The Foundation for Ecodevelopment and Conservation (FUNDAECO) in Guatemala runs the longest continuous bird banding and monitoring program in Latin America. For nearly two decades, Guatemalan biologists have been banding birds in the Izabel province. Thanks to FUNDAECO’s banding crew, I join local field researchers for nearly a month. Most days consist of ten hours of banding in mature forests, camping in remote locations, swimming in pristine rivers, laughing together, and snacking on corn tortillas with hot sauce.
Thank you Alexis, Miguel, Obdulio, Antonio, Yaquelin, and Thelma for a truly remarkable and memorable experience!
White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis). These elusive birds inhabit Central American rainforests and consume all sorts of interesting prey including spiders, frogs, and snakes.Red-capped Manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis), on of the most abundant birds at the field sites.Ruddy-tailed Flycatcher (Terenotriccus erythrurus), a flycatcher smaller than a kinglet (8 cm).
A Tawny-winged Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla anabatina) that was banded a previous season.
Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa)Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster), one of the largest woodcreepers (23 cm).Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus), one of the smallest woodcreepers (15 cm).
Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) and Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris)
Lousiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum), one of the most abundant North American migrants captured. Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii), an incredibly rare North American migrant.Sunset on the Guatemala/Belize border.Hooded Warbler (Setophaga citrina)Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus)White-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucosticta)Bright-rumped Attila (Attila spadiceus)Northern Schiffornis (Schiffornis veraepacis)The FUNDAECO Banding Crew in ActionWe used waterways and boats to access our field sites near the Belize border.
On the slopes of Volcán Atitlán, Los Tarrales Reserve ranges in altitude from 750 to 3,500 meters (2,300 – 11,500 feet). This provides fabulous altitudinal birding across a variety of habitats, including coffee and ornamental flower plantations, humid broadleaf forest, and cloud forest. The reserve protects the watershed for a number of communities. It also provides work and income for the community, which includes the excellent birding guides and brothers, Josué, Léster, and Aaron de León Lux. Following are some favorite images from my time at Los Tarrales.
Lesson’s Motmot (Momotus lessonii)Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutile) with a crown of yellow flower pollen.Harvest Moon Over Los TarralesWhite Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)White Hawk (Pseudastur albicollis)White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa)Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens)Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons)Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata)Crimson-patched Longwing (Heliconius erato petiverana)Long-tailed Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis)Fan-tailed Warbler (Basileuterus lachrymosus)
In my trek to see the legendary Horned Guan, my dreams of seeing the amazing creature appears to end in smoke and ruins. After a long and steep hike up the mountain, we are confronted by a raging wildfire at our exact Horned Guan destination. However, not all hope is lost. Adjacent to the pillaring smoke and sweltering flames, the guan appears. This endangered bird is one of the top target species of Guatemala, and I am privileged to get great views and capture a unique flight photo. Thanks to local guide, Cruz Chikibal, for a successful day!
The awe-inspiring Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus) takes flight from the upper canopy of the cloud forest. Though the Horned Guan resembles other guans, it is not a true guan. It is actually the only surviving member of an ancient lineage of cracids.Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus)The view while hiking back down Cerro Paquisis.Our three-guan day included this Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) and the Highland Guan (Penelopina nigra).Cruz Chikibal and I after a successful search for the Resplendent Quetzal the following day.
6 February 2017
