Belize Tour with Tikal extension
February 1-15, 2007 - Bird/Species Trip List
Leaders: Narca Moore-Craig & Alan Craig

Birds
Great Tinamou–2 seen fleeing vicinity of Jaguar at Chan Chich; also heard at Tikal
Slaty-breasted Tinamou–1 heard near Barton Creek
American White Pelican–1 at Ambergris Caye
Brown Pelican–several at Ambergris; also near Belize City
Double-crested Cormorant–fairly common at Ambergris and Caye Caulker
Anhinga–1 female near Lamanai, seen from the charter airplane on a memorable ride
Magnificent Frigatebird–common near the coast and on the cayes
Great Blue Heron–singles below Hidden Valley and in the cayes
Great Egret–fairly common in wetlands and on the cayes
Snowy Egret–a few in wetlands and on the cayes
Little Blue Heron–fairly common in wetlands and on the cayes
Tricolored Heron–1 in wetland near Belize City and 1 on Caye Caulker
Cattle Egret–common around livestock
Green Heron–1 on pond at Tikal
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron–2 at Gallon Jug on our night drive, and 2 on Caye Caulker
White Ibis–several concentrations of 10-15 birds in wetlands and on Caye Caulker
Wood Stork–small groups soaring at the zoo, below Hidden Valley Inn, and at Tikal
Black Vulture–throughout the mainland
Turkey Vulture–throughout Belize
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture–1 seen by Narca only along the Western Highway
King Vulture–magnificent looks at 6 soaring birds, spotted by Linda, and 2 more drying after a bath at Hidden Valley Falls; plus a single at Chan Chich
Blue-winged Teal–a flock of about 50 in the wetland near Belize City, plus another flock on Caye Chapel during our surprise landing to pick up 2 golfers
Osprey–3 on Caye Caulker
Gray-headed Kite–1 at Chan Chich
Swallow-tailed Kite–1 seen by Pat only at Tikal
Double-toothed Kite–a group of 5 soaring over the ruins at Tikal
White Hawk–2 or 3 during our stay at Chan Chich, seen best while they were soaring
Gray Hawk–along the roadsides going to Hidden Valley, Barton Creek, and Tikal
Common Black-Hawk–2 at the wetland near Belize City, one of them being harassed by a Peregrine, and others in the cayes
Roadside Hawk–very common raptor throughout
Black Hawk-Eagle–2 circling against the clouds at Chan Chich
Ornate Hawk-Eagle–a stunning adult perched above the compound at Chan Chich, allowing leisurely looks in the scope for all
Barred Forest-Falcon–a very close, scope-filling, individual, intent on finding prey flushed by army ants, at Chan Chich
Laughing Falcon–seen very well at Hidden Valley and heard at Tikal
Bat Falcon–our most frequently-encountered falcon, with birds at Hidden Valley, Caracol, Barton Creek, and Chan Chich
Orange-breasted Falcon–splendid looks at a splendid female of this highly endangered species, perched on a ledge on Temple I at Tikal, where her mate occasionally returned with prey
Peregrine Falcon–an immature, chasing any bird in sight, at the wetland near Belize City
Plain Chachalaca–frequently encountered throughout the mainland and Tikal, with a close view of an adult with a chick, perched on a vine at Chan Chich
Crested Guan–up to 4 at Chan Chich, where some roosted at the edge of the compound
Great Curassow–a lovely female sleeping overhead on our night drive at Chan Chich, plus a pair in Tikal, first spotted by our local guide, Elias
Ocellated Turkey–up to 30 at a time, tame and confiding at Chan Chich and Tikal
Gray-necked Wood-Rail–Pat’s constant companions, seen almost throughout, including Tikal
American Coot–a flock at the golf course on Caye Chapel
Limpkin–1 searching for snails along the margin of a pond at Tikal
Killdeer–3 in the ag fields at Gallon Jug
Black-necked Stilt–about 60 in the wetland near Belize City
Solitary Sandpiper–1 landed on a nearby stump in the wetland along the Western Highway
Willet–1 on Caye Caulker, along the mangrove-fringed coast
Spotted Sandpiper–a few in the cayes
Whimbrel–1 on Caye Caulker, spotted by Linda
