Evaluation of waterbird populations and their conservation in Guatemala.

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P.O.Box 98 Periférico, Guatemala, Guatemala. E-mail: knut.eisermann@avesdeguatemala.org
Title Page
Evaluation of Waterbird Populations and
their Conservation in Guatemala
Knut Eisermann
1
Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología
Part of an evaluation of waterbird populations and their conservation
in Central America, a project of BirdLife International and SalvaNATURA, El Salvador,
funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act)
Within the Initiative
Waterbird Conservation for the Americas
Guatemala City, March, 2006

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Contents
ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
S
PECIES OCCURRING WITHIN THE COUNTRY....................................................................................................................................................... 6
D
ISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT NEEDS INFORMATION .............................................................................................................................................. 8
P
OPULATION ESTIMATES, PERCENT OF GLOBAL POPULATION, AND IN-COUNTRY TRENDS (STATUS)..................................................................... 10
S
PECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10
L
OCATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF KEY SITES USED BY AQUATIC SPECIES ......................................................................................................... 11
Manchón-Guamuchal............................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Sipacate-Naranjo ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Monterrico - Hawaii.................................................................................................................................................................................. 16
El Paraíso - La Barrona ........................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Lake Güija................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Lake Amatitlán ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Lake Atitlán .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
Punta de Manabique................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Río Dulce / Chocón Machacas / Río Sarstún .......................................................................................................................................... 22
Bocas del Polochic................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Laguna Lachuá and Floodplain of the Ik'bolay river ................................................................................................................................ 24
Petexbatún............................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
El Pucté.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Lake Petén Itzá........................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo ............................................................................................................................................................................ 28
Mirador-Río Azul...................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Laguna del Tigre...................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
Potential sites........................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
ISSUES AND THREATS TO WATERBIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS............................................................................................................ 31
L
ACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF WATERBIRD POPULATIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 31
H
ABITAT ALTERATION...................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
R
EDUCTION OF FOOD RESOURCES................................................................................................................................................................... 32
H
UNTING AND FISHERIES ................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
I
NTRODUCED SPECIES..................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
W
ATER POLLUTION ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 33
D
ISTURBANCE OF ROOSTING AND FORAGING SITES .......................................................................................................................................... 33
M
ANAGEMENT DEFICIENCIES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 34
G
ENERAL LACK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE GUATEMALAN SOCIETY ........................................................................................ 35
I
NFECTIOUS DISEASES..................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
C
LIMATE CHANGE ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
ONGOING AQUATIC BIRD CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND PARTICIPANTS...................................................................................... 35
L
EGISLATION .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 36
F
ORMAL AND INFORMAL INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS FOR AQUATIC BIRD CONSERVATION ............................................................................... 36
O
RGANIZATIONS RELEVANT TO WATERBIRD AND/OR WETLAND CONSERVATION .................................................................................................. 39
R
ESEARCH ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
M
ONITORING AND INDICATORS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 40
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION ACTION FOR SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN.......................................... 40
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
EXPERTS CONSULTED................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................................................. 44
APPENDIX I. STATUS, DISTRIBUTION, POPULATION SIZE, AND VULNERABILITY OF WATERBIRD SPECIES REPORTED IN
GUATEMALA.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55
APPENDIX II. COMMON NAMES OF WATERBIRDS REPORTED IN GUATEMALA.................................................................................... 59
APPENDIX III. SPECIES OF WATERBIRDS PROBABLY OCCURRING IN GUATEMALA .......................................................................... 61
APPENDIX IV. RECORDS OF WATERBIRD SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN IN GUATEMALAN KEY SITES ..................................... 63
APPENDIX V. DERIVATION OF POPULATION ESTIMATES......................................................................................................................... 65
APPENDIX VI. PHOTOGRAPHS...................................................................................................................................................................... 68

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Abstract
This evaluation is based on a recent compilation on the birds of Guatemala and on workshops with
institutions involved in waterbird conservation. Guatemala has ~250 km of Pacific coast and ~150 km
of Atlantic coast, ~2,780 km
2
of interior water bodies, and 6,270 km
2
of other wetlands as waterbird
habitats, equaling 8.3% of the country. In the country 149 species of waterbirds have been reliably
reported, 29 of them with hypothetical records, without documentation by specimen or photograph.
Three of the 149 species are considered extinct or extirpated: Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas), Black
Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis), and Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis). Reproduction has been
reported for 32 species and is assumed for additional nine species; 103 species are considered non-
reproductive in Guatemala, and the status of five species is uncertain. The Guatemalan region most
species rich in waterbirds is the Pacific Coast, where 123 species have been recorded, followed by
the Pacific Slope (102 species), the Atlantic Coast (88 species), the Atlantic Slope (87 species), and
the Highlands with 47 species. Of the 149 species, 38 are restricted to the Pacific Slope and Coast,
but only 9 species are restricted to the Atlantic Slope and Coast. Based on relative abundance data
from few sites and data on the distribution of wetlands, total populations in Guatemala are estimated
for 91 species. Based on present knowledge, sites on the Pacific coast and slope support the highest
abundances especially of wintering waterbirds. Based on previous evaluations of conservation
priorities on global, regional, and national scales, 54 waterbird species of special concern were
identified. An account of 17 important sites is presented, including status, threats and
recommendations for their conservation.
Introduction
Water is one of the most essential natural resources for mankind. The overall human population on
earth is growing rapidly. Therefore public interest has focused early on the conservation of wetlands.
An international convention on wetlands was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, providing a framework
for wetland protection. In Guatemala, five sites are designated as Ramsar sites (Valencia Rodríguez
2004; http://www.wetlands.org) and four more are proposed. However, unsustainable land use
practices threaten wetland habitats seriously (e.g. ParksWatch 2005). Mangrove forests have been
evaluated as threatened in all Central America (Dinerstein et al. 1995). Expansion of cattle ranching is
a major threat to fresh water marshes and swamp forests in Guatemala. Introduction of exotic fish
species and overharvest of fish affect the biological balance of water ecosystems. The use of water as
transport medium for waste endangers whole watersheds.
Birds have been identified as adequate organisms for biological monitoring in different kinds of
habitat. While almost all bird species use water at least for drinking and bathing, some are specialized
on habitats near water. In Guatemala approximately 20% of all bird species are waterbirds. Some of
them are specialists of the open sea, others of shaded rainforest rivers, of coastal lagoons and
beaches or freshwater marshes. Knowledge of waterbirds in Guatemala is poor and there is no
national waterbird monitoring as an indicator for habitat quality (Ellison 2004, Eisermann & Avendaño
2006). Habitats are disappearing without the possibility to quantify the loss of biodiversity. This report
is an attempt to quantify waterbird populations in Guatemala and to identify important sites with the
objectives addressed on a global scale by Delany & Scott (2002). Main deficiencies for the
conservation of waterbirds in Guatemala are discussed with the goal to find strategies and solutions
on a regional scale (Kushlan et al. 2002).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Background
The history of documentation of bird species in the area today known as Guatemala reaches back to
the Maya era (2000 BC - 1500 AD); Tozzer & Allen (1910) identified 14 species of birds in Maya
codex figures, including several waterbirds like herons and cormorants. Inventorying waterbird species
with scientific standards began in Guatemala in the 19th century, when major collections of bird
specimens were made. Distributional data from this period were compiled by Salvin & Godman (1879-
1904). Later compilations on species distribution in Guatemala and adjacent areas were published by
Griscom (1932), Dickey & van Rossem (1938), Friedmann et al. (1950), Miller et al. (1957), Russell
(1994), Monroe (1968), Land (1970), Blake (1977), Álvarez del Toro (1980), Thurber et al. (1987),
Miller & Miller (1992), Howell & Webb (1995), Komar (1998), Jones & Vallely (2001), Komar &
Domínguez (2001), Bonta & Anderson (2002), Jones (2003), and Eisermann & Avendaño (2006).
Compilations for North American species, wintering or transient in Guatemala, were published by
Poole & Gill (1992-2003). The compilations are based on the following original works about
waterbirds. The ecology and extinction of the Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas) has been documented
by Bowes (1964), LaBastille (1969, 1974, 1978, 1983a,b, 1984, 1990a,b, 1992, 1994, 1996), Polunin
(1969), LaBastille & Bowes (1962), Hamilton (1970), LaBastille et al. (1973), Hunter (1988), Prytherch
& Everett (1988), and Wahlstedt (1988). Off-shore birds are the least studied in Guatemala
(Eisermann & Avendaño 2006), with only a few papers focused on them (Salvin 1864, 1865, Jehl
1974, Pitman 1986, Pitman & Jehl 1998, Spear et al. 1995, Huyvaert & Anderson 2004). Band
recoveries of waterbirds in Guatemala have been published for several species (Cooke 1938a,b,
1940, 1946a,b, 1950, Bergstrom 1951, Austin 1953, Chapman 1969, Hopkins 1972, Thurber & Villeda
1972, Gill & Mewaldt 1983, Anonym 1986, Dunning 1987, Botero & Rusch 1988, Schreiber & Mock
1988, Belant & Dolbeer 1993, Houston 2000, King & Greve 2001). The distribution of Cattle Egret
(Bubulcus ibis) in Guatemala, a species of African origin, has been documented by Smithy & Land
(1960) and Crosby (1972). Distributional and natural history data for waterbirds were published by
Salvin (1861, 1864, 1865), Oberholser (1918), Dickey (1929), Deignan (1933), Wetmore (1941, 1945),
Conover (1945), Saunders (1950), Tashian, (1953), Smithe & Paynter (1963), Coues (1964), Weller
(1964), Smithe (1966), Dickerman (1968, 1972, 1973, 1977), Biderman & Dickerman (1978), Jehl
(1979), Zedekar et al. (1980), Wendelken & Martin (1986, 1989), Myers et al. (1990), Beavers et al.
(1991), Beavers (1992), Howell & Webb (1992), Weber & Bucklin (1995), Palacios & Mellink (1996),
Baker et al. (1999), Pérez & Castillo (2000), Eisermann (2003a), Komar (2003), Eisermann &
Avendaño (2004), Herrera (2005), and Herrera & Ibarra (2005). Recent distributional data are
published in quarterly reports on bird records in Central America compiled by Jones (since 2000).
Rapid assessments with information about waterbirds were carried out in the Punta de
Manabique Wildlife Refuge (CECON-CDC 1992, Pérez 1999), in the Laguna del Tigre National Park
(Pérez & Castillo 2000), and Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge (Arrivillaga et al. 1992, Dowell et al.
1994, Holtropp 1995). University studies ("licenciatura" thesis research, university practice) including
waterbirds were carried out at lake Atitlán (Cazali 1984), Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge (Cardona
1994), Manchón-Guamuchal (Sigüenza 1995), Laguna del Tigre National Park (Baumgarten 1998,
Ordoñez 1998, Castillo 1999), Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge (Tenez 2001), Laguna Lachuá
National Park (Avendaño 1999, 2001) and Lake Amatitlán (Chávez 1997, 2001). More detailed studies
were carried out in the Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge (Seglund & Conner 1997), in the Punta de
Manabique Wildlife Refuge (Eisermann 2001a, 2003a), and on Lake Güija (Herrera & Ibarra 2005).
Continued monitoring efforts have been made in the Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge (Valle 2002,
Pérez et al. 2003, García 2004, García de la Vega 2005). Dix & Fernández (2001) published an
inventory of 191 Guatemalan wetlands with scarce information on the biological diversity of each site.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Methodology
Definition of terms: This report treats as waterbirds all species of the following bird families with
species distributed in the Neotropics: Spheniscidae, Gaviidae, Podicipedidae, Diomedeidae,
Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Pelecanoididae, Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Sulidae,
Phalacrocoracidae, Anhingidae, Fregatidae, Ardeidae, Chionididae, Threskiornithidae,
Phoenicopteridae, Anhimidae, Anatidae, Gruidae, Aramidae, Rallidae, Heliornithidae, Eurypygidae,
Jacanidae, Rostratulidae, Haematopodidae, Recurvirostridae, Burhinidae, Charadriidae,
Scolopacidae, Thinocoridae, Ciconiidae, Laridae, Rhynchopidae, and Alcidae.
The term "wetland" is used for all kinds of waterbird habitats: off-shore, beaches, estuaries and
river mouths, salt and fresh water marshes, swamp forests, mangroves, lakes, and rivers.
Sources of information: I reviewed relevant literature including gray literature, recently compiled in a
bibliographic list by Eisermann & Avendaño (2006). Unwritten information was gathered during two
workshops with relevant institutions. One workshop was held on 7 September 2005 in Flores, Petén,
with institutions active in northern Guatemala (Petén) and a second workshop was held on 12
September 2005 in Guatemala City with institutions active in southern Guatemala. See section "13.
References/experts consulted" for the names of participating institutions and personnel.
Spatial analysis are based on GIS layers which have been prepared with Landsat satellite
images and topographic maps 1:250,000 (MAGA 2002).
For some of the key sites a satellite image (Landsat SWIR bands, provided online by NASA at
https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid) is presented, which illustrates the distributions of forest and water
bodies. Images are from the year 2000.
Distribution: A division of geographical units is used for the description of species distribution (Fig.
1): Atlantic Slope and Pacific Slope (<900 masl), Highlands (>900 masl), Atlantic Coast and Pacific
Coast (coastal waters, beaches, estuaries and mangrove).
Population estimates and status: No population census
data were available for Guatemalan wetlands. Data on
relative abundance were available for some sites. From
these I estimated population sizes for the sites. For the
whole area of suitable habitat (derived from MAGA 2002), I
applied the mean population size per km
2
of wetland from
sites with relative abundance data. The median was taken
of a range of values of abundance from expert opinions for
further estimates. Similar to classes applied by Delany &
Scott (2002) for the size of world populations, I present
estimates for the populations in Guatemala as best-guess
information in the following classes: A <50 individuals; B
51-250; C 251-1,000; D 1,001-10,000; E 10,000-50,000; F
>50,000. The estimated percentage of the total population
of the subspecies or regional population was calculated
based on the most recent numbers given by Delany & Scott (2002). I assume that all individuals of
populations entirely breeding in North America and entirely wintering in South America, pass through
Guatemala. The percentage of the regional population is therfore marked with "100%".
In-country population trends are based on expert opinions collected during workshops,
however no long-term monitoring data were available. I used categories proposed by Delany & Scott
(2002): Stable, Decreasing, Increasing, Fluctuating, Extinct, and I added Data Deficient as an
additional category.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Identification of important sites and species of special concern: I define an important site as a
land unit which can be managed for conservation (usually a protected area, a part of a river, a lake or
small scale watershed, or other naturally defined wetland) with relatively high species richness and/or
high abundances, or with records of species of special concern. Species of special concern are
globally threatened species (BirdLife International 2004), species listed in Parker et al. (1996) with
conservation priority in the Neotropics, species with populations at risk or at potential risk in North and
Central America (Kushlan et al. 2002), or species listed as threatened in Guatemala (Eisermann &
Avendaño 2006).
Species nomenclature follows AOU (1998) and supplements; names of species treated in this report
are influenced by Banks et al. (2000, 2002). Common local names are given for some regions of
Guatemala. Local Spanish names were provided by Eisermann (2001a) for the Punta de Manabique
Wildlife Refuge, Izabal, and for Petén, names were compiled during the workshop. Names in the
Q'eqchi' language for some species or groups of species were provided by the bird census takers
from the community Rocjá Pomtilá, Cobán, Alta Verapaz (PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring
Program, Eisermann 2003b). However, the account of local names remains incomplete, considering
that 24 languages are spoken in Guatemala (Secaira 2000).
Results
Species occurring within the country
In Guatemala 149 waterbird species of 24 families (Fig. 2) have been reliably reported (Appendix I,
see Appendix II for common names), 29 species of them with hypothetical records lacking a
documentation by specimen or photograph (Eisermann & Avendaño 2006). Table 1 summarizes
status of residency of waterbird species, see Appendix I for the category of each species. An
additional 19 species may occur in Guatemala; they have been recorded near Guatemala in
neighbouring countries (Appendix III).
Of the 149 species of waterbirds, most species occur in Guatemala exclusively as visitors (Fig.
2). Reproduction is documented for 32 species, an additional 9 species are assumed to nest in
Guatemala, 103 species are considered non-reproductive in Guatemala, and the status of five species
is uncertain.
Table 1. Status of waterbirds reported in Guatemala.
Number of
documented
species*
Number of
species with
hypothetical
record
Total number
of species
Reproductive residents, without migratory populations 14 (1) 0 14 (1)
Reproductive residents, in part migratory 18 0 18
Residents assumed to be reproductive 9 (1) 0 9 (1)
Subtotal reproductive species 41 (2) 0 41 (2)
Non-reproductive visitor 51 8 59
Transient 10 3 13
Migratory vagrant 15 (1) 16 31 (1)
Subtotal non-reproductive species 76 (1) 27 103 (1)
Status uncertain 3 2 5
Total 120 (3) 29 149 (3)
* The number of species includes the number of extinct or extirpated species, indicated in parentheses.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Fig. 2. Number of species of each family of waterbirds recorded in Guatemala. The number in parentheses indicates the
number of species recorded. Non-reproductive visitors include vagrants and transients.
One species, the Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas), was restricted to the Atitlán Lake and is now
considered extinct (Wege & Long 1995, O’Donnel & Fjeldså 1997, Hilton-Taylor 2000, BirdLife
International 2004). There exist apparently no recent record of Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis)
(Howell & Webb 1995), and the Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) was recorded reliably only once
in Guatemala (Salvin 1861). Both species are considered locally extirpated (Eisermann & Avendaño
2006).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
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Distribution and habitat needs information
Guatemala covers an area of ~108,900 km
2
, with ~250 km Pacific coast line and ~150 km Atlantic
coast line. All types of wetlands (without coastal waters) cover a total of 9,043 km
2
, which is 8.3% of
Guatemala (Fig. 3). Of this total wetland area, the interior water bodies including major rivers cover
~2,779 km
2
, equaling ~2.5% of the country. Forested wetlands including mangroves and other
wetlands cover ~6,264 km2, equaling ~5.8% of the country. Guatemala has no oceanic islands, which
are important nesting sites for seabirds in other Central American countries (e.g. Angehr 2003).
Guatemala's region with the highest species richness in waterbirds is the Pacific Coast, where
123 species have been recorded, followed by the Pacific Slope (102 species), the Atlantic Coast (88
species), the Atlantic Slope (87 species), and the Highlands with 47 species (Appendix I). Of the 149
species, 38 are restricted to the Pacific Slope and Coast, but only 9 species are restricted to the
Atlantic Slope and Coast.
A total of 33 species are
restricted to one of the five
regions (Appendix I). Nineteen
species occur exclusively on
the Pacific Coast: Parkinson’s
Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni),
Pink-footed Shearwater
(Puffinus creatopus), Wedge-
tailed Shearwater (Puffinus
pacificus), Sooty Shearwater
(Puffinus griseus), Christmas
Shearwater (Puffinus
nativitatis), Audubon’s
Shearwater (Puffinus
lherminieri), Wilson’s Storm-
Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus),
Leach’s Storm-Petrel
(Oceanodroma leucorhoa),
Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel
(Oceanodroma tethys), Black
Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma
melania), Least Storm-Petrel
(Oceanodroma microsoma),
Red-billed Tropicbird
(Phaethon aethereus), Nazca
Booby (Sula granti), South
Polar Skua (Stercorarius
maccormicki), Long-tailed
Jaeger (Stercorarius
longicaudus), Heermann’s Gull (Larus heermanni), Sabine’s Gull (Xema sabini), Elegant Tern (Sterna
elegans), and Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). Four species occur exclusively on the Atlantic Coast:
White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus), Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus),
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), and Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethetus); two exclusively on the Atlantic
Slope: Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus) and Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias); one on the Pacific slope
(Mallard Anas platyrhynchos), and seven species have been recorded exclusively in the Highlands:
Canvasback (Aythya valisineria), Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola),
Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), the extinct Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas), the extirpated
Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis), and Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis). Distribution maps of

