I made a quick week-long trip down to Guatemala in search of the Northern Central American Highlands endemic bird species. I have previously birded Mexico as far south as Chiapas before but never made it into the highlands there, so there were loads of new birds for me to look for. As I found very few independent birding trip reports online for Guatemala, I hope this report will serve to show independent birders that a cheap, safe but yet productive trip in a short period of time is very possible here. I really enjoyed Guatemala: the culture, the scenery and the birding were all excellent and I am sure Guatemala will continue to increase in popularity as a birding destination.
Logistically the trip was simple. I traveled alone booking a rental car online through Thrifty (~$30 day for mid-size, non-4X4 sedan) in advance as well as making advance reservations at all locations where I stayed. The only part of this that couldn’t be done online was the cabin at Fuentes Georginas where you must call down on the phone and reserve in Spanish. There are many hotels/hostels that are not represented online and I would imagine one can find a room in the cities/towns every night without prior reservations if needed.
I looked to bird tour trip reports and other Guatemalan birdwatching websites to figure out which sites I needed to visit. It seemed overwhelming at first because there are many sites but in actuality, there is much overlap between them and I determined that only a few sites were necessary:
Los Tarrales Reserve: Private finca/reserve on the southeast side of Volcan Atitlan. I got lost driving here and in hindsight, I think the best way would be to follow the Panamerican highway west from Guatemala City, past Rincon Suisse (near where the highway makes a northward bend then south again) and take the main road headed south from there (before you get to the main road south to Panajachel). I don’t recommend the way via Patzún as it is a little confusing and you must drive across a river at one point which could be difficult depending on rain and the type of car you have.
The finca area at Los Tarrales is at ~750 meters elevation and the place for White-bellied Chachalaca, Rufous-breasted Spinetail and the other lower elevation targets. That, in combination with an opportunity to access to Horned Guan habitat on the volcano above with the local guide Josue (~$100 excursion) make this a good costly but good place for at least two mornings of birding. My recommendation would be that if you go up looking for the guan, make sure you see Cabanis’s Tanager and Rufous Sabrewing on the way back Vesubio (where you park the truck and start walking up the volcano). Apart from here, nearby Los Andes Reserve and local sites south of Quetzaltenango are the only other reliable places for the tanager from what I gathered. Rooms and food are good here and if on a budget ask for the tree house cabins. They are the cheapest rooms there ($25?/night) and are right near the forest edge but do not have bathrooms in them. Meals were a little expensive so bringing your own supplies for a breakfast or lunch can save a little bit cash.
San Pedro La Laguna: I had budgeted two days in this town on the southwest side of Lake Atitlan as an additional chance for Horned Guan if I struck-out at Los Tarrales. It turns out I did not need them but spent one day hiking up the volcano looking for higher elevation species anyways and a morning in the drier habitat along the trail to a rock formation called El Rostro Maya or Indian Nose. The trail up San Pedro Volcano is definitely the budget-birder choice for finding Horned Guan. Although I did not see any (I heard one) a group of non-birding tourists saw one five minutes before I came along the trail and the very first hiking group of the day saw seven guans in a fruiting tree. Being up the trail as early as possible and being the first people up will increase the odds of finding one. Start looking for guans anywhere after the trail gets completely out of the patchy agriculture plots and on up to just below the cabin (which you pass by on the trail). The trail up the volcano leaves from a small visitors center above San Pedro town and there is a 100Q entry fee. Many people take guides but I declined as the trail is easy to follow and seems safe (plus I hate having a non-birding guide waiting on me). Whether staying in San Pedro or nearby San Jose, the easiest way to the start of the trail is to just ask one of the many tuk-tuks for a ride up ($1). Arrange a tuk-tuk pick-up ahead of time if leaving early as there were not many tuk-tuks around in the streets before the first boats starting arriving from other parts of the lake. San Pedro is a big backpacker town and there are plenty of restaurants, hostels and a few bars there.
