Guide to the Birds of Selva Negra
Located in the northern highlands of Nicaragua the Hotel Selva Negra is in a prime
location for observing some of the most beautiful birds known to the rain forests.
Hillary Smith between April 19th and April 21st 1996 initiated the following list.
Proceeding Hillary Smith’s list, numerous additions have been made by visitors to Selva
Negra.
We would like to thank Hillary Smith for providing us with a wonderful start to knowing
the Birds of Selva Negra, and a special thank to all the visitors to Selva Negra who
have helped us amend this list with time.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
English Name
Least Grebe
Magnificnet Fritebird
Blackbilled
Whistling
Duck
Muscovy Duck
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Plumbeous Kite
Swainson’s Hawk
Quail Sp.
Spanish Name
Zambullidor Menor
Fragata Megnifica
Pijili Atiblanco
Common Moorhen
Gallineta Comun
Spotted Sandpiper
Feral Pigeon
White winged Dove
Ruddy Ground-Dove
Blue Gound-Dove
White-tipped Dove
White_fronted Parrot
Groove-billed Ani
Paurague (sen feigning)
Violet Sabrewing
Playero Alzacolita
Paloma Domestica
Paloma Aliblanca
Tortola Rojiza
Tortola Azul
Paloma Arroyera
Loro Frentiblanco
Garrapatero Pihuy
Tapacominos Picuyo
Fandangero Morado
White-eared
Colibri Orejiblanco
Pato Real
Zopilote Negro
Aura Cabecirroja
Milano Plomizo
Aguillila de Swainson
Cordoniz aspecie
Latin Name
Tachybaptus dominicos
Fregata magnificus
Dendrocygna
a
autumnalis
Cairina moschata
Coragyps atratus
Cathartes aura
Ictinia plumbea
Buteo swinsoni
Odontophorus guttatus
/ Colinus leucopogon
Gallinula
chloropas
cachinnans
Actitis macularia
Columba livia ssp
Zenaida asiatica
Columbina talpacoti
Claravis preiosa
Leptotila verrauxi
Amazona albifrons
Crotophaga sulcrirostris
Nictidromus albicollis
Campylopterus
h.
hemileucurus
Basilinna leucotis
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
Notes
P
O
P
P
C-O
C-O
C-O
C-O*
C-B (1)
P
P*
P
P
C
C
C
C
C
C
P
P,C
1
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
English Name
hummingbird
Rufous-tailed
Hummingbird
Stripe-tailed
Hummingbird
Violceous Trogon
Spanish Name
Latin Name
Notes
Colibir Coliruffo
Amazilia t. tzacatl
C
Colibri Colirrayado
Eupherusa eximia
C
Trogon Violaceo
C
Emerald Toucanet
Tucaneta Verde
Keel-billed Toucan
Golden-olive
Woodpecker
Smoky-brown
Woodpecker
Spot-crowned
Woodpecker
Dot-winged Antwren
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Acodian Flycatcher
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Social Flycatcher
Sulphur-bellied
Flycatcher
Masked Tityra
Rufous Piha
Three-wattled Bellbird
Toucan Pico-multicolor
Carpintero Olivaceo
Trogon
violaceus
braccatus
Aulacorhynchus
prasinus
Ramphastos sulfuratus
Piculus rubiginosus
Carpintero Café
Veniliornis fumugatus
F
Trepatroncos
Coronopunteada
Hormiquerito Alipunteado
Pibii Oriental
Mosquero Verdoso
Copeton Triste
Luis Grande
Luis Gregario
Papamoscas Pirata
Lepidocolaptes affinis
C, F
Microrhopias quixensis
Contopus virens
Empidnaz virescens
Myiarchus tuberculifer
Pitangus Sulphuratus
Myiozetetes similis
Legatus
leucophaius
variegatus
Tityra inquisitor fraserii
Lipaugus u. unirufus
Procnias tricarunculata
F
C,F* (2)
C* (3)
P,C,a
P
P,a
C,a
Chiroxiphia linearis
C,r
Titira Enmascarada
Piha Rufa
Campanero
Trincarunculado
Manakin Saltarin Colilargo
Long-tailed
1mm. (male)
Northern Rough-winged Golonfrina-aliserraada
Swallow
Nortena
Barn Swallow
Golondrina Ranchera
Brown Jay
43.
