Enjoy our triplist below! For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please visit our TOUR PAGE.
Click on the link at right to see this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
NOTE: Due to scheduling considerations, please be advised
that our 2014 itinerary will visit Lamanai Outpost Lodge and
Hidden Valley Inn instead of the route we followed on
our 2012 tour as reflected in the triplist below. Lamanai
and Hidden Valley provide similary exciting and productive
birding, and we expect the cross section of species seen on
our 2014 tour to overlap in all important respects with what
is reported below (for example, the waterbirds possible at
Lamanai are very similar to those at Crooked Tree). We look
forward to seeing you in Belize!
A Northern Jacana
shows off its long, slender toes as it picks its way
daintily along the shoreline at Crooked Tree. (Photo by tour
participants David & Susan Disher)
This was a special tour for me- old friends, a birdy tropical destination, nice lodging, delicious food (pass me the Marie Sharps), and cold beers (Belikin) in the evening-a winning combination. It seemed we never stopped laughing and smiling.
Highlights included the "gun show" at Birds Eye View, a most memorable boat ride down the Crooked Tree Lagoon with Jabirus and nearly every conceivable long-legged wader (and those wood-rails!), Agami Heron, and American Pygmy-Kingfisher(s), the Johnny Jump Up performance, a spectacular Collared Forest-Falcon flyby, an Orange-breasted Falcon taking a Great-tailed Grackle in mid-air on his way to breakfast with the family, Tom's impromptu assignment to captain of the USS Belize, crossing the Belize River in record time, that ice-cream stop in Mennonite country, and the experience that had the greatest impact...Ruddy Crakes attacking Max's feet as he went screaming and crashing into the lake. Not quite, but Max spotted this pair, in the open, as they crept around silently between the tall marsh grasses. And some odd and unique vocalizations afterwards. What a great team!
Thanks so much for spending time with me in the field. Thanks again to Michael (our local guide at Birds Eye) and the staff of both Birds Eye and Black Rock. I look forward to seeing you all again real soon (or on Facebook). ;-)
--Jesse Fagan aka Mot
For more information about this tour, including future departures, visit our website at www.fieldguides.com. And to see this same triplist online, go to http://www.fieldguides.com/triplists/bze12LIST.pdf and you will find the list in its entirety.
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for
individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I =
introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b =
boreal migrant
BIRDS
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
The Gray-necked
Wood-Rails at Crooked Tree apparently don't realize that
rails are supposed to be shy and hard to see! (Photo by
tour participants Davis & Susan Disher)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis) – Lots around Bird's Eye View Lodge. They
could also be heard calling (or whistling!) at night.
MUSCOVY DUCK
(Cairina moschata) – A couple of distant flybys on the boat
ride at Crooked Tree.
BLUE-WINGED TEAL
(Anas discors) – Lots along the banks of Crooked Tree.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and
Curassows)
PLAIN CHACHALACA (Ortalis vetula) – Mainly heard, but singles were seen here
and there including one on the powerline along the entrance
road to Birds Eye. Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
BLACK-THROATED BOBWHITE (Colinus nigrogularis) – A pair quickly flushed by us on our walk
in the pine forest near Crooked Tree. A Yucatan endemic
except for a disjunct population in Eastern Honduras.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – Not big numbers on Crooked Tree Lagoon.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
JABIRU (Jabiru
mycteria) – An amazing,
powerful looking bird. We had several fairly close on our
boat ride on Crooked Tree Lagoon. They literally dwarf the
Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets around them. WOOD STORK
(Mycteria americana) – Good numbers on Crooked Tree Lagoon.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – Huge numbers on Crooked Tree Lagoon.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga
anhinga) – The "flying cross"
was around. Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
BARE-THROATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma mexicanum) – The boat ride on Crooked Tree was a great
place to see this species. GREAT BLUE HERON
(Ardea herodias) – Nearly every day of the tour.
GREAT EGRET
(Ardea alba) – Nearly every day of the tour.
SNOWY EGRET
(Egretta thula) – Fairly common long-legged wader on this
tour.
LITTLE BLUE HERON
(Egretta caerulea) – Seen nearly every day.
TRICOLORED HERON
(Egretta tricolor) – Not real common, but a few were around
Crooked Tree.
