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GUATEMALA - Select Birding Sites
Autumn 2006
by Daniel Schneider
Contents:
Sites:
- ARCAS Rehabilitation Center in Flores
- Los Tarrales Private Reserve
- Monterrico and Parque Hawaii
Lonely
Planet’s Watching Wildlife Central
America.
$20 or so. Not a very good book for Guatemala and I don’t even think I would recommend it for Belize (which it does cover). The one nice thing about the book is that it tells you which parks (in Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama) to hit for wildlife viewing.
Belize and
Northern Guatemala. Ecotravellers’ Wildlife Guide
$25 or so. If you looking for one guide for the region this is it. An all inclusive wildlife guide, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. It doesn’t give all that much information about each specific species but it does give the meat: range maps, illustrations, and a bit of the biology.
Birds
A Guide to
The Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America.
$25 or so. A very good guide book in my opinion, some of the range maps were a bit off but for the most part it was a great book. I thought the illustrations were adequate and there was a ton of information on each bird. That being said, the book is huge! It is not ideal for in the field use. This book does not have the illustrations for many of the migrant breeders.
While traveling I believe I saw a field guide of much smaller size, with smaller, but all of, the illustrations and no other information other than the range maps. It very well might have been an updated field guide version. It was orange and white.
A Field
Guide to the Amphibians and
Reptiles of the Mayan World.
$35 or so. A great book that has photos and not illustrations, a downfall in my opinion. It does have range maps for all species in addition to the hundreds of drawings. The range maps only show the Mayan World.
Travel
Lonely
Planet - Central America on a
Shoestring
In our opinion the better of the two guides for Guatemala. We ended up getting the Central America on a Shoestring edition along with 75% + of the other travelers, its only downfall in my opinion. If they were to put out an updated Guatemala specific edition, I would recommend it. It’s a fun guide, that centers around nature based travels on the cheap.
The
Rough Guide to Guatemala: Includes Copan and the Honduran Bay Islands
A much more thorough guide, partly because it was a Guatemala specific guidebook. My first, and probably the last time we will buy a Rough Guide. Unlike the Lonely Planet it didn’t give the times the buses were leaving, which is very important when it is you r only means of travel and your trying to plan out your week.
Species:
109; in 1 and 1/2 days (no guide)
94; 1 day high tally
Birding:
***** This was humid lowland birding at its best. With several ponds, a drier scrubbier area, and the lush jungle you can see why there are so many birds here. As with many of the places we visited, we only saw a fraction of what was actually out there, but a great day none the less.
Trails:
Great. You can easily walk the them for days, don’t get lost though!
Where:
El Peten in Northeastern Guatemala, 2 1/2 hours from Belize border.
How Do I get there:
By far the most common way to get there is on a tour package from Flores or Belize. It wasn’t terribly expensive, $7 or so, with a return ride the next day included.
You might be able to take a (chicken) bus to the entrance of the Reserve and then hitch(?) your way the remaining 17kms to the actual park entrance itself. I suppose you could if need be rent a car as well.
Accomodations:
There are several nice places to stay right outside the entrance to park some a bit cheaper than others but all considerably more than outside this touristy area.
We tented it for about $5 a night for the both of us at the Jaguar Inn. They have a nice shower and bathrooms for the tenters. You can also leave your stuff at the front desk if need be.
What to bring:
Good flashlight/headlamp, it gets very dark in the jungle and its about 300m to the cheaper places to eat.
Food, if we were to do it again we would probably bring more food in that we did. There are no descent tiendas within walking distance and the food at the restaurants was around $6-8 a meal. Beers for about $2.
Tent, it worked out great.
