2025 Nicaragua Birding Tour
For 2025 we are again offering a tour to Nicaragua.
Birding Nicaragua
February 16 - 27
A Detailed Itinerary is Provided Below
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Itinerary for the 2025 Nicaragua Bird Trip
$2850 from Managua (+$450 single occupancy)
Our tour is limited to 10 people. All participants will receive free copies of the complete checklist to the birds of Nicaragua, compiled by Bill, plus copies of his books, "Where to Watch Birds in Nicaragua" and "A Village of Pottery; the Pottery-Making Tradition of San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua". The cost of this trip also includes a donation to support bird conservation and research in Nicaragua.
Note that the actual tour run from Monday through the following Wednesday, but participants should plan to arrive on Sunday and depart on Thursday.
Nicaragua is home to 750 species of birds, including numerous wintering neotropical migrants. This trip will introduce participants to the birds of the dry tropical forest, cloud forests, wetlands and the unique oak-pine forest of Central America. We will bird several of the premier sites in Nicaragua, including Montibelli Reserve, Chocoyero-El Brujo Reserve, Lake Nicaragua, El Jaguar and Selva Negra Reserve.
This is an all-inclusive trip (except drinks and tips) from Managua. Accommodations are double-occupancy unless otherwise requested. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to Managua and need to arrive the day before the tour begins. Most flights arrive in Managua in the afternoon and early evening. You will be met at the airport by Bill and his wife, Connie, and taken to your hotel. You will check into your room, enjoy lunch and/or dinner and then prepare for your birding adventure.
Note that the actual tour run from Monday through the following Wednesday, but participants should plan to arrive on Sunday and depart on Thursday.
Nicaragua is home to 750 species of birds, including numerous wintering neotropical migrants. This trip will introduce participants to the birds of the dry tropical forest, cloud forests, wetlands and the unique oak-pine forest of Central America. We will bird several of the premier sites in Nicaragua, including Montibelli Reserve, Chocoyero-El Brujo Reserve, Lake Nicaragua, El Jaguar and Selva Negra Reserve.
This is an all-inclusive trip (except drinks and tips) from Managua. Accommodations are double-occupancy unless otherwise requested. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to Managua and need to arrive the day before the tour begins. Most flights arrive in Managua in the afternoon and early evening. You will be met at the airport by Bill and his wife, Connie, and taken to your hotel. You will check into your room, enjoy lunch and/or dinner and then prepare for your birding adventure.
Day 1 - Volcan Masaya and Montibelli Reserve:
The day starts with a group orientation before heading to Volcan Masaya National Park and Visitor Center. We will stop at the center for an introduction to the geology and biogeography of Nicaragua before driving on to the volcano crater. This is one of the few volcanoes in the world where you can drive up to the crater's edge. Pacific Parakeets nest along the crater wall and we will look for common birds of the forest edge and open country as we make our way through the park. Afterwards we will travel to Montibelli Reserve.
Montibelli is a 400 acre private reserve, producing shade-grown coffee and protecting the surrounding forest. It is located within the biological corridor between Chocoyero-El Brujo Reserve and Volcan Masaya. We will spend two nights at Montibelli, staying in private cabins with a deck overlooking the forest for easy birding, and hike the forest trails with the resident naturalist.
The day starts with a group orientation before heading to Volcan Masaya National Park and Visitor Center. We will stop at the center for an introduction to the geology and biogeography of Nicaragua before driving on to the volcano crater. This is one of the few volcanoes in the world where you can drive up to the crater's edge. Pacific Parakeets nest along the crater wall and we will look for common birds of the forest edge and open country as we make our way through the park. Afterwards we will travel to Montibelli Reserve.
Montibelli is a 400 acre private reserve, producing shade-grown coffee and protecting the surrounding forest. It is located within the biological corridor between Chocoyero-El Brujo Reserve and Volcan Masaya. We will spend two nights at Montibelli, staying in private cabins with a deck overlooking the forest for easy birding, and hike the forest trails with the resident naturalist.
Day 2 - Montibelli Reserve:
We begin with an early morning hike on the trails that pass through shade-grown coffee plantation and dry tropical forest. This is a more open grown forest than other tropical forests, making it much easier to observe birds. Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded at Montibelli, and we will search for Yellow-green Vireo, Painted Bunting, Blue-throated Goldentail, Cinnamon, Blue-tailed and Steely-vented Hummingbirds, plus a variety of trogons, flycatchers and woodcreepers, among other species. Overhead you will likely hear the calls of Orange-chinned, Orange-fronted and Pacific Parakeets, or White-crowned and White-fronted Parrots.