CATTLE EGRET
(Bubulcus ibis) – Seen EVERY day of the tour. Common on our
drives through the country and agricultural landscape.
GREEN HERON
(Butorides virescens) – Fairly common on tour. Seen most days.
AGAMI HERON
(Agamia agami) – A striking and elegant creature. We had
excellent studies at several individuals during our boat
ride down Crooked Tree Lagoon.
BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax
nycticorax) – This species
was fairly common at Crooked Tree, more so than the next
species on the list.
YELLOW-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa
violacea) – Just a couple
seen, not real common.
BOAT-BILLED HERON
(Cochlearius cochlearius) – This odd creature was roosting in the
taller trees at Crooked Tree.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus
albus) – Lots of juveniles
around. I think they outnumbered the adults. GLOSSY IBIS
(Plegadis falcinellus) – Most were in non-breeding plumage (which
is duller and darker overall), but a few were in the
striking, and very glossy purple and green breeding plumage.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL
(Platalea ajaja) – Hard to miss this one! We had a number
around Crooked Tree.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
Lineated
Woodpeckers regularly feed on ants and termites, and that
may be what drew this one to this tree. Look carefully at
the underside of the branch: the dark line running up it
is a covered termite trail, though the cover is no match
for that bill! (Photo by tour participants Davis &
Susan Disher)
TURKEY VULTURE
(Cathartes aura) – Every day.
LESSER
YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes
burrovianus) – Not many, but
we had a nice lesson with picking them out with your naked
eye. They have a slightly different shape from the Turkeys;
a more squared tail, leaner wings (more raptor like), and
very silver wing linings. I think I convinced most that this
was possible. ;-)
KING VULTURE
(Sarcoramphus papa) – Several individuals soaring high during
our time at Black Rock.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion
haliaetus) – Mainly at
Crooked Tree, but also one soaring over Mountain Pine Ridge
(?). Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – One of my favorites. We saw several near
El Pilar and Mountain Pine Ridge. So elegant. WHITE-TAILED KITE
(Elanus leucurus) – Singles here and there around Black Rock.
SNAIL KITE
(Rostrhamus sociabilis) – Super common around Crooked Tree. Great
studies of immatures and adults. They survive entirely on
apple snails which lay there eggs just above water line (red
= new, white = old). When the eggs hatch, they fall into the
water, and that's when the kites swoop down.
PLUMBEOUS KITE
(Ictinia plumbea) – A number were seen in the Mountain Pine
Ridge area.
BLACK-COLLARED
HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
– One was seen at the big lagoon near
El Pilar. We missed it for the group at Crooked Tree.
CRANE HAWK
(Geranospiza caerulescens) – A single Crane Hawk flew quickly by us
during our boat ride at Crooked Tree. The long tail and
long, orange legs were obvious, but it all happened too
fast!
WHITE HAWK
(Leucopternis albicollis) – Several nice looks at Black Rock and
again of a pair at Mountain Pine Ridge.
GREAT BLACK-HAWK
(Buteogallus urubitinga) – I was surprised to find this the common
"black-hawk" in the area. The Common preferring more coastal
sites.
SOLITARY EAGLE
(Harpyhaliaetus solitarius) – One high soaring adult over Mountain Pine
Ridge. A very rare and local species. We got it!
ROADSIDE HAWK
(Buteo magnirostris) – Common raptor on the tour.
GRAY HAWK (Buteo nitidus) – Just in the Black Rock/Mountain Pine
Ridge region.
SHORT-TAILED HAWK
(Buteo brachyurus) – One light-morph over Crooked Tree.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus) – What an amazing experience to have this
bird fly over us several times and perch in a nearby tree.
It called to make the experience even more memorable! A
group favorite. LAUGHING FALCON
(Herpetotheres cachinnans) – A couple along the entrance road at
Crooked Tree.
BAT FALCON
(Falco rufigularis) – A pair was nesting in a palm tree along
the entrance road to Crooked Tree.
ORANGE-BREASTED
FALCON (Falco deiroleucus)
– A real highlight was seeing this
species so well at 1000 Foot Falls. It was seen distantly
(we think, hahahaha) at Black Rock. However, we should
remember to pay more attention to grackles in flight. ;-)
(thanks, Mary!)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUDDY CRAKE (Laterallus ruber) – Can you believe that a crake was the
favorite bird of the trip???!!!! What a great experience to
see a pair wandering around in open at our marshy lagoon at
El Aguacate. Nice work Max! We waited and waite and had
nearly given up...NEVER GIVE UP. :-) GRAY-NECKED
WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajanea)
– Crazy to have them in the open along
the shore at Crooked Tree. Just craziness.
