Guatemala has more than 684 species of birds, representing about 80 bird families. Of these numbers, 13 of these bird species exist in no other country and ten of these species are threatened of endangerment from extinction. There are also numerous migratory birds that pass through the area at different times of the year to keep things even more interesting. The pictures on this page direct you to different birds around Rio Dulce. For a more complete list go to WORLD INSTITUTE FOR Conservation & Environment.

If you see a bird you recognize seeing or are just curious click on a picture to take you to more information on that specific bird and about it. Mind you, all of this information is brief and incomplete I will add to as I collect more data so be please be patient.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

(Dendrocygna autumnalis)
[locally called pijije (pa-he-hay)] and (also pixixi or pichichi), chiriría or sirirí in Latin America, though this can also refer to other whistling-ducks and a qualifyer such as ala blanca or aliblanco ("white-winged") is usually added to signify this species. In Mexico, it is also called pato maízal ("cornfield duck") due to its habit of visiting such fields after harvest. And since it is one of only two whistling-duck species native to North America, it is occasionally just known as the "whistling duck" in the southern USA.

Black Cheeked Woodpecker

(Melanerpes pucherani)
[locally called Cheje]

Not popular with local fruit growers and they can destroy a crop in a short period of time.

Black Headed Trogon

(Trogon melanocephalus)
[locally called Trogon cabeza negra] Not much known about this bird except that the "Trogon" family of birds also includes the Monetary Quetzal.

Blue-Gray Tanager

(Thraupis episcopus)
There are over 200 species of colorful tanagers found from Canada to Central Argentina. The male bluegray and the female look much alike.

Collared Aracari

(Pteroglossus torquatus)
Aracaris are related to the larger Toucans, but are considered Toucanets. The main difference between aracaris and toucans, besides size, is their tail. The Collared Aracari has a much more sharp and pointed tail than the larger Toucans.

Cormorant

(Phalacrocorax)
[locally called Pacheco] All cormorants are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface, though many species make a characteristic half-jump as they dive, presumably to give themselves a more streamlined entry into the water. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. Some cormorant species have been found, using depth gauges, to dive to depths of as much as 45 metres. You will see these all over the Rio Dulce area with a large nesting site on Bird Island.

Costa Rican Pygmy Owl

(Glaucidium_costaricanum)
I'm not positive yet what type of baby owl this is. It flew out of its nest before it could take off and fly. From the books I've looked in so far, its closest match is the Costa Rican Pygmy owl. These are mostly small owls, and some of the species are called "owlets". Most pygmy owl species are nocturnal and hunt mainly large insects and other small prey.

Egret

(Bubulcus ibis)
(Garcilla Bueyera) There are differences, but I am not sure which is which yet. There are Snow Egret, Cattle Egret and Ibis here and they all look similar. The Egret arrived in the new world from West Africa only about 1877. Cattle Egrets are the smallest white herons found in the New World, standing only 19-21 inches tall. They nest in multi-species colonies like Bird Island here in Rio Dulce.

Fulvous Owl

(Strix fulvescens)
The Popol Vuh, a Mayan religious text, describes owls as messengers of Xibalba (the Mayan "Place of Fright"). Also known as a Guatemala Barred Owl, I rescued one of these from the side of the road. It measures 8 inches from head to tip of tail and is unfortunately blind in one eye. These are mostly small owls, and some of the species are called "owlets". Most pygmy owl species are nocturnal and hunt mainly large insects and other small prey. Although it is primarily nocturnal it is also occasionally seen in the mornings and afternoons. This rather friendly owl responds well to imitations of its call which sounds like woo-who-who-who.

Golden-hooded tanager

(Tangara larvata)
In my opinion one of the most beautiful birds down here. They eat small fruit and bugs.

Great Kiskadee

(Pitangus sulphuratus)
The Great Kiskadee is a large tyrant flycatcher the only member of the genus Pitangus. The nest, built by both sexes is built by both sexes in a tree or telephone pole with a side entrance.

Green Heron

(Butorides virescens)
[locally called Garcilla Verde] Green Herons van be found virtually anywhere that dense vegetation joins shallow water. Usually seen singly; often one pops out of to waters edge from the vegetation where it has been watching for a meal.

Hummingbird

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(torogoz, talmote) Guatemala has 14 species of hummingbirds. That is the highest number of hummingbird species in Central America. One of the few animals that can feed on the poison dart frogs. It is also known to eat small invertebrates, snakes and other animals that have tried to eat dart frogs have at least gone into convulsions if not died.

Keel-Billed Toucan

(Ramphastidae)
There are a total of about 40 species of Toucans, 12 of which live here in Guatemala. They are all in the woodpecker family and they range in size from 18 to 63 cm (7 to 25 inches). A Toucan's tongue is long, narrow, and singularly frayed on each side, adding to its sensibility as an organ of taste. They are Frugivorous (fruit eating), but will take insects and other small prey such as lizards. They nest in tree holes laying 2-4 white eggs. They are not common in Rio Dulce but they do seem to pass through during the first part of the year and can be seen feeding in groups early in the morning.

Magnificent Frigate

(Fregata magnificens)
The Magnificent Frigatebird was sometimes previously known as Man O'War, reflecting its rakish lines, speed, and aerial piracy of other birds. The bird is 100 cm (39 inches) long with a 215 cm (85 inch) wingspan. Males are all black with a scarlet throat pouch which is inflated like a balloon in the breeding season.

Ocelated quail

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Usually spotted on dirt roads near pastures. Or at least that is my experiences.

Montezuma Oropendola

(Psarocolius montezuma )
Looking like they have been dipping their beaks into red paint, these large birds weave hanging baskets for their nests. Usually these nests are in groups on one tree in their territory.

Northern Jacana

(Jacana spinosa)
(Caracolera, Jacana Centroamericana, Mulita, Cirujano, Gallito de Agua, jesucristo, mantellina) Found on floating vegetation around rivers, lakes or marshes. The males do all the nest building, incubation, and direct care of the young. They usually nest in the floating vegetation so the likeliness of their nests surviving is low. Tides as well as predators like eggs too. Adults provide important antipredatory services by defending the chicks from purple gallinules, turtles, caimans and humans. This behavior includes loud, strident vocalizations.

Pacific Parakeet

(Aratinga strenua)
[locally called pericon] Found from Texas to Nicargua in all kinds of forested habitats except dense rainforest. There are thousands of these around here although it is hard to get a good picture of them because they are timid and stay up high in the trees.

Red Lore

(Amazona autumnalis)
The Red Lore is a medium sized parrot in the Amazon family of parrots. Although you may see many of these in the area, they ARE endangered because of their popularity as being pets. You will see the flocks fly overhead but usually paired off because they mate for life. When one dies, the other usually follows shortly after. They are said to die of a broken heart. To learn more about Amazon parrots in general click here

Roadside Hawk

(Buteo magnirostris)
Relatively small compared to other hawks. Click on the picture on the left and you will see one that was on my back porch when I surprised him and he froze. I was able to take this picture after calming back down and rereleasing him.

Turquoise Browed Motmot

(Eumomota superciliosa)
(torogoz, talmote) One of the few animals that can feed on the poison dart frogs. It is also known to eat small invertebrates, but snakes and other animals that have tried to eat dart frogs have at least gone into convulsions if not died.