List of birds of Belize

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Belize. Belize includes around 450 smaller cays and islands lying in the Caribbean Sea in addition to the mainland. The avifauna of Belize included a total of 615 species as of June 2021, according to Bird Checklists of the World.^[1] The 2021 revision of the American Ornithological Society's (AOS) Check-list of North and Middle American Birds added one more species due to a split.^[2] Of the 616, 98 are rare or accidental and four have been introduced. None are endemic to the country.

This list is presented in the taxonomic sequence of the Check-list of North and Middle American Birds, 7th edition through the 62nd Supplement, published by the American Ornithological Society (AOS).^[3] Common and scientific names are also those of the Check-list, except that the common names of families are from the Clements taxonomy because the AOS list does not include them.

Unless otherwise noted, the species on this list are considered to occur regularly in Belize as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The tags and notes of population status are from Bird Checklists of the World.

• (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Belize
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Belize as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions

Tinamous[]

Order: Tinamiformes   Family: Tinamidae

The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes. They are distantly related to the ratites (order Struthioniformes), that includes the rheas, emus, and kiwis.

• Great tinamou, Tinamus major (Near-threatened)
• Little tinamou, Crypturellus soui
• Slaty-breasted tinamou, Crypturellus boucardi
• Thicket tinamou, Crypturellus cinnamomeus

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Guans, chachalacas, and curassows[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Cracidae

The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments.

• Plain chachalaca, Ortalis vetula
• Crested guan, Penelope purpurascens
• Great curassow, Crax rubra (Vulnerable)

New World quail[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.

• Black-throated bobwhite, Colinus nigrogularis
• Singing quail, Dactylortyx thoracicus (A)
• Spotted wood-quail, Odontophorus guttatus

Pheasants, grouse, and allies[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Turkeys are similar to large pheasants but have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the beak, called a snood.

• Ocellated turkey, Meleagris ocellata (Near-threatened)

Flamingos[]

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

• American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (A)

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

• Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus
• Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps

Pigeons and doves[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

• Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani
• Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris
• Striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia
• Pheasant cuckoo, Dromococcyx phasianellus
• Squirrel cuckoo, Piaya cayana
• Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus (A)
• Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
• Mangrove cuckoo, Coccyzus minor
• Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Nightjars and allies[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

• Short-tailed nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus (A)
• Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
• Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
• Common pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis
• Yucatan poorwill, Nyctiphrynus yucatanicus
• Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostomus carolinensis (Near-threatened)
• Yucatan nightjar, Antrostomus badius
• Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus (Near-threatened)

Potoos[]

Order: Nyctibiiformes   Family: Nyctibiidae

The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars.

• Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis
• Northern potoo, Nyctibius jamaicensis

Swifts[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

• Black swift, Cypseloides niger (A) (Vulnerable)
• White-chinned swift, Cypseloides cryptus (A)
• Chestnut-collared swift, Streptoprocne rutila
• White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
• Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (Vulnerable)
• Vaux's swift, Chaetura vauxi
• Lesser swallow-tailed swift, Panyptila cayennensis

Hummingbirds[]

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Trochilidae

Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards.

• White-necked jacobin, Florisuga mellivora
• Band-tailed barbthroat, Threnetes ruckeri
• Long-billed hermit, Phaethornis longirostris
• Stripe-throated hermit, Phaethornis striigularis
• Brown violetear, Colibri delphinae
• Purple-crowned fairy, Heliothryx barroti
• Green-breasted mango, Anthracothorax prevostii
• Black-crested coquette, Lophornis helenae
• Long-billed starthroat, Heliomaster longirostris
• Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
• Canivet's Emerald, Cynanthus canivetii
• Wedge-tailed sabrewing, Pampa curvipennis
• Violet-headed hummingbird, Klais guimeti (A)
• Violet sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus
• Crowned woodnymph, Thalurania colombica
• Stripe-tailed hummingbird, Eupherusa eximia
• Scaly-breasted hummingbird, Phaeochroa cuvierii
• Azure-crowned hummingbird, Saucerottia cyanocephala
• Cinnamon hummingbird, Amazilia rutila
• Buff-bellied hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis
• Rufous-tailed hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl
• White-bellied emerald, Chlorestes candida
• Blue-throated goldentail, Chlorestes eliciae (A)

Rails, gallinules and coots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

• Spotted rail, Pardirallus maculatus
• Uniform crake, Amaurolimnas concolor
• Rufous-necked wood-rail, Aramides axillaris
• Russet-naped wood-rail, Aramides albiventris
• Clapper rail, Rallus crepitans
• Sora, Porzana carolina
• Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata
• American coot, Fulica americana
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus
• Yellow-breasted crake, Hapalocrex flaviventer
• Ruddy crake, Laterallus ruber
• Gray-breasted crake, Laterallus exilis
• Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (A)

Finfoots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

• Sungrebe, Heliornis fulica

Limpkin[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aramidae

The limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab-brown plumage and a grayer head and neck.

