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Republic of El Salvador

Barred Antshrike hamnophilus doliatus ©Dubi Shapiro Website

El Salvador is a country in Central America. It is bordered on the northeast by Honduras, on the northwest by Guatemala, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. El Salvador’s capital and largest city is San Salvador with around 1.13 million inhabitants; the country’s overall population is c. 6.35 million. With an area of about 21,000 km2 (just over 8,000 square miles), El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America.

El Salvador has over 300 rivers, the most important of which is the Rio Lempa. Originating in Guatemala, the Rio Lempa cuts across the northern range of mountains, flows along much of the central plateau, and cuts through the southern volcanic range to empty into the Pacific. It is El Salvador’s only navigable river. It and its tributaries drain about half of the country’s area. Other rivers are generally short and drain the Pacific lowlands or flow from the central plateau through gaps in the southern mountain range to the Pacific. These include the Goascorán, Jiboa, Torola, Paz and the Río Grande de San Miguel.

The geography of El Salvador is volcanic. It is a country located on the Ring of Fire, where the majority of the earth’s volcanos and earthquakes occur. The most notable volcano is Volcan Chaparrastique (San Miguel Volcano), which also exhibits the most volcanic activity. The tallest volcano is Ilamatepec (Santa Ana Volcano), reaching 7,821 feet above sea level. Along with these, there are 20 other volcanoes, many which are active, or potentially active. El Salvador has the second highest number of volcanoes of any Central American country.

Ilamatepec (Santa Ana) Volcano – ©Rômulo  Gama Ferreira CC BY 2.0  via Wikimedia Commons

There are several lakes enclosed by volcanic craters in El Salvador, the most important of which are Lake Ilopango (70 km2) and Lake Coatepeque (26 km2). Lake Güija is El Salvador’s largest natural lake (44 km2). Several artificial lakes were created by the damming of the Lempa, the largest of which is Cerrón Grande Reservoir (135 km2). There are a total 320 km2 of water within El Salvador’s borders.

The highest point in El Salvador is Cerro El Pital, at 8,957 feet, on the border with Honduras. Two parallel mountain ranges cross El Salvador to the west with a central plateau between them and a narrow coastal plain hugging the Pacific. These physical features divide the country into two physiographic regions. The mountain ranges and central plateau, covering 85% of the land, comprise the interior highlands. The remaining coastal plains are referred to as the Pacific lowlands.

Rio Lempa – ©feinteriano CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

El Salvador has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons. Temperatures vary primarily with elevation and show little seasonal change. The Pacific lowlands are uniformly hot and humid; the central plateau and mountain areas are more moderate. The rainy season, known locally as invierno, extends from May to October.  Almost all the annual rainfall during this time, and yearly rain totals, particularly on southern-facing mountain slopes, can be as high as 79 inches. From November through April, the northeast trade winds control weather patterns.

During these months, air flowing from the Caribbean has lost most of its precipitation while passing over the mountains in Honduras. By the time this air reaches El Salvador, it is dry, hot, and hazy. This season is known locally as verano, or summer. The Pacific lowlands are the hottest region, with annual averages ranging from 25 to 29 °C. San Salvador is representative of the central plateau, with an annual average temperature of 23 °C and absolute high and low readings of 38 and 6 °C respectively. Mountain areas are the coolest, with annual averages from 12 to 23 °C and minimum temperatures sometimes approaching freezing.

Birding El Salvador

El Salvador is home to six terrestrial ecosystems: Central American montane forests, Sierra Madre de Chiapas moist forests, Central American dry forests, Central American pine-oak forests, Gulf of Fonseca mangroves, and Northern Dry Pacific Coast mangroves.