44.
45.
46.
Bushy-crested Jay
Band-backed Wren
Plain Wren
C
F
P,C
C,b
F
F,a
Stelgidoteryx
P
serripennis
Hirundo
rustica C, O
erythrogaster
Chara Papan
Cyanorax morlo
P,C,a,r
many
1mm.
Chara Centroamericana
Cyanocorax
P
melonocyaneus
Mataraca-barrada Tropical Campylorynchus
P,a
zonatus
Saltapared Sencillo
Thyothorus
m. C,a
modestus
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
2
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
English Name
Southern House Wren
Spanish Name
Saltapared-continental
Sureno
Clarin unicolor
Zorzalito de Swainson
Zorzalito Maculado
Zorzal Serrano
Zorzal Pardo
Vireo de Filadelfia
Chipe Peregrino
Latin Name
Troglodytes aedon
Notes
P,C,a
Myadestes unicolor
Catharus ustulatus
Catharus mustelinus
Turdus plebejus
Turdus grayi
Vireo philadelphicus
Vermivora peregrina
Crescent-chested
Warbler
Tropical Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-siped Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated
Green
Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Chipe Cejiblanco
Vermivora superciliosa
F
C,F *
F*
F
C,a
C*
P,C,F,b
*
F
Parula Tropical
Chipe Amarillo
Chipe Flanquicastano
Chipe de Magnolia
Chipe Dorsiverde
Parula pitiayumi
Dendroica petechia
Dendroica pensylvanica
Dendroica magnolia
Dendroica virens
C
P*
C*
C*
P,C,a *
Chipe Gorjinaranja
Dendroica fusca
Bay-breasted
Warbler
(male)
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Wilson’s Warbler
Canada Warbler
Golden-crowned Warbler
Chipe Pechicastano
Dendroisa castanea
F-edge,
C*
C, r *
Chipe Trepador
Chipe-suelero Coronado
Chipe de Wilson
Chipe Collarejo
Chipe Corona-dorada
C*
F*
C*
F,C,b *
F,a
Blue-crowned
Chlorophonia
Yellow-throated Euphonia
Blue-hooded Euphonia
Blue-Gray Tanager
Yellow-winged Tanager
Gray-headed Tanager
Chlorofonia Coroniazul
Mniotilta varia
Seiurus aurocapillus
Wilsonia pusilla
Wilsania canadensis
Basileuterus
culicivorous
Clorophonia occipitalis
Euphonia hirundinacea
Euphonia elegantissima
Traupis episcopus cana
Thraupis abbas
Eucometis
penicillata
pallida
Habia rubica
P,C,a
C,b
C,P,a
P,C,a
C
Piranga olivacea
Spermagra l. leucoptera
Saltator atriceps
Pheucticus
leudivocianus
C,b,r *
F
C,b
C*
Slate-colored Solitaire
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Trush
Mountian Thrush
Clay-colores Robin
Philadelphia Vireo
Tennesse Warbler
Eufonia Gorjiamarillo
Eufonia Capucha-azul
Tangara Azuligirs
Tangara Alimarilla
Tangara Cabecigris
Red-crowned Ant-tanager Tangara-hormiguera
Coroniroja
Scarlet Tanager
Tangara Escarlta
White-winged tanager
Tangara Aliblanca
Black-headed Saltator
Saltador Cabecinegro
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Picorueso Pechirrosado
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
F,b
F
3
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
English Name
Blue Grosbeak
Yellow-throaded
Brushfinch
Chestnut-capped
Brushfinch
White-eared
Ground
Sparrow
White-eared Seedeater
Yellow-faced Grasquit
Melodious Blacktip
Great-tailed Grackle
Baltimore Oriole
Montezuma Oroperdula
Spanish Name
Picorueso Azul
Salton Gorjiamarillo
Latin Name
Passerina caerulea
Altapeteo gutteralis
Notes
C*
C
Salton Gorricastano
