Tazumal, El Salvador

Some notable birds found in El Salvador

Hummingbirds, Starthroats, Mountain-Gems, Saberwings and more

These hummingbird species demonstrate the diversity of El Salvador’s ecosystems, from the lowland forests to the highland cloud forests, providing excellent opportunities for birdwatchers to observe these tiny, vibrant creatures in various habitats.

Here’s just some of the hummingbirds found in El Salvador, including Saberwings, Star-throats, Violetears and Mountain Gems:

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

  1. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
    o One of the most common hummingbirds in El Salvador, found in a variety of habitats including gardens, forests, and scrublands.
  2. Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii)
    o Common in forest edges and open woodlands. Recognizable by its dark breast and tail.
  3. Emerald–chinned Hummingbird (Abeillia abeillia)
    o Often seen in low and midland forests and plantations. Notable Emerald chin.
  4. Blue-throated Goldentail (Hylocharis eliciae)
    o This small hummingbird inhabits dry forests and woodlands. Its golden tail and blue throat make it stand out.
  5. Green-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis viridipallens)
    o Found in highland forests, this species is noted for its vibrant green throat in males and its affinity for montane habitats.
  6. Azure-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanocephala)
    o Found in open woodlands, forests, and plantations. The striking azure crown and greenish-blue upperparts distinguish this bird.
  7. Canivet’s Emerald (Chlorostilbon canivetii)
    o Commonly found in dry lowlands and scrubby areas. The male’s iridescent green plumage is quite brilliant.

Saberwings

  1. Rufus Sabrewing (Pampa rufa)
    o Prefers humid forests and their edges. This smaller hummingbird is distinguished rufus color and slightly curved wings, which give it the “sabrewing” name.
  2. Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
    o One of the largest hummingbirds, it is found in montane forests. Males display a striking violet-blue color, while both sexes have distinctively shaped wings.

Star-throats

  1. Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii)
    o This species is usually found in open woodlands and gardens. The males have a glittering star-shaped patch on the throat that gives it its name.

Violetears

  1. Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)
    o This beautiful species prefers cloud forests and high-elevation habitats. It’s easily recognizable due to its iridescent green body and violet “ears.”

Mountain Gems

  1. Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis amethystinus)
    o A species of the higher mountain forests, known for its dazzling purple throat in males and its habit of visiting high-altitude flowering trees.
  2. Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami)
    o This species inhabits cloud forests and high-elevation areas. The male’s bright, garnet-colored throat makes it one of the most beautiful hummingbirds in the region.

Other bird species found in El Salvador

Tinamous (Tinamidae)

  • Great Tinamou (Tinamus major)
  • Little Tinamou (Crypturellus soui)

Ducks, Geese, and Swans (Anatidae)

  • Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
  • Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
  • Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)
  • Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
  • Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)
  • Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)
  • Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

Guans and Curassows (Cracidae)

  • Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens)
  • Great Curassow (Crax rubra)
  • White-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis leucogastra)

New World Quails (Odontophoridae)

  • Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx leucophrys)
  • Crested Bobwhite (Colinus cristatus)

Pigeons and Doves (Columbidae)

  • Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) – Introduced
  • White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)
  • Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
  • Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti)
  • Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)
  • White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
  • Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)

Cuckoos (Cuculidae)

  • Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)
  • Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana)
  • Lesser Ground-Cuckoo (Morococcyx erythropygus)
  • Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor)

Nightjars and Allies (Caprimulgidae)

  • Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
  • Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis)

Swifts (Apodidae)

  • White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris)
  • Vaux’s Swift (Chaetura vauxi)

Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

  • Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
  • Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii)
  • White-bellied Emerald (Amazilia candida)
  • Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris)
  • Blue-throated Goldentail (Hylocharis eliciae)

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae)

  • Sora (Porzana carolina)
  • American Coot (Fulica americana)
  • Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica)

Plovers and Lapwings (Charadriidae)

  • Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
  • Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus)
  • Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)

Sandpipers and Allies (Scolopacidae)

  • Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)
  • Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
  • Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)
  • Sanderling (Calidris alba)
  • Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata)

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae)

  • Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
  • Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
  • Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
  • Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)
  • Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
  • Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum)

Pelicans (Pelecanidae)

  • Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae)

  • Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)

Anhingas (Anhingidae)

  • Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)

New World Vultures (Cathartidae)

  • Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
  • Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
  • King Vulture (Sarcoramphus papa)

Osprey (Pandionidae)

  • Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites (Accipitridae)

  • Roadside Hawk (Rupornis magnirostris)
  • Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus)
  • White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)
  • Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)
  • Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus)

Owls (Strigidae)

  • Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)
  • Mottled Owl (Strix virgata)
  • Spectacled Owl (Pulsatrix perspicillata)

Trogons (Trogonidae)

  • Black-headed Trogon (Trogon melanocephalus)
  • Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus)
  • Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceus)

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

  • Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
  • Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana)

Motmots (Momotidae)

  • Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa)
  • Blue-crowned Motmot (Momotus coeruliceps)

Jacamars (Galbulidae)

  • Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda)

Woodpeckers (Picidae)

  • Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons)
  • Smoky-brown Woodpecker (Picoides fumigatus)
  • Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
  • Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis)

Falcons and Caracaras (Falconidae)

  • Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway)
  • Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
  • Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis)
  • American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)

Parrots (Psittacidae)

  • White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons)
  • Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autumnalis)
  • Orange-chinned Parakeet (Brotogeris jugularis)
  • Pacific Parakeet (Psittacara strenuus)

Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

  • Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
  • Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus)
  • Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
  • Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus)
  • Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)

Shrikes (Laniidae)

  • Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)

Vireos (Vireonidae)

  • Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis)
  • Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)

Crows, Jays, and Magpies (Corvidae)

  • White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa)
  • Bushy-crested Jay (Cyanocorax melanocyaneus)

Swallows (Hirundinidae)

  • Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea)
  • Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
  • Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)

Wrens (Troglodytidae)

  • House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
  • Plain Wren (Cantorchilus modestus)
  • Rufous-and-white Wren (Thryophilus rufalbus)

Thrushes (Turdidae)

  • Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi)
  • White-throated Thrush (Turdus assimilis)
  • Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)

Tanagers and Allies (Thraupidae)

  • Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus)
  • Yellow-winged Tanager (Thraupis abbas)
  • Red-legged Honeycreeper (Cyanerpes cyaneus)

New World Sparrows (Passerellidae)

  • Rufous-collared Sparrow (*Zonot

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