For an informative overview of all our Northern Central America birding tours, see Northern Central America: Field Guides Tours.

Guatemala has a magical hold on those who visit--it's the land of the quetzales, where active volcanoes still shape the terrain and descendants of Mayans sell wares in bustling colorful markets. Our Thanksgiving tour will combine the best of birding and cultural outings in the country. We'll begin in the Mayan heart, Tikal, where, while marveling at the temples, it will be hard to ignore the croaking Keel-billed Toucan, the calling Royal Flycatcher, or the crashing sounds of Central American Spider Monkeys! Only here can one quietly stalk an Ocellated Turkey (not on our Thanksgiving menu!) or a party of Crested Guans among magnificent temples and palaces still mostly enveloped by forest. We may also get lucky and find the rare Orange-breasted Falcon that had returned to Temple 4 in 2009 and 2010.

We'll also visit the Pacific Slope and the highlands famous for a unique group of endemic birds, including such special and often difficult-to-find species as Fulvous Owl, Black-capped Swallow, Bushy-crested Jay, Rufous-browed Wren, Rufous-collared Robin, and Pink-headed Warbler. In addition to these specialties, there are many more widespread but superb Central American species from Mountain Trogons and Emerald Toucanets to Black Hawk-Eagles and Spot-breasted Orioles. Among our stops will be Finca Las Nubes, where we stand an excellent chance of seeing the spectacular Resplendent Quetzal (Guatemala's national bird) and a host of other species of very limited range. Join us for a Thanksgiving holiday vacation to remember!

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