The Crooked Tree Sanctuary, established for the protection of resident and migrant birds, is located 33 miles northwest of Belize City off the Northern Highway in the Belize District. The large network of inland lagoons, swamps and waterways provides both the abundant food sources and the safe resting area that is necessary to support a large and diverse population of birds, the most notable being the Jabiru Stork. With a wingspan up to 12 feet, it is the largest flying bird in North America and Belize has the largest nesting population of Jabiru in Central America. They begin arriving in November to nest in the lowland pine savannas. The Sanctuary also provides a home for the black howler monkey, Morelet’s Crocodile, coatimundi and several species of turtle and iguana.