Altapetes brunneinucha
F-edge
Rascador Orejiblanco
Melozone leucotis
C,a
Semillero Collarejo
Semillero Olivaceo
Tordo Cantor
Zanate Mayor
Bolsero de Baltimore
Oropendola
Montezuma
Sporophile torqueola
Tiaris olivacea
Dives dives
Quiscalus mexicanus
Icterus galbula
de Psarocolius montezuma
P,a
C
C,b
P,C,a
C*
F-edge
Legend for Hillary Smith’s list:
*=
neo-tropical migrant
a=
locally common
b=
small flock or ‘wave’ observed
C = Coffee plantation (finca)
F=
Tropical Forest (Selva)
P = Pond areas, cabanas, hotel, grounds (estanque y habitaciones)
O = Overhead (de arriba)
r=
out of normal range
Co = Common
Sev = Several
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
4
Jed Mitchel has provided the following additions.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
English Name
Cooper’s Hawk
Western Kingbird
Hermit Warben
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Variable Seedeater
Little Blue Heron
Pied-billed Grebe
Little Hermit
Spanish Name
Gaulian de Cooper
Tirano Occidental
Reinita Cabecigualda
Picogruesi Pechirrosado
Espiguero Variable
Garceta Azul
Zambullidon Piquipinto
Ermitaño Enano
Latin Name
Accipiter cooperii
Tyrannus verticalis
Dendroida occidentalis
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Sporophila aurita
Egretta caerulea
Podilymbus podiceps
Phaethornis
longuemareus
Piaya cayana
Trogon collaris
Momotus momota
Selva Henicorhina leucophrys
Notes
C
C
C
C
C, P
P
P
F
Squirrel Cuckoo
Collared Trogon
Blue-crowned Motmot
Grey-breasted
WoodWren
Rufous-capped Warblen
Summer Tanager
Cuco Ardilla
Trogon Collarejo
Momoto Comun
Soterrey
de
Pechigris
Reinata Cabecicastaña
Tangara Veranera
C, F
F
F
F
Basileuterus cufifrons
Piranga rubra
F(edge)
C
Bob Vanderpoel has provided the following additions during a visit to the estate from Feb
19th - 22nd, 1997.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
English Name
Cattle Egret
Swallow-tailed Kite
Broad-winged Hawk
Bat Falcon
Roadside Hawk
American Coot
Solitary Sandpiper
Parakeet Species
Rose-throated Becard
Cape May Warbler
Blue-backed Garsquit
Lesser Goldfinch
Spanish Name
Latin Name
Bubulcus Ibis
Alanoides forficatus
Buteo platyprerus
Falco rufigularis
Buteo magnirostris
Fulica americana
Tringa solitaria
Pachyramphus aglaiae
Dendroica tigrina
Volatinia jacarina
Carduelis psaltria
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
Notes
3, P
1
C
1
Sev
Sev
2
C
1
2
C
5
Twan Leenders has provided the following additions during a stay at the estate during
May -July 1997.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
English Name
Spanish Name
American Swallow-Tailed
Kite
Gray-Headed
?
Chachalaca
Great Currassow
Mottled Owl
Long-Tailed Hermit
Violet-headed
Hummingbird
Resplendent Quetzal
Spotted Woodpecker
Slatty Antwren
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher
Eye-ringed Flatbill
Piratic Flycatcher
Nightingale Wren
Olive-crowned
Yellowthroat
Hepatic Tanager
Common Bush-tanager
Rose-breasted Saltatot
Latin Name
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
Notes
6
Addition by Poulsen and Hindkjaer from Frederikshavn Gymnasium in Denmark,
February 1999.
132.
