Trip Report: Customized Guatemala - Birding - Loop
(14 April - 4 May 2003)

Tour leaders: Knut Eisermann & Claudia Avendaño

Participants: Ulrich Schuster, Yvette Glass, and Wiebke Schuster

Introduction

This tour was focused on enjoying bird and nature observations, Guatemalan culture, photo shootings and visiting conservation projects in Guatemala. We saw 188 bird species during this 3 weeks trip. Ornithological highlights were the Resplendent Quetzal in the Chelemhá cloud forest reserve, the Jabiru in Yaxhá, thousands of Great Egrets gathered in the shallow lagoons in Monterrico, a very close view at Crested Guan in Tikal.

14 April 2003

We welcomed the tour participants at the Guatemala City International Airport. Overnight in a hotel in Guatemala City.

15 April 2003

The strange song of Great-tailed Grackles was the first bird sound welcoming our guests in Guatemala. Having breakfast in the hotel’s garden, a Azure-crowned Hummingbird came by to drink nectar at the flowers between the tables. After breakfast we boarded our microbus and headed to Lake Atitlan along the Panamericana road. Unfortunately the view was affected by smoke, so we could not see the volcano landscape around the lake. During a short birding stop on the road which is passing around lake Atitlan we saw Eastern Bluebirds, Townsend’s Warbler, Great-tailed Grackle, Wilson’s Warbler, Bushy-crested Jay and Spotted Towhee.
In the early afternoon we arrived in Los Tarrales Reserve, on the southern slope of Atitlan volcano. Right beside the lovely Tarrales eco-lodge we discovered a nest of Rufous-naped Wrens in a palm. After lunch we explored the lower part of the reserve, which offers divers secondary habitats for birdwatching. We had nice views at White-collared Seedeaters, Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Masked Tityra, Social Flycatcher, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Clay-colored Robin, Blue-gray Tanger, Tropical Kingbird. The exotic flower plantation, which provides income to the autosustainably managed reserve, includes an amazing collection of different Heliconia species. Although coffee season was over, we learned about the work of processing coffee. In the late afternoon we observed from the eco-lodge dozens of Cattle Egrets gathered in a high tree.

16 April 2003

We started early in morning ascending the slope of Atitlan volcano by 4-WD car to an altitude of approximately 1200 m. The Humid mountain forest was full of bird voices, and we got good views at the following canopy birds Paltry Tyrannulet, White-throated Robin, Solitary Vireo, White Hawk. The trails was going down slope, offering beautiful views into the canopy.
In the understory we heard Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Ruddy Foliage-gleaner, White-tipped Dove, and we saw and heard many Hermit Thrushes
, which were on their way to the northern breeding grounds.
After lunch back in the Tarrales eco-lodge we went to Antigua Guatemala. It was Wednesday in the Holy Week, and traditional Easter procession were going on in the streets of Antigua.

17 April 2003

During breakfast on the roof terrace of our hotel we observed Great-tailed Grackles. The shiny black males were displaying on the top of the roofs, stretching their necks strait up. White-winged Doves were constructing nest in a vine in the hotel’s garden.
After breakfast we observed Antiguan people preparing carpets made of sawdust and flowers. These carpets are elaborated along the streets of Antigua, as preparation of the Easter processions.
Then we went on to the north. We crossed Guatemala city, the pine forest zone, and then descended to bottom of the basin of the Motagua valley, the driest and hottest area in Guatemala. Various cactus species were flowering. Then we proceeded to the private protected area Ram Tzul, were we spent the night. In the last light of the day we observed Chestnut-headed Oropendulas and White-collared Swifts.

18 April 2003

In the morning we went birding to a cascade within the reserve. Highlight was a American Dipper, which we could observe for some minutes ascending the cliff. The Green-throated Mountain-gem and the Violet Sabrewing were feeding at flowers beside the stream.

Later we started our way to the Chelemhá cloud forest reserve. We drove along the Polochic river valley, where temperature and vegetation changed quickly with descending altitude. We stopped on a tree, where Chestnut-headed Oropendulas were nesting. We observed the birds being busy bringing food for the young in the pendular nests.
From the lowest point in 400 m we started driving up slope with a 4-WD car. Along a dirt road we passed various small Maya Q’eqchi’ villages. On a viewpoint we could enjoy the impressive landscape of central Guatemala: the Sierra de las Minas mountain range behind the Polochic river valley, one of the major geologic faults in Central America. In the late afternoon we arrived in the Chelemhá cloud forest reserve, where Armin, member of the conservationist NGO UPROBON, and a Maya Q’eqchi’ family were welcoming us. We had a hot, traditional cacao drink in the small hut, and had some fun with the children and their parents, wondering about our different languages: Q’eqchi’ and German. Later we enjoyed a creative and delicious dinner in the Armin’s hut. We stayed in the Chelemha Biological station.

