Best of Belize - March 2026
Dates: March 12-20, 2026
Leaders: Barry Zimmer & Brad McKinney
E-bird
Total Species: 270 birds
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Overall Summary
On the first morning of our Best of Belize tour, we boarded a small boat and headed out for a five-hour excursion into Crooked Tree Lagoon and Spanish Creek. Birds were everywhere, leading to many stops as we traversed southward on the lagoon. Northern Jacanas lined the shore (we would see a ridiculous 203 for the day), Snail Kites patrolled the edges, noisy Limpkins called from the thickets, and Ringed Kingfishers rattled overhead. We hadn’t gone more than a few hundred yards when the calls of Yucatan Woodpecker led us to great views of this regional endemic. A Black-collared Hawk was soon spotted perched low above the water. A dapper pair of Russet-naped Wood-Rails strolled into view, with a Purple Gallinule in tow. Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Wood Stork, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Roseate Spoonbill—where to look first? Two Fork-tailed Flycatchers fed over the lagoon, perching in shrubbery just inches above the water.
In short time, one of our biggest targets (literally and figuratively), the stately Jabiru, was spotted up ahead. We were able to bring the boat to within thirty yards of the magnificent bird and watch it for over ten minutes. It was the first one our local guide, Leonard, had seen this season! An American Pygmy Kingfisher no more than ten feet from the boat, both whistling-ducks, Muscovy Duck, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, Barred Antshrike, and Mangrove Vireo—the activity was non-stop.
We finally made it to the beginning of Spanish Creek at the southern end of the lagoon. Almost immediately, we located several roosting Boat-billed Herons, followed by a wonderfully cooperative Sungrebe. Just as we were about to pull away from the Sungrebe, a pair of Ruddy Crakes began calling nearby. This phantom species is often heard but virtually never seen. Quite incredibly, however, the pair walked right into the open, allowing superb views. Continuing on, we scoured the brushy edges of the shore looking for our last remaining target, the spectacular Agami Heron. Not only did we find one in short order, but we watched as it came out of the tangles and into full view! We tallied a total of four of these rarely seen herons for the morning.
This was arguably the best boat trip I have ever experienced in 40 trips to this area. Not only were the overall variety and number of rarities impressive, but so was the sheer number of birds swarming the lagoon. What an amazing start to our Belizean adventure!
Of course, this was only one morning of our fabulous eight-day trip. At Chan Chich, we tallied the likes of Tody Motmot, Ornate Hawk-Eagle (a pair for thirty minutes at a nest site), Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle, a rarely seen Pheasant Cuckoo in the scope for fifteen minutes, fourteen Great Curassows, Middle American Screech-Owl, Rose-throated Tanager, and Gray-throated Chat (two very special Yucatán regional endemics). We also enjoyed a bathing Purple-crowned Fairy and found a second Belizean record of Cassin’s Kingbird as the icing on the cake!
In the pine-oak savanna near Crooked Tree, we admired Yucatan Jays (another regional endemic), Aplomado Falcon, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, and the endangered Yellow-headed Amazon. Areas in Belize City yielded White-crowned Pigeon, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Black Catbird, and Mangrove Yellow Warbler, among others.
Day-by-Day Summary
March 12 – Arrival in Belize City
We had our initial get-acquainted meeting, followed by a nice dinner. The chorus of Great-tailed Grackles outside was impressive!
March 13 – Crooked Tree Village, Bird’s Eye View Lodge, boat trip, Belize City
Five-hour boat trip into Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, specifically the south end of the Northern Lagoon and Spanish Creek; afternoon at Bird’s Isle and the Fort George Hotel grounds.
An absolutely spectacular boat trip (perhaps the best I’ve had), with four Agami Herons, a Jabiru at thirty yards, four Sungrebes, a pair of Ruddy Crakes in the open, Boat-billed Heron, Russet-naped Wood-Rail, and more. Literally thousands upon thousands of birds in the lagoon. In Belize City, we tallied Cinnamon Hummingbird, Black Catbird, and Mangrove Yellow Warbler, among others.
March 14 – Crooked Tree to Chan Chich
Crooked Tree Village, Bird’s Eye View Lodge, pine-oak savanna west of Crooked Tree (around Beck’s B & B), Limpkin Trail, Captain Hook’s shrimp farm; mid-afternoon charter flight to Gallon Jug; brief afternoon birding at Chan Chich Lodge.
Birded the pine-oak savanna in the morning and encountered good numbers of the regionally endemic Yucatan Jay at close range. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Crane Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, and Masked Tityra were among the highlights. Afternoon charter flight to Gallon Jug (greeted by Ocellated Turkeys) and on to Chan Chich.
March 15 – Chan Chich area
Lodge clearing, east staff/service area, walk to the suspension bridge and Trish’s Hill; afternoon to Gallon Jug, Sylvester Village, and back road toward Laguna Verde and coffee groves; optional night walk.
