LOS CUSINGOS BIRD SANCTUARY
COSTA RICA
LOCALE
| Area (ha): | 77 |
| # Species: | 433 |
| # Excl Vagrants: | 433 |
| # Endemics: | 2 |
| # Near Endemics: | 43 |
| Species/100 ha: | 562.3 |
| Habitat: Secondary forest | |
ABOUT THE BIRDING
Los Cusingos is the former farmstead of famed biologist Alexander Skutch, who settled the area in 1941. While Dr. Skutch was trained as a botanist, he lived in Costa Rica much of his adult life and made major contributions to the understanding of Costa Rica birdlife. He co-authored the most widely used field guide to Costa Rican birds along with Gary Stiles. Only 15 visitors per day are allowed in the preserve, which represents about the last forested area remaining in the heavily agricultural San Isidro del General valley.
A highlight of any visit to Los Cusingos is sitting on the porch watching the hummingbird feeders. In addition, a trail through the forest along the Penas Blancas River allows visitors to see many of the forested birds in the area. Since the farmstead is south of the high Talamanca Cordillera, it attracts many of the specialty birds from southern Costa Rica that aren't found to the north. Some of the notable specialties are Fiery-billed Aracari, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Turquoise Cotinga, Speckled Tanager, and Streaked Saltator.
LOCATION OF SITE
Los Cusingos is a private bird sanctuary located in Valle de El General about 45 minutes south of Cerro de la Muerte and the Talamanca Highlands. From San Jose it takes nearly 4 hours to reach the site.