Ruddy Turnstone–up to 15 on the docks at Caye Caulker and Ambergris
Sanderling–a small flock of about 15 on Caye Caulker
Short-billed Dowitcher–the dowitcher flock that flew past on Caye Caulker was almost certainly of this species
Laughing Gull–quite common on the cayes and mainland coast
Royal Tern–up to 8 in the cayes and near Belize City
Sandwich Tern–in the cayes, with 140 counted at Caye Caulker near the water taxi terminal
Rock Dove–frequent in towns and agricultural areas
Scaled Pigeon–only 1 seen, en route to Caracol at Douglas d’Silva
Red-billed Pigeon–1 at Chan Chich
Short-billed Pigeon–heard frequently in Caracol & Barton Creek, and seen well at Chan Chich
White-winged Dove–common in the cayes
Plain-breasted Ground-Dove–1 seen well en route to Barton Creek
Ruddy Ground-Dove–several seen well en route to Barton Creek and Central Farms
Gray-headed (sometimes merged with Gray-fronted) Dove–heard only, a mournful, haunting call at Chan Chich
Olive-throated (=Aztec race) Parakeet–pairs seen well at Barton Creek, Chan Chich, and Tikal
Brown-hooded Parrot–excellent scope views of this retiring parrot at Chan Chich
White-crowned Parrot–encountered throughout our mainland bases, including Tikal, where we enjoyed beautiful scope views on an early morning walk
White-fronted Parrots–nicely scoped in Tikal, with up to 8 seen at a time
Red-lored Parrot–this big Amazon was the most common parrot of our trip, throughout the mainland, including Tikal
Squirrel Cuckoo–after hearing this species vocalizing everywhere, we finally caught glimpses in Chan Chich and better looks at Tikal
Pheasant Cuckoo–an individual of this rarely-encountered species, spotted by Alan along the old airstrip at Tikal; it slowly foraged close to the trail with a great wagging and spreading of tail and wings
Groove-billed Ani–flocks in the Mennonite fields near Barton Creek and Central Farms
Barn Owl–1 close encounter at Gallon Jug, on our night drive
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl–a charming pair at Hidden Valley Inn perched side-by-side in a small, open tree, shortly after dinner one evening; also heard there frequently
Mottled Owl–at Tikal, 2 near Temple IV and 2 in the trees around our hotel; 1 captured in the kitchen at Tikal and released unharmed, after being much admired
Stygian Owl–a prize, 1 was perched in what was left of the pines near Hidden Valley Inn
Pauraque–1 seen on our night drive at Chan Chich and heard around our cabins there
Northern Potoo–3 spotlighted on our night drive at Gallon Jug
White-collared Swift–a flock of about 25 wheeled past en route to Barton Creek, plus 1 at Tikal
Vaux’s Swift–several at Tikal, hunting in the ruins
White-throated Swift–4 at Tikal
Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift–4 near the King Vultures at Hidden Valley, plus 1 at Tikal
Long-billed (split from Long-tailed) Hermit–2 at Barton Creek cave
Stripe-throated (split from Little) Hermit–singles at Chan Chich, especially frequenting the Malvaviscus blossoms, where one was robbing nectar
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird–the Pavarotti of hummingbirds, singing at Chan Chich, with 1 also at Tikal
White-necked Jacobin–several beautiful individuals at Barton Creek and Chan Chich
Canivet’s Emerald–up to 3 along the old airstrip at Tikal
White-belled Emerald–common at Chan Chich, with 1 also at Tikal
Azure-crowned Hummingbird–the most common hummingbird at Hidden Valley Inn
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird–abundant at lower elevations on the mainland and in the cayes, with an occupied nest found at Caracol
Cinnamon Hummingbird–1 seen by a few of us at Caye Caulker
Purple-crowned Fairy–several of these beauties at Chan Chich and Tikal
Black-headed Trogon–these teased us at Chan Chich; at Tikal we finally saw them very well
Violaceous Trogon–heard at Caracol and Chan Chich, then savored at Tikal
