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BIRDING
HONDURAS Birding Resource for Central America |
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BIRDING
HONDURAS Birding Resource for Central America |
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“BIRDING
HONDURAS: A CHECKLIST AND GUIDE”
A Preview
SELECTIONS FROM THE INTRODUCTION
Bird
enthusiasts from all walks of life flock to the Neotropics to revel in the
richest avian diversity on Earth. Single national parks in Peru and tiny
countries in Central America boast more species than North America north
of Mexico. Equatorial rain forests may hold more than 600 species at a single
site; Central American forests more than 400. Naturally, even the experts
are confounded by hordes of look-alike flycatchers, hummingbirds, woodcreepers,
antbirds. Only years of experience in the field and with museum collections
suffice for one to become comfortable with the species diversity of an area—not
to mention an entire country. Fortunately, ornithologists and bird artists
have produced several excellent field guides to countries such as Mexico,
Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. ... The problem in Honduras is that one
has to consult several field guides to find accounts and drawings of all
701 (and counting) species. ... The intent of the present work is to provide
an ornithologically sound compendium of information on Honduran birds ...
complementing the several field guides that are necessary to bird successfully
in the country.
... Because few birders will visit only western or only eastern Honduras,
at least 2,000 (heavy!) pages of guidebook are essential for any trip to
the country. We can testify to the hardship of lugging this weight deep
into the heart of the Sierra de Agalta on backpacking treks, keeping two
to three guides available at a moment’s notice, and translating Mexican
and Panamanian data into Honduran terms—so we have prepared this Checklist
and Guide to add to the weight in your luggage! We hope, despite the extra
baggage, that for trip planning the present work will become essential,
because it codifies the important data for the first time in one place.
... This work ... is the only publication of any type that provides detailed
information about species (altitudes, biogeographic regions, habitats, migration
status, etc.), as well as about birding sites and routes. The Checklist
and Guide also includes sections on other aspects of interest to the bird
lover. We have designed this work to appeal not only to “hard-core”
birders but also to ecotourists and conservation planners.
... The Checklist and Guide grew out of our life-long interest in birds
combined with our desire to publicize under appreciated Honduras. ... After
the late Burt Monroe’s magisterial Distributional Survey was published
in 1968, very little new information on Honduran birds was generated until
the late 1980s. Even today, very few bird tours visit the country (though
the number is growing), and only a handful of aficionados live in Honduras
or visit regularly, while extremely few PhD-level ornithological studies
have included or been based in the country.
... Burt Monroe is quite easily the patriarch of Honduran ornithology. His
intensive fieldwork in the 1960s included the collection of avian bird specimens,
an exhaustive comparison of specimens collected before his lifetime, and
a comprehensive review of all literature sources pertaining to Honduran
birds. His resulting work described the state of knowledge of the distribution
of birds in Honduras, and included a country list of 663 verifiable species,
each with its account.
... Since the 1970s, Sherry “Pilar” Thorn has been the resident
expert on Honduran birds. She arrived in the country as a Peace Corps Volunteer
in charge of the new biology department at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma
de Honduras (UNAH) in Tegucigalpa, the nation’s largest university.
She remains there to this day. Largely thanks to her, data on Honduran birds
found a home, and Honduran biologists were trained in ornithology. Thorn
has since served as inspiration and contact person for countless Peace Corps
Volunteers during three decades; Volunteers, in addition to or as part of
their official missions, have often made important observations on Honduran
birds.
... David Anderson and Mark Bonta, both former Peace Corps Volunteers, combined
with Thorn to publish an article on new and noteworthy reports in 1998.
A continuing passion for Honduran birds has even brought some Volunteers
back to the country to pursue fieldwork that resulted in advanced degrees
in geography and biology (Bonta and Anderson being examples). Other Volunteer
and ex-Volunteer efforts have been important to the generation of information
in this work, as have the contributions of Hondurans who have worked closely
with Pilar and the authors of this work. Most notable in this respect is
Francisco Urbina of Olancho, who is a manager of the Sierra de Agalta National
Park, and was trained in birding by the above-mentioned persons. Urbina
contributes to the Sierra de Agalta bird inventory, organizes annual bird
counts, and is an acknowledged expert on avifauna of eastern Honduras.
... Records in the ‘Annotated Checklist’ are based on sufficient
documentation possessed by the authors. “Sufficient” means photo
and/or tape, or a detailed written description of a species that can be
reliably identified by sighting only. Unverifiable reports are listed in
the ‘Unsubstantiated, Doubtful, and Incorrect Records’ section.
Taxonomic sequence and nomenclature follow strictly the 7th edition of the
AOU Check-list and its Supplements (published in the Auk). Again, species
that have been “lost” by lumping together in the AOUC are listed
in ‘Unsubstantiated, Doubtful, and Incorrect Records,’ under
the assumption that some may in the future be split again.