English Name
Ruddy woodcreeper
Spanish Name
Dendrocincla homochroa
Latin Name
Notes
The following additions have been made by Joseph Arengi on his visit to the estate on
February 28,2001.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
English Name
Great Blue Heron
Double-toothed Kite
Bobwhite
White-faced Quail-Dove
Long-tailed Hermit
Ruddy Woodcreeper
Strong-billed
Woodcreeper
Black-faced Antthrush
Social Flycatcher
Great Kiskadee
Western Wood-Pewee
Golden-crowned
Spadebill
White-breasted
WoodWren
Wood Trush
Veery
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue-headed
(solitary)
Vireo
Golden-winged Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Ovenbird
Wilson's Warbler
Golden-crowned Warbler
Great-tailed Grackle
Blue-crowned
Chlorophonia
Blue-gray Tanager
Summer Tanager
Red-crowned
Ant-
Spanish Name
Latin Name
Ardea herodias
Harpagua bidentatus
Colinus leucopogon
Geotrygon albifacies
Phaethornis
superciliosus
Dendrocincia
homochroa
Xiphocolaptes
promeropirhynchus
Formicaruis analis
Myiozetetes similis
Pitangus sulphuratus
Contopus sordidulus
Platyrinchus coronatus
Notes
Henicorhina leucosticta
Hylocichia mustelina
Catharus fuscescens
Vireo flavifrons
Vireo solitarius
Vermivora chrysoptera
Vermivora peregrina
Seiurus aurocapillus
Wilson pusilla
Basileuterus culicivorus
Quiscalus mexicanus
Chlorophonia occipitalis
Thraupis episcopus
Piranga rubra
Habia rubica
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
7
160.
161.
English Name
Tanager
Common Bush-Tanager
Spanish Name
Latin Name
Notes
Chlorospingus
ophthalmicus
Tiaris olivacea
Yellow-faced Grassquit
This next list was complemented by Raymond Ziarno, of Lansing, Minneapolis, who
found a total of 135 birds on his visit to the Selva Negra Mountain Resort and the coffee
plantation in Spring 2001. Of the list, the following were new. (on Ray's list, the CCoffee plantation, P- Hotel, F-forest, O-overhead)
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
English Name
Pied-billed Grebe
Swainson's Hawk
Crested Bobwhite
Rock Dove
Inca Dove
Green Parakeet
Little Hermit
Spanish Name
Zambullidor Piquipinto
Aguililla de Swainson
Codorniz
Paloma domestica
Paloma Inca
no name in spanish
Ermitaño Enano
Violet Sabrewing
Fandanguero Morado
White-eared
Hummingbird
Violaceous Trogon
(Northern)BarredWoodcreeper
Masked Tityra
Tropical Kingbird
Colebri orejiblanco
Boat-billed Flycatcher
Sulphur-billed Flycatcher
no spanish
no spanish
Dusky-capped Flycatcher
Tufted Flycatcher
Copeton triste
no spanish
Eye-ringed Flatbill
no spanish
Carolina Wren
no spanish
Gray Catbird
White-throated Robin
no spanish
no spanish
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
178.
179.
180.
181.
182.
Trogon Violaceo
no spanish
Titira enmascarada
no spanish
Latin Name
Podilymbus podiceps
Buteo swainsoni
Colinus cristatus
Columba livia
Columbina Inca
Aratinga holochlora
Pygmornis
longuemareus
or
Phaethornis
Campylopterus
hemileucurus
Hylocharis leucotis or
Basilinna
Trogon violaceus
Dendrocolapter certhia
(sanctithomae)
Tityra semifasciata
Tyrannus
melancholicus
Megarynchus pitangua
Myiodynastes
luteiventris
Myiarchus tuberculifer
Mitrephanes
phaeocercus
Rhynchocyclus
brevirostris
Thryothorus
lodovicianus
Dumetella carolinensis
Turdus assimilis
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
Notes
"P"
"C", "O"
"P"
"C"
"F"
"P"
P,C
"C"
F
"C","F"
"C"
P, C
C
P,C
"F"
"F"
"P"
"C"
"F"
8
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
188.
