Birding at Crooked Tree

So, we have just had three days birding in the marvellous Crooked Tree area of Belize. The lagoon was quite high so some of the trails were blocked so we had to be imaginative in our excursions.

There were plenty of new birds and opportunity to strengthen our ID skills on birds we half knew from earlier in our trip. I found by the end of our time here that I was quickly identifying with confidence 90-95% of birds I was seeing which is the first time I have felt that so good to be settling into Central America.

On our first walk we saw various warblers (Black and White, Yellow, Magnolia), a Plain Chachalaca, a life tick in Red-Lored Parrots nesting on a dead Palm Tree stump, Great Blue and Green Heron, Grey Catbird and Ovenbird, the noisy Ringed Kingfisher a Laughing Falcon and Roadside Hawk.

But the highlight of the walk was finding a tree of Jungle Flowers with numerous birds visiting including Clay Coloured Thrush, Baltimore, Hooded and Orchard Oriole (Iife-tick) and Green Breasted Mango (a lovely hummingbird and life-tick).

Back at our lodge (Jacana Inn) we had time during the heat of the day just birding from the shade of our patio. We saw Osprey fishing, Belted and Ringed Kingfishers flying past and at one point two huge Jabiru Stork (Largest bird in Central America) flyover (another lifer).

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The next morning we headed out on a boat trip starting just after 6am. We saw loads of Snail-Kites taking Apple Snails from the water, two Bat Falcons high in a dead tree, but the highlight was a Crane Hawk (lifer) complete with all grey plumage and piecing red eye. We enjoyed the White-Collared Puffbird too (lifer).

Wildlife was on display too including Crocodiles, Black Howler Monkeys and numerous Iguanas sunning themselves on branches.

Travelling up a small creek we added several lifers including Green Kingfisher, Yucatan Woodpecker (very overdue and about our last chance), Purple Gallinule, Boat-Billed Heron and Bare-Throated Tiger Heron. We also had sustained views of the magnificent Black-Collared Hawk.

The boat trip with Birds-Eye View Lodge is strongly recommended if visiting Crooked Tree.

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On our last morning we took another nature walk with a local. We saw a total of 76 species the vast majority of which were birds we had now become familiar with. A Bat Falcon flying overhead, a Bare-throated Tiger Heron on the lagoon, Cattle Egrets at roost.

I was however delighted to add (too many to count) views of the characterful Acorn Woodpecker. Our guide explained that they hammer acorns into trees and telegraph poles. However, this isn’t because they come back to eat the acorns. The acorns attract worms that eat the acorn. The woodpeckers come back regularly to harvest these worms. We also added Bluish-Grey Saltator and Yellow-breasted Chat.

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We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Crooked Tree. So far in Belize we have added 35 lifers and taken our trip total to 291 on our quest to see 1,000 species by August.