birdwatching

LIST OF BIRDS
TIROL CLOUD FOREST

The birds that are included in this list are the most common in the region of Barva Volcano and Pre-mountain are were
is located The Tirol Cloud Forest whit an elevation of 2,500 meters above the sea level.
The number tally with the plates of the Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica made by Stiles F.G. And Stkuch A

Tirol Cloud Forest is 30 minutes north of San Jose. Crossing the city of Heredia and continue the route to Barva
Volcano.

GENERAL INFORMATION
This private property is protecting since 1850. Tirol Cloud Forest is next to Braulio Carrillo National Park and is
protecting the natural resources and reduces the environmental impact.

CHARACTERISTICS
Situated near the equator, Costa Rica experiences mild seasonal changes, however the drier's month's area generally
between January and April and the wettest in December. The highest altitude in the area is 2,500 m's above sea level
and the topography is very irregular. Because of this there are many micro climes on the area and the bio diversity of
flora and fauna is spectacular.

WHAT CAN YOU FIND HERE?
Numerous types of bromeliads, orchids, heliconias, unusual fungi and mushrooms are found in abundance.
Multicolored insects and songs birds like the black-faced solitaire provide a variety of sensory entertainment for the
passerby. Quetzals, toucans, parrots, tapir, etc inhabit this forest.

SUGGESTIONS
For your comfort, we recommend bringing rain gear and sturdy hiking shoes, preferably boots, and the trails may be
muddy.
Don't forget your camera and binoculars
To give you the best chance to appreciate the wildlife of the Tirol Cloud Forest it is important to use all your senses. Try
not to limit yourself to direct encounters. Keep your voices low, and your eyes, nose and ears open.

Use all your senses:
There is a big variety of wildlife in Tirol Cloud Forest. Most animals are rarely observed because of their shy natures
and the denseness of the forest vegetation. Visitors, however more frequently sight some species. Amongst these are
a wide variety of birds like the mountain robin, black-faced solitaires, black guan, collared Redstarts, Quetzals,
Toucanets, etc.

Apart from direct sightings, it is often possible to identify the presence of wildlife through other means. Paw prints and
tracks can indicate the presence of rarely sighted species.
For example the Collared Peccary Tapirs birdie or the amarillo Dasypus novemcintus.
The red tailed squirrel Sciurus granatensis is common to observe eating the bark of the trees.

Tropical lower Montane wet forest: 'Cloud forest'
This life zone is primarily restricted to central Costa Rica with the most substantial area the southwest flank of Central
Cordillera. This type of forest is evergreen of intermediate height with two tree strata. Canopy trees are mostly 20-25 m
tall, but some Quercus are taller, heavy, twisting, ascending branches, producing wide, umbrella shaped, billowing
crowns. Buttresses are uncommon. Bark is thick, mostly flaking or fissured. The under story is fairly open, with trees
5-10 m tall, having spreading crowns. Palms are uncommon. The ground layer is covered with ferns, Begonia, aroid
vines, and a thick layer of moist, rotting leaves. Small orchids, bromeliads, and ferns are common epiphytes. A thin
layer of moss grows on tree trunks. Herbaceous vines, especially Araceae, are common at and near ground level.

Species that you find along the trail:

Winteraceae Drymis winteri: "Chile muelo" o "Quiebramuelas" "Drymy"
It is consider les evolve plant and insects pollinate it. There are 6 different genus and all them are common on the
south hemisphere.
D. winteri furnished the Winter's bark sold commercially for treating scurvy. The aromatic and pungent bark is chewed
in rural regions to alleviate toothache and is used to make an infusion for stomach ailments.

Mountain Robin: Turdus plebejus: This bird is common in mountain forest and adjacent clearing, pastures with
scattered, moss draped trees. It nest in a roomy cup of green moss, with a middle layer of dry bamboo leaves. The
breading season is in between March and June.

The most common ferns:
Ferns constitute a primitive and ancient division of plants known as the Pteridophyta. The word "primitive" refers to the
fact that their basic features evolved several hundred million of years before those of the flowering plants. Their mode
of reproduction does not involve flowers and has changed little since it evolved. Their life cycle has two independent
phases, one sexual ans one non-sexual. The non-sexual, spore-bearing phase is familiar to most people; few are aware
of the existence of the sexual phase, since during this stage the plant are tiny and look most unfernlike.

Gleichneia sp Gleicheniaceae "Staghorn"
This fern is pioneer in disturbed areas such as old pastures.
You can find here two different species of Gleichenia

Pityrogramma tartarea Silver back fern
This fern is easily recognizable by the white, flour-like coating on the undersides of the fronds. It grows in open areas:
many individuals can be seen along both sides of the road.
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern
A terrestrial fern that thrives in pastures and along roadsides. It is probably the most widely distributed of any fern
species.

Chusquea sp.
It is a very common Bamboo. You can find this plant on gap of light or along the edges of the pastures. One of the
species of hummingbirds that nest on this bush is the Fiery throated Hummingbird Panterpe insignis. The Chusquea
requires large amounts of sunlight. Bamboo is quick to regenerate, with a relatively short life span in which it will flower,
seed and die.

