Belize Birding Expedition

This area is of international importance for migratory birds as they flock to the lagoons during the wet season, and food is difficult to find in other areas. Non-migratory birds also find this area essential; various species are here. In 1998, Belize designated this area as its first Ramsar site.

This location offers excellent birdwatching opportunities on land and the water in its tributaries. Seek out the Bare-throated Tiger, Sungrebe, Jabiru, Wood-storks, Black-collared Hawk, and the American Pygmy Kingfisher. In the pine and hardwood forest habitats, seek out the endangered Yellow-headed Parrot among other migratory and resident breeds.

This remote location on the New River lagoon boasts almost 400 species of birds documented within a 3-mile radius. The area is Belize’s premier birding location. Habitats range from vast wetlands and broadleaf forests to pine savannah, and all are easily accessible.

A Spotlight Safari provides a fantastic opportunity to see roosting waders, nocturnal, and some of the more elusive diurnal species up close and personal. Regular sightings include the Yucatan Nightjar, Northern Potoo, Common Pauraque and Nighthawk, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Sungrebe, and Agami Heron.

Some species that inhabit this reserve are Black-Collared Hawk, Northern Jacana, Mangrove Swallow, Olive-Throated Parakeet, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Red Lored Parrot, Blue-crowned Mot-mot, Collared Aracari Toucan, Lineated and Pale-Billed Woodpeckers, and Black-Headed and Violaceous Trogons, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Flycatcher, Yucatan Woodpecker, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Azure-crowned hummingbird, Yellow-headed Parrot, White-tailed Hawk, Gray-throated Chat, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Botteri’s Sparrow, and Jabiru.

This reserve is a beautiful location where you can view some unique species of birds. It’s the best place in the country to view the Orange-breasted Falcon. Other common birds to the reserve are the Red Crossbill, the Pine Siskin, the Eastern Bluebird, the Rufous-capped Warbler, Grace’s Warbler, the Stygian Owl, the Hepatic Tanager, and the Yellow-backed Oriole—a great place to see a wide variety of species.

Some of the species that inhabit this reserve are:

Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Orange-breasted Falcon, Keel-billed Toucan, Collared Aracari, White-fronted Parrot, Crimson-collared Tanager, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, King Vulture, White-collared Manakin, White-whiskered Puffbird, Bright-rumped Attila, Piratic Flycatcher, Yellow-green Vireo, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Blue-black Grosbeak, Plain Chachalaca, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Green-backed Sparrow, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Pale-billed, Lineated Woodpecker, Squirrel Cuckoo, Tody Motmot, Black-headed trogon, Slaty-tailed trogon, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Gray-throated Chat among other.

This reserve is home to a vulnerable species of bird called the Keel-billed Motmot and is one of the last places in the world to see it in the wild. These birds nest in this area. Also, this location offers sightings of Toucans, Trogons, Ocellated Turkeys, Crested Guans, and Great Curassows. Its location near Belize’s most extensive Mayan ruins makes it a popular destination.

Located in San Ignacio District, Chaa Creek Nature Reserve is one of the best birding destinations in western Belize. The reserve reports 308 species of resident and migratory birds within its 365 acres.

Some of the species that inhabit the reserve are:

Keel-billed Toucan, Blue-crowned Mot-Mot, Violaceous Trogon, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Collared Forest Falcon Collared Aracari, Violaceous Trogon, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Blue-gray Tanager, Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Red-lored Parrot, Masked Tityra, Squirrel Cuckoo, Emerald Toucanet, and Great Curassow. The Collared Forest-Falcon, Swallow-tailed Kite, Roadside Hawk, and the Black-and-White Hawk-Eagle, among others.

Tikal National Park, a UNESCO site in Guatemala, is one of the premier birding locations. It boasts a record of over 400 bird species, encompassing 60 migratory species and 30 birds of prey.

The exuberant forest and the impressive temples present magic and mysticism. Due to the rarity and number of wildlife species, Tikal is considered an essential area in Guatemala.

Rare species found nesting in Tikal include the orange-breasted falcon (Falco deiroleucus) and the Guiana crested eagle (Morphus guianensis), which makes Tikal one of the few nesting areas in Central America for this species.

Some Species that inhabit Tikal National Park are:

Great Curassow, Ocellated Turkey, White-fronted Parrot, Mealy Parrot, Crested Eagle, Orange-breasted Falcon, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, White-bellied Wren, Montezuma Oropendola among others.

Upon arrival at Philip Goldson International Airport, our welcoming representative will greet you and escort you to Bird’s Eye View Lodge. After checking in, enjoy an afternoon of birdwatching near the lodge, then dinner and an overnight stay at Bird’s Eye View Lodge.

Start your day early with a sunrise lagoon boat tour at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a premier birding spot. Experience the excitement of the Birding Boat Trip, navigating through various waterways to spot birds like the Agami Heron, Boat-billed Heron, and Jabiru Stork. After a late breakfast, transfer to Lamanai Outpost Lodge for an afternoon birding session, dinner, and overnight stay.

Post-breakfast, explore the enigmatic, jungle-covered Lamanai Ruins, observing various birds amidst the Mayan City. Lamanai, set on the New River Lagoon banks, is a major Mayan ceremonial center surrounded by a forest rich in bird species and wildlife. Enjoy lunch, an afternoon birding tour along Lamanai trails, dinner, and another night at Lamanai Outpost Lodge, including a night excursion.

Embark on an early birding tour at Lamanai Outpost Lodge, breakfast, and a transfer to Hidden Valley. En route, visit Green Hills Butterfly Ranch & Botanical Collection, where hummingbirds, including the White-necked Jacobin and Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, are the stars. Check-in at Hidden Valley Inn for an afternoon birding walk, dinner, and overnight stay.

Enjoy early coffee while watching birds at the feeder, followed by breakfast. Then, venture into the Mountains of Western Belize in search of raptors like the Orange Breasted Falcon. Lunch precedes an afternoon birding tour through various trails, exploring pine forests and scrub areas. Dinner at Hidden Valley Inn and a night of adventure-seeking Stygian Owls conclude the day.

An early start takes you to the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and the Ancient Mayan City of Caracol, with birdwatching opportunities for species like the keel-billed Motmot. Dinner and another night’s stay at Hidden Valley Inn follow.

After breakfast at the lodge, transfer to Tikal National Park, with birdwatching stops along the way. Check-in at the lodge, lunch, and a sunset birding tour at Tikal National Park awaits, where you’ll seek species like the Orange-breasted Falcon and Ocellated Turkey. Dinner and overnight stay at Tikal.

An early birding trip in Tikal National Park starts the day, exploring ancient monuments and diverse bird species. After lunch, continue visiting different park areas for more tropical birdwatching—dinner and overnight at Tikal Park.

An early transfer to Mundo Maya International Airport for a flight to Belize International Airport marks the end of your Belize Birding Expedition.