19 April 2003

We had planned a hike through the cloud forest of Chelemhá this day. We took breakfast and lunch with us. During a short break in the up-hill walk in secondary growth we could observe the canopy of the virgin cloud forest on the opposite slope. A small flock of Gray Silky-flycatchers flew by and perched on top of a dead tree. Suddenly we heard the powerful, loud screams of a group of Howler Monkeys from the opposite slope. With spotting scope we could see them for a little while before they disappeared in the green. Then we entered the cloud forest, and we saw green all around. Giant tree ferns, vines, huge trees, all covered with a thick layer of mosses. Western Wood-Pewees were calling, a Tufted Flycatcher was hunting small insects in a small gap. We listened to a cat-like, low meew - the Quetzal! Then a cuacua-cuacua-cuacua-cuacua-cuacua - the typical call during the male’s display flight. This time we could not see it, we were waiting for a little while and then went on. Reaching the mountain ridge with elfin forest, we saw laying to the north the valley of the Cahabon river and to the south the valley of the Polochic river. White-collared Swifts were passing low above our heats, cutting the air with a tremendous noise. A Red-tailed Hawk was flying over the canopy beneath us. Again we listed to Quetzals. We continued walking, passing through a wonderful forest with huge, tower like oak trees. Very quietly and carefully we entered the nesting territory of quetzals along the trail. We had good luck! The male was inside the cave in the rotten snag, its long plumes hanging out of the entrance. They seem to be golden-green fern leaves. We sat down on the trail were we could see the entrance well. The male left the cavity, sat on a branch. Nearby other Quetzals were calling, presumably also the female.
The late afternoon made us hurry to start our way back to the Biological Station, were we arrived after sunset. It was a very exhausting day, but a delicious dinner made us recover well and be ready for the next day.

20 April 2003

After a restful night and breakfast, Armin from the conservationist NGO UPROBON guided us in the agricultural model plots, were new agricultural plants and methods are tested, as alternative to the traditional slash-and-burn cultivation. Reforestation of previous corn fields with native tree species make it already possible to see Highland Guans, Quetzals and Howler Monkey within a 5 min walk from the Biological Station.
In the late morning we left Chelemhá and proceeded to the highland town of Cobán. There we visited the impressive collection of orchids "Vivero Verapaz", which is home to more than 600 species and varieties.

21 April 2003

We left Cobán early. On the way to the Maya Q’eqchi’ community Rocjá Pomtilá we made several stops. At Trece Aguas we enjoyed a beautiful view over a basin with several small lagoons. Great Egrets, Northern Jacanas, Purple Gallinule we saw in the distance with spotting scope. Banaquit and Yellow-winged Tanager were moving in a tree nearby. The next stop we made on a lagoon right the beside the road. There we had nice views on Ringed Kingfisher, Social Flycatcher, Mangrove Swallows, and Purple Gallinule.
Before noon we arrived in Rocjá Pomtilá, a small Maya Q’eqchi’ village on the Ik’bolay river. In small boat, made by local people, we started a wonderful excursion on the Ik’bolay river, in the middle of the rainforest. Many kingfishers (Green, Belted, Amazon) were flying along the shoreline, a Spotted Sandpiper and a Northern Waterthrush walked over a small sandbank. After an hour we arrived the area where the Ik’bolay river reemerges from the underground, after flowing 400 m through the karst. We walked between different point, where the water sputters between stones to the surface, an amazing performance by nature.
Back in the village of Rocjá Pomtilá we met the bird census takers from the bird monitoring program of the conservationist NGO PROEVAL RAXMU. In the hut of one of the men we were invited to have lunch. Everybody loved the local cuisine: calá (the young leafs of the Panama Hat Palm (Carludovica palmata), which is not a palm but a Cyclanthaceae), which grows in the secondary growth, toasted corn cobs, black beans, tortillas, and chili.