PURPLE GALLINULE
(Porphyrio martinica) – A pair in the tall marshy lagoon near El
Pilar.
AMERICAN COOT
(Fulica americana) – Loads around Crooked Tree.
Heliornithidae (Finfoots)
SUNGREBE (Heliornis
fulica) – A really neat bird
to see, and we saw several at Crooked Tree. Uncommon and
local. Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus
guarauna) – A number around
Crooked Tree. Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus) – One at Crooked Tree. Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (Himantopus mexicanus) – This species can be a little loud and
obnoxious at times (and I mean that in a nice way, haha).
Seen at Crooked Tree. Jacanidae (Jacanas)
NORTHERN JACANA (Jacana spinosa) – At Crooked Tree and again near El
Aguacate. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – Fairly common at a few wetland sites on
tour. SOLITARY SANDPIPER
(Tringa solitaria) – Also fairly common at a few wetland sites
on tour.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS
(Tringa melanoleuca) – Slightly less common around Crooked Tree
than Lesser.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS
(Tringa flavipes) – Fairly common along the shoreline at
Crooked Tree.
SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla)
– Just one picked out of some Leasts
while at Crooked Tree.
LEAST SANDPIPER
(Calidris minutilla) – The common peep at Crooked Tree.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER
(Calidris melanotos) – A few around at Crooked Tree.
LONG-BILLED
DOWITCHER (Limnodromus
scolopaceus) – Though not
studied well because of the light, the few individuals in
breeding plumage and the habitat would indicate Long-billed.
At Crooked Tree.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Three were on a mudflat at Crooked Tree.
CASPIAN TERN
(Hydroprogne caspia) – Common over Crooked Tree. Back and forth
every day.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – A few in the towns along the drive.
PALE-VENTED PIGEON
(Patagioenas cayennensis) – Common around Crooked Tree. Not seen in
the Black Rock area.
RED-BILLED PIGEON
(Patagioenas flavirostris) – Singles on a couple of days. The one
without the red bill. ;-)
SHORT-BILLED
PIGEON (Patagioenas
nigrirostris) [*]
PLAIN-BREASTED
GROUND-DOVE (Columbina minuta)
– Only in the open country near El
Aguacate.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE
(Columbina talpacoti) – Fairly common on this tour. Singles or
pairs in different places.
BLUE GROUND-DOVE
(Claravis pretiosa) – We tracked a pair down near the
oropendola colony at Mountain Pine Ridge.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE
(Leptotila verreauxi) – The most common Leptotila on the tour.
GRAY-HEADED DOVE
(Leptotila plumbeiceps) [*]
As if the
Keel-billed Toucan's rainbow bill isn't colorful enough,
check out its maroon nape, green eye liner, and bright
blue legs! Some birds just have it all. (Photo by tour
participants Davis & Susan Disher)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
OLIVE-THROATED PARAKEET (AZTEC) (Aratinga nana astec) – Seen every day and in good numbers.
WHITE-CROWNED
PARROT (Pionus senilis)
– Not real common. Scoped in the
parking lot at Black Rock and again a small flock on our
drive to Mountain Pine Ridge.
WHITE-FRONTED
PARROT (Amazona albifrons)
– The most common "parrot" on this
trip. Seen or heard every day around Black Rock.
RED-LORED PARROT
(Amazona autumnalis) – A few during our time at Black Rock.
YELLOW-HEADED
PARROT (Amazona oratrix)
– Not common, but a pair were seen one
day at Crooked Tree, and a single bird the next.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana) – Surprisingly, just one or two at Black
Rock. STRIPED CUCKOO
(Tapera naevia) – Crooked Tree. [*]
PHEASANT CUCKOO
(Dromococcyx phasianellus) – Black Rock. [*]
GROOVE-BILLED ANI
(Crotophaga sulcirostris) – Nearly every day.