We include ‘Why and How to Bird Honduras’ because for many it
may still seem like a destination far off the beaten path. We make the case
for Honduras. Along with a discussion of logistics, this section entices
the birder to our adopted country through summaries of the most notable
birds and birding phenomena—motmots, for example, of which there are
more species in Honduras than anywhere else.
‘Birding Routes’ describes notable sites in the country known
to us. Numerous day hikes and short to extensive treks are described in
detail; most can be reached by driveable routes, some by hiking only, and
the rest by air and/or water. We do not include complete tourist information,
however, because that is available in Honduras Tips (the Honduran government-endorsed
publication) as well as other sources.
‘Birds in Honduran Culture: Tradition and Conservation’ gives
an overview of what Hondurans think about birds, and what they are doing
to protect them. There is a surprising wealth of “folk ornithology”
among mestizo (“Ladino”) and indigenous people, and this includes
a widespread appreciation for most birds. These positive aspects can become
the cultural and legislative bases for protection of habitat in the fast-growing
field of Honduran conservation.
‘How to Use the Annotated Checklist’ describes exactly how to
interpret the codes presented for each species, for altitude range, frequency,
local range, population status, and habitat. Bonta has devised a new biogeographical
classificatory system for characterizing local ranges: he separates Honduras
into Marine, Aquatic, Terrestrial Lowland, and Terrestrial Highland biogeographic
provinces; each of these is broken into regions and subregions, elucidated
by accompanying maps. This system allows the reader to appreciate the avian
diversity of Honduras at an intimate scale, by understanding the importance
of the Honduras Depression, the Valle de Aguán, the Continental Divide,
highlands versus lowlands, and other geographical features that serve to
parcel Honduras into regions of varying richness at the level of species
and subspecies. The authors welcome reader input on the utility of this
system.
The ‘Annotated Checklist’ is the core of this work, and includes
information for 701 species culled from all valid published and unpublished
sources examined and accepted by the authors. It is hoped that the data
will be a substantial help to all English-speaking bird enthusiasts interested
in Honduras.
‘Unsubstantiated, Doubtful, and Incorrect Records’ includes
all species that for one reason or another we do not accept for the ‘Annotated
Checklist.’
‘Summary of Tabulated Data on 701 Species’ presents numbers
of species by population status, elevation range, biogeographic zone, frequency,
and habitat.
‘Species to Watch for’ includes details on many birds that may
yet be found in Honduras; 70 are considered quite likely.
The ‘Annotated Bibliography’ lists (almost) all published ornithological
articles on Honduran birds since 1968; relevant monographs and field guides;
other published works of interest to avian biogeography; selected unpublished
works. The indices include English and Latin names as well as place names.
“Birding Honduras” has detailed maps as well as photos that
demonstrate the wealth of habitats and species. Last of all, we realize
that “Birding Honduras” is a work in progress. The authors and
publishers welcome suggestions for improvement of this work.
We include a sampling of the best places to bird in Honduras. We organize
the sites by ROUTES, within which we list the species that seem most indicative
and/or interesting for each place. The named ROUTES and individual sites
are named below next to a photo taken along the particular ROUTE. Note that
we designed the ‘Birding Routes’ section to accommodate the
tastes of all birders: we list sites in Honduras’ major cities, along
the highways, in rural settings, and in some of the most remote corners
of the republic. Whether you have only one day to go birding in Honduras,
or you have an entire month to explore, we describe places that will fit
your itinerary. Some of the sought-after species we report on are: Resplendent
Quetzal, Harpy Eagle, Scarlet and Great Green Macaws, Golden-cheeked Warbler,
Jabiru, Honduran Emerald (Honduras’ only endemic bird).
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Route 1.
The Central Corridor: Tegucigalpa to San Pedro Sula The Tegucigalpa metropolis and nearby habitats La Tigra National Park and approaches Valle de Comayagua and the highlands of La Paz Meseta of Siguatepeque and the highlands of Intibucá Lago de Yojoa Basin |
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Route 2.
La Costa: The Caribbean Coast San Pedro Sula and Cusuco National Park Omoa Tela and Environs: Lancetilla Botanical Garden; Jeannette Kawas National Park Pico Bonito National Park Cuero y Salado Wildlife Refuge Upper Valle de Aguán Trujillo |
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Route 3.
Country-within-a-Country: Olancho Tegucigalpa to Juticalpa Juticalpa and the Valle de Olancho El Boquerón Natural Monument La Muralla National Park Gualaco and Valle de Agalta The La Picucha Trek in the Sierra de Agalta National Park Botaderos El Carbón |
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Route 4.
El Occidente: The Western Highlands Copán Ruins and surrounding areas Ocotepeque Celaque National Park Other Birding Opportunities in the Western Highlands |
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Route 5.
Golfo de Fonseca: The Pacific Coast Bahía de Chismuyo Wildlife Reserve Isla del Tigre (Amapala) Choluteca: Cerro Guanacaure and Coastal Spots San Marcos de Colón and the La Botija Reserve |
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Route 6.
