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Cayo District

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Cayo District

The Cayo District is the largest district in Belize and continues being a leading destination for birding as several rare or high target species are found here that are very difficult to find elsewhere. It borders Guatemala to the west. The nation’s largest protected areas lie south and east of this district. Although a multitude of forest variants are found within the district, for this report, they will be summarized into 5 broad ecosystems. These are:

  1. Lowland Pine/Oak Savannah
  2. Submontane Broadleaf Forest
  3. Submontane Pine Forest
  4. Agricultural Lands
  5. Freshwater Lakes

The larger urban settlements in the Cayo District are:

  1. Belmopan
  2. San Ignacio
  3. Benque Viejo del Carmen
  4. Spanish Lookout
  5. Valley of Peace

Top 10 Birding Destinations in Cayo District

  1. Caracol & Chiquibul
  2. St. Herman’s Blue Hole Nat Park
  3. Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
  4. Green Hills and Mountain Equestrian Trails
  5. Belize Botanic Gardens
  6. Spanish Lookout and Aguacate Lagoon
  7. Che Chem Ha & Vaca Forest
  8. Xunantunich Archeological Reserve
  9. Chalillo Lake
  10. Eligio Panti National Park

Cayo District Hotel/Lodge List
Establishment

  1. Black Rock Lodge
  2. Hidden Valley Inn
  3. San Ignacio Hotel
  4. Cave’s Branch Adventure Lodge
  5. Pook’s Hill Lodge
  6. Mountain Equestrian Trails
A total of 467 bird species have been reported for the entire district from all the above habitats and locations. The top District specialties include:

  1. Stygian Owl
  2. Solitary Eagle
  3. Orange-breasted Falcon
  4. Rusty Sparrow
  5. Plain Wren
  6. Black and White Hawk-Eagle
  7. Hepatic Tanager
  8. Keel-billed Mot Mot
  9. Scarlet Macaw
  10. Crested Caracara
  11. King Vulture
  12. Crested Owl