February 11-20, 2026 with Jesse Fagan (ext. from Feb. 6)
Guatemala never fails to deliver an unforgettable adventure. This year’s tour was packed with “oh, wow” moments from start to finish. With ancient temples, active volcanoes, colonial cobblestone streets, and a shimmering caldera lake, the scenery alone was enough to keep us dazzled. Add in the pursuit of treasures like the Pink-headed Warbler and the Resplendent Quetzal, and staying focused became its own delightful challenge.
Our journey carried us through two major biogeographic regions: the Caribbean lowlands of the Petén in northern Guatemala and the Pacific Highlands, with a brief dip into the Pacific Lowlands for a few special species. By the end, we had recorded an impressive 350 species, including standout prizes such as Horned Guan, Unspotted Saw-whet Owl, Belted Flycatcher, and, of course, the Pink-headed Warbler. It was a true bonanza of regional endemics and memorable sightings.
We began with an extension into the Petén, flying north from Guatemala City. Those with window seats enjoyed sweeping views of the Pacific Highlands and the Motagua River Valley—famous for its Mayan jade—before descending into the lush karst lowlands around Flores. Our first destination was Las Guacamayas Biological Reserve inside Laguna del Tigre National Park, accessible only by boat. That first afternoon, we drifted down the Río Sacluc, taking in spectacular views of Agami Heron, American Pygmy Kingfisher, and, near dusk, a rare Short-tailed Nighthawk.
Las Guacamayas quickly became a group favorite. Its peaceful isolation, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, and excellent birding made our two nights there truly special. We successfully tracked down several “Yucatán” specialties—Yucatán Jay, Yucatán Woodpecker, and the elusive Yucatán Flycatcher. Other highlights included Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Gray-throated Chat, and a rare Spot-tailed Nightjar at its only known Guatemalan site.
From there, we moved on to the iconic ruins of Tikal, spending two nights within the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Climbing Temple V and looking out over endless unbroken forest was breathtaking—straight out of a movie (and yes, very reminiscent of that famous Star Wars scene!). As if the view weren’t enough, an Orange-breasted Falcon perched above us, adding a dramatic flourish. Miguel’s walking tour brought the ancient city to life, and our birding around the ruins rewarded us with Black-throated Shrike-Tanager, Black-headed Trogon, and the brilliantly colored Ocellated Turkey.
After four nights in the Petén, we returned to Guatemala City for lunch before continuing to the colonial gem of Antigua. Nestled in a basin surrounded by three volcanoes—Fuego, Acatenango, and Atitlán—Antigua offered a dramatic and historic backdrop. We heard the rumble of Volcán Fuego and watched its smoky exhalations throughout our stay. A city walking tour with our local guide, Leonel, gave us a deeper appreciation of Antigua’s rich history.
One morning was spent birding the cloud forest above town, where oaks draped in epiphytes and vibrant understory flowers created a magical setting. Southern Emerald-Toucanets bounced through the canopy, and Spot-crowned Woodcreepers worked their way up mossy trunks. We also visited the bird-filled Finca San Cayetano, where Waldemar showed us Baltimore and Streak-backed Orioles, a nesting pair of Rufous-backed Wrens, White-throated Magpie-Jays, and Red-legged Honeycreepers. Lunch came with a spectacular view of Volcán Fuego—perfect for Valentine’s Day photos.
Next, we headed to Finca Los Tarrales at the base of Volcán Atitlán, spending three nights exploring its rich habitats. The location gave us excellent access to a range of elevations and some of the region’s toughest endemics. Highlights included a stunning male Long-tailed Manakin, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, nesting Pacific Parakeets, Spot-breasted Orioles, and White-bellied Chachalacas.
A full day around Lake Atitlán—often called “the most beautiful lake in the world”—brought more excitement. As we climbed the lower slopes of Volcán Tolimán, we encountered Guatemalan Pygmy Owl, White-faced Ground-Sparrow, Lesser Roadrunner, and flocks of Bushy-crested Jays. Our main target, however, required a bit more effort. After a steep climb and some patient listening, the rare Belted Flycatcher finally appeared, prompting well-earned smiles and high-fives. Later that afternoon, we added another gem: a female Slender Sheartail feeding daintily among lantana blossoms.
Our final region was Quetzaltenango—known locally as Xela—whose name fittingly means “place of the quetzal.” At Llanos del Pinal, we enjoyed our first encounter with the Pink-headed Warbler, which quickly became the group’s Bird of the Trip.
The next morning at Fuentes Georginas was unforgettable. We arrived before dawn and soon called in a beautiful Fulvous Owl. Moments later, Daniel, our local guide, spotted a Horned Guan perched high on a distant slope. Maroon-chested Ground-Doves sang from multiple locations, bamboo was seeding everywhere, and—against all odds—a quetzal called. Incredibly, it was only Daniel’s second sighting of the species at this site. The list continued to grow with Mountain Trogon, Blue-throated Motmot, Unicolored Jays, and Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush.
That evening, we ventured to Chicabal in search of the mythical Unspotted Saw-whet Owl. After several unsuccessful attempts, we tried one last spot. A soft series of toots broke the silence, and moments later we were standing just meters from this elusive bird, illuminated and unforgettable.
Our final full day carried high expectations, and it did not disappoint. Although we had already seen a female quetzal, we were determined to find a male. At Refugio del Quetzal in the San Marcos department, where the birds are monitored, we soon enjoyed wonderful views of a nesting pair—including a dazzling emerald-green male with full streamers. Afterward, we enjoyed a catered lunch at a local home, complete with hummingbird feeders hosting Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird and both Violet and Rufous Sabrewings.
As we descended toward the Pacific Coastal Plain, just miles from the Mexican border, we made one last spontaneous stop. Thanks to a timely tip, we found Giant Wrens—formerly considered a Mexican endemic—calling and foraging right above us. A perfect final lifer.
This was a truly joyful adventure shared with a wonderful group. Thank you all for your enthusiasm, good humor, and great company. And of course, heartfelt thanks to our local guides and drivers, whose expertise made this trip such a success. I look forward to exploring more of the world with you in 2026 and beyond.
Additional Critters:
You can see my complete trip report on eBird at this link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/494707
You can see my iNaturalist report of non-avian taxa at this link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/field-guides-birding-tours-guatemala-2026-with-jesse-fagan
You can download a combined PDF of this page and the eBird report at this link: https://fieldguides.com/triplists/gua26TRIPLIST.pdf
-- Jesse Fagan (aka Motmot) from Lima, Peru