Phalacrocoraciadae
1. Neotropical Cormorant Phalacocorax brasilianus
Podicipedidae
2. Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Anhingidae
3. Anhinga Anhinga Anhinga
Ardeidae
4. Great Egret Ardea alba
Cathartidae
5. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
6. Turkey Vulture Carthartes aura
Accipitridae
7. Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
8. Ornate Hawk-eagle Spizaetus ornatus
9. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
Falconidae
10. Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
11. Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus
12. Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis
Cracidae
13. Great Currasow Crax rubra
14. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens
15. Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula
Phasianidae
16. Ocellated Turkey Meleagris ocellata
Rallidae
17. Grey-necked Wood-rail Aramides cajanea
Aramidae
18. Limpkin Aramus guarauna
Columbidae
19. Ruddy Ground-dove Columbina talpacoti
Psittacidae
20. Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
21. Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
22. Brown-hooded Parrot Pionopsitta haematotis
Cuculidae
23. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Strigidae
24. Black-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineata
25. Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata
Apodidae
26. Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennesis
27. Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi
Trochilidae
28. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
29. Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti
30. Canivet’s Emerald Chlorostilbon canivetii
31. Little Hermit Pygmornus longuemareus
Trogonidae
32. Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus
33. Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus
Momotidae
34. Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula
35. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Alcedinidae
36. Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Ramphastidae
37. Keel-billed Toucan Sulfuratus sulfuratus
38. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus
Picidae
39. Smokey-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus
40. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
41. Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
42. Chestnut-colored Woodpecker Celeus castaneus
43. Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
44. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis
Dendrocolaptidae
45. Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus grisicapillus
46. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Furnariidae
47. Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Thamnophilidae
48. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Tyrannidae
49. Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
50. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleaginus
51. Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
52. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
53. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
54. Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius
55. Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
56. Royal Flycatcher Onychorhychus coronatus
57. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
58. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes
59. Couch’s Kingbird Tyrannus couchii
60. Great Kiskadee Piangus sulphuratus
61. Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
62. Stub-tailed Spadebill Platyrinchus cancrominus
63. Cinnamon Becard Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
64. Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum sylvia
65. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Estrildidae
66. White-collared Mannakin Manacus candei
67. Red-capped Mannakin Mentalis mentalis
Vireonidae
68. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
69. White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
70. Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus
71. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
72. Lesser Greenlet Hylophilus 73. decurtatus
Corvidae
73. Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio
Hirundinidae
74. Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
75. Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
76. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Troglodytidae
77. White-bellied Wren Uropsila lieucogastra
78. White-breasted Wood-wren Henicorhina leucosticte
Sylviidae
79. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
80. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Turdidae
81. Wood Thrush Catharus mustelina
Mimidae
82. Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Parulidae
83. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
84. Western Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum
85. Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
86. Black-throated-green Warbler Dendroica virens
87. Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica
88. Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
89. Tropical Paurla Parula pitiayumi
90. Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus
91. Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina
92. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
93. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
94. Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus
95. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus
96. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
97. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
98. Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Thraupidae
99. Black-throated Shrike-tanager Lanio aurantius
100. Red-crowned Ant-tanager Habia rubica
101. Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi
102. Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis
103. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Cardinalidae
104. Blue Bunting Passerina caerulea
105. Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Emerizidae
106. Green-backed Sparrow Arremonops chloronotus
Icteridae
107. Black-cowled Oriole Icterus dominicensis
108. Montezuma Oropendula Psarocolius montezuma
109. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
ARCAS Rehabilitation Center in Flores
Species:
96; in 6 and 1/2 days (no guide)
65; 1 day high tally
Birding:
*** Quite a diverse little parcel of land this was with a little lagoon off of Lago de Peten Izta that was surrounded by 25 year old 2nd growth forest. This was less a birding destination as we were eco-volunteering with ARCAS again, this time doing wildlife rehabilitation and some personal avian research.
Trails:
Quite nice, enough for several good days of birding.
Where:
Northeastern Guatemala, on the far northeastern side of Lago de Peten Izta, near Flores.
