Belize Birding Festival

October 7th, 2023

Old Belize, Belize City

Date

October 7th

Time

10am - 3pm

Place

Old Belize
Home to more than 600 species of birds—including the keel-billed toucan (Belize's national bird), harpy eagle, lesson's motmot, the endangered jabiru stork, and the scarlet macaw—Belize is a bird-watcher's Eden. According to the Belize Audubon Society, of the 600+ species of birds that have been recorded in Belize, approximately 20 percent are migrants from North America. 

The country is so forested that birders can sometimes spot up to 50 species in a single excursion, and over 200 on a single trip.

The annual Belize Birding Festival event includes different speakers, workshops, vendors, art exhibitors, guided tours, and other special activities. Expect about 200 attendees at the event when you visit. The last festival was held in 2019 and was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Belize Birding Festival finally returns in 2023.  If you are a birding enthusiast, this annual festival should be at the top of your list of things to do in Belize.

2019 Festival Recap

With over 200 attendees, the 2019 festival was proclaimed a success with similar numbers as in 2018. This was the second annual festival, and the first as a two-day event. Guest speakers were Dr. Lee Jones, Dr. John Fitzpatrick, and Serge Arias shown in this picture along with the organizing committee of the annual Belize Birding Festival. Click to read more about the outcome of this year's festival. (Photo Credit: Belize Birding Festival - Facebook)

2023 Festival Venue

Old Belize, Belize City

Old Belize

Old Belize is located at Mile 5 on the George Price Highway just outside Belize City. Travel an exotic journey through time at Old Belize Exhibit, featuring thousands of years of Belize’s uniquely diverse and rich history. From Mayan origins to industrial growth and all the cultures that have contributed to Belize today, Old Belize Exhibit brings to life a vivid and interactive educational experience. Schools can even integrate assignments and research projects to fully take advantage of what students can learn.

Transportation Options

Need transportation to or from Belize City? Belize Ground Shuttle offers daily shared and private shuttles between major destinations in Belize. Ask about their Belize Birding Festival specials.

How can I get to the Birding Festival?

There are several transportation options available, including public bus, private shuttle, and flights to Belize City.

Belize Ground Shuttle offers affordable shuttle options to all major destinations in Belize.

Are you interested in Booking a Birding Tour? Go to 

belizing.com/Birding


First Belizean travel marketplace for travelers to discover, plan and book amazing adventures directly from trusted local providers in Belize.

Belize Bird Rescue

Belize Bird Rescue is a rehabilitation center for birds in Belize. It was established in 2004 by Nikki Buxton and Jerry Larder. It started primarily as a facility for parrot rescue and rehabilitation but has expanded over the years to cater to all indigenous species of birds in Belize. The organization is registered as an NGO and is situated on a privately owned 50-acre reserve, most of which is used to support avian rehabilitation.

Visit our Blog to Read More about our visit and how you can support Belize Bird Rescue

Belize Birding Blogs

Bird Like There's No Tomorrow

The Top 10 Birding Sites in Belize

Birds can be enjoyed all over Belize, but there are some extra special spots that are renowned for having the best variety of birds to check off your list. Follow this guide to visit the top hotspots to go birding in Belize, including a few recommended birding lodges that will make your stay extra special and give you some of those lifers you may be after. (credit: BelizeAdventure.ca)

15 Beautiful Birds from Belize

588 species are on the Belize bird list and more than a few of these are colorful, exotic tropical species. Better yet, many are also common and easy to see! Here is a quick look at fifteen beautiful stunning bird species to look for when visiting Belize.

A Day in a Birder's Life Episode 1: Caves Branch, Cayo

Meet Marvin Martinez from Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, and get a glimpse of our birding tour with them.

A Day in a Birder's Life Episode 2: Black Rock Lodge, Cayo

Read about our birding trip to Black Rock Lodge, recent winners of Belize’s 2018 Birdathon with a total of 238 species spotted in one day.

A Day in a Birder's Life Episode 3: San Ignacio Hotel, Cayo

Continuing our quest to increase our bird count on eBird, we went birding with San Ignacio Resort Hotel, described as the only jungle in town where you can experience birding that you can’t get anywhere else.

A Day in a Birder's Life Episode 4: The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Learn about spectacular birding at the 2018 Belize Hotel of the Year. Their 400 acre property along the Macal river is an ideal birding hotspot you don't want to miss.

Recap of The First Annual Belize Birding Festival

A recap of the first annual Belize Birding Festival. Bird watching is fast becoming a popular activity in Belize, for both visitors and locals alike. To date, over five hundred and eighty bird species have been recorded in the country. Although Belize is considered a small country, it is certainly blessed with big birding. Belizing.com was proud to be in attendance at the first ever Belize Birding Festival, held in Belmopan City on October 27, 2018.

Birding Experience in Belize

A Day in a Birder's Life

Belize Birds Field Guide

The Belize Birds - Field Guide app is a hand held, digital field guide designed to help anyone learn about and identify the bird species of Belize.

The Wood Thrush Connection

About The Festival


The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has partnered with the Belize Hotel Association, Belize Audubon Society, and the Belize Tourism Board to host the Annual Belize Birding Festival at various locations in Belize each year.

Belize is an ideal and laid-back country, perfect for the casual or hard-core birder seeking an introduction to neotropical birding. With dozens of birding hotspots and several regional endemic species located throughout the country, you can start getting those lifers in any corner you travel.

Stay tuned on this page for the latest updates about the event. The official event website is no longer available as of 2021. 

*An official agenda has not been released. Below is the agenda from the last festival dates in 2019
Saturday - Oct. 24
6am - 9am : Urban Bird Walk
10am : Opening Ceremonies
10:30am : Keynote Address
Lunch Break
1pm : Panel Discussion
Afternoon Activities
5pm : Evening Cocktail
Sunday - Oct. 25
5:30am - 9am : Birding Tours
10am : Welcome Address
10:15am - 12pm : Birds of Belize Q&A
Lunch Break
1:30pm : Bird Watching Central America
2:30pm: Closing
*See the official website for the most current schedule

2019 Featured Speakers

Dr. John Fitzpatrick

Executive Director, Cornell Lab

Dr. Lee Jones

Author, Birds of Belize

Serge Arias

CEO, Birdwatching Central America

Need Transportation?

Shared and Private Shuttles to San Ignacio

Belize Ground Shuttle

Birding Tours

Book a Birding Tour in Belize

Tours

Belize Audubon Society

Official Partner

The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) was formed in 1969 with a mandate of "creating a balance between people and the environment." They co-manage seven protected areas located in Belize. They are also the oldest conservation organization in Belize and an official partner of the Belize Birding Festival.

We invite you to join the Belize Audubon Society today and be an advocate for protecting our natural resources in Belize. Sign up today!
This informational website is provided  by Belizing.com 

For Official Belize Birding Festival Information, please visit 
https://www.facebook.com/belizebirdingfestival/
*The Belize Birding Festival logo, name, and associated descriptions and content are copyright Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Belize Audubon Society, Belize Hotel Association, and its affiliates and agents. BTIA does not sponsor or endorse the content on this event review website.

Let's Go Belizing!

Made with in Cayo, Belize!

"Life has a way of enlightening the misguided in due time."