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
195.
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
201.
202.
203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
English Name
Slate-colored Solitaire
Swainson's Thrush
Cedar Waxwing
Lesser Greenlet
Crescent-chested
Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Hermit Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Blue-hooded
(elegant)
Euphonia
Yellow-throated Euphoria
Yellow-winged Tanager
Palm Tanager
Scarlet Tanager
White-winged Tanager
Gray-headed Tanager
White-lined Tanager
Black-headed Saltator
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Blue Grosbeak
White-collared Seedeater
Variable Seedeater
Spanish Name
Clarin unicolor
Zorzalito de Swainson
no spanish
no spanish
Chipe Cejiblanco
Latin Name
Myadested unicolor
Catharus ustulatus
Bombycilla cedrorum
Hylophilus decurtatus
Parula superciliosa
Notes
"F"
"C","F"
"P"
"F","C".
"F"
Chipe de Magnolia
ReinitaCabacigualda
Chipe Gorjinaranja
Chipe Pechicastaño
Eufonia Capucha Azul
Dendroica magnolia
Dendroica occidentalis
Dendroica fusca
Dendroica castanea
Euphonia elegantissima
"C"
C
C, F
C
C
Eufonia Grojiamarillo
Tangara Amarilla
no spanish
Tangara Escarlata
Tangara Aliblanca
TangaraCabecigris
no spanish
Saltador cabecinegro
Picogrueso pechirosado
Picogrueso Azul
Semillero Collarejo
Espiguero variable
Euphonia hirundinacea
Thraupis abbas
Thraupis palmarum
Piranga olivacea
Piranga leucoptera
Eucometis penicillata
Tachyphonus rufus
Saltator atriceps
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Guiraca caerulea
P,C
C, P
C, P
C
F
C
F
C
C
C
White-eared
GroundSparrow
Yellow-throated
BushFinch
Chestnut-capped BrushFinch
Great Tailed Grackle
– C, P
Rascador Orejiblanco
Sporophila corvina
americana
Melozone leucotis
Salton Gorjiamarillo
Altapeteo guttemlis
C
Salton Gorricastaño
Altapetes brunneinucha
F
Zanate Mayor
Cassidix mexicanus
P,C
F,C
Jasper Madsen, Director of Research Department, Departem of Artic Enrivoment, Ministry of
Enviroment, from National Enviroment Research Institute, Denmark gave us a few more
birds that he saw at Selva Negra on his visit.
209.
210.
211.
Collander Forest-falcon
Ospray
Mexican Hairy Porcupine
Micrastur semitorquatus
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
9
Daniel Kaplan from Durham, NC, USA (dkma@mindspring.com), made the following
additions, during his stay at Selva Negra from June 20-23, 2004.
* = new to Selva Negra list
^ = well out of range shown in Howell & Webb, Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America
P = ponds and hotel grounds, C = coffee areas including entrance road, F = forest
212.
213.
214.
215.
216.
217.
218.
219.
220.
Green Heron
Common Ground-Dove
Green Kingfisher
Lineated Woodpecker
White-throated
Flycatcher
* Orange-billed
Nightingale-Thrush
^* Crimson-collared
Tanager
^* Golden-hooded
Tanager
* Yellow-backed Oriole
P
C
P
P near rest. Seen daily
P, near hotel gate
feeding young
C – numerous
C – 2 on different days
F edge down slope on
road to San Luis farm
P – 2-3 birds nearly
always near gazebo
James and Bette Williams, from Nashotah, WI, have made the following additions,
during their stay at Selva Negra from December 6, 7, and 8 of 2005.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
227.
Least Flycatcher
Tropial King Bird
Mallard Duck
Amazon King Fisher
Buff Throated
Woodcreeper
Nashville Warbler
Olivacious woodcreeper
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Kilometer 140 Carretera a Jinotega
P.O. Box 126 , Matagalpa, Nicaragua
telefax: (505) 612-3883
email: selvanegra@tmx.com.NI
10