Western Field Ornithologists (WFO) has two fantastic international birding tours planned for late 2026. More details will be shared with members soon, but we wanted to give you a brief preview:

Birding Guatemala’s Highlands and Lake Atitlán with Phil Unitt

Dates: October 19–29, 2026

About the trip:

Guatemala is a richly diverse cultural center and a lush and vibrant paradise for birders. Set in the heart of Central America, it sits within one of the Western Hemisphere’s prime migratory corridors. Join WFO on this 11-day adventure to enjoy excellent birding opportunities and learn about the Asociación Vivamos Mejor, a non-profit in Panajachel whose programs include training nearby residents to become birding and nature guides. Together with an expert guide and part-time apprentice guides, you’ll explore a variety of habitats at varying elevations and see firsthand many of the area’s rare and endemic species.

Tour Operator: Holbrook Travel

WFO Tour Guide: Phil Unitt

Phil is the Carol Wilson Endowed Chair of Ornithology and curator of the Department of Birds and Mammals at the San Diego Natural History Museum. He is also the long-time editor of WFO’s Western Birds and recipient of the prestigious Harry S. Swarth Award for his significant contributions to field ornithology in the West. He is a specialist in subspecies identification, distribution, and the history of distributional change in California birds.

Pricing: from $4,275*

* Trip pricing dependent on room configuration – more details will be available soon.

Ecuador: Birdlife Across the Andes with Jon Dunn

Dates: November 28 – December 10, 2026

About the trip:

Ecuador is one of the most bird-rich countries on Earth, with nearly 1,700 species recorded. Its compact geography allows easy access to cloud forests, Andean páramo, and Amazonian foothills, each offering distinct bird communities. Few places provide such variety within short travel distances.

This tour combines outstanding birding with meaningful context. Participants will explore key reserves and national parks, meet local partners, and gain insight into how ecology and geography shape birdlife. The result is a journey that is both rewarding in the field and valuable in understanding conservation challenges.

Tour Operator: Flyway Birding Tours (formerly Crescentia Expeditions)

WFO Tour Guide: Jon Dunn

Jon  has been a member of the Committee on Classification and Nomenclature of the American Ornithologists’ Society since 2000 and has served over 30 years on the California Bird Records Committee. Jon is a charter member of WFO and was on the Board of Directors off and on for some two decades during which time he also served as president. In 2012, Jon received the American Birding Association’s Roger Tory Peterson Award, given for a lifetime of achievements in promoting the cause of birding, and in 2024, WFO awarded Jon the Alan M. Craig Award for his dedication and service to the organization.

Pricing: from $4,700*

* Trip pricing dependent on room configuration – more details will be available soon.

 

Keep an eye on your WFO member emails- there will be more information on both trips, including planned itineraries and registration information, coming in December 2025.

For more information, email contact@westernfieldornithologists.org.

 

November 2025