Mayan Birds Paradise In Belize

With almost 600 species of birds, Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise. The Scarlet Macaw, Keel-Billed Toucan, and Yellow-Headed Parrot are just some of the exotic birds that call Belize home. The country's diverse habitats, from tropical rainforests to coastal areas, make it an ideal spot for bird enthusiasts and amateurs alike.

One of the best places to see these magnificent birds is at the Mayan sites, where the ruckus of the rainforest is truly amazing. The Caracol Archaeological Reserve, in particular, is a great place to observe colourful toucans and trogons while also admiring the largest Mayan site in Belize.

Belize is home to almost 600 species of birds

Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise, with almost 600 species of birds to spot. With its tropical climate and diverse habitats, the country attracts a variety of year-round and migratory birds. From colourful kingfishers and woodpeckers to the majestic Harpy Eagle, there is no shortage of birds to see in Belize.

Most of the birds in Belize are local species, but approximately 20% are migrants from North America that fly down during the harsh winter months. With almost half of Belize's land made up of protected areas, it is no surprise that the country is a haven for birdlife.

One of the best places to spot birds is at the jungle lodges in western Belize, where you can enjoy your breakfast while listening to the ceremonial chatter of various bird species. Another option is to visit the Mayan sites early in the morning to experience the amazing ruckus of the rainforest.

• Keel-Billed Toucan: The Keel-Billed Toucan, also known as the "bill bird", is the national bird of Belize. It is characterised by its brightly coloured green, orange, red, blue, and black bill. These social birds usually travel in groups of six to twelve and can be found throughout the country's forests.
• Magnificent Frigate Bird: This seabird is commonly seen soaring over the ocean's surface in the Cayes, rarely touching land. The male species have a red gular sac that they inflate to attract a mate, while the females sport a white breast.
• Scarlet Macaw: A member of the Neotropical parrot group, the Scarlet Macaw is one of the most stunning and recognisable birds in Belize. With its colourful plumage and powerful wings, it is a breathtaking sight. These birds often travel in pairs and can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
• Harpy Eagle: One of the world's largest and most powerful eagles, the Harpy Eagle is a remarkable bird. Its hind talons can grow as large as a grizzly bear's, and it hunts prey such as monkeys and sloths. Unfortunately, the Harpy Eagle population is facing extinction due to deforestation and hunting.
• Boat-Billed Heron: A nocturnal bird, the Boat-Billed Heron spends most of its time foraging for fish at dawn and dusk. It is considered a solitary bird but has a ritualised dance of bill-touching and false fighting during the mating season.
• Red-Footed Booby: This seabird gets its name from its distinctive red feet. It is a polymorphic species with various morphs and plumage patterns. These expert divers can plunge up to 30 meters deep for a meal and live in colonies during the mating season.
• Blue-Crowned Motmot: A tourist favourite, the Blue-Crowned Motmot is known for its colourful plumage and pendulum-like tail. It favours the rainforest canopy and gets its name from its distinct, repetitive "mot-mot" call.

The Keel-billed Toucan is Belize's National bird

Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 590 species of birds. The Keel-billed Toucan, Belize's National bird, is one of the most iconic and colourful birds in the country. Also known as the "bill bird" by locals, this toucan is distinguished by its enormous, brightly coloured bill, which is light green at the top and bottom, red at the tip, and streaked with orange and light blue. The Keel-billed Toucan's body is mostly black, with a bright yellow chest and a red patch on its rear. Its legs are blue, and its face is a vibrant yellow. The Keel-billed Toucan is about 20 inches long, with its large bill making up about a third of its total body length.

These toucans are social birds, often travelling in groups of six to twelve. They are monogamous, with some pairs mating for life. They are also vocal, with males making impressive calls during the breeding season to attract their mates. The Keel-billed Toucan is a poor flyer, usually only flying short distances. It uses its wings to take off and then coasts through the air. It prefers to hop from branch to branch, using its two forward-facing and two backward-facing toes to grasp the branches.

The Keel-billed Toucan is native to the subtropical rainforests and jungles of Belize, as well as other parts of Central America, including southern Mexico and northern Colombia. In the wild, toucans are most often found in the highest tree canopies, rarely coming down to the forest floor where they are more vulnerable to predators. They are not strong fliers, so they mostly hop from tree limb to tree limb. Toucans make their nests in tree holes, hollow stumps, and holes created by woodpeckers. They are early birds, rising at dawn to forage for food. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, insects, small lizards, and occasionally the eggs of other birds.

The Keel-billed Toucan is beloved by locals and tourists alike, and its image can be found on the logo of the Belize Tourism Board and even on the country's dollar bills. The toucan is also featured on a limited-edition commemorative 5-dollar coin issued in 1982-1983. The Keel-billed Toucan is an important symbol of Belize, and its colourful and distinctive appearance makes it a favourite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to spot birds

Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 590 bird species. The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a prime example of this, recognised as a Wetland of International Importance and designated as a waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The sanctuary is home to thousands of birds, with over 250 resident or migratory exotic neotropical bird species.

