Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Sanctuary · Costa Rica

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Photo © Adam Jackson

Photo © Adam Jackson — CC0 1.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Where the Caribbean coastal plain surrenders to water-logged forest and mangrove tangles, Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Sanctuary shelters one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse lowland wetland ecosystems. The refuge sprawls across coastal lagoons, brackish marshes, and dense tropical forest where rainfall arrives year-round—there is no dry season here, only shifts in intensity—sustaining a landscape of perpetual moisture and verdant growth. Shallow lagoons and waterlogged soils support dense stands of mangrove that transition inland to flooded forest and terra firme woodland, each zone hosting distinct communities of waders, raptors, and waterbirds that exploit the sanctuary's permanent abundance of fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. Small forest mammals, arboreal species, and ground-dwelling creatures thrive in the thick understory and canopy, while nocturnal hunters and insectivorous birds exploit the refuge's rich arthropod populations. The tidal influence and freshwater seepage create a mosaic of salinity gradients that few protected areas in Central America maintain with such integrity, making the sanctuary an irreplaceable stronghold for species adapted to neither fully marine nor fully terrestrial conditions.

For wildlife photographers and serious birders, Gandoca-Manzanillo demands patience and a willingness to move quietly through water and dense vegetation. The year-round wet season means reliable water levels, active songbirds, and predators hunting throughout the calendar—there is no 'slow' season, only different intensities of biological activity. Early morning light penetrates the mangrove canopy with remarkable clarity when mist burns off lagoon surfaces, gifting photographers fleeting moments of warmth across rippling water and silhouetted branches. Access is restricted to guide-led excursions and boardwalk trails, ensuring that this sanctuary remains unburdened by heavy foot traffic; the trade-off is an authenticity that rewards the committed observer. Local naturalist guides possess intimate knowledge of microhabitat preferences and seasonal movements of waterbirds, raptors, and woodland species, transforming a visit into a masterclass in tropical wetland ecology rather than a casual stroll.

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Cairina moschata

Grey-headed Chachalaca

Ortalis cinereiceps

Penelope purpurascens

Nyctidromus albicollis

Nyctibius grandis

Nyctibius griseus

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Band-tailed Barbthroat

Threnetes ruckeri

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis longirostris

Purple-crowned Fairy

Heliothryx barroti

Green-breasted Mango

Anthracothorax prevostii

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer

Chalybura urochrysia

Crowned Woodnymph

Thalurania colombica

Microchera albocoronata

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Blue-chested Hummingbird

Polyerata amabilis

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Mangrove Cuckoo

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassinii

Grey-cowled Wood Rail

Aramides cajaneus

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

Pluvialis squatarola

Semipalmated Plover

Charadrius semipalmatus

Southern Lapwing

Vanellus chilensis

Northern Jacana

Hudsonian Whimbrel

Numenius hudsonicus

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Tringa semipalmata

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpres

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Thalasseus maximus

Leucophaeus atricilla

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinus

Mycteria americana

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Sula leucogaster

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

Rufescent Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma lineatum

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Butorides virescens

Pelecanus occidentalis

Sarcoramphus papa

Coragyps atratus

Pandion haliaetus

Gampsonyx swainsonii

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Double-toothed Kite

Harpagus bidentatus

Common Black Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

Rupornis magnirostris

Pseudastur albicollis

Semiplumbeous Hawk

Leucopternis semiplumbeus

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

Pulsatrix perspicillata

Black-and-white Owl

Strix nigrolineata

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Northern Black-throated Trogon

Trogon tenellus

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Green-and-rufous Kingfisher

Chloroceryle inda

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Baryphthengus martii

Broad-billed Motmot

Electron platyrhynchum

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

White-whiskered Puffbird

Malacoptila panamensis

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

Melanerpes pucherani

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Rufous-winged Woodpecker

Piculus simplex

Cinnamon Woodpecker

Celeus loricatus

Chestnut-colored Woodpecker

Celeus castaneus

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Pale-billed Woodpecker

Campephilus guatemalensis

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Slaty-backed Forest Falcon

Micrastur mirandollei

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Falco rufigularis

Brown-hooded Parrot

Pyrilia haematotis

White-crowned Parrot

Olive-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula nana

Finsch's Parakeet

Psittacara finschi

Plain-brown Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla fuliginosa

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Northern Barred Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Cocoa Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus susurrans