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
9
some species which are not widespread in Guatemala are shown in Fig. 4 (for species not shown
consult distribution maps in Howell & Webb 1995), and the Guatemalan regions were each species
have been recorded are listed in Appendix 1.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
10
Population estimates, percent of global population, and in-country trends (status)
The estimation is based on relative abundance data from four sites on the Atlantic slope, four sites on
the Pacific slope, and two sites in the Highlands (Table 2). Details for the derivation of population
estimates are given in Appendix V. The following species are breeding in North America and wintering
in South America (Howell & Webb 1995); I assume that all individuals pass through Guatemala:
American Golden-Plover (Pluvialis dominica), Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), Hudsonian
Godwit (Limosa haemastica), Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis), and Franklin's Gull
(Larus pipixcan). With exception of Franklin's Gull, there are only few records of all of these species in
Guatemala. Migration happens probably mainly at night, as a report of 30 hunted Upland Sandpipers
in one night in a village in Huehuetanago suggests (Baepler 1962). The overall waterbird population in
Guatemala is estimated to be ~1.8 million individuals.
Noteworthy is the population estimate of 1960 individuals of the Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
(Tigrisoma mexicanum), which represents almost 20% of the estimated world population (Delany &
Scott 2002, Kushlan et al. 2002). Eleven more species are supposed to have >1% of the regional
population in Guatemala: Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor), Blue-winged Teal (Anas
discors), Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus), American White Pelican (Pelecanus
erythrorhynchos), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Jabiru (Jabiru
mycteria), Wood Storck (Mycteria americana), American Coot (Fulica americana), Collared Plover
(Charadrius collaris), Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius). However, all estimates are preliminary
due to the lack of useful field data. None of the key sites in Guatemala supports 1% of the regional
population.
Table 2. Wetland sites with relative abundance data as base for national population estimates.
Region Site Source
Pacific slope Manchón-Guamuchal Sigüenza (1995); R. Sigüenza, pers. comm.
Sipacate-Naranjo pers. comm. by: R. Sigüenza and F. Valenzuela
Monterrico-Hawaii pers. obs.; C. Avendaño, pers. comm.
Lake Güija Herrera & Ibarra (2005)
Highlands Lake Atitlán pers. obs.
Lake Amatitlán Chávez (2001)
Atlantic slope Punta de Manabique Eisermann (2001a)
Yaxhá Seavy et al. (1995), pers. obs.
Laguna del Tigre National Park Castillo (2001); pers. comm. by R. Balas McNab, J. M.
Castillo Rivera, E. González Ordoñez, T. Dubon Ortiz, G.
Gámez Díaz, V. E. Cuoj.
Bocas del Polochic Seglund & Conner (1997), pers. obs.
For 56 of the 149 waterbird species in Guatemala, data were deficient and I was unable to estimate
the population. National population estimates, percentage of global populations, and overall in-country
trend are listed in Appendix I. For the lack of data trends could be estimated for only 31 species. I
assume a population decrease for all species which prefer wooded wetlands due to habitat alteration
(Fig. 22), like Boat-billed (Cochlearius cochlearius) or Agami Heron (Agamia agami).
Species of Special Concern
A total of 54 species of special concern have been identified (Table 3). Four species are included in
the Red List of globally threatened bird species (BirdLife International 2004, IUCN
http://www.redlist.org), nine species have been evaluated with medium to urgent conservation priority
in the Neotropics (Parker et al. 1996), and 19 species have been evaluated at risk or potential risk in
North and Central America (Kushlan et al. 2002). In the official national Red List (CONAP 2001) many
waterbird families were ignored, but 37 species have been evaluated as threatened or data deficient
on a national scale by Eisermann & Avendaño (2006).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
11
Globally threatened species: Three of the waterbird species recorded in Guatemala are listed in the
Red List of globally threatened species (BirdLife International 2004). Eskimo Curlew (Numenius
borealis) is listed as Critically Endangered, in Guatemala it has been recorded reliably only once
(Salvin 1861). Vulnerable are Parkinson's Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni) and Pink-footed Shearwater
(Puffinus creatopus). Seabirds have been identified as the least investigated group of birds in
Guatemala (Eisermann & Avendaño 2006). P. parkinsoni breeds on two islands in New Zealand.
During migration to the Pacific waters off Mesoamerica and South America the species is threatened
by fisheries (BirdLife International 2004). P. creatopus breeds exclusively on islands off Chile (Collar
et al. 1992). The species has been reported entangled in fishing gear (BirdLife International 2004).
Abundances and the impact of fisheries on both species in Guatemala is unknown. Regular
monitoring of populations off Central America should be undertaken, including quantifying the impact
of fisheries.
Locations and descriptions of key sites used by aquatic species
A total of 17 important waterbird sites were identified in Guatemala (Fig. 5, Table 4), based on
publications, gray literature, and expert opinions. These include 13 wetlands within protected areas
(including all Guatemalan Ramsar sites) and four wetlands which are not declared as protected areas.
The regional distribution is as follows: four of the key sites are located on the Pacific Coast, one on the
Pacific Slope, two on the Atlantic Coast, eight on the Atlantic Slope and two in the Highlands (Fig. 5).
Based on present knowledge, the sites on the Pacific coast (Manchón-Guamuchal, Sipacate-Naranjo,
Monterrico-Hawaii, and El Paraíso-La Barrona) and Lake Güija support the highest abundances of
waterbirds in Guatemala, especially migratory populations. Sites on the Atlantic coast and slope are
important for their high species richness of waterbirds and for supporting species of special concern.
An account follows of all key sites including information on location, size, habitats,
conservation status, importance, threats, recommendations for conservation improvements, and
involved institutions. Information on the size of protected areas is based on CONAP (2005). See
section "Organizations relevant to waterbird and/or wetland conservation" for full names of
abbreviations of institutions.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
12
Table 3. Waterbird species of special concern on global, regional, and national scale in Guatemala.
Species Common name World
(Birdlife
International
2004 and
IUCN)
1
Neotropics
(Parker et
al. 1996)
2
North and
Central
America
(Kushlan et al.
2002)
3
Guatemala
(Eisermann &
Avendaño 2006)
4
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck - - - VU A3c,d / -
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck - - - DD / -
Cairina moschata
Muscovy Duck - - - VU A3c,d / -
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck - - - CR D / -
Oxyura jamaicensis
Ruddy Duck - - - CR D / -
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe - - - VU B2a,b(iii) / -
Podilymbus gigas
Atitlan Grebe EX 1 - EX / -
Podiceps nigricollis
Eared Grebe - - 4 -
Procellaria parkinsoni
Parkinson’s Petrel VU D2 - - - / DD
Puffinus creatopus
Pink-footed Shearwater VU D2 - - - / DD
Puffinus nativitatis
Christmas Shearwater - - 4 -
Puffinus ilherminieri
Audubon's Shearwater - - 4 -
Oceanodroma tethys
Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel - 3 - -
Sula sula
Red-footed Booby - - 4 -
Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Pelican - - - VU B2a,c(iii) / -
Botaurus pinnatus
Pinnated Bittern - - - VU B2a,b(iii) D1 / -
Botaurus lentiginosus
American Bittern - 3 - -
Ixobrychus exilis
Least Bittern - - - VU B2a(iii) / -
Tigrisoma mexicanum
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron - - - VU A3c / -
Ardea alba
Great Egret - - - VU A3c / -
Egretta thula
Snowy Egret - - - VU A3c / -
Egretta caerulea
Little Blue Heron - - 4 -
Egretta tricolor
Tricolored Heron - - - VU A3c / -
Egretta rufescens
Reddish Egret - 3 - -
Butorides virescens
Green Heron - - - VU A3c / -
Agamia agami
Agami Heron - - - EN D / -
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night-Heron - - - VU A3c / -
Nyctanassa violacea
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron - - - VU A3c / -
Cochlearius cochlearius
Boat-billed Heron - - - VU A3c / -
Platalea ajaja
Roseate Spoonbill - - 5 -
Jabiru mycteria
Jabiru - - - CR D / -
Mycteria americana
Wood Stork - - - VU A3c / -
Laterallus exilis
Gray-breasted Crake - - - VU D1,2 / -
Laterallus jamaicensis
Black Rail - 2 - RE / -
Rallus limicola
Virginia Rail - 3 - DD / -
Aramides axillaris
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail - - - EN B2a,b(iii) / -
Amaurolimnas concolor
Uniform Crake - - - EN D / -
Porzana flaviventer
Yellow-breasted Crake - - - VU Ba,b(iii) / -
Pardirallus maculatus
Spotted Rail - - - CR D / -
Heliornis fulica
Sungrebe - - - VU A3c / -
Eurypyga helias
Sunbittern - - - CR B2a,b(iii) / -
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin - - - VU A3c / -
Burhinus bistriatus
Double-striped Thick-knee - - - VU D1 / -
Charadrius collaris
Collared Plover - - - VU D1 / -
Himantopus mexicanus
Black-necked Stilt - - - VU D1 / -
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Willet - 3 - -
Numenius borealis
Eskimo Curlew CR D - - - / RE
Larus heermanni
Heermann's Gull - - 5 -
Xema sabini
Sabine's Gull - - 4 -
Sterna elegans
Elegant Tern - - 4 -
Sterna dougallii
Roseate Tern - - 5 -
Sterna hirundo
Common Tern - - 4 -
Sterna antillarum
Least Tern - 3 - -
Chlidonias niger
Black Tern - 3 - -
1
Evaluated by Birdlife International (2004) and IUCN (http://www.redlist.org) with IUCN categories (IUCN 2001, 2003): EX-
Extinct; CR-Critically Endangered; VU-Vulnerable. Lower categories are not listed here.
2
Conservation priorities according to Parker et al. (1996): 1-Urgent; 2-High; 3-Medium (lower categories not listed here).
3
Threat to breeding and/or visiting populations (Kushlan et al. 2002): 4-potential risk; 5-risk (lower categories not listed here).
4
IUCN categories (IUCN 2001, 2003) applied on national scale. Reproducing populations are indicated first, and after the
slash follows the status of visiting non-reproductive populations. EX-Extinct, RE-Regionally Extinct, CR-Critically
Endangered, EN-Endangered, VU-Vulnerable, DD-Data Deficient. Lower categories are not listed here.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
13
Table 4. Key sites for waterbirds in Guatemala*.
Site Reserve category UTM coordinates
Manchón-Guamuchal Private Protected Area (patially) Zone 15, 599800 / 1597000
Sipacate-Naranjo National Park Zone 15, 711000 / 1541000
Monterrico-Hawaii Area of Multiple Use Zone 15, 777000 / 1537000
El Paraíso-La Barrona not declared Zone 15, 803000 / 1525000
Lake Güija not declared Zone 16, 224000 / 1579000
Lake Amatitlán not declared Zone 15, 762000 / 1600000
Lake Atitlán Area of Multiple Use Zone 15, 693000 / 1626000
Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge Zone 16, 344000 / 1752000
Río Dulce / Chocón-Machacas / Río Sarstún National Park / Biotope / Area of Multiple Use Zone 16, 301000 / 1744000
Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge Zone 16, 242000 / 1709000
Laguna Lachuá / Río Ik'bolay National Park (partially) Zone 15, 755000 / 1752000
Petexbatún Wildlife Refuge Zone 15, 799000 / 1820000
El Pucté Wildlife Refuge Zone 15, 780000 / 1838000
Lake Petén Itzá not declared Zone 16, 200000 / 1881000
Yaxhá-Nukum-Naranjo National Park Zone 16, 245000 / 1888000
Mirador-Río Azul National Park Zone 16, 250000 / 1960000
Laguna del Tigre National Park / Biotope Zone 15, 750000 / 1940000
*Sites are listed in geographic order from south to north.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
14
Manchón-Guamuchal
• Location: departments Retalhuleu and San Marcos, UTM Zone 15 599800/1597000.
• Size: ~14,900 ha, the Private Protected Area "La Chorrera-Manchón-Guamuchal" covers 1,243 ha
of it (CONAP 2005).
• Habitats: mangrove, reed swamp, beach.
• Conservation status: Private Protected Area; Ramsar site (designated 1995).
• Importance: The site supports large breeding colonies of several heron species (R. Sigüenza) and
large numbers (possibly thousands) of wintering and staging populations of migratory species. No
detailed abundance data are available. At least 23 species of special concern have been recorded
(Appendix IV).
• Threats: Estimated waterbird habitat is ~14,900 ha, most of it designated as Ramsar site (López et
al. 1993; Fig. 6), but 92% of the Ramsar site is unprotected. The area lacks management due to
scarce interaction with private landowners. Hunting seems to be intensive; massive kills of White
Ibis (Eudocimus albus) have been observed (R. Sigüenza, pers. comm.). Sport hunters enter the
area. Deforestation of mangrove and water pollution by agrochemicals were reported by López et
al. (1993) and Schaeffer Novelli (2003). There is insufficient surveillance in the area.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Promote communication with all landowners
within the Ramsar site and apply a management plan for the Ramsar site.
• Involved Institutions: INAB, CONAP, OCRET.
Fig. 6. Area of Manchón-Guamuchal; approximate border of Ramsar site is marked by the yellow line, the approximate
border of the Private Reserve is marked by the red line. The dark green area along the coast line is mangrove, which is
bordered by reed swamps and agricultural land (light green areas, areas with shades of magenta, lavender and pink).
Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
15
Sipacate-Naranjo
• Location: department Escuintla, UTM Zone 15 711000 / 1541000.
• Size: ~3,300 ha, the National Park covers 2,000 ha of it.
• Habitats: mangrove, reed swamp, beach.
• Conservation status: National Park.
• Importance: Large nesting colony of herons (apparently Ardea alba, according to description by F.
Valenzuela). At least 13 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Estimated waterbird habitat is ~3,300 ha, therefore ~1,300 ha are unprotected (Fig. 7).
Massive harvest of heron chicks in the nesting colonies; the meat is sold at markets in Guatemala
City (R. Sigüenza, pers. comm.). Sewage from the sugar industry is causing yearly dying of fish
between May and November (F. Valenzuela, pers. comm.). The area is used by sport hunters and
there is insufficient institutional control. Mangrove is deforested by local people.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: The first management master plan has been
elaborated for the period 2002-2006 (CONAP 2002). To prevent harvest on nesting sites,
surveillance needs to be improved, which requires additional personnel.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, OCRET.
Fig. 7. Area of Sipacate-Naranjo; approximate border of the National Park is marked by the yellow line. The dark green area
along the coast line is mangrove, which is bordered by agricultural land (light green areas, areas with shades of magenta,
lavender and pink). Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
16
Monterrico - Hawaii
• Location: department Santa Rosa, UTM Zone 15 777000 / 1537000
• Size: Monterrico 2,800 ha; Hawaii 3,657 ha (ARCAS 2004)
• Habitats: reed swamp, mangrove, beach.
• Conservation status: Monterrico is an Area of Multiple Use, Hawaii is an proposed Area of Multiple
Use (Fig. 8). The largest lagoons north of Monterrico have not been included in the protected area.
• Importance: Monterrico-Hawaii is the second-largest mangrove area in Guatemala, after
Manchón-Guamuchal. A high abundance of wintering waterbirds has been found, especially in
shallow lagoons within reed swamp: 500 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos (Eisermann in Jones 2005b),
>1,000 Ardea alba, >200 Egretta thula, >100 Butorides virescens, >50 Mycteria americana, >300
Anas discors (pers. obs.). At least 21 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix
IV).
• Threats: Subsistence fisheries and shrimp larva harvest (Sigüenza de Micheo & Ruiz Ordoñez
2000), burning reed for the harvest of a snail, mangrove deforestation as fuel for salt production
and firewood.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: A declaration as Ramsar site might be
considered. Monterrico and neighbouring beaches are popular national and international tourist
destinations. Approximately 9,000 people live within the protected areas of Monterrico-Hawaii
(Sigüenza de Micheo & Ruiz Ordoñez 2000, ARCAS 2004), further development of tourism
services may provide more people with alternative income.
• Involved Institutions: CECON (administration in Monterrico), ARCAS (administration in Hawaii),
OCRET.
Fig. 8. Satellite image with the approximated limits (yellow frames) of the Area of Multiple Use Monterrico and the proposed
Area of Multiple Use Hawaii. Dark green areas within the reserves are mangroves. Landsat image provided by NASA
(https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
17
El Paraíso - La Barrona
• Location: department Jutiapa, UTM Zone 15 803000 / 1525000.
• Size: ~2,700 ha.
• Habitats: mangrove, beach.
• Conservation status: The area has been proposed as protected area and also as Ramsar site (F.
Castro, pers. comm.).
• Importance: Congregations of waterbirds have been observed (R. Sigüenza, pers. comm.) but no
data or report is available. I assume similarities of the bird community with Monterrico- Hawaii due
to the proximity and similar habitat.
• Threats: Deforestation of mangrove for firewood. American White Pelicans (Pelecanus
erythrorhynchos) are killed on shrimp farms (R. Sigüenza, pers. comm.)
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Apply a management plan.
• Involved Institutions: OCRET, CONAP, INAB.
Fig. 9. Satellite image of the area El Paraíso-La Barrona. Dark green areas within the reserves are mangroves. Landsat
image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
18
Lake Güija
• Location: department Jutiapa, UTM Zone 16 224000 / 1579000, and Santa Ana, El Salvador.
• Size: 4,200 ha, of which 1,010 ha are on Guatemalan territory.
• Habitats: Lake, reeds.
• Conservation status: The area has been proposed as protected area and also as Ramsar site
(MARN 2001, F. Castro, pers. comm.).
• Importance: Wintering site for several thousands of Nearctic-Neotropical migratory waterbirds
(Herrera & Ibarra 2005, Herrera, pers. comm.), e.g. 11,150 Fulica americana; 10,000 Anas
discors; 5,100 Dendrocygna bicolor; 3,500 Aythya affinis; 2,000 Dendrocygna autumnalis; 1,200
Anas clypeata; 630 Sterna caspia; and 300 Mycteria americana. At least 19 species of special
concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Eutrophycation by surrounding agricultural activities and settlements. Fisheries seem to
be intensive (MARN 2001), but I am unable to assess the impact on waterbird populations due to
a lack of data.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Apply a management plan.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, A3K.
Fig. 10. Satellite image of the area of Lake Güija. The yellow line marks the border between Guatemala and El Salvador.
Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
19
Lake Amatitlán
• Location: department Guatemala, UTM Zone 15 762000 / 1600000.
• Size: 1,520 ha.
• Habitat: Lake.
• Conservation status: not declared as protected area.
• Importance: Wintering and stopover site for Nearctic-Neotropical migratory waterbirds: 100 Anas
acuta, 40 Anas discors, 20 Anas clypeata, 20 Aythya affinis, 1,500 Fulica americana (Chávez
2001). At least 10 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: A dense human population and industrial and domestic sewage input from Guatemala
City (via Villalobos River) causes water pollution and lake degradation by major sedimentation
(Fig. 11). The watershed of Lake Amatitlán has been identified as the most polluted Guatemalan
region (AMSA 1998, CEPAL 2002). High degree of deforestation around the lake. Eutrophycation
causes expansion of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: A governmental project including a waste water
purification plant is on the way. According to Martínez (2005) the first plant is working since 2005.
Water quality should be continously monitored.
• Involved Institutions: FUNDALAGO, Comité del Lago de Amatitlán, AMSA.
Fig. 11. This satellite image shows the status of deforestation and settlements around the lake Amatitlán, and the
approximate limit of the former shoreline ~20,000 years ago (yellow line; according to Castañeda Salguero 1995). Urban
areas appear in shades of magenta, lavender and pink. Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
20
Lake Atitlán
• Location: department Sololá, UTM Zone 15 693000 / 1626000
• Size: 12,700 ha
• Habitat: Lake.
• Conservation status: Area of Multiple Use
• Importance: Former site of the endemic Atitlan Grebe (Podilymbus gigas), which is considered
extinct (BirdLife International 2004). Presumed nesting site of Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis).
Wintering and stopover site for water fowl. At least 5 species of special concern have been
recorded recently (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Loss of reed habitat along the shore due to a continuously dropping water level has been
observed since a major earthquake in 1976 and has been evaluated as one of the reasons for the
extinction of the Atitlan Grebe (Hunter 1988, LaBastille 1992). Introduction of exotic fish species,
mainly Micropterus salmoides, caused reduction of food resources for waterbirds (LaBastille 1974,
1984). Eutrophycation through input of sewage from communities along the shore has increased
in the last decades (Castellanos et al. 2002, Dix et al. 2003). Reed (Typha domingensisi, Scirpus
californicus) is overharvested for handicrafts, which reduces nesting sites.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: The installation of sewage treatment in all
communities and enterprises (mainly hotels) around the lake should be fulfilled in the short term.
Harvest of reed should be managed, during breeding season it should be avoided.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, TNC, AMSCLAE, Asociación Patronato Vivamos Mejor.
Fig. 12. Satellite image of Lake Aitlán. Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
21
Punta de Manabique
• Location: department Izabal, UTM Zone 16 344000 / 1752000.
• Size: 66,900 ha terrestrial; 66,000 ha coastal waters (Fig. 14).
• Habitats: Swamp forest, mangrove, salt marshes, beach, coastal waters.
• Conservation status: Wildlife Refuge; Ramsar site (designated 2000).
• Importance: High species richness of waterbirds, although no species has been found in high
abundances; 25 species of shorebirds; nesting colony of 40 pairs of Ardea alba; 29 species of
special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Habitat alteration (deforestation for cattle farming) mainly in the southern part of the
reserve (Fig. 13; Sigüenza 1999) cause an increase of water pollution with agrochemicals. The
Motagua river, crossing Guatemala from the western highlands to the Gulf of Honduras, has
impact over coastal waters with a high load of industrial sewage and agrochemicals. Occasional
dying of fish has been observed on the lower Motagua river (Grupo Seguridad y Justicia 2003).
Unsustainable subsistence fishery methods cause reduction of food resources: anchovies
(Anchoa sp.) are harvested along the coast with small-mesh nets, and mouths of estuaries and
rivers are crossed with nets in order to harvest fish populations moving between the sea and the
inland water bodies. Institutional control in the area is weakened by lawlessness (Eisermann
2003c,d; CALAS 2005a).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Surveillance in the areas needs to be reinforced
to prevent overharvest of natural resources, coupled with the development of alternative income.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, FUNDARY.
Fig. 13. Satellite image of the Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge. Brightest shades of green in the southern part of the
reserve (limited by yellow line) are deforestated areas. Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
22
Río Dulce / Chocón Machacas / Río Sarstún
• Location: department Izabal, UTM Zone 16, 301000 / 1744000 (Fig. 14)
• Size: total 54,457 ha (Río Dulce 13,000 ha; Chocón-Machacas 6,265 ha; Río Sarstún 35,202 ha).
• Habitats: river, lake, mangrove (Yañez-Arancibia et al. 1994).
• Conservation Status: Río Dulce (National Park); Chocón Machacas (Biotope); Río Sarstún (Area
of Multiple Use).
• Importance: In the area 16 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Deforestation for agriculture (cattle farming) causes habitat loss and water pollution.
Several settlements are located within the area, the use of natural resources is unsustainable. The
Biotope Chocón-Machacas has been evaluated as critically threatened (ParksWatch 2003a).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Surveillance should be reinforced and
management plans applied.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, FUNDAECO, CECON.
Fig. 14. Location of important sites for waterbirds on the Atlantic coast (from GIS data by MAGA 2002.)

