Belize is a birder’s paradise, including on Ambergris Caye.
Posted on 15 Feb, 2013 in the Belize News|Portofino News|Portofino Vacation Journal Category. Comments Off
Belize is a birder’s paradise with hundreds of local and seasonal migratory species. The jungle areas of the interior are popular amongst those who are serious about birding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience some of this nature-loving activity on Ambergris Caye.
Over the past 11 years guests from Portofino Beach Resort not only have been enjoying their vacation including diving, sailing, caving and much more. But every day our guests are amazed with all the different tropical birds onsite.
Waking up by the sounds of a group of wild red-throated parakeets is a daily happening here at the resort.
Located at Portofino’s Restaurant you will find a Zericote, Scarlet Cordia which is a native slow-growing tree that breaks out in blazing orange clusters of flowers, which are very attractive to Hummingbirds. So when our guests enjoy their meals outside the balcony, overlooking the sparkling blue Ocean, they will see very often a Hummingbird.
Is this an Altamira, Hooded or Baltimore Oriole? They definitely look very much alike, but Hooded it is! Ambergris Caye is a favorite destination to spot many different Orioles. Their breeding habitat is open areas with trees, especially palms, were the nest is a tightly woven poncho attached to the underside of a leaf or tree branch. The picture you see below was taken by Myah McNeill – Casado here on our Portofino grounds.
One day, we were so surprised to see The Bare-Throated Tiger-Heron spending hours at our swimming pool as they normally are seen by wooded rivers, swamps and lagoons. The Heron waits often motionless for suitable prey such as fish, frogs or crabs to come within reach of its long bill… but we wonder what this beautiful one was looking for at our pool? The only prey he could catch were some of our guests lounging in the water.The size of a Bare-Throated Tiger-Heron is about 80 cm (28–32″) in length and weighs 1200 g.
Ready for a walk on the Beach? Well then you will definitely be spotting the Magnificent Frigatebird, also known as Man of War. Why this name? Well, this species feeds mainly on fish, and also attacks other seabirds to force them to disgorge their meals. Frigatebirds never land on water, and always take their food items in flight.
These are just a few birds you definitely will see when you stay here at Portofino. But that doesn’t mean that you will be spotting many more.From Pelicans who fly over the Resort around cocktail time after a whole day of fun, to others which are listed on Ambergris Caye’s most popular website owned by Marty Casado.