With a population density of around 300 persons per km2 is the highest in all of the Americas. This has led to the loss of more than 95% of the original forest. Nonetheless, there are still some excellent areas remaining, most of which are now protected and well managed. To the south of the country lies the Pacific Ocean. From the hot lowlands near the coast the country generally rises to higher altitudes along the border with Honduras in the North. Some of the very highest areas still have a covering of cloud forest, and magnificent birds such as the Resplendent Quetzal can still be found fairly easily at a few places such as Montecristo National Park, along with many regional specialties such as Fulvous Owl and Blue-throated Motmot.

There are almost 600 species of birds, 1,000 species of butterflies, 400 species of orchids, 800 species of trees, and 800 species of marine (saltwater) fish in El Salvador. Recent conservation efforts provide hope for the future of the country’s biological diversity.

Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis – ©Dubi Shapiro

Much of the land bordering Honduras is pine forest, where regional endemics such as the White-breasted Hawk can be found in good numbers. The predominant habitat of the country was originally tropical dry forest. This habitat has suffered most from deforestation, but a few areas still exist, giving birders the chance to look for some of the dry forest specialists, such as Fan-tailed Warbler and Orange-fronted Parakeet. The original forest has mostly been replaced by coffee farms, which can be surprisingly good for birding, with species such as Buffy-crowned Wood-partridge, Bar-winged Oriole and White-bellied Chachalaca.

Another major feature of the country is its many volcanoes; some of which span several habitat zones and are capped with isolated pockets of cloud forest. This isolation has led to the evolution of some unique forms, including the Rufous Sabrewing, which has only a tiny world distribution. This combination of habitats, along with some excellent, mangrove, wetland and island locations, have given the country a species total, which is very high for a country of this size with so few birders.

There have been several major studies over the past 100 years or so that have helped to chronicle the change in birdlife as the country’s environment has changed. This makes it an interesting case study for future ornithologists as the nation enters a relatively new era of conservation awareness. There is a growing number of local ornithologists starting to study the nation’s birds and there is still a great deal left for them to discover. The National Parks are well equipped, safe, and open to foreign researchers. El Salvador would be a great location for a birder wanting to conduct some original research into a little-known species.

Fan-tailed Warbler Basileuterus lachrymosus – ©Dubi Shapiro

El Salvador is not on the main tourist routes, with good reason. It is quite a bit more expensive than its neighbours, there are none of the major Mayan historical sites in the country, there is little tourist infrastructure and there is, unfortunately, a fair amount of crime. Visitors should be on their guard, as in any underdeveloped country, and not take unnecessary risks. However, the national parks are well protected and very safe. For a general birding vacation, El Salvador is probably not the best choice, considering what the neighbouring countries have to offer, but there is still some great birding to be had.

Top Sites

  • El Imposible National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    This is El Salvador's largest protected area. There are several habitats, but the main one is tropical dry forest. A recent book edited by Oliver Komar and Juan Marco Alvarez, has sections on birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, butterflies, and flora found in the park, each written by the expert in the field. The bird section by Oliver Komar includes a list of 282 species and photos of 60 of them. Good birds to look out for include: King Vulture, Black Hawk-Eagle, Long-tailed Manakin and Blue Seedeater. Recently, a lodge opened up just outside the park entrance offering good quality accommodation at a reasonable price (Hostal El Imposible, managed by SalvaNATURA). To enter the park, you need to obtain permission in advance from Salva Natura [See organisations below] Tel 279 1515, fax 279 0220), but if you are staying at the lodge they can arrange this for you when you arrive. There are also three camping areas within the park.

  • Los Volcanes National Park (Cerro Verde, Izalco and Santa Ana volcanoes)

    InformationSatellite View
    Cerro Verde is one of the best known birding sites in the country. It is mostly cloud forest, with such regional specialties as Green-throated Mountain-gem, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Rufous-browed Wren, Bushy-crested Jay and White-faced Quail-Dove. You can drive all the way to the top of Cerro Verde, where the views over the crater lake on one side and the newly dormant, volcano on the other, are quite breathtaking. Tourist police will escort visitors up the neighbouring volcanoes, which should not be climbed without a guard. Foreigners can enter without prior permission, as long as they have a passport with them, though locals need to get permission in advance from ISTU (Tel 222 8000, fax 222 8455). More information is also available at SalvaNATURA's website. [see Organisations below] This organization is working on conservation of the national park.

