Introduction


Mexico is a vast and diverse country and to cover the whole of it in one trip you need a lot of time. I spent almost 3 months here and covered most parts. If you have less time, limit yourself to just one region. Mexico has an excellent field guide, 'A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Nothern Central America' by Steve N.G.Howell and Sophie Webb and also a fantastic site guide called, 'Where to watch birds in Mexico' also by Howell both of which were indispensable. The field guide doesn't have plates for most of the migrants (although they are covered in the text) so a North American field guide is strongly recomended. I used the National Geographic 'Field Guide to the Birds of North America' Third Edition. Mexico is relatively expensive for Latin America. Long-distance, first-class buses are particularly expensive, so the more often and further you travel, the more you will spend. We usually spent US$15-$20 dollars for a double room which is the cheaper end of the range. Cheap and delicious food is widely available. Hire cars are apparently expensive (at least $50) and we only used public transport and hitching. Very few places are not served by buses and Mexicans are friendly and readily give lifts. Outside cities, it didn't feel unsafe. Without your own transport though, it can be difficult to arrive at birding sites early.

Sites visited


1. Mexico city 15th September, 2004
2. La Cima, D.F 17th September
3. Coatepec, Veracruz 19-20th September
4. Parque Paseos de los Lagos, Jalapa, Veracruz 20th September
5. Parque Ecologico Macuiltepetl, Jalapa, Veracruz 21st September
6. Amatlan, Veracruz 22-23rd September
7. Boca del Rio, Veracruz 24th September
8. El Naranjo, San Louis Potosi 25-28th September
9. La Pesca, Tamaulipas 29th September
10. Cola de Caballo, Highrise & Presa Rodrigo Gomez, Nuevo Leon 1-2nd October
11. Tanque de Emergencia & Hedionda Grande, Coahuila 3rd & 5th October
12. Socorro Rivera, Chihuahua 7th October
13. Mazatlan, Sinaloa 9th October
14. San Jose del Cabo, Baja California del Sur 11-13th October
15. La Paz, Baja California del Sur 10th & 14th October
16. Ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan 15th October
17. Barranca Rancho Liebre, Sinaloa 16th October
18. San Blas, Nayarit 17-19th October
19. La Bajada, Nayarit 18-19th October
20. Volcan de Fuego, Jalisco 21st & 23rd October
21. Microondas la Cumbre, Colima 22nd October
22. El Paraiso, Guerrero 25-27th October
23. Almoloya del Rio, Mexico 3rd November
24. Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca 5th November
25. Route 175 North, Oaxaca 6-7th November
26. Near El Porvenir, Route 175 South, Oaxaca 9-10th November
27. La Soledad to El Mirador, Route 175 South, Oaxaca 9 & 11th November
28. Tehuantepec, Oaxaca 12th & 13th November
29. Serra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz 14-19th November
30. Uxpanapa Road, Oaxaca Veracruz 21st-22nd November
31. Tapanatepec, Oaxaca 23rd November
32. ZOOMAT, Tuxtla Guttierez, Chiapas 24th November
33. Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas 25th November
34. San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas 26-28th November
35. Isla Cozumal, Quintana Roo 30th November-2nd December
36. Felipe Carillo Puerto, Quintana Roo 3rd-4th December


1. Mexico city       15th September, 2004

   We stayed with a friend in the south of Mexico City in a place called Santa Catalina. The private road had many trees and several birds could be seen, especially in the early morning. I saw my first hummingbird of the trip. The tell-tale curved, red bill and the rufous wings and tail helped me to identify the endemic Berylline Hummingbird. It give an incessent chipping from branches and even overhead wires. The similar-looking Broad-billed hummingbird also with a red, curved bill was distinguished by its black wings and tail and its white underparts and spot behind its eye. Apart from House Sparrows, the most common birds in this area were the petite Inca Doves. Usually found in pairs, their coo-coo calls could be often heard. They have a smart barred pattern makes them difficult to see when they�re feeding on the ground. Other birds seen were the colourful and very active Wilson�s Warblers, the very plain-coloured Canyon Towhee, Barn Swallows and a scraggy-looking Great-tailed Grackle which seems to sit permenantly on the roof of a nearby family restaurant.
13 species including 13 lifers.

Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Inca Dove Columbina inca Photographed
Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris Photographed
Berylline Hummingbird Saucerottia beryllina Photographed
Blue-throated Hummingbird ? Lampornis clemenciae
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Bell's Vireo ? Vireo bellii
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus
Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

2. La Cima, D.F       17th September, 2004    Site 8.4 (In Howell's site guide)

   La Cima is practically the only spot where you can find the endangered endemic Sierra Madre Sparrow and it can easily be visited in a day trip from Mexico City. Take a bus from Terminal del Sur to Tres Marias where you get off and walk to the �Carretera Federal� where a bus goes back towards Mexico City. There should be a direct bus here along this road but I didn't find out where it left from. La Cima is only 7-8 kilometres back along this road and is a highland grassy plain with outcrops of volcanic rocks and scattered pines woodland on the steeper slopes. Finding the Sierra Madre Sparrow is supposedly not too difficult but took me about an hour and a half. They are responsive to playback. Further down the highway was another track leading into the forest with some good birds like Red Warbler Broad-billed Hummingbird. Be careful not to exert yourself at this altitude and bring plenty of food and water.
34 species including 28 lifers.

Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Possibly seen
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus
Strickland's Woodpecker Picoides stricklandi Endemic
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax Photographed
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis Possibly seen
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana Photographed
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Photographed
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
Mexican Chickadee Poecile sclateri
Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica
Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi Possibly seen
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber Endemic
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Rufous-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pileatus Endemic
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Photographed
Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus
Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus Endemic Photographed Recorded
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Sierra Madre Sparrow Xenospiza baileyi Endemic Endangered Photographed
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Possibly seen
Black-backed Oriole Icterus abeillei Endemic
Pine Siskin Carduelis pinus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

3. Coatepec, Veracruz       19-20th September, 2004    Site 10.2

   Coatepec is a site for the endangered endemic Bearded Wood-Partridge and can be visited in a day trip from the nearby town of Jalapa although there are a few more expensive places to stay in Coatepec aswell. We stayed at Hotel Limon in Jalapa for N$145 (pesos). Buses leave regularly from Jalapa and you can walk from where the bus drops you to the site following the directions in the site guide. I failed to see the bird and it would be better to contact Pronatura-Veracruz who may be able to help you find a guide who knows where to find the birds Contact information is found in the site guide. It would also be good to get to the site as early as possible which is more difficult on public transport. General birding is excellent.
46 species including 42 lifers.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Possibly seen
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Recorded
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Photographed
Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata Possibly heard
White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens Possibly seen
Azure-crowned Hummingbird Agyrtria cyanocephala
Bumblebee Hummingbird Atthis heloisa Endemic Possibly seen
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Photographed
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons Photographed
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus Possibly heard Recorded
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis Possibly seen
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Possibly seen
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Possibly seen
Cordilleran Flycatcher Empidonax occidentalis Possibly seen Photographed
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Photographed
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia Photographed
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Recorded
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera Photographed Recorded
Elegant (Blue-hooded) Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens Recorded
Yellow Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysopeplus
Blue Bunting Cyanocompsa parellina Possibly seen
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Photographed
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Photographed

4. Parque Paseos de los Lagos, Jalapa, Veracruz      20th September, 2004

   This nice little park is near the centre of town. From the plaza, go down the step and it is about 5 minutes walk. It has a couple of lakes with a few waterbirds plus lots of flowering trees with hummingbirds.
17 species including 12 lifers.

Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus Photographed
Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Photographed
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Photographed
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Photographed
Green Heron Butorides virescens Photographed
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Azure-crowned Hummingbird Agyrtria cyanocephala Photographed
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons Possibly seen
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Possibly seen
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

5. Parque Ecologico Macuiltepetl, Jalapa, Veracruz      21st September, 2004

This Park, also within Jalapa city is a little further from the centre. You can walk although it would be better to take a bus or taxi. There are a couple of different entrances all worth exploring. This is a great place to bird in the morning.
21 species including 8 lifers.

Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Azure-crowned Hummingbird Agyrtria cyanocephala
Berylline Hummingbird Saucerottia beryllina
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons Photographed
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Photographed
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens Endemic
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi Photographed
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Photographed
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Photographed
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea Photographed
White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha Photographed
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens Photographed
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Photographed
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

6. Amatlan, Veracruz      22-23rd September, 2004    Site 10.3

   This site is one of the best places to see the near-threatened endemic Sumichrast's Wren. Amatlan is very small but only 8km from Cordoba, a major city. Cordoba has a range of hotels and restaurants. We stayed at the Hotel Iberia which was quite comfortable. Buses leave Cordoba for Amatlan regularly and from the plaza follow the intructions in the site guide to reach the forest. The 2km walk there can be quite birdy and birding at the actual site is excellent, with many tropical species. I failed to see wren on the first day as I got there too late but saw it the next day with the use of playback. Once you've located a singing bird. It's best to climb into the forest, try playback and wait.
53 species including 31 lifers.

Great Egret Ardea alba
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Photographed
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Heard only
Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana Possibly heard
White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis Possibly seen
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi Possibly seen
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus curvipennis
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa eximia Possibly seen
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus Recorded
Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus Possibly heard Recorded
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons Photographed Recorded
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Possibly seen
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Possibly seen
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Possibly seen
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Photographed
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Photographed
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus Recorded
Sumichrast's Wren Hylorchilus sumichrasti Endemic Near-threatened Recorded
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Fan-tailed Warbler Euthlypis lachrymosa
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus Recorded
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus Recorded
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens Recorded
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri
Montezuma Oropendola Gymnostinops montezuma Recorded
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria

7. Boca del Rio, Veracruz      24th September, 2004

   Boca Del Rio is a river mouth about 10km South of Veracruz. It is easily reached by public bus from the city. Veracruz is a nice but very hot town with plenty of places to stay and eat. The plaza seems very lively with music in the evenings. Many sea and costal birds can be seen by walking along the edge of the river towards the sea.
18 species including 7 lifers.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Photographed
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Photographed
Great Egret Ardea alba Photographed
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Photographed
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Photographed
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Photographed
Sanderling Calidris alba Photographed
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Photographed
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Photographed
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Possibly seen
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

8. El Naranjo, San Luis Potosi      25-28th September, 2004    Site 4.5

   To get here we took a bus from Tampico on the coast to Ciudad Mante and from there another to El Naranjo. It is a small town with one main street that can be very dusty or very muddy depending on the weather. There are a couple of places to stay and eat. Birding is quite spread out but there are a few minibuses or you can hitch if you don't have your own transport. It's worth spending a few days in the area as there are some fantastic birds. The first spot worth visiting is the small marsh at the junction. Here, Altamira Yellowthroat is easy. It seems to be private property but the landowner didn't seem to be too angry when he caught me. If you see anyone, ask permission. From the junction, it's 6km to El Meco which is the best place to see Parrots. Minibuses leave El Naranjo for El Meco regularly. I saw a pair of Yellow-headed Parrots flying over the town in the morning and Red-crowned Parrots a bit further along. You can also see Tamaulipas Crow around here. The walk from El Meco to El Salto has good birding. Back at El Naranjo, cross the bridge and follow the road up the hill and past the small village of Sabinito. Further on at about 10am I saw many Military Macaws just before the 155km marker and a small catholic shrine.
90 species including 35 lifers.

Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba Photographed
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Possibly seen
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Photographed
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Photographed Recorded
(Northern) Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Photographed
Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Aplomado Falcon Falco femoralis
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula Photographed
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus
Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus Possibly heard
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Military Macaw Ara militaris Vulnerable Recorded
White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis
Red-crowned Parrot Amazona viridigenalis Endemic Endangered Recorded?
Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona oratrix Endangered
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Photographed
Mottled Owl Ciccaba virgata Possibly heard Recorded
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus curvipennis Possibly seen
Buff-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia yucatanensis
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Photographed
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus Possibly seen
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis
Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus cooperi Photographed
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Possibly seen
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Photographed
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis Recorded
Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans Possibly seen
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Possibly seen
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus Recorded
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Photographed
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas
Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio Recorded
Tamaulipas Crow Corvus imparatus Endemic Photographed Recorded
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla Recorded
Altamira Yellowthroat Geothlypis flavovelata Endemic Vulnerable Photographed
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Recorded
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus Recorded
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda Possibly seen
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Recorded
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Possibly seen
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens Possibly seen
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps Photographed Recorded
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea Possibly seen
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives Photographed Recorded
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus Photographed
Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

9. La Pesca, Tamaulipas      29th September, 2004    Site 4.2

   La Pesca can be visited in a day trip from Ciudad Victoria, a large city with all amenities, although it is 3 hours each way on buses. There should be places to stay in Soto La Marina just 1 hour from La Pesca but it didn't look such a nice place. A bus left the terminal in Ciudad Victoria for Soto La Marina at 7:30. There we had to wait a while for another bus to La Pesca. On the second bus ride you pass some lakes, one of which was full of egrets, ibis and Roseate Spoonbills. At La Pesca the bus drops you in the town but it is another 2-3km to the beach. On this walk, I saw Nashville Warbler and Plain Chachalaca. At the coast, there is a small river mouth where I saw Long-billed Curlew and the main beach with lots of terns and waders, including Piping Plover. The beach looked like it caters for many tourists with lots of umbrella, seats and restaurants. It was deserted when I was there but if you picked the wrong day, it could be full. Avoid weekends and holidays.
50 species including 21 lifers.

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Photographed
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
White Ibis Eudocimus albus
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Photographed
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
(Northern) Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Photographed
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus
American Golden-Plover Pluvialis dominica Photographed
Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Photographed
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Vulnerable
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Near-threatened Photographed
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Photographed
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Photographed
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Photographed
Sanderling Calidris alba Photographed
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Photographed
Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Photographed
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Photographed
Black Skimmer Rynchops niger
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata Photographed
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus Photographed
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre
Tamaulipas Crow Corvus imparatus Endemic Photographed
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla Photographed
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Photographed
Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

10. Cola de Caballo, Highrise & Presa Rodrigo Gomez, Nuevo Leon      1-2nd October, 2004    Site 3.1

   These sites are close to the huge city of Monterrey and can be visited in a day trip from there. It's best to have your own transport but you can get there on public transport. Getting to the Highrise is difficult though. Take any bus to El Cercado and get off there. Then take a local bus from near the plaza to Cola de Caballo. From there you can carry on walking up (good birding) and try to hitch. Traffic is light but it is possible. The site guide has excellent maps and instructions. The Maroon-fronted Parrots are not too difficult to see but they are very far away. A scope would be very useful. Presa Rodrigo Gomez is a reservoir back at the highway with some waterbirds.
61 Species including 23 lifers.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Possibly seen
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Photographed
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
American Coot Fulica americana
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Photographed
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Maroon-fronted Parrot Rhynchopsitta terrisi Endemic Vulnerable Recorded
Red-crowned Parrot Amazona viridigenalis Endemic Endangered Recorded?
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archilochus alexandri
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Photographed
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax
Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Photographed
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus Photographed
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus Photographed Recorded
Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus Recorded
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Photographed
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi Photographed Recorded
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Bridled Titmouse Baeolophus wollweberi Photographed
Black-crested Titmouse Baeolophus atricristatus
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Photographed
Brown Creeper Certhia americana Photographed
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas Photographed Recorded
Mexican Jay Aphelocoma ultramarina Photographed Recorded
Common Raven Corvus corax
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus Possibly seen
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Photographed
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Recorded
Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons Photographed Recorded
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda

11. Tanque de Emergencia & Hedionda Grande, Coahuila       3rd & 5th October, 2004    Site 3.3

   Saltillo is a nice city with all amenities and makes a good base to visit these 2 sites. To get to Tanque de Emergencia, take a bus from the terminal (one left at 6:45) towards Concepcion del Oro and get off 43km south of Saltillo at the turn of for Tanque which is just a gravel road on the left. Birding is good along this road with many desert birds. Traffic is very light and you need to be lucky to get a lift. After 8km there is an old water tank and the endangered endemic Worthen's Sparrow has been seen around here in Winter. Further on there was a small lake where I saw Sprague's Pipit. There are huge prairie dog colonies and I saw Golden Eagles and Northern Harrier. If you have your own transport, you turn left at El Cercado after 18.8 km and drive towards Hedionda Grande. Walking, you probably have to go another day. The turn-off for Hedionda Grande is 32km south of Saltillo but from there it is about 28km to the place where you can see Worthen's Sparrows. You can take the same bus from the terminal towards Concepcion del Oro and try to hitch along this road. Traffic is still light but better than the Tanque road. I failed to find Worthen's Sparrow at either site. Other months might be better.
45 species including 19 lifers.

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Photographed
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus
Scaled Quail Callipepla squamata Photographed
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Recorded
Baird's Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Photographed
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Photographed
Inca Dove Columbina inca Possibly seen
Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus Photographed
Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Possibly seen
Say's Phoebe Sayornis saya Photographed
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Photographed
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans
Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris Photographed
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueii Vulnerable
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre Possibly seen
Crissal Thrasher Toxostoma crissale Photographed Recorded
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Polioptila melanura
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Photographed
Common Raven Corvus corax Photographed
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus
Cassin's Sparrow Aimophila cassinii
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Black-throated Sparrow Amphispiza bilineata Photographed
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Possibly seen Photographed
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii Possibly seen
Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus

12. Socorro Rivera, Chihuahua      7th October, 2004

   This is a breeding site for the endangered Thick-billed Parrot. It is close to the town of Madera which is 5 hours by bus from Chihuahua city. Madera only has a few hotels. The cheapest on seemed to be closed and the cheapest place we could find was N$270. A bus leaves Madera for Huaracan at 6am and passes Ejido Socorro Rivera. From the turn off it is another couple of kms up into the village which is just a group of poor housing. You get dropped off in the dark so bring a torch and warm clothes. I followed the track through the village and carried on towards the hills. This is an old logging trail. I failed to see the parrots and they may have already flown south.
30 species including 9 lifers.

