Guatemala
Guatemala is shaped by a volcanic and mountainous interior that separates the Pacific lowlands from the Caribbean and northern Petén region. The highlands contain deep valleys, volcanoes and cooler mountain climates, while the Pacific plain is warmer and seasonally drier. In the north, the landscape changes dramatically into the limestone lowlands and tropical forests of Petén, where extensive rainforest surrounds the famous Maya archaeological sites. Elevation ranges from sea level to more than 4,200 metres at Volcán Tajumulco, creating strong climatic and habitat contrasts over relatively short distances. Lake Atitlán is another distinctive feature, occupying a deep volcanic basin surrounded by mountains. The combination of volcanic highlands, tropical lowlands and two contrasting coastal regions gives Guatemala considerable geographic diversity within a relatively compact country.
Overview
Guatemala is particularly important for highland and tropical forest birds, with the Resplendent Quetzal being its most famous species and national bird. The Biotopo del Quetzal in Baja Verapaz is one of the best-known sites for seeing it, especially during the February–May breeding period. The highlands around Lake Atitlán support the distinctive Azure-rumped Tanager, while the forests of Petén offer a very different community including Scarlet Macaw, Ocellated Turkey, toucans and parrots. Tikal National Park combines accessible rainforest birding with one of Central America's most famous archaeological landscapes. Other important sites include Los Tarrales, particularly rich in species, and Sierra de las Minas, which supports cloud-forest birds including Horned Guan and quetzals. Established guides and birding lodges make Guatemala increasingly accessible to visiting birders.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus | 44.8% | 43.5% | 43.8% | 40.9% | 48.3% | 50.8% | 51.3% | 47.1% | 43.0% | 39.5% | 42.3% | 46.2% | 41.1% |
| Clay-colored Thrush Turdus grayi | 38.4% | 31.5% | 34.4% | 35.8% | 47.6% | 54.3% | 54.4% | 46.8% | 37.1% | 30.3% | 29.9% | 30.5% | 28.0% |
| Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons | 33.7% | 30.5% | 33.3% | 35.8% | 39.1% | 40.6% | 39.1% | 35.2% | 32.8% | 31.2% | 30.8% | 28.7% | 27.8% |
| Melodious Blackbird Dives dives | 32.4% | 28.6% | 29.0% | 29.4% | 34.3% | 37.0% | 37.4% | 37.1% | 32.7% | 30.9% | 32.9% | 31.1% | 27.8% |
| Black Vulture Coragyps atratus | 29.9% | 33.8% | 33.5% | 28.9% | 29.4% | 27.4% | 25.4% | 26.6% | 28.2% | 28.3% | 31.1% | 33.2% | 33.2% |
| Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis | 28.3% | 28.0% | 27.5% | 26.9% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 30.7% | 28.5% | 27.4% | 28.5% | 29.9% | 29.4% | 26.6% |
| Southern House Wren Troglodytes musculus | 23.6% | 17.5% | 20.2% | 21.6% | 28.4% | 31.7% | 33.9% | 32.6% | 29.1% | 22.1% | 17.2% | 15.1% | 14.0% |
| Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps | 17.5% | 14.9% | 15.5% | 16.0% | 17.0% | 18.8% | 19.1% | 20.3% | 21.1% | 19.4% | 16.6% | 15.9% | 15.6% |
| Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura | 16.9% | 20.7% | 21.5% | 18.3% | 17.0% | 14.5% | 13.0% | 12.7% | 14.3% | 14.7% | 16.5% | 19.6% | 20.4% |
| Azure-crowned Hummingbird Saucerottia cyanocephala | 16.8% | 15.4% | 14.2% | 12.1% | 13.8% | 15.0% | 17.0% | 19.6% | 20.9% | 20.5% | 19.3% | 18.6% | 14.9% |