Strigidae (Owls)
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) – We had one in a tree cavity along the
entrance road to Black Rock. Cute. MOTTLED OWL
(Ciccaba virgata) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – Heard many nights, but one near the lodge
at Birds Eye View was accommodating. Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) [*] VAUX'S SWIFT
(RICHMOND'S) (Chaetura vauxi
richmondi) – Seen around
Black Rock.
LESSER
SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila
cayennensis) – There was a
nest along the entrance road and under the dining room roof.
We also saw them briefly in flight.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora) – Briefly at the feeders at Black Rock.
PURPLE-CROWNED
FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
GREEN-BREASTED
MANGO (Anthracothorax
prevostii) – A few around at
Black Rock.
RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus
colubris) – Fairly common
during our stay at Birds Eye, especially at their feeders.
CANIVET'S EMERALD
(Chlorostilbon canivetii) – Nice looks at a female above Black Rock,
but then a splendid male on Mountain Pine Ridge in the pine
forest.
WEDGE-TAILED
SABREWING (Campylopterus
curvipennis) – A regular
visitor to the hummingbird feeders at Black Rock. A near
endemic to the region. Also found disjunctly in E Honduras.
WHITE-BELLIED
EMERALD (Amazilia candida)
– Fairly common at birding sites around
Black Rock.
AZURE-CROWNED
HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia
cyanocephala) – One was at
the feeders at Birds Eye, but also seen again on Mountain
Pine Ridge.
RUFOUS-TAILED
HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
– The most common hummingbird on the
tour. Seen every day.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
SLATY-TAILED TROGON (Trogon massena) – A few in the mixed humid forest around
Black Rock lodge and El Pilar. BLACK-HEADED
TROGON (Trogon melanocephalus)
– At Birds Eye View lodge.
GARTERED TROGON
(Trogon caligatus) – Heard mainly around Black Rock, but
eventually seen. This used to be called Violaceous Trogon,
but was recently split into several species.
Momotidae (Motmots)
BLUE-CROWNED MOTMOT (LESSON'S) (Momotus coeruliceps exiguus) – The common (and only seen) motmot on this
tour. Now, officially split as Lesson's Motmot. Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) – A large kingfisher that was seen nearly
every day on this tour. Especially common around Birds Eye
View. BELTED KINGFISHER
(Megaceryle alcyon) – One of the best tours for kingfishers, we
saw 5 species!
AMAZON KINGFISHER
(Chloroceryle amazona) – A pair were seen on our day to El
Aguacate.
Another bird with
more than its share of brilliant color: a male Red-legged
Honeycreeper. (Photo by tour participants David &
Susan Disher)
AMERICAN PYGMY
KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle
aenea) – A real treat for the
group and a lifer for several folks. Seen very well from our
boat on Crooked Tree Lagoon. As the water levels go down,
this species is forced to the edge making it easier to find.
We lucked out.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis) – One was around the lodge at Black Rock on
our last morning. Ramphastidae (Toucans)
EMERALD TOUCANET (EMERALD) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus virescens) – Seen very well over several days of
birding in the Black Rock area. COLLARED ARACARI
(Pteroglossus torquatus) – Also seen on numerous days in the Black
Rock area. A somewhat regular visitor to the feeding
station.
KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN
(Ramphastos sulfuratus) – A couple of these vicious carnivores
(just kidding, sort of) were usually perched in the bare
tree over the parking lot of Black Rock each morning.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus) – A few of you were surprised to find this
typically Western US species around the Crooked Tree area,
where they nest and forage in the pine-savannah. Also at
Mountain Pine Ridge. BLACK-CHEEKED
WOODPECKER (Melanerpes
pucherani) – Around the Black
Rock area, and in the more humid forest, this is the most
common woodpecker.
YUCATAN WOODPECKER
(Melanerpes pygmaeus) – We found a pair in the pine-savannah near
Birds Eye View. A Yucatan endemic.
GOLDEN-FRONTED
WOODPECKER (EAST MEXICO) (Melanerpes
aurifrons dubius) – Much
different looking than other subspecies of Golden-fronted. A
common woodpecker on this tour. Seen nearly every day.
Recent taxonomic work on this group will split
"Golden-fronted" into several species.
CHESTNUT-COLORED
WOODPECKER (Celeus castaneus)
– One was over the cabins at Black
Rock, possibly nesting.
