Bird Watching in the Quirigua Mayan Ruins

With a wide range of habitats, Guatemala is home to hundreds of tropical and migratory bird species. The tropical rainforests, cloud forests, mountain forests, mangroves and semi-arid regions of the country offer exciting options for birders of all experience levels. You can also explore the ancient mysteries of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known for it's outstanding intricately carved 8th-century monuments. Quirigua (Key-ree-gua, accent on the last a) includes an impressive series of carved stelae, altars, zoomorphic sculptures (animal-shaped sculpture), and calendars.The site boasts the largest known quarried stele in the Maya world that stands 35 feet (10.6 m) tall, 5 feet (1.5 m) wide and 4 feet (1.2 m) thick and weighs 130,000 pounds (about 59,000 kg). Visitors will enjoy bird watching and learn about the the social, political and economic historical events of the Mayan civilization as well as the unique engineering and artistic techniques used to construct the city of Quirigua. Some species that you may see include Pteroglossus torquatus, Crested caracara, Amazilia rutila (cinnamon Humming bird), Anthra cothorax prevostii, Euphonia hirundinacea, black cowbird, Yucatan flycatcher, Grey-throated chat, Rose-throated Tanager, White-browed Wren, Wedge-tailed sabrewing, Ocellated turkey, Black-throated shrike-tanager, White-bellied Wren, Green-backed Sparrow, White-throated hummingbird, Resplendent Quetzal, Horned Guan, Green-throated mountain gem.