What birds are you itching to add to your life list? The jungles of northern Belize are teeming with life, especially when it comes to our feathered friends. For birders and bird enthusiasts, Chan Chich Lodge is a dream destination, and with plenty of good reason. The lodge offers the perfect base camp for birding excursions and for spotting lifers—whether they’re colorful resident species or elusive migratory birds. If you’re hoping for a special treat on your next visit to the lodge, keep an eye out for some of the rare birds found in the region. You might just end up being among the lucky few who have spotted them.
Birding Landscapes of Northern Belize
The habitats found in Northern Belize are surprisingly diverse, including in the Orange Walk District, where Chan Chich Lodge is located. The lodge itself sits inside the vast Belize Maya Forest. Beneath the canopies, a variety of tropical bird species are waiting to be discovered. Venture a bit further and spots like Gallon Jug Farm and The Escarpment offer a completely different birding landscape. Beyond the Gallon Jug Estate, birders will find everything from lagoons and wetlands in Orange Walk to varied farmlands in neighboring Spanish Lookout.
Tip: Download the Chan Chich bird checklist before you visit the lodge
5 Rare Birds Found in Northern Belize
Lovely Cotinga
This rare resident bird is highly sought after by most birders visiting Belize. The Lovely Cotinga is one of the region’s most beautiful species, with males boasting brilliant turquoise plumage alongside a purple breast patch. This species, though rare, can sometimes be spotted quietly perched above the canopies of tropical forests. That means a lucky morning at Chan Chich might just reward you with a flash of blue among the leaves.
Ornate Hawk Eagle
One of the rarer birds of prey in Belize, the Ornate Hawk Eagle is a sight to behold. With a dramatic black crest, and chestnut head, it commands attention. This raptor can be found mainly in forest canopies. Keep an eye on exposed branches especially for a chance to sight one. Ornate Hawk Eagles feed on a variety of medium-sized prey, including small mammals and other birds.
Rose-throated Tanager
Endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula and surrounding regions, the Rose-throated Tanager is a common resident in northern Belize, favoring forest edges and semi-humid woodlands. Males show off a vibrant rose crown and throat set against gray body plumage, while females boast a more subdued and yellow version of the same features.
Aplomado Falcon
Another resident bird, the Aplomado Falcon sports a bold black-and-white facial pattern and tricolored plumage that sets it apart from other falcons. Slender and elegant, it thrives in open savannas and grasslands, hunting birds, insects, and small vertebrates with finesse. Though sightings are rare in Belize, this falcon has been recorded in the open areas of the north. The mosaic of forest and savanna around Chan Chich creates just the right patchwork habitat to hope for an encounter.
Peregrine Falcon
A migratory bird, the Peregrine Falcon can be spotted in wide open landscapes—if you’re lucky. This rare falcon is renowned for its speed and is one of the world’s most iconic birds of prey. It’s instantly recognizable by its blue-gray back and distinctive dark facial markings. While it’s one of the rare birds in Belize, Peregrine Falcons may pass through the northern region during seasonal migrations.
When to Visit: October to February is prime time for spotting migratory birds like the Peregrine Falcon.
Ready to see these rare birds for yourself? Plan your visit to Chan Chich Lodge and experience northern Belize’s wild magic.