Birding Guatemala
There are many parts of the world that are extremely popular for birding such as the United States and Australia but birding Guatemala can be a unique experience that not many others have had.
Birding Guatemala
Why should you consider birding Guatemala? Well, first of all, this small country (no bigger than the US state of Ohio) is home to an extraordinary amount of natural beauty. There are over 8000 species of plants and plant life that call Guatemala home, as well as over 300 species of mammals and reptiles. These facts alone would make this country worth visiting especially if you enjoy all manner of wildlife. But there are also over 700 species of birds here, making it one of the most diverse birding places on Earth.
Guatemala is home to so many species in part because of the way that the government has designated land in the country. Over 15% of this country is contained in national parks and other wildlife sanctuaries, which means that there is plenty of room for these birds to live in. Guatemala is also a home for many of North America's migratory birds when winter comes, 239 species of birds call Guatemala their winter home. The rich forest land here is a perfect climate for the many birds that live here.
While there are other countries nearby that offer a similar experience in numbers of bird species and climate, birding Guatemala has other advantages. This country has not yet seen a surge in tourist visitation so much of the land here has not been discovered by bird watchers from other countries. It is also a relatively inexpensive place to visit, with a round trip plane ticket to Guatemala only costing around $500 US. You can also spend very little money while staying in the country around $25 to $50 a day will be sufficient.
You can easily see many of the bird species in Guatemala during your trip, because the small size of the country means that travel around it is quite possible. Be sure to look for the country's own special species and residents, such as the Black-capped Siskin, the Rofous-collared Thrush and the White-breasted Hawk. You can also see smaller birds that may not be unique to Guatemala, but make this region of the world home such as the Pacific Parakeet.
Birding Guatemala can be a very rewarding experience one that rivals bird watching in any other part of the world. The best part is, not everyone else has seen these beautiful species, so you will be able to tell many tales to your birding friends.