Lake Atitlán and Vicinity

With its own private reserve on the southern slopes of Atitlán Volcano, Finca Los Tarrales harbors forests ranging in altitude from 750 to 2,500 meters (2,500 to 8,200 feet) that include broadleaf and cloud forests. Bird species are correspondingly diverse and include horned guan, long-tailed manakin, Pacific parakeet, orange-fronted parakeet, and several species of hummingbirds. West of Lake Atitlán near Retalhuleu, Finca El Patrocinio lies south of Santiaguito Volcano at an altitude between 750 and 850 meters. It is a good place for observing birds found in lowland and middle elevations. A substantial network of trails leads through protected patches of forest interspersed with coffee and macadamia plantations. Hawks, vultures, and falcons abound, as do parrots and woodpeckers.

Pacific Coast

On the Pacific Coast proper, the best places for birding are the vast Manchón Guamuchal Wetland Preserve wetlands and the canals and mangrove swamps bordering Monterrico. Species found in both parks include great egrets, roseate spoonbill, blue heron, and belted kingfisher.

Caribbean Coast

On the moist Caribbean coast, the Cerro San Gil and Río Las Escobas park harbors more than 350 species of birds, including the black and white hawk eagle and keel-billed motmot. More than 90 neotropical migrants, including the wood thrush and blue-winged warbler, winter in the area. Also with more than 300 bird species is the remote peninsula of Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge, which is a transit and wintering area for 25 Nearctic shorebirds. Notable bird species include the yellow-headed parrot, great curassow, and several species of herons.

Cloud Forests of Las Verapaces

Birding is excellent in the Sierra de Las Minas Biosphere Reserve, particularly if you want to see Guatemala’s national symbol, the elusive quetzal. If you want to bird-watch in the cloud forest while keeping a comfortable base to come back to after a long day, consider a visit to Chelemhá Cloud Forest Preserve, with its wonderful Chelemhá Cloud Forest Lodge. The preserve lies at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 meters (6,500 to 8,200 feet). Found within its forests are at least 14 bird species endemic to Central America’s Northern Highlands. A total of 145 bird species have been recorded here to date.

Petén

In Petén, it’s hard to beat Tikal National Park. You’ll see oscillated turkeys along the forest floor as well as keel-billed toucans and Montezuma’s Oropendola, among hundreds of other bird species, zipping about the forest canopy. The temple pyramids at Tikal provide excellent vantage points for bird-watching. South of Tikal, on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá, Cerro Cahuí is also an excellent place for bird-watching with several waterbird species, including pied-billed grebe, herons, and northern jacana as well as the more typical rainforest birds such as toucans. Two trails wind their way through the forest with some excellent vantage points over the lake.

© Al Argueta from Moon Guatemala, 2nd Edition. Photos © Al Argueta www.alargueta.com