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Heard only
Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis Near-threatened Possibly seen
Mountain Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium gnoma Possibly heard
Red-naped Sapsucker Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Photographed Recorded?
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Photographed Recorded
Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana
Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi Photographed Recorded
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus Photographed
Mexican Chickadee Poecile sclateri Photographed
Bridled Titmouse Baeolophus wollweberi
Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea Photographed
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Recorded
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Photographed
Common Raven Corvus corax
Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Photographed
Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus Photographed
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Possibly seen
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

13. Mazatlan, Sinaloa      9th October, 2004

   We took the ferry from Mazatlan to Baja California. We saw some interesting birds in town and around the harbour area.
21 species including 7 lifers.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Photographed
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni Near-threatened
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan Possibly seen
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
Sinaloa Crow Corvus sinaloae Endemic
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

14. San Jose del Cabo, Baja California del Sur      11-13th October, 2004    Site 1.10

   San Jose is reached by bus from La Paz. It is a lovely, peaceful town and has good birding areas nearby. It is one of the few remaining sites for the critically endangered endemic Belding's Yellowthroat. There no longer seems to be any habitat behind the Hotel Presidente. I saw a single female and heard several others on the other side of the bay. Follow the map in the site guide although it is a little bit difficult to find where to cross the river and find a path along the other side. The river, beach and estuary area are all good for waterbirds.
77 species including 27 lifers.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Photographed Recorded
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Photographed recorded
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba Photographed
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Photographed
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Photographed
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Photographed Recorded
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Photographed
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Sora Porzana carolina Photographed
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
American Coot Fulica americana Photographed
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Photographed
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus Photographed
Snowy Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Photographed
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata
Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Photographed
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Photographed
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Photographed
Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Photographed
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia Photographed
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Sanderling Calidris alba Photographed
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Photographed
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Photographed
Dunlin Calidris alpina Photographed
Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni Near-threatened Photographed
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Photographed
Western Gull Larus occidentalis
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan Photographed
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Photographed
Elegant Tern Sterna elegans Near-threatened Photographed
Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Photographed
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis
Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Photographed
Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis
Gilded Flicker Colaptes chrysoides Photographed
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Photographed
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Cactus Wren Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos
Gray Thrasher Toxostoma cinereum Endemic
Western Scrub-Jay Aphelocoma californica
Common Raven Corvus corax Photographed?
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Introduced species
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Photographed Recorded
Belding's Yellowthroat Geothlypis beldingi Endemic Critically endangered Photographed? Recorded?
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
California Towhee Pipilo crissalis
Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus Photographed
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

15. La Paz, Baja California del Sur      10th & 14th October, 2004

   we saw a few nice birds around town. Some people have hummingbird feeders in their gardens with Costa's Hummingbird. There is a nice beach near the ferry port with some sea and water birds.
26 species including 6 lifers.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Photographed
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Photographed
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Photographed
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens Photographed
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Photographed
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Photographed
Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Western Gull Larus occidentalis
Yellow-footed Gull Larus livens Breeding endemic Photographed
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Elegant Tern Sterna elegans Near-threatened
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Costa's Hummingbird Calypte costae Photographed
Gila Woodpecker Melanerpes uropygialis
Phainopepla Phainopepla nitens
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Photographed
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Photographed
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

16. Ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan      15th October, 2004

   A few sea birds can be seen when crossing the Gulf of California by ferry. I even found a least Storm-Petrel on deck.
13 species including 4 lifers.

Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus Vulnerable
Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas Breeding endemic Vulnerable
Least Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma microsoma
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus
Heermann's Gull Larus heermanni Near-threatened
Elegant Tern Sterna elegans Near-threatened
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis

17. Barranca Rancho Liebre, Sinaloa      16th October, 2004    Site 5.6

   It is possible to visit this site in a day trip from Mazatlan but it takes 3 and a half hours to arrive by bus. A bus leaves the terminal in Mazatlan for Durango at 6am. Ask to get off at El Palmito (at km 200) and follow the instructions in the site guide. It would probably be better to stay closer to arrive earlier. You could even camp up there as there is nobody around. Tufted Jays were quite easy to see on several parts of the trail and I also had a pair of Military Macaws at the Barranca itself.
37 species including 14 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Military Macaw Ara militaris Vulnerable
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis
Blue-throated Hummingbird Lampornis clemenciae
Arizona Woodpecker Picoides arizonae
White-striped Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes leucogaster Endemic
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis
Russet Nightingale-Thrush Catharus occidentalis Endemic
American Robin Turdus migratorius Recorded
Mexican Chickadee Poecile sclateri
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Tufted Jay Cyanocorax dickeyi Endemic Near-threatened Recorded
Common Raven Corvus corax
Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Recorded
Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons
Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber Endemic
Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus Recorded
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Red-headed Tanager Piranga erythrocephala Endemic Recorded
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus

18. San Blas, Nayarit      17-19th October, 2004    Site 6.2

   San Blas can be reached by a 2 hour bus from Tepic. We stayed at the Hotel Ranchero which was basic and cost 150 pesos for a double. There are several different areas good for birding. On the Sewage-pond trail (lots of mosquitos) I saw many waterbirds aswell as Black-throated Magpie-Jays. At the castle on the hill we saw Mexican Parrotlets and on the outskirts of town I saw Black-vented Oriole and Paraque on the way to La Bajada there were mangroves and shrimp ponds with Yellow-winged Caciques and many waterbirds.
64 species including 14 lifers.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga Photograped
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja
Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Photograped
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus Photograped
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata Possibly seen
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Photograped
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Photograped
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Photograped
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Possibly seen
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Photograped
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Possibly seen
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan Possibly seen
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Photograped
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Mexican Parrotlet Forpus cyanopygius Endemic
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis
Violet-crowned Hummingbird Agyrtria violiceps Possibly seen
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes chrysogenys Endemic
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Photograped
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Photograped
Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Photograped
Rufous-backed Robin Turdus rufopalliatus Endemic
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Photograped
Black-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta colliei Endemic Photograped
Sinaloa Crow Corvus sinaloae Endemic
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Stripe-headed Sparrow Aimophila ruficauda Photograped
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Possibly seen
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris Photograped
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Photograped
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri
Yellow-winged Cacique Cacicus melanicterus Photograped
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

19. La Bajada, Nayarit      18-19th October, 2004    Site 6.2

   La Bajada is easily reached from San Blas, a medioum sized town with hotels and restaurants. A bus leaves the terminal between 6 and 7am for El Llano or La Palma seemingly depending on the day. If it goes to El Llano, get off at the junction for La Palma and walk uphill. Follow the map in the site guide. A bus leaves La Palma for San Blas at about mid-day which gives you enough time for a nice morning's birding at La Bajada. I failed to see Mexican Woodnymph and Black-capped Vireo in 2 days birding but saw many other interesting species along the path through the coffee plantation.
52 species including 20 lifers.

