Following are some common species to be found in:

Coastal Areas and on the Islands - brown pelican, magnificent frigate birds, laughing gulls, osprey, seagulls, ruddy terns, brown boobies, and on Belize's first national park Half Moon Caye Natural Monument--the rare red-footed booby

Wetlands - roseate spoonbills, great egrets, green, blue, the not so common boat-billed and agami herons, northern jacana, and the endangered jabiru stork at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary--as well as at other wetland locations.

Grasslands and Savannahs - the fork-tailed and vermilion flycatcher, a variety of tiny seedeaters, tanagers, and the ever-present roadside hawk.

Broadleaf Forests - montezuma's oropendula with its colony of hanging nests in trees, blue crowned mot mot, great tinamou, black faced ant thrush midstory, sulfur-rumped flycatcher, and Belize's national bird the keel-billed toucan.

Outstanding Birds

Rare harpy eagle, scarlet macaw, agami heron, orange breasted falcon

Very colorful keel-billed toucan, emerald toucanette, blue-crowned mot mot, scarlet-rumped tanager, vermillion flycatcher, roseatte spoonbill

BIRDING BEHAVIOR

The ideal time for birding is usually early morning or late evening when the sun is less direct and birds are out feeding on insects. Under the protection of the canopy, however, there is still much activity throughout the day. To optimize your viewing opportunities let your tour guide know your interests well in advance.

The day-to-day activities of birds and their annual cycles provide great opportunities to see them at their best.

Feeding- observe birds feeding in the early morning, evening, or at night depending on the species.

Grooming- watch birds oil their wings which need to be groomed in order to avoid predators in flight and keep warm.

Communication- listen and watch various species as they send out warning calls to their colony. The mating dance of males attempting to attract females is always something to tell friends at home about.

Mating - most birds breed and raise their young at the end of the dry season from April until July. This period provides ample opportunities to watch mating rituals, nest building, rearing of young or survival training for chicks.

Migration- the yearly migration of North American birds flying south in December is a prime opportunity to view migrant species. It is helpful to carry a guide on North American birds as well as guides for species found in Mexico and Central America, as the plumage on many of the birds is different while they are on their "winter holiday" in the tropics.

Bird Protection
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1981 protects birds throughout the country particularly in the assortment of parks and protected areas designated under the National Parks System Act of 1982.

These national parks, private reserves, forest and nature reserves marked as protected habitats for birds, plants and other wildlife, make for excellent birding areas.

Click here for a Virtual Tour of National Parks in Belize.

Helpful Tips
1. For remote areas, seek the services of a trained guide.
2. To get to the best sites, ask about your guide's training and experience before you make the trip.
3. Request a copy of a Birds of Belize checklist from the Belize Audubon Society at www.belizeaudubon.org
4. Learn more about birds by reading valuable resources like:

100 Birds of Belize by Carolyn Miller Birds of North America A Guide to Field Identification by Robbins, Bruun and Zim The Birder's Handbook A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds by Ehrlich, Dobkin and Wheye Peterson's Field Guides: Mexican Birds Birds of Belize (Corrie Herring Hooks Series) by H. Lee Jones

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