LINEATED
WOODPECKER (Dryocopus
lineatus) – Heard at Crooked
Tree, but seen numerous times around Black Rock.
PALE-BILLED
WOODPECKER (Campephilus
guatemalensis) – Seen well a
couple of times while at Black Rock.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus) – Excellent looks were had in the scrub
forest behind Birds Eye View Lodge. Seen again on Mountain
Pine Ridge. OLIVACEOUS
WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus
griseicapillus) – A pair very
close and at eye-level while inside the ruins of El Pilar.
IVORY-BILLED
WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus
flavigaster) – The most
common woodcreeper on the tour. Sounds like a Canyon Wren!
STREAK-HEADED
WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes
souleyetii) – One on the
grounds at Birds Eye View Lodge.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) – Heard most days, but seen very well in
the dry forest scrub behind the lodge at Crooked Tree. We
called in a male that leap-frogged over us in the trees.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (MEXICAN) (Formicarius analis moniliger) – A nice encounter with a bird that walked
right up to us while birding at El Pilar. This one can be
difficult to see. Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
YELLOW-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Ornithion semiflavum) – A pair were seen pretty well at El Pilar.
NORTHERN
BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma
imberbe) [*]
GREENISH ELAENIA
(Myiopagis viridicata) – Seen a couple of times, but the best
looks were at eye-level while birding the forest scrub
behind Birds Eye View Lodge. This was also at the
Bright-rumped Attila spot.
YELLOW-BELLIED
ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
– Common at both lodges. More often
heard than seen. Call is sort of like a woman screaming.
OCHRE-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER (Mionectes
oleagineus) – Seen at El
Pilar.
SEPIA-CAPPED
FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon
amaurocephalus) – Seen along
the entrance road to Black Rock during our morning walk.
NORTHERN BENTBILL
(Oncostoma cinereigulare) [*]
SLATE-HEADED
TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus
sylvia) – Seen nicely at
Birds Eye View Lodge. A tiny flycatcher with a short tail
and a very large bill (for its size).
COMMON
TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum
cinereum)
EYE-RINGED
FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus
brevirostris) – One was a
surprise along the entrance road to Black Rock. Its pale
eye-ring and flat bill were obvious. An appropriate name!
YELLOW-OLIVE
FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias
sulphurescens) – Fairly
common and seen most days of the tour.
ROYAL FLYCATCHER
(NORTHERN) (Onychorhynchus
coronatus mexicanus) – We
lucked out finding this species along the entrance road to
Black Rock, but also again (for the entire group!) at El
Pilar.
SULPHUR-RUMPED
FLYCATCHER (Myiobius
sulphureipygius sulphureipygius) – A flighty "fly"catcher that we saw pretty
well at El Pilar. It never did perch for very long.
TROPICAL PEWEE
(Contopus cinereus) – More often heard, but seen a few times
around Black Rock. It has a shorter primary projection than
the transient Eastern Wood-Pewee. Call is also very
different.
YELLOW-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER (Empidonax
flaviventris) – A fairly
common wintering species in Belize. Seen well a few times.
LEAST FLYCATCHER
(Empidonax minimus) – Not super common, but a couple seen on
tour. One was in the pine-savannah near Birds Eye. I had a
bet that I could get it to sing. Instead, it called. Does
that count?
BLACK PHOEBE
(Sayornis nigricans) – One the rocks of the Macal River at Black
Rock.
VERMILION
FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus
rubinus) – Very common at
Birds Eye View. We watched a few males doing their butterfly
display flight.
BRIGHT-RUMPED
ATTILA (Attila spadiceus)
– Seen nicely and very close behind
Birds Eye View.
YUCATAN FLYCATCHER
(Myiarchus yucatanensis) – A couple were seen in the dry forest
scrub behind Birds Eye View. A Yucatan endemic.
DUSKY-CAPPED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
tuberculifer) – Certainly
around Black Rock, we may also have heard one at Crooked
Tree but remarkably similar sounding to Yucatan.
GREAT CRESTED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
crinitus) [*]
BROWN-CRESTED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
tyrannulus) – Fairly common
around Black Rock.
GREAT KISKADEE
(Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED
FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus
pitangua) – Similar looking
to Great Kiskadee, but sounds very different. Seen well at
Black Rock and surrounding birding sites.
