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Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary

Dr. Skutch's Farm


Los Cuisingos Bird Sanctuary
This small private forest belongs to Dr. Alexander Skutch since 1941. This land, when first purchased, was one of the few clearings in the whole Valley of San Isidro del General. By the end of the 20th century his farm had become one of the few forested patches of the area which is now highly devoted to agriculture.

Walking along the forest trail or the Peñas Blancas River, visitors can personally admire many of the plants and animals (especially birds) that Dr. Skutch has classified and written about over the years. Being a contributor of countless articles and having written more than 20 books, Dr Skutch is undeniably considered as the most important naturalist living in Costa Rica nowadays.

We recommend all visitors, after visiting Los Cusingos, to rest sitting on the porch in order to admire all the birds that come to the feeding tray across the yard. Among them the most common are: Scarlet Rumped Tanager, Buff-Throated Leap Dancer, Speckled Tanager, Green Honeycreeper and Bananaquit. Most of the afternoons and some mornings it is possible to see a male Turquoise Cutinga (a colorful plumaged bird) sitting on the big Mayo tree by the porch.

Admission policy: After an agreement signed in 1993 with Dr. Skutch , the Tropical Science Center (the same private organization operating in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve) took over the management of Los Cusingos. They now have a reservation office downtown San José where interested visitors can call at the following numbers: 253 3267 fax: 253 4963). Visits are limited to 15 persons a day.

Admission fee: $8.00 p.p.

Getting there: We recommend you to reserve directly with the Tropical Science Center where you can solicit directions.

Climate:

Mornings are usually sunny and hot all year round. Thunderstorms are frequent in afternoons even during the dry season (December-April). Small black flies can be annoying therefore don’t forget to bring some insect repellent.

History:

In 1941 Dr.Skutch bought this property with the purpose of studying and categorizing the many neo tropical bird species inhabiting the forest. Its name is due to the Fiery-billed Aracary (a slender member of the toucan family) being its local common name “Cusingo”. This bird specie was well known by neighboring residents being an endemic of the Southern Pacific portion of Costa Rica and Western Panamá. The “Cusingo” also survived the large deforestation of the area while other species disappeared