How Do I get there:
To get to the ARCAS facility you must first get to the island of Flores, this is easily done by bus from anywhere in Guatemala and Belize. Then you must take a boat taxi to the facility ($5 or less), or if you arrange it ARCAS will pick you up for free, that is if you are going to be volunteering there.
Accomodations:
At the ARCAS facility you are given a bunk with up to 3 others in your room, (but this isn’t likely) and a shared bath. You are required to participate in the 3 daily feedings and daily cleaning of the animal cages, which totals maybe 1 and 1/2 hours of total work. There is a $100 a week fee to cover food and housing expenses, this money is also used to provide for the injured animals.
What to bring:
Good
flashlight/headlamp, it gets very dark and its about 100m to the
cocina. They had to kill a
1.5m Ferd-de-lance the week we were there.
English and Spanish names
Cormorants and Wading Birds
1. Neotropical Cormorant Cormaoran Neotropical
2. Little Blue Heron Garza Azul
3. Great Egret Garza Grande
4. Snowy Egret Garza Nivea
5. Green Heron Garza Verde
6. Cattle Egret Garza Ganadera
7. Black-Crowned Night-Heron Garza-nocturna Coroninegra
Ducks
8. Blue-winged Teal Cerceta Aliazul
Vultures
9. King Vulture Zopilote Rey
10. Black Vulture Zopilote Negro
11. Turkey Vulture Aura Cobecirroja
Diurnal Raptors
12. Mississippi Kite Milano de Misisipi
13. White-tailed Hawk Aguililla Coliblanca
14. White Hawk Aguililla Blanca
15. Ornate Hawk –eagle Aguila Elegante
Chicken-like birds
16. Plain Chachalaca Chachalaca Comun
Shorebirds
17. Northern Jacana Jacana Mesoamericana
18. Spotted Sandpiper Playero Alzacolita
19. American Coot Gallareta Americana
20. Ruddy Crake Polluela Rojiza
Terns
21. Royal Tern Golondrina-marina Real
Parrots and Parakeets
22. Aztec Parakeet Perico Pechisucio
23. Mealy Parrot Loro Verde
Doves
24. Blue Ground-dove Tortola Azul
25. Ruddy Ground-dove Tortola Rojiza
26. White-tipped Dove Paloma Arroyera
Cuckoos and Anis
27. Squirrel Cuckoo Cuco Ardilla
28. Groove-billed Ani Garrapatero Pijuy
Owls
29. Mottled Owl Buho Cafe
30. Vermiculated Screech-owl Tecolote Vermiculado
Nightjars
31. Common Pauraque Tapacaminos Picuyo
32. Lesser Nighthawk Chotacabras Menor
Kingfishers
33. Belted Kingfisher Martin-pescador Norteno
34. Pygmy Kingfisher Martin-pescador Enano
35. Ringed Kingfisher Martin-pescador Collararejo
Hummingbirds
36. Rufus-tailed Hummingbird Colibri Colirrufo
37. Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Fandangero Colicuna
38. White-bellied Emerald Esmeralda Vientre-blanco
39. Little Hermit Ermitano Chico
Trogons, Toucans and Motmots
40. Black-headed Trogon Trogon Cabecinegro
41. Keel-billed Toucan Tucan Pico-multicolor
42. Blue-Crowned Motmot Momoto Coroniazul
Woodpeckers
43. Golden-olive Woodpecker Carpintero Olivaceo
44. Lineated Woodpecker Carpintero Lineado
Woodcreepers
45. Olivecous Woodcreeper Trepatroncos Olivaceo
46. Streak-headed Woodcreeper Trepatroncos Corona-rayada
Antbirds
47. Barred Antshrike Batara Barrada
Flycatchers
48. Slate-headed Tody-flycatcher Espatulilla Cabecigris
49. Stubtail Spadebill Picochato Rabon
50. Yellow-olive Flycatcher Picoplano Ojiblanco
51. Tropical Pewee Pibi Tropical
52. Couche’s Kingbird Tirano de Couch
53. Great Kiskadee Luis Grande
54. Social Flycatcher Luis Piquigrueso
Swallows
