Belize & Tikal

February-April 2014

Part 12 : Ambergris Caye

immature Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

I didn't have a particularly productive week on the Cayes, although I did see many coastal and pelagic species that I hadn't seen at any of the other places I'd visited in Belize. The most co-operative of these were the Brown Pelicans that could be found perched on jetties and mooring posts or fishing just offshore.

immature Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

This pair of immature birds were indulging in a spot of synchronised diving in the beautiful late afternoon light...

immature Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

The vast majority of the Brown Pelicans present were immature birds, as all the adults had left to go to their breeding sites.

male Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)

In the less populated far south of the island, I found a pair of nesting Wilson's Plovers.

male Wilson's Plover (Charadrius wilsonia)

Black Catbirds are abundant on Ambergris Caye and could be found in practically every small clump of bushes.

Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)

Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris)

A Common Black-hawk had a favourite perch just at the back of the hotel I was staying at and could be found there most mornings just after dawn before the other tourists and hotel staff were up and about.

Common Black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)

Migrating warblers were not particularly numerous but Tennessee Warblers were fairly common with several flocks containg over a dozen birds being seen on several occasions.

Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina)

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)

Black Iguanas were abundant along the beachfront and they were particularly conspicuous in the early mornings when they were basking in the sun on prominent rocks.

Black Iguana (Ctenosaura similis)

Belize 2014 pt.11