Belize Bird Reports, Trip Reports and Birding Information

Please send your Belize bird reports to Lee Jones at buteo[at]attglobal.net

Photo of Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja, taken by Kevin Loughlin

While Belize (formerly British Honduras) has no endemic birds, it is a good place to see some widespread but infrequently observed Neotropical species such as Agami Heron, Orange-breasted Falcon and Stygian Owl, as well as regional endemics, in particular Keel-billed Motmot, Electron carinatum. Though rare, local and declining due to continuing habitat destruction, Keel-billed Motmot is more common in Belize than elsewhere in its restricted range.

Due to its proximity to the US and English language, Belize has become a popular destination for organized birding tours, and there are a number of lodges that actively promote birding tourism.

Re the photo above: On 5 February 2000, Rick Taylor found a Harpy Eagle, Harpia harpyja, perched along the road about 2 miles north of Caracol in the Maya Mountains of western Belize, the first authenticated record for the country since 1958. Kevin Loughlin rearranged the itinerary of a tour he was leading to Belize to try to relocate the Harpy and, amazingly, succeeded. On 15 March 2000, his group watched the bird on a roadside perch for 50 minutes and later relocated it perched about 200 meters farther along the road.