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
23
Bocas del Polochic
• Location: department Izabal, UTM Zone 16, 242000 / 1709000 (Fig. 14).
• Size: 20,760 ha.
• Habitats: freshwater swamp (wooded and reed), river.
• Conservation status: Wildlife Refuge; Ramsar site (designated 1996).
• Importance: High species richness, 20 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix
IV).
• Threats: The reserve is surrounded by private farm land (rice and cattle farming). Pollution with
agrochemical is presumed. Fish is overharvested by local people, causing reduction of food
resources. Nickel mining north of the reserve is proposed and may in future cause pollution with
heavy metals. Sport hunting has been observed (G. Martínez, pers. comm.), but not quantified.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Monitoring of heavy metal pollution should be
installed. Reinforcement of surveillance of use of natural resources.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, FDN, AMAZURLY.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
24
Laguna Lachuá and Floodplain of the Ik'bolay river
• Location: department Alta Verapaz, UTM Zone 15, 755000 / 1752000.
• Size: ~19,550 ha.
• Habitats: Lake, wooded rivers, yearly flooded woodlands.
• Conservation status: National Park (partially), see Fig. 15.
• Importance: High species richness, 13 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix
IV).
• Threats: Local people around the National Park live mainly from growing corn for subsistence and
cardamom as cash crops. Large farms for cattle ranching have been founded in the last years
which cause considerable landscape pauperization, which is a major threat especially for the
floodplain, which is unprotected.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Extend the technical assistance to develop
alternative crops like cacao and vanilla with the local population.
• Involved Institutions: INAB, IUCN, Sank', PROEVAL RAXMU, USAC.
Fig. 15. Satellite image with the approximated limits of the Laguna Lachuá National park (red frame) and the floodplain of the
Ik'bolay river (yellow frame). Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
25
Petexbatún
• Location: department Petén, UTM Zone 15, 799000 / 1820000.
• Size: 4,044 ha.
• Habitats: Lake.
• Conservation status: Wildlife Refuge.
• Importance: Few data available, but eight species of special concern have been recorded
(Appendix IV).
• Threats: The southern Petén lacks management and surveillance in the protected areas.
Surrounding areas are intensively used for agriculture (Fig. 16). Control over fishing activity is poor
(G. Ortíz, pers. comm.).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Apply management plans and reinforce
surveillance.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP.
Fig. 16. Satellite image with the approximated limits of the Petexbatún Wildlife Refuge (red frame). Landsat image provided
by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
26
El Pucté
• Location: department Petén, UTM Zone 15, 780000 / 1838000.
• Size: 16,695 ha.
• Habitats: Rivers, swamp forest.
• Conservation status: Wildlife Refuge.
• Importance: At least 10 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: The southern Petén lacks management and surveillance in the protected areas. The area
is threatened by an advancing agricultural border (Fig. 17). Control over fishing activity is poor (G.
Ortíz, pers. comm.).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Apply management plans and reinforce
surveillance.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP.
Fig. 17. Satellite image with the approximated limits of the Pucté Wildlife Refuge (red frame). Note the intensive agricultural
land use north of the reserve (shades of magenta, lavender and pink). Landsat image provided by NASA
(https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
27
Lake Petén Itzá
• Location: department Petén, UTM Zone 16, 200000 / 1881000.
• Size: 10,490 ha.
• Habitat: Lake.
• Conservation status: not declared as protected area. The northern shoreline is part of the Buffer
Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, at the north-eastern shore the Biotopo Cerro Cahui is
located adjacent to the lake.
• Importance: At least 10 species of special concern have been recorded recently (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Pollution by domestic sewage from communities around the lake.
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Installation of sewage treatment plants in all
communities.
• Involved Institutions: AMPI, Municipalities, CECON, CONAP.
Fig. 18. Satellite image of Lake Petén Itzá. Note intensive agricultural land use around the lake (shades of magenta, lavender
and pink). Landsat image provided by NASA (https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
28
Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo
• Location: department Petén, UTM Zone 16, 245000 / 1888000.
• Size: 37,160 ha.
• Habitats: Lake, swamp forest.
• Conservation status: National Park and Ramsar site (designated 2006), part of the Maya
Biosphere Reserve (Fig. 19, 20); part of Yaxhá is a private protected area, where a biological
station is under construction.
• Importance: At least 14 species of special concern have been recorded recently (Appendix IV).
Nesting of Himantopus mexicanus has been observed on lake Yaxhá (J. Madrid, pers. comm.)
and in May 2004 an adult and an immature Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) were observed (Photo 15 in
Appendix VI).
• Threats: The agricultural border is advancing (Fig. 22), human-caused forest fires are a major
threat in the whole Maya Biosphere Reserve (ParksWatch 2002a).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Urgent need of more personnel for surveillance
in the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, IDAEH.
Fig. 19. Satellite image with the approximated limits of the Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park (red frame). Intensive
agricultural landuse is indicated by shades of magenta, lavender and pink. Landsat image provided by NASA
(https://zulu.ssc.nasa.gov/mrsid).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
29
Mirador-Río Azul
• Location: department Petén, UTM Zone 16, 250000 / 1960000 (Fig. 20).
• Size: 116,991ha.
• Habitats: Swamp forest and freshwater marshes, rivers.
• Conservation status: National Park, part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve.
• Importance: Extensive swamps within the largest continuous tropical forest in Central America. At
least 12 species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV).
• Threats: Habitat alteration is an issue in the whole Maya Biosphere Reserve. Although the
Mirador-Río Azul National Park belongs currently to the most pristine areas, near future threats
may be caused by proposed road constructions between Petén and México and the development
of tourism infrastructure in these areas (ParksWatch 2002b).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: Monitoring impact of human activities on
waterbird populations.
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, IDAEH, WCS.
Fig. 20. Maya Biosphere Reserve.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
30
Laguna del Tigre
• Location: department Petén, UTM Zone 15, 750000 / 1940000.
• Size: 335,080 ha.
• Habitats: Rivers, lagoons, freshwater marshes, swamp forest.
• Conservation status: National Park, Biotope; both reserves are part of the Maya Biosphere
Reserve (Fig. 20); Ramsar site (designated 1990).
• Importance: The northwestern part of Petén is the largest wetland area in Guatemala. At least 22
species of special concern have been recorded (Appendix IV) and reproduction has been
confirmed for Himantopus mexicanus (R. Balas McNab, pers. comm.).
• Threats: Laguna del Tigre has been evaluated as critically threatened (ParksWatch 2003b,c). Both
documents summarize the threats which include forest fires, illegal settlements, agriculture (mainly
cattle farming), oil exploitation, and illegal extraction of natural resources. The issues are
worsened by lack of institutional control and general lawlessness. Reports are available online at
www.parkswatch.org. To date all threats have continued and worsened; in fact ~50% of this
protected area is damaged (ParksWatch 2005).
• Recommendations for conservation improvement: A special law has been created in 2004 for the
rescue of this National Park (Decreto 16-04, see section "Legislation"). Urgent action is required to
save at least 50% of the area (ParksWatch 2005).
• Involved Institutions: CONAP, CECON, IDAEH, WCS, ProPetén, SEPRONA, Ejército Nacional de
Guatemala, ProPetén.
Potential sites
An account follows of potential important sites for waterbirds. Very few or no data were available, but
for the size or location they are presumed to have certain importance; field studies are necessary.
• Laguna Perdida (Area of Special Protection), Petén: 1,095 ha; UTM Zone 15 797000 / 1889000.
• Río Mopán, La Polvora (Buffer Zone of the Maya Biosphere Reserve), Petén: River.
Congregations of herons have been observed and nesting is assumed (R. Balas McNab, pers.
comm.). UTM Zone 16 253000 / 1882000.
• Río Machaquilá / Laguneta Guacamayas (Buffer Zone Complex IV of the Protected Areas of
southern Petén), Petén: ~40 km of the Río Machaquila and adjacent lagoons, UTM Zone 16
196500 / 1810500.
• San Román (Biological Reserve), Petén: 18,646 ha; >30 km of rivers, UTM Zone 15 785000 /
1800000.
• Lagoons La Perdida, Roto Viejo, El Lineco, Roto Nuevo (Buffer Zone Complex I of the
Protected Areas of southern Petén), Petén: lagoons which were part of the river bed of the Río
Salinas; 1,400 ha, UTM Zone 15 776000 / 1800000.
• Río Usumacinta (partially Sierra del Lacandón National Park, Buffer Zone of the Maya Biosphere
Reserve, partially outside of declared protected areas). Border between Petén and Chiapas,
México: river and adjacent lagoons (former river bed), ~160 km of river, southern point UTM Zone
15 762000 / 1823000, northern point UTM Zone 15 665500 / 1908000.
• Río Chixoy / Rubelsanto (unprotected area, oil exploitation): freshwater marsh and river. Several
species restricted to water habitats and evaluated as threatened in Guatemala (Eisermann &
Avendaño 2006) have been recorded during short visits, including Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
(Dendrocygna autumnalis), Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis), Black-collared Hawk (Busarellus
nigricollis); ~2,500 ha; UTM Zone 15 775000 / 1771000.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
31
• Lake Izabal (unprotected area), Izabal: Largest lake
in Guatemala, except for the Bocas del Polochic
Wildlife Refuge, no data exist about the use by
waterbirds. ~68,000 ha; UTM Zone 16 270000 /
1716000.
• Castañeda Salguero (1995) compiled an inventory of
1,139 lagoons at sizes <1,000 ha in Guatemala (Fig.
21). Many of them are included in important sites for
waterbirds, e.g. Laguna del Tigre, Punta de
Manabique, Bocas del Polochic and Manchón-
Guamuchal, but the status and importance of many
other lagoons is uncertain.
Issues and threats to waterbirds and their habitats
The human population in Guatemala is growing rapidly, an increase of 35% has been documented
from 1994-2002 (INE 2002). The national economy depends basically on small and medium scale
agriculture and a major part of the human population are subsistence farmers. Increasing land
requirements for agriculture cause pressure also on waterbird habitats.
Main threats to waterbird populations in Guatemala include the following:
• Lack of knowledge about waterbird populations
• Habitat alteration
• Reduction of food resources
• Hunting and fisheries
• Introduced species
• Water pollution
• Disturbance on roosting and foraging sites
• Management deficiencies
• General lack of environmental consciousness in the Guatemalan society
Lack of knowledge of waterbird populations
There is a lack of published data on the recent distribution of waterbirds in Guatemala (Ellison 2004,
Eisermann & Avendaño 2006); this report is based almost exclusively on unpublished reports and
expert opinions. Unpublished information was very limited, due to the lack of monitoring programs or
the inappropriate performance of waterbird monitoring. The least studied group are off shore seabirds.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
32
Habitat alteration
The annual deforestation rate in Guatemala
from 1990-2000 was 1.7%, equaling 485 km
2
(FAO 2003). Today the lowlands on the
Guatemalan Pacific slope are almost entirely
deforested (Fig. 22). Especially waterbirds
requiring wooded habitats, like Agami Heron
(Agamia agami), Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius
cochlearius), Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
(Nyctanassa violocea), and Sungrebe (Heliornis
fulica) are threatened by the deforestation of
mangroves and swamp forests. All of these
species are resident. Deforestation is a threat in
all parts of Guatemala. A secondary effect of
deforestation is the alteration of water quality.
Another type of habitat alteration is the
harvest of emergent water plants like Scirpus
spp., Typhus spp. (Lake Atitlán, Monterrico),
which affects nesting and foraging habitats of
herons and rails.
Eutrophycation through water pollution
may alter habitat by massive growth of floating
plants, like Eichhornia crassipes, which can
cover small water bodies completely.
Water bodies were directly altered
through the construction of dams for electric power production, the largest one across the Chixoy
river. Human modification of river beds and banks has not been an issue in Guatemala, but after a
recent storm disaster along the Pacific Slope in October 2005 (Hurricane STAN), a national fond was
created for constructing artifical river beds (González Arrecis 2005).
Reduction of food resources
Waterbirds feed mainly on fish, arthropods and their larvae, small vertebrates, plankton, and plants
(Poole & Gill 1992-2003). Fish and crustaceans are reduced directly by human competition. Fish is
harvested in all water bodies near human settlements. Comments by local people explaining that
quantity and quality (size) decreased drastically are indicators of overharvest. This is a major problem
in regions where local people live mainly from fisheries (coastal regions, e.g. Punta de Manabique,
Monterrico-Hawaii). Indirect reduction of food resources (major fish dyings) through water pollution
has been reported in Sipacate-Naranjo and on the Motagua river (Punta de Manabique).
Hunting and fisheries
Subsistence hunting is common in rural communities in Guatemala, but waterbirds are not the main
target, with exception of Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) and migratory ducks. In Sipacate-Naranjo
heron chicks (Ardea alba) have been harvested at a nesting colony and in Manchón-Guamuchal
hunting of White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) has been observed. In the department Huehuetenango
migratory birds are hunted at night using fires, the method is locally known as "chitbal" (Monzón
1976). Baepler (1962) reported that in one night 30 Upland Sandpipers (Batramia longicauda) were
taken by the local people.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
33
Sport hunting has been observed in Bocas del Polochic, Sipacate-Naranjo, Manchón-
Guamuchal, but the impact on waterbird populations can not be assessed due to the lack of
quantifying data. On agricultural cultivations (rice fields) or fish and shrimp farms, where certain
waterbirds are thought to cause economic loss, shooting these birds is common (e.g. Black-bellied
Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis, Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata, American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus), which has been
observed in Bocas del Polochic, Punta de Manabique and El Paraíso-La Barrona.
Hunting is forbidden in protected areas, but management deficiencies prevent effective
controls and sufficient surveillance in the areas.
Commercial and sport ocean fisheries are serious threats for seabirds, which are subjects of
bycatches. An account of critical fishery methods in the Pacific region was published by U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (2005). Estimates suggest that hundredthousands of seabird are killed annually in the
Pacific (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005). To my knowledge, the impact of fisheries on seabirds
foraging in Guatemalan waters has not been studied. An international action plan to reduce the
incidental catch of seabirds was published by FAO (1999).
Introduced species
Worldwide most cases of extinction of bird species since 1800 were caused by introduced species
(BirdLife International 2000). In Guatemala, the extinction of the Atitlan Grebe has been attributed
partially to the introduction of largmouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which reduced the grebe's food
resources (LaBastille 1974, 1984). Cattle is non-native in Guatemala and large-scale cattle farming of
half-wild herds is a major cause of deforestation in Guatemala, threatening especially waterbirds
which are specialized in wooded wetlands.
Water pollution
Human population in Guatemala is growing, which consequently increases the production of waste
and sewage. Sewage treatment is underdeveloped nationwide (Spillman et al. 2000). Major dying of
fish has been observed in the Río Motagua (Grupo Seguridad y Justicia 2003) and the watershed of
the Amatitlán Lake has been labeled as the most polluted in Guatemala (CEPAL 2002). Additional to
urban sewage, habitats are contamined by agricultural runoffs with pesticids and nutrients, discharges
from industry and mining activities. Eutrophycation can be assumed through an increased input of
nitrogen due to extensive forest fires (Fig. 23) and cattle ranching. Oil exploitation has caused habitat
contamination (e.g. ParksWatch 2003, 2005).
Sea pollution with petroleum products has threatened seabird populations worldwide (e.g.
Page et al. 1990, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005). In Guatemala, oil ports are located on both the
Atlantic and the Pacific coast (Santo Tomás, Champerico, Puerto San José). Additional potential
threats to Guatemalan off shore waters and coasts are oil transports between the USA and southern
Central and South America (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005). Robles (1999) reported the
formation of a committee for disaster prevention in ports on the Guatemalan Atlantic coast. There is
currently no institutional control on pollution in off shore waters by international oversea traffic.
Disturbance of roosting and foraging sites
Increased human disturbance on roosting and foraging sites of waterbirds causes the birds to flee
more often, which consequently causes an increased energy consumption. Especially migratory birds
can be affected considerably; energy deficiencies on the wintering and staging grounds may lower
individual fitness and breeding success in the subsequent nesting period. Increased movements are
assumed in all areas with high hunting activity (Sipacate-Naranjo, Manchón-Guamuchal, Bocas del
Polochic). Aggregations of hundreds of Great Egrets (Ardea alba) and American White Pelicans