Birds were everywhere around the lodge clearing, including a large mixed-species flock (trogons, tanagers, euphonias, etc.) and good numbers at a fruiting Ficus. A very rare Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle sailed overhead. A wonderful pair of Tody Motmots was seen in the afternoon, as well as six Great Curassows.
March 16 – Split groups (Jacamar & Trogon)
Jacamar group – lodge clearing, west staff area, Sylvester Village Road, and River Trail in the morning; afternoon to Gallon Jug and newer coffee grove road; night drive.
Trogon group – lodge clearing, Xaxe Venic Trail in the morning; afternoon to Barry’s Bend along the Sac Be Trail.
We split into two groups, each covering similar habitats. Both groups found the three regional endemics—Yucatan Flycatcher, Rose-throated Tanager, and Gray-throated Chat. One group had a flyover Ornate Hawk-Eagle. Afternoon at Barry’s Bend produced a bathing Purple-crowned Fairy, Red-capped Manakin, and much more. Our first night drive yielded five Northern Potoos and a Middle American Screech-Owl.
March 17 – Rio Bravo & surrounding areas
Entire group to Cedar Crossing, Rio Bravo Conservation Area, and Laguna Seca in the morning; Jacamar group to Barry’s Bend; Motmot group to Gallon Jug and coffee groves.
We targeted a known nesting site for Ornate Hawk-Eagle just outside the property boundary and enjoyed exceptional views of the pair at the nest, including copulation, for about thirty minutes—arguably the group’s favorite bird of the tour.
March 18 – Forest trails & Laguna Verde
Jacamar group – lodge clearing, Xaxe Venic, Norman’s Temple, and Back Plaza trails; Trogon group – west staff area, Sylvester Village Road, and river; afternoon to Sylvester Village, back road to Laguna Verde, and Laguna Verde for the entire group; night drive for Trogons.
Back on the forest trails in the morning, with a few new species added. A great afternoon at Laguna Verde produced Great Black Hawk, Keel-billed Toucan, White-whiskered Puffbird, and Fork-tailed Flycatchers. Superb views of an Ocelot on the night drive.
March 19 – Escarpment & archaeology site
Sylvester Village, the escarpment, and Gallon Jug in the morning; afternoon archaeology tour to Upper Plaza; Barry’s Bend for some.
We encountered a rarely seen Pheasant Cuckoo (a tour first) at the escarpment and enjoyed 15 minutes of scope views. Incredibly, we also found a Cassin’s Kingbird (only the second record for Belize) on our return to the lodge.
March 20 – Departure
East staff area and lodge clearing briefly in the morning before the charter flight back to Belize City.
We added a pair of Strong-billed Woodcreepers at dawn and enjoyed great views of Pale-billed Woodpecker.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS
Common Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)---one on the first night drive by the lumber mill in Gallon Jug
Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)----by Betty near hear cabana at Chan Chich
Mexican Black Howler Monkey (Alouatta pigra)---heard daily at Chan Chich Lodge with a few good sightings (perhaps best the first morning near the east service area)
Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)---excellent views on many occasions, including babies; some right in the lodge clearing; about 30 total seen
Deppe’s Squirrel (Sciurus deppei)---Brad only
Yucatan Squirrel (Sciurus yucatanensis)---a couple at Crooked Tree
Central American Agouti (Dasyprocta punctata)---one blasted across road in front of fist vehicle on way up to the escarpment
Seba’s Short-tailed Bat (Carollia perspicillata)----a group of fifteen or so roosting in the thatch between the bar and the restaurant at Chan Chich Various unidentified bats on night drives and walks
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)---amazingly, on our second night drive, we had one walking across the suspension bridge; very nice views; seen on maybe a third of the trips at most
Coyote (Canus latrans)---one in Gallon Jug on first night drive; a first for me in Belize!
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)---one on the first night drive by the airstrip
Red Brocket Deer (Mazama americana)---blasted across the road near the hawk-eagle nest for the first vehicle; uncommonly seen
White-tailed Deer (Odocolleus virginianus)---common; including an incredibly adorable fawn looking for (and finding) his mother in Gallon Jug
Total species – 13+
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS:
Mesoamerican Cane Toad---heard only on first night drive
Morelet’s Crocodile---several on our boat trip, plus one on Chan Chich Creek
Common House Gecko Black (Spiny-tailed)
Iguana Green Iguana Brown Anole Brown (Striped) Basilisk
Total species - 7
BUTTERFLIES:
Mexican Kite Swallowtail
Polydamas Swallowtail
Cattleheart species (Parides sp.)
Cloudless Sulphur
Large Orange Sulphur
Small yellow species Florida White Mexican Cycadian
Erato Heliconian (aka Red Postman)
Satyr species Banded Peacock
White Peacock
Buckeye Monarch
Queen Duskywing species plus many others left unidentified
Total species – 16+
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS:
Leafcutter ants
Sean’s margaritas Coffee & coconut ice creams
Snacks appearing in the jungle