Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a casual observer, Belize offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the beauty and diversity of the avian world. Belize is a small country located in Central America, with a rich and diverse bird fauna. Belize is home to over 500 species of birds, making it a premier birding destination. The country’s diverse habitats, including rainforests, wetlands, savannas, and coastal areas, support an abundance of bird life.
In addition to being an important habitat for resident bird species, Belize is also a key stopover site for many migratory bird species that travel between North and South America. The country’s protected areas, such as the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, provide important breeding and feeding grounds for both resident and migratory species. Belize’s rich avian diversity, coupled with its lush landscapes and vibrant culture, make it a must-visit destination for birders and nature enthusiasts alike.
This blog will feature many of the birds one can encounter while visiting this beautiful country. All images © Jim Gain unless otherwise indicated.
- White Ibis
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS OF BELIZE The White Ibis is a distinctive wading bird that is commonly found in Belize. Adults have bright white feathers with a pinkish bill and legs. - Limpkin
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS OF BELIZE The Limpkin is a fascinating wading bird native to wetlands and marshes in the Americas. - Anhinga
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS OF BELIZE he Anhinga is among the most distinctive of North American birds, with long, snakelike neck, straight bill, large fanlike tail resembling that of a turkey - Scaly-breasted Hummingbird
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS OF BELIZE The Scaly-breasted Hummingbird, native to Central and South America, is a charming and distinctive species among hummingbirds. - Gray-breasted Martin
BEAUTIFUL BIRDS OF BELIZE The Gray-breasted Martin is a medium-sized member of the swallow family found in Belize and other parts of Central and South America. - Boat-billed Heron
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #67 By Jim Gain 8/22/2023 About this Species The Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) is a unique bird species found in Belize and throughout much of Central and South America. This medium-sized heron is… Read more: Boat-billed Heron - Snail Kite
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #66 By Jim Gain 8/20/2023 About this Species The Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is a medium-sized raptor species that is endemic to the Americas. Males are slate gray with red eyes and orange… Read more: Snail Kite - Gray-headed Tanager
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #65 By Jim Gain 8/18/2023 About this Species The Gray-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata) is a small, colorful bird found in Belize and throughout much of Central and South America. It has olive to… Read more: Gray-headed Tanager - Mottled Owl
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #64 By Jim Gain 8/15/2023 About this Species The Mottled Owl (Ciccaba virgata) is a medium-sized species of owl found throughout Central and South America, including Belize. This species has a distinctive mottled… Read more: Mottled Owl - Hooded Warbler
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #63 By Jim Gain 8/13/2023 About this Species The Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina) has a plain olive/green-brown back, and yellow underparts. Their outer rectrices have whitish vanes. Males have distinctive black hoods which… Read more: Hooded Warbler - Gartered Trogon
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #62 By Jim Gain 8/11/2023 About this Species The Gartered Trogon is a stunning bird species found in Belize, which is located in Central America. These birds are known for their striking plumage,… Read more: Gartered Trogon - Montezuma Oropendola
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #61 By Jim Gain 8/8/2023 About this Species The Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma) is a tropical bird species native to Central America, including Belize. It is a medium-sized bird, with a distinctive bright… Read more: Montezuma Oropendola - Chestnut-colored Woodpecker
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #60 By Jim Gain 8/6/2023 About this Species The Chestnut-colored Woodpecker (Celeus castaneus) is a medium-sized woodpecker species found in Belize and other parts of Central America. As its name suggests, this bird… Read more: Chestnut-colored Woodpecker - Black Catbird
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #59 By Jim Gain 8/4/2023 About this Species The Black Catbird, also known as the Black mockingbird, is a small, sleek bird that is primarily black in color. It has a distinctive red… Read more: Black Catbird - Collared Aracari
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #58 By Jim Gain 8/1/2023 About this Species The Collared Aracari is a large-billed, colorful bird found from Mexico south to Northern South America. Aracaris (Pteroglossus) are small, slender toucans. The plumage typically… Read more: Collared Aracari - Rose-throated Becard
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #57 By Jim Gain 7/30/2023 About this Species The Rose-throated Becard is a small, brightly colored bird species found in Belize and other parts of Central America. The most distinguishing characteristics of this… Read more: Rose-throated Becard - Tawny-winged Woodcreeper