55. Barn Swallow Golondria Ranchera
56. Mangrove Swallow Golondria Manglera
Jays
57. Brown Jay Chara Papan
Wrens
58. White-bellied Wren Saltapared Vientre –blanco
59. White-breasted Wood-wren Salta paredselvatico Pechiblano
60. Southern House Wren Saltapared-continental Sureno
Gnatcatchers
61. Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Perlita Grisilla
Thrushes
62. Swainson’s Thrush Zorzalito de Swainson
63. Wood Thrush Zorzalito Maculado
64. Clay-colored Robin Zorzal Pardo
Vireos
65. White-eyed Vireo Vireo Ojiblanco
66. Lesser Greenlet Verdillo Menor
67. Warbling Vireo Vireo Gorjeador
68. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo Gorjiamarillo
69. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Vireo Cejirrufo
Warblers
70. American Redstart Pavito Migratorio
71. Black-throat Green Warbler Chipe Dorsiverde
72. Blue-winged Warbler Chipe Aliazul
73. Black and White Warbler Chipe Trepador
74. Common Yellowthroat Mascarita Comun
75. Hooded Warbler Chipe Encapuchado
76. Magnolia Warbler Chipe de Magnolia
77. Northern Waterthrush Chipe-suelero Charquero
78. Ovenbird Chipe-suelero Coronado
79. Prothonatary Warbler Chipe Protonotario
80. Swainson’s Warbler Chipe de Swainson
81. Tropical Parula Parula Tropical
82. Kentucky Warbler Chipe de Kentucky
83. Worm-eating Warbler Chipe Gusanero
84. Yellow Warbler Chipe Amarillo
Tanagers
85. Blue-grey Tanager Tangara Azuligris
86. Grey-headed Tanager Tangara Cabecigris
87. Red-throated Ant-tanager Tangara-hormiguera Gorjirroja
88. Red-legged Honeycreeper Mielero Patirrojo
Saltators
89. Black-headed Solitaire Saltador Cabecinegro
90. Buff-throated Solitaire Saltador Gorjileonado
Sparrows and Seedeaters
91. Green-backed Sparrow Gorrion Dorsiverde
92. White-collared Seedeater Semillero Collarejo
Blackbirds and Orioles
93. Baltimore Oriole Bolsero de Baltimore
94. Yellow-billed Cacique Cacique Mexicano
95. Great-tailed Grackle Zanate Mayor
96. Melodious Blackbird Tordo Cantor
Biotopo del Quetzal – Guatemala
Field notes from Biotopo del Quetzal:
We birded lightly on the 6th in the afternoon before it becaome too cloudy to bird, a common problem here in the afternoon.
We started at 6:00 on the 7th at our hostel (Hospedaje Ranchito del Quetzal, $13.00 a night for two in a comfy bed and private bath) and stayed there until around 8:30 because there was a male Respendent Quetzal above our breakfast table !
Bring some food along if you doing it on the cheap, its aways to town and the food is a bit pricy.
The day’s highlight had to be at the highest pint of the trail (the long loop) were we found a huge fruiting tree containing 20 or so species, including at least 7 male Resplendent Quetzals. Lauren had 3 in her view at once ! It was also a very thrushy day with 6 turdidae species being seen, none more than a few time though. The most common species were the Common Bush-tanager, Golded-browed, Wilson’s and Black-throated-green Warblers. Shinning Honeycreepers were in good sized flocks (20+). Had great looks at the Highland guans near the top of the trail.
Species:
48; in one afternoon and 1 morning (no guide)
48; 1 day high tally
Birding:
**** Cloud-forest birding is always a real treat. It was so mystical and the birds were amazing. We actually had 7 Resplendent Quetzals males in one tree ! The nightingale-thrushes were also a real treat.
