Papaya Bandit

Collared Aracari Belize, Central America

We were having lunch at our local guide’s family restaurant in Belize, eating outdoors and enjoying a break in the day’s birding. Suddenly someone pointed toward a nearby tree and called out, “Collared Aracari!”

I asked if they were common around there.

“No,” came the reply.

Lunch was instantly forgotten.

Cameras came up, and for the next few minutes we photographed this beautiful bird perched only about twenty feet from our table, probably disappointed that the papayas weren’t yet ripe.

Wanda and me at our guide’s family restaurant where we saw the Collared Aracari.