Following lunch, there will be an afternoon break before we take to the hiking trails once more to search for birds we may have missed earlier in the day. Meals are served in an outdoor dining area and during dinner you can listen to the first night sounds of the forest as we enjoy traditional Nicaraguan cooking.
We begin with an early morning hike on the trails that pass through shade-grown coffee plantation and dry tropical forest. This is a more open grown forest than other tropical forests, making it much easier to observe birds. Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded at Montibelli, and we will search for Yellow-green Vireo, Painted Bunting, Blue-throated Goldentail, Cinnamon, Blue-tailed and Steely-vented Hummingbirds, plus a variety of trogons, flycatchers and woodcreepers, among other species. Overhead you will likely hear the calls of Orange-chinned, Orange-fronted and Pacific Parakeets, or White-crowned and White-fronted Parrots.
Following lunch, there will be an afternoon break before we take to the hiking trails once more to search for birds we may have missed earlier in the day. Meals are served in an outdoor dining area and during dinner you can listen to the first night sounds of the forest as we enjoy traditional Nicaraguan cooking.
Day 3 - Chocoyero Reserve and Lake Nicaragua:
Following an early breakfast we will drive to Chocoyero Reserve for a morning hike in the forest. We will have a good chance of seeing many North American migrants, including numerous species of warblers, Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, plus Summer Tanager and resident species of tanagers. Other likely species include Elegant, Violaceous, Collared and Black-headed Trogon, as well as several species of wrens, Barred Antshrike, antwrens and antbirds.
From here we will head to the colonial city of Granada where we will stay at the Colonial Hotel for two nights. There will be time to relax after lunch before taking an afternoon drive along the shore of Lake Nicaragua. Here we will search the coast and adjacent wetlands for Northern Jacana, Common Gallinule, Royal and Caspian Tern, plus a variety of herons, egrets, shorebirds, and other water-dependent species. We will also keep a look out for the near-endemic Nicaraguan Grackle.
Following an early breakfast we will drive to Chocoyero Reserve for a morning hike in the forest. We will have a good chance of seeing many North American migrants, including numerous species of warblers, Baltimore and Orchard Oriole, plus Summer Tanager and resident species of tanagers. Other likely species include Elegant, Violaceous, Collared and Black-headed Trogon, as well as several species of wrens, Barred Antshrike, antwrens and antbirds.
From here we will head to the colonial city of Granada where we will stay at the Colonial Hotel for two nights. There will be time to relax after lunch before taking an afternoon drive along the shore of Lake Nicaragua. Here we will search the coast and adjacent wetlands for Northern Jacana, Common Gallinule, Royal and Caspian Tern, plus a variety of herons, egrets, shorebirds, and other water-dependent species. We will also keep a look out for the near-endemic Nicaraguan Grackle.
Day 4 - The Isletas of Lake Nicaragua and San Juan de Oriente:
This morning we travel to Asese Bay on Lake Nicaragua for a boat tour of the isletas - a collection of 365 small islands that host a variety of wetland and open-water birds. We will look for any species that we may have missed on our drive along the lakeshore, including Mangrove Swallow, Bare-throated Tiger Heron and Anhinga among others. From the water we will be provided with spectacular views of Mombacho Volcano.
Following the boat tour, we'll drive to the crater lake of Laguna de Apoyo for a view from the rim. The crater walls drop as much as a thousand feet to the lake, which is around 800 feet deep.
Following lunch we will spend the afternoon walking the streets of San Juan de Oriente, known as the "Village of Pottery". Here we will meet a number of the talented artists and observe how this local pottery is produced. Bill has been working with these artists for many years and as birding slows down in mid-day this will provide time for a tour of the village and an opportunity to purchase pottery from the artists.
This morning we travel to Asese Bay on Lake Nicaragua for a boat tour of the isletas - a collection of 365 small islands that host a variety of wetland and open-water birds. We will look for any species that we may have missed on our drive along the lakeshore, including Mangrove Swallow, Bare-throated Tiger Heron and Anhinga among others. From the water we will be provided with spectacular views of Mombacho Volcano.
Following the boat tour, we'll drive to the crater lake of Laguna de Apoyo for a view from the rim. The crater walls drop as much as a thousand feet to the lake, which is around 800 feet deep.
Following lunch we will spend the afternoon walking the streets of San Juan de Oriente, known as the "Village of Pottery". Here we will meet a number of the talented artists and observe how this local pottery is produced. Bill has been working with these artists for many years and as birding slows down in mid-day this will provide time for a tour of the village and an opportunity to purchase pottery from the artists.
