Jabiru Stork

Description

The Jabiru Stork (Jabiru mycteria) is a large wading bird with a distinctive black neck and a massive bill. Native to Belize, these storks are known for their impressive size and striking appearance.

Interesting Facts

• Scientific Name: Jabiru mycteria
• Habitat: Inhabits wetlands, marshes, and rivers in Belize, demonstrating adaptability to aquatic environments.
• Diet: Omnivores, feeding on fish, reptiles, and small mammals; important for wetland ecosystem balance.
• Behavior: Often seen in pairs or small groups; known for their impressive nesting structures and courtship displays in Belize.

Fun Facts

• The name of this bird comes from a Tupi–Guaraní language and means "swollen neck."
• The jabiru has the second-largest wingspan of birds in the Americas, after the Andean condor.
• A Jabiru will loudly and rapidly clack its bill together several times to communicate with other storks, or to issue a threat

Conservation Efforts

Climate Change and habitat conversion threaten wetlands and associated habitats that are critical to the survival of Jabiru storks. One of their strongholds in Belize is the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area and Ramsar Site. Hundreds of storks and other wading and shorebirds can be seen congregating there during the peak of Belize’s “Dry Season.” as many other seasonally flooded environments dry up.

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Great Curassow

Description

The Great Curassow (Crax rubra) is a large bird with a glossy black plumage and a distinctive, curled crest. Native to the forests of Belize, these curassows are known for their striking appearance.

Interesting Facts

• Scientific Name: Crax rubra
• Habitat: Inhabits the dense forests of Belize, often near water sources.
• Diet: Herbivores, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects; play a role in seed dispersal.
• Behavior: Diurnal in nature, foraging on the forest floor; characterized by distinctive vocalizations in Belize.

Fun Facts

• Great curassow is a species that is preyed on by harpy eagles.
• It has several interesting vocalizations, including a deep “voom” sound it makes, as well as a long, low whistle.
• The bright yellow “knob” on the male’s beak is called a caruncle. It is used to attract mates, and also for thermoregulation in the hot and humid forests.
• Its elaborate crest feathers give it the affectionate nickname of “Punk Rock Chicken.”

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Harpy Eagle

Description

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a majestic, large bird of prey with striking black and white plumage. Native to the forests of Belize, these eagles are known for their powerful build and distinctive crested appearance.

Interesting Facts

• Scientific Name: Harpia harpyja
• Habitat: Inhabits the forests of Belize, demonstrating adaptability to various ecosystems.
• Diet: Apex predators, feeding on large mammals and birds; play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.
• Behavior: Solitary and territorial, with exceptional hunting skills; their presence signifies a healthy forest ecosystem in Belize. Fun Facts

Female harpies are up to 40% larger than males; they weigh up to 20 lbs

Harpies build their nests in the crowns and largest branches of emergent trees. Their nests can measure up to 5ft in diameter

The harpy eagle is named after the creature in ancient mythology which had the body and talons of a bird and the face of a woman. They were portrayed in various cultures as personification of storm winds, agents of the gods, and punishers/avengers

Their impressive wingspan is still relatively short for their size and body weight, which is an adaptation to a life maneuvering close-growing branches and vines etc in the forest canopy

Belize Zoo Trivia

• The two harpies living at The Belize Zoo are Da Queen and Panama.

• Da Queen was born in 1998, and was released on multiple occasions, but kept returning to the research station, so was brought to the Zoo for long term residence instead

• Panama was born in 2002, and was sent to Belize as an ambassador for the Belize Harpy Eagle Restoration Program

Conservation Efforts

TBZTEC spearheaded the release of 15 harpy eagles from 2003-2009 as part of a species reintroduction program. The harpies were hatched and raised in Panama, then sent to the Zoo when they were successfully hunting on their own, and transferred and released in the Rio Bravo in northern Belize.

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