BIRDING IN BELIZE

With an abundance of over 500 species of colorful birds, Belize is quickly becoming a birdwatcher’s paradise in Central America. Let Exotic Belize Tours be your guide to the fascinating world of Belize birds.

Unusual birds such as the Jabiru Stork, the largest in the Western Hemisphere with a height of 5 feet, can be found here. There is a healthy population of Jabiru Storks, and Roseate Spoonbills are on the increase. Both species can be found feeding at some of the shrimp farms around the Placencia Area. Other exciting and endangered species of birds include the Keel-billed Toucan, Blue-crowned Motmot, and Orange-breasted Falcon. These falcons nest on cliffs on high outcropping in the Maya Mountains, and on steep walls of sinkholes. The Harpy Eagle, with a wingspan of 7 feet and height of 3 feet, making it the largest eagle in the world, has been seen soaring near the ruins of Caracol. Other interesting and/or threatened species includes the Ocellated Turkey, Chestnut-bellied Heron, Solitary Eagle, and Crested Eagle. The Black Catbird is making a comeback at a small reserve dedicated to its existence on Caye Caulker.

The largest population of Scarlet Macaws can be found in areas around Red Bank and at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Belize is also the winter home for many migrants from North America such as Baltimore Orioles and many species of wood warblers.
Basilio Mes will be your specialized guide on this tour. Born to a Mayan couple in the deep rainforest of southern Belize, he grew up in the Maya Village of Red Bank and started birding over 5 years ago. He has found some of the most fascinating sites near and around Placencia. He is ready to take you on a tour of some of these incredible sites for bird watching, such as the Jaguar Preserve, the Banana dump, the shrimp farms, the open pine savannah and of course his home, Red Bank.

Of course, you can see birds at any time of the year, but the best viewing times will depend on the type of bird you are looking for. For instance, the endangered Scarlet Macaws come to feed from December to March every year at the foothills of the Maya Mountain just out side Red Bank. These are birds that you definitely don’t want to miss. Basilio will take you to see them as they feed in the trees overhead.

For serious birders, we will start at sunrise. We can do two locations a day for three days around Placencia. And if you want more, there are other places around Belize such as the Agua Caliente in the Toledo District, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in the Belize District and Blue Hole National Park in the Cayo District on the Hummingbird Highway. Extra locations and group packages can be arranged in advance by contacting our reservations department. Basilio has spotted over 350 species of birds throughout Belize. Make sure to print our bird list before you come on the tour.

DETAILED ITINERARY
Scarlet Macaws:
These are seasonal birds. They migrate to Red Bank from December to March every year to feed. Exotic Belize Tours offers two tours a day. One leaves at 6am and returns at 12 noon. The other tour leaves at 2:00pm and returns at 7pm. If you are adventurous you can choose to combine your Scarlet Macaw Tour, along with River Tubing in the afternoon. You can also choose to horseback on our beautiful Billy Hill farm off the Southern Highway.

Birds of Belize:
This tour is designed for serious birdwatchers. Your tour will start at sunrise. Our first destination is the Banana dump to view fly catchers, warblers (November to April), vultures, etc. Next, at the Jaguar Preserve we will look for more mountain birds such as Toucans, Tinamous, Trogans, Motmots, Herons, King Vultures and the occasional Scarlet Macaws when in season.