22 April 2003

The day before we still walked into the Laguna Lachuá National Park after sunset. We woke up in the middle of the rainforest with the dawn chorus all around. The small clearing at the visitors center provided good views to some of the rainforest species. White-collared Manakins were dancing in the understory. A couple of Rufous-tailed Jacamars was perching quietly on a branch. Many North American migratory birds were on their way to the breeding grounds, very abundant was the Swainson’s Thrush. In the canopy we spotted Buff-throated Saltator, Golden-hooded Tanager, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Baltimore Oriole, Piratic Flycatcher.
The afternoon was for relaxing on the shore of the lagoon. Between refreshing swims we observed large groups of Eastern Kingbirds flying to the north. Thousands of butterflies were drinking minerals along the shoreline. In the very clear water we observed cichlids taking care for their young. Suddenly we heard the noises of various fluttering birds from a nearby brush - Melodious Blackbirds and a Gray Catbird were jumping and calling nervously. Something was wrong over there. Checking with spotting scope we discovered a Boa constrictor in the brush. At night we discovered another reptile. From far we saw the orange eye shine in the light of our headlamps, coming closer we saw that these eyes belonged to a young Morelett’s Crocodile

23 April 2003

After breakfast at Laguna Lachuá we walked through the rainforest to the edge of the National Park. Suddenly we heared the loud sreems of Crested Guans in canopy near the trail. We saw two bird at a glance before they went away jumping and flying through the canopy. In a small clearing we saw the Long-billed Gnatwren, and in a mixed species flock we saw the Royal Flycatcher, the Rufous Mourner and also the larger Rufous Piha. Later we entered the lek of three Long-tailed Hermits. We discovered one in the understory and had a nice view on it with spotting scope.
With our microbus we proceeded to the north, to the department El Petén. Over the cattle ranches in the widely deforested south of this department we saw Black-shouldered Kite. In the town of Sayaxché at the Passion river we had to wait for some hours. The ferry for crossing the river was broken, so we used the time for short excursion. Ruddy Ground-Dove, Tropical Kingbird and Indigo Bunting were moving the town. In a small wood aside the river we saw Tropical Gnatcatcher, American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, and Yellow-throated Euphonia. Late in the afternoon we could proceed to El Remate at lake Petén Itzá.

24 April 2003

The morning we dedicated to birding at the northern shore of lake Petén Itzá, with Northern Jacanas, Neotropical Cormorants, Spotted Sandpipers, Mangrove Swallows, and Tropical Pewee. Approaching a small lagoon, isolated from the lake, a raptor took off right above our heads. It was a Black-collared Hawk, an uncommon species in Guatemala. The lagoon was almost dry, with large mud areas. Migratory shorebirds were foraging there: Solitary Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper.
After lunch we proceeded to Yaxhá, an archaeological site and national Park in the eastern Petén. We used the late afternoon for relaxed observation on top of temple 216, overviewing the endless rainforest and the Yaxhá lagoon. With spotting scope we saw Howler and Spider Monkeys moving in the canopy.

25 April 2003

We started early in the morning. By boat we crossed lake Yaxhá, with mist all around. In the rainforest near the lake’s shore we saw a male Violaceous Trogon and a singing Scaly-breasted Hummingbird. Three Keel-billed Toucans moved high in the canopy. An agouti was foraging on fruit on the forest floor. We ascended again temple 216. Because of the mist the view was limited to a view dozens of meters. Mealy Parrots, Red-lored Parrots and White-fronted Parrots were calling from nearby trees. Collared Aracaris were foraging on palm fruits. The sun was melting the mist and uncovered the lake Yaxhá and an impressive view over the rainforest canopy. Six Plumbeous Kites started soaring over the forest. Later Gabi from the El Sombreo Eco-lodge gave us a tour through the Maya ruins of Yaxhá, explaining the history of this ancient city. The ruins are in the middle of the rainforest, so we had a combined archaeological-birding tour. We enjoyed nice views at Pale-billed Woodpeckers and Slaty-tailed Trogons.
After a siesta we started a boat excursion along the shore line of lake Yaxhá at 17:30. Many Morelett’s Crocodiles were floating in the blear water. Green Herons, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron and Cattle Egret were foraging in the shallow water. We saw an adult and an immature Jabiru walking in the distance. After sunset, Cattle Egret, Little Blue, Snowy, and Tricolored Heron gathered on a roosting site on a dead tree in a small bay. An Ocellated Turkey was calling in the distance.

