Tag: belize
-
Top 10 Reasons to Visit Belize
Have you ever wanted to visit Belize? This relatively small country located in the heart of Central America, is nestled between Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. It has so much to offer birders and nature lovers in general. Here is our list, in no particular…
-
The Orange-breasted Falcon: Denizen of the Neotropics
When one thinks of falcons, perhaps the first bird to come to mind is the swift and stunning Peregrine Falcon. While a fascinating bird in its own right, for us, the quintessential falcon is none other than the Orange-breasted Falcon (OBF). It has impressively large feet, a bright orange breast, and incredible speed (though no…
-
Ocellated birds: what they are and why they have that name
While guiding in the humid forest of Colombia, I spotted an Ocellated Tapaculo, a beautiful but elusive bird. Upon hearing this species’ name, one of the birders asked “Where do these names come from? What does that name mean?” At the time, I had no answer to give him. But I wanted to be able to answer…
-
Harpy Eagle pair in Panama
Whitehawk Newsletter Winter 2016 Into the Realm of the Harpy Eagle Birds of prey are captivating creatures and in the tropics, the Harpy Eagle is probably one of the most fascinating ones. Collectively, Whitehawk founders have more than 25 years of experiences working for Harpy Eagle conservation in Panama and other countries of Central America.…
-
Birding with the Belize Raptor Research Institute
After three years of trying, I was finally able to participate in the Belize Raptor Research Institute’s (BRRI) Belize Bird-a-thon – this is an annual event in which teams across the country race to see as many bird species as possible in a 24 hour period. It is a wonderful fundraiser for this fledgling NGO…
-
Post-fledging behavior and prey of the Solitary Eagle
With just a few nests discovered to date, the Solitary Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus solitarius) is one of the least known birds of prey in the world. As such, there is very little information on the ecology and behavior of the Solitary Eagle at any stage in their lives. In 2009, our team of biologists was working…
-
Underwater Adventure in Caye Caulker, Belize
The water is the blue found in dreams. It is warm and so clear that we can see to the white sand bottom of the sea. Fish of all colors swim languidly beneath the ripples our boat creates on the otherwise still sea. Today, we are not in search of birds. Today, we are heading…
-
The Solitary Eagle
The Solitary Eagle (Harpyhaliaetus solitarius) is one of the least known raptors in the Neotropics. In fact, prior to the Belize Raptor Research Institute’s (BRRI) 2011 discovery of an active nest for this species, only two other nests had been found. Both more than fifty years ago! Luckily, BRRI researchers discovered this nest before the…
-
The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw
Are you planning a visit to Belize? Perhaps you’re interested in learning more about this tiny Caribbean country? Or do you simply want a good read? If you answered yes to any of these questions, The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw by Bruce Barcott, might be the book for you. It is a classic…