  • Montecristo National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    El Trifinio, the highest point in the park, marks the meeting point of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. All three countries have declared their respective sides of the frontier a national park, but the best access is from the Salvadorean side, which has cabins and camping areas just outside the main cloud forest zone. The highest area is good quality cloud forest, below which lies pine and pine-oak forest. The lower slopes also have some tropical dry forest. There are many regional specialties here, such as Black-capped Swallow, Green-throated Mountain-gem, Highland Guan, Rufous-browed Wren and Rufous-collared Thrush. To enter the park, permission needs to be obtained from the Ministry of the Environment about a week in advance. Information in Spanish is on their website, http://www.marn.gob.sv
Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 598

    (As at March 2025)

    National Bird: Turquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa (aka Torogoz)

Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in El Salvador , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • E-Bird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.

  • Wikipedia

    Annotated List
    This is a list of the bird species recorded in El Salvador. The avifauna of El Salvador included a total of 596 species as of April 2024, according to Bird Checklists of the World.[1] Of them, 138 are rare or accidental and six have been introduced by humans.
Useful Reading

  • A Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas

    | (Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador) | By Ernest Preston Edwards & Edward Murrell Butler | University of Texas Press | 1998 | Paperback | 209 pages, 51 colour plates, 1 map | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780292720916 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Birds of Central America

    (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) | By Andrew Vallely & Dale Dyer | Princeton University Press | 2018 | Paperback | 560 pages, 260 plates with colour illustrations; 1190+ colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780691138022 Buy this book from NHBS.com

  • Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America

    (Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) | By Jesse Fagan, Oliver Komar, Robert Dean & Peter Burke | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt | 2016 | Paperback | 438 pages, 189 plates with colour illustrations; colour distribution maps | ISBN: 9780544373266 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information

  • BirdLife

    SalvaNatura is the BirdLife Affiliate: SalvaNATURA, Finca Vista Alegre Km 3 ½, Planes de Randeros, San Salvador, SV info@salvanatura.org

  • Birding El Salvador

    Webpage
    Few birders think of El Salvador as a birding destination, but one of the Middle American country’s biggest fans argues that this is a mistake: El Salvador teems with quality birds and deserves more visiting birders.
Museums & Universities

  • Parque Zoologico Nacional El Salvador

    Information
    Zoo Nacional in San Salvador is almost due south of the city centre…
Organisations

  • Asociacion Audubon de El Salvador

    Website
    Milagro Harrouch, PO Box 2166, Centro de Gobierno Planta, Local No. 2, Calle Poniente, Condominio Montemaria, Edificio A, San Salvador, El Salvador Telephone: (503)298-0811/ Fax: (503)274-9180 E-mail: harrouch@es.com.sv

  • Association to the Rescue of Salvadoran Birds (ALAS)

    Website
    WHO WE ARE Association to the Rescue of Salvadoran Birds (ALAS). Non-profit organization that ensures the conservation of resident and migratory birds of El Salvador

  • SalvaNATURA (BirdLife Affiliate)

    Website
    Our mission is to contribute to the recovery and conservation of the environment and natural resources, in order to achieve sustainable development, and improve the quality of life in El Salvador and the Mesoamerican region.
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *Protected areas of El Salvador

    InformationSatellite View
    Interactive linkas to National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, RAMSAR sites etc.

  • BR WII Jiquilisco Bay

    InformationSatellite View
    Jiquilisco Bay's mangrove-lined inlets host the largest abundance of coastal-marine birds in the El Salvador, many of which are threatened or endangered. Over 80 species of migratory birds visit the area to feed on the bay's fish.

