Miraflor Natural Reserve is a
nature reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geologic ...
in
Nicaragua
Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the geographically largest Sovereign state, country in Central America, comprising . With a population of 7,142,529 as of 2024, it is the third-most populous country in Central America aft ...
. It is one of the 78 reserves that are under official protection in the country. It was declared a nature reserve in 1990. It is located from
Estelí
Estelí (), officially Villa de San Antonio de Pavia de Estelí is a city and Municipalities of Nicaragua, municipality within the Estelí Department, Estelí department. It is the 8th largest city in Nicaragua due to the high urbanization of its ...
, Nicaragua, and spans an area of .
It is a place where farmers grow coffee, one of the region's most valuable ecological products. The reserve is known for its
bio-diversity. It is considered one of the richest orchids zones in the world. There are more than 200 identified species of orchids, including Catteleya Skinniri (the national flower of
Costa Rica
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, as well as Maritime bo ...
). The orchids grow in different ways, but the most common growth is on the trees. There are also many colorful and unique orchid species growing among the rocks and directly on the ground level. There are 236 species of birds, among which one can observe
quetzal
Quetzals () are strikingly colored birds in the trogon family. They are found in forests, especially in humid highlands, with the five species from the genus ''Pharomachrus'' being exclusively Neotropical, while a single species, the eared quet ...
,
emerald toucanet,
three-wattled bellbird
The three-wattled bellbird (''Procnias tricarunculatus'') is a Central American migratory bird of the cotinga family. The sexes are very dissimilar in appearance. The male has a white head and throat and the remaining plumage is chestnut brown. ...
(''Procnias tricarunculatus''),
chestnut-headed oropendola (''Psarocolius wagleri''), and the
national bird
This is a list of national birds, including official birds of overseas territories and other states described as nations. Most species in the list are officially designated. Some species hold only an "unofficial" status. The column is marked a ...
of Nicaragua,
turquoise-browed motmot
The turquoise-browed motmot (''Eumomota superciliosa'') is a colourful, medium-sized bird of the motmot family, Momotidae. It inhabits Central America from south-east Mexico (mostly the Yucatán Peninsula), to Costa Rica, where it is common and n ...
(''guardabarranco'', "guardian of the stream").
References
External links
Miraflora Nature Reserve
Estelí Department
{{Nicaragua-protected-area-stub