Day 5 - Northern Highlands and El Jaguar Reserve:
On this day, we travel to the northern highlands of Nicaragua. We will stop along the way to scope out a nearby wetland before continuing to the coffee-growing region of Matagalpa. We will pass through the northern city of Jinotega as we rise into the highlands and arrive at El Jaguar Reserve. Lunch will be waiting for us and after we settle in we will take a walk to search for birds among the coffee plantation and cloud forest. We will look for a number of range-restricted species, including Bushy-crested Jay, Yellow-winged Tanager, Green-breasted Mountain-gem, plus Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Brushfinch, Olive-backed Euphonia and a variety of tanagers and orioles.
El Jaguar was made famous several years ago when the federally endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler was discovered wintering here, which had not been recorded in Nicaragua since 1899! This is also an important site for wintering Golden-winged Warbler and as a result a number of cooperative international research projects have been conducted here to better document and protect these and other bird species. The evening will conclude with a presentation about this reserve and the sustainable coffee plantation which has become a model of conservation for the region.
On this day, we travel to the northern highlands of Nicaragua. We will stop along the way to scope out a nearby wetland before continuing to the coffee-growing region of Matagalpa. We will pass through the northern city of Jinotega as we rise into the highlands and arrive at El Jaguar Reserve. Lunch will be waiting for us and after we settle in we will take a walk to search for birds among the coffee plantation and cloud forest. We will look for a number of range-restricted species, including Bushy-crested Jay, Yellow-winged Tanager, Green-breasted Mountain-gem, plus Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Brushfinch, Olive-backed Euphonia and a variety of tanagers and orioles.
El Jaguar was made famous several years ago when the federally endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler was discovered wintering here, which had not been recorded in Nicaragua since 1899! This is also an important site for wintering Golden-winged Warbler and as a result a number of cooperative international research projects have been conducted here to better document and protect these and other bird species. The evening will conclude with a presentation about this reserve and the sustainable coffee plantation which has become a model of conservation for the region.
Day 6 - El Jaguar Reserve
We start the day before sunrise to watch the endangered Highland Guans as they emerge from the forest to feed. This is among the best sites in Central America to observe this species. We then will hike the reserve trails through cloud forest to search for birds. After lunch we will relax by the bird feeding station where numerous species of birds are easily sighted and photographed. Common visitors include various tanagers, including Crimson-collored, Yellow-winged, Passerini's and Golden-hooded, plus Montezuma's Oropendula, Yellow-throated and Olive-backed euphonia. The nearby flowering shrubs attract Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer and several species of hummingbirds, including Rufous-tailed, Stripe-tailed, White-bellied Emerald and Violet Saberwing.
We start the day before sunrise to watch the endangered Highland Guans as they emerge from the forest to feed. This is among the best sites in Central America to observe this species. We then will hike the reserve trails through cloud forest to search for birds. After lunch we will relax by the bird feeding station where numerous species of birds are easily sighted and photographed. Common visitors include various tanagers, including Crimson-collored, Yellow-winged, Passerini's and Golden-hooded, plus Montezuma's Oropendula, Yellow-throated and Olive-backed euphonia. The nearby flowering shrubs attract Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer and several species of hummingbirds, including Rufous-tailed, Stripe-tailed, White-bellied Emerald and Violet Saberwing.
Day 7 - San Rafael Oak Pine Forest and El Jaguar Reserve:
On this day we head to the oak-pine forest, located about an hour from El Jaguar. This is the most southerly extent of this forest type in Central America with several species of birds reaching the southern edge of their range here. We will search for Greater Pewee, White-eared and Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Townsend's, Hermit, Graces, and Golden-winged Warbler as well as Painted Redstart, with a chance of seeing several common resident species, such as Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, the white race of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Eastern Bluebird, Acorn Woodpecker, Eastern Meadowlark and Red Crossbill. This is also one of the main wintering sites of the Golden-cheeked Warbler.
We return to El Jaguar for another afternoon hike in the cloud forest. This rich forest is home to a wide variety of species, including Tawny-winged, Spotted, Strong-billed, and Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Slate-colored Solitaire, Orange-billed and Black-faced Nightingale-Thrush and Black-faced Antthrush, as well as Wood Thrush, Wilson's Warbler and numerous other migrant and resident birds not found in the lowlands.
On this day we head to the oak-pine forest, located about an hour from El Jaguar. This is the most southerly extent of this forest type in Central America with several species of birds reaching the southern edge of their range here. We will search for Greater Pewee, White-eared and Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Townsend's, Hermit, Graces, and Golden-winged Warbler as well as Painted Redstart, with a chance of seeing several common resident species, such as Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, the white race of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Eastern Bluebird, Acorn Woodpecker, Eastern Meadowlark and Red Crossbill. This is also one of the main wintering sites of the Golden-cheeked Warbler.
