Yucatan Peninsula, – Reflections of the Natural World

Least Grebe

Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #3

By Jim Gain

3/24/2023

Scientific Name: Tachybaptus dominicus
Name in Spanish (Mexico): Zambullidor Menor
Name in Mayan: Xpatux já
ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: LEGR
Family: Podicipedidae – Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes – Grebes

About this Bird

The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) is a small waterbird that inhabits freshwater wetlands throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. They are primarily found in shallow water bodies, such as ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams, where they can easily dive to catch prey such as fish, insects, and small crustaceans.

These birds are highly adapted to their aquatic lifestyle, with their lobed toes and waterproof plumage allowing them to swim and dive with ease. During the breeding season, males will establish territories and perform courtship displays, which involve a variety of vocalizations and head bobbing movements.

Although the Least Grebe is not currently considered a threatened species, habitat loss and degradation due to human activities such as agriculture and urbanization pose a potential threat to their populations. Conservation efforts, such as wetland restoration and protection, can help to ensure the continued survival of this unique and important species in the Yucatan Peninsula.

>> Next Post on Tuesday, 3/28/2023 – Long-billed Hermit

Previous posts from Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog

Plain Chachalaca

Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #2

By Jim Gain

3/21/2023

Scientific Name: Ortalis vetula
Name in Spanish (Mexico): Chachalaca Oriental
Name in Mayan: Baach’
ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: PLCH
Family: Cracidae – Chachalacas, Guans, and Curassows
Order: Galliformes – Gallinaceous Birds

About this Bird

The Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) is a medium-sized bird that is found in the Yucatan Peninsula, which includes parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It is a member of the family Cracidae, which includes other game birds like turkeys and guans. The Plain Chachalaca is generally found in humid and semi-humid forests, as well as in areas of scrub and thorn forest.

The Plain Chachalaca is a social bird that usually travels in groups of 6 to 12 individuals, although groups of up to 20 birds have been observed. They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, and leaves, and are an important seed disperser in their habitat. Their distinctive call, a loud and raucous “cha-cha-lac,” is often heard in the early morning and late afternoon, and is used by the birds to communicate with one another.

During breeding season, which typically occurs in the early spring, males will call out loudly and perform courtship displays to attract females. The female will then build a shallow nest of twigs and leaves in a tree or shrub, and will lay 2 to 4 eggs. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are able to walk and feed themselves shortly after hatching, and will remain with their parents until they are able to fend for themselves.Overall, the Plain Chachalaca is an important and interesting bird in the Yucatan Peninsula, with its distinctive call and important role in seed dispersal. However, like many bird species, it is threatened by habitat loss due to human activities such as logging and agriculture. Conservation efforts are needed to ensure that this species and its habitat are protected for future generations.

>> Next Post on Friday, 3/24/2023 – Least Grebe

Previous posts from Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog

Keel-billed Toucan

Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #1

By Jim Gain

3/17/2023

Scientific Name: Ramphastos sulfuratus
Name in Spanish (Mexico): Tucán Pico Canoa
ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: KBTO
Family: Ramphastidae
Order: Piciformes

About this Bird

The Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus), National Bird of Belize, is a colorful bird species found in Belize and other parts of Central and South America.

They are known for their large, curved beaks that are brightly colored in green, blue, orange, and red. In Belize, the Keel-billed Toucan is a common sight in the forests and jungles, especially in the Maya Mountains and other areas with dense vegetation.

Keel-billed Toucans are omnivorous and eat a variety of fruits, insects, and small animals. They are also known to use their beaks to reach into tree cavities to extract eggs and nestlings of other bird species. In Belize, they play an important ecological role as seed dispersers for many tree species, helping to maintain the forest ecosystem.

The breeding season for Keel-billed Toucans in Belize typically runs from February to May. They lay their eggs in tree cavities, which they excavate themselves or take over from other birds. The females lay 2-4 eggs, which both parents incubate for around 16-18 days. The chicks are born naked and blind, and rely on their parents for food and protection until they fledge at around 7-8 weeks of age. Overall, the Keel-billed Toucan is a fascinating and important species in the natural history of Belize, and its conservation is crucial for maintaining the health of the country’s forests and ecosystems.

CONSERVATION
IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Keel-billed Toucans are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red list because they occupy such a large habitat range, however numbers are declining and they are threatened by deforestation and habitat loss. Many species of toucan are captured from the wild and sold as popular pets due to their bright coloured bills and keen intelligence. Finally these beautiful individuals are also hunted for food and their bills taken as trophies.

>> Next Post on Tuesday, 3/21/2023 – Plain Chachalaca

YUCATAN BIRD WALLPAPERS #54 – Barred Antshrike

Barred Antshrike – Batará Barrado

IMAGE DETAILS
Location: Carrt. El Tajo, Yucatán, México
Date: 2022-1-10
Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm
Focal Length: 500 mm
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure Time: 0.0008s (1/1250)
ISO: 2000

Click the image below to open it full-sized from my SmugMug Gallery.