GUATEMALA: Land of the QuetzalA Tropical Birding custom tour

17–30 Mar 2011

Leader: Michael RetterPhotos by Michael Retter

For such a tiny country, Guatemala has a lot to offer. The birds are diverse and colorful: Pink-headed Warbler, Blue-throated Motmot, Spot-breasted Oriole, Garnet-throated Hummingbird. With the exception of Tikal, this custom tour visited the same locations as our new set-departure, offing a wide range of habitats: cool high-elevation pine forest, a spectacular volcanic lake, dry thornscrub, lowland rainforest, and cloudforest. Though many of Guatemala’s endemic birds are shared with Mexico, here they’re easier to find and to get to. Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager, for instance, is readily found via short ride in a vehicle just above a comfortable lodge—a far cry from the 25+ miles of hiking necessary in Mexico! And need I even mention the emerald-and-red Resplendent Quetzal (above right)? The quetzal is even the unit of currency in Guatemala. Could there possibly be a better place to see it?

Itinerary17 Mar Arrival in Guatemala City.18 Apr Rincón Suizo to Unicornio Azul.19 Apr Unicornio Azul.20 Apr Fuentes Georginas and Las Nubes.21 Apr Las Nubes.22 Apr Las Nubes.23 Apr Las Nubes to Los Andes.24 Apr Los Andes to Tarrales.25 Apr Tarrales.26 Apr Tarrales to Panajachel via Lake Atitlán.27 Apr Volcán San Pedro to Antigua via Panajachel.28 Apr Finca Filadelfia.29 Apr El Pilar.30 Apr Departure.

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PHOTO JOURNAL

Pink-headed Warblers are fairly common at higher elevations in Guatemala.

Such as on Volcán Tajumulco,the highest point in Central America.

The gorgeous Goldman's Warbler, endemicto high-elevation pine forest of Guatemala.

Just another Yellow-rump this is not!

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This is Rancho Unicornio Azul, perched atop the Sierra de Cuchumatanes,

and home to Goldman's Warbler. It's also a great place to go horseback riding.

Rufous-collared Sparrows areabundant at higher elevations.

"Guatemalan" Juncos are larger anddarker than other Yellow-eyed Juncos.

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Which way to go? Towards the Blue-throated Motmot, perhaps!

A native Fuchsia. Fulvous Owl.

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We were fortunate to have foundan Emerald Toucanet nest right next

to the viewing platform at Las Nubes.

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar--a verydifficult-to-find species. Unfortunately,the male wouldn't pose like she did!

Male Resplendent Quetzal in mid-display. The endangered Cabanis's Tanager is endemic to a small area of Chiapas and Guatemala. Also

known as Azure-rumped Tanager, it's the more colorful northern counterpart of the Gray-and-

gold Tanager of Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. We had great views of no fewer than

10 birds at a fruiting strangler fig.

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The steep slog up the volcano wasworth it for Horned Guan. I think

bizarre is the best word to describe it.

A small flock of Black-throated Jays passed by where we saw the Horned Guan.

Lower on the trail our local guide took us to a fruiting tree, where a pair of Bar-winged Orioles

was coming to eat. This is a male.

A snazzy male Blue-crownedChlorophonia was also there.

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At the bottom of the volcano wefound species more typical of the

lowlands like this (male) Barred Antshrike.

And this Spot-breasted Oriole.

Above one of the coffee fincas, our localguide pointed out a family of Stygian Owls!

Here’s one of the three fluffy youngsters.

This Black Hawk-Eagle circledover us quite leisurely!

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The striking Prevost's Ground-Sparrow can be found along the shores of Lake Atitlán.

Which is also where we found thismale Belted Flycatcher. What a crest!

Here you can see how he gets his name. Common Gallinules are commonresidents along the shores of the lake.

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This strikingly beautiful male hybrid Baltimore × Bullock's Oriole was quite a surprise!

Band-backed Wren. A male Elegant Euphonia.

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Azure-crowned Hummingbird. The “Blue-crested” Steller’s Jays inGuatemala look quite different

compared to their northern cousins.

