Guatemala took part in Global Big Day 2026, the worldwide birdwatching event promoted by eBird, the citizen science platform developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the United States.
This year’s edition set a new global record. According to eBird, more than 8,000 species were recorded in a single day on May 9, with the participation of more than 80,000 observers across 203 countries and more than 4.1 million observations.
In Guatemala, Global Big Day activities took place across different regions of the country. Petén stood out nationally by recording the highest number of observed species, particularly within the Maya Biosphere Reserve, one of Mesoamerica’s most important forest landscapes and a critical corridor for migratory birds traveling annually between hemispheres.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo shared a message recognizing Global Big Day and highlighted the value of the Maya Forest as a space for conservation, culture, and sustainable development in the country.
Guatemala ranked among the countries with the highest growth in eBird checklists during Global Big Day 2026, according to official eBird data.
Forest restoration and conservation in “La Casona”
Activities began one day before the official count at “La Casona,” an emblematic site within the Maya Biosphere Reserve where, years ago, more than 700 hectares of forest were destroyed overnight following land invasions linked to illegal cattle ranching.
Following recovery efforts promoted by the Government of Guatemala, an ecological restoration process was initiated, focused on the removal of introduced grasses used for cattle ranching, which prevented the forest’s natural regeneration and increased the risk of forest fires.
Later, native species such as ramón, mahogany, and cericote were planted. Over time, the actions expanded to include forest fire prevention, maintenance of firebreaks, trail clearing, and territory monitoring. In addition to restoring the landscape, these activities generate employment opportunities for local communities.
For the community women participating in restoration work, the recovery of the landscape is already becoming visible.
“Before, the area looked very degraded, with large areas of fallen forest, but now we can see that little by little it is recovering,” shared Magali Ramírez González.
During the welcoming ceremony, representatives from government institutions, community organizations, and conservation partners shared messages about the importance of forest restoration, protection of the Maya Forest, and bird monitoring as a tool for conservation.
“This area is recovering and being restored, and it is proof that forests can recover,” said Gerardo Paiz from Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP).
Meanwhile, Dr. Ian Owens, Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, highlighted the symbolic importance of the site for Global Big Day.
“I cannot imagine a more inspiring place to talk about Global Big Day than here, in the heart of one of the world’s most important forests,” he said during the event.
The event brought together representatives from CONAP, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology of Guatemala (INSIVUMEH), the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT), the Departmental Government of Petén, the National Civil Police (PNC), the Association of Forest Communities of Petén (ACOFOP), the Integral Forest Association Cruce a La Colorada (AFICC), Cooperativa Carmelita, COCODE San Miguel La Palotada, Selva Maya del Norte, as well as representatives from WCS Guatemala, among other organizations.
This event demonstrated the commitment of the Government of Guatemala, international cooperation partners, and strategic allies to continue promoting restoration efforts in the Maya Biosphere Reserve and to scale up the “Re-Greening” initiative as a sustainable development strategy for the conservation of the Carmelita Route.
Puerto Arturo: a key refuge for resident and migratory birds
Later, the groups traveled to Puerto Arturo, where the Carmelita Cooperative welcomed more than 100 participants, including community members, students, young people, researchers, and birdwatchers from across Guatemala and abroad.
The official Cornell Lab of Ornithology “Team Sapsucker” in Guatemala included Marshall Iliff, along with Melissa Mancuso and Kevin Ebert. Young participants supported by WCS Guatemala also took part, including Catalina López, Santiago Juárez, Fernando Avelar, and Kevin Reyes. At the same time, another team conducted observations in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States, a region connected to the Maya Forest through migratory routes used each year by species wintering in Guatemala, such as the Wood Thrush.
Birders from groups such as the Caoba Birders Club and the Petén Birders Association also participated, along with technicians from partner organizations and specialists involved in bird monitoring and conservation in tropical forests. At the same time, other groups supported by WCS and ACOFOP carried out birdwatching activities in Uaxactún and Manos Unidas, expanding coverage across the region.
These efforts contribute valuable information to strengthen Guatemala’s National Biodiversity Information System (SNIBgt), promoted by CONAP to support biodiversity data management and access across the country.
During the night before and throughout the early morning of May 9, teams began bird monitoring routes at midnight and continued throughout the day across different restoration areas and biological monitoring sites.
Some of the species observed included:
Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens)
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia)
Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Ornate Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetus ornatus)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis)
Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia)
Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata)
Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)
Olive-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana)
Gartered Violaceous Trogon (Trogon caligatus)
Lovely Cotinga (Cotinga amabilis)
The observation activities concluded at Lake Petén Itzá, where teams boarded boats to continue recording species associated with riparian ecosystems.
“When you learn to observe birds, you also begin to understand the importance of conserving them,” said Migdalia Azucena López Segura, a member of a community birdwatching group from Yaxhá National Park.
All records collected during the event were uploaded to eBird. This information contributes to global species monitoring, the study of migratory routes, and the generation of data used in scientific research and conservation strategies across different countries. In Guatemala, the platform also includes a dedicated portal where bird observation records, lists, and data can be consulted.
The official checklist compiled by Marshall Iliff can be found at this link.
A landscape filling with life again
The Global Big Day 2026 left more than bird records. It also showed how restoration processes and community forest management can recover degraded territories and transform them once again into refuges for biodiversity.
In Guatemala, the event reaffirmed the importance of the Maya Biosphere Reserve for continental migratory routes and demonstrated how collaboration among communities, institutions, and organizations can contribute to the recovery of strategic landscapes for conservation.
While thousands of people participated in Global Big Day around the world, in the Maya Forest it also became evident how communities, scientists, students, and authorities are working together to protect the forest. Once again, Global Big Day reminded us that birds connect us.