The dry scrub habitat around Lake Atitlan is one of the few reliable areas for Belted Flycatcher (and a good place to look for Slender Sheartail). The tourist hiking trail up to El Rostro Maya (also called “Indian Nose” by tourists) starts near the north side of San Jose la Laguna. When leaving north out of town, turn left down the street passing in front of a pharmacy on the corner and just before the big gas station ahead on the right. Once again, the easiest way would likely be to get a tuk-tuk here (arrange the night before for an early departure as it gets hot on this trail fast). There is a small kiosk where an entry fee is paid before the start of the trail. There are only a couple of Belted Flycatchers living in the area and they are most frequently seen just below the first main mirador and below the wooden steps (there are two other lookouts much lower down). People also find this bird behind Laguna Hotel/Resort on the north side of the lake west of Panajachel apparently.
Fuentes Georginas: Public hot springs area (entrance fee applies whether birding within the park and/or using the pools) is 9km above Zunil (open to those not staying on-site from 8am to 7pm). Zunil is a small town just southeast of Quetzaltenango (called Xela and pronounced ‘Shey-la’ by locals) and roughly 200 km west of Guatemala City, making it the furthest site I visited. There is a restaurant near the pools, so if staying on-site, getting meals is not a problem. Birding is along the entrance road starting about 1.5km before the gate to the hot springs area, around the cabins/pools and along the ridge above. A steep ~600 meter long trail goes from just over the bridge (and above the picnic tables) at the pool area to the top of the ridge, passing a sign about 1/3rd of the way for Parque Municipal Zunil. Once on the ridge, the trail to the right (signed Mirador Puimama) continues to a fallen tree where the large trees along the ridgeline proved reliable for Black-capped Siskin among others. Shortly after the fallen tree, the trail starts decending and becomes faint and I never really saw an actual mirador or shelter anywhere. To the left on the ridge the trail is signed 8,569 meters up to Volcan Peculá. I only went ~800 meters up this trail but had a Horned Guan seen and heard ‘booming’ up that way as well as Black-throated Jays. The cloud forest here provides plenty of overlap with other higher elevation sites (Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Atitlan) but is a nice place to seek Wine-throated Hummingbird and Pink-headed Warbler.
Earthlodge: My visit here was not based on its birding potential but rather to relax a bit my last day in Guatemala. It is a small hostel with treehouse cabins and on-site restaurant/bar overlooking Antigua from the north and not far from the village of El Hato. It is not necessarily a birding destination (no feeders) but is at about 1700 meters elevation and woodlands surrounding it hold similar mid-elevation species to Finca Filadelfia and Finca El Pilar (which are more birding oriented and have perhaps better trails into higher elevation forest). Public trails above Earthlodge wind through forest patches and agricultural fields (brushier ones seemed likely good for Sheartail). While it should be possible to follow these footpaths higher up, I did not and stuck to the area between Earthlodge and Finca Filadelfia.
Parque Ecologico Cayalá: I spent two hours late afternoon before heading to the airport here due to online information describing it as a good site for Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge. The park is on the east edge of Guatemala City (small entrance fee applies), has a loop trail along either side of a small stream, parking area and small food/drink stand. When I was there, there were a hundred boy scout kids participating in some kind of ceremony in the field there. None of the Wood Partridges I saw were out scratching around in the leaf litter (that would be too easy) but were resting below thick dead vine-tangles set in some low trees/bushes and would drop out and sneak away at my approach. The east side of the park (near the theater) seemed to be the best for them. Also good looks at Blue-and-White Mockingbird and Pacific Parakeet here.
Itinerary
Mar 7 Arrive in Guatemala City around noon and drive to Tarrales, getting lost along the way and arriving at sunset
Mar 8 Birding the loop trail around Tarrales lower forest and fincas (750m +) in AM with Josue then the same in PM alone
Mar 9 2:30am wake up to drive up to Vesubio with Josue and his brother Lester for successful Horned Guan search on the southeast slopes of Volcán Atitlan; drive after lunch to San Pedro la Laguna taking the longer, ‘safer’ route north of the lake; night at Hostel Fe
Mar 10 Hike up the San Pedro Volcano (3020m); night at Hostel Fe in San Pedro (1610m)
Mar 11 Hike up El Rostro Maya near San Juan Laguna with Juan Chocoy in AM then drive to Fuentes Georginas (night). Looked for birds that afternoon without much luck.
Mar 12 Birding the main clearing and road 1km down from Fuentes Georginas (2400m) in the AM and hike up to ridge trail in PM
Mar 13 Hike up ridge trail above Fuentes Georginas in AM then drive to Antigua; night at Earth Lodge above Antigua
Mar 14 Hiking trails through forest patches and agriculture above Earth Lodge in AM; Parque Ecologico Cayalá for 2 hours in the late afternoon then return rental car, go to airport and leave the country.
List of birds seen at all sights following IOC nomenclature and taxonomy:
1. *White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra – two seen feeding in cecropia trees in the lower elevation finca zone at Tarrales
2. Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens – two seen along the loop trail lower down at Tarrales and also heard on the volcano higher up
3. *Highland Guan Penelopina nigra – two separate females seen lower down at Tarrales and males heard displaying all other highland locations
4. *Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus – one seen up above Tarrales at about 2100m and another heard ‘booming’ then giving the alarm call and seen along the ridge trail above Fuentes Georgina
5. *Buffy-crowned Wood Partridge Dendrotyx leucophrys – four or five birds seen at Cayalá. Mainly seen dropping out of dense bush resting-trees and trying to make a quiet escape but also one seen perched on top of a cement wall
6. *Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus – a covey of six birds (at least one male and females) seen about half-way up Volcan San Pedro; heard at all other highland sites
7. Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis – a couple on Lago Atitlan
8. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura – common
9. Black Vulture Coragyps atratus – common
10. King Vulture Sarcoramphus papa – one scoped extremely well perched low and close to us on the loop trail at Trarrales. It (and a few other vultures) were attracted to a dead armadillo in the forest.
11. Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus – one immature soaring near Earthlodge. Too streaky below to be an immature Plain-breasted Hawk. One accipiter on the ridge above Fuentes Georginas was being mobbed by smaller birds and fled quickly, not allowing identification.
12. White Hawk Pseudastur albicollis – one soaring near Vesubio at Tarrales
13. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus – both color phases seen soaring near Vesubio at Tarrales and a light-morph seen from Volcan San Pedro
14. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis – one seen near San Juan Laguna
15. American Coot Fulica americana – many on Lago Atitlan
16. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius – one seen at Lago Atitlan
17. Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis – small numbers near the dock at San Pedro Laguna
18. Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata – fairly common at all highland locations
19. Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris – a few lower down at Tarrales
20. White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica – seen in town at San Pedro
21. Inca Dove Columbina inca – a couple en route from Guate and near the finca at Tarrales
22. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi – seen in all locations at forest below about 2000m
23. *Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua – good sized flocks seen flying both days in Guatemala City
24. Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis – common around the main house at Tarrales and a few were seen at a nest hole not far away
25. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugalaris – fairly common around the main house at Tarrales
26. Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcriostris – common around the main house at Tarrales
27. *Lesser Roadrunner Geococcyx velox – one seen on the way back down the hike at the edge of a small coffee field below El Rostro Maya
28. Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana – a few lower at Tarrales and on Volcan San Pedro
29. *Fulvous Owl Strix fulvescens – Two seen and several others heard above Tarrales ~2000m; several heard on the ridge above Fuenete and one heard closer to the pools there
30. Mottled Owl Strix virgate – one on a day roost at Tarrales and also heard higher up around ~2000m
31. Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Glaucidium brasilianum – one seen at Vesubio
32. Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis – a few seen on the night drive up to Vesubio
33. Mexican Whip-poor-will Antrostomus arizonae – one flew right in and crash landed two feet away from where I was standing on the ridge above Fuentes and sat calling in the light, others heard; also above Tarrales
34. White-collared Swift Streptogrocne zonaris – a few seen at 2000m above Tarrales
35. Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi – flocks above Tarrales and at Calayá
36. White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis – seen above Tarrales and at El Rostro Maya
37. *Rufous Sabrewing Campylopterus rufus – at least four seen around Vesubio above Tarrales
38. Violet Sabrewing Campylopterus hemileucurus – female seen on loop trail at Tarrales
39. White-necked Jacobin Florisuga mellivora – one male seen at Vesubio above Tarrales
40. Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus – very common in higher areas