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #56 By Jim Gain 7/28/2023 About this Species The Tawny-winged Woodcreeper is one of three Dendrocincla woodcreepers found in Middle America. The present species is distributed from southern Mexico south to southeast Nicaragua on the… Read more: Tawny-winged Woodcreeper - Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #55 By Jim Gain 7/25/2023 About this Species The Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovianus) is a species of New World vulture found in Belize and other parts of Central and South America. It… Read more: Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture - Great Curassow
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #54 By Jim Gain 7/23/2023 About this Species The Great Curassow, also known as Crax rubra, is a large, forest-dwelling bird native to Belize and other parts of Central and South America. These… Read more: Great Curassow - Baltimore Oriole
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #53 By Jim Gain 7/21/2023 About this Species The Baltimore Oriole is a brightly colored bird with a vibrant orange body, black wings, and a distinctive black head. Males have a more pronounced… Read more: Baltimore Oriole - Magnificent Frigatebird
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #52 By Jim Gain 7/18/2023 About this Species The Magnificent Frigatebird is a large seabird with a distinctive silhouette, featuring a long, pointed bill and forked tail. Adult males have a striking black… Read more: Magnificent Frigatebird - Clay-colored Thrush
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #51 By Jim Gain 7/16/2023 About this Species The Clay-colored Robin (Turdus grayi) is a medium-sized passerine bird that measures about 23 cm in length and weighs around 65 g. It has a… Read more: Clay-colored Thrush - Northern Barred-Woodcreeper
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #50 By Jim Gain 7/14/2023 About this Species The Northern Barred-Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) is a medium-sized bird found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, including Belize. This species has a… Read more: Northern Barred-Woodcreeper - Northern Jacana
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #49 By Jim Gain 7/11/2023 About this Species The Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) is a distinctive bird species found in Belize, typically residing in freshwater wetlands, marshes, and flooded grasslands. They are easily… Read more: Northern Jacana - Ruddy Ground Dove
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #48 By Jim Gain 7/9/2023 About this Species The Ruddy Ground Dove (Columbina talpacoti) is a small, stocky dove species that inhabits open and semi-open habitats across Belize. It measures about 18-20 cm… Read more: Ruddy Ground Dove - Yellow-throated Vireo
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #47 By Jim Gain 7/7/2023 About this Species The Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) is a small passerine bird species that belongs to the Vireonidae family. It has a distinct yellow throat and breast,… Read more: Yellow-throated Vireo - Lesson’s Motmot
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #46 By Jim Gain 7/4/2023 About this Species The Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii) is a stunning bird species that can be found in the lowland forests of Belize. These birds are relatively large,… Read more: Lesson’s Motmot - Ringed Kingfisher
The Ringed Kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in the Americas, with a bushy crest, a white collar, and a rufous belly. The Ringed Kingfisher (like all kingfishers) typically perches in riverside or lakeside trees where it watches for its prey in clear water. - Louisiana Waterthrush
The Louisiana Waterthrush can be observed foraging along streams and rivers, often bobbing its tail up and down while walking along the water’s edge. They primarily feed on insects, aquatic invertebrates, and small fish, and are known to take advantage of disturbed areas, such as those created by human activity or natural events like flooding. - Squirrel Cuckoo
Squirrel Cuckoos are large arboreal cuckoos with a very long, graduated tail and rufous upperparts. They are found in a variety of forested habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, as well as secondary growth and edge habitats. - Vermilion Flycatcher
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a small, brightly colored bird found throughout the Americas. Males have a striking bright red plumage on their head, breast, and back, while females have a more subdued brownish-red coloring. They are typically found in open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, and scrublands, and can also be seen perched on wires or other elevated structures. - White Hawk
The White Hawk is a large raptor found throughout Central and South America. Plumage is white overall with black wingtips and a black tail band. Immature has more black on wings, as do adults of populations in southern Central America. White Hawks are typically found in forested areas, particularly near rivers and other bodies of water, where they hunt for prey such as reptiles, birds, and mammals. - Green-breasted Mango
This bird is named after its brilliant green breast feathers and its scientific name honors the French naturalist, Florent Prévost. The males have a shiny green body with a black throat, while the females have a duller green coloration with a white throat. - Collared Trogon