Trails:
They do have one really nice trail at the Biotopo but I didn’t see many others; meaning anything more than a day and your doing circles.
Where:
Central Guatemala, between Guatemala City and Coban.
How Do I get there:
3 or so hours from Guatemala City by bus. Make sure you tell the bus driver to let you of at the entrance of the Biotopo ! I believe there are also direct shuttles from Antigua and Guatemala City. You could also probably take a rent-a-car .
Accomodations:
No tenting is available, or at least that we found. Hospedaje Ranchito del Quetzal, $13.00 a night for two in a comfy bed and private bath. This is the closest place to the Biotopo and the only one that I saw in walking distance.
Special Note: There was a male Resplendent Quetzal eating its breakfast in the trees above as we were eating ours.
What to bring:
Good flashlight/headlamp
Food, there are no tiendas within walking distance (besides the snack shop in the biotope). The food at the Hospedaje Ranchito was around $4-5 a meal.
Camera with a descent zoom, to get the great shots of the Quetzals (take a look at the photo on the right).
The following list was compiled on evening of November 6th and morning and early afternoon of the 7th, 2006.
Cracidae
1. Highland Guan Penelopina nigra
Columbidae
2. Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
Trochilidae
3. Green-throated Mountain-Gem Lampornis viridipallens
Trogonidae
4. Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno
Ramphastidae
5. Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhychus prasinus
Picidae
6. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
7. Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Dendrocolaptidae
8. Black-banded Woodcreeper Dendrocolaptes picumnus
9. Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
Tyrannidae
10. Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
11. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens
12. Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
13. Grey-collared Becard Pachyramphus major
14. Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyalus brevirostris
Vireonidae
15. Brown-capped Vireo Vireo salitarius
16. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo leucophrys
Corvidae
17. Azure-hooded Jay Cyanolyca cucullata
18. Unicolored Jay Aphelocoma unicolor
Troglodytidae
19. Southern House Wren Troglodytes musculus
20. Gray-breasted Wood-wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Turdidae
21. Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
22. Mountain Robin Turdus plebejus
23. Black Robin Turdus infuscatus
24. Slate-colored Solitaire Myadestes unicolor
25. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush Catharus frantzii
26. Black-headed Nightingale-thrush Catharus mexicanus
Parulidae
27. Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi
28. Black-throated-green Warbler Dendroica virens
29. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
30. Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
31. Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
32. Chestnut-capped Warbler Basileuterus delattrii
33. Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli
34. Chestnut-chested Warbler Vermivora superciliosa
35. Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera
36. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrine
Thraupidae
37. Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis
38. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
39. Common Bush-tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
40. Shinning Honeycreeper Cyanerpes lucidus
Emerizidae
41. Chestnut-capped Brush-finch Atlapetes brunneinucha
42. Blue Seedeater Amarospiza concolor
Cardinalidae
43. Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
44. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
45. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Icteridae
46. Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri
47. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Fringillidae
48. Hooded Grosbe
Los Tarrales Private Reserve –
Guatemala
Los Tarrales Private Reserve is a world class birding preserve located on the Pacific slope of Vulcan Atilan in Guatemala. With 3 life zones and a huge elevation gain of nearly 13, 500 ft, the bird diversity is amazing with 22 species of hummingbird possible.
If you need a guide, Josue de Leon knows this area very well and will be a great benefit on your birding adventure. He can be contacted by visiting the Las Tarrales website.
Speices:
113; in 1 and 1/2 days (1/2 day with guide;$10)
98; 1 day high tally
Birding:
***** It really doesn't get any better than Las Tarrales. With a huge elevation gain and great trails that aren’t that hard to hike it is a birder’s paradise.
Trails:
The Reserve has a great trail system that cut their way through the shade-grown coffee and surrounding forest.
