Tikal National Park

National Park · Guatemala

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Photo © Tikalphotos

Photo © Tikalphotos — CC0 1.0 — Source: Wikimedia Commons

Dense rainforest canopy rises above the limestone plateau of Petén, where archaeological wonder and ecological richness merge seamlessly across one of Central America's most biodiverse landscapes. Tikal's 575 square kilometres encompass multiple habitat zones: from the towering broadleaf forest that cloaks the high ground to seasonally flooded wetlands and bajo forest in the lower reaches. This mosaic of forest types supports a remarkably complex web of wildlife. Arboreal mammals inhabit the emergent and canopy layers, while ground-dwelling creatures navigate the leaf litter and understory. Birds of prey quarter the airspace above the pyramids, and the twilight canopy hosts nocturnal species. Reptiles—including large constrictors and monitor lizards—move through both upper branches and forest floor. Amphibians exploit the seasonal pools and streams that punctuate the terrain. The forest's structural complexity, combined with Petén's tropical climate and year-round growing season, creates conditions where predator and prey, seed disperser and fruiting tree, evolved in intimate interdependence for millennia.

For wildlife enthusiasts, Tikal presents a singular challenge: the density of life in lowland tropical rainforest is matched only by its difficulty to observe. Yet the park's network of cleared trails weaving between temples and through primary forest offers genuine advantages. Early mornings and late afternoons bring vocal activity from canopy songbirds and other forest dwellers, while patient observation rewards visitors with sightings of both small mammals and larger forest inhabitants. The dry season, roughly November through April, concentrates wildlife around water sources and reduces the noise and moisture that hamper visibility in wetter months. Visitors serious about wildlife documentation should plan dawn excursions and hire local guides whose familiarity with animal behavior and forest paths transforms a temple visit into a working naturalist's expedition. The park's remote location—accessible only by air to nearby Flores or via overland routes through dense forest—ensures relatively low visitor impact and maintains habitat integrity that lesser-protected sites have lost.