Epiphytes:
The abundance of epiphytes on the massive tree in front of you exhibits a unique characteristic of cloud forest.
'Epiphyte' means 'on top of the plant, and this plant, taking a variety of shapes and forms, can be easily observed on
trees, shrubs or leaves.
An epiphyte spends its life span on host plant, but is not parasitic. Amazingly, 100 different species can live on a single
plant without harming it. Epiphytes also act as sponges, absorbing nutrients and moisture from the air.

Bromeliads:
Sitting on the branches above are epiphytes called bromeliads. Also known as the "tank plant"
They are members of the pineapple family characterized by their ability to trap and hold water in the base of their
uniquely designed leaves. These reservoirs act as a self serving moisture and nutrient supply between periods of rain.
The water tank also allow the bromeliads to exist as mini ecosystems playing host to a variety of animals including bats,
insects and tree frogs.
Some of the species of bromeliads that you find in El Tirol Cloud Forest are:
Achmaea sp, Guzmania sp, Pitcairnia sp, Tillandsia sp and Vriesia sp.

Bomarea sp. Amaryllidaceae
Visited by a variety of hummingbirds' species. Flowers are red color 3-4 cm long. The blooming time is dry season.

After this, we walk for a while on a pasture; there you can see the cows and Cattle Egret around. This area is called El
Gallito. El Gallito is a mountain region with cattle for milk mainly. It is located 30 Km north from Heredia city and is
considered part of the edges of Barva Volcano.

Elaphoglossum "Helecho lengua" Paddle Fern
Paddle fern make up one of the most prevalent and diverse epiphytic plant groups in tropical America. There are many
species in Costa Rica but the most common in Tirol Cloud Forest is Elaphoglossum that occur on woodland tree trunks,
boughs, and crotches. Some may be found upon relict tree trunks un upland pastures where the forest has been
destroyed. A few of the common species are mosses Lycopodium and stag horn fern Gleichenia.

Piperaceae:
The Indians used many of the species of Piper that we find here. For example the roots of the Piper sp are used to
facilitate bleeding from contusion, perhaps anticoagulant. Cooked roots are used as an expecorant.
Indians used piper auritum, the leaves, with the aroma of sarsaparilla, like a flavor of food.

"Hortencia" Saxifragaceae or Grossulariaceae
Flowers are racemoses and very abundant in dry season.

Alnus acuminata "Jaul" Betulaceae "Alder"
It is a typical tree in second-growth forest and old landslide scars through oak forest. These trees growing to about 20
m tall are found between 1500 and 3100 m elevation. Use to bee a timber tree in Central area of Costa Rica.

Centropogun sp.
There are herbs with white latex, sometimes epiphytes and are pollinated by hummingbirds. You can observe them in
bloom in dry and rain season.

Cavendishia sp. Ericaceae
It is a shrub or sometimes small tree that is pollinated by hummingbirds.
We eat the purple berries of this plant. The flowerpiercer is a bird that visit the flowers of Cavendishia and hooking tip
of upper mandible over base of tubular corolla, which perforates with lower mandible, and with brush tipped tongue
tracts nectar through the hole.

Mixed Species Flocks
Some times, when you take a rest to observe, you see a variety of birds species that frequent the area. The most likely
species you will see are Tanagers, Warblers, Redstats, Tree Runners and Wood Creepers.
Birds of differing species can be found flocking together during the non-breeding season. As the flocks move
throughout the forest, birds may join or leave as it crosses different territories. Their increased number improve their
ability to detect predators, and the noise and activity of the birds may also flush out insects for optimal foraging. It's
interesting to note that noise are only made by birds along the periphery of the flock, helping to keep the group together.
Sooty capped bush Tanager and common bush tanager.

Didymopanax pittieri Araliaceae
This tree of approximately 20 m tall is related with the Scheflera. The fruits are like drupe, and you can find eating the
fruits. The flower are white color.

Clusia palmana "Azahar de monte" o Copey
Some species of this plant the bark is used for injuries and rheumatism. Leaves once used as message paper, due to
paper scarcity. The wood of Clusia is very hard.
There is an epiphytic tree of the genus Clusia that is pollinated by insects.
ne sp Epiphity Cyclanthacea
Very common to observe this plant growing on the bark of the trees. Looks like a palm but what really is a
cyclanthaceae.

Heliconia sp.
This red Heliconia is the most abundant on this region.
Heliconias are native primarily to the American tropics. Most species inhabits moist or wet regions but some are found in
seasonally dry areas. This plant is pollinated by hummingbirds.