Where:
Western Central Guatemala. Between Cocales and San Lucas Toliman
How Do I get there:
There are many buses and several trucks that go in-between Cocales and San Lucas Toliman. You could also probably take a rent-a-car.
Accomodations:
Las Tarrales offers nice rooms for around $20. Or you can pitch a tent next to the lagoon for $6 (recommended). You can leave your valuables at the office if you need to. They also have furnished tree houses for around $20.
Not much else in the vicinity besides these choices.
What to bring:
Good flashlight/headlamp, it gets pretty dark in town and on the walk to the lagoon.
Food, it’s a bit pricey there ($8 average), but is largely organic. There are a few tiendas in the neighboring village but it would be easiest to bring from the get-go.
Tent (there are actually quite a few places to camp in Guatemala) But bring a lock.
Field notes from Las Tarrales:
Tennessee Warblers were by far the most common warbler from the states but as you went higher in elevation it became more diverse with several Worm-eating warblers seen at the highest/ steepest portions of the trail. Mixed flocks dominated by North American migrants were common with Red-legged honeycreepers being the most frequent resident within the flocks. Swainson’s thrushes were found equally on the ground and in the trees and were by far the most frequent turdidae, besides Clay-colored robins (resident) which were seen at the lower elevation levels. Saw many more Baltimore Orioles on the 1st than the 2nd.
Flycatchers favored newly planted, less shade grown coffee, while few other birds were seen in non-shade grown coffee (except a few Magnolia and Chestnut-capped warblers). Heavily shaded coffee was generally very good birding with very high diversity.
The following list was compiled on November 1-2, 2006. 113 species seen.
Ardeidae
1. Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
2. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Cathartidae
3. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
4. Turkey Vulture Carthartes aura
5. King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa
Anatidae
6. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Accipitridae
7. Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
8. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
9. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
Falconidae
10. Collared Forest-falcon Micrastur semitorquatus
11. Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Cracidae
12. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens
Columbidae
13. Red-billed Pigeon Columba flavirostris
14. Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
15. Inca Dove Columbina inca
16. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Psittacidae
17. Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua
18. Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis
19. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Cuculidae
20. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
21. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
Strigidae
22. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum
23. Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata
Caprimulgidae
24. Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
Apodidae
25. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
26. Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi
Trochilidae
27. Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus emileucurus
28. Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia berylline
29. Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura
30. Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila
31. Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris
32. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
33. Magnificent Hummingbird Eugunes fulgens
34. Blue-throated Sapphire Hylocharis eliciae
Trogonidae
35. Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus
36. Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
Momotidae
37. Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula
38. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Alcedinidae
39. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle Americana
Ramphastidae
40. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus
Picidae
41. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
42. Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
43. Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
44. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis
Furnariidae
45. Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax
Thamnophilidae
46. Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus
Tyrannidae
47. Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
48. Common Tody-flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum
49. Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens
50. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus
51. Western Wood-pewee Contopus sordidulus
52. Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
53. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens
54. Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons
55. Pacific-sloped Flycatcher Empidonax difficillis
56. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
57. Great Kiskadee Piangus sulphuratus
58. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
59. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes
60. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
61. Grey-collared Becard Pachyramphus major
62. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Vireonidae
63. Cassin’s Vireo Vireo cassinii
64. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
65. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
66. Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Corvidae
67. White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa
Hirundinidae
68. Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
69. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Troglodytidae
70. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha
71. Rufous-and-white Wren Thryothorus rufalbus
72. Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus
73. Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus
74. Gray-breasted Wood-wren Henicorhina leucophrys
75. White-breasted Wood-wren Henicorhina leucosticte
Sylviidae
76. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
77. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Turdidae
78. Orange-billed Nightingale-thrush Catharus aurantiirostris
79. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus
80. Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
81. White-throated Robin Turdus assimilis
Parulidae
82. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrine
83. Bay-breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea
84. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
85. Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
86. Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi
87. Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
88. Black-throated-green Warbler Dendroica virens
89. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
90. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
91. Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus
92. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus
93. Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
94. Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
95. Fan-tailed Warbler Euthlypis lachrymose
96. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
97. Chestnut-capped Warbler Basileuterus delattrii
Thraupidae
98. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
99. White-winged Tanager Thraupis episcopus
100. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas
101. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
102. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Emerizidae
103. White-eared Ground-sparrow Melozone leucotis
Cardinalidae
104. Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
105. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
106. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Icteridae
107. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
108. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
109. Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis
110. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
111. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
112. Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
Fringillidae
113. Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria
Species:
50; in 1 day (no guide)
50; 1 day high tally
Birding:
*** I was a bit disappointed with Monterrico and Parque Hawaii. The countless hectares of sugarcane on the drive in were nearly devoid of birds. The mangroves and sea offer a great chance though to pick us some extra species. Get a kayak, you’ll want it.
