Secondary Gallery Forest (SGF): A large number of plant and tree species are found within the SGFs and are not necessarily dominated by specific groups of flora. On the contrary, the habitats are very diverse and often different almost every 300 meters. Among common species or trees are False Mangrove, Machete Flower, Figs, Cecropias, Bananas, etc... Many of the plant’s species are Heliconias, Calatheas, Little coffee, Psychotrias, etc.. Therefore birding in SGF offers viewing of Dot winged Antwrens, Hoffmann Woodpecker, Pale billed Woodpecker, Chestnut Mandibule Toucan, Long billed Gnatwrens, Euphonias, Becards, Woodcreepers, Tanagers and more.

Old Secondary Forest and/or Primary Forest (OSF/PF): Relatively difficult to differentiate between, both Old Secondary Forests and Primary Forests offer spectacular, but seldom easy, bird watching amid the 4 forest strata prevalent on the trails systems. With a great diversity of bird life ranging from Streak chested Antpitta’s to Three wattled Bellbirds, the forest is tall, mostly clean with few vines on the natural gaps, a rich understory, palms of several species, and other small trees with tiny year-round flowers. Blue throated Goldentail, Black hooded Antshrike, Chestnut back Antbird, Great Currasow, Black throated Trogon, Russet Antshrike, Whistling Wren, and more.

Abandoned/Active Pasture Land (APL-NAPL): The major difference between Abandoned and Active Pasture Fields is the varied landscapes of vegetation, trees and plants. Both offer unique bird watching potential. While an average Active Pasture is home to species such as Rufous Naped Wren, Blue & Black Grassquit, Yellow Headed Caracara, Eastern Meadolark, Streak headed Woodcreeper; the Abandoned site hosts species such as the Dusky Antbird, Black bellied Wren, Northern barred Woodcreeper and Plumbeous Kite.

Riverside Forest (RVF): Found only on the trail that connects the Universal and Quebrada Bonita’s, the Riverside Forest is a unique part of the forest where midtall, woody vines and very open understory forest are only a few steps apart. Understory: Dot winged Antwren, Black hodeed Antshrike, Chesnut backed Antbird, Blue black Grsobeak, Orange collared Manakin, Ruddy tailed Flycatcher, Paltry Tyrannulet, Golden crowned Spadebill, Dusky Antbird, Great Timanou, Rufous Tailed Jacamar, Royal Flycatcher, Riverside Wren, Long Billed Hermit, Striped Throated Hermit and Orange billed Sparrow. Mid-canopy: Lesser Greenlet, Blue and gray Tanager, Red legged Honeycreeper, Streak Headed Woodcreeper, Plain Xenops, White Shouldered Tanager, Blue Crowned Motmots, Mealy Parrots and Trogons (4 species). Canopy: Green shrike Vireo, Scarlet Macaw, Yellow billed Cotinga, Three wattled Bellbird, Fiery billed Aracari and Steely vented Hummingbird.

Mangrove Swamps (MS): Mangrove swamps are found on the river mouth of the Tarcoles and Guacalillo rivers, about 15 minutes drive north from Carara National Park. With 5 species of mangroves present on the Guacalillo Canals, this small patch of forest offers great and easy birding. In the mangrove forest, you’ll find species like Hummingbird, American Pygmy Kingfishers, Boat billed Herons, Panama Flycatcher, Mangrove Vireo, Least Bittern and the elusive Rufous necked Wood Rail. Meanwhile it is common to spot Melodius Blackbirds in open areas, Northern Jacanas on the riverside, and Ruddy Turnstones and Whimbrels on the beaches.