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
34
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) in shallow lagoons in Monterrico have been observed fleeing due to local
fishermen and boats with tourists (pers. obs.), a kind of traffic which occurs daily. The Guatemalan
Pacific coast is a popular destination for national tourists. Weekend houses have been built along the
coastline between Monterrico and Hawaii in the last decade. Leisure time activities include riding four-
wheel motorcycles along the beaches, riding water-motorcycles, and the use of ultra-light aircrafts
along the beach; negative effects on shorebirds are assumed.
Management deficiencies
Guatemala has a large system of protected areas which covers 30% (3,356,341 ha) of the country
(CONAP 2005). Some of the reserves are in fact unprotected due to management deficiencies; the
worse case is symbolized by Laguna del Tigre National Park and Biotope (ParksWatch 2003b, 2005).
Guatemala's national budget for protected areas was in 2005 ~USD 4.2 million (Pellecer 2005), which
equals one US Dollar and 30 Cents per ha of protected area. Costa Rica has 1,195,740 ha of
protected areas (EarthTrends 2003) and the 2005 budget for them was at USD 26 millions (Pellecer
2005), which equals USD 21.7 per ha. The low budget in Guatemala does not allow sufficient
surveillance in the reserves; one park guard covers on average 9,282 ha (Pellecer 2005).
Fig. 23. Smoke and heat points (forest fires) in northern Central America on 20 April 2003. Satellite image: NASA,
with kind permission from NASA.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
35
General lack of environmental consciousness in the Guatemalan society
People throwing trash wherever they move, farmer families living in crude oil contaminated areas, fish
dying caused by water pollution from major factories, and people invading protected areas are
indicators of a lack of environmental consciousness in Guatemala, caused by lack of education, lack
of political will, social injustice, and poverty. The rate of analphabetism in Guatemala among the
population aged 15 years and over was 28.2% in 2004, which is the second highest value in Latin
America and the Caribbean after Haiti (CEPAL 2005). In 2002, 60.2% of the Guatemalan population
lived in poverty, having incomes amounting to less than the cost of a basic food basket (CEPAL
2005). Habitat destruction in Guatemala happens because of basic need of subsistence food
production within many rural communities. On the other hand, it happens through ignorance and
violation of legal frame works, in order to perform major business (e.g. cattle farming, mining and oil
exploitation), supported by the lack of institutional control and political will. Many environmental
punishable acts in Guatemala remain exempt from legal judgment and punishment (Boueke 2004,
CALAS 2005b, E. Cifuentes en Calito 2006).
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases can be serious threats to bird populations, e.g. avian botulism (Adams et al. 2003),
West Nile Virus (Peterson et al. 2004), or avian influenza. In 2003 the first cases of an atypical avian
influenza (H5N1) have been documented in poultry in several Asian countries (CDC 2005) and its
transmission from bird to human has been reported (Apisarnthanarak et al. 2005). However, the risk of
transmission from bird to human is very low, but future mutation of the virus may cause transmission
between humans (CDC 2005, Mott 2005). Waterbird populations are facing a twofold threat by the
H5N1 virus: 1. The influenza may cause epidemic death among bird populations. 2. Incorrect
interpretation of scientific results on the different forms of avian influenza, virus distribution and wrong
information in medias (e.g. TV, radio, press, internet) may cause direct persecutions and mass killings
of migratory waterbirds as supposed dangers for human health and life. Persecution of animals based
on beliefs have occurred, and are occurring in owls, bats, snakes, and other groups. Direct
persecution of certain species may cause their local extirpation or extinction (Primack 1993).
Climate change
Climate changes are likely to become a major issue also for waterbirds. Human-induced global
warming is altering the global water regime (Wigley et al. 1997, Karl & Trenberth 2003). The increase
of sea surface temperature and atmospheric water vapor may enhance tropical storms and rainfall
(Trenberth 2005), which may cause decrease in breeding success of waterbirds, especially of species
which nest near the coast. Further changes in microclimate due to deforestation may cause drying out
of wetlands, and rising sea levels (Meehl et al. 2005, Wigley 2005) will alter the coastal landscapes.
Changes in migratory behavior due to climatic changes have been reported in some European bird
species (Stock 2005). Primary ecosystem productivity was reported to be reduced during unusual hot
weather situations in Europe (Ciais et al. 2005), which affects waterbird habitat and food resources.
Ongoing aquatic bird conservation programs and participants
It follows an account of legal frameworks and institutions relevant for waterbird conservation in
Guatemala. Current and proposed application of these frameworks to conservation action considering
species of special concern is layed out in the next section "Conclusions and recommended
conservation action for species of special concern".