Blue-tailed Hummingbird

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BIRD LIST

This list includes all the bird species that were recorded by at least one of us. Taxonomy and nomenclature closely follow Howell's Checklist of the Birds of Mexico and all subsequent AOU supplements, but some IOC decisions are also included. In any case, scientific names are included to leave no doubt. Quotation marks denote a possible future split. For instance, "Deville's" Berylline Hummingbird means that the “Deville's” form may one day be split from Berylline Hummingbird. Brackets denote the larger taxon from which a species has been split. For instance, Striple-thoated [Little] Hermit means that Stripe-throated Hermit was once considered a subspecies of Little Hermit (and may still be by some authorities). Parentheses denote an alternate name used by some checklists. For example, Cabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager.

Total: 259 species.

Birding at El Pilar.

GALLIFORMES: Cracidae White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastraCrested Guan Penelope purpurascensHighland Guan Penelopina nigraHorned Guan Oreophasis derbianus GALLIFORMES: Odontophoridae

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Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx leucophrysSpotted Wood Quail Odontophorus guttatusSinging Quail Dactylortyx thoracicusOcellated Quail Cyrtonyx ocellatus PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae Green Heron Butorides virescensCattle Egret Bubulcus ibisGreat Egret Ardea albaSnowy Egret Egretta thula ACCIPITRIFORMES: Cathartidae Turkey Vulture Cathartes auraBlack Vulture Coragyps atratus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Hook-billed Kite Chondrohierax uncinatusSwallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatusWhite-breasted Hawk Accipiter chionogasterCooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperiiCommon Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinusGreat Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitingaGray Hawk Buteo nitidusBroad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterusShort-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurusSwainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoniZone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatusRed-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensisBlack Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannusOrnate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnansCollared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatusBarred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollisAmerican Kestrel Falco sparveriusMerlin Falco columbariusBat Falcon Falco rufigularis GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Common Gallinule Gallinula galeataAmerican Coot Fulica americana CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae .. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 12 -

Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba liviaBand-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciataRed-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostrisMourning Dove Zenaida macrouraWhite-winged Dove Zenaida asiaticaInca Dove Columbina incaRuddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacotiWhite-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxiWhite-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifaciesRuddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenuaOrange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularisBarred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineolaOrange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularisYellow-naped Amazon (Parrot) Amazona auropalliata CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescensMottled Owl Strix virgataBlack-and-white Owl Strix nigrolineataStygian Owl Asio stygius CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollisMexican Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus arizonae APODIFORMES: Apodidae Chestnut-collared Swift Streptoprocne rutilaWhite-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonarisVaux's Swift Chaetura vauxiWhite-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis APODIFORMES: Trochilidae Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufusViolet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurusGreen Violetear Colibri thalassinusEmerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeilleiCinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutilaAzure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala.. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 13 -

Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura“Deville's” Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina devilleiAmethyst-throated Mountaingem (H’bird) Lampornis amethystinus Green-throated Mountaingem Lampornis viridipallensWhite-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotisGarnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhamiMagnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgensLong-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostrisSparkling-tailed Woodstar Tilmatura dupontiiRuby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubrisWine-throated Hummingbird Atthis ellioti TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinnoGartered [Violaceous] Trogon Trogon caligatusMountain Trogon Trogon mexicanusCollared Trogon Trogon collaris CORACIIFORMES: Momotidae Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotulaBlue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularisBlue-diademed [Blue-crowned] Motmot Momotus lessoniiTurquoise-browed Motmot Eumomota superciliosa PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus PICIFORMES: Picidae Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorusVelasquez's [Golden-fronted] Woodpeck'r Melanerpes santacruziYellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus variusLadder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalarisHairy Woodpecker Picoides villosusSmoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatusGolden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus“Guaemalan” Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus mexicanoidesLineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus PASSERIFORMES: Furnariidae Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothoraxScaly-throated Foliage-gleaner Anabacerthia variegaticepsBuff-fronted Foliage-gleaner Philydor rufumRuddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosusTawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanusOlivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillusIvory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigasterSpotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius.. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 14 -

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis PASSERIFORMES: Thamnophilidae Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus PASSERIFORMES: Tyrannidae Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicataYellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogasterPaltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimusCommon Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereumBelted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonusBlack Phoebe Sayornis nigricansTufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercusOlive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperiGreater Pewee Contopus pertinaxWestern Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulusTropical Pewee Contopus cinereusLeast Flycatcher Empidonax minimusHammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondiiYellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescensBuff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifronsSocial Flycatcher Myiozetetes similisGreat Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratusSulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventrisBoat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitanguaTropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicusDusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer PASSERIFORMES: Pipridae Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis PASSERIFORMES: Tityridae Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciataGray-collared Becard Pachyramphus majorRose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae PASSERIFORMES: Vireonidae Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensisChestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrysPlumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus notiusBlue-headed Vireo Vireo solitariusHutton's Vireo Vireo huttoniWarbling Vireo Vireo gilvusBrown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrysLesser Greenlet Hylophilus decurtatus PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae .. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 15 -

Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumiloBushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneusWhite-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosaSteller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri PASSERIFORMES: Ptilogonatidae Gray Silky Ptilogonys cinereus PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassinaGray-breasted Martin Progne chalybeaBlack-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileataNorthern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennisBarn Swallow Hirundo rusticaCliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota PASSERIFORMES: Aegithalidae “Black-eared” Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus PASSERIFORMES: Troglodytidae Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatusRufous-backed [Rufous-naped] Wren Campylorhynchus capistratusRock Wren Salpinctes obsoletusSpot-breasted Wren Pheugopedius maculipectusRufous-and-white Wren Thryophilus rufalbusPlain Wren Cantorchilus modestus“Southern” House Wren Troglodytes musculusRufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatusWhite-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucostictaGray-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucophrys PASSERIFORMES: Polioptilidae Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae Brown Creeper Certhia americana PASSERIFORMES: Mimidae Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvusBlue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialisBrown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalisOrange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostrisSpotted Nightingale-Thrush Catharus dryasSwainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus.. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 16 -

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatusBlack Robin (Thrush) Turdus infuscatusClay-colored Robin (Thrush) Turdus grayiWhite-throated Robin (Thrush) Turdus assimilisRufous-collared Robin (Thrush) Turdus rufitorques PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus PASSERIFORMES: Peucedramidae Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinisYellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinaceaElegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissimaBlue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis“Plain” Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus perplexisBlack-headed Siskin Carduelis notataLesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltriaHooded Grosbeak Hesperiphona abeillei PASSERIFORMES: Parulidae Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora cyanopteraTennessee Warbler Oreothlypis peregrinaOrange-crowned Warbler Oreothlypis celataNashville Warbler Oreothlypis ruficapillaCrescent-chested Warbler Oreothlypis superciliosaYellow Warbler Dendroica aestivaMagnolia Warbler Dendroica magnoliaAudubon's [Yellow-rumped] Warbler Dendroica auduboniGoldman's [Yellow-rumped] Warbler Dendroica goldmaniGolden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysopariaBlack-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virensTownsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendiHermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalisGrace's Warbler Dendroica graciaeBlack-and-white Warbler Mniotilta variaWorm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorumOvenbird Seiurus aurocapillawaterthrush sp. Parkesia sp.MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmieiWilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusillaRed-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifronsPink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolorSlate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatusGolden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus.. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 17 -

Chestnut-capped [Rufous-capped] Warb. Basileuterus rufifrons delattriiGolden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli PASSERIFORMES: Icteridae Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeusSpot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralisOrchard Oriole Icterus spuriusBlack-vented Oriole Icterus wagleriBar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatusYellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysaterBaltimore Oriole Icterus galbulaBullock's Oriole Icterus bullockiiBaltimore × Bullock's Oriole hybrid Altamira Oriole Icterus gularisBronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneusMelodious Blackbird Dives divesRed-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceusGreat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanusEastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolniiRufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis“Guatemalan” Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus alticolaRusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescensSpotted Towhee Pipilo maculatusPrevost's Ground-Sparrow Melozone biarcuataWhite-eared Ground-Sparrow Melozone leucotisYellow-throated Brushfinch Atlapetes gutteralisChestnut-capped Brushfinch Arremon brunneinuchaCommon Bush-tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus PASSERIFORMES: Thraupidae Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopusYellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbasCabanis’s (Azure-rumped) Tanager Tangara cabanisiRed-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneusCinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritulaBlue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarinaWhite-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueolaYellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivaceusBlack-headed Saltator Saltator atricepsGrayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens PASSERIFORMES: Cardinalidae Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentataSummer Tanager Piranga rubra.. GUATEMALA 17–30 April 2011 - 18 -

Western Tanager Piranga ludovicianaWhite-winged Tanager Piranga leucopteraRose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianusIndigo Bunting Passerina cyaneaPainted Bunting Passerina ciris

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