Birding Belize & NE Guatemala 1 (TROGONS, Araçari, Herons, Mayan Ruins, Pauraque & More!)

Birding Belize & NE Guatemala 1 is the first of three video from our trips to Belize and NE Guatemala. Our first visit to Belize was in 2014 while on a cruise. Our second and more extensive trip to Belize was in 2023. We also visited NE Guatemala in February 2023.

"TITLE PHOTO" is one of the Mayan ruins at Caracol in Belize. See also (12:03) in this video for more photos of Caracol.

"COVER BIRD" is the Gartered Trogon (16:06). This handsome fellow was hanging out at Blue Hole National Park. See (08:15) for a picture of why Blue Hole National Park is named what it is.

SO many viable candidates for our MOST PHOTOGENIC awards. We arbitrarily chose these three birds in order of appearance:
1. Couch's Kingbird (15:42) This bird, a Belizean endemic, was photographed posing in this hollowed out log on the grounds of Crystal Paradise Resort in San Ignacio, Belize.
2. Crimson-collared Tanager (16:38) There was no camouflaging this spectacular bird! Photographed in Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Belize.
3. Golden-fronted Woodpecker (18:56). This photogenic gem was showing off his strong profile, streamlined silhouette and curved claws at Crystal Paradise Resort.
LOOKS MOST LIKE ITS NAME— We picked out a few:
A. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (03:44)—Bare-throat, check. Stripes resembling a tiger, check. Heron, obviously!
B. Bright-rumped Attila (09:05)—This baby, we mean bird, has back! A very bright rump and a very fitting name!
C. Eye-ringed Flatbill (18:11)—Yes, definitely!

A TRIO OF PAIRS—
1. Two Brown Jays (10:13) were on the lookout at Tikal National Park, Guatemala.
2. We're getting eyed by this stunning pair of Brown Pelicans (10:52) on the coast at Hopkins Village, Belize.
3. These perky Brown-hooded Parrots (11:23) were in the trees at Tikal, Guatemala. One of them was a bit camera shy.

OTHER STANDOUTS—
—Collared Araçari (14:41) visited us while we were at Crystal Paradise Resort. So fun to watch!
—Female and Male Curassows (20:25) strolled through the property at La Milpa Lodge in Tres Leguas.
—Common Pauraque (15:26) were encountered while night birding at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.
—Green Iguana (22:55) This majestic specimen is exuding dominance in the treetops. Photographed while boating the lagoon and wetlands at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary.

RAPTORS—Black-collared Hawk (00:33), Bat Falcon (04:13), Black Hawk-Eagle (4:53), Gray Hawk (19:28) and American Kestrel (23:34).
ORIOLES—Altamira (02:35), Baltimore (03:22) and Crimson-collared (16:38).
HERONS—Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (03:44), Great Blue Heron (20:01) and Green Heron (22:18) were each looking solid and stately.
TROGONS—Black-headed (01:32) and Gartered (16:06) posed nicely for us!

Also appearing American Redstarts, Antshrikes, Warblers, Jays, Saltators, Doves, Crested Guan, Tanagers. Egrets, Sandpipers, Woodpeckers and many more.

NOT JUST BIRDS—
Agouti (01:16)
Leaves and a worm coiled up (08:07)
Brown Anole (09:33)
Coatimundi (13:07)
Common Nawab Brush-footed Butterfly (15:18)
Cramer's Eighty-eight Brush-footed Butterfly (15:58)
Deppe's Squirrel (17:18)
Forest Toad (18:34)
Great Pondhawk (21:27)
Green Iguanas (22:47)

FLORA—
Airplant (02:19), Banana Tree (03:36), Bamboo Orchid (04:37), American White Water-lily (05:31), Golden Trumpet (10:20), Coconut Palm (11:54), False Bird of Paradise (18:26) and Flame of the Woods (21:04)

Locations visited: Belize—Northern Highway from the airport to Bird's Eye View Lodge, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. La Milpa Lodge and La Milpa Archaeological Site, Tres Leguas; Crystal Paradise Resort, San Ignacio; King Vulture Falls; Bocawina Lodge; Cosmopolitan Guest House, Hopkins Village ; Hopkins Village and wetlands. Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Douglas Da Silva; Caracol Mayan Ruins site; Blue Hole National Park in the Cayo District. Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Alta Vista; Cockscomb Belize Jaguar Reserve.
Locations visited: Guatemala—La Polbora Village; Hotel Tikal Inn, Tikal National Park.

Eric of Paradise Expeditions was excellent! He arranged our whole trip (We did our own flights.) including our Guatemala stay. I can't recommend them enough! When we were at Crystal Paradise we were fortunate to have Carolita as our chef. She is an amazing cook!

Elvis was our guide for our time in Belize. He knows birds and all kinds of wildlife. He's very fluent in English and is an excellent driver. I was prepared and I was happy to let people know when, "Elvis has left the building." I promise I only said it once.

Ugo was our driver in Guatemala. He found a few places for us to stop and bird on our way to and from Tikal. He understands English and is a semi-fluent English speaker. We recommend him! Our guide in Tikal was Miguel. He knows birds and wildlife. He is also a storehouse of knowledge about the history of Tikal (he worked excavating the site when he was younger).

quipment used was Canon 70D with a Canon EF100-400mm lens and Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max.