Birdwatching in Bocawina Mayflower National Park

Bocawina Rainforest Resort ranks among the top birdwatching destinations in Central America. With its unique location inside Mayflower Bocawina National Park, visitors enjoy unparalleled access to trails, waterfalls, and wildlife habitats that attract both common and rare species.

When you stay at Bocawina Rainforest Resort, you don’t just visit the park, you live inside it! Wake up to the call of toucans, the chatter of parrots, and the flutter of hummingbirds, right outside your cabana. Bocawina Mayflower National Park is one of Belize’s hidden gems for birdwatchers. Bocawina Rainforest Resort is the only lodge inside a National park in Belize, putting you in the very heart of it all. With over 300 species recorded, Bocawina is a birder’s paradise where every trail and waterfall brings the chance of a new discovery.

Collard Anacari captured at Bocawina by Brian Fowler

 

Discover the Magic of Birding at Bocawina

Quick Birding Facts

  • Bird Species Recorded: 300+

  • Highlights: Toucans, Motmots, Tanagers, Curassows, Hummingbirds, Owls

  • Location: Inside Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Stann Creek, Belize

  • Best Trails: Bocawina Falls, Antelope Falls, Three Sisters Falls

  • Best Time of Day: Early morning and late afternoon

  • Best Months: Year-round; peak activity during the dry season (Nov–May)

  • Where to Stay: Bocawina Rainforest Resort – the only lodge inside the park

Why Birders Love Bocawina

Prime Location

No long drives, no crowded viewing decks, you’re already here! Step outside your room at sunrise and you’ll be greeted by one of the most spectacular dawn choruses in the tropics.

Incredible Diversity

The park connects the Maya Mountains to the coastal plains, creating a natural bridge of habitats. This diversity attracts both resident rainforest species and seasonal migrants, making every visit unique.

Waterfalls & Wild Trails

Explore lush trails leading to Bocawina Falls, Antelope Falls, and Three Sisters Falls, where the sound of rushing water mixes with the calls of trogons, kingfishers, and oropendolas.

 

Masked Tityra captured at Bocawina by Brenda Barr Lightfoot

Keel-billed Toucan captured at Bocawina by Seth Horstmeyer

 

Birding Highlights

Here are just a few of the feathered friends you might meet during your stay:

  • Keel-billed Toucan – Belize’s colorful national bird, often spotted in small groups.

  • Blue-crowned Motmot – with its striking tail and calm presence along forest trails.

  • Scarlet Tanager – a vivid splash of red among the canopy.

  • Crested Guan & Great Curassow – large, dramatic forest dwellers often heard before they’re seen.

  • Hummingbirds galore – from the tiny Rufous-tailed Hummingbird to the bold Long-billed Hermit.

  • Owls & Raptors – keep an eye out for the Spectacled Owl or even a soaring Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle.

    Download your Birds list and start your birding journey!
    eBird Bocawina Checklist
    eBird Belize Checklist
    Avibase Belize Checklist

Enhance Your Experience

Join a Guided Birding Tour

Our local guides know the forest inside and out. They’ll help you spot hidden gems, share stories of the park’s ecology, and bring the jungle alive in a way only locals can.

Pack Smart

Bring binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a camera. A good field guide or birding app makes it even more rewarding. Download ebird mobile app

Visit other birding hotspots in Belize

Venture to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, world-famous as the Jaguar Preserve and an outstanding birding hotspot.
Visit Red Bank Village to witness the seasonal spectacle of hundreds of Scarlet Macaws. Add birding excursions along the Sittee River or a boat tour on Monkey River in Placencia, where mangroves and waterways are alive with herons, kingfishers, and howler monkeys.

 

Blue-crowned Motmot captured at Bocawina by Leia Hewitt

Slaty-tailed Trogon captured at Bocawina by NEbirds

 

Plan Your Group Birding Expedition in Belize

Are you organizing a group birding trip or birdwatching club expedition? Contact us for special group rates and the benefits of partnering with Bocawina Rainforest Resort.

From custom-guided tours to tailored meal plans and adventure add-ons, we make it easy for groups to enjoy a seamless, unforgettable birding experience together.

To enrich your itinerary, we can combine your stay with other birding hotspots in southern Belize.

With Bocawina as your base, your group can experience the very best of Belize’s birdlife—rainforest, rivers, and vibrant communities—all in one unforgettable expedition.