26 April 2003

We had planned an early morning excursion to the archaeological site of Topoxté in the southwestern part of lake Yaxhá. First we visited some shallow water areas, which at this time were isolated from the lake’s main water body. We saw 7 species of shorebirds. The Least Sandpiper was the most abundant one with 20 individuals, followed by the Black-necked Stilt with 10 birds. One or two individuals we saw of Semipalmated Plover, Stilt Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs, and Solitary Sandpiper. A very special observation was a group of 8 resting American White Pelicans. A Red-winged Blackbird male was singing on top of the shrub and a Fork-tailed Flycatcher was catching its breakfast from the top of a tall tree. Our own breakfast we enjoyed in our boat close to the shrubby shore in the bay of the ancient port of Topoxté. We were accompanied by Mangrove Swallows sitting very close and a male Northern Cardinale which singing in the shrub at the shore.
After lunch in the Sombrero Eco-lodge in Yaxhá we left for Tikal. After a little rest we entered the area of the ruins. We saw a Plumbeous Kite trinking water on the trail, which we could observe for several minutes. We saw Great Tinamou walking quitly through the understory. A noise of "something big" walking in the dry leaf litter brought our attention to a male Great Curassow.

27 April 2003

We observed 79 bird species during the whole day in Tikal. At dawn we saw a Mottled Owl sitting in the midstory. The morning was crowned by a very close observation of a Crested Guan on eye-height. The guan was foraging on fruit in a small tree, we observed it from the ancient buildings of the Central Acropolis. Later flocks of White-fronted and Red-lored Parrot came to eat on the same fruit. A nesting colony of Montezuma Oropendulas beside Temple II invited us for a photo shooting. Giant Cowbirds, nesting parasites on Oropendulas, were checking on the colony and entering nests where the Oropendulas were absent.
In the afternoon we went to the Lost World and chose a pyramid as our observation platform. At the distance we saw a flock of 10 Keel-billed Toucans in a huge, leafless tree. A group of Spider Monkeys was jumping through the canopy right beside the pyramid and again we had a wonderful view at a Crested Guan.

28 April 2003

The morning we spent at the Tikal water ponds. There a Limpkin was moving almost unimpressed by our presence and we saw also the Ruddy Crake and Purple Gallinule. At a richly blooming Inga tree we saw 5 species of hummingbirds feeding on the flowers: Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, White-bellied Emerald, Green-breasted Mango, White-necked Jacobin, and Purple-crowned Fairy. Finally we saw also a group of Mexican Black Howler Monkeys.
In the late morning we proceeded southward to Guatemalan Atlantic coast. Punta de Manabique, a peninsula near the city of Puerto Barrios was our destination. This nature reserve is only accessible by boat. During the boat ride we saw Magnificent Frigatebirds, Brown Pelicans, and Laughing Gull. We had a traditional lunch containing of a special fish soup in a small village at Punta de Manabique, before proceeding to the Biological station, which is maintained by FUNDARY, a local conservationist organization. The afternoon was free for relaxing at the beach.

29 April 2003

Breakers were pretty high this day. Therefore it was not possible to undertake an excursion on the open sea side of the peninsula. Instead went to the Amatique Bay. On a tour with dug-out canoes along small creeks in the mangrove we saw Anhingas and we discovered a nest of the Rufous-tailed Hummingbird. Later we had nice views at the Pygmy Kingfisher and Belted Kingfisher. Along the beach of the peninsula we saw several nesting colonies of Montezuma Oropendula, established in coco palms. A Peregrine Falcon was flying over and we saw flocks of Hook-billed Kites and Broad-winged Hawks migrating northwards.

30 April / 1 May 2003

After a relaxing morning at the beach, with Royal Terns flying over, we went back to Puerto Barrios and from there to Antigua Guatemala. We went along the Motagua valley, from the humid east to very dry parts in the interior. In Antigua we visited the impressive handicraft market, where people mainly from the highlands offer textiles, woodcarvings and other handicrafts.
In the late morning of May 1st we proceeded to the Pacific coast. On the first glance of the mangrove swamp during the ferry ride to Monterrico we saw Great and Snowy Egrets. The afternoon was free to enjoy the beach.

