Bird is the Word Ep03
Bird is the Word is an interactive, laid back chat about birds, birding and all things bird related from around the world. This episode features a conversation with Francis Canto Jr., a birding guide from Belize. Not only will Francis recount several of his most incredible adventures birding his homeland, he’ll also share some of his amazing photography.
In his own words: “I have been passionate about nature from when I was a young child, whether it be exploring the backwoods of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary or touring the museum at the Belize Audubon Society’s office. My passion for birding struck when on a boat ride from Lamanai when I saw my first Black-collared Hawk, from that day on, I have become a dedicated, passionate, and thorough birder. I have birded all over my home country of Belize from the hills of Mountain Pine Ridge to the savannahs in Punta Gorda and the cayes along the coast of Belize. Apart from being a dedicated birder, I am also an avid photographer having photographed over 400 species of birds in Belize alone. I’m now a licensed tour and can lead birding trips within Belize. I’m also involved in a few science-based projects within Belize such as the Belize Raptor Watch, Yellow-headed Parrot Project, Central American Waterbird Census. I currently serve on the board of directors for the Belize Audubon Society and I am an eBird reviewer and hotspot editor for Belize”
Catch up with Francis on Instagram!
Organizer
Faraaz Abdool is an internationally published freelance conservation and wildlife photographer/writer who specializes in birds and the issues they face worldwide. He graciously serves on the Trinidad and Tobago Bird Status and Distribution Committee (formerly the Trinidad and Tobago Rare Bird Committee), and leads birding trips on both islands. Faraaz also runs yearly birding and wildlife tours to East Africa.
Faraaz is also the author of “Casual Birding in Trinidad & Tobago”, an extensive volume designed to market T&T as an attractive and easy birding destination as well as to educate the local population about their avian cohabitants.
Faraaz cultivates wildlife consciousness via his words and images, in a last-ditch attempt to reconnect humans with nature and save the world.