Long considered
members of the warbler family, the three species of
Granatellus chats are now thought to be more closely
related to the cardinals and grosbeaks and are now
included in the Cardinalidae. This is the Yucutan endemic
Gray-throated Chat. (Photo by tour participants Davis
& Susan Disher)
STREAKED
FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes
maculatus) – Slightly less
common than Sulphur-bellied (which it resembles), but seen a
few times at Black Rock.
SULPHUR-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes
luteiventris) – Pretty common
during our time at Black Rock. Its squeaky call is like a
rubber duckie.
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER
(Legatus leucophaius) – This nest parasite was common around
Black Rock and other nearby birding sites.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus melancholicus) – One of the more common flycatchers seen
on the tour.
COUCH'S KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus couchii) – Also common on the tour. It's nearly
identical in appearance to Tropical, but the calls are very
different. It also prefers more wooded habitat than
Tropical.
EASTERN KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus tyrannus) – A few migrants were seen around the
cabins at Black Rock.
FORK-TAILED
FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
– A very striking and elegant looking
bird. We had them on the drives around El Pilar and El
Aguacate.
Pipridae (Manakins)
WHITE-COLLARED MANAKIN (Manacus candei) – A lek was found along the entrance road
to Black Rock. RED-CAPPED MANAKIN
(Pipra mentalis) [*]
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata) – Seen a number of times at both lodges.
THRUSH-LIKE
SCHIFFORNIS (Schiffornis
turdina) [*]
ROSE-THROATED
BECARD (Pachyramphus aglaiae)
– Our first was a close male in the
pine-savannah on our last morning at Crooked Tree.
Vireonidae (Vireos)
WHITE-EYED VIREO (Vireo griseus) – A common wintering species in Belize.
Several individuals were singing. MANGROVE VIREO
(Vireo pallens) – On the Caribbean slope, this species is
also found in dry forest scrub. We saw it well at Crooked
Tree. The subspecies here is "salvini."
PLUMBEOUS VIREO
(Vireo plumbeus) – Seen well in the Mountain Pine Ridge
area, where oddly quiet. The subspecies (and potential
split) is "notius."
RED-EYED VIREO
(Vireo olivaceus) – A couple (not common) of transients in
the Black Rock area.
YELLOW-GREEN VIREO
(Vireo flavoviridis) – Very common breeding vireo in Belize,
especially in the taller humid forest in the Black Rock
area.
TAWNY-CROWNED
GREENLET (Hylophilus
ochraceiceps) – Seen nicely
at El Pilar.
LESSER GREENLET
(Hylophilus decurtatus) – More often heard than seen. They are
often in the canopy, but we had a few down low.
RUFOUS-BROWED
PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis
gujanensis) [*]
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BROWN JAY (Psilorhinus
morio) – Very common. Seen
and heard every day. GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas) – Briefly on the road to Mountain Pine
Ridge.
YUCATAN JAY
(Cyanocorax yucatanicus) – This endemic was seen well at Birds Eye
View Lodge on a couple of days.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) PURPLE MARTIN
(Progne subis) – A pair were seen during our day to El
Pilar and El Aguacate. They winter in South America so these
were transients.
GRAY-BREASTED
MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
– A common resident in Belize. Seen
every day.
MANGROVE SWALLOW
(Tachycineta albilinea) – Especially easy to observe on the grounds
at Birds Eye View Lodge. Often perched on the barbwire
fence.
BARN SWALLOW
(Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SPOT-BREASTED WREN (Pheugopedius maculipectus) – One of the more common wrens on this
tour. CAROLINA WREN
(WHITE-BROWED) (Thryothorus
ludovicianus albinucha) –
This possible split from Carolina Wren was seen on the big
hill behind Black Rock and again near Mountain Pine Ridge.
It is less rufous (more brown) above than Carolina. Song is
very similar to Carolina, but the call is quite different.
HOUSE WREN
(SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon
musculus) – Seen almost every
day. Common.
WHITE-BELLIED WREN
(Uropsila leucogastra) – Seen nicely near the lodge at Birds Eye
View. Endemic to the Yucatan and N Honduras.
