 Lesser Ground-Cuckoo.  Nutting's Flycatcher.  Spot-bellied Bobwhite. |
Birding in the Motagua Valley. The
middle valley of the Motagua river is the hottest and driest regions of
Guatemala, and indeed, the driest area of Central America. Located on the lee
side of the Sierra de las Minas mountain chain, just little precipitation
reaches the Motagua valley. The area receives less than 500 mm of annual
rainfall, which is just enough for a scanty vegetation: thorn scrub and dry
forest with a 3-5 m tall canopy. Characteristic plants are spiny shrubs, cactus
species, including tall columns, acacias, and Guayacan trees (Guiacum
sanctum).
There are several bird species specialized on the thorn scrub and dry forest,
such as Spott-bellied Bobwhite, Russet-crowned Motmot, Lesser Roadrunner,
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Plain-capped Starthroat, Nutting’s Flycatcher,
White-lored Gnatcatcher, Stripe-headed Sparrow, and Streak-backed Oriole. The
Turquoise-browed Motmot is one of the most prominent bird species. Also
Altamira and Spot-breasted Orioles, Rufous Hummingbird, Orange-fronted
Parakeet, Common Ground-Dove, White-throated Magpie-Jay, and Rufous-naped Wren
are residents of the valley. Banded Wren and Elegant Trogon occur locally.
Western Kingbird and Ash-throated Flycatcher winter in the area.
Lesser Nighthawks leave their day roost at dusk to hunt aerial insects over the
thorn scrub. The song of Buff-colored Nightjar can be heard locally, as well as
calls of Great Horned Owl and Vermiculated Screech-Owl. The most common owl of
the Motagua valley is the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl.
Two recently established protected areas in the Motagua valley invite for a
birding walk in thorn scrub and dry forest, one in the department of Zacapa,
and one in the department of El Progreso. Parque Regional Municipal Niño
Dormido is located near the little town of Cabañas, 30 km west of the town of
Zacapa. The park has a size of 180 ha and has been established especially to
protect habitat of the Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum), locally
called Niño Dormido. A loop trail of about 1.5 km length traverses dry forest
and thorn scrub at 300-450 m elevation. The Parque Regional Municipal Lo de
China is located 3 km west of Parque Niño Dormido and has a loop trail of 1 km
length.
Access and Accommodation:Visits to the
preserves require previous communication with the tourism office at the
municipality of Cabañas for the Niño Dormido park, and the municipality of El
Jícaro for the Lo de China Park. Both sites are accessible on paved road from
Santa Cruz (Zacapa). Hotels are available in Santa Cruz (Zacapa).
For independent travelers:
Please fill this reservation
form and we will send you information on rates and space availability as
soon as possible.
When is the best time for a visit in the Motagua
Valley? Birding is good year round.
How do you support conservation in the Motagua
Valley? The thorn scrub and dry forest of the Motagua valley are threatened
due to intensive land use, such as cattle farming, fruit production (melon,
water melon), and unsustainable firewood harvest. With your birding visit to
the “Niño Dormido” and “Lo de China” protected areas
you put an economic value to the thorn forest, which will help to motivate
local people to protect this kind of forest.