Gesneriaceae
Most cloud forest species in the Gesneriaceae family are colorful and hummingbird pollinated.
There is one Gesneriaceae of the genus Monopyle that is different. The flowers are white and are pollinated by insects.
Monopyle maxonii has a white flower and is pollinated by insects.
Capanea sp has a yellow flowers and is pollinated by bats and hummingbirds
Besleria formosa is a shrub and sometimes epiphyte. The flowers are orange color and is pollinated by hummingbirds
Columnea sp is an epiphyte pollinated by hummingbirds. Flowers are orange.
Drymonia sp. This is fairly common epiphyte visited by long billed hummingbird. Its fruits are eaten by birds and bats
Alloplectus sp. It has red flowers and has long flowering season

Cecropia sp
This fast growing pioneer species has tiny flowers arranged in finger - like inflorescences. The fruits, which form on the
"female" plants, attract many frugivorous birds and bats.

Rubus rosifolius Rosaceae
An introduce species, this berry is commonly as "frambuesa". The fruits are used in making pies and jams.

Psychotria elata "Hot Lips"
A hot lip is a popular nectar source among short-billed hummingbirds.

Chamaedorea pacaya
The female plant of this palm has erect inflorescences, while the male develops pendant ones.

Costus wilsonii Costaceae
These flowers are also yellow-tipped. The bracts open as fruits matures, to reveal the red tipped, white fruits.

Psammosia ramiflora and Satyria warszewiczii Ericaceae
Both of them belong to the blue berry family which have "Waxy" flowers and grow high in the canopy. Psammisia has
larger and bottle shaped flowers

Neomirandea sp Asteraceae
Small tree. The flowers are in big number pink color. It is pollinated by insects.

Quercus costaricensis: Roble, Oak
This species is dominant at elevations between 2,700 and 3,300.
Quercus costaricensis is the black oak distinguished by hard dark-colored bark and by acorn that often take two
growing seasons to mature.

Cornus disciflora "Lloro" Cornaceae
The tree has to 20 m tall. It is dominant tree in high elevations. People used the tree as a living post

Roupala montana "danto carne"
The leaves smell like beef. It is a timber tree.

Cyatea sp "Tree fern":
Tree ferns have a long geological history and are survivors from prehistoric times. There are over 700 different species
in the world, found mostly in wet climates and naturally open areas of the forest. If left undisturbed, some species can
grow as high as twenty meters.

Pharomachrus mocinno Quetzal
The name Quetzal is derived from quetzalii, as early Aztec word for the birds tail feathers, also meaning "precious" or
"beautiful". The Latin genus name translates from Greek as "long mantle" referent to the male's flowing tail coverts.
The Quetzal, one of the most beautiful birds in Central America. If you look on the trunk of the tall dead trees you may
notice the small round hole. The Resplended Quetzal is a notable and endangered resident of the Tirol Cloud Forest.
As well as being one of the most beautiful birds in the forest. Quetzals play an important role in seed dispersal.

Dioriste cothonides Butterfly
Range from Costa Rica to Panamá. Houseplant is Chusquia. Encountered as uncommon solitary individuals flying
along water courses in dense bamboo thickets. Individuals frequently settle on the ground (near or inside the thickets),
with the forewing tucked down into the hindwing. It is rare in collections..

Prestoea allenii pALMITO
It is eatable and is common on the Tirol Cloud Forest specially in the undergrown level.

Parasites
Parasitic plants like Loranthacea are well represented in the wetter Life Zone of Costa Rica known as Lower Mountain.

Nutrient Cycling
Decomposition is the process by which materials move between the living and non living components of an ecosystem.
Bacteria and fungi covert dead tissue into simple inorganic compounds that are available to the root systems of plants.
The soil represents a temporary repository for necessary minerals such as nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus
and potassium.

Species that you find along the trail:

Alnus acuminata "Jaul" Betulaceae "Alder"
Aracea,
Begonia,
Bomarea sp. Amaryllidaceae
Bromeliads:
Cavendishia sp. Ericaceae
Cecropia sp
Centropogun sp.
Chamaedorea pacaya
Chorigyne sp Epiphity Cyclanthacea
Chusquea sp
Clusia palmana "Azahar de monte" o Copey
Cornus disciflora "Lloro" Cornaceae
Cyatea sp "Tree fern"
Didymopanax pittieri Araliazeae
Dioriste cothonides Butterfly
Elaphoglossum "Heelcho lengua" Paddle Fern
Epiphytes:
Gesneriaceae
Gleichenia sp Gleicheniaceae "Staghorn"
Heliconia sp
Mixed Species Flocks
Monstera sp
Mountain Robin: Turdus plebejus
Neomirandea sp Asteraceae
Nutrient Cycling
"Ortencia" Saxifragaceae or Grossulariaceae
parasites
Pharomachrus mocinno Quetzal
Piperaceae:
Pityrogramma tartarea Silver back fern
Presoea allenii Palmito
Psammosia ramiflora and Satyria warszewiczii Ericaceae
Psychotria elata "Hot Lips"
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern
Quercus costaricensis: Roble, Oak
Quercus sp
Roupala montana "Danto carne"
Rubus rosifolius Rosaceae
Use all your senses
Winteraceae Drymis winteri: