Birding in
the Belize rainforest.

At Chan Chich, birding is part of staying on our 30,000-acre private rainforest reserve. Whether you arrive with a target list or a growing curiosity, the experience starts right here.

PLAN YOUR BIRDING STAY

One of the most biodiverse birdwatching destinations in Central America

In the heart of the Belize Maya Forest, Chan Chich Lodge is a dream come true for birders. With over 370 species recorded on our property, including rare, migratory, and resident birds. Our rainforest is one of the most biodiverse birdwatching destinations in Central America.

Here, every step you take along our nine miles of maintained trails offers the possibility of a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. From the dazzling Keel-billed Toucan to the secretive Great Tinamou, or even the vibrant Ocellated Turkey, which struts confidently through our gardens.

Below you’ll find our full and condensed birding checklist that lists 371 recorded species.

CONDENSED BIRDING LIST

FULL BIRDING CHECKLIST

On Merlin & eBird

Chan Chich is a listed hotspot on both

370+ Species

Recorded across the reserve

9 Miles

Of maintained trails to bird on foot

Daily Guided Outings

Birding walks, drives and boat tours on the lagunas

~30% Migrant

Of species recorded pass through seasonally

30+ Years

Of guide observations behind every record

A Collection Years in the Making

Every one of the almost 100 photos in the gallery below was taken right here at Chan Chich by Emil Flota, one of our longtime team members and nature enthusiasts, who has spent more than 25 years getting to know this reserve inside and out. What began as a quiet passion for wildlife, grew into a collection of over a hundred moments. Species passing through the canopy, pausing on a branch, caught mid-flight, each one a small reward for the patience that kind of photography demands.

This gallery is a window into just how much life moves through this rainforest, often when no one else is watching. When browsing, be sure to look closely. Some of Belize's birds are experts at hiding in plain sight.

You can also catch some birds on our trail cameras too.

A small yellow bird with black and white markings perches upside down on a green stem among red and orange tropical flowers with yellow centers.

A woodpecker perched on a horizontal branch with a dark green blurred background.

A woodpecker with a black and white body and a red crown on its head pecking at a tree trunk.

A bird of prey, possibly a hawk or falcon, perched on a weathered wooden post with a blurred green background. The bird has brown and cream feathers, yellow feet, and a sharp beak, with its mouth open.

A hummingbird with green and black feathers feeding from a pink flower on a green leafy branch.

Close-up of a vibrant blue and black bird with red legs perched on a branch, with blurred green foliage in the background.

A bird with gray and green feathers holding a red berry in its beak, perched among green leaves and pink flower buds against a blurred green background.

Guides who know this Reserve

Collage of three Chan Chich guides at work, talking outdoors, riding with guests and exploring a passage by flashlight

Every walk, drive, and boat tour during the day or night, across the reserve is led by one of our naturalist guides. Between them, they carry a wide range of experience that goes back 36 years. The most senior guide can often place a call before it ever shows itself and the newest is out on the trail every day building that same instinct.

Guide assignments are made based on the day's schedule. We're not able to guarantee a specific guide for your stay, but what we can guarantee is that every one of them brings in-depth knowledge to the trail.

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