Website mcd.gob.gt/tikal

Ocellated Turkey

Meleagris ocellata

Cotinga amabilis

White-bellied Emerald

Chlorestes candida

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird

Amazilia tzacatl

Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Amazilia yucatanensis

Red-lored Amazon

Amazona autumnalis

Amazona xantholora

Bombycilla cedrorum

White-winged Becard

Pachyramphus polychopterus

Cinnamon Becard

Pachyramphus cinnamomeus

Rose-throated Becard

Pachyramphus aglaiae

Grey-collared Becard

Pachyramphus major

Spotted Sandpiper

Actitis macularius

Solitary Sandpiper

Tringa solitaria

Anhinga anhinga

Collared Aracari

Pteroglossus torquatus

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

Morphnus guianensis

Spiza americana

Bright-rumped Attila

Attila spadiceus

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture

Cathartes burrovianus

Middle American Screech Owl

Megascops guatemalae

Heliornis fulica

Bare-throated Tiger Heron

Tigrisoma mexicanum

Riparia riparia

Geranospiza caerulescens

Passerina caerulea

Painted Bunting

Passerina ciris

Passerina cyanea

Short-tailed Nighthawk

Lurocalis semitorquatus

Lesser Nighthawk

Chordeiles acutipennis

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

Dysithamnus mentalis

Barred Antshrike

Thamnophilus doliatus

Great Antshrike

Pitangus sulphuratus

Boat-billed Flycatcher

Megarynchus pitangua

Streaked Flycatcher

Myiodynastes maculatus

Social Flycatcher

Myiozetetes similis

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher

Myiodynastes luteiventris

White-whiskered Puffbird

Malacoptila panamensis

White-necked Puffbird

Notharchus hyperrhynchus

Broad-winged Hawk

Buteo platypterus

Zone-tailed Hawk

Buteo albonotatus

Rupornis magnirostris

Short-tailed Hawk

Buteo brachyurus

Black-collared Hawk

Busarellus nigricollis

Common Black Hawk

Buteogallus anthracinus

Great Black Hawk

Buteogallus urubitinga

Lophostrix cristata

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

Psarocolius wagleri

Montezuma Oropendola

Psarocolius montezuma

Yellow-billed Cacique

Amblycercus holosericeus

Purple Gallinule

Porphyrio martinica

American Redstart

Setophaga ruticilla

Rostrhamus sociabilis

Crested Caracara

Caracara plancus

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Smoky-brown Woodpecker

Leuconotopicus fumigatus

Chestnut-colored Woodpecker

Celeus castaneus

Black-cheeked Woodpecker

Melanerpes pucherani

Golden-olive Woodpecker

Colaptes rubiginosus

Yucatan Woodpecker

Melanerpes pygmaeus

Aramus guarauna

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Green-backed Sparrow

Arremonops chloronotus

Arremonops rufivirgatus

Orange-billed Sparrow

Arremon aurantiirostris

Cyanocorax yncas

Cyanocorax yucatanicus

Thalasseus maximus

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

Lincoln's Sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

Southern House Wren

Troglodytes musculus

Charadrius vociferus

Nyctidromus albicollis

Yucatan Poorwill

Nyctiphrynus yucatanicus

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Sphyrapicus varius

Black-necked Stilt

Himantopus mexicanus

Scaly-breasted Hummingbird

Phaeochroa cuvierii

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Purple-crowned Fairy

Heliothryx barroti

White-necked Jacobin

Florisuga mellivora

Brown Violetear

Colibri delphinae

Curve-winged Sabrewing

Pampa curvipennis

Ruddy Ground Dove

Columbina talpacoti

Common Ground Dove

Columbina passerina

Plain-breasted Ground Dove

Columbina minuta

Yucatan Bobwhite

Colinus nigrogularis

Dusky-capped Flycatcher

Myiarchus tuberculifer

Brown-crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus tyrannulus

Great Crested Flycatcher

Myiarchus crinitus

Yucatan Flycatcher

Myiarchus yucatanensis

Black-crested Coquette

Lophornis helenae

Spotted Wood Quail

Odontophorus guttatus

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

Least Sandpiper

Calidris minutilla

Russet-naped Wood Rail

Aramides albiventris

Band-backed Wren

Campylorhynchus zonatus

Thryothorus ludovicianus

White-breasted Wood Wren

Henicorhina leucosticta

Spot-breasted Wren

Pheugopedius maculipectus

White-bellied Wren

Uropsila leucogastra

Pheasant Cuckoo

Dromococcyx phasianellus

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

Common Squirrel Cuckoo

Black-and-white Owl

Strix nigrolineata

Mississippi Kite

Ictinia mississippiensis

White-tailed Kite

Elanus leucurus

Ictinia plumbea

Swallow-tailed Kite

Elanoides forficatus

Stripe-throated Hermit

Phaethornis striigularis

Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis longirostris

Canivet's Emerald

Cynanthus canivetii

Roseate Spoonbill

Yellow-throated Euphonia

Euphonia hirundinacea

Euphonia affinis

Olive-backed Euphonia

Euphonia gouldi

Yellow-bellied Elaenia

Elaenia flavogaster

Greenish Elaenia

Myiopagis viridicata

Fulica americana

Mayan Antthrush

Formicarius moniliger

Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Butorides virescens

Groove-billed Ani

Crotophaga sulcirostris

Great Blue Heron

Sharp-shinned Hawk

Accipiter striatus

Leucophaeus atricilla

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Tachycineta bicolor

Hirundo rustica

Mangrove Swallow

Tachycineta albilinea

Grey-breasted Martin

Progne chalybea

American Cliff Swallow

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Passer domesticus

Lipaugus unirufus

Red-crowned Ant Tanager

Aplomado Falcon

Falco femoralis

Barred Forest Falcon

Micrastur ruficollis

Collared Forest Falcon

Micrastur semitorquatus

Falco rufigularis

Orange-breasted Falcon

Falco deiroleucus

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Laughing Falcon

Herpetotheres cachinnans

Dot-winged Antwren

Microrhopias quixensis

Jabiru mycteria

Rufous-tailed Jacamar

Galbula ruficauda

Northern Jacana

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

Pulsatrix perspicillata

White-fronted Amazon

Amazona albifrons

White-crowned Parrot

Green-breasted Mango

Anthracothorax prevostii

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Nyctanassa violacea

Boat-billed Heron

Cochlearius cochlearius

Ringed Kingfisher

Megaceryle torquata

Belted Kingfisher

Megaceryle alcyon

Amazon Kingfisher

Chloroceryle amazona

American Pygmy Kingfisher

Chloroceryle aenea

Green Kingfisher

Chloroceryle americana

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

Red-legged Honeycreeper

Cyanerpes cyaneus

Green Honeycreeper

Chlorophanes spiza

Grey-headed Kite

Leptodon cayanensis

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium brasilianum

Central American Pygmy Owl

Glaucidium griseiceps

Lesson's Motmot

Momotus lessonii

Hylomanes momotula

Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher

Terenotriccus erythrurus

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet

Camptostoma imberbe

Northern Bentbill

Oncostoma cinereigulare

Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet

Ornithion semiflavum

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher

Mionectes oleagineus

Alder Flycatcher

Empidonax alnorum

Vermilion Flycatcher

Pyrocephalus rubinus

White-throated Flycatcher

Empidonax albigularis

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Sayornis nigricans

Piratic Flycatcher

Legatus leucophaius

Tropical Royal Flycatcher

Onychorhynchus coronatus

Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris

Acadian Flycatcher

Empidonax virescens

Nyctibius jamaicensis

Sepia-capped Flycatcher

Leptopogon amaurocephalus

Pale-vented Pigeon

Patagioenas cayennensis

Patagioenas speciosa

Grey-headed Dove

Leptotila plumbeiceps

White-tipped Dove

Leptotila verreauxi

Leptotila jamaicensis

Grey-chested Dove

Leptotila cassinii

Ruddy Quail-Dove

Geotrygon montana

Short-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas nigrirostris

Red-billed Pigeon

Patagioenas flavirostris

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

Tropical Parula

Setophaga pitiayumi

Cairina moschata

Penelope purpurascens

Pelecanus occidentalis

Black-headed Saltator

Saltator atriceps

Buff-throated Saltator

Saltator maximus

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator

Saltator grandis

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher

Polioptila caerulea

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Contopus cooperi

Western Wood Pewee

Contopus sordidulus

Eastern Wood Pewee

Contopus virens

Lineated Woodpecker

Dryocopus lineatus

Pale-billed Woodpecker

Campephilus guatemalensis

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Dryobates scalaris

Cyanocompsa parellina

Black-faced Grosbeak

Caryothraustes poliogaster

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Pheucticus ludovicianus

Eye-ringed Flatbill

Rhynchocyclus brevirostris

Stub-tailed Spadebill

Platyrinchus cancrominus

Yellow-olive Flatbill

Tolmomyias sulphurescens

Rufous-breasted Spinetail

Synallaxis erythrothorax

White-winged Tanager

Piranga leucoptera

Scarlet Tanager

Piranga olivacea

Rose-throated Tanager

Piranga roseogularis

Coereba flaveola

Rhytipterna holerythra

Laterallus ruber

Porzana carolina

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

Dumetella carolinensis

Melanoptila glabrirostris

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera

American Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

Cape May Warbler

Setophaga tigrina

Cardellina canadensis

Bay-breasted Warbler

Setophaga castanea

Cerulean Warbler

Setophaga cerulea

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Setophaga coronata

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

Magnolia Warbler

Setophaga magnolia

Mangrove Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

Swainson's Warbler

Limnothlypis swainsonii

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Wilson's Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