The Collared Trogon is a medium-sized trogon species found in the forests of Mexico, Belize, Central and South America. Males are easily distinguished by their striking plumage, with a metallic green back, a bright red breast, and a white collar around the neck. Females have a similar color pattern but with duller colors and a brownish-gray back. - Red-throated Ant-Tanager
These birds are known for their distinctively colored plumage, with the males sporting a vibrant red throat, reddish-gray head, and brownish back and wings, while the females are more subdued with brownish-gray plumage overall. These birds primarily feed on insects (ants) and other small invertebrates, which they forage for in the understory and midstory of the forest. - Roadside Hawk
The Roadside Hawk is a common bird of prey found throughout Mexico, Central and South America. It is a medium-sized raptor with a distinctive reddish-brown back and wings, a pale belly, and a grayish-white head. Its eyes are large and yellow, and its bill is short and curved, making it well adapted for hunting small prey. - Ruddy Crake
The Ruddy Crake is a small, secretive bird that inhabits the dense marshes and wetlands of Mexico, Belize and Central America. It is a member of the rail family and measures about 16 cm in length, with a reddish-brown plumage and a short, thick bill. - White-necked Jacobin
The White-necked Jacobin can be found in Belize, as well as throughout Central and South America. It is a medium-sized hummingbird and males have a blue head, green body and a distinctive white patch on its neck. - Groove-billed Ani
The Groove-billed Ani is a striking bird found in Mexico, Central and South America. Adults have a black body with iridescent green and blue highlights, a long tail, and a distinctive curved bill with a deep groove along the top. These birds are often seen in small groups, perched on low branches or foraging on the ground. - Rose-throated Tanager
The Rose-throated Tanager is endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and Belize and mostly found in semi-humid to humid mixed woodlands and at forest edges. Males have gray upperparts and paler gray underparts, accented by a striking, rusty red throat, crown and flight feathers. - Laughing Falcon
The Laughing Falcon is a medium-sized bird of prey that is easily recognized by its distinctive call, which sounds like a raucous laugh. The Laughing Falcon is primarily brown in color, with a pale throat and chest and dark wings and feeds mainly on snakes, which it hunts both on the ground and in trees. - Common Tody-Flycatcher
Male Common Tody-Flycatchers have glossy black foreheads, slate gray hindcrowns, olive upperparts, black wings and bright yellow underparts. They snatch flying bugs in short quick forays, always catching prey with an audible snap. - Yucatan Woodpecker
The Yucatan Woodpecker is a small woodpecker species that is found primarily in the Yucatan Peninsula area of Mexico and Belize. They have distinctive black and white plumage, with a red crown and nape and are most commonly found in areas with tall trees, where they can forage for insects and nest in tree cavities. - Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
The Bare-throated Tiger-Heron is a large wading bird found throughout much of Central and South America. It has a bare yellow throat patch and a rich chestnut-brown body with a white throat. - Social Flycatcher
The Social Flycatcher is medium sized with brown upperparts, bold black and white striped head, and yellow underparts and is particularly adept at catching flying insects. They are also known for their unique nesting habits, as they often build their nests on top of wasp nests. - Pale-billed Woodpecker
The Pale-billed Woodpecker is a large, black and white woodpecker named for its distinctive pale ivory-colored bill, which is longer than that of most other woodpecker species. The species is also known for its distinctive drumming, a loud and sustained series of knocks that can be heard from a distance. - Eye-ringed Flatbill
The Eye-ringed Flatbill is a small, active bird, constantly flitting through the forest canopy in search of prey. It is easily recognizable by the distinctive white ring around its eye. - Yellow-billed Cacique
The Yellow-billed Cacique is a medium-sized blackbird species that can be found throughout Central America, including Belize. It is all black and has an ivory white bill that almost shines in the dark undstory habitats preferred by this species. - Bat Falcon
The Bat Falcon is a striking bird that is dark slate gray above, a black-and-white barred breast, and orange lower belly and thighs. As its name suggests, this species primarily feeds on bats, which it hunts in flight at dusk and dawn. - Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and even urban areas.. This species is sexually dimorphic, with males having a striking iridescent greenish-gold color on their head, back, and throat, and a rufous-colored tail, while females have a duller green coloration and a slightly shorter tail. - Common Black Hawk
The Common Black Hawk has a blackish plumage with a slightly paler head and neck, and yellow legs. They are a common sight around rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, where they hunt for fish, crabs, and other aquatic prey. - Spot-breasted Wren
The Spot-breasted Wren has a distinctive white throat and breast speckled with small, dark spots, which gives them their name. They are active, social birds that are known for their loud, musical songs and calls that can be heard throughout the forest. - Yucatan Jay