Slaty-tailed Trogon–seen frequently and very well at Caracol, Chan Chich, and Tikal
Blue-crowned Motmot–seen best at Rio Frio and Tikal, and heard at Chan Chich
Ringed Kingfisher–1 along the Western Highway, our first day
Belted Kingfisher–several in the cayes and along the Western Highway
Green Kingfisher–1 seen by Bill and Alan at the Chan Chich suspension bridge, during the downpour
White-whiskered Puffbird–a pair at Chan Chich proved elusive, seen by only a few of us
Rufous-tailed Jacamar–a pair of these glistening gems seen very well at Chan Chich
Collared Aracari–several at Caracol and Chan Chich, plus lingering looks in Tikal, as they fed on palm fruits
Keel-billed Toucan–spectacular birds, seen well at Chan Chich and Tikal
Acorn Woodpecker–quite common in the Mountain Pine Ridge
Black-cheeked Woodpecker–first encountered at Caracol, then later at Chan Chich
Golden-fronted Woodpecker–singles at Caracol and en route to Chan Chich, plus many on the cayes and at Tikal. This subspecies (M. a. dubius), confusingly, has red (not golden) nostril tufts, and resembles very closely our Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker–1 immature at Caribbean Villas on Ambergris Caye
Smoky-brown Woodpecker–heard only, at Chan Chich
Golden-olive Woodpecker–2 at Hidden Valley on our last morning walk
Chestnut-colored Woodpecker–gorgeous birds, seen very well at Chan Chich and Tikal
Lineated Woodpecker–heard only at Chan Chich
Pale-billed Woodpecker–an impressive woodpecker, seen well at Chan Chich and Tikal
Plain Xenops–singles of this intriguing ovenbird seen at Caracol, Chan Chich and Tikal
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper–seen best at the antswarm in Chan Chich
Ruddy Woodcreeper–excellent looks at this ant-follower in Chan Chich and Tikal
Olivaceous Woodcreeper–common in Rio Frio, Caracol, Chan Chich and Tikal
Wedge-billed Woodcreeper–good looks at Rio Frio, Caracol and Chan Chich
Northern Barred Woodcreeper–excellent views at the Tikal antswarm
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper–common at all lowland sites, including Tikal; we often heard its laughing call
Barred Antshrike–heard along the road to Barton Creek, and finally seen at Tikal, where a male responded vociferously, while a female skulked nearby
Plain Antvireo–singles at Caracol and Chan Chich, both times with mixed flocks
Dot-winged Antwren–lovely antwrens, with pairs enjoyed at Caracol and Chan Chich
Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet–nice views of this seldom-seen mite, at Rio Frio
Greenish Elaenia–a single of this flycatcher at Rio Frio
Caribbean Elaenia–excellent views of this regional endemic, eating fruit at Xanadu Villas, Ambergris, with nearby Yellow-bellieds for comparison
Yellow-bellied Elaenia–1 near Barton Creek and 2 in the fruit tree at Ambergris
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher–quick looks at individuals in Caracol and Chan Chich
Sepia-capped Flycatcher–1 in a large mixed flock at Tikal
Northern Bentbill–proved elusive, being heard only at Caracol and Chan Chich
Eye-ringed Flatbill–was quite cooperative, with good looks in Caracol, Chan Chich and Tikal
Stub-tailed Spadebill–1 at Chan Chich and also heard in Tikal
Royal Flycatcher–lovely looks at this exquisite flycatcher at Barton Creek, Chan Chich & Tikal
Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher–a quick look at an individual in Chan Chich
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher–1 seen in Chan Chich, with more lingering looks in Tikal
Tropical Pewee–2 seen and heard near Barton Creek, at our orchard stop
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher–individuals of this neotropical migrant at Chan Chich and Tikal
Least Flycatcher–likewise, singles near Barton Creek, at Chan Chich and Tikal
Black Phoebe–resident here, singles at the Macal River and Barton Creek
Vermilion Flycatcher–an incandescent pair at Central Farms––thanks, Dale!
