Cocos Island (20420)
Costa Rica, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Isla del Coco
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.5320, Longitude: -87.0662
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 575
Area of KBA (km2): 2013.26847
Protected area coverage (%): 99.86
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cocos Island is a volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean southwest of Costa Rica. The entirety of the island has been designated a national park. It is an uninhabited island and is home to dense tropical moist forests including cloud forest.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The site is home to the only known populations of tree species that meet the A1e criteria: Eugenia cocosensis (Critically Endangered), Eugenia pacifica (Endangered), and Miconia diegogomezii (Critically Endangered). In addition, two Vulnerable bird species, Coccyzus ferrugineus and Nesotriccus ridgwayi, trigger criterion A1b and, being restricted in range, together with Pinaroloxias inornata, trigger criterion B2.
Manageability of the site: The manageability of the site has not been documented.
Delineation rationale: No delineation rationale is available.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Additional information
Contributors: KBA originally identified using pre-existing criteria. Latest assessment of the KBA includes tree species completed by BGCI.