Guatemala is a small country which is home to 19 different ecosystems, ranging from the mangrove forests on both Pacific and Caribbean coasts to the pine forests of the mountainous interior, to the cloud forests at higher altitudes and to the sub tropical jungle at lower altitudes. These ecosystems include 250 species of mammals, 600 species of birds and 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, many species of butterflies and other insects... and more than 8,000 species of plants !
Hummingbirds vary in size. The smallest hummingbird, the bee hummingbird, weighs less than 2 g, while giant hummingbirds weigh 19 to 21 g. Most species, however, weigh 2.5 to 6.5 g and are 6 to 12 cm in length. Hummingbirds bear the most glittering plumage in the bird world. They display sexual dimorphism, as male hummingbirds are usually more brightly coloured, while females of most species display more cryptic coloration.
Most males have iridescent plumage, in metallic red, orange, green and/or blue. Some have only an iridescent throat patch or cap, while others, such as the Coppery-headed Emerald are entirely iridescent.
Regarding the fauna, agouti, coatis, gray fox, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, harpy eagles, falcons, ocellated turkeys, guans, toucans, green parrots and leaf-cutting ants can be seen there regularly. Jaguars, jaguarundis and cougars are also said to roam in the park.