Bright-rumped Attila–1 of these characters at Tikal
Yucatan Flycatcher–1 of this regional endemic at Tikal
Dusky-capped Flycatcher–1 seen on Ambergris Caye, in the wooded villas
Great Crested Flycatcher–the most frequently-encountered Myiarchus with several at Caracol, Chan Chich, and Tikal
Great Kiskadee–common on the mainland and heard on Ambergris
Boat-billed Flycatcher–only 1, in Tikal
Social Flycatcher–very common throughout
Tropical Kingbird–almost throughout; all the kingbirds we scrutinized were of this species
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher–singles at Gallon Jug and en route to Tikal
Fork-tailed Flycatcher–beautiful look at 1 in Gallon Jug; also en route to Tikal
Thrushlike Schiffornis–the lovely song of this minstrel enlivened the forest in Caracol, Chan Chich and Tikal, but was seen briefly only at the Rio Frio
Rufous Piha–2 of this interesting, fruit-eating species at Tikal
Cinnamon Becard–2 in Chan Chich near the suspension bridge
Masked Tityra–excellent looks at 2 in Chan Chich, with others in Tikal
Black-crowned Tityra–1 seen well only by Narca, in Tikal
White-collared Manakin–wonderful displays by a male near the suspension bridge in Chan Chich
Red-capped Manakin–we saw several females at Hidden Valley and Caracol, before finding a splendid and cooperative male at Chan Chich; also in Tikal
White-eyed Vireo–individuals at Caracol, Chan Chich & Tikal
Mangrove Vireo–singles in Chan Chich and Tikal
Yellow-throated Vireo–1 near Barton Creek
Plumbeous Vireo–1 individual of this endemic regional subspecies was seen by Pat at 1000-foot Falls
Yucatan Vireo–3 confiding individuals of this regional endemic at the villas on Ambergris Caye
Tawny-crowned Greenlet–heard only at Chan Chich, then seen at Tikal
Lesser Greenlet–frequently seen and heard at Caracol, Hidden Valley, Chan Chich & Tikal
Green Jay–stellar looks at several, Hidden Valley Inn
Brown Jay–very common at the zoo, Mountain Pine Ridge & Tikal
Gray-breasted Martin–2 seen very well at a gourd nest near Barton Creek; also at Central Farms
Mangrove Swallow–several at the Belize City airport
Northern Rough-winged Swallow–numerous at Tikal
Ridgway’s Rough-winged Swallow–Pat saw Rough-wings with dark tips to their undertail coverts at Tikal
Spot-breasted Wren–commonly heard and occasionally seen at Chan Chich and Tikal
House Wren–individuals at Hidden Valley and Ambergris Caye
White-bellied Wren–1 seen well at Chan Chich and others heard at Tikal
White-breasted Wood-Wren–a secretive wren, heard and glimpsed at Caracol & Rio Frio; seen at Chan Chich
Long-billed Gnatwren–heard only at Chan Chich
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher–singles in Mountain Pine Ridge and Tikal
Tropical Gnatcatcher–1 at Caracol
Wood Thrush–fairly common neotropical migrant at Chan Chich and Tikal
Clay-colored Thrush–singles at Caracol, Barton Creek, and Chan Chich
Gray Catbird–common winter resident here, encountered throughout
Black Catbird–8 of this distinctive regional endemic seen in the villas on Ambergris Caye
Tropical Mockingbird–common in settled lowlands and the cayes
Cedar Waxwing–a flock of 6 dropped in briefly at Hidden Valley Inn
Blue-winged Warbler–1 seen at Caracol
Tennessee Warbler–1 heard by Pat at Chan Chich
Northern Parula–1 of these beautiful warblers at the zoo
Yellow Warbler–singles at Barton Creek, the cayes and Tikal, with a male of the Mangrove subspecies (D. p. bryanti) on Ambergris Caye near the dump
Chestnut-sided Warbler–1 at Caracol
Magnolia Warbler–very common on the mainland and at Tikal
Yellow-rumped (Myrtle) Warbler–groups encountered at the zoo, Hidden Valley and Caracol
Black-throated Green Warbler–frequently encountered in small numbers at most sites
Yellow-throated Warbler–singles at Caracol, Chan Chich and the cayes