WHITE-BREASTED
WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina
leucosticta) – Always tough
to see, but we had good looks along the entrance road to
Black Rock. "Oh, jeesh, another wood-wren..." (guide sighs)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus) – We struggled to see this species well,
but it was heard a bunch around Black Rock. BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER (Polioptila
caerulea) – Pretty common
wintering species in Belize.
TROPICAL
GNATCATCHER (Polioptila
plumbea) – One seen very
nicely (nearly at eye-level) at El Pilar.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi) – Almost every day. Common. Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
GRAY CATBIRD (Dumetella carolinensis) TROPICAL
MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus gilvus)
– Pretty common on this tour. South of
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec this species replaces Northern
Mockingbird.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia noveboracensis) – Very common wintering species. We had one
on the grounds of Black Rock, just outside the cabins. We
saw it like clock-work each morning. BLUE-WINGED
WARBLER (Vermivora cyanoptera)
– A nice surprise, and very brief, was
a male in a mixed species flock behind the lodge at Crooked
Tree.
GOLDEN-WINGED
WARBLER (Vermivora
chrysoptera) – A male was in
a large mixed-species flock within the ruins at El Pilar.
BLACK-AND-WHITE
WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)
– Common. Nearly every day.
PROTHONOTARY
WARBLER (Protonotaria citrea)
– In the marshes and along the edge of
Crooked Tree lagoon.
TENNESSEE WARBLER
(Oreothlypis peregrina) – Not real common, but seen on a couple of
days.
GRAY-CROWNED
YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis
poliocephala) – We picked
this one up from the van along the entrance road to Black
Rock.
KENTUCKY WARBLER
(Geothlypis formosa) – Briefly and not seen well. Along the
entrance road to Black Rock. It stayed back in the shadows
and didn't approach us.
COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis
trichas)
AMERICAN REDSTART
(Setophaga ruticilla) – One of the more common wintering species
in Belize. Seen every day of the tour.
MAGNOLIA WARBLER
(Setophaga magnolia) – Very common on this tour. Most were still
in a non-breeding plumage, but a few had begun their spring
molt.
BLACKBURNIAN
WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
– A pair in the Mountain Pine Ridge
area.
YELLOW WARBLER
(Setophaga petechia) – Around in pretty good numbers. More
common in the open, drier country at Birds Eye View.
CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER (Setophaga
pensylvanica) – Fairly
common, but seen only at Black Rock in the more humid
forest.
A close relative
of the familiar Palm and Blue-gray tanagers, the lovely
Yellow-winged Tanager has a much smaller range than its
widespread cousins, being found only in northern Central
America and southern Mexico. (Photo by tour participants
Davis & Susan Disher)
BLACK-THROATED
GREEN WARBLER (Setophaga
virens) – Fairly common
around Black Rock and other sites.
RUFOUS-CAPPED
WARBLER (Basileuterus
rufifrons) – This is the
nominate subspecies, rufifrons. It is intermediate between
northern groups (with limited chestnut on the crown and
face) and southern groups (which are entirely yellow below).
We saw one at Mountain Pine Ridge.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
CRIMSON-COLLARED TANAGER (Ramphocelus sanguinolentus) – Just one briefly in the parking lot of
Black Rock. BLUE-GRAY TANAGER
(Thraupis episcopus) – Common at both birding lodges.
YELLOW-WINGED
TANAGER (Thraupis abbas)
– Fairly common, but only at Black Rock
and other sites nearby.
RED-LEGGED
HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes
cyaneus) – A nice looking
bird, especially the males, that is fairly common around the
Black Rock area.
GRAYISH SALTATOR
(Saltator coerulescens) – Super common by voice at Crooked Tree.
Seen a few times. Likes the more open, second-growth scrub.
BUFF-THROATED
SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
– Seen at Black Rock. This species
prefers more humid, second-growth forest.
BLACK-HEADED
SALTATOR (Saltator atriceps)
– Also at Black Rock.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and
Allies)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina) – Will we ever forget Johnny Jump Up?
WHITE-COLLARED
SEEDEATER (WHITE-COLLARED) (Sporophila
torqueola morelleti) – Seen
every day. Common on our tour.
YELLOW-FACED
GRASSQUIT (Tiaris olivaceus)
– Seen well on more than a few days.
GREEN-BACKED
SPARROW (Arremonops
chloronotus) – Pretty common
in the Black Rock area. One was constantly around the garden
near the cabins. Likes the humid understory.
