Belizean Bird Enthusiasts Tired of Bird Misrepresentation in ART

Belize, a paradise for bird lovers, boasts over six hundred native bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers. This vibrant avian diversity has made birdwatching a beloved activity among enthusiasts. However, a recurring issue has been noted by these keen observers: many artworks and images across the country feature bird species that aren’t native to Belize. To delve deeper into this trend, we spoke with several passionate birdwatchers. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more on this intriguing story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Birds are an omnipresent symbol in Belize, gracing our buildings, clothing, and even our currency. They have become an integral part of the country’s iconic branding. However, there’s a troubling discrepancy. Despite their widespread depiction, many of these birds are not native to Belize. Avid birdwatcher Rudy Burgos has voiced his concerns about this issue. Here’s more on his perspective.

 

Rudy Burgos, Bird Watcher

“People want to use bird images in their advertising, whether it is t-shirts for national celebrations, or they put murals on the walls. For example, the education department put a mural on a wall with a bird or any or national monuments, like real bridges and arc and like that. And sometimes they just go to the internet and do a search.  And they based on whatever image they find, which is really shameful because sometimes they come up with strange things that you would find.”

 

The keel-billed toucan is Belize’s national bird. During September celebrations, imagery depicting the animal appeared all over the country, including the Belize City annual independence mural on the wall of the Roger’s Stadium. This painting is true to the likeness of the bird. However, the same cannot be said for other paintings previously commissioned by the Ministry of Education on the side of school buildings.

 

Rudy Brugos

“Or they say, this is national bird, which is not. And it goes over and over again. A good example would be some years ago, they started repeating schools all over the country and they put the national symbols, national animals. Okay. and they use a wrong token.  That is shameful. Imagine an education department that does not know their national animal so to speak.”

 

Nearly seventy percent of Belize’s overnight visitors touch down at the Philip Goldson International Airport, where they are welcomed by a striking arch adorned with vibrant macaws. Ironically, these colorful birds are a rare sight for guests during their stay in Belize. This curious mismatch between expectation and reality has not gone unnoticed.

 

Rudy Burgos

“We only have one type of macaw. We have ten species of parrots. One is a macaw, which is a scarlet macaw. Scarlet means red. You’ll see these macaws, they are not red. So it’s easy to see. They’re not Belizean.”

 

Spotting non-native bird species in Belize is not unheard of, as many birds migrate to warmer climates during the colder seasons of their native habitats. Earlier this week, an injured Caribbean Flamingo was discovered on the outskirts of Belize City, far from its usual home in Mexico. Despite the valiant efforts of the Belize Bird Rescue and the Animal Medical Center, the flamingo sadly succumbed to its injuries. Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer at the Belize Audubon Society, acknowledges the challenge of keeping track of which birds are native to Belize.

 

Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer, BAS

“In Belize you can find over six hundred species of birds, but that both includes the migratory species and the resident species. For the resident species  It is, birds that are, that can be found all year round in Belize and getting to identify those birds can be a bit tricky.”

 

Sho explains that a simple way to ensure that the birds being depicted are accurate to Belize’s diverse environment, is to simply check.

 

Miguel Sho

“One way that you can get the correct identification of these birds is, by referring to the guides. We have the Birds of Belize guide by by Lee Jones. And there’s some other new editions of books by other authors as well. And those can be very helpful when it comes to identifying birds that are native to Belize.”

 

By educating Belizeans about what animals are native to the country, visitors will also become more informed about what the country has to offer and what they can expect from their stay. While it might seem like a minor issue to many, for those who cherish and seek to represent the true beauty of their country, it is something they simply cannot ignore. The accurate depiction of Belize’s natural splendor is a matter of pride and authenticity for them. Britney Gordon for News Five.