2 May 2003

At dawn we started a mangrove and reed swamp excursion in Monterrico. In the first light of the day we saw the silhouettes of several Boat-billed Herons crossing the canal between the mangrove vegetation. Their strange calls revealed that there were many of them sitting in the mangrove trees. We reached the reed swamps at good light, and turned off the small outboard motor on our boat and proceeded punting. On the reed edge along the canal many herons were standing singly in the shallow water: Great Herons, Snowy Egrets, Green Herons, Tricolored Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Great Blue Herons. Cattle Egrets were flying over in small flock. Red-winged Blackbirds were singing their songs on top of the reed. Royal Terns, Laughing Gull, and very view Gull-billed Terns flew along the canal. Several Anhingas were soaring over the swamp and Neotropical Cormorants flew in lines. We saw Ruddy-breasted Seedeaters moving in the reed. We entered a smaller canal. Suddenly a Least Bittern crossed the canal flying, vanished into the and observed us. We approached very slowly the entrance to a small lagoon, where we stopped. Approximately 200 Great Egrets were standing in the shallow water. A group of about 10 American White Pelicans was swimming between them.
We proceeded slowly to a large lagoon, which was not completely accessible due to very shallow water. There we saw some species of shorebirds: Least Sandpiper, Marblet Godwit, and Black-necked Stilt. At the distance we saw several hundred Great Egret, and a flock of about 30 American White Pelicans. More than 30 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks and about 20 White Ibis flew over in V-formation. At 8:00 the sun was burning already. On the way back to the village of Monterrico we saw adult and immature Wood Storks perching on small trees in the reed.

In the afternoon we dedicated to the mangrove, which is less bird rich. We saw a Least Grebe swimming in a small bay of the canal. There also Bare-throated Tiger-Heron was hunting. The most abundant heron was the Green Heron, which we saw or heard between the mangrove roots. The Mangrove Vireo was singing in the canopy and we saw a male Mangrove Warbler singing. An Osprey was perching quietly on a snag.

3 May 2003

In the morning we went again to the reed swamps, specially focused on taking photos. Although we saw the same species as on the day before, it was again very amazing to see thousands of birds moving in a small area, fed by the swamp. It was an impressive finalization of this Guatemala birding tour. After a relaxing lunch in the village of Monterrico we went back to Guatemala City where we celebrated this successful tour on our good bye dinner.

4 May 2003

We accompanied our guests to the Guatemala International airport, where we said good bye.

Knut Eisermann

List of bird species which were seen during this tour. Species only heard are not included.