Grace’s Warbler–2 at 1000-foot Falls in Mountain Pine Ridge
Prairie Warbler–an exquisite warbler, beautifully seen, near the mangroves of Caye Caulker
Palm Warbler–singles of this migrant in the cayes
Black-and-white Warbler–throughout
American Redstart–along with Magnolias and Black-and-whites, one of the trio of the most common neotropical migrant warblers in Belize; seen throughout including Tikal
Worm-eating Warbler–individuals in Caracol and Chan Chich
Northern Waterthrush–1 in the mangroves of Caye Caulker
Louisiana Waterthrush–singles at Chan Chich
Common Yellowthroat–1 at the pond near the hotel in Tikal
Hooded Warbler–a female at the zoo and males in Rio Frio/Caracol, Barton Creek & Tikal
Wilson’s Warbler–only 1, in Tikal
Golden-crowned Warbler–a resident neotropical warbler, 8 in Caracol and 2 in Tikal
Rufous-capped Warbler–excellent looks at 1000-foot Falls and Hidden Valley Inn
Gray-throated Chat–a lovely male of this rarely-seen species, spotted by Ed along the old airstrip at Tikal
Bananaquit–a dozen on Caye Caulker, including a fledgling being fed
Black-throated Shrike-Tanager–frequently a leader of mixed flocks, found at Rio Frio, Caracol, Chan Chich and Tikal
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager–2 at Rio Frio
Red-throated Ant-Tanager–noisy groups at Rio Frio, Caracol, and Chan Chich
Hepatic Tanager–several in Mountain Pine Ridge, especially around Hidden Valley Inn
Summer Tanager–individuals of this neotropical migrant at Rio Frio, Hidden Valley, and Tikal
White-winged Tanager–a stunning pair along the trail below Hidden Valley Inn
Crimson-collared Tanager–1 gorgeous male in the orchard near Barton Creek
Blue-gray Tanager–first spotted by Dale at the Central Farms airport; others at Chan Chich and Tikal
Yellow-winged Tanager–1 at Caracol/Rio Frio
Yellow-throated Euphonia–a few at Caracol and Chan Chich, especially frequenting the Combretum flowers
Olive-backed Euphonia–first spotted by Linda, we had spectacular views of the subtle coloring of this lovely euphonia at Chan Chich
Golden-hooded Tanager–a superb species, found at 1000-foot Falls and along the Lake Lolly Folly trail at Hidden Valley Inn
Red-legged Honeycreeper–several at Chan Chich and Tikal, expecially attracted to Combretum
Blue-black Grassquit–in agricultural areas en route to Barton Creek and Central Farms
White-collared Seedeater–found throughout in grassy and brushy areas
Yellow-faced Grassquit–a few in Mountain Pine Ridge and en route to Barton Creek and Central Farms
Rusty Sparrow–up to 4 of this robust sparrow around Hidden Valley Inn
Black-headed Saltator–noisy pairs and groups at Rio Frio, Caracol, Barton Creek and Chan Chich
Black-faced Grosbeak–a flock of a dozen, foraging atop a fruiting tree at Rio Frio
Blue-black Grosbeak–2 at Rio Frio, singing their sublime song
Blue Bunting–a pair along the old airstrip road at Tikal, the male’s blue highlights gleaming
Blue Grosbeak–singles in Mountain Pine Ridge and Tikal
Indigo Bunting–1 at Central Farms and a second male at Tikal, near the gate to the ruins
Melodious Blackbird–common throughout mainland Belize and Tikal
Great-tailed Grackle–throughout
Giant Cowbird–a few at the zoo, Gallon Jug, and the Tikal campground
Black-cowled Oriole–individuals of this attractive species at Mountain Pine Ridge and Tikal
Orchard Oriole–en route to Barton Creek and in the cayes
Hooded Oriole–several in the cayes
Yellow-backed Oriole–a regional endemic, commonly seen around Hidden Valley Inn
Yellow-tailed Oriole–another flashy oriole found around Hidden Valley Inn
Baltimore Oriole–individuals of this migrant encountered mainly in the Maya Mountain’s broadleaf forest
Yellow-billed Cacique–singles at Rio Frio and Barton Creek
Montezuma Oropendula–abundant at Chan Chich and Tikal, where their eye-catching breeding activities were underway
