Want to Trade Twitter for Real Tweets? Go Birding in Belize
Is Belize’s Placencia Peninsula for the birds? You bet it is. Bird watchers couldn’t choose a place with as much avian diversity thanks to plenty of green space, surrounding jungles and rainforests, and watersheds that act hospitably toward anything with wings that roosts here. If you’re a birding purist, you may want a taste of what you can expect to see here before you book your flight and accommodations, so may we take the liberty of introducing you to the Belize birding scene? Allow plenty of time to see as much as you can so you return home relaxed, refreshed and in possession of colorful photos that prove your amazing good fortune.
Do your homework first
How important is a little education? Important enough to morph a nice birding experience into a spectacular one. According to the Belize Audubon Society, 587 types of birds have been spotted here (though other resources insist that number exceeds 600). Most are indigenous, but about 20-percent of them come from North America, proving that humans aren’t the only species wild about flying south. Prepare for your trip by finding a copy of the book “Birds of Belize,” written by H. Lee Jones and published by The University of Texas. This book is loaded with illustrations, so even if you dislike reading, browsing the art alone can help you identify the birds you spot in Belize.
How to go birding in Belize
If you’ve never before visited this Caribbean hot spot, use an online aggregator to book a flight on any of the airlines now servicing Belize daily: American, United, Delta or Southwest. Competition has spurred price reductions, so go birding here even if you’re on a budget. Book accommodations where an impressive concentration of Belize birds can be found. We recommend Chabil Mar, an excellent lodging choice, because suites are luxurious and well-appointed, onsite amenities like swimming and dining are superior, and you’ll be right in the thick of the action, with easy access to places Belize birds frequent most often.
What to look for
If you’re a serious birder whose journals are tributes to your dedication and record-keeping, bring a large, new journal for your Belize expedition. Be on the looking for these species: In the trees, identify the Magnificent Frigatebird, Double-crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Eurasian Collared-Dove and Golden-fronted Woodpecker. Spot these species along beaches, in ponds and lagoons: the Brown Pelican, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper and Mangrove Swallow. Search wooded areas for Cinnamon Hummingbirds, Social Flycatchers, Tropical Mockingbirds and Yellow Warblers. If you’re in Belize at the right time of year, you might also record these three in your journal: the Great Kiskadee, White-collared Seedeater and Great-tailed Crackle.
What to bring
A great set of binoculars and digital camera are essential, as is bug repellent and sunscreen, since you could find yourself waiting patiently in jungles and forests for the bird of your dreams to land on a nearby branch. Your birding journal should have room for your discoveries and don’t bring just one pen, because you know what’s bound to run out of ink at the most inopportune time, right? If you’re a stickler for efficiency, this guide (http://www.wildbirds.com/FindBirds/TripPreparation/TripPackingList/tabid/199/Default.aspx) is your ticket to excellent preparation, but for the best experience of all, ask your Chabil Mar host to handle logistics by booking this Belize birding package. You’ll still need those binoculars, but there’s no better way to enjoy a birding excursion than by letting others handle the details!
For more information about birding in Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at:reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.