  • NP El Boqueron Park

    InformationSatellite View
    El Boqueron Park, is located on top of the San Salvador Volcano at 5,905 feet (1800 meters) the park's main attraction is a crater five kilometers in diameter and 558 meters deep. In addition, there is a small crater within the crater named “Boqueroncito” (little Boquerón). El Boquerón has a cool temperate climate year round. The park is home to many plant species identified as ornamentals such as “cartuchos”, hydrangeas, begonias and wild “sultanas”. There is wildlife such as armadillos, raccoons, deer, foxes, among others

  • NP El Imposible

    InformationSatellite View
    El Imposible National ParkBecause of it size and biological diversity, El Imposible National Park is considered the most important natural area of El Salvador. The park is home to more than 400 species of trees and 500 species of birds. It is the only habitat in the country for some mammals, and furthermore, it has five rivers with the country's most crystalline water.

  • NP Los Volcanes

    InformationSatellite View
    Parque Nacional Los Volcanes, also known as Cerro Verde National Park, is a large national park in El Salvador. The park includes three volcanoes: Cerro Verde, Izalco, and Santa Ana. About 200 species recorded, although the best birds are in the least diverse habitat: cloud forest. The tourist park at Cerro Verde is the most easily accessed cloud forest in El Salvador, although it is just a small patch. It may be the easiest place to observe Eye-ringed Flatbill, and other specialties include Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Magnificent Hummingbird, Emerald Toucanet…

  • NP Montecristo

    InformationSatellite View
    Twenty-six species of birds are known in El Salvador only from this park, and 21 occur in the cloud forest…

  • NP Walter Thilo Deininger

    Trip AdvisorSatellite View
    Birds include Gray-headed Kite, Gray Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Blue-throated Goldentail, Violaceous and Elegant Trogons, Collared Aracari, Black Phoebe, Rose-throated Becard, and Red-throated Ant-Tanager.

  • WII Cerrón Grande Lake

    InformationSatellite View
    The Cerrón Grande reservoir is the largest body of fresh water in El Salvador covering approximately 470 km2 (180 square miles) of adjacent area is listed as a "Wetland of International Importance" under the Ramsar Convention. The area provides a habitat for large numbers of waterbird, duck and fish species.

  • WII Lake Olomega

    InformationSatellite View
    This wetland, which measures 7,557 hectares, serves as the resting and feeding ground for many migratory birds. A report of the Ramsar Convention details show that the lagoon is home to several endangered species, such as the royal duck & dark ibis.
Sightings, News & Forums
Guides & Tour Operators

  • Benjamín

    Local Day Trips
    Birding in San Salvador is a good chance to be introduced to El Salvador birds, there are different species can be find in the Metropolitan area, Parque Bicentenario is a good spot to go on search of resident species (all year around ) plus Neotropical migrants (Middle October to Late April).

  • Birdwatching El Salvador

    Local Tour Operator
    Explore El Salvador's top birding hotspots with Rodolfo Walsh, a biologist and professional photographer.

  • El Gringo

    Local Tours
    Gringo Tours works with several local park guides and birding most days is wonderful even with the many visitors to the park.

  • El Salvador Nature Tours

    Local Tour Operator
    Explore the Hidden Treasures of El Salvador

  • Julio Acosta - Birding Guide

    Twitter Website
    Welcome to El Salvador! I am Julio Acosta. My passion for wildlife led me into this fascinating world of birding and I am here to show you our beautiful birds.

  • Kaiyote Tours

    Tour Operator
    El Salvador Birding Tours

  • Salvadorean Tours

    Local Tour Operator
    San Salvador City Birding Tour
Trip Reports

  • 1995 [11 November] - Frank van Groen

    PDF Report
    The first 3 weeks of this trip I worked as a tourleader of the dutch travel agency SNP-Natuurreizen. After my work I spent 3 weeks in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

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