RUSTY SPARROW
(Aimophila rufescens) – Seen poorly in flight from our van at
Mountain Pine Ridge.
CHIPPING SPARROW
(Spizella passerina) – In the pine-savannah at Crooked Tree and
Mountain Pine Ridge.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava) – Mountain Pine Ridge only. SUMMER TANAGER
(Piranga rubra)
SCARLET TANAGER
(Piranga olivacea) – One male near the pine-savannah at
Crooked Tree. An uncommon migrant.
RED-CROWNED
ANT-TANAGER (Habia rubica)
– We had this species on the entrance
road to Mountain Pine Ridge. Very similar to Red-throated,
but voice is different.
RED-THROATED
ANT-TANAGER (Habia fuscicauda)
– More common at Black Rock than
Red-crowned.
BLACK-FACED
GROSBEAK (Caryothraustes
poliogaster) – A few times.
At Black Rock on the big hill and again on the entrance road
to Mountain Pine Ridge in the taller, humid forest.
NORTHERN CARDINAL
(Cardinalis cardinalis) – Hard to believe this species is found in
Belize. This is the southern most extension. At Crooked
Tree, but not at Black Rock.
ROSE-BREASTED
GROSBEAK (Pheucticus
ludovicianus) – Just a couple
during our tour.
GRAY-THROATED CHAT
(Granatellus sallaei) – A lovely looking bird. This Yucatan
endemic has a sweet song, too. We heard the song and saw it
well near the Birds Eye lodge.
BLUE-BLACK
GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa
cyanoides) – A pair (the
female is chocolate brown) along the entrance road to Black
Rock.
BLUE BUNTING
(Cyanocompsa parellina) – Seen in a couple of different spots,
first on the big hill behind Black Rock, but again at El
Pilar.
BLUE GROSBEAK
(Passerina caerulea) – Not many, but a migrant group was seen in
the pine-savannah near Birds Eye View Lodge.
INDIGO BUNTING
(Passerina cyanea) – Lots around the Black Rock area.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelaius phoeniceus) – A few in the marshes at Crooked Tree.
EASTERN MEADOWLARK
(Sturnella magna) – People are surprised to find this species
in the tropics, but it ranges down through Central America.
MELODIOUS
BLACKBIRD (Dives dives)
– Very common. Every day of the tour.
GREAT-TAILED
GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
– Ditto above. I love it when the males
display with their heads held high. Cool.
BRONZED COWBIRD
(Molothrus aeneus) – A few here and there, but found in open
country and disturbed areas.
GIANT COWBIRD
(Molothrus oryzivorus) – A couple were around the oropendola
colony at Mountain Pine Ridge.
BLACK-COWLED
ORIOLE (Icterus prosthemelas)
– The common tropical oriole on this
tour. Seen on several days.
ORCHARD ORIOLE
(Icterus spurius) – A fairly common winter visitor to Belize.
Seen a few times on this tour.
HOODED ORIOLE
(Icterus cucullatus) – One at the feeders at Black Rock.
YELLOW-TAILED
ORIOLE (Icterus mesomelas)
– Three or four birds were in the tops
of the trees along the river during our boat trip at Crooked
Tree.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE
(Icterus galbula) – Common. Seen almost every day.
YELLOW-BILLED
CACIQUE (Amblycercus
holosericeus) – This species
can often be tough to see. We had several, however, in good
views along the Crooked Tree lagoon.
MONTEZUMA
OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius
montezuma) – We saw this
species at a large colony in the Mountain Pine Ridge area.
One large alpha male was doing his tipping display.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
SCRUB EUPHONIA (Euphonia affinis) – Not real common. Just a couple of
individuals. YELLOW-THROATED
EUPHONIA (Euphonia
hirundinacea) – The most
common euphonia seen/heard on the tour, but only in the
Black Rock area.
OLIVE-BACKED
EUPHONIA (Euphonia gouldi)
– Just singles. Their calls are very
similar to Yellow-throated (remember when the
Yellow-throated came into the tape of Olive-backed during
our birding at El Pilar?). Seen at the feeders at Black Rock
a few times.
MAMMALS
YUCATAN SQUIRREL
(Sciurus yucatanensis)
GRAY FOX (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 250 bird taxa and 2 mammal taxa