Are you a budding ornithologist in Central America? Or do you just like getting out into nature? Either way, you might be interested in Centroamerica Big Day!
March 15th is Centroamerica Big Day, a 24-hour birdwatching showdown for nature lovers of all ages. A “Big Day” is birding’s ultimate thrill—spotting as many species as possible in one day with keen skills, teamwork, and smart planning. This one is hosted by The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA), a group of tourism boards across several Central American countries and the Dominican Republic focused on promoting travel and natural attractions.
The idea is to get birders in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic out in national parks and wildlife reserves out looking for species like quetzales, toucans, and many more. The mission for the participating countries is to log species and spotlight Central America’s birdlife. It’s about boosting tourism and conservation together.
How to Participate
If you’re in one of the participating Central American countries and you’re interested in getting out to spot birds as part of this event, it’s pretty simple to get involved:
- Create an eBird Account: Visit eBird.org, sign up free, and learn to submit lists.
- Pick a Spot: Choose a birding location—any park, reserve, or natural area works.
- Team or Solo: Join a group via the country forms posted on Facebook (see the post below), or go it alone.
- Record Sightings: During the day, log all birds seen or heard on eBird. Add photos or recordings if you can.
- Submit Lists: Send your eBird checklists by day’s end; quick uploads track progress.
- Share It: Post your pics on social media with the hashtag #CentroamericaBigDay or #globalbigday.
- Have fun birdwatching!
Why This Day Matters
Centroamerica Big Day offers a critical snapshot of Central America’s birdlife. This region’s biodiversity faces threats like habitat loss, making every count a lifeline for conservation data.
Big Day events like this serve multiple purposes. They’re a celebration of our feathered friends, capturing a moment in time when birders can collectively document the range of species across a location or general area. The data collected becomes invaluable for researchers tracking migration patterns, population trends, and habitat health.
Beyond science, these events also build community. They welcome all participants into a shared experience. The friendly competition and camaraderie create lasting connections between people united by their appreciation for birds.
Many Big Days also support conservation directly, with observations influencing protection policies and sometimes even generating fundraising for habitat preservation. By participating, you’re contributing to a growing body of citizen science that helps Central American conservation organizations make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts. Each checklist submitted to eBird becomes part of a global database that tells the ongoing story of our changing environment and the birds that call it home.
So have fun this weekend and take part in the Centroamerica Big Day. It’s a day that truly counts for birds, for science, and for the future of Central America’s natural treasures!