Black-striped Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Checker-throated Stipplethroat

Epinecrophylla fulviventris

Black-crowned Antshrike

Thamnophilus atrinucha

Chestnut-backed Antbird

Poliocrania exsul

Yellow-crowned Tyrannulet

Tyrannulus elatus

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Yellow Tyrannulet

Capsiempis flaveola

Mistletoe Tyrannulet

Zimmerius parvus

Black-capped Pygmy Tyrant

Myiornis atricapillus

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus sylvia

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Yellow-winged Flatbill

Tolmomyias flavotectus

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Long-tailed Tyrant

Colonia colonus

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Grey-capped Flycatcher

Myiozetetes granadensis

Pitangus sulphuratus

White-ringed Flycatcher

Conopias albovittatus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Rhytipterna holerythra

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Purple-throated Fruitcrow

Querula purpurata

Carpodectes nitidus

White-collared Manakin

Red-capped Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Tityra semifasciata

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

Lesser Greenlet

Pachysylvia decurtata

Vireo olivaceus

Riparia riparia

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

Hirundo rustica

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Cantorchilus zeledoni

Cantorchilus nigricapillus

Stripe-breasted Wren

Cantorchilus thoracicus

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

White-browed Gnatcatcher

Polioptila bilineata

Dumetella carolinensis

Tropical Mockingbird

Hylocichla mustelina

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

Clay-colored Thrush

Yellow-crowned Euphonia

Euphonia luteicapilla

Olive-backed Euphonia

Euphonia gouldi

Black-striped Sparrow

Arremonops conirostris

Orange-billed Sparrow

Arremon aurantiirostris

Red-breasted Meadowlark

Leistes militaris

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Psarocolius wagleri

Montezuma Oropendola

Psarocolius montezuma

Scarlet-rumped Cacique

Cacicus uropygialis

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Black-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

Molothrus oryzivorus

Melodious Blackbird

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Olive-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis semiflava

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Setophaga citrina

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

Mangrove Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

Buff-rumped Warbler

Myiothlypis fulvicauda

Dusky-faced Tanager

Mitrospingus cassinii

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Red-throated Ant Tanager

Driophlox fuscicauda

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Passerina cyanea

Sulphur-rumped Tanager

Heterospingus rubrifrons

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Shining Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes lucidus

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Saltator grandis

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Coereba flaveola

White-shouldered Tanager

Loriotus luctuosus

Tawny-crested Tanager

Tachyphonus delatrii

White-lined Tanager

Tachyphonus rufus

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

Morelet's Seedeater

Sporophila morelleti

Variable Seedeater

Sporophila corvina

Thick-billed Seed Finch

Sporophila funerea

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Thraupis palmarum

Golden-hooded Tanager

Stilpnia larvata

Plain-colored Tanager

Tangara inornata

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Yellow-throated Toucan

Ramphastos ambiguus

Amazona farinosa

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

Yellow-throated Euphonia

Euphonia hirundinacea

Yellow-billed Cacique

Amblycercus holosericeus

Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Setophaga coronata

Crypturellus soui

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

Black-eared Wood Quail

Odontophorus melanotis

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Spot-fronted Swift

Cypseloides cherriei

Chestnut-collared Swift

Streptoprocne rutila

Grey-rumped Swift

Chaetura cinereiventris

Chaetura pelagica

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

Phaethornis guy

Long-billed Starthroat

Heliomaster longirostris

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Violet-headed Hummingbird

Blue-vented Hummingbird

Saucerottia hoffmanni

Blue-throated Sapphire

Chlorestes eliciae

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Olive-backed Quail-Dove

Leptotrygon veraguensis

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Heliornis fulica

Amaurolimnas concolor

Russet-naped Wood Rail

Aramides albiventris

Porzana carolina

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

White-throated Crake

Laterallus albigularis

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Charadrius vociferus

Short-billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Baird's Sandpiper

Calidris bairdii

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Western Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Calidris pusilla