Setophaga citrina

Yellow-throated Warbler

Setophaga dominica

Blackburnian Warbler

Setophaga fusca

Yellow-breasted Chat

Worm-eating Warbler

Helmitheros vermivorum

Seiurus aurocapilla

Setophaga palmarum

Mourning Warbler

Geothlypis philadelphia

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Black-and-white Warbler

Mniotilta varia

Grey-throated Chat

Granatellus sallaei

White-collared Manakin

Red-winged Blackbird

Agelaius phoeniceus

Variable Seedeater

Sporophila corvina

Morelet's Seedeater

Sporophila morelleti

Thick-billed Seed Finch

Sporophila funerea

Yellow-faced Grassquit

Tiaris olivaceus

Blue-black Grassquit

Volatinia jacarina

Tropical Mockingbird

Trilling Gnatwren

Ramphocaenus melanurus

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

Crimson-collared Tanager

Ramphocelus sanguinolentus

Yellow-winged Tanager

Blue-grey Tanager

Thraupis episcopus

Golden-hooded Tanager

Stilpnia larvata

Grey-headed Tanager

Eucometis penicillata

Black-throated Shrike-Tanager

Lanio aurantius

Scarlet-rumped Tanager

Ramphocelus passerinii

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus forficatus

Fork-tailed Flycatcher

Tyrannus savana

Thicket Tinamou

Crypturellus cinnamomeus

Crypturellus soui

Slaty-breasted Tinamou

Crypturellus boucardi

Scaly-throated Leaftosser

Sclerurus guatemalensis

Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus melancholicus

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Couch's Kingbird

Tyrannus couchii

Tityra semifasciata

Black-crowned Tityra

Tityra inquisitor

Common Tody-Flycatcher

Todirostrum cinereum

Slaty-headed Tody-Flycatcher

Poecilotriccus sylvia

Molothrus oryzivorus

Bronzed Cowbird

Molothrus aeneus

Blue Ground Dove

Claravis pretiosa

Northern Barred Woodcreeper

Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae

Streak-headed Woodcreeper

Lepidocolaptes souleyetii

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Sittasomus griseicapillus

Wedge-billed Woodcreeper

Glyphorynchus spirurus

Strong-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper

Xiphorhynchus flavigaster

Ruddy Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla homochroa

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper

Dendrocincla anabatina

Collared Trogon

Trogon collaris

Black-headed Trogon

Trogon melanocephalus

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Gartered Trogon

Trogon caligatus

Northern Emerald Toucanet

Aulacorhynchus prasinus

Keel-billed Toucan

Ramphastos sulfuratus

Black-cowled Oriole

Icterus prosthemelas

Icterus spurius

Yellow-tailed Oriole

Icterus mesomelas

Altamira Oriole

Icterus gularis

Baltimore Oriole

Icterus galbula

Icterus cucullatus

American Barn Owl

Mycteria americana

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaocto

White-collared Swift

Streptoprocne zonaris

Chaetura pelagica

Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift

Panyptila cayennensis

Vireo olivaceus

Philadelphia Vireo

Vireo philadelphicus

Eastern Warbling Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

White-eyed Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo

Vireo solitarius

Yellow-green Vireo

Vireo flavoviridis

Rufous-browed Peppershrike

Cyclarhis gujanensis

Green Shrike-Vireo

Vireolanius pulchellus

Tachybaptus dominicus

Pied-billed Grebe

Podilymbus podiceps

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

Melodious Blackbird

White-winged Dove

Zenaida asiatica

Zenaida macroura

Coragyps atratus

Sarcoramphus papa

White-throated Thrush

Turdus assimilis

Clay-colored Thrush

Grey-cheeked Thrush

Catharus minimus

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

Hylocichla mustelina

Catharus fuscescens

Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus melanoleucus

Ornate Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus ornatus

Black Hawk-Eagle

Spizaetus tyrannus

Pandion haliaetus

Black-billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Grace's Warbler

Setophaga graciae

Grasshopper Sparrow

Ammodramus savannarum

Northern Pintail

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

Dactylortyx thoracicus

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

Gallinago delicata

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

Pseudastur albicollis

Buteo plagiatus

Brown-hooded Parrot

Pyrilia haematotis

Olive-throated Parakeet

Eupsittula nana

Northern Plain Xenops

Xenops mexicanus

Northern Tropical Pewee

Contopus bogotensis

Red-capped Manakin

Ceratopipra mentalis

Northern Schiffornis

Schiffornis veraepacis

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius

Myiobius sulphureipygius

Ochre-crowned Greenlet

Tunchiornis ochraceiceps

Lesser Greenlet

Pachysylvia decurtata

Cyanocorax morio

White-browed Gnatcatcher

Polioptila bilineata

Red-throated Ant Tanager

Driophlox fuscicauda

Hydroprogne caspia

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Falco columbarius

Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner

Automolus cervinigularis

Russet Antshrike

Thamnistes anabatinus

Cercomacroides tyrannina

Speckled Mourner

Laniocera rufescens

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Setophaga caerulescens

Blue-black Grosbeak

Cyanoloxia cyanoides

Central American Spider Monkey

Ateles geoffroyi

Central American Agouti

Dasyprocta punctata

Deppe's Squirrel

Yucatán Squirrel

Sciurus yucatanensis

Derby's Woolly Opossum

Caluromys derbianus

White-nosed Coati

Northern Gray Fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Central American Black Howler

Lesser Dog-like Bat

Peropteryx macrotis

Northern Tamandua

Tamandua mexicana

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Greater Sac-winged Bat

Saccopteryx bilineata

Central American Tapir

Tapirus bairdii

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