Thicket Tinamou Crypturellus cinnamomeus Possibly seen
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans Photographed Recorded
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis wagleri Endemic Recorded
Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens Possibly heard Recorded?
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis
Mexican Parrotlet Forpus cyanopygius Endemic
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Colima Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium palmarum Endemic Possibly heard Recorded?
Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila
Citreoline Trogon Trogon citreolus Endemic Photographed
Elegant Trogon Trogon elegans Photographed
Russet-crowned Motmot Momotus mexicanus
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes chrysogenys Endemic Photographed Recorded
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis Photographed
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii Photographed
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Photographed?
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Possibly heard
Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata Photographed Recorded
Happy Wren Thryothorus felix Endemic Recorded
Sinaloa Wren Thryothorus sinaloa Endemic Possibly heard Recorded?
Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens Endemic
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus Possibly seen
Rufous-backed Robin Turdus rufopalliatus Endemic
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Black-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta colliei Endemic Photographed Recorded
Sinaloa Crow Corvus sinaloae Endemic Photographed
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus Endemic
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis Possibly seen Recorded?
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Recorded?
Yellow Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysopeplus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Streak-backed Oriole Icterus pustulatus
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus Photographed?
Yellow-winged Cacique Cacicus melanicterus Recorded
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

20. Volcan de Fuego, Jalisco      21st & 23rd October, 2004    Site 7.8

   Volcan de Fuego can be reached easily from Colima where there are many palces to stay and eat. We stayed at the Hotel Colonial for just N$130 for a double. A bus leaves at 6:30am from the Central Camionera in Colima and passes the small town of Atenquique. Before entering the town there is a left turn at km 53 (not clearly marked) which continues up the mountain. The first day we tried to get there, we got off the bus too soon and took a left turning into a small village. The road continued and eventually joined up with the correct one. It's about 18km to the higher parts with more interesting species although there is some nice woodland lower down after about 10km. The road up is very bad and you would need 4WD. A few vehicles use the lower part of the road, but higher up it is very unlikely you will be able to hitch. It is too far for a day trip although we did it. I recommending going up for a night or 2 to be there nice and early. I possible saw an Eared Quetzal which flew past when I tried playback. General birding is excellent.
102 species including 24 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Photographed
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii Possibly seen
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus Possibly seen
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Merlin Falco columbarius Possibly seen
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
Banded Quail Philortyx fasciatus Endemic Recorded
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Heard only Recorded
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Photographed
Lesser Roadrunner Geococcyx velox
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi Possibly seen
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis
Violet-crowned Hummingbird Agyrtria violiceps
Berylline Hummingbird Saucerottia beryllina
Blue-throated Hummingbird Lampornis clemenciae
Amethyst-throated Hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus Possibly seen
Lucifer Hummingbird Calothorax lucifer
Bumblebee Hummingbird Atthis heloisa Endemic Photographed
Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Photographed
Eared Quetzal Euptilotis neoxenus Endemic Near-threatened Possibly seen
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Recorded
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes chrysogenys Endemic Photographed
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris
Arizona Woodpecker Picoides arizonae
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus Photographed
White-striped Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes leucogaster Endemic
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax Photographed
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii Possibly seen
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri Possibly seen Photographed?
Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Photographed
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens
Nutting's Flycatcher Myiarchus nuttingi Possibly seen Photographed?
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans Photographed Recorded
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Photographed
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
Spotted Wren Campylorhynchus gularis Endemic Photographed Recorded
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre
Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens Endemic
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis
American Robin Turdus migratorius
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
Bridled Titmouse Baeolophus wollweberi
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
Mexican Jay Aphelocoma ultramarina
Common Raven Corvus corax
Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii Possibly seen
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus Endemic
Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys
Lucy's Warbler Vermivora luciae Possibly seen
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Photographed
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons
Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber Endemic
Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus Photographed
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Recorded
Rufous-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pileatus Endemic
Stripe-headed Sparrow Aimophila ruficauda Recorded
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens Possibly seen
Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea Photographed Recorded
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
Black-headed Siskin Carduelis notata Recorded
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

21. Microondas la Cumbre, Colima      22nd October, 2004    site 7.10

   La Cumbre is close to Colima city and is a reliable site for the near-threatened endemic Balsas Screech-Owl. It would be straight forward if you have had your own vehicle. We tried to get there on public transport and hitching which was more difficult. There seemed to be no bus leaving the terminal that passed here but there maybe one from somewhere else. Follow the directions in the site guide if you are driving. We ended up having to take a taxi to the start of the Jiquilpan road from where we hitched. It wouldn't be too expensive to take a taxi all the way though. Getting back was even more problematic as it is difficult to hitch in the dark after owling. It may be an idea to get a taxi there and get them to wait or come back. We followed the advice in the book of climbing up to the top and waiting until dusk before walking down. We only heard the Balsas Screech-Owl though.
22 species including 6 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Photographed
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Possibly seen
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida Photographed
West Mexican Chachalaca Ortalis poliocephala Endemic
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Morococcyx erythropygus Possibly seen
Balsas Screech-Owl Megascops seductus Endemic Near-threatened Heard only Recorded
Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis Heard only Recorded
Buff-collared Nightjar Caprimulgus ridgwayi
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Melanerpes chrysogenys Endemic
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens
Spotted Wren Campylorhynchus gularis Endemic
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Black-chested Sparrow Aimophila humeralis Endemic Photographed
Stripe-headed Sparrow Aimophila ruficauda
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri

22. El Paraiso, Guerrero      25-27th October, 2004    Site 9.2

   A good base to explore the sierra is Atoyac where there are plenty of hotels and places to eat. Buses going along the coastal highway can drop you off at San Jeronimo where you can take a combi or colective taxi to Atoyac which take 10 minutes and cost N$5. We stayed at the Hotel Alameda which was N$140 for a double with TV. There may also be a place to stay in the small town of Paraiso but it isn't really necessary as minibuses go along the paved road every half an hour from 6am and take just an hour. I got off before entering the town of Paraiso and started walking back along towards Atoyac. I found the critically endangered endemic Short-crested Coquette feeding on a tree with many pruple flowers. A Golden-crowned Emerald was also feeding on the tree and kept chasing the coquette away. Before the road goes down into the town a dirt track goes off to the left skirting the town. This is not the road mentioned in the site guide which leaves from in the town. The flowering bushes here had excellent birding in the early morning. After about 3km, the road forks with the main route carrying on to the right. A couple of kms along here I saw the endangered endemic White-tailed Hummingbird feeding on small yellow flowers about 2m off the ground by the roadside. On our last day of birding we took the right fork and carried on up into the sierra, walking and hitching. Look out for large flocks of Lilac-crowned Parrots, Especially at dusk. It is 18km to the tiny village of Nueva Dehli where there are even a couple of houses that serve as restaurants or shops. Nueva Delhi is at 1600m altitude and is between 18 and 21 kilometres from El Paraiso. The cloud forest starts at about km 25. A pick-up is supposed to pass at 5pm which you can get a ride back down on although it passed us at 3:30. Another vehicle passed later on. The whole area has a bad reputation for safety. It didn't feel too bad and there was a lot of wilitary about. Ask locally about this.
87 species including 18 lifers.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron Butorides virescens Possibly seen
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida Recorded
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Photographed?
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Possibly seen
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus Heard only
West Mexican Chachalaca Ortalis poliocephala Endemic Photographed
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Ruddy Quail-Dove Geotrygon montana
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis
Lilac-crowned Parrot Amazona finschi Endemic
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Photographed Recorded
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi
Short-crested Coquette Lophornis brachylophus Endemic Critically endangered
Golden-crowned Emerald Chlorostilbon auriceps Endemic Photographed
White-tailed Hummingbird Eupherusa poliocerca Endemic Vulnerable
Berylline Hummingbird Saucerottia beryllina
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens
Plain-capped Starthroat Heliomaster constantii Photographed
Calliope Hummingbird Stellula calliope Possibly seen
Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris Photographed
Russet-crowned Motmot Momotus mexicanus Photographed
Wagler�s Toucanet Aulacorhynchus wagleri Endemic
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax
Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Possibly seen
Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons Photographed
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Photographed
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Photographed
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Photographed
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata
Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea Seen nearby
Happy Wren Thryothorus felix Endemic
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis
Rufous-backed Robin Turdus rufopalliatus Endemic
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa Photographed
Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus Endemic
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis Photographed?
Grace's Warbler Dendroica graciae
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Fan-tailed Warbler Euthlypis lachrymosa
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons Photographed Recorded
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica Recorded
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Red-headed Tanager Piranga erythrocephala Endemic
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata Possibly seen
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Photographed
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus
Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor Possibly seen
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii
Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda
Yellow-winged Cacique Cacicus melanicterus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

23. Almoloya del Rio, Mexico       3rd November, 2004    Site 8.8

   The once extensive Lerma Marshes, west of Mexico City have mostly been 'reclaimed' as farmland. One remaining patch is near the small town of Almoloya del Rio, 20km from the city of Toluca. They can be visited in a day trip from Mexico City. Buses to Toluca leave from the western bus terminal called Poniente which is next to the Metro station of Observatorio. Buses leave every 5 minutes for Toluca and it takes a little over an hour. At the Toluca Central Camionera, ask around for buses to Almoloya del Rio. Some buses don't go all the way. Check with the driver whether they go to Atizapan or Atenco and follow the directions after that in the site guide. The altitude is 2600m, 300m higher than Mexico City. Take it easy, bring plenty of food and water. The sun can also be very strong so bring sun block and a wide-brimmed hat as there is no shade. Follow the instructions in the site guide. The endangered endemic Black-polled Yellowthroats were relatively easy to find and responded well to playback.
40 species including 6 lifers.

Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
Great Egret Ardea alba Photographed
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Possibly seen
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Photographed
American Wigeon Anas americana
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Possibly seen
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Photographed
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Possibly seen
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Possibly seen
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Sora Porzana carolina Photographed
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Recorded
American Coot Fulica americana
Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Photographed
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris Photographed Recorded
European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Introduced species Photographed
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Black-polled Yellowthroat Geothlypis speciosa Endemic Endangered
Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus Endemic
Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia Photographed Recorded
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Photographed
Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Photographed
Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus Photographed
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Photographed Recorded
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus Photographed
Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater Recorded
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Photographed
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

24. Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca       5th November, 2004    Site 11.5

   Cerro San Felipe was reached in just over an hour from Oaxaca�s second-class bus station by the 7am (Benito Juarez) public bus. A small collection of buildings comprises the windswept settlement of La Cumbre (2,750m) at km 192. From here an unpaved road headed North-West uphill. I walked 4-5km along this road aswell as going down a track (for 1-2kms) leading left before the 3km marker. The main track headed gradually uphill upto 3000m altitude, where I turned back. The weather was very inhospitable. Constant mist, aswell as occasional drizzle and strong winds made birding hard. An hour wait for a bus on the way back almost finished me off. The habitat was pine plus mixed forest and some cleared areas where the many flowers attracted many hummingbirds. I saw my target bird, the Dwarf Jay at the 1km mark just as I was heading back having given up.
I saw 37 species including 7 lifers.

Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata Possibly seen
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus Photographed Recorded
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis Photographed Recorded
Amethyst-throated Hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus Recorded
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens
Bumblebee Hummingbird Atthis heloisa Endemic Photographed
Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis Photographed
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri Photographed
Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis Recorded
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
Gray-barred Wren Campylorhynchus megalopterus Endemic
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Recorded
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Heard only
Russet Nightingale-Thrush Catharus occidentalis Endemic Photographed?
Mexican Chickadee Poecile sclateri
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Recorded
Dwarf Jay Cyanolyca nana Endemic Vulnerable Photographed
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa Photographed Recorded
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis Photographed
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons
Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber Endemic Photographed Recorded
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli Photographed Recorded
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus Photographed
Bullock's Oriole Icterus bullockii
Scott's Oriole Icterus parisorum

25. Route 175 North, Oaxaca       6-7th November, 2004    Site 11.4

   This site was reached by taking the same bus as for the previous site but getting off 10km before at Km 202. From here 5km down to Km 207 has scrubby habitat by the road side aswell as further back where Oaxaca Sparrow and Pileated Flycatcher can be seen. Further down at Km 210 a side road heads up to a reservoir that I checked briefly on 6th November. I didn't see either of my 2 target species (despite searching extensively for 2 days) which are apparently easy to find when calling in the breeding season but difficult in winter.
I saw 59 species including 6 lifers.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Possibly seen
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Heard only Recorded
Dusky Hummingbird Cynanthus sordidus Endemic
Berylline Hummingbird Saucerottia beryllina
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Photographed Recorded
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus Possibly seen
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri
Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Possibly seen
Cassin's Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans Photographed
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Photographed
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens Endemic Recorded
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Heard only
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Common Raven Corvus corax
Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus
Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Recorded
Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus Endemic
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata Photographed
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens Photographed
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei Photographed Recorded
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons Recorded
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava Photographed? Recorded
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Recorded
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Recorded
Rufous-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pileatus Endemic
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus Recorded
White-throated Towhee Pipilo albicollis Endemic
Bridled Sparrow Aimophila mystacalis Endemic Recorded
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula Possibly seen
Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri Recorded?
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Photographed Recorded
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Introduced species

26. Near El Porvenir, Route 175 South, Oaxaca       9-10th November, 2004    Site 11.9

   This site was reached by taking the 5am bus from Pochutla towards Oaxaca and getting off at Km 160. This took about 2 and a half hours. From Km 160 I birded along the main road heading North and turned left onto a logging road after a kilometre or so. The gate was shut but it was easy to walk around the edge. The first day I went along the road for about 2 kms and the second for about 5. The habitat was pine forest or mixed pine and oak and the altitude was between 2100-2500m. White-throated Jay has been seen along this road but I did not see it.
I saw 56 species including 6 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Possibly seen
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus Recorded
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis Photographed
Blue-throated Hummingbird Lampornis clemenciae Photographed Recorded
Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami Photographed
Bumblebee Hummingbird Atthis heloisa Endemic Photographed Recorded
Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Photographed Recorded
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax
Western Wood-Pewee Contopus sordidulus
Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri Recorded
Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys Recorded
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Heard only Recorded
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush Catharus frantzii
Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatus
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Recorded
Slaty Vireo Vireo brevipennis Endemic
Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii Photographed
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Photographed
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys
Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus Photographed
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla Photographed
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Photographed Recorded
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons Photographed
Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber Photographed
Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus Photographed
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus Photographed
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Rufous-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pileatus Endemic
Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai Endemic
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus
Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

27. La Soledad to El Mirador, Route 175 South, Oaxaca       9 & 11th November, 2004    Site 11.9

   This site was reached by taking the same bus as the previous site but getting off at Km 183 in the town of La Soledad. This took about 2 hours. On 9th, I visited the site only in the afternoon on the way back from the previous site. On 9th I checked a path heading right off the main road 250m North of La Soledad. The path went down to a stream which I crossed to access some forest on the other side. The habitat was humid forest and the altitude was between 1268-1509m. I got great views of my target species, the Blue-capped Humminbird.
I saw 51 species including 7 lifers.

Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Golden-crowned Emerald Chlorostilbon auriceps Endemic
Blue-capped Hummingbird Eupherusa cyanophrys Endemic Endangered Photographed Recorded?
Green-fronted Hummingbird Agyrtria viridifrons
Berylline Hummingbird Saucerottia beryllina
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Wagler�s Toucanet Aulacorhynchus wagleri Endemic Recorded
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius
Gray-crowned Woodpecker Piculus auricularis Endemic Photographed
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis Photographed
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus Photographed
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Possibly seen
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Possibly seen
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Happy Wren Thryothorus felix Endemic Heard only Recorded?
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys
Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens Endemic Recorded
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Heard only
Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus
White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas
Cassin's Vireo Vireo cassinii
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus Endemic
Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens Photographed
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
MacGillivray's Warbler Oporornis tolmiei Recorded
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus Photographed
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica Recorded
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava
Flame-colored Tanager Piranga bidentata Photographed
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps Recorded
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Photographed
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Audubon's Oriole Icterus graduacauda Photographed Recorded

28. Tehuantepec, Oaxaca       12th & 13th November, 2004    Site 11.13

   Tehuantepec is a small town but has a couple of hotels and plenty of places to eat. I stayed at the Hotel Donaji, 2 blocks south of the plaza. Turn towards Oaxaca on Route 190. There are minibuses that go along here. The site for the near-threatened endemic Cinammon-tailed (Sumichrast's) Sparrow is about 7km along this road. It is difficult to see the road markers but there is a bridge over a river with a military checkpoint after. Get off here. You maybe questioned by the military even if you get off before the bridge so don't forget your passport. They warned me that there were 'bad' people around. The whole area has a lot of military. I birded a track to the left walking away from the bridge which had good birding but no sparrows. I saw these further along by the side of the road on the right. They were quite vocal in the morning and responsive to playback.
I saw 35 species including 3 lifers.