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
36
Legislation
It follows a list of principal national laws and regulations affecting waterbird conservation in
Guatemala. Laws ratifying international conventions and declaring protected areas are mentioned in
the section "Formal and informal international instruments for aquatic bird conservation". Lists of all
applying laws, including laws declaring protected areas, laws creating authorities etc. and electronic
copies are available online at www.calas.org.gt
and www.congreso.gob.gt
• Environmental law (1986) - Ley de protección y mejoramiento del medio ambiente (Decreto 68-86,
reformado por los Decretos Legislativos 75-91, 1-93 y 90-2000, Congreso de la República de
Guatemala).
• Regulation of evaluation, control and environmental pursuit (2003) - Reglamento de Evaluación,
Control y Seguimiento Ambiental (Acuerdo Gubernativo 23-2003, Congreso de la República de
Guatemala).
• Law of protected areas (1989) - Ley de áreas protegidas (Decreto 4-89 y sus Reformas Decretos
18-89, 110-96 y 117-97 del Congreso de la República de Guatemala. Reglamento de la ley de á-
reas protegidas Acuerdo Gubernativo 759-90 y su reforma Acuerdo Gubernativo 263-92, Congre-
so de la República de Guatemala).
• Forestry law (1996) - Ley forestal (Decreto 101-96, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Regulation for the profitable use of mangrove (1998) - Reglamento para el aprovechamiento del
mangle (Resolución de la Junta Directiva del INAB 01.25.98).
• Law for fishery and aquaculture (2002) - Ley general de pesca y acuicultura (Decreto 80-2002,
Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Hunting law (2004) - Ley general de caza (Decreto 36-04, Congreso de la República de Guatema-
la).
• Red List Fauna (2001) - Listado de especies de fauna silvestre amenazadas de extinción (Lista
Roja de fauna) (Resolución de la Secretaría Ejecutiva del CONAP ALC 032/2001).
• Regulation for the discharge of residual water into main drainage (2005) - Reglamento de
Descargas de aguas residuales a cuerpos receptores (Acuerdo Gubernativo 66-2005, Congreso
de la República de Guatemala).
• Law for the regulation of territorial reserves (1997) - Ley reguladora de las reservas territoriales
del estado de Guatemala (Decreto 126-97, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Law for the fomentation and divulgation of environmental consciousness (1996) - Ley de fomento
a la difusión de la conciencia ambiental (Decreto 116-96, Congreso de la República de
Guatemala)
• Mining law (1997) - Ley de minería (Decreto 48-97, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Emergency law for the defense, restauration, and conservation of the Laguna del Tigre National
Park (2004) - Ley de emergencia para la defensa, la restauración y la conservación del Parque
Nacional Laguna del Tigre (Decreto 16-04, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Electricity law (1996) - Ley general de electricidad (Decreto 93-96, Congreso de la República de
Guatemala).
Formal and informal international instruments for aquatic bird conservation
A multitude of international conventions have been created, which may somehow affect waterbird
conservation. To list every treaty is not the focus of this report. For instance, all conventions treating
nuclear power and its by-products may have impact on water, but only some are mentioned here. The
following list is not a reference list for all conventions signed or ratified by Guatemala. Conventions not
mentioned here are not necessarily not signed or ratified by Guatemala.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
37
Global
• Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat.
Ratified by Guatemala in 1988 (Decreto 4-88, Congreso de la República de Guatemala) Five sites
are designated in Guatemala (Laguna del Tigre National Park, Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National
Park, Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge, Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge, Manchón-
Guamuchal), and four more sites are proposed (or proposal in preparation): Laguna Lachuá
National Park, Lake Güija, Paraíso-La Barrona, Río Sarstún Area of Multiple Use.
• CITES (Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild flora and fauna). Ratified
by Guatemala in 1980 (Decreto 0063-1979, Congreso de la República de Guatemala). Three
species of Guatemalan waterbirds are included in Appendix I, the extinct/extirpated Atitlan Grebe
(Podilymbus gigas) and Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis), and the Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria).
One species, the Double-striped Thick-knee (Burhinus bistriatus) is listed in Appendix III.
• United Nations convention on biological diversity. Ratified by Guatemala in 1995 (Decreto 05-95,
Congreso de la República de Guatemala). As part of the ratification of this convention in
Guatemala a national strategy was elaborated (CONAP/OTECBIO 1999).
• Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage, adopted by
UNESCO 1972. Ratified by Guatemala in 1978 (Decreto 0047-1978, Congreso de la República de
Guatemala). Three sites are designated in Guatemala, one of them as World Natural and Cultural
Heritage: Tikal National Park (designated in 1979). Although Tikal was not identified as important
waterbird site, the park includes swamp forests as potentially important habitat for waterbirds.
• Convention on climate change, Kyoto Protocol. Ratified by Guatemala in 1999 (Decreto 23-99,
Congreso de la República de Guatemala)
• Basel convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their
disposal. Ratified by Guatemala in 1995 (Acuerdo Gubernativo 2504-95).
• Convention on the prevention of pollution of the sea by dumping of waste and other materials
(London Dumping Convention). Ratified by Guatemala in 1975 (Decreto 0025-1975, Congreso de
la República de Guatemala).
• International convention for the prevention of pollution from ships. Ratified by Guatemala in 1996
(Decreto 77-96, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Convention on the high seas of 1958. Ratified by Guatemala in 1961 (Decreto 1494-1961, Con-
greso de la República de Guatemala).
• United Nations convention on the law of the sea of 10 December 1982 (UNCLOS 82). Ratified by
Guatemala in 1996 (Decreto 56-96, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• International convention on civil liability for oil pollution damage, 1969 (CLC 1969). Ratified by
Guatemala in 1983 (72-82, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants. Signed by Guatemala in 2002.
• International convention relating to intervention on the high seas in cases of oil pollution
casualties. Signed by Guatemala in 1969.
• Geneva convention on the territorial sea and the contiguous zone. Ratified by Guatemala in 1976
(Decreto 0020-1976, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• Vienna convention for the protection of the ozone layer. Ratified by Guatemala in 1987 (Decreto
39-87, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• United Nations convention to combat desertification. Ratified by Guatemala in 1999 (Decreto
0405-98, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
• International tropical timber agreement. Ratified by Guatemala in 2001 (Acuerdo Gubernativo
1210-2000).
• Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozon layer. Ratified by Guatemala in 1994
(Acuerdo Gubernativo 2204-94).
• Treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and under water. Ratified
by Guatemala in 1963 (Decreto 0135-1963, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
38
• Treaty on the prohibition of the emplacement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass
destruction on the sea bed and the ocean floor and in the subsoil thereof. Ratified by Guatemala in
1994 (Decreto 13-94, Congreso de la República de Guatemala).
Regional
• SAM, "Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano": international treaty between Guatemala, Belize,
Honduras and Mexico for the conservation of reefs in the Gulf of Honduras, funded by World
Bank.
• Convention for the conservation of the biodiversity and the protection of wilderness areas in
Central America. Ratified by Guatemala in 1993 (Acuerdo Gubernativo 1009-1993).
• "Programa Ambiental Regional para Centroamérica" (PROARCA): Conservation of the Gulf of
Honduras. Funded by TNC, WWF, CCAD (Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo),
and USAID.
• "Protección ambiental y control de la contaminación originada por el transporte marítimo en el
Golfo de Honduras": Environmental protection and control of the pollution caused by the maritime
transportation in the Gulf of Honduras (proposed for 5 years). With funds from GEF / BID, with
COCATRAM as partner. This project will work to improve the control and prevention of pollution
related with sea transportation in the main ports, navigation routes and coastal and marine areas
adjacent to the Gulf of Honduras.
• SICAP: "Sistema Centroamericano de Áreas Protegidas" (Central American System of Protected
Areas). It works on the negotiation and support of laws and agreements on a regional scale or
between countries, as a department of the Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo-
CCAD – (Central American Comission for Environment and Development) is one of the SICAP’s
departments and promotes development of protected areas as an effective Mesoamerican
Biological Corridor.
• Convention on flora, fauna and natural scenic beauty of the American nations. Ratified by
Guatemala en 1941 (Decreto 2554-1941, Congreso de la República de Guatemala)
• Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider
Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention) and Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating
Oil Spills in the Wider Caribbean Region. Ratified by Guatemala in 1989 (Decreto 32-89, Congre-
so de la República de Guatemala)
• Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife to the Convention for the Protection
and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region. Sigend by
Guatemala in 1990.
• Agreement instituting the Latin American Organization for Fisheries Development (OLDEPESCA).
Ratified by Guatemala in 1986 (Decreto 58-86, Congreso de la República de Guatemala)
• Eastern Pacific Ocean Tuna Fishing Agreement. Signed by Guatemala en 1983.
• International convention for the conservation of Atlantic tunas. Ratified by Guatemala in 2004 (De-
creto 27-04, Congreso de la República de Guatemala)
Bilateral
• "Programa ALIANZAS", IUCN: since 2004, bi-national program for the establishment of
sustainable use of natural resources on the Pacific coast, between Monterrico, Guatemala and
Barra de Santiago, El Salvador.
Important international treaties not signed by Guatemala
• Bonn convention on migratory species. More than 50 species of waterbirds recorded in Guatemala
are listed in Appendices I and II of this convention. Guatemala has not yet signed this treaty.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
39
Organizations relevant to waterbird and/or wetland conservation
It follows a list in alpabetical order:
• AMAZURLY (Authority for the management of the Lake Izabal watershed): Local development
projects.
• AMPI (Authority for the management of the Lake Petén Itzá watershed).
• AMSA (Autoridad para el manejo sustentable de la cuenca y lago de Amatitlán) - Governmental
authority for the sustainable management of Lake Amatitlán watershed.
• AMSCLAE Autoridad para el Manejo Sustentable de la Cuenca del Lago Atitlán y su Entorno
(Governmental authority for the sustainable management of Lake Atitlán watershed).
• ARCAS: Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Association.
• Asociación Ak'Tenamit: Sustainable development of indigenous communities in Río Dulce.
• Asociación de Reservas Naturales Privadas de Guatemala: Association of Private Natural
Reserves in Guatemala. They gather and coordinate activities of the administrators of the private
protected areas in the country.
• Asociación Tercer Milenio (A3K): Technical study of Lake Guija.
• Asociación Patronato Vivamos Mejor.
• BID: Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (Interamerican Bank for Development).
• BirdLife International: funding for this study.
• CALAS: Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social (Center for Environmental and Social Legal
Action). Environmental litigation.
• CCAD: Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (Central American Commission for
Environment and Development).
• CECON, USAC: Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas de la Universidad de San Carlos de
Guatemala (Center for Conservationist Studies of the San Carlos University, Guatemala).
Administration of 3 protected areas, research.
• CONAP: Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (National Council of Protected Areas).
Administration of national protected areas.
• Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) - Conservation International/World Bank/Global
Environmental Facility/Government of Japan/ MacArthur Foundation/: Funding support in the
Maya Biosphere Reserve and Guatemalan highlands.
• FDN: Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza. Co-administration of protected areas.
• FUNDAECO: Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo. Co-administration of protected areas.
• FUNDALAGO - Fundación para la Salvación del Lago de Amatitlán.
• FUNDARY: Fundación Mario Dary. Co-administration of protected areas.
• GEF: Global Environmental Facility.
• INAB: Instituto Nacional de Bosques (National Institute for Forests). Co-administration of protected
areas.
• IUCN: sustainable development of communities around the Laguna Lachuá National Park.
• Instituto de Antropología e Historia (IDAEH): Co-administration of protected areas.
• MAGA: Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación. Local development projects.
• MARN: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales.
• PROEVAL RAXMU (Proyectos Evaluados Raxmu): sustainable development in Rocjá Pomtilá,
región Lachuá-Ik'bolay.
• ProPetén: Sustainable development projects, research.
• SICA: Sistema de Integración Centroamericana (System of Central American Integration).
• Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología (Ornithological Society of Guatemala): promotes reseach
and conservation of the Guatemalan avifauna.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
40
• TNC: The Nature Conservancy. Sustainable development projects, research.
• UNIPESCA: Unidad de Pesca y Acuacultura del MAGA (Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y
Alimentación). Control of fishery activities in Guatemala.
• USAID: Funding.
• USFWS: Funding.
• WCS Petén: Wildlife Conservation Society – Petén: Sustainable development projects, monitoring.
• WWF: Funding.
Research activities
Ornithological research is underdeveloped in Guatemala. Past studies have been summarized in the
section "Background". FDN is establishing a waterbird monitoring in the Bocas del Polochic Wildlife
Refuge, with currently inappropriate methods (García 2004, García de la Vega 2005).
Monitoring and indicators
There is no nation-wide monitoring carried out currently.
Conclusions and recommended conservation action for species of special
concern
Basic conditions are favorable for waterbird conservation in Guatemala: 30% of the country territory
are declared as protected areas and the legal framework is established with laws on protected areas,
environment, and hunting. Guatemala has also signed international conventions on wetlands, ocean
conservation, and biological diversity. Nevertheless, natural habitats including wetlands are
threatened by major deficiencies in the application of existing frameworks. Urgent action is needed in
order to save important sites like Laguna del Tigre National Park. This will require changes in the
national political attitude in order to fulfill national and international responsibilities. Achieving a
change in the short term is a difficult issue which might be possible by strengthening the non-
governmental sector. Many protected areas in Guatemala are co-administrated by non-governmental
organizations. In order to improve effectiveness of NGO's, rigorous evaluations by donors or
independent third parties should be part of each project supported, which is currently not a usual
procedure. The National Council for Protected Areas (CONAP) is currently planning to implement a
conservation plan in communities adyacent to wetlands (Calito 2006).
In order to fill gaps in our knowledge on waterbirds in Guatemala, all conservation action
should be accompanied by appropriate research. Most areas lack even basic data; with few
exceptions, there are no data available on reproduction of waterbirds. Population sizes presented in
this report are guessed, based on very few data. The performance of a basic field study across the
whole country establishing baseline data for continuous monitoring is recommendable. While
knowledge on waterbird populations can be generated in the short term, developing environmental
consciousness is a long-term goal, which can be achieved only by environmental education.
It follows a summarizing account of proposed conservation action for species of special
concern (listed in Table 3, here without extinct or probably extinct species), grouped by habitat. First
and foremost, most of these species would benefit from management improvements in and around the
protected areas. Although the number of park guards was recently elevated in several protected areas
(F. Herrera, pers. comm.), surveillance is still underdeveloped. Sustainable land use in and outside of
protected areas has much been discussed, but there is actually no conclusive large scale concept.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
41
This account includes punctual actions in order to improve short-term conservation on some hotspots.
To achieve long-term conservation and indeed address threats listed in the previous chapter "Issues
and threats to waterbirds and their habitats" requires complex improvements among the Guatemalan
society, which are out of scope of this report, but which must include:
• Education: an elevated educational level would rise the environmental consciousness and
lower the rate of human population increase. Both are key factors of all threats.
• Management of public enterprises (government, communities) according to applying laws and
frameworks (emission control, waste water and sewage treatment, etc.).
• Once public enterprises are managed appropriately, public control over private enterprises
may be reforced.
When key sites are mentioned, refer also to the specific section in "Locations and descriptions of key
sites used y aquatic species" for details.
Offshore seabirds (Procellaria parkinsoni, Puffinus creatopus, Puffinus nativitatis, Puffinus
ilherminieri, Oceanodroma tethys, Sula sula): Visiting populations need to be monitored and a
fisheries observation program should be installed, possibly in coordination with the other Central
American countries.
Near shore and estuary seabirds (Pelecanus occidentalis, Larus heermanni, Xema sabini,
Sterna elegans, Sterna dougallii, Sterna hirundo, Sterna antillarum, Chlidonias niger): Probable
nesting sites (Brown Pelican) require documentation and special protection. Visiting populations need
to be monitored and a fisheries observation program should be installed.
Birds of shores, marshes, and savannahs (Burhinus bistriatus, Charadrius collaris,
Himantopus mexicanus, Catoptrophorus semipalmatus): Most shorebirds depend on mud flats as
feeding grounds during migration. Repeated disturbance (flushing causes increased energy
consumption) by human activities (e.g. fisheries, sport hunting, tourism) should be controlled at all
sites along the Pacific coast. Half-wild cattle moving a long the beach in Punta de Manabique are
threatening probably nesting Collared Sandplovers by trampling.
Waterbirds mainly of wooded wetlands, incl. mangrove (Tigrisoma mexicanum, Butorides
virescens, Agamia agami, Nycticorax nycticorax, Nyctanassa violacea, Cochlearius cochlearius,
Aramides axillaris, Heliornis fulica, Eurypyga helias): Further deforestation in Laguna del Tigre
National Park and in mangroves of Sipacate Naranjo, Manchón Guamuchal, and Monterrico-Hawaii
need to be prevented. First attempts to implement mangrove conservation by sustainable and
alternative landuse along the Guatemalan Pacific coast have been made (Cordero Pérez et al. 2000)
with limited success. The impact of the bilateral program "ALIANZAS" between El Salvador and
Guatemala is still limited in Guatemala (C. Muccio, pers. comm.).
Non-specialized waterbirds of freshwater wetlands and salt marshes (Cairina moschata,
Dendrocygna autumnalis, Dendrocygna bicolor, Nomonyx dominicus, Oxyura jamaicensis,
Podilymbus podiceps, Podiceps nigricollis, Botaurus pinnatus, Botaurus lentiginosus, Ixobrychus
exilis, Ardea alba, Egretta thula, Egretta caerulea, Egretta tricolor, Egretta rufescens, Platalea ajaja,
Jabiru mycteria, Mycteria americana, Laterallus exilis, Rallus limicola, Amaurolimnas concolor,
Porzana flaviventer, Pardirallus maculatus, Aramus guarauna): Sport hunting needs to be controlled in
Manchón-Guamuchal and Bocas del Polochic. Overharvest of fish needs to be addressed in Bocas
del Polochic, Monterrico-Hawaii (here also shrimps), Punta de Manabique, Petexbatún, El Pucté.
Annual reed burning in Monterrico should be prevented.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
42
Acknowledgments
This report is based in many parts on a recent compilation on avian diversity in Guatemala
(Eisermann & Avendaño 2006), which was supported by a multitude of persons and institutions.
Please consult the long list of supporters in the mentioned publication. I want to thank WCS Petén,
especially Roan Balas McNab and José Soto, for their help organizing the waterbird workshop in
Petén. The workshop in Guatemala City was held in the National Museum of Natural History "Jorge
Ibarra". Both workshops would not have been possible without the organization by Claudia Avendaño,
who also helped gathering information on waterbird conservation in Guatemala. Many thanks to all of
them for their participation and input of unpublished data and ideas. I appreciate the support by
Rovoham Monzón on specific GIS issues. Comments and critical reviews by Oliver Komar, Claudia
Avendaño, Cristina Morales, Rebecca Zarza, Rob Clay, and Franklin Herrera improved this report.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
43
Experts consulted
Institution Address Telephone, area code (502) E-mail Name Contribution to the report
ARCAS 4a avenida 2-47, sector B5, zona 8, San Cristóbal,
Mixco, Guatemala
2478-4096, 2480-7270 arcas@intelnet.net.gt Colum Muccio Site general references,
species information.
ARCAS Hawaii, Santa Rosa. 7820-2073 calamintanepeta@hotmail.com Maria Egea Castellano Site general references.
ASOCIACIÓN DE RESERVAS NATURALES
PRIVADAS DE GUATEMALA ARNPG
2337-3720, extensión 265 reservasdeguatemala@agriweb.net Claudia García de Bonilla Environmental policy
information.
ASOCIACIÓN TERCER MILENIO - A3K 6634-4609, 6634-4611 mariamercedes@a3k.org María Mercedes López
CALAS Avenida Mariscal 13-59, zona 11, Guatemala 2474-4545 magvelezpal@hotmail.com Magnolia Vélez Environmental policy
information.
CALAS Avenida Mariscal 13-59, zona 11, Guatemala 2474-4545 joseyuman@calas.org.gt José Antonio Yuman Environmental policy informa-
tion.
CALAS Avenida Mariscal 13-59, zona 11, Guatemala 2474-4545 andrea@calas.org.gt Andrea Hernández M. Environmental policy informa-
tion.
CECON - USAC Final Avenida Reforma, Guatemala 2331-0904, 2334-7664 jaruizo@c.net.gt Jorge Ruiz Site general references.
CECON - USAC Biotopo Chocón Machacas 2331-0904, 2334-7664 biotopochocon@intelnett.com Óscar Santos Site general references,
species information.
CECON - USAC Monterrico 5978-3588 clarens@intelnett.com Roberto González Site general references.
CONAP 5o nivel, Edificio IPM, 4a avenida y 7a calle, zona 1,
Guatemala
2422-6700 fercastro@conap.gob.gt Fernando Castro Environmental policy informa-
tion.
CONAP 5o nivel, Edificio IPM, 4a avenida y 7a calle, zona 1,
Guatemala
2422-6700 franklin@conap.gob.gt Franklin Herrera Environmental policy informa-
tion.
CONAP Región Costa Sur 7771-3181, Cel. 5570-6917 conacosur@yahoo.com.es Freddy Valenzuela Species information.
CONAP Subregional Sayaxché 7928-6200 uconservacion@yahoo.com Gabriel Ortiz Site general references.
CONAP Oficina Regional en San Benito, Petén 7926-1012 farinosa@intelnett.com Julio Madrid Species information.
CONSULTANT Guatemala, ciudad 2476-1573, 2476-1578 rdemicheo@guate.net.gt Raquel Siguenza Species and site information.
FUNDACIÓN DEFENSORES DE LA NATURALEZA Centro Ramiro de León Carpio, 7a avenida 7-09,
zona 13, Guatemala
2471-7942, 2471-7994, 2440-8138 investigacion@defensores.org.gt Genoveva Martínez Site general references,
species information.
FUNDAECO Guatemala, ciudad 2369-0231, 2369-0298 info@fundaeco.org Miguel Ramírez Species information.
FUNDAECO Oficinas Izabal 5567-1986 jsosa@adinet.com.uy Jimena Sosa Site general references.
FUNDARY Guatemala, ciudad 2232-3230 fundary@intelnet.net.gt Jean Luc Betoulle Site general references.
IDAEH Parque Nacional Tikal, Petén, Guatemala Aquiles Estuardo Hernández Species information.
INAB Oficina regional, INAB, Mazatenango 7872-0092 region9@inab.gob.gt Boris de León Site general references.
PROPETÉN Flores, Petén, Guatemala 7926-1370, 7926-0495 ggamez@propeten.org Gabriel Gámez Díaz Site general references.
PROPETÉN Flores, Petén, Guatemala 7926-1370, 7926-0495 Victor Enrique Cuoj
PROEVAL RAXMU PROEVAL RAXMU, Cobán, Ata Verapaz. PO BOX
#98 Periférico, Guatemala
5906-6479 knut.eisermann@proeval-raxmu.org Knut Eisermann Site general references,
species information,
workshops organization.
Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología Avenida Mariscal 13-59, zona 11, Guatemala
(Oficinas de CALAS)
5308-5160 claudia@avesdeguatemala.org Claudia Avendaño Site general references,
species information,
workshops organization.
Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitología Avenida Mariscal 13-59, zona 11, Guatemala
(Oficinas de CALAS)
2286-7923 lacandonguatemala@yahoo.com Daniel Tenez Species information.
TNC 12 avenida 14-41, zona 10, Oakland 2367-0480 esecaira@TNC.ORG Estuardo Secaira Site general references.
Vivamos Mejor esgimi2001@yahoo.com.mx Estuardo Girón Solórzano Site general references.
WCS - PETÉN Avenida 15 de marzo, casa #3, Flores, Petén,
Guatemala
7926-1187, 7926-0569 joesotoshoender@hotmail.com José Roberto Soto Site general references, local
support for workshop in Petén.
WCS - PETÉN Avenida 15 de marzo, casa #3, Flores, Petén,
Guatemala
7926-1187, 7926-0569 wcspeten@secmas.gua.net Roan Balas McNab Site general references, local
support for workshop in Petén.
WCS - PETÉN Avenida 15 de marzo, casa #3, Flores, Petén,
Guatemala
7926-1187, 7926-0569 wcspeten@secmas.gua.net José María Castillo Rivera Species information.
WCS - PETÉN Avenida 15 de marzo, casa #3, Flores, Petén,
Guatemala
7926-1187, 7926-0569 wcspeten@secmas.gua.net Eleazar Gonzalez Ordoñez Species information.
WCS - PETÉN Avenida 15 de marzo, casa #3, Flores, Petén,
Guatemala
7926-1187, 7926-0569 wcspeten@secmas.gua.net Tomas Dubon Ortiz Species information.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
44
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Wahlstedt, J. 1988. Farewell to the Atitlan Grebe. Var Fagelvarld 47: 266.
Wege, D. C. & A. J. Long. 1995. Key areas for threatened birds in the Neotropics. BirdLife
Conservation Series, No. 5. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.
Weber, D. & J. Bucklin. 1995. Aves de Cerro San Gil. Listado de campo. Imprenta Bell Gráfic.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, USAID, Partners in Flight y Fundación para el
Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación.
Weller, M. W. 1964. Distribution and migration of the Redhead. Journal of Wildlife Management 28:
64-103.
Wendelken, P. W. & R. F. Martin. 1986. Recent data on the distribution of birds in Guatemala. Bull.
Brit. Ornithol. Club 106: 16-21.
Wendelken, P. W. & R. F. Martin. 1989. Recent data on the distribution of birds in Guatemala, 2. Bull.
Brit. Ornithol. Club 109: 31-36.
Wetmore, A. 1941. Herring Gull in Guatemala. Auk 58: 257.
Wetmore, A. 1945. A review of the forms of Brown Pelican. Auk 62: 577-586.
Wigley, T. M. L. 2005. The climate change commitment. Science 307: 1766-1769.
Wigley, T. M. L., P. D. Jones & S. C. B. Raper. 1997. The observed global warming record: what does
it tell us? PNAS 94: 8314-8320.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
54
Yañez-Arancibia, A., D. Zárate Lomelí & A. Terán Cuevas. 1994. Evaluation of the Coastal and
Marine Resources of the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala. CEP Technical Report No. 34. UNEP
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Zedekar, K., P. Thompson & F. Thompson. 1980. Possible sighting of an Eskimo Curlew in
Guatemala. American Birds 34: 849.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
55
Appendix I. Status, distribution, population size, and vulnerability of waterbird species reported in
Guatemala*
Family
Species
Status
1
Region
2
Population
size
3
% of regional
population
4
Regional
population
5
Trend
6
Vulnerability
reprod. / visitors
7
ANATIDAE
Dendrocygna autumnalis (Linnaeus) 1758 R P,A,Ca,Cp D 0.8 1,000,000 dec VU A3cd / -
Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot) 1816 ? P,Cp E 1.4 1,000,000 inc DD / -
Cairina moschata (Linnaeus) 1758 R P,A,Ca,Cp D 0.2 1,000,000 dec VU A3cd / -
Anas americana Gmelin 1789 V P,H,Cp B 0 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus 1758 vagM P A 0 2,000,000 DD - / NA
Anas discors Linnaeus 1766 V all E 1.5 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Anas cyanoptera Vieillot 1816 vagM P,Cp A 0 260,000 DD - / NA
Anas clypeata Linnaeus 1758 V P,Cp D 0.2 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Anas acuta Linnaeus 1758 V H,A,Cp,Ca B 0 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Anas crecca Linnaeus 1758 vagM,H P,Cp DD nd 2,000,000 DD - / NA
Aythya valisineria (Wilson) 1814 vagM H DD nd 620,000 DD - / NA
Aythya americana (Eyton) 1838 vagM,H P,Cp DD nd 750,000 DD - / NA
Aythya collaris (Donovan) 1809 vagM H,A DD nd 1,220,000 DD - / NA
Aythya affinis (Eyton) 1838 V all D 0.5 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Nomonyx dominicus (Linnaeus) 1766 RM P,H A nd nd DD CR D / NA
Oxyura jamaicensis (Gmelin) 1789 RM P,H,Cp C 0 500,000 DD CR D / NT
PODICIPEDIDAE
Tachybaptus dominicus (Linnaeus) 1766 R all C 9.7 10,000 DD NT / -
Podilymbus podiceps (Linnaeus) 1758 RM all C 0.7 100,000 DD VU B2ab(iii) / NT
Podilymbus gigas Griscom 1929 ex (R) H 0 nd EX EX EX / -
Podiceps nigricollis Brehm 1831 V H A 0 3,700,000 DD - / NT
PROCELLARIIDAE
Procellaria parkinsoni Gray 1862 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / DD
Puffinus creatopus Coues 1864 vagM,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / DD
Puffinus pacificus (Gmelin) 1789 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Puffinus griseus (Gmelin) 1789 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Puffinus nativitatis Streets 1877 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Puffinus lherminieri Lesson 1839 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
HYDROBATIDAE
Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl) 1820 vagM,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieillot) 1818 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Oceanodroma tethys (Bonaparte) 1852 vagM,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Oceanodroma melania (Bonaparte) 1854 vagM,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Oceanodroma microsoma (Coues) 1864 vagM,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
PHAETHONTIDAE
Phaethon lepturus Daudin 1802 vagM,H Ca DD nd nd DD - / NA
Phaethon aethereus Linnaeus 1758 vagM,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
SULIDAE
Sula dactylatra Lesson 1831 vagM,H Cp,Ca DD nd nd DD - / NA
Sula granti Rothschild 1902 vagM Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Sula leucogaster (Boddaert) 1783 vagM Cp,Ca A nd nd DD - / NA
Sula sula (Linnaeus) 1766 vagM,H Cp,Ca A nd nd DD - / NA
PELECANIDAE
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmelin 1789 V P,A,Ca,Cp D 4.9 180,000 inc - / NT
Pelecanus occidentalis Linnaeus 1766 RM all D 0.9 290,000 DD VU B2ac(iii) / NT