• Limpkin, Aramus guarauna

Stilts and avocets[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

• Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus
• American avocet, Recurvirostra americana (A)

Oystercatchers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

• American oystercatcher, Haematopus palliatus

Plovers and lapwings[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

• Southern lapwing, Vanellus chilensis (A)
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
• Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus
• Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus
• Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia
• Collared plover, Charadrius collaris (A)
• Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (Near-threatened)

Jacanas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a family of waders which are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

• Northern jacana, Jacana spinosa

Sandpipers and allies[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Skuas and jaegers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

• Great skua, Stercorarius skua (A)
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (A)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, kittiwakes, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

Tropicbirds[]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (A)

Southern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's three species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (A)

Northern storm-petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Though the members of the family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (A)

Shearwaters and petrels[]

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (A)
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
• Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri (A)

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

• Jabiru, Jabiru mycteria
• Wood stork, Mycteria americana

Frigatebirds[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white, or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches which are usually red. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

• Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens

Boobies and gannets[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

• Masked booby, Sula dactylatra (A)
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula

Anhingas[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The anhingas have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

• Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga

Cormorants and shags[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful.

• Double-crested cormorant, Nannopterum auritum
• Neotropic cormorant, Nannopterum brasilianum

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

• American white pelican, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
• Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis

Herons, egrets, and bitterns[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises, and spoonbills.

Ibises and spoonbills[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

• White ibis, Eudocimus albus
• Scarlet ibis, Eudocimus ruber (A)
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• White-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (A)
• Roseate spoonbill, Platalea ajaja

New World vultures[]

Order: Cathartiformes   Family: Cathartidae

The New World vultures are not closely related to Old World vultures, but superficially resemble them because of convergent evolution. Like the Old World vultures, they are scavengers. However, unlike Old World vultures, which find carcasses by sight, New World vultures have a good sense of smell with which they locate carrion.

• King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa
• Black vulture, Coragyps atratus
• Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura
• Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Cathartes burrovianus

Osprey[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

Barn-owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

• Middle-American screech-owl, Megascops guatemalae
• Crested owl, Lophostrix cristata
• Spectacled owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata
• Great horned owl, Bubo virginianus
• Central American pygmy-owl, Glaucidium griseiceps
• Ferruginous pygmy-owl, Glaucidium brasilianum
• Burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia
• Mottled owl, Ciccaba virgata
• Black-and-white owl, Ciccaba nigrolineata
• Stygian owl, Asio stygius
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (A)
• Striped owl, Asio clamator

Trogons[]

Order: Trogoniformes   Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.

• Slaty-tailed trogon, Trogon massena
• Black-headed trogon, Trogon melanocephalus
• Gartered trogon, Trogon caligatus
• Collared trogon, Trogon collaris

Motmots[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Momotidae

The motmots have colorful plumage and long, graduated tails which they display by waggling back and forth. In most of the species, the barbs near the ends of the two longest (central) tail feathers are weak and fall off, leaving a length of bare shaft and creating a racket-shaped tail.

• Tody motmot, Hylomanes momotula
• Lesson's motmot, Momotus lessonii
• Keel-billed motmot, Electron carinatum (Vulnerable)

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

• Ringed kingfisher, Megaceryle torquatus
• Belted kingfisher, Megaceryle alcyon
• Amazon kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona
• American pygmy kingfisher, Chloroceryle aenea
• Green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana

Puffbirds[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Bucconidae

The puffbirds are related to the jacamars and have the same range, but lack the iridescent colors of that family. They are mainly brown, rufous, or gray, with large heads and flattened bills with hooked tips. The loose abundant plumage and short tails makes them look stout and puffy, giving rise to the English common name of the family.

• White-necked puffbird, Notharchus hyperrhynchus
• White-whiskered puffbird, Malacoptila panamensis

Jacamars[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Galbulidae

The jacamars are near passerine birds from tropical South America with a range that extends up to Mexico. They feed on insects caught on the wing, and are glossy, elegant birds with long bills and tails. In appearance and behavior they resemble the Old World bee-eaters, although they are more closely related to puffbirds.

