Peter Herrera ~ About
It’s all about the birds!
In 1988 I started guiding individuals, small groups and university field courses in Belize. My passion is birds and sharing my enthusiasm with others.
I was born in a rural area of Belize near Crooked Tree Bird Sanctuary. As a young boy, I loved nature and being outdoors. When not in school, I would accompany my father in the forest where he and other farmers harvested chicle (natural chewing gum). As a young man in the Belize Army, I received my first pair of binoculars which has led to a wonderful lifetime of bird guiding, bird research, and bird conservation in Belize.
In 1990 I banded my first bird (black and white warbler). I’ve worked on several birding research projects including censusing by calls, nest searching and monitoring. I supervised a bird banding station in Central Belize. I’ve also worked on many environmental impact assessments and rare and endangered bird surveys throughout Belize.
- In 2009 I advised the Post Master of Belize in printing a set of stamps about Endangered Birds of Belize.
- I have participated in the Christmas Bird Count in Belize for over 20 years.
- I am a member of Prizeland Tours and Charters.
- I currently serve as the President of the National Association for Special Interpretive Guide of Belize.
Testimonials
Our Seattle Audubon group was delighted with our 10-day Belize birding adventure, and we could not have had a better guide. Peter is expert at both visual ID and birding by ear, knowledgeable about all aspects of nature, very informative about his country and culture, and patient and sensitive with people. Plus, he’s full of passion, good humor and enthusiasm — a real gem. Highly recommended by everyone in our group!
– Teri Martine, Seattle Audubon
I have brought six college groups to Belize for extended January field study trips. Our trips have been greatly enhanced by Peter’s talents and skills as a birding guide, his excellent organizational ability as well as his friendly and caring personality. Peter is an expert and tireless birder, and is always excited to impart his knowledge to others. I cannot say enough about his experience and professionalism as a guide, his expertise as a teacher of Belizean natural and cultural history, and his personal character. We have been fortunate to have Peter as a guide for our trips.
— Russ Cole, Oak Professor of Biological Sciences, Colby College, Waterville, Maine
Peter is warm, friendly, welcoming. He is very knowledgeable about not only natural history and ecology in Belize, but also about the rich cultural heritage of Belize and its people. You couldn’t ask for a better guide!
–Tom Hudspeth, Professor of Environmental Studies & Natural Resources, University of Vermont
Peter guided our bird trip in Belize. He met our small group of ten at the airport and traveled with us to some of the important bird areas in Belize. He has an incredible ear for bird calls and is an expert birder, probably one of the best, if not the best, in the country. For him, it’s all about the birds. He would bird with us from before sunrise, through the day and into the evening. But what really made the trip special was his great humanity. He truly enjoys people and is a vital part of the conservation community in Belize. His energy and good-natured humor made our trip one of the best we have ever offered to our members.
— Ruth Oppedahl, Executive director, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