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
56
Family
Species
Status
1
Region
2
Population
size
3
% of regional
population
4
Regional
population
5
Trend
6
Vulnerability
reprod. / visitors
7
PHALACROCORACIDAE
Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gmelin) 1789 R P,A,Cp,Ca E nd nd DD NT / -
Phalacrocorax auritus (Lesson) 1831 vagM,H Ca DD nd 1,400,000 DD - / NA
ANHINGIDAE
Anhinga anhinga (Linnaeus) 1766 R P,A,Cp,Ca D nd nd dec NT / -
FREGATIDAE
Fregata magnificens Mathews 1914 V Cp,Ca C nd nd DD - / LC
ARDEIDAE
Botaurus pinnatus (Wagler) 1829 ? A DD nd nd DD VU B2ab(iii); D1 / -
Botaurus lentiginosus (Rackett) 1813 vagM P,A DD nd 2,000,000 DD - / NA
Ixobrychus exilis (Gmelin) 1789 RM P,H,A,Ca B 0 130,000 DD VU B2a(iii) / NT
Tigrisoma lineatum (Boddaert) 1783 ?, H A,Ca DD nd nd DD NA / -
Tigrisoma mexicanum Swainson 1834 R P,A,Ca,Cp D 19.6 10,000 DD VU A3c / -
Ardea herodias Linnaeus 1758 V all D nd nd DD - / NT
Ardea alba (Linnaeus) 1758 RM all D nd nd dec VU A3c / NT
Egretta thula (Molina) 1782 RM all D 0.5 1,210,000 dec VU A3c / NT
Egretta caerulea (Linnaeus) 1758 V all D 1.3 300,000 DD - / LC
Egretta tricolor (Müller) 1776 RM all C 0.1 290,000 dec VU A3c / NT
Egretta rufescens (Gmelin) 1789 V P,A,Ca,Cp B 0.5 10,000 dec - / NT
Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus) 1758 RM all E 1.4 1,500,000 inc LC / LC
Butorides virescens (Linnaeus) 1758 RM all D nd nd dec VU A3c / NT
Agamia agami (Gmelin) 1789 r A,Ca B nd nd dec EN D / -
Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus) 1758 RM all D 0.9 110,000 dec VU A3c / NT
Nyctanassa violacea (Linnaeus) 1758 RM P,A,Ca,Cp C 0.8 110,000 dec VU A3c / NT
Cochlearius cochlearius (Linnaeus) 1766 R P,A,Ca,Cp D nd nd dec VU A3c / -
THRESKIORNITHIDAE
Eudocimus albus (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp C nd nd dec - / NT
Plegadis chihi (Vieillot) 1817 vagM P,Cp DD nd 150,000 DD - / NA
Platalea ajaja Linnaeus 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp C 0.4 180,000 DD - / NT
CICONIIDAE
Jabiru mycteria (Lichtenstein) 1819 r P,A,Cp A 1.7 675 DD CR D / -
Mycteria americana Linnaeus 1758 RM P,A,Ca,Cp D 2.5 123,000 DD VU A3c / NT
RALLIDAE
Laterallus ruber (Sclater and Salvin) 1860 R all D nd nd stab LC / -
Laterallus exilis (Temminck) 1831 r A,Ca A nd nd DD VU D1+2 / -
Laterallus jamaicensis (Gmelin) 1789 ex (r) H 0 nd 100,000 EX RE / -
Rallus limicola Vieillot 1819 r H DD nd nd DD DD / -
Aramides axillaris Lawrence 1863 ?,H Cp,Ca A nd nd DD EN B2ab(iii) / -
Aramides cajanea (Müller) 1776 R P,A,Ca,Cp D nd nd dec NT / -
Amaurolimnas concolor (Gosse) 1847 r A,Ca A nd nd DD EN D / -
Porzana carolina (Linnaeus) 1758 V all DD nd nd DD - / NT
Porzana flaviventer (Boddaert) 1783 r P,A,Ca A nd nd DD VU B2ab(iii) / -
Pardirallus maculatus (Boddaert) 1783 r A,P A nd nd DD CR D / -
Porphyrio martinica (Linnaeus) 1766 RM all C 0.1 1,000,000 stab NT / NT
Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus) 1758 RM all C 0.1 1,000,000 stab NT / NT
Fulica americana Gmelin 1789 RM all E 1.6 2,000,000 stab LC / LC
HELIORNITHIDAE
Heliornis fulica (Boddaert) 1783 R P,A,Cp,Ca C nd nd dec VU A3c / -
EURYPYGIDAE
Eurypyga helias (Pallas) 1781 r A DD nd nd dec CR B2a,b(iii) / -
ARAMIDAE

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
57
Family
Species
Status
1
Region
2
Population
size
3
% of regional
population
4
Regional
population
5
Trend
6
Vulnerability
reprod. / visitors
7
Aramus guarauna (Linnaeus) 1766 R P,A,Cp,Ca D nd nd stab VU A3c / -
BURHINIDAE
Burhinus bistriatus (Wagler) 1829 R P,Vi DD nd nd dec VU D1 / -
CHARADRIIDAE
Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp B 0.1 200,000 DD - / LC
Pluvialis dominica (Müller) 1776 T all F 100 150,000 DD - / LC
Charadrius collaris Vieillot 1818 RM P,A,Ca,Cp B 1.8 10,000 DD VU D1 / NT
Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp A 0.2 13,000 DD - / NT
Charadrius wilsonia Ord 1814 V P,A,Ca,Cp A 0.5 6,000 DD - / NT
Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte 1825 V P,A,Ca,Cp B 0.1 150,000 DD - / NT
Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus 1758 V all C 0.1 1,000,000 DD - / LC
HAEMATOPODIDAE
Haematopus palliatus Temminck 1820 ? P,A,Cp,Ca A 0.3 8,500 DD - / NT
RECURVIROSTRIDAE
Himantopus mexicanus (Müller) 1776 RM all C 0.1 1,000,000 inc VU D1 / NT
Recurvirostra americana Gmelin 1789 V P,Cp DD nd 450,000 DD - / NT
JACANIDAE
Jacana spinosa (Linnaeus) 1758 R P,A,Cp,Ca D nd nd stab - / LC
SCOLOPACIDAE
Tringa melanoleuca (Gmelin) 1789 V all B 0.1 100,000 DD - / NT
Tringa flavipes (Gmelin) 1789 V all B 0 550,000 DD - / NT
Tringa solitaria Wilson 1813 V all B 0 150,000 DD - / NT
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (Gmelin) 1789 V P,A,Ca,Cp A 0 250,000 DD - / NT
Heteroscelus incanus (Gmelin) 1789 V P,Cp DD nd 25,000 DD - / NT
Actitis macularius (Linnaeus) 1766 V all D 1.1 250,000 DD - / LC
Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein) 1812 T all F 100 350,000 DD - / NT
Numenius borealis (Forster) 1772 ex (vagM) H 0 nd 100 EX - / RE
Numenius phaeopus (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp B 0.2 57,000 DD - / LC
Numenius americanus Bechstein 1812 V P,Cp DD nd 14,000 DD - / NT
Limosa haemastica Linnaeus 1758 T P,Cp E 100 50,000 DD - / NT
Limosa fedoa (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,Cp A 0 170,000 DD - / NT
Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp B 0 180,000 DD - / NT
Aphriza virgata (Gmelin) 1789 V P,Cp DD nd 70,000 DD - / NT
Calidris canutus (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp A 0 80,000 DD - / NT
Calidris alba (Pallas) 1764 V P,A,Ca,Cp C 0 300,000 DD - / NT
Calidris pusilla (Linnaeus) 1766 V P,A,Ca,Cp A 0 3,500,000 DD - / NT
Calidris mauri (Cabanis) 1857 V P,H,A,Cp,Ca B 0 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Calidris minutilla (Vieillot) 1819 V all C 0.1 600,000 DD - / NT
Calidris fuscicollis (Vieillot) 1819 T A,Cp,Ca B 0 400,000 DD - / NT
Calidris bairdii (Coues) 1861 T all A 0 300,000 DD - / NT
Calidris melanotos (Vieillot) 1819 T all B 0 100,000 DD - / NT
Calidris alpina (Linnaeus) 1758 vagM P,Cp DD nd 550,000 DD - / NA
Calidris himantopus (Bonaparte) 1826 V all A 0 200,000 DD - / NT
Tryngites subruficollis (Vieillot) 1819 T A,Cp,Ca E 100 15,000 DD - / NT
Philomachus pugnax (Linnaeus) 1758 vagM P,Cp DD nd nd DD - / NA
Limnodromus griseus (Gmelin) 1789 V P,A,Ca,Cp C 0.1 320,000 DD - / NT
Limnodromus scolopaceus (Say) 1823 V P,Cp DD nd 500,000 DD - / NT
Gallinago delicata (Ord) 1825 V P,H,A, DD nd 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Phalaropus tricolor (Vieillot) 1819 T H DD nd 1,500,000 DD - / NT
Phalaropus lobatus (Linnaeus) 1758 V P,Cp DD nd 2,000,000 DD - / NT
Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnaeus) 1759 V,H P,Cp DD nd 1,000,000 DD - / NT

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
58
Family
Species
Status
1
Region
2
Population
size
3
% of regional
population
4
Regional
population
5
Trend
6
Vulnerability
reprod. / visitors
7
LARIDAE
Stercorarius maccormicki Saunders 1893 V,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / LC
Stercorarius pomarinus (Temminck) 1815 V,H Cp,Ca DD nd nd DD - / LC
Stercorarius parasiticus (Linnaeus) 1758 V,H Cp,Ca DD nd nd DD - / LC
Stercorarius longicaudus Vieillot 1819 V,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / LC
Larus atricilla Linnaeus 1758 V all D 0.2 800000 DD - / LC
Larus pipixcan Wagler 1831 T P,H,Cp F 100 980000 DD - / LC
Larus heermanni Cassin 1852 vagM,H Cp DD nd 530000 DD - / NT
Larus delawarensis Ord 1815 vagM,H P,A,Cp DD nd 2000000 DD - / NA
Larus argentatus Pontoppidan 1763 V P,H,A,Cp,Ca A 0 370000 DD - / LC
Xema sabini (Sabine) 1819 V,H Cp DD nd 550000 DD - / NT
Sterna nilotica Gmelin 1789 V P,Cp,Ca B 0.3 25000 DD - / NT
Sterna caspia Pallas 1770 V P,A,Ca,Cp D 2.2 100000 DD - / NT
Sterna maxima Boddaert 1783 V P,A,Ca,Cp D 1.0 150000 DD - / NT
Sterna elegans Gambel 1849 T,H Cp DD nd 70000 DD - / NT
Sterna sandvicensis Latham 1787 V P,Cp,Ca C 0.4 100000 DD - / NT
Sterna dougallii Montagu 1813 V,H Ca DD nd 25000 DD - / NT
Sterna hirundo Linnaeus 1758 T Cp,Ca A 0 410000 DD - / NT
Sterna paradisaea Pontoppidan 1763 T,H Cp DD nd nd DD - / NT
Sterna forsteri Nuttall 1834 V,H P,Cp DD nd 120000 DD - / NT
Sterna antillarum (Lesson) 1847 V A,Cp,Ca B 0.1 68500 DD - / NT
Sterna anaethetus Scopoli 1786 V,H Ca DD nd nd DD - / NT
Sterna fuscata Linnaeus 1766 V Cp,Ca DD nd 2950000 DD - / NT
Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus) 1758 V all B 0 450000 DD - / NT
Rynchops niger Linnaeus 1758 V P,A,Ca,Cp D 1.2 101000 DD - / NT
* Nomenclature according to AOU (1998) and supplements (Banks et al. 2000, 2002).
1
Status: R-Breeding resident; r-Resident, breeding suspected; RM- Breeding resident, partially migratory; RV-Breeding visitor; rv- Visitor, breeding
suspected; V-Non-breeding visitor; T-Transient; vagM-Migratory vagrant; vagR-Non-migratory vagrant; H-Species with hypothetical record; ?-Status
uncertain; ex-Extinct or extirpated, in parentheses former status.
2
Region: P-Pacific slope (<900 msnm); A-Atlantic slope (<900 msnm); H-Highlands (>900 msnm); Cp-Pacific coast; Ca-Atlantic coast; all-in all
regions.
3
Population estimate: A <50 individuals; B 51-250; C 251-1000; D 1,001-10,000; E 10,000-50,000; F >50,000; DD-Data deficient, 0-extinct/extirpated.
4
Percentage of the total population of subspecies or regional population according to Delany & Scott (2002).
5
Population of subspecies or regional population according to Delany & Scott (2002) in number of individuals; nd-no data.
6
Population trend: dec-Decreasing; inc-Increasing; stab-Stabil; EX-Extinct/Extirpated; DD-Data Deficient.
7
Vulnerability reprod. / visitors (Eisermann & Avendaño 2006), applying IUCN criteria (2001, 2003) on national level to evaluate reproductive
populations and visiting non-breeding populations (reproductive populations are listed first, after the slash visiting non-breeding populations): NE-Not
Evaluated; NA-Not Applicable; DD-Data Deficient; EX-Extinct; RE-Regionally Extinct; EW-Extinct in the Wild; CR-Critically Endangered; EN-
Endangered; VU-Vulnerable; NT-Near Threatened; LC-Least Concern. Categories VU, EN and CR are indicated with sub-categories according to
IUCN (2001), accessible online at http://www.redlist.org

