Old growth primary forest
Thousands of years ago, the mountains of Costa Rica were covered in old-growth, primary rainforests. These are the types of forest you imagine when you think of Costa Rica.
Tapir Valley shares 1 km of border with large Tenorio National Park, and so we have a primary forest that's been untouched for hundreds of years.
This old growth forest is critical habitat for many unique and threatened species.
Tody Motmot
The Tody Motmot is a gem of the primary forests of northern Costa Rica, and Tapir Valley is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to see this special bird.
Much smaller than other motmots, these birds depend on primary forest habitat. They nest by burrowing into hillsides, sometimes right along the trails at Tapir Valley.
Bare-necked Umbrellabird
This bird is another endangered species that we find here at Tapir Valley. Umbrellabirds are altitudinal migrants, and they pass through the forest here a few times a year.
These birds are sedentary, and will move slowly through the forest looking for berries and fruits. They also will eat frogs and lizards.
Antbirds
Antbirds are a family of birds that follow army ant swarms through tropical forests of the Americas. These birds depend on primary, old-growth rainforest and we see them regularly at Tapir Valley.
Our forest is at the perfect altitude for healthy populations of Eciton burchellii ants.
The species of antbirds reported here are:
- Ocellated Antbird (seen right)
- Spotted Antbird
- Bicolored Antbird
- Zeledon's Antbird
- Dull-mantled Antbird
- Dusky Antbird
- Black-headed Antthrush
- Black-faced Antthrush
