The Most Beautiful Birds In Guatemala

Guatemala boasts incredible biodiversity, and the country’s bird life is a major component of this. Here are some of the most beautiful birds that you can see here.

Quetzal

The Guatemalan national bird is famous for its striking blue-green colour and long tail feathers. It’s getting increasingly difficult to see in the wild, as numbers are declining as a result of deforestation, but you might be lucky.

Some experts believe this small owl to be a distinct species, while others say that it’s a subspecies of the northern pygmy owl. Despite the name, it can be found in mountainous areas of southern Mexico and Honduras, as well as Guatemala.

Pink-headed warbler

Another species that is sadly threatened by deforestation, it is estimated that there are only around 50,000 pink-headed warblers left in Guatemala and southern Mexico. Both males and females are largely red in colour, and they live mainly in high areas, at around 2,000 metres (6,562 feet) above sea level.

Keel-billed toucan

This striking bird has an oversized bill and incredible colourings. With a largely black plumage offsetting its yellow breast feathers and brightly coloured bill, the national bird of Belize is a wonderful sight. The birds are generally 42–55 centimetres (17–22 inches) long, with a bill that’s about 12–15 centimetres (5–6 inches) in length.

Ocellated turkey

Turkeys aren’t generally considered the most glamorous of birds, with many of them ending up on dinner plates around Christmas. However, seeing an ocellated turkey might make you change your mind. With iridescent feathers and large spots on the tail, this is one beautiful bird. Look out for the bright-blue head and red rings around the eyes. They are easy to spot at Tikal.

Orange-breasted falcon

These birds of prey are incredibly majestic in flight, and boast a distinctive orange chest plumage that makes them fairly easy to spot. With a wingspan of around 83 centimetres (33 inches) the birds are pretty big, and they have unusually large beaks for falcons. Populations are declining and the birds are becoming rare, although sightings of these, too, have been reported at Tikal.

Wine-throated hummingbird

These small hummingbirds measure around just seven centimetres (three inches) in length, but their distinctive neck plumage makes them quite a sight to behold. A number of red-pink feathers spread out from the breast, lending the bird a regal air.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.