41. *Emerald-chinned Hummingbird Abeillia abeillei – none seemed to be at their usual leks but a female and male seen foraging for insects in the trees along the road down from Vesubio to the finca at Tarrales
42. Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila – a few seen lower down at Tarrales
43. Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala – a few around Earthlodge and San Juan Laguna
44. *Blue-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia cyanura – fairly common from the finca to Vesubio at Tarrales
45. Berylline Hummigbird Amazilia beryllina – fairly common at Tarrales
46. Amethyst-throated Mountaingem Lampornis amethystinus – a few around Fuentes Georginas
47. *Green-throated Mountaingem Lampornis viridipallens – fairly common at all higher elevation sites
48. White-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotis – common at all higher elevation sites
49. *Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami – one seen near the restaurant at Fuentes Georginas
50. Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris – a few along the loop trail at Tarrales
51. Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris – common lower at Tarrales and on Volcan San Pedro
52. *Wine-throated Hummingbird Atthis ellioti – one female seen at the ‘Mirador’ on the ridge above Fuentes Georginas
53. Gartered Trogon Trogon caligatus – one seen and others heard along loop trail at Tarrales
54. Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus – very common by voice around Fuentes Georginas and one seen along the trail up to the ridge there
55. Collared Trogon Trogon collaris – seen near Earthlodge after hearing some above the finca at Tarrales
56. Tody Motmot Hylomanes momotula – one seen in dark bamboo understory on loop trail at Tarrales
57. *Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis – two seen around 2000m at Tarrales and heard at other sites
58. Blue-diademed Motmot Momotus lessonii – a couple along the loop trail at Tarrales
59. *Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus – regional ssp IOC split from main Emerald Toucanet; fairly common at most highland sites
60. Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus – one seen behind the farm house at Tarrales
61. Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus – common around Earthlodge
62. *Velasquez’s Woodpecker Melanerpes santacruzi – IOC split from Golden-fronted Woodpecker common around Earthlodge and the lower parts of Tarrales
63. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus – seen near cabin on Volcan San Pedro and also at Fuentes Georgina
64. Smoky-brown Woodpecker Picoides fumigatus – one along the loop trail at Tarrales
65. Golden-olive Woodpecker Colaptes rubiginosus – one seen at Cayalá
66. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus – ‘Guatemalan’ subspecies mexicanoides seen around Earthlodge and at Cayalá
67. *Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax – skulking but seen in scrubby pasture/woodland edge lower down at Tarrales
68. Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus – one seen foraging on the ground on El Rastro Maya trail
69. *Tawny-throated Leaftosser Sclerurus mexicanus – one flushed and seen preening on loop trail at Tarrales
70. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster – a few seen on loop trail at Tarrales
71. Mountain Elaenia Elaenia frantzii – one seen half-way up Volcan San Pedro
72. Paltry Tyrannulet Zimmerius vilissimus – several seen along the loop trail at Tarrales
73. Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineous – one on the loop trail at Tarrales
74. Common Tody-Flycatcher Todirostrum cinereum – one in the finca secondary growth at Tarrales
75. Yellow-olive Flatbill Tolmomyias sulphurescens – one near the farm house at Tarrales
76. *Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus – one male seen just below the first bench mirador on El Rastro Maya trail near San Juan Laguna
77. Northern Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus – one seen high up on San Pedro Volcano
78. Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus – a few around Tarrales
79. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens – singles above Vesubio, Volcan San Pedro and at Fuentes
80. Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis – scattered at Tarrales and El Rastro Maya near San Juan Laguna
81. Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus – a few at Tarrales
82. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris – one near the cabins at Tarrales
83. Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua – one seen and heard near Earthlodge
84. Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus – near Tarrales and also along El Rastro Maya Trail
85. Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis – a few around the finca lower down at Tarrales
86. Long-tailed Manakin Chiroxiphia linearis – many heard and one male seen on loop trail at Tarrales
87. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata – a few seen around the loop trail at Tarrales
88. Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae – seen low and higher up at Tarrales and one at Earthlodge
89. Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys – common by voice but seen closely up Volcan San Pedro and nearby Rastro Maya trail