Onychoprion anaethetus

Gull-billed Tern

Gelochelidon nilotica

Chlidonias niger

Parasitic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticus

Eurypyga helias

Anhinga anhinga

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

Roseate Spoonbill

Fasciated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma fasciatum

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Great Blue Heron

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Northern Harrier

Circus hudsonius

Microspizias superciliosus

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

Ictinia plumbea

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Morphnarchus princeps

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

American Barn Owl

Central American Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium griseiceps

Middle American Screech Owl

Megascops guatemalae

Lophostrix cristata

Lattice-tailed Trogon

Trogon clathratus

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Notharchus tectus

White-fronted Nunbird

Monasa morphoeus

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Falco columbarius

Orange-chinned Parakeet

Brotogeris jugularis

Blue-headed Parrot

Pionus menstruus

Great Green Macaw

Slaty Spinetail

Synallaxis brachyura

Russet Antshrike

Thamnistes anabatinus

Dot-winged Antwren

Microrhopias quixensis

White-flanked Antwren

Myrmotherula axillaris

Spot-crowned Antvireo

Dysithamnus puncticeps

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Fasciated Antshrike

Cymbilaimus lineatus

Great Antshrike

Ocellated Antbird

Phaenostictus mcleannani

Bicolored Antbird

Gymnopithys bicolor

Cercomacroides tyrannina

Spotted Antbird

Hylophylax naevioides

Bare-crowned Antbird

Gymnocichla nudiceps

Black-faced Antthrush

Formicarius analis

Streak-chested Antpitta

Hylopezus perspicillatus

Thicket Antpitta

Myrmothera dives

Brown-capped Tyrannulet

Ornithion brunneicapillus

Olive-streaked Flycatcher

Mionectes olivaceus

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Northern Bentbill

Oncostoma cinereigulare

Scale-crested Pygmy Tyrant

Lophotriccus pileatus

Black-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum nigriceps

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus brevirostris

Golden-crowned Spadebill

Platyrinchus coronatus

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes luteiventris

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Lipaugus unirufus

Three-wattled Bellbird

Procnias tricarunculatus

White-ruffed Manakin

Corapipo altera

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Tropical Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius

Myiobius sulphureipygius

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

Cyanocorax morio

Black-chested Jay

Cyanocorax affinis

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Southern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx ruficollis

Blue-and-white Swallow

Pygochelidon cyanoleuca

Band-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus zonatus

Black-throated Wren

Pheugopedius atrogularis

Southern Nightingale-Wren

Microcerculus marginatus

Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Catharus fuscescens

Passer domesticus

White-vented Euphonia

Euphonia minuta

Yellow-tailed Oriole

Icterus mesomelas

Icterus spurius

Molothrus bonariensis

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Seiurus aurocapilla

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga cerulea

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Setophaga palmarum

Cardellina canadensis

Carmiol's Tanager

Chlorothraupis carmioli

Black-faced Grosbeak

Caryothraustes poliogaster

Spiza americana

Blue-black Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Passerina caerulea

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Black-and-yellow Tanager

Chrysothlypis chrysomelas

Scarlet-thighed Dacnis

Black-headed Saltator

Saltator atriceps

Slate-colored Grosbeak

Saltator grossus

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

White-throated Shrike-Tanager

Lanio leucothorax

Crimson-collared Tanager

Ramphocelus sanguinolentus

Bay-headed Tanager

Rufous-winged Tanager

Tangara lavinia

Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

White-nosed Coati

Derby's Woolly Opossum

Caluromys derbianus

Alston's Woolly Mouse Opossum

Marmosa alstoni

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus hoffmanni

Alouatta palliata

Central American Agouti

Dasyprocta punctata

Red-tailed Squirrel

Sciurus granatensis

Variegated Squirrel

Sciurus variegatoides

Sumichrast's Vesper Rat

Nyctomys sumichrasti

Rhynchonycteris naso

Jamaican Fruit-eating Bat

Artibeus jamaicensis

Northern Neotropical River Otter

Lontra annectens

Leopardus pardalis

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

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