The Yucatan Jay is a striking bird species and is known for its vibrant blue feathers and its impressive vocalizations, which can be heard echoing through the forests of the Yucatan Peninsula. Yucatan Jays typically live in flocks of 4-12 individuals, and they are known to be highly social and intelligent birds. - Cinnamon-bellied Saltator
The Cinnamon-bellied Saltator is gray above and grayish or buffy/”cinnamon” below, with a strong whitish eyebrow and black malar stripes that boarder a white throat. Cinnamon-bellied Saltators prefer to live in wooded areas and forest edges, where they forage for insects, seeds, and fruit. - White-wiskered Puffbird
The White-whiskered Puffbird has a distinctive appearance with a mostly brown body, white underparts, and a conspicuous white stripe over their eyes that resembles a pair of bushy eyebrows. These birds are generally solitary and monogamous, with pairs defending a territory throughout the year. - Brown Jay
Brown Jays are relatively large, and predominantly are dark brown with a pale buff brown or pale white vent and belly. Brown Jays are highly social and form tight-knit groups of up to 20 individuals that work together to defend territories and locate food. - Slaty-tailed Trogon
The Slaty-tailed Trogon is a stunning, medium-sized trogon, with a distinctive slaty-blue tail, a bright red belly, and a green back. The males have a metallic green head and upperparts, while the females are duller with a brownish-black head and upperparts. - Ocellated Turkey
One of only two Turkey species worldwide, the Ocellated Turkey is distinct from the more familiar wild turkey species found in North America. It is known for its striking plumage, which includes iridescent feathers in shades of blue, green, and bronze, as well as bold eye-shaped spots (ocelli) on its tail feathers. - Black-throated Green Warbler
The Black-throated Green Warbler males have a striking black throat and olive-green upperparts, while females have a yellow-green head and back, and a yellow throat and breast. They are a migratory bird species that breed in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada and winter in Central America and the Caribbean. - Boat-billed Flycatcher
The Boat-billed Flycatcher has a distinctive broad and flattened bill that is shaped like a boat, which it uses to catch insects in flight. The Boat-billed Flycatcher is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring around 20 centimeters (8″) in length, and has a dark gray or brownish-gray body with a yellow belly and a black crest on its head. - Ruddy Woodcreeper
Ruddy Woodcreepers are medium-sized birds, about 18-20 cm long, with a ruddy-brown plumage and a long, slightly curved bill. They are typically found in forested areas, where they use their strong legs and sharp claws to climb trees in search of insects and other invertebrates. - Gray Hawk
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #10 By Jim Gain 4/11/2023 About this Bird The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout Central and South America, including Belize. The Gray Hawk is easily recognizable… Read more: Gray Hawk - Bright-rumped Attila
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #9 By Jim Gain 4/9/2023 About this Bird The Bright-rumped Attila, is a species of flycatcher found in the Central American region, including Belize. These birds are easily recognizable by their distinct bright… Read more: Bright-rumped Attila - Russet-naped Wood-Rail
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #8 By Jim Gain 4/7/2023 About this Bird The humid forests of Central and South America are home to the Russet-naped Wood-Rail (Aramides albiventris). It is frequently observed in Belize’s mangrove swamps and… Read more: Russet-naped Wood-Rail - Jabiru
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #7 By Jim Gain 4/4/2023 About this Species The Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) is a large stork species that is widely distributed throughout the Americas, including Belize. These birds are known for their striking… Read more: Jabiru - Masked Tityra
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #6 By Jim Gain 4/2/2023 About this Bird The Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) is a species of bird that is found in Central and South America, including Belize. These birds are primarily found… Read more: Masked Tityra - Amazon Kingfisher
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #5 By Jim Gain 3/31/2023 About this Bird The Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) is a stunning bird species found in Belize, a small Central American country with a rich biodiversity. These kingfishers are… Read more: Amazon Kingfisher - Long-billed Hermit
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #4 By Jim Gain 3/28/2023 About this Species The Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris) is a species of hummingbird found in Belize and throughout Central and South America. These birds are known for their… Read more: Long-billed Hermit - Least Grebe
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #3 By Jim Gain 3/24/2023 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,… Read more: Least Grebe - Plain Chachalaca
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #2 By Jim Gain 3/21/2023 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… Read more: Plain Chachalaca - Keel-billed Toucan
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #1 By Jim Gain 3/17/2023 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.… Read more: Keel-billed Toucan
Reflections of the Natural World 