Join the Fun of Birding in Belize
With over 500 species of resident and migrant birds, start planning your trip to join the fun of birding in Belize! Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious nature lover, the jewel has quickly become a top destination for birders to explore the diverse ecosystems.
Birding in Belize is a thriving activity, thanks to the country’s wide variety of habitats, from tropical forests to coastal areas. Resorts and tour operators now offer tailored birding experiences, making it easy to explore the incredible bird life here. Additionally, birding enthusiasts attend the annual Belize Birding Festival by the Belize Audubon Society (BAS), Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), and the Belize Hotel Association (BHA). It features interactive workshops, panel discussions, lively performances, and engaging exhibition booths. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from international and local birding experts and gain interest in Belize’s birding culture.
Belize, A Birding Destination
“Belize has one step in the Caribbean and another in Central America. As such, we get a blend of species from both realms,” said Roni Martinez, a renowned birder for the past 20 years. He continued, “Being a tiny country also gives us a quick switch between habitats. You can wake up in the pine forests with coffee in hand, listening to Grass Wren and Rufous-capped Warblers, yet end the day on the beach, margarita in hand, watching Red-footed Boobies and Sooty Terns at sunset.”
Having such a vast biodiversity for such a small country will intrigue you to visit and see for yourself! Martinez shared that the best time of the year for birding is during Belize’s dry season, February to May. It is easier to see native activities such as active singing and nest-building. However, fall migration during the rainy season (June to January) is a must-witness natural phenomenon. He expounded, “Many islands and coastal areas are bursting with migrating warblers, tanagers and thrushes. Along the southern coast, thousands and thousands of Hook-billed Kites and Broad-winged Hawks are traversing. This is truly spectacular!”
Tips to Bird in Belize
Every corner of Belize is a nature trail encounter with feathered friends. No matter if you’re in the Belize District to visit the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, or the Cayo District in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, every journey is a birding experience. However, if you truly want to immerse yourself in the activity, here are a few tips from Roni:
- Stay in-country long enough!
- Diversify your lodging to see birds in different habitats.
- Hire a professional Bird Guide.
- Use technology, such as eBird and Merlin to keep track of your sightings.
Roni shares the significance of hiring a professional bird guide because “it requires high skill to get to see many birds hiding in the forest.” He continued, “Plus, vocalizations can be tricky. A pro bird guide will help you to lay eyes on those feathered jewels with skulking habits. Not to mention knowing exactly where to find these feathered friends.”
Regarding technology and birding, he added “Nowadays, these apps make it easy to record your sightings and contribute to science, but also keep track of birds still eluding you. This could make it a very entertaining experience, but also a very motivational target-driven “hunt” for your missing birds.”
Birding Conservation
Birding in Belize is parallel to the conservation efforts in Belize. There are several organizations like the Belize Audubon Society, Belize Raptor Center, The Belize Zoo, and others that strive to protect the livelihood of our bird species. Roni explains, “Many visitors underestimate the value of citizen science. By simply keeping track of your sightings on eBird.org via their app, you are contributing towards our understanding of bird distribution, abundance and seasonality.” He says that the data can be used to understand population trends, shifts in habitat, and migration timing. Martinez expressed that the best birding experiences happen in protected areas!
Birding is a fascinating activity to explore the wonders of the nation’s biodiversity. It is a great way to gather friends and families to learn of the colourful features spotted on trees, fences, buildings, or soaring in the blue skies. Belize offers marvellous opportunities to get to know the cultural and natural variety nestled in our jewel.