Islands in the Caribbean Bay Islands: Roatán, Guanaja, and Utila Cayos Cochinos Swan Islands |
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Route 7.
La Moskitia: Central America’s Largest Wilderness Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve Tawahka-Asangni Biosphere Reserve: Río Patuca and the Montañas de Colón About Army Ant Swarms Additional Trips in the Moskitia |
BIOGEOGRAPHIC
ZONES OF HONDURAS
Two maps depict the biogeographic zones of Honduras. These maps were created by Mark Bonta and are specific to Honduras, depicting the biological provinces based on Honduran topography, climate, and other factors. The maps are the only complete and detailed source for the biogeographic zones of Honduras, and for the moment are published exclusively in “Birding Honduras.” The maps are referenced in the ‘Annotated Checklist’ so that birders can better understand the ranges of Honduran birds. Preview the terrestrial map here, and the aquatic map here.
ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF HONDURAS
The ‘Annotated Checklist’ is the core of this work, and the
only checklist of its kind for Honduras. 701 species are listed by scientific
name, english common name, and Honduran spanish name. Following the names
are codes that tell the reader everything they may want to know about the
species’ status in Honduras: presence of multiple races; elevational
range; biogeographic distribution; reference for the first acceptable record
for the country; habitats in which the species will be found; minimum frequency
of observation; and population status. All the codes are referenced by page
number within the ‘Annotated Checklist’ and neatly described
in the text for ease of interpretation. In the margin to the left of each
species is a space for checking off the species or making a brief note.
UNSUBSTANTIATED,
DOUBTFUL, AND INCORRECT RECORDS
Includes species that for various reasons have not been included in the ‘Annotated Checklist.’
Extirpated Species: Confirmed
Extirpated Species: Probable
Spurious Records
Unsubstantiated Records from Qualified Observers and Valid Sources
“Stowaway” Species
Hypothetical Species through Taxonomic Change
We tabulate some of the basic numbers, by category, that may help birders
plan trip itineraries or understand the avian geography of Honduras.
Elevation
Biogeography
Habitats
Frequency
Populations
NINETY-ONE SPECIES TO WATCH FOR
We include seven lists covering ninety-one species of possible occurrence
in Honduras.
“Fill-Ins”
Southern Central American Birds
Migrants Ranging South to Guatemala
Migrants Ranging South to El Salvador
Migrants Ranging South to Yucatán and Belize
Breeding Residents in Guatemala and/or El Salvador
Pacific Pelagics
Mark Bonta first arrived in Honduras in 1991 as a Peace Corps volunteer.
He began an inventory of the “Cordillera de Agalta Bioregion”
(Central Olancho) in 1991. He and Francisco Urbina continue to update the
inventory and accompanying checklist. After leaving the Peace Corps in 1993,
Bonta went on to obtain graduate degrees in geography; his Masters Thesis
at the University of Texas-Austin is entitled “Shared Worlds: People
and Birds in Central Olancho, Honduras” (1997); an expanded version
of this is forthcoming as a book from Texas A&M University Press, and
is entitled “Seven Names for the Bellbird: Conservation Geography
in Honduras.” He obtained his Ph.D. in Geography at Louisiana State
University in 2001 after completing his dissertation, a regional geography
of Olancho. Mark Bonta currently teaches geography at Delta State University
in Mississippi. He can be reached most easily at his permanent email: markabonta@
[see below].
David Anderson also arrived in Honduras in 1991 as a Peace
Corps volunteer, during which time he resided in the deptos. Francisco Morazán,
Atlántida, and Olancho. He teamed with Bonta in Sierra de Agalta
National Park, and on the “Cordillera de Agalta Bioregion” inventory.
He returned to Honduras in 1996 to live one year in the Pech and Miskito
Indian village of Las Marías in the Río Plátano Biosphere
Reserve. There he conducted canopy-based research to examine the relationship
between indigenous farming practices and bird species diversity for his
Masters Thesis at Boise State University (“Avian Diversity in the
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras: The Influence of
Indigenous Agricultural Practices”, 1998). In 1999 he lived half a
year in the Tawahka Indian village of Krausirpe on the Río Patuca
where he continued his studies on lowland rain forest birds. Today
he is a doctoral student in ornithology at the prestigious Louisiana State
University Museum of Natural Science where he is studying the ecology of
canopy avifaunas . He can be reached most easily at his permanent
email: birdinghonduras@ [see below]. His website is www.museum.lsu.edu/Anderson/index.htm.
Emails: Mark's and David's emails are both @yahoo.com. We broke up the emails in response to chronic spam attacks.
The first edition of “Birding Honduras” contains certain typos
and errors. Click here
for a printable pdf file. You will need version 6.0 or later
of Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the file.
©Birding Honduras
Photos ©Vince Murphy