90. Green Shrike-Vireo Vireo pulchellus – a pair seen very close on the loop trail at Tarrales
91. Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons – one along the loop trail at Tarrales
92. Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus – ‘Central American’ spp montanus seen at Tarrales, Volcan San Pedro and along El Rostro Maya trail
93. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitaries – best views were at Cayalá
94. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus – a couple around the truck at Vesubio
95. Brown-capped Vireo Vireo leucophrys – one near the ‘mirador’ on the ridge above Fuentes Georginas
96. *Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo – two seen and a few others heard on the ridge above Fuentes
97. *Bushy-crested Jay Cyanocorax melanocyaneus – a few large groups seen at around 1500m mark at Vesubio, Volcan San Pedro, Earthlodge and Cayalá
98. Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri – a small flock crossed the highway between Rincon Suise and Antigua
99. Unicolored Jay Aphelocoma unicolor – a pair liked to hang out near the gate at Fuentes Georginas
100. Grey Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus – commonly heard/seen at highland sites
101. Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina – a few seen with other swallows above Vesibio
102. *Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata – common around Fuentes Georginas and Earthlodge
103. Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis – common around farm house at Tarrales
104. American Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota – a couple with other swallows above Vesubio
105. American Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus – one ‘Black-eared’ spp melanotis tending nest above Earthlodge
106. Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus – small groups fairly common on the ridge above Fuentes Georginas, at Earthlodge and Cayalá
107. Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha – fairly common around the finca area at Tarrales
108. Spot-breasted Wren Pheugopedius maculipectus – one seen and others heard on loop trail at Tarrales
109. Plain Wren Cantorchilus modestus – singles on Volcan San Pedro, El Rostro Maya and Earthlodge
110. House Wren Troglodytes aedon – ‘Southern” musculus spp group; a few around Earthlodge and El Rastro Maya trail
111. *Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus – daily at Fuentes Georginas (including one right near the cabin) and one seen/heard midway up on Volcan San Pedro
112. White-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucosticte – seen on loop trail at Tarrales
113. Grey-breasted Wood Wren Henicorhina leucophrys – seen on Volcan San Pedro and heard at Fuentes
114. *Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus¬ – best views of singing bird at Cayalá but also seen at El Rastro Maya trail and lower down in the wash below Volcan San Pedro
115. Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus – one on El Rastro Maya trail
116. Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis – common in highlands
117. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris – seen at Earthlodge and loop trail at Tarrales
118. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii – a few up Volcan San Pedro and fairly common around Fuentes Georginas including one foraging inside of the restaurant
119. Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus – fairly common winter resident seen at most sites
120. *Black Thrush Turdus infuscatus – glimpses up above Vesubio then jackpot with 8+ birds in juniper-type trees between Earthlodge and Finca Filadelfia
121. Mountain Thrush Turdus plebejus – a few on Volcan San Pedro and near cabins at Fuentes Georginas
122. Clay-colored Thrush Turdus grayi – fairly common throughout
123. White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis – a few seen on loop trail at Tarrales
124. *Rufous-collared Thrush Turdus rufitorques – First seen on El Rastro Maya trail then seven or so on the ridge above Fuentes Georginas and a few more near Earthlodge
125. Lesser Goldfinch Spinus psaltria – common around Earthlodge and a few on the ridge above Fuentes
126. *Black-capped Siskin Spinus atriceps – small groups heard and seen both days in larger trees near the ‘mirador’ above Fuentes
127. Black-headed Siskin Spinus notate – several pairs seen near Earthlodge
128. Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis – a pair along loop trail at Tarrales
129. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea – a few around loop trail at Tarrales
130. Elegant Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima – a few above Vesubio and also at Fuentes Georginas
131. Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus – one male in pines near Earthlodge
132. Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla – singles on Volcan San Pedro and lower down at Tarrales
133. Black-and-White Warbler Mniotilta varia – a few along loop trail at Tarrales and one on El Rastro Maya
134. Crescent-chested Warbler Oreothlypis superciliosa – only seen at Fuentes Georginas but several seen
135. Tennessee Warbler Leiothlypis peregrine – very common at all sites; one of the most common birds
136. Nashville Warbler Leiothlypis ruficapilla – a few above Vesubio and near the ‘mirador’ above Fuentes
137. MacGillivray’s Warbler Geothlypis tolmiei – a few at Earthlodge, El Rastro Maya and Volcan San Pedro
