Honduras is the second largest country in Central America and although its 727 (and counting) 
species cannot be compared with the larger lists of countries to the south it does, however, offer some excellent birding opportunities throughout. The fact that Honduras is larger than many Central American countries and that fewer people come here, more often than not allows visitors to have trails or even entire parks or reserves to themselves! In fact, in over 6 years of guiding I have never run into another organized tour group while in the field! How many places can boast that?
There are so many good places to bird in Honduras with each region and specific sites offering their own unique birding opportunities. The most accessible areas to bird watch are in the western and southwestern regions and along the north coast. More adventurous visitors can venture into central and eastern Honduras and really be rewarded by vast extensions of untrammeled wilderness.
Honduras is a mixing ground for many species ranging from Mexico to northwest Nicaragua and more than 50 species that range no further north than La Mosquitia or east of the Sula Valley. 
No other Central American country has such a wide variety of habitats on as large a scale where such a wide array of species meld together with northern and southern elements and at times within very short distances. Take for example the thorn scrub forest of the Aguan Valley that abuts pine/oak forest in the Pico Bonito foothills which is replaced by humid broadleaf forest then into montane cloud forest within some 10 miles.
The purpose of this section is to point out bird watching opportunities already available in Honduras through various operators and guides, not to spell out birding routes. Every birder has his/her own areas of special interest, budget and time constraints or mode of birding where to detail a myriad of potential routes is almost a moot point. Looking over the "Field Work" section will help one decide what areas look more "attractive" as places to visit according to some of the species highlighted in each area. For one who is new to the Neotropics a two week trip visiting a 
variety of habitats from cloud forest, wetlands and lowland rainforest would be rewarding. For other seasoned veterans a shorter visit to specific habitats searching for more "difficult" species such as the Honduran Emerald or the Green-breasted Mountain-Gem could be equally rewarding. For the most adventurous an 11 to 14 day journey rafting down the Rio Platano could be the trip of a lifetime and one of the premiere trips in Central America.
The following companies and organizations already offer scheduled or custom natural history tours to Honduras and other nearby countries. Some tours are more general while others are focused mostly on bird watching.
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (V.E.N.T.)
Currently offers an Atlantic Slope tour featuring the Lodge at Pico Bonito, Aguan Valley, Lake Yojoa and an extension to Copan. Its second Honduras tour starting in 2007, Western Highlands, will focus on the specialties found within various cloud forest reserves. For more info see: www.ventbird.com
Mesoamerican Ecotourism Alliance (M.E.A.)
This non-profit 501(c)3 organization offers a variety of trips in the region including bird watching tours. Custom trips can also be set up for small groups or Audubon chapters. MEA currently handles the Mt. Travel Sobek tours in Honduras and Belize. For more info see: www.travelwithmea.org
Naturalist Journeys
This company offers one trip a year to Honduras that visits the widest variety of habitats within a 14 day itinerary. The tour places much emphasis on observing birds in the many reserves visited. The next scheduled, however, in not until 2008. For more info see: www.naturalistjourneys.com
Emerald Planet
This company currently offers one tour a year to Honduras that stretches from Copan Ruins to the Lodge at Pico Bonito to the rainforests of Rio Platano. Although it is not a specific birding tour interested participants are shown a wide variety of species on the trip. For more info see: www.emeraldplanet.com
Eagle-Eye Tours
This is a Canadian based company that will be starting to offer tours to Honduras starting in either 2007 or 2008. www.eagle-eye.com
Natural Selections Ecotours (Robert and Irma Gallardo)
Robert and Irma are self- taught Naturalists who lead tours throughout Honduras and El Salvador. They operate the Enchanted Wings Nature Center in the small town of Copan Ruins of western Honduras. Robert has added some 13 bird species to the country's list, many new butterflies and orchids as well. They spend about 4 months each year leading groups and in their "off time" they manage the Nature Center and are a field inventorying flora and fauna and just enjoying the tropical nature. If you want to come down and cannot fit into a tour with one of the aforementioned companies they can arrange a custom trip.
Birding in Guatemala
Contact Knut Eisermann with Cayaya Birding
Website: www.cayaya-birding.com
Email: info@cayaya-birding.com
(top)