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
59
Appendix II. Common names of waterbirds reported in Guatemala
Scientific name Common English name Q'eqchi'
1
Common Spanish names
2
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck pijiji
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck pijiji
Cairina moschata
Muscovy Duck patux pato
Anas americana
American Wigeon pato
Anas platyrhynchos
Mallard pato
Anas discors
Blue-winged Teal pato, mancornado
Anas cyanoptera
Cinnamon Teal pato
Anas clypeata
Northern Shoveler pato
Anas acuta
Northern Pintail pato
Anas crecca
Green-winged Teal pato
Aythya valisineria
Canvasback pato
Aythya americana
Redhead pato
Aythya collaris
Ring-necked Duck pato
Aythya affinis
Lesser Scaup pato
Nomonyx dominicus
Masked Duck pato
Oxyura jamaicensis
Ruddy Duck pato
Tachybaptus dominicus
Least Grebe poc, pato poc, pato
Podilymbus podiceps
Pied-billed Grebe poc, pato poc, pato
Podilymbus gigas
Atitlan Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis
Eared Grebe
Procellaria parkinsoni
Parkinson’s Petrel
Puffinus creatopus
Pink-footed Shearwater
Puffinus pacificus
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Puffinus griseus
Sooty Shearwater
Puffinus nativitatis
Christmas Shearwater
Puffinus ilherminieri
Audubon’s Shearwater
Oceanites oceanicus
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Leach’s Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma tethys
Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma melania
Black Storm-Petrel
Oceanodroma microsoma
Least Storm-Petrel
Phaethon lepturus
White-tailed Tropicbird
Phaethon aetherus
Red-billed Tropicbird
Sula dactylatra
Masked Booby
Sula granti
Nazca Booby
Sula leucogaster
Brown Booby
Sula sula
Red-footed Booby
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
American White Pelican pelícano blanco
Pelecanus occidentalis
Brown Pelican alcatrás, pelícano
Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Neotropic Cormorant pato coche, malach
Phalacrocorax auritus
Double-crested Cormorant pato coche, malach
Anhinga anhinga
Anhinga malaach pato aguja
Fregata magnificens
Magnificent Frigatebird tigeria
Botaurus pinnatus
Pinnated Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
American Bittern
Ixobrychus exilis
Least Bittern
Tigrisoma lineatum
Rufescent Tiger-Heron
Tigrisoma mexicanum
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron cocoxjotz garza tigre, ajuquin, jorjor
Ardea herodias
Great Blue Heron jotz garza
Ardea alba
Great Egret jotz garza, garzon blanco
Egretta thula
Snowy Egret jotz garza
Egretta caerulea
Little Blue Heron jotz garza
Egretta tricolor
Tricolored Heron jotz garza
Egretta rufescens
Reddish Egret jotz garza
Bubulcus ibis
Cattle Egret sak'iquil, jotz garza
Butorides virescens
Green Heron jotz garza, poyoyo
Agamia agami
Agami Heron jotz garza
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night-Heron garza, beruzana
Nyctanassa vialacea
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron garza, beruzana
Cochlearius cochlearius
Boat-billed Heron cucharón
Eudocimus albus
White Ibis
Plegadis chihi
White-faced Ibis
Platalea ajaja
Roseate Spoonbill garza rosada, espatula rosada
Jabiru mycteria
Jabiru jabirú, cigüeña
Mycteria americana
Wood Stork cigüeña
Laterallus ruber
Ruddy Crake maxtululha
Laterallus exilis
Gray-breasted Crake
Laterallus jamaicensis
Black Rail
Rallus limicola
Virginia Rail
Aramides axillaris
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail cocolea, gallina de monte
Aramides cajanea
Gray-necked Wood-Rail cocolea, gallina de monte
Amaurolimnas concolor
Uniform Crake
Porzana carolina
Sora
Porzana flaviventer
Yellow-breasted Crake
Pardirallus maculatus
Spotted Rail
Porphyrio martinica
Purple Gallinule gallareta morada
Gallinula chloropus
Common Moorhen

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
60
Scientific name Common English name Q'eqchi'
1
Common Spanish names
2
Fulica americana
American Coot pato
Heliornis fulica
Sungrebe guacalito
Eurypyga helias
Sunbittern
Aramus guarauna
Limpkin correa, margarita
Burhinus bistriatus
Double-striped Thick-knee
Pluvialis squatarola
Black-bellied Plover pichich
Pluvialis dominica
American Golden-Plover pichich
Charadrius collaris
Collared Plover pichich
Charadrius alexandricus
Snowy Plover pichich
Charadrius wilsonia
Wilson’s Plover pichich
Charadrius semipalmatus
Semipalmated Plover pichich
Charadrius vociferus
Killdeer pichich
Haematopus palliatus
American Oystercatcher pichich
Himantopus mexicanus
Black-necked Stilt pichich, soldado
Recurvirostra americana
American Avocet pichich
Jacana spinosa
Northern Jacana fraile, gallito, chicharná
Tringa melanoleuca
Greater Yellowlegs pichich
Tringa flaviceps
Lesser Yellowlegs pichich
Tringa solitaria
Solitary Sandpiper pichich
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Willet pichich
Heteroscelus incanus
Wandering Tattler pichich
Actitis macularius
Spotted Sandpiper pitzun pichich, saltaculito
Bartramia longicauda
Upland Sandpiper pichich
Numenius borealis
Eskimo Curlew pichich
Numenius phaeopus
Whimbrel pichich
Numenius americanus
Long-billed Curlew pichich
Limosa haemastica
Hudsonian Godwit pichich
Limosa fedoa
Marbled Godwit pichich
Arenaria interpres
Ruddy Turnstone pichich
Aphriza virgata
Surfbird pichich
Calidris canutus
Red Knot pichich
Calidris alba
Sanderling pichich
Calidris pusilla
Semipalmated Sandpiper pichich
Calidris mauri
Western Sandpiper pichich
Calidris minutilla
Least Sandpiper pichich
Calidris fuscicollis
White-rumped Sandpiper pichich
Calidris bairdii
Baird’s Sandpiper pichich
Calidris melanotos
Pectoral Sandpiper pichich
Calidris alpina
Dunlin pichich
Calidris himantopus
Stilt Sandpiper pichich
Tryngites subruficollis
Buff-breasted Sandpiper pichich
Philomachus pugnay
Ruff pichich
Limnodromus griseus
Short-billed Dowitcher pichich
Limnodromus scolopaceus
Long-billed Dowitcher pichich
Gallinago delicata
Wilson's Snipe pichich
Phalaropus tricolor
Wilson’s Phalarope pichich
Phalaropus lobatus
Red-necked Phalarope pichich
Phalaropus fulicarius
Red Phalarope pichich
Stercorarius maccormicki
South Polar Skua gaviota
Stercorarius pomarinus
Pomarine Jaeger gaviota
Stercorarius parasiticus
Parasitic Jaeger gaviota
Stercorarius longicaudus
Long-tailed Jaeger gaviota
Larus atricilla
Laughing Gull gaviota
Larus pipixcan
Franklin’s Gull gaviota
Larus heermanni
Heermann’s Gull gaviota
Larus delawarensis
Ring-billed Gull gaviota
Larus argentatus
Herring Gull gaviota
Xema sabini
Sabine’s Gull gaviota
Sterna nitolica
Gull-billed Tern gaviota
Sterna caspia
Caspian Tern gaviota
Sterna maxima
Royal Tern gaviota
Sterna elegans
Elegant Tern gaviota
Sterna sandvicensis
Sandwich Tern gaviota
Sterna dougallii
Roseate Tern gaviota
Sterna hirundo
Common Tern gaviota
Sterna paradisea
Arctic Tern gaviota
Sterna forsteri
Forster’s Tern gaviota
Sterna antillarum
Least Tern gaviota
Sterna anaethetus
Bridled Tern gaviota
Sterna fuscata
Sooty Tern gaviota
Chlidonias niger
Black Tern gaviota
Rynchops niger
Black Skimmer gaviota
1
Names in the Q'eqchi' language for some species or groups of species were provided by the bird census takers from the community Rocjá Pomtilá,
Cobán, Alta Verapaz (PROEVAL RAXMU Bird Monitoring Program).
2 Local Spanish names from Eisermann (2001a), and personal comments by R. Balas McNab, J. M. Castillo Rivera, E. González Ordoñez, T. Dubon
Ortiz, G. Gámez Díaz, V. E. Cuoj.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
61
Appendix III. Species of waterbirds probably occurring in Guatemala
Family
Species
English Name Comments
ANATIDAE
Anser albifrons Scopoli 1769 Greater White-fronted Goose Some records in the south of Mexico and in
Belize (Howell & Webb 1995, Jones
& Vallely 2001, Jones 2003).
Chen caerulescens Linnaeus 1758 Snow Goose
Branta canadensis (Linnaeus) 1758 Canada Goose
Aix sponsa (Linnaeus) 1758 Wood Duck
Mergus serrator Linnaeus 1758 Red-breasted Merganser
PROCELLARIIDAE
Pterodroma neglecta (Schlegel) 1863 Kermadec Petrel
Pterodroma externa (Salvin) 1875 Juan Fernandez Petrel
Pterodroma phaeopygia (Salvin) 1876 Galapagos Petrel
Pterodroma rostrata (Peale) 1848 Tahiti Petrel
Puffinus auricularis Townsend 1890 Townsend’s Shearwater An observation and identification by P.
Kaestner on 11 May 2002 off Iztapa
(13°56’N 90°43’O), dpto. Escuintla, was
comunicated by J. Berry (in Eisermann &
Avendaño 2006). A confirmation with the
observer was not possible.
HYDROBATIDAE
Oceanodroma homochroa (Coues) 1864 Ashy Storm-Petrel An observation and identification by P.
Kaestner on 11 May 2002 off shore o
f
Iztapa (13°56’N 90°43’O), dpto. Escuintla,
was comunicated by J. Berry (in Eisermann
& Avendaño 2006). A confirmation with the
observer was not possible.
SULIDAE
Sula nebouxii Milne-Edwards 1882 Blue-footed Booby
THRESKIORNITHIDAE
Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus) 1766 Glossy Ibis See map in Howell & Webb (1995). There
exist 3 recent records for El Salvador (O.
Komar in Eisermann & Avendaño 2006).
PHOENICOPTERIDAE
Phoenicopterus ruber Linnaeus 1758 Greater Flamingo Two individuals were seen in Aguacaliente,
Toledo Distr., Belize, ~25 km from the
Guatemalan border (O. Figueroa in Jones
2001).
CHARADRIIDAE
Vanellus chilensis (Molina) 1782 Southern Lapwing Resident of South America (AOU 1998);
Martin (1998) reported the species in
Mexico and Jones (2005) reported records
in Belize and range extensions in Central
America.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
62
Family
Species
English Name Comments
LARIDAE
Larus philadelphia (Ord) 1815 Bonaparte’s Gull Was recorded in El Salvador on three
occasions (O. Komar in Eisermann &
Avendaño 2006).
Larus californicus Lawrence 1854 California Gull Recorded in El Salvador (Komar 2001)
Anous stolidus (Linnaeus) 1758 Brown Noddy
ALCIDAE
Synthliboramphus craveri (Salvadori) 1865 Craveri’s Murrelet A sighting of an individual of the family
Alcidae was assigned probably to this
species (Jehl 1974).

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
63
Appendix IV. Records of waterbird species of special concern in Guatemalan key sites
Species MG
1
SN
2
MH/PB
3
Güja
4
Am
5
Atit
6
Man
7
Dulce
8
BdP
9
L/Ik
10
Pet
11
Puc
12
Itza
13
Yax
14
Mir
15
Tig
16
Number of
sites where
species is
present
Dendrocygna autumnalis
X X X X X X X X X X X 11
Dendrocygna bicolor
X X X X 4
Cairina moschata
X X X X X X X 7
Oxyura jamaicensis
X X X X X 5
Podilymbus podiceps
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14
Podilymbus gigas
EX 0
Podiceps nigricollis
X X 2
Procellaria parkinsoni
0
Puffinus creatopus
0
Puffinus nativitatis
0
Puffinus ilherminieri
0
Oceanodroma tethys
0
Sula sula
X 1
Pelecanus occidentalis
X X X X X X X X X X X X 12
Botaurus pinnatus
X 1
Botaurus lentiginosus
0
Ixobrychus exilis
X X X 3
Tigrisoma mexicanum
X X X X X X X X X X X X 12
Ardea alba
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 15
Egretta thula
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16
Egretta caerulea
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 15
Egretta tricolor
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14
Egretta rufescens
X X 2
Butorides virescens
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 16
Agamia agami
X X X 3
Nycticorax nycticorax
X X X X X X X X 8
Nyctanassa violacea
X X X X X X X X X X 10
Cochlearius cochlearius
X X X X X X X X X 9
Platalea ajaja
X X X X X X X X X 9
Jabiru mycteria
X X X 3
Mycteria americana
X X X X X X X X X 9
Laterallus exilis
X X? 2
Laterallus jamaicensis
0
Rallus limicola
0
Aramides axillaris
X X 2
Amaurolimnas concolor
X 1
Porzana flaviventer
X 1
Pardirallus maculatus
X X? 2
Heliornis fulica
X X X X X X 6
Eurypyga helias
0
Aramus guarauna
X X X X X X X X X 9
Burhinus bistriatus
0
Charadrius collaris
X X 2
Himantopus mexicanus
X X X X X X X X X X X X 12
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
X X X 3

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
64
Species MG
1
SN
2
MH/PB
3
Güja
4
Am
5
Atit
6
Man
7
Dulce
8
BdP
9
L/Ik
10
Pet
11
Puc
12
Itza
13
Yax
14
Mir
15
Tig
16
Number of
sites where
species is
present
Numenius borealis
0
Larus heermanni
0
Xema sabini
0
Sterna elegans
0
Stern dougallii
0
Sterna hirundo
X 1
Sterna antillarum
X X 2
Chlidonias niger
X 1
1
Manchón-Guamuchal, source: Sigüenza (1995), pers. comm. by R. Sigüenza, J. Berry.
2
Sipacate-Naranjo, source: CONAP (2002), pers. comm. by R. Sigüenza.
3
Monterrico-Hawaii, source: pers. obs. K. Eisermann & C. Avendaño. No data were available for El Paraíso-La Barrona, but the geographic proximity to
Monterrico Hawaii and comments by R. Sigüenza suggest similarities.
4
Lake Güija, source: Herrera & Ibarra (2005).
5
Lake Amatitlán, source: Chávez (2001).
6
Lake Atitlán, source: pers. obs.
7
Punta de Manabique, source: Eisermann (2001a).
8
Río Dulce / Chocón Machacas / Río Sarstún, Source: Arrivillago et al. (1992), Pérez Consuegra et al. (2001).
9
Bocas del Polochic, source: Seglund & Conner (1997).
10
Laguna Lachuá / Floodplain Ik'bolay river, Source: Avendaño (2001), Eisermann (2001b).
11
Petexbatún, source: AHT International (2000); J. M. Castillo Riverapers. comm; pers. obs.
12
El Pucté, source: pers. comm. by J. Madrid.
13
Lake Petén Itzá, source: pers. comm by J. Madrid, pers. obs.
14
Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo, source: Seavy et al. (1995), Eisermann & Avendaño (2004), pers. comm by J. Madrid, pers. obs.
15
Mirador-Río Azul, source: pers. comm. by R. Balas McNab, J. M. Castillo Rivera, E. González Ordoñez, T. Dubon Ortiz, G. Gámez Díaz, V. E. Cuoj.
16
Laguna del Tigre, source: Pérez & Castillo (2000), Castillo (2001); pers. comm. by R. Balas McNab, J. M. Castillo Rivera, E. González Ordoñez, T. Dubon
Ortiz, G. Gámez Díaz, V. E. Cuoj.

Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Country Report for Guatemala
65
Appendix V. Derivation of population estimates*
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f
Atlantic slope Pacific slope Highlands
Total area of wetlands in Guatemala
Number of individuals per region
Species
Man PNLT Yax BdP
SUM km
coa.
Atl.
km
2
wetl.
Atl.
Mean
n/km
2
o
r
n/km
A
tl.
M-H Güija SN MG Sum km
coa.
Pac.
km
2
wetl.
Pac.
Mean n/km
2
o
r
n/km
Pac.
Ama Atit SUM km
2
wetl.
Highl.
Mean n/km
2
Highl.
km2 wetl.
Atl.
km2
wetl.
Pac.
km2
wetl.
Highl.
km
coast
Atl.
km
coast
Pac.
Atl.
coast
Pac.
coast
Atl.
slope
Pac.
slope
Highlands Total
Dendrocygna autumnalis
150 300 6 300 756 3537 0.21 100 2000 100 100 2300 253 9,09091 1 1 142.2 0.00703235 8157.2 669.1 216.8 1744 6083 2
7828
Dendrocygna bicolor
0 3537 0.00 10 5130 10 5150 253 20,3557 3 3 142.2 0.02109705 8157.2 669.1 216.8 0 13620 5
13625
Cairina moschata
75 750 100
925 3537 0.26 100 100 253 0,39526 2 2 142.2 0.0140647