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a birdwatcher's dream, with its lagoons and marshes covering over 12,800 acres. The shores of the lagoons are teeming with birds, especially in the early morning. The largest group of lagoons includes Calabash Pond, Southern Lagoon, Western Crooked Tree, and Revenge and Spanish Creeks. These flow into the Belize River through Black Creek, providing ample opportunities for birdwatching.

The sanctuary is also home to globally endangered species, including the Central American river turtle, locally known as hicatee, the Mexican black howler monkey, and the yellow-headed parrot. The Jabiru stork, Crooked Tree's most famous resident, is a highlight for birdwatchers. Belize has the largest nesting population of these great birds in Central America, and they can be spotted in the lowland pine savannas from November to April or May.

Birdwatching tours and lodging are available at the Bird's Eye View Lodge, located along the famous Crooked Tree Lagoon. The lodge offers birding-by-boat cruises and guided bird walks, providing visitors with the opportunity to spot neotropical birds and take stunning photographs. The village of Crooked Tree, located on an island of about 20 square miles, is also worth exploring. It is home to between 600 and 900 residents and offers a glimpse into local life in Belize.

With its diverse bird population and protected status, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place to spot birds and enjoy nature photography. Visitors can also explore nearby ancient Mayan archaeological sites, visit the Baboon Sanctuary, or go snorkelling or cave tubing. The sanctuary is easily accessible, located just three miles off the Phillip Goldson Highway between Belize City and Orange Walk.

The Belize Bird Conservatory hosts an annual Lodge Bird-a-Thon

Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise, with nearly 600 species of colourful and exotic birds. The Belize Bird Conservatory hosts an annual Lodge Bird-a-Thon in April, a highlight of the birding calendar in Belize. The event takes place in Mayflower Bocawina National Park, a prime spot for birdwatching, with over 7000 acres of pristine lowland and highland rainforest. The park is also home to mountains, waterfalls, walking trails, swimming holes, and Mayan archaeological remains.

The Bird-a-Thon is a great opportunity to see some of Belize's most spectacular birds. The keel-billed toucan, for example, is Belize's national bird, known for its brightly coloured green, orange, red, and blue bill. The scarlet macaw is another stunning bird, with its ruby-red body and bright flashes of yellow and blue on its wings. It's also the largest parrot in the world.

The yellow-head parrot is another must-see. This endemic sub-species, found nowhere else, has a lime-green body and a sunshine-yellow head. It's also an extraordinary mimic, making it a treat to listen to in the wild. Birders come from around the world to spot this rare bird, whose populations have sadly declined in recent decades.

Belize's diverse habitats make it an ideal setting for year-round and migratory birds. From kingfishers and woodpeckers to tanagers and trogons, there is an incredible diversity of birds in Belize. The country's tropical climate and varied landscapes, including rainforests, mountains, coastal habitats, swamps, jungles, and dry forests, provide a home for a technicolour array of bird species.

The Belize Bird Conservancy is dedicated to conserving birds in their habitats across Belize through scientific research, education, advocacy, and collaborations. Their projects aim to protect endangered species, provide economic opportunities for locals, and educate communities to ultimately conserve the birds of Belize.

The Scarlet Macaw is one of the most stunning birds in Belize

Belize is a birdwatcher's paradise, with nearly 600 species of birds. One of the most stunning and recognisable birds in Belize is the Scarlet Macaw. With its bright red, yellow and blue plumage, it is a member of a large group of Neotropical parrots that thrive in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

The Scarlet Macaw is the largest parrot in the world, measuring approximately 32-35 inches in length. It has a powerful beak, perfect for cracking hard nuts and seeds, and large, powerful wings that allow it to soar through the air at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. These magnificent birds are highly intelligent and can mimic human speech. They often travel in pairs, communicating through a series of loud squawks and honks.

The Scarlet Macaw is an endangered species, with its population suffering a decline due to habitat destruction, deforestation and illegal trapping for the pet trade. In Belize, the best place to see these stunning birds is in the hills outside the Mayan village of Red Bank in Southern Belize, where they migrate for a feeding vacation. The birds are attracted by the seasonal fruits of the "annatto" and "pole wood" trees. The Scarlet Macaw has a special significance for the Ancient Mayans, who revered the bird for its colourful feathers. Mayan kings made royal cloaks, tunics and headdresses from these feathers, which they wore in their holy temples.

Conservation efforts are underway in Belize to protect the Scarlet Macaw. The Belize Bird Conservancy and the Belize Audubon Society are dedicated to protecting and monitoring the species, providing them with food and shelter. Additionally, a team of rangers, known as the Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team, spends night and day watching over the birds' nests and homes to keep them safe from poachers. These dedicated conservation efforts give hope that the Scarlet Macaw will continue to be a stunning feature of Belize's diverse bird population.

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