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Belize abounds with natural beauty, from the world-renowned Blue Hole to the second-largest barrier reef in the world to rainforest, rivers, mountains, and mangroves. It is a real feast for the eyes!

In addition to these marvels, Belize is a mecca for birdwatchers and bird photographers with over 600 species of birds living or passing through the territory. Anything from game birds, wading birds, songbirds, raptors, and many more can be seen. Some of them stay in Belize year-round while others winter in the country or pass through when migrating. While you can see birds throughout the year, the best time to visit is from December to April when the migratory birds pass through. Lookout for the keel-billed toucan, Belize’s national bird!

All photos ©Aurore Shirley 

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#1

Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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The Belize Audubon Society (BAS), established in 1969, co-manages several protected areas including the world-famous Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. They work tirelessly to protect, educate, manage, and research protected areas and are a fantastic resource for tourists interested in birdwatching. They will tell you when and where to go to see the various species of birds and will be happy to help you identify particularly tricky specimens.

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    #2

    Juvenile Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Juvenile Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #3

    Snowy Egret (Egretta Thula), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Snowy Egret (Egretta Thula), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    I first met some of the team members from the BAS when I went to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary located in Crooked Tree village, in the north of the country. The BAS provided me with a map highlighting the best locations in the area to spot birds. The staff was very friendly, as were the rest of the villagers. I had the most pleasant stay at the Bird’s Eye View Lodge, an ideal location, it turns out, since you are exactly where the boat tours start. I suggest going on the first available tour, which starts at 6 am, to catch the birds as they wake up and start to eat. I had a marvelous time and got to see many birds I had never seen before. Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is not the only place to see exquisite birds, but it is a great place to start and you can check out Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in the Stann Creek district in south-central Belize as well as the ever-popular Ambergris Caye for more birdwatching!

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    #4

    Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus Gilvus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus Gilvus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #5

    Northern Jacana (Jacana Spinosa), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Northern Jacana (Jacana Spinosa), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    Hill Branda
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't think I've ever seen that bird before. Love the splash of yellow on the head.

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    #6

    Keel-Billed Toucan (Ramphastos Sulfuratus), ©aurore Shirley

    Keel-Billed Toucan (Ramphastos Sulfuratus), ©aurore Shirley

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    #7

    Fork-Tailed Flycatchers (Tyrannus Savana), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Fork-Tailed Flycatchers (Tyrannus Savana), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #8

    Great Egret (Ardea Alba), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Great Egret (Ardea Alba), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #9

    Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa Violacea), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa Violacea), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #10

    Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Americana), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Americana), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #11

    Little Blue Heron (Egretta Caerulea), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Little Blue Heron (Egretta Caerulea), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #12

    Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus Obscurus), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus Obscurus), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #13

    Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma Mexicanum), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma Mexicanum), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #14

    Great Kiskadee (Pitangus Sulphuratus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Great Kiskadee (Pitangus Sulphuratus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #15

    Green Heron (Butorides Virescens), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Green Heron (Butorides Virescens), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #16

    Black-Collard Hawk (Busarellus Nigricollis), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Black-Collard Hawk (Busarellus Nigricollis), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #17

    Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea Ajaja), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea Ajaja), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #18

    American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Aenea), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    American Pygmy Kingfisher (Chloroceryle Aenea), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    Hill Branda
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonderful shot! Love the colors. The Kingfishers have that wonderfully cute head-shape.

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    #19

    Tricolored Heron (Egretta Tricolor), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Tricolored Heron (Egretta Tricolor), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #20

    Tricolored Heron (Egretta Tricolor), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Tricolored Heron (Egretta Tricolor), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #21

    Tricolored Heron (Egretta Tricolor), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Tricolored Heron (Egretta Tricolor), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #22

    Reddish Egret (Egretta Rufescens), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Reddish Egret (Egretta Rufescens), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #23

    Immature Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax Nycticorax), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Immature Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax Nycticorax), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #24

    American White Ibis (Eudocimus Albus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    American White Ibis (Eudocimus Albus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #25

    White Morph Great Blue Heron (A. H. Occidentalis), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    White Morph Great Blue Heron (A. H. Occidentalis), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #26

    Limpkin (Aramus Guarauna), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Limpkin (Aramus Guarauna), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #27

    Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus Mexicanus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus Mexicanus), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #28

    Orchard Oriole (Icterus Spurius), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Orchard Oriole (Icterus Spurius), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #29

    Brown Pelican (Pelecanus Occidentalis), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Brown Pelican (Pelecanus Occidentalis), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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    #30

    Wood Storks (Mycteria Americana), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

    Wood Storks (Mycteria Americana), Crooked Tree, ©aurore Shirley

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    #31

    Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

    Turkey Vulture (Cathartes Aura), Ambergris Caye, ©aurore Shirley

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