1. TINAMIDAE
2. Great Tinamou Tinamus major
3. PODICIPEDIDAE
4. Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
5. PELECANIDAE
6. American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
7. Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
8. PHALACROCORACIDAE
9. Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
10. ANHINGIDAE
11. Anhinga Anhinga anhinga
12. FREGATIDAE
13. Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
14. ARDEIDAE
15. Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis
16. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum
17. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
18. Great Egret Egretta alba
19. Snowy Egret Egretta thula
20. Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
21. Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
22. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
23. Green Heron Butorides virescens
24. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
25. Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius
26. THRESKIORNITHIDAE
27. White Ibis Eudocimus albus
28. Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
29. CICONIIDAE
30. Jabiru Jabiru mycteria
31. Wood Stork Mycteria americana
32. CATHARTIDAE
33. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
34. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
35. ANATIDAE
36. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
37. ACCIPITRIDAE
38. Osprey Pandion haliaetus
39. Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatus
40. Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus
41. White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus
42. Plumbeous Kite Ictinia plumbea
43. Black-collared Hawk Busarellus nigricollis
44. White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis
45. Gray Hawk Buteo nitidus
46. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus
47. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
48. FALCONIDAE
49. Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
50. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
51. CRACIDAE
52. Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula
53. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens
54. Great Curassow Crax rubra
55. PHASIANIDAE
56. Ocellated Turkey Meleagris ocellata
57. RALLIDAE
58. Ruddy Crake Laterallus ruber
59. Gray-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea
60. Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica
61. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
62. ARAMIDAE
63. Limpkin Aramus guarauna
64. CHARADRIIDAE
65. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
66. RECURVIROSTRIDAE
67. Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
68. JACANIDAE
69. Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
70. SCOLOPACIDAE
71. Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
72. Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
73. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
74. Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
75. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
76. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotus
77. Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus
78. LARIDAE
79. Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
80. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
81. Royal Tern Sterna maxima
82. Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
83. COLUMBIDAE
84. Red-billed Pigeon Columba flavirostris
85. Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
86. Short-billed Pigeon Columba nigrirostris
87. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
88. Inca Dove Columbina inca
89. Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
90. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
91. PSITTACIDAE
92. Olive-throated Parakeet Aratinga astec
93. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis
94. White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis
95. White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons
96. Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
97. Mealy Parrot Amazona farinosa
98. CUCULIDAE
99. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
100. STRIGIDAE
101. Mottled Owl Strix virgata
102. CAPRIMULGIDAE
103. Short-tailed Nighthawk Lurocalis semitorquatus
104. Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
105. Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor
106. Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
107. APODIDAE
108. White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
109. Lesser Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila cayennensis
110. TROCHILIDAE
111. Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus
112. Scaly-breasted Hummingbird Phaeochroa cuvierii
113. Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus
114. Green-breasted Mango Anthracothorax prevostii
115. White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida
116. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
117. Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila
118. Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens
119. Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami
120. Purple-crowned Fairy Heliothryx barroti
121. TROGONIDAE
122. Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus
123. Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus
124. Slaty-tailed Trogon Trogon massena
125. Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno
126. MOMOTIDAE
127. Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
128. ALCEDINIDAE
129. Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
130. Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
131. Amazon Kingfisher Chloroceryle amazona
132. Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
133. American Pygmy Kingfisher Chloroceryle aenea
134. GALBULIDAE
135. Rufous-tailed Jacamar Galbula ruficauda
136. RAMPHASTIDAE
137. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus
138. Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
139. PICIDAE
140. Black-cheeked Woodpecker Centurus pucherani
141. Golden-fronted Woodpecker Centurus aurifrons
142. Chestnut-colored Woodpecker Celeus castaneus
143. Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis
144. DENDROCOLAPTIDAE
145. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
146. Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
147. TYRANNIDAE
148. Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus
149. Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus
150. Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
151. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus
152. Rufous Mourner Rhytipterna holerythra
153. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
154. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
155. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
156. Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus
157. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris
158. Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius
159. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
160. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus
161. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
162. Fork-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus savana
163. Rufous Piha Lipaugus unirufus
164. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
165. PIPRIDAE
166. White-collared Manakin Manacus candei
167. Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis
168. VIREONIDAE
169. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius
170. CORVIDAE
171. Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus
172. HIRUNDINIDAE
173. Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
174. Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
175. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
176. Ridgway’s Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ridgwayi
177. Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota
178. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
179. TROGLODYTIDAE
180. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha
181. CINCLIDAE
182. American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
183. SYLVIIDAE
184. Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
185. Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
186. TURDIDAE
187. Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
188. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus
189. Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus
190. Black Robin Turdus infuscatus
191. Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
192. White-throated Robin Turdus assimilis
193. Rufous-collared Robin Turdus rufitorques
194. MIMIDAE
195. Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
196. PTILOGONATIDAE
197. Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
198. PARULIDAE
199. Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
200. Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
201. Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
202. Townsend’s Warler Dendroica townsendi
203. Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
204. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
205. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus
206. Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
207. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
208. Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
209. COEREBIDAE
210. Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
211. THRAUPIDAE
212. Scarlet Tanager Piranga olivacea
213. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata
214. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas
215. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
216. Golden-hooded Tanager Tangara larvata
217. EMBERIZIDAE
218. White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola
219. Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta
220. Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
221. White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes gutteralis
222. Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus
223. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
224. CARDINALIDAE
225. Buff-throated Saltator Saltator maximus
226. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
227. Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
228. Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
229. Dickcissel Spiza americana
230. ICTERIDAE
231. Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
232. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
233. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
234. Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
235. Giant Cowbird Molothrus oryzivora
236. Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis
237. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
238. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
239. Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri
240. Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma
241. PASSERIDAE
242. House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Participant's comments

" 3 weeks with CAYAYA BIRDING means:

• Pure nature and culture experiences.
• 180 observed bird species under competent guiding.
• Ornithological top knowledge, also of the bird calls and songs.
• Familiar ambience all the time.
• Close-up experience of conservation projects where Cayaya Birding is involved.
• Experience of an intensive collaboration with the indigeneous people, performed on a high level in a bird monitoring program.

We thank CAYAYA BIRDING for 3 weeks full of experiences. We hope that you will have success during your conservation work, that "Quetzal & Co." can keep on flying through the rainforest."

Yvette Glass, Ulrich Schuster, Wiebke Schuster (Chemnitz, Germany)