138. Hooded Warbler Setophaga citrine – one nice male seen in shady bamboo on loop trail at Tarrales
139. American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla – one immature male seen near pond at Tarrales
140. Magnolia Warbler Setophaga magnolia – a couple lower at Tarrales and one at Cayalá
141. American Yellow Warbler Setophaga aestiva – one nice male near farm house at Tarrales
142. Myrtle Warbler Setophaga coronata – large mixed flocks with Audubon’s on ridge above Fuentes
143. Audubon’s Warbler Setophaga auduboni – large mixed flocks with Myrtle’s on ridge above Fuentes
144. Townsend’s Warbler Setophaga townsendi – several daily in highland sites
145. Hermit Warber Setophaga occidentalis – one male in pines near Earthlodge
146. Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens – a couple at Tarrales
147. Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons – a few in scrubbier grown at Tarrales
148. Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli – common in undergrowth at sites over ~1300m
149. Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus – one or two along the loop trail at Tarrales
150. Wilson’s Warbler Cardellina pusilla – fairly common at highland sites
151. *Pink-headed Warbler Cardellina versicolor – seen several times around Fuentes: along the road near the gate, on the trail to the ridge and near the ‘mirador’ on the ridge itself
152. Slate-throated Whitestart Myioborus miniatus – fairly common at most sites
153. Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis – a few around the finca at Tarrales
154. Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius – several birds along the loop trail at Tarrales
155. *Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus – female seen at Vesubio and male at Earthlodge
156. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula – a few seen at most locations
157. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives – fairly common lower down at Tarrales
158. Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus – common at lower to mid-elevation areas
159. Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii – a few along El Rostro Maya trail and more in brushy finca areas near Earthlodge
160. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis – one in San Pedro Laguna town and a few around Earthlodge
161. Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens – two seen near Earthlodge and one on El Rostro Maya
162. *Prevost’s Ground Sparrow Melozone biarcuata – fairly common around Tarrales between the finca and Vesubio in good scrubby finca habitat and a pair along El Rastro Maya trail
163. Chestnut-capped Brush Finch Arremon brunneinucha – seen at Fuentes Georginas, Volcan San Pedro and El Rostro Maya trail. Seems to be the more common brush finch of the two.
164. White-naped Brush Finch Atlapetes albinucha – ‘Yellow-throated’ spp group gutturalis resident and seen at Volcan San Pedro, Earthlodge and Fuentes Georginas
165. Common Bush Tanager Chlorospingus flavopectus – flocks around Fuentes Georginas
166. Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus – only near the farm house at Tarrales
167. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas – from the finca to Vesubio at Tarrales and also at Cayalá
168. *Cabanis’s Tanager Tangara cabanisi – a couple seen in the scope above Vesubio and others heard
169. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus – a couple of sightings around Tarrales
170. Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula – a few each day at Fuentes Georginas
171. White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola – small group in the finca area at Tarrales
172. Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata – one male at the first mirador of El Rostro Maya
173. Summer Tanager Piranga rubra – one noted at Tarrales
174. Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana – very common at most sites
175. White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera – nice males on the loop trail at Tarrales and Cayalá
176. Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus – pairs lower at Tarrales, Earthlodge and Cayalá
177. Blue Seedeater Amaurospiza concolor – great views of one male foraging on loop trail at Tarrales
178. Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps – a few seen and heard lower down at Tarrales
179. Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens – two seen on the loop trail at Tarrales
180. Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea – small groups of molting males and female-plumaged birds at Tarrales, Earthlodge and El Rostro Maya trail
181. Painted Bunting Passerina ciris – several birds seen including nice males on the loop trail at Tarrales
Dips:
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia (heard only and should have been seen at any of the higher elevations), White-faced Quail-Dove (same)
Slender Sheartail (infrequently encountered, look for around edges of Antigua and Lake Atitlan)
Guatemalan Pygmy-Owl (heard above Fuentes Georginas but a pine site better maybe)
Goldman’s (Yellow-rumped) Warbler (more time at a pine site would have produced one)
White-breasted Hawk (any highland area)
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (difficult)
Bearded Screech-Owl (only further north in Guatemalan highlands)
Ocellated Quail (difficult)