Guatemala Birds Endemic Regional Areas

Guatemala Birds: Facts, Habitats, Species

Guatemala Birds Endemic Regional Areas

Diverse Bird Life of Guatemala

Guatemala is a birdwatcher’s paradise, boasting a vibrant array of 766 bird species spread across 83 families and 427 genera. At least 35 species of these birds are geographically confined to the regions encompassing southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. These species are predominantly found in two significant Endemic Bird Areas: the North American Pacific Slope and the North American Highlands.

Almost Endemic Birds of Guatemala

Five bird species, nearly exclusive to Guatemala and the Mexican state of Chiapas, reflect the country’s unique biodiversity. The Azure-rumped Tanager, the representative bird of the North Pacific slope of Central America, is a prime example. Other highland inhabitants include the Horned Guan, Belted Flycatcher, Pink-headed Warbler, and Black-capped Siskin.

Two Groups of Unique Bird Subspecies

Specific bird subspecies, recognized as distinct species by some ornithologists, divide into two primary groups. The first group consists of a wide range of Neotropic birds, unable to reproduce with distant groups. This group includes the Guatemalan Flicker (Northern Flicker), Guatemalan Pygmy-Owl (Northern Pygmy-Owl), Guatemalan Hairy Woodpecker (Hairy Woodpecker), Velasquez’s Woodpecker (Golden-fronted Woodpecker), Golden Grosbeak (Yellow Grosbeak), and Chiapas Pine Siskin (Pine Goldfinch).

Migratory Species with Resident Breeding Population

The second group features migratory species that find a resident breeding population in Guatemala. Due to their inability to breed with overwintering species, these birds display genetic drift in different directions, making them distinctly unique. Two such species are Goldman’s Warbler from Yellow-rumped Warbler and White-breasted Hawk from Sharp-shinned Hawk.

A New Endemic Bird from Guatemala

Recent mitochondrial DNA research from 2006 revealed that Goldman’s warbler is not a subspecies of the Yellow-rumped Warbler but a species on its own, thereby adding a new endemic bird from Guatemala recognized by the International Ornithological Committee (IOC).

Guatemala Endemic Regional Bird Areas by region

As one of the best Central American birding destinations, the country has great diversity with a high degree of regional endemism distributed in four main zones. The blend of these four areas in such a small region creates a desirable offer for bird watchers by adding archaeological and cultural attractions that complement bird watching.

The highlands of northern Central America

Comprises parts of Oaxaca and Chiapas (Mexico), Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Some species that are endemic to these regions are the Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus), the Pink-headed Warbler (Ergaticus versicolor), and the Cabanis’ Tanager (Tangara l. Larvata).

The tropical savannas of the northern Pacific slope of Central America

Cover parts of Chiapas (Mexico), Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua along the Pacific coast. Among the endemic species, we can mention the Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata), the American green Parakeet (Aratinga strenua), and the White-throated Magpie-jay (calocitta formmosa).

The tropical rainforest on the Caribbean slope of Central America

Lies mainly in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Still, it also includes the northwestern part of Guatemala (Izabal), extending to Panama along the Caribbean coast.

In Guatemala, this region represents a high diversity (more than 500 species) and specialties such as the Wedged-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus curvipennis), Keel-billed Motmot (Electron carinatum), and Gray-headed Piprites (Pipritis griseiceps), among others

The lowlands of the Yucatan Peninsula

Includes the states of Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo in Mexico, and northern parts of the department of Peten (Guatemala) and northern Belize.

Containing species such as Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata), the Grey-throated Chat (Granatellus sallael), and the Rose-throated Tanager (Piranga roseogularis).