Black-headed Siskin–2 of these charming finches spotted by Alan at 1000-foot Falls

Mammals
Yucatan Black Howler Monkey––heard roaring at Chan Chich, and finally 2 troops were seen well at Tikal
Central American Spider Monkey––groups seen very well at Chan Chich and Tikal
Gray Fox–singles at the zoo, en route to Central Farms, Chan Chich and Tikal
Jaguar––male heard, making his low, rumbling moan to call to a female
Coati (= Coatimundi)––a single male and a large group of females with young at Tikal
Bottlenose Dolphin––a rare treat, these dolphins joined our snorkeling excursion at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
White-tailed Deer––several spotlighted at Gallon Jug during our night drive
Deppe’s Squirrel––a small tree-dweller, seen at Chan Chich
Central American Agouti––this interesting rodent seen at the zoo, Chan Chich, and Tikal

Reptiles
Dwarf Gecko, Sphaerodactylus millepunctuatus––the tiny gecko we saw in Tikal was one of the dwarf geckos, the smallest lizards in the world.
Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura similis–an impressive lizard, seen at the zoo and in the cayes
Brown (or Striped) Basilisk, Basiliscus vittatus–fairly common at Chan Chich
Hernandez’s Basilisk, Corytophanes hernandezii–1 big adult, en route to Barton Creek
Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura similis–an impressive lizard, seen at the zoo and on the cayes
Rosebelly Lizard, Sceloporus variabilis–nice looks at a male & a female in Caracol; also Tikal
Brown Anole, Norops sagrei–on our mangrove walk at Caye Caulker

Insects of note
Peanut-headed Bug, Fulgora laternaria–numerous immatures on a tree in the ruins of Tikal; I encourage you to google this, to see photos of the spectacular adults!

Butterflies (photos of most can be found on the web)
Arcas Cattleheart, Parides arcas mylotes–males & females of this splendid swallowtail were nectaring in a treetop at Caracol
Polydamas Swallowtail, Battus polydamas––joining the butterfly troop at Caracol
Viardi White, Pieriballia viardi–common around the ruins of Caracol and Tikal
White Angled Sulphur, Anteos clorinde–a very large, striking pierid seen in the Maya Mountains
Yellow Angled Sulphur, Anteos maerula–also large, noted in broadleaf forest at several sites including Tikal
Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae–individuals on Caye Caulker
Julia Heliconian, Dryas iulia–2 or 3 at Caracol
Erato Heliconian, Heliconius erato–beautiful species seen in Tikal, member of mimicry complex
Zebra Heliconian (=Longwing), H. charithonia–striking butterflies around the ruins of Tikal
Gaudy Patch, Chlosyne gaudealis–we saw a couple of this eye-catching species
Tropical Buckeye, Junonia evarete–several on Ambergris Caye
White Peacock, Anartia jatrophae–a few at Tikal
Banded Peacock, Anartia fatima–the most abundant butterfly of the trip, numerous at most sites
Malachite, Siproeta stelenes–a tattered individual of this stunning butterfly at Tikal
Common Olivewing, Nessaea aglaura–a turquoise-streaked beauty seen at Tikal, this species is an indicator of undisturbed, primary rainforest
Guatemalan Cracker, Hamadryas guatemalena–1 well-camouflaged against a tree trunk at Chan Chich
Many-banded Daggerwing, Marpesia chiron–a beautiful tropical species, seen at Tikal
Two-banded Satyr, Pareuptychia ocirrhoe–a small, zebra-marked forest species, seen at Tikal
Carolina Satyr, Hermeuptychia sosybius–small, unobtrusive forest species, frequently encountered in lowland forests
Canopy Satyr, Megneuptychia antonoe–1 along trail at Hidden Valley Inn
Monarch, Danaus plexippus–several in the cayes
Mercurial Skipper, Proteides mercurius–a large, showy skipper frequenting Tikal’s camping area

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