Trails:
A trail system wasn’t really developed that we could tell. We birded the roads and beach while on land. There was a nice mangrove kayak/canoe tour though.
Where:
Far southeastern Guatemala. The Parque leads right out into the Pacific.
How Do I get there:
There are several buses going into Monterrico from Puerto San Jose. Escuintla, a major hub, is 2 1/2 hrs by bus. There are also direct shuttles from Antigua and Guatemala City. You could also probably take a rent-a-car .
Accomodations:
We stayed at the ARCAS—Monterrico Turtle station which was about $8 a night in a bunkhouse with mosquito nets with a commitment to hike 8km a night looking for eggs, minimum 1 week stay (negotiable). As far as I know, not much else in the vicinity of Parque Hawaii besides this though.
Note: Monterrico is atleast 8km away from Parque Hawaii!Monterrico has a variety of cheap and nice places to stay.
What to bring:
Good flashlight/headlamp, You’ll want it when you’re hiking the beaches at night.
Food, they make a community meal at the ARCAS bunkhouse that they take turns cooking .
Mosquito spray and sun screen.
Kayak and dry bag, we got our kayak from ARCAS and we brought our dry bags.
Phalacrocoraciadae
1. Neotropical Cormorant Phalacocorax brasilianus
Podicipedidae
2. Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Fregatidae
3. Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Pelecanidae
4. Brown Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Ardeidae
5. Great Egret Ardea alba
6. Snowy Egret Garza Nivea
7. Green Heron Garza Verde
8. Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
9. Yellow-crowned Night-heron Nyctanassa violacea
Ciconiidae
10. Wood Stork Mycteria americana
Cathartidae
11. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
12. Turkey Vulture Carthartes aura
Accipitridae
13. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
14. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
15. Mangrove Black Hawk Buteogallus sutilis
16. White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
Pandionidae
17. Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Falconidae
18. Merlin Falco columbarius
19. American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Rallidae
20. Grey-necked Wood-rail Aramides cajanea
Laridae
21. Black Tern Chlidonias niger
22. Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Columbidae
23. Ruddy Ground-dove Columbina talpacoti
24. Plain-breasted Ground-dove Columbina minuta
25. Inca Dove Columbina inca
26. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Psittacidae
27. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
Cuculidae
28. Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor
29. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
30. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
Strigidae
31. Pacific Screech-owl Otus cooperi
Caprimulgidae
32. Common Paraque Nyctridromus albicollis
Alcedinidae
33. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle Americana
34. Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea
35. Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Tyrannidae
36. Great Kiskadee Piangus sulphuratus
37. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
38. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Hirundinidae
39. Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
40. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
41. Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
Troglodytidae
42, Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Parulidae
43. Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrine
44. Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea
45. Mangrove (yellow) arbler Dendroica erithachorides
46. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
47. Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
48. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
49. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Icteridae
50. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
Daniel Schneider
<dschn797@yahoo.com>
