Managua, Nov 18 (EFE) .- The third International Bird Festival in Nicaragua was inaugurated today with the aim of allowing tourists to observe 203 species of migratory birds and about 551 birds Residents, organizers informed today.

The festival gathers hundreds of birdwatchers, among professionals and amateurs, in the colonial city of Granada, 45 kilometers away. Southeast of Managua, one of the most tourist in Nicaragua, said the Nicaraguan Foundation for Conservation, known as the Cocibolca Foundation, promoter of the event.

The festival offers tours of observation, talks with experts, concerts, exhibitions of photographs and paintings on birds.

The exhibitors, national and international, will analyze the potential aviturístico of Nicaragua, as well as the threats that hover over the populations of birds that transit through the Central American isthmus, due to the increasing deforestation of this territory, according to the information.

The talks, exhibitions and other activities take place in squares and hotels in Granada, from where tours to ecotourism farms will be offered, both diurnal and nocturnal.

Contests of photographs, concerts and a bicycle race will also be held within the framework of the festival, which takes place in Nicaragua because it is the country of the region. where avitourism is more developed, according to its organizers.

According to the organization, this is the time with the highest concentration of birds in Nicaragua, a a country that has 754 fully identified species, of which 551 are resident and 203 are migratory.

The objective of the International Bird Festival is to promote bird tourism and nature tourism in Nicaragua, organizers explained.

The festival is organized with the support of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Tourism (Canatur), the Nicaraguan Tour Association Operators (Antur) and with the sponsorship of Pellas Group, Movistar and Fundación Prodel.