Birds of Belize and Central America:
Crooked Tree and Monkey Bay

ABOVE: "O.K. I know I'm just a vulture, but I am the King Vulture - that's why I'm blessed with these fine threads and special colors." Either because of his royal robes or imperious demeanor or both - ordinary vultures do in fact defer and make way for the King Vulture at feeding time.

Almost midway between Belize City and Orange Walk Town is the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to many species of birdlife. This includes the snowy egret, great egret, snail kite, blackbellied whistling and Muscovy duck, kingfisher, osprey, black-collared hawk, white ibis, American coot, northern jacana, green-backed heron, green-winged teal, roseate spoonbills, olivaceous cormorants, and Yucatan jay. The sanctuary is also a nesting place for the extremely rare Jabiru stork. The Jabiru stork, one of the largest flying birds of the Americas , stands nearly five feet tall with a wingspan of approximately eight feet. It has all white wing and body feathers atop of which sits a bare black head and neck. Completing its distinctive look is a wide red collar band. These storks tend to congregate at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary at the end of their nesting season, which is from December to March.

Another birding paradise is The Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, located off the Western Highway a mile and a half past the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center turnoff. This privately owned 1,070 acre reserve has ecosystems which include pine and palm savanna, tropical forest, freshwater wetlands and lagoons; it is a haven for bird-watchers. Over 250 species of birds have been sighted, including toucans, parrots, storks and the redstart warbler.

Western Belize is also a birder's haven. The Cayo District, which has become a major tourist center, offers excellent bird-watching opportunities at resorts located in or near the Chiquibul Reserve. The spotting of an extremely rare harpy eagle during a tour near the Caracol Ruins in the Chiquibul Forest recently created much excitement for a small group of tourists and their local guide. Chaa Creek Cottages , the first such resort built in the Cayo district, has won international awards for its 300-acre nature reserve and gourmet restaurant; you can get endless hours of bird watching delight right off the luncheon balcony plus much more along its trails. Chaa Creek also runs a campsite near the Macal River , and many areas along this river offer spectacular birding experiences.

Near the nation's capital of Belmopan , is Guanacaste Park , officially dedicated on Earth Day, April 22, 1990 . Guanacaste is a 56-acre nature reserve which is named after a 100-foot guanacaste tree growing near the southwestern edge of the reserve. In addition to being a home to a large variety of flowers, orchids and bromeliads, Guanacaste Park is home to many birds. The park and visitors center are maintained by the Belize Audubon Society.

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS), a membership organization founded in 1969. It is a leading agency in bird watching and counting activities, as the name "Audubon" suggests, but it is also much more. BAS is interested in all aspects of the country's natural heritage and is dedicated to the preservation of the wildlife and natural resources of Belize . Since 1984, BAS has also been involved with the management of protected areas and today manages six protected areas. More than one-fifth of Belize ' total land mass is dedicated to nature reserves. Today there exists PACT, the Protected Areas Conservation Trust, as well as BAS and various government departments which combine efforts to ensure proper management. The conservation fee of US $3.75 paid when departing Belize helps to support the year round effort to manage and protect Belize 's wildlife areas.

Next page: Birds in Southern Belize