• Rufous-tailed jacamar, Galbula ruficauda

Toucans[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Ramphastidae

Toucans are near passerine birds from the Neotropics. They are brightly marked and have enormous, colorful bills which in some species amount to half their body length. The keel-billed toucan is the National Bird.

• Northern emerald-toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
• Collared aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus
• Keel-billed toucan, Ramphastos sulfuratus

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

• Acorn woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
• Black-cheeked woodpecker, Melanerpes pucherani
• Yucatan woodpecker, Melanerpes pygmaeus
• Golden-fronted woodpecker, Melanerpes aurifrons
• Yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
• Ladder-backed woodpecker, Dryobates scalaris
• Smoky-brown woodpecker, Dryobates fumigatus
• Golden-olive woodpecker, Colaptes rubiginosus
• Chestnut-colored woodpecker, Celeus castaneus
• Lineated woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus
• Pale-billed woodpecker, Campephilus guatemalensis

Falcons and caracaras[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

• Laughing falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans
• Barred forest-falcon, Micrastur ruficollis
• Collared forest-falcon, Micrastur semitorquatus
• Crested caracara, Caracara plancus
• American kestrel, Falco sparverius
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Aplomado falcon, Falco femoralis
• Bat falcon, Falco rufigularis
• Orange-breasted falcon, Falco deiroleucus (Near-threatened)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

New World and African parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.

• Olive-throated parakeet, Eupsittula nana
• Scarlet macaw, Ara macao
• Green Parakeet, Psittacara holochlorus (A)
• Brown-hooded parrot, Pyrilia haematotis
• White-crowned parrot, Pionus senilis
• White-fronted parrot, Amazona albifrons
• Yellow-lored parrot, Amazona xantholora
• Red-lored parrot, Amazona autumnalis
• Mealy parrot, Amazona farinosa
• Yellow-headed parrot, Amazona oratrix (Endangered)
• Yellow-naped parrot, Amazona auropalliata (A) (Vulnerable)

Manakins[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pipridae

The manakins are a family of subtropical and tropical mainland Central and South America, and Trinidad and Tobago. They are compact forest birds, the males typically being brightly colored, although the females of most species are duller and usually green-plumaged. Manakins feed on small fruits, berries, and insects.

• White-collared manakin, Manacus candei
• Red-capped manakin, Ceratopipra mentalis

Cotingas[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cotingidae

The cotingas are birds of forests or forest edges in tropical South America. Comparatively little is known about this diverse group, although all have broad bills with hooked tips, rounded wings, and strong legs. The males of many of the species are brightly colored or decorated with plumes or wattles.

• Lovely cotinga, Cotinga amabilis
• Rufous piha, Lipaugus unirufus

Tityras and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tityridae

Tityridae is family of suboscine passerine birds found in forest and woodland in the Neotropics. The approximately 30 species in this family were formerly lumped with the families Pipridae and Cotingidae (see Taxonomy).

• Northern schiffornis, Schiffornis veraepacis
• Speckled mourner, Laniocera rufescens
• Masked tityra, Tityra semifasciata
• Black-crowned tityra, Tityra inquisitor
• Cinnamon becard, Pachyramphus cinnamomeus
• White-winged becard, Pachyramphus polychopterus
• Gray-collared becard, Pachyramphus major
• Rose-throated becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae

Royal flycatcher and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Onychorhynchidae

The members of this small family, created in 2018, were formerly considered to be tyrant flycatchers, family Tyrannidae.

• Royal flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus
• Ruddy-tailed flycatcher, Terenotriccus erythrurus
• Sulphur-rumped flycatcher, Myiobius sulphureipygius

Tyrant flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tyrannidae

Tyrant flycatchers are passerine birds which occur throughout North and South America. They superficially resemble the Old World flycatchers, but are more robust and have stronger bills. They do not have the sophisticated vocal capabilities of the songbirds. Most, but not all, have plain coloring. As the name implies, most are insectivorous.

• 

  Yellow-bellied flycatcher

• 

  Black phoebe

• 

  Tropical kingbird

• 

  Eastern kingbird

Typical antbirds[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thamnophilidae

The antbirds are a large family of small passerine birds of subtropical and tropical Central and South America. They are forest birds which tend to feed on insects at or near the ground. A sizable minority of them specialize in following columns of army ants to eat small invertebrates that leave their hiding places to flee from the ants. Many species lack bright color with brown, black, and white being the dominant tones.

