RSS |
Rare Birds of Belize
Unusual birds such as the Jabiru Stork, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and 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 at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. The uncommon nocturnal Yucatan nightjars, as well as the long-tailed hermit hummingbird, have been spotted at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge. |
Cruising the New River by boat to the Lamanai ruins is also a birder's paradise.The waterway teems with bird life. Rare birds abound, like the roseate spoonbills, sun grebes and long-necked anhinga. Near the mouth of the lagoon is a large ceiba tree with a huge nest, home to a five-foot jabiru stork, the largest bird in the country which has a wingspan of approximately eight feet.
Another birding paradise is The Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, located off the Western Highway a mile and a half past the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center turnoff. This privately owned 1,070 acre reserve has ecosystems which include pine and palm savanna, tropical forest, freshwater wetlands and lagoons; it is a haven for bird-watchers. Over 250 species of birds have been sighted, including toucans, parrots, storks and the redstart warbler. Western Belize is also a birder's haven. The Cayo District, which has become a major tourist center, offers excellent bird-watching opportunities at resorts located in or near the Chiquibul Reserve. The spotting of an extremely rare harpy eagle during a tour near the Caracol Ruins in the Chiquibul Forest recently created much excitement for a small group of tourists and their local guide.Birds of Prey
Those of us in Belize monitoring the released Harpy Eagles, carrying out Environmental Education on behalf of these raptors, and providing basic resources, are following the lead from TPF, and it can rightfully be assumed that their 30 years of experience to conserve wild populations of birds of prey, is now benefiting Belize through BHERP. The Peregrine Falcon and the Mauritius Kestrel are two species of birds of prey which have been saved from extinction by captive breeding and re-introduction efforts from TPF. Their diligent efforts on behalf of restoring the California Condor back into its former range are recognized throughout the world. We hope that within the upcoming few years, The Harpy Eagle, brought back to the Meso America Biological Corridor, MBC can be added to their list.