We return to El Jaguar for another afternoon hike in the cloud forest. This rich forest is home to a wide variety of species, including Tawny-winged, Spotted, Strong-billed, and Northern Barred Woodcreeper, Slate-colored Solitaire, Orange-billed and Black-faced Nightingale-Thrush and Black-faced Antthrush, as well as Wood Thrush, Wilson's Warbler and numerous other migrant and resident birds not found in the lowlands.
Day 8 - El Jaguar to Selva Negra Reserve:
The day begins with one more hike in the cloud forest to search for species we may have missed on previous walks before departing El Jaguar Reserve. Because of the chance for fog and light rain (this is a rainforest) we will have one more opportunity to hike the trails to search for some of the 300 species recorded here. February is the driest month of the year in this region, although it can rain at any time, which is why we have planned this trip for this period.
There will again be time to watch and photograph birds at the bird feeding station before we depart for Selva Negra Reserve. Selva Negra is another coffee plantation developed by German immigrants who arrived in the 1880's. We have made special arrangements for accommodations in private bungalows located among the forest with its groomed gardens and orchids and bromeliads which grow on the roof of the cabins.
For the afternoon there will be a hike of the grounds before enjoying a dinner at the restaurant located next to a large pond which attracts a variety of waterbirds. For the evening a naturalist will lead a night hike for a different look at the life of the forest.
The day begins with one more hike in the cloud forest to search for species we may have missed on previous walks before departing El Jaguar Reserve. Because of the chance for fog and light rain (this is a rainforest) we will have one more opportunity to hike the trails to search for some of the 300 species recorded here. February is the driest month of the year in this region, although it can rain at any time, which is why we have planned this trip for this period.
There will again be time to watch and photograph birds at the bird feeding station before we depart for Selva Negra Reserve. Selva Negra is another coffee plantation developed by German immigrants who arrived in the 1880's. We have made special arrangements for accommodations in private bungalows located among the forest with its groomed gardens and orchids and bromeliads which grow on the roof of the cabins.
For the afternoon there will be a hike of the grounds before enjoying a dinner at the restaurant located next to a large pond which attracts a variety of waterbirds. For the evening a naturalist will lead a night hike for a different look at the life of the forest.
Day 9 - Selva Negra Reserve:
A morning hike will take us through the forest above the lodge where we will search for many of the more than 250 species of birds recorded here. We will walk on several of the 14 different trails in the forest which pass through montane and cloud forest habitat. We will search for Great Tinamou, White-faced Quail-Dove, Green-breasted Mountain-gem, Three-wattled Bellbird, Resplendent Quetzal and White-ruffed Manakin among other species.
We return to the lodge for lunch and then have an opportunity to tour the coffee plantation. Those interested in this tour will learn about coffee production and harvesting at this site and bird along the way for forest edge species. The day will end with an afternoon hike in the forest followed by dinner and a relaxing evening.
A morning hike will take us through the forest above the lodge where we will search for many of the more than 250 species of birds recorded here. We will walk on several of the 14 different trails in the forest which pass through montane and cloud forest habitat. We will search for Great Tinamou, White-faced Quail-Dove, Green-breasted Mountain-gem, Three-wattled Bellbird, Resplendent Quetzal and White-ruffed Manakin among other species.
We return to the lodge for lunch and then have an opportunity to tour the coffee plantation. Those interested in this tour will learn about coffee production and harvesting at this site and bird along the way for forest edge species. The day will end with an afternoon hike in the forest followed by dinner and a relaxing evening.
Day 10 - Selva Negra Reserve to Managua:
We begin our last day with one more hike into the forest as we search for Black-faced Nightingale-Thrush, Wood Thrush, Long-billed Hermit, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and many other species of this region. We will try to find any species that we did not encounter on our previous walks before returning for lunch. There will be an opportunity to walk around the grounds or take in other activities (not included in our tour) before packing up for our return trip to Managua in the late afternoon. We arrive at our hotel at the end of the day, giving time to relax and prepare for your return flight the next day.
We begin our last day with one more hike into the forest as we search for Black-faced Nightingale-Thrush, Wood Thrush, Long-billed Hermit, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and many other species of this region. We will try to find any species that we did not encounter on our previous walks before returning for lunch. There will be an opportunity to walk around the grounds or take in other activities (not included in our tour) before packing up for our return trip to Managua in the late afternoon. We arrive at our hotel at the end of the day, giving time to relax and prepare for your return flight the next day.
Above pictures taken by Bill Volkert, who is always excited by the sight of birds and takes great interest in sharing them with others. Adjacent picture taken by Bill's wife, Connie.
If you should have any questions about these trips. please contact Bill at naturalist@billvolkert.com.