• Great antshrike, Taraba major
• Barred antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus
• Black-crowned antshrike, Thamnophilus atrinucha
• Russet antshrike, Thamnistes anabatinus
• Plain antvireo, Dysithamnus mentalis
• Slaty antwren, Myrmotherula schisticolor
• Dot-winged antwren, Microrhopias quixensis
• Dusky antbird, Cercomacroides tyrannina
• Bare-crowned antbird, Gymnocichla nudiceps

Antthrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Formicariidae Antthrushes resemble small rails with strong, longish legs, very short tails, and stout bills.

• Mayan antthrush, Formicarius moniliger

Ovenbirds and woodcreepers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Furnariidae

Ovenbirds comprise a large family of small sub-oscine passerine bird species found in Central and South America. They are a diverse group of insectivores which gets its name from the elaborate "oven-like" clay nests built by some species, although others build stick nests or nest in tunnels or clefts in rock. The woodcreepers are brownish birds which maintain an upright vertical posture, supported by their stiff tail vanes. They feed mainly on insects taken from tree trunks.

• Tawny-throated leaftosser, Sclerurus mexicanus
• Scaly-throated leaftosser, Sclerurus guatemalensis
• Olivaceous woodcreeper, Sittasomus griseicapillus
• Ruddy woodcreeper, Dendrocincla homochroa
• Tawny-winged woodcreeper, Dendrocincla anabatina
• Wedge-billed woodcreeper, Glyphorynchus spirurus
• Northern barred-woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae
• Strong-billed woodcreeper, Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus
• Ivory-billed woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
• Spotted woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus erythropygius
• Streak-headed woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
• Plain xenops, Xenops minutus
• Scaly-throated foliage-gleaner, Anabacerthia variegaticeps (A)
• Buff-throated foliage-gleaner, Automolus ochrolaemus
• Rufous-breasted spinetail, Synallaxis erythrothorax

Vireos, shrike-babblers, and erpornis[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vireonidae

The vireos are a group of small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are typically greenish in color and resemble wood-warblers apart from their heavier bills.

Crows, jays, and magpies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

• Brown jay, Psilorhinus morio
• Green jay, Cyanocorax yncas
• Yucatan jay, Cyanocorax yucatanicus

Swallows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
• Violet-green swallow, Tachycineta thalassina (A)
• Mangrove swallow, Tachycineta albilinea
• Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
• Brown-chested martin, Progne tapera (A)
• Purple martin, Progne subis
• Gray-breasted martin, Progne chalybea
• Sinaloa martin, Progne sinaloae (A) (Vulnerable)
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
• Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva

Kinglets[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets and "crests" are a small family of birds which resemble some warblers. They are very small insectivorous birds. The adults have colored crowns, giving rise to their name.

• Ruby-crowned kinglet, Corthylio calendula (A)

Waxwings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter.

• Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

Gnatcatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Polioptilidae

These dainty birds resemble Old World warblers in their build and habits, moving restlessly through the foliage seeking insects. The gnatcatchers and gnatwrens are mainly soft bluish gray in color and have the typical insectivore's long sharp bill. They are birds of fairly open woodland or scrub, which nest in bushes or trees.

• Long-billed gnatwren, Ramphocaenus melanurus
• White-browed gnatcatcher, Polioptila bilineata
• Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

• Nightingale wren, Microcerculus philomela
• House wren, Troglodytes aedon
• Sedge wren, Cistothorus platensis
• Carolina wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus
• Band-backed wren, Campylorhynchus zonatus
• Spot-breasted wren, Pheugopedius maculipectus
• Cabanis's wren, Cantorchilus modestus
• White-bellied wren, Uropsila leucogastra
• White-breasted wood-wren, Henicorhina leucosticta
• Gray-breasted wood-wren, Henicorhina leucophrys (A)

Mockingbirds and thrashers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mimidae

The mimids are a family of passerine birds that includes thrashers, mockingbirds, tremblers, and the New World catbirds. These birds are notable for their vocalizations, especially their ability to mimic a wide variety of birds and other sounds heard outdoors. Their coloring tends towards dull grays and browns.

• Black catbird, Melanoptila glabrirostris (Near-threatened)
• Gray catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
• Tropical mockingbird, Mimus gilvus
• Northern mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos (A)

Thrushes and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground.

• Eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis
• Slate-colored solitaire, Myadestes unicolor
• Veery, Catharus fuscescens
• Gray-cheeked thrush, Catharus minimus
• Swainson's thrush, Catharus ustulatus
• Hermit thrush, Catharus guttatus (A)
• Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina (Near-threatened)
• Clay-colored thrush, Turdus grayi
• White-throated thrush, Turdus assimilis
• American robin, Turdus migratorius (A)

Waxbills and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The members of this family are small passerine birds native to the Old World tropics. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.

• Tricolored munia, Lonchura malacca (I)

Old World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)

Wagtails and pipits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.

• American pipit, Anthus rubescens

Finches, euphonias, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

• Elegant euphonia, Chlorophonia elegantissima (A)
• Scrub euphonia, Euphonia affinis
• White-vented euphonia, Euphonia minuta (A)
• Yellow-throated euphonia, Euphonia hirundinacea
• Olive-backed euphonia, Euphonia gouldi
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• Black-headed siskin, Spinus notatus
• Lesser goldfinch, Spinus psaltria

New World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passerellidae

Until 2017, these species were considered part of the family Emberizidae. Most of the species are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many of these have distinctive head patterns.

Yellow-breasted chat[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteriidae

This species was historically placed in the wood-warblers (Parulidae) but nonetheless most authorities were unsure if it belonged there. It was placed in its own family in 2017.

• Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virens

Troupials and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Icteridae

The icterids are a group of small to medium-sized, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World and include the grackles, New World blackbirds, and New World orioles. Most species have black as the predominant plumage color, often enlivened by yellow, orange, or red.

New World warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Parulidae The wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. Most are arboreal, but some are terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

• 

  Prairie warbler

• 

  American redstart

• 

  Common yellowthroat

• 

  Wilson's warbler

Cardinals and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cardinalidae

The cardinals are a family of robust, seed-eating birds with strong bills. They are typically associated with open woodland. The sexes usually have distinct plumages.

• Rose-throated tanager, Piranga roseogularis
• Hepatic tanager, Piranga flava
• Summer tanager, Piranga rubra
• Scarlet tanager, Piranga olivacea
• Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
• Flame-colored tanager, Piranga bidentata (A)
• White-winged tanager, Piranga leucoptera
• Red-crowned ant-tanager, Habia rubica
• Red-throated ant-tanager, Habia fuscicauda
• Black-faced grosbeak, Caryothraustes poliogaster
• Northern cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis
• Rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
• Black-headed grosbeak, Pheucticus melanocephalus (A)
• Gray-throated chat, Granatellus sallaei
• Blue seedeater, Amaurospiza concolor
• Blue-black grosbeak, Cyanoloxia cyanoides
• Blue bunting, Cyanocompsa parellina
• Blue grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
• Lazuli bunting, Passerina amoena (A)
• Indigo bunting, Passerina cyanea
• Painted bunting, Passerina ciris (Near-threatened)
• Dickcissel, Spiza americana

Tanagers and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly colored. As a family they are omnivorous, but individual species specialize in eating fruits, seeds, insects, or other types of food. Most have short, rounded wings.

• Golden-hooded tanager, Stilpnia larvata
• Blue-gray tanager, Thraupis episcopus
• Yellow-winged tanager, Thraupis abbas
• Grassland yellow-finch, Sicalis luteola
• Green honeycreeper, Chlorophanes spiza
• Blue-black grassquit, Volatinia jacarina
• Gray-headed tanager, Eucometis penicillata
• Black-throated shrike-tanager, Lanio aurantius
• Crimson-collared tanager, Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
• Scarlet-rumped tanager, Ramphocelus passerinii
• Shining honeycreeper, Cyanerpes lucidus
• Red-legged honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus
• Bananaquit, Coereba flaveola
• Yellow-faced grassquit, Tiaris olivaceus (A)
• Thick-billed seed-finch, Oryzoborus funereus
• Variable seedeater, Sporophila corvina
• Slate-colored seedeater, Sporophila schistacea
• Morelet's seedeater, Sporophila morelleti
• Black-headed saltator, Saltator atriceps
• Buff-throated saltator, Saltator maximus
• Grayish saltator, Saltator coerulescens

See also[]

• Fauna of Belize
• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References[]

External links[]

• Birds of Belize - World Institute for Conservation and Environment

Further reading[]

• H. Lee Jones and Andrew C. Vallely (2001). Annotated checklist of the birds of Belize. Lynx Edicions. p. 72. ISBN 978-84-87334-35-1.