Morpho butterfly, nearly 60 species of butterflies have been identified at Tiskita. Ranging in colors and mixtures of black, bright orange, red, yellow, brown, white and even an irradescent metallic blue, butterflies are an attractive part of the tropical ecosystem. At Tiskita, many nectar-rich flowers have been planted around the lodge and the cabins for both their beautiful colors and to attract both these gorgeous animals and hummingbirds.

View our list of butterflies identified at Tiskita.