Great Egret Ardea alba
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor
Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida Photographed
(Northern) Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
West Mexican Chachalaca Ortalis poliocephala Endemic
Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Possibly seen
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Morococcyx erythropygus
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens Photographed
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis Photographed
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
Gray-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Possibly seen
Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha Photographed
White-lored Gnatcatcher Polioptila albiloris Photographed Recorded
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa
Common Raven Corvus corax Photographed Recorded
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi Possibly seen
Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow Aimophila sumichrasti Endemic Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Orange-breasted Bunting Passerina leclancherii Endemic Near-threatened
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis Recorded

29. Sierra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz      14-19th November, 2004    Site 10.6

   The best base to explore this area is the town of Catemaco on the shores of a big lake with the same name. It's popular with Mexican tourists so their are plenty of places to stay but probably very busy during the holidays. Lots of guys hang around the lake shore offering boat rides. It's worth walking along the lakeside as there are plenty of birds. The first site I checked was some remnant forest north of Catemaco. Take the road towards Sontecomapan, past a turning at 4.3km and then turn right on a track at 6.3km. This track has good birding and I saw Yellow-billed Cacique. Another place I birded was remnant forest patches north of Tebanca. Take one of the regular transports towards Sontecomapan and get off at the junction at km4.3 and change to a bus going round the north edge of the lake to Tebanca. Alternatively you could take the bus all the way from Catemaco if you can find out when and where it leaves. In Tebanca, ask for the track to Bastonal. I took the wrong one but it joined up. It's best to check with locals you pass that you're still going the right way. Along here I saw Keel-billed Toucans and Red-lored Parrots. It's about a 10km walk to Bastonal and another few kms from there to any decent forest. Habitat destruction seems to have been severe around here. I walked over 30km in the day and didn't see the Tuxtla Quail-Dove although I did flush some kind of ground-dwelling dove in the forest. It would be a good idea to bring a tent and camp up here for the night to be out early in the morning. There is a small patch of forest below Bastonal where I also flushed a pigeon from the floor, again not being able to identify it. To bird the UNAM biological station I moved to Montepio, 40km away on the coast. The road to Sontecompapan is paved and takes just half an hour. The remainder took about an hour and a half. There are a couple of small guest houses here where you can stay. An old woman found me and took me to her friend's place which was basic and cost 150 pesos. At the end of the road is a nice restaurant that serves great fish. A combi leaves early in the morning which you can take to UNAM for 10 pesos. I saw the near-threatened endemic Long-tailed Sabrewing along the road (listen for it's strange bubbly song) and lots of good species in the forest. There is a trail that goes right up the hill although it gets very narrow higher up. Another good site nearby is Playa Escondido, marked on the map in the site guide. There is an abandoned hotel here where you can bird the grounds. I saw Violacious Trogon and Blue Ground-Dove here. The final place I visited was La Barra. A combi will drop you at the turning and there are even a few that go along this road. Before you get to the small village, you pass a small marsh where Black Rail has apparently been seen. Check the beach and estuary at La Barra where you can see some coastal birds like Pelicans, gulls and terns.
158 species including 30 lifers.

Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Possibly seen
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Great Egret Ardea alba
Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Photographed
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Photographed
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Photographed
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Heard only
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Possibly seen
Common Black-Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Recorded
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
Ornate Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus ornatus
(Northern) Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans
Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus
American Kestrel Falco sparverius
Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula Photographed
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
American Coot Fulica americana
Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
Sanderling Calidris alba
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla
Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species Photographed
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris Photographed
Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris Heard only
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa Photographed
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Photographed
Gray-headed Dove Leptotila plumbeiceps Possibly seen
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis Photographed
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Photographed
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium Possibly heard
Long-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus excellens Endemic Near-threatened
White-bellied Emerald Agyrtria candida
Azure-crowned Hummingbird Agyrtria cyanocephala
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus Photographed
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle americana Possibly seen
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus Photographed Recorded
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons Photographed Recorded
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus Photographed
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Streak-headed Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes souleyetii Recorded?
Ochre-bellied Flycatcher Mionectes oleagineus
Eye-ringed Flatbill Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens Recorded
Stub-tailed Spadebill Platyrinchus cancrominus
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens
Alder Flycatcher Empidonax alnorum Possibly seen
Willow Flycatcher Empidonax traillii Possibly seen
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Recorded
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Recorded
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus Possibly seen
Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii
Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata Recorded
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus
House Wren Troglodytes aedon Photographed
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta Recorded
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Photographed
Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio Photographed
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Northern Parula Parula americana
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Photographed
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia Endangered
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina Recorded
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Photographed
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis Possibly seen
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica Recorded
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda Recorded
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
White-winged Tanager Piranga leucoptera
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas
Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis Photographed Recorded
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Photographed
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea Photographed
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Buarremon brunneinucha
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens
Lincoln's Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus Photographed
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea Photographed
Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus Possibly seen
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius
Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus Recorded
Chestnut-headed Oropendola Psarocolius wagleri Recorded
Montezuma Oropendola Gymnostinops montezuma Photographed
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria

30. Uxpanapa Road, Oaxaca Veracruz      21st-22nd November, 2004    Site 10.7

   This site can be visited in a day trip fro Matias Romero, a decent size town with a couple of hotels. I stayed in the big blue one for N$118 for a single. A bus leaves around 6am from the terminal which can drop you at Boca del Monte at the start of the Uxpanapa road. Some combis pass along this unpaved road but they only leave when they are full. It took about an hour to get along the 41km to the bridge mentioned in the site guide. There are a few patches worth checking as you walk back towards Boca del Monte. Some of the remaining patches have only been preserved as they are full of huge limestone rocks. You need to explore these for the vulnerable endemic Nava's Wren which I failed to see. The second day I tried a closer patch at about 26km along but with no success. General birding is excellent in the area though and I even saw a few mammals like coati and agouti.
71 species including 10 lifers.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Green Heron Butorides virescens
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
White Hawk Leucopternis albicollis
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris Recorded
(Northern) Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula Heard only Recorded
Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes
Short-billed Pigeon Patagioenas nigrirostris Heard only
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Heard only
White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis
Red-lored Parrot Amazona autumnalis
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Photographed
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Little Hermit?) Phaeochroa cuvierii
Long-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus excellens Endemic Near-threatened Heard only
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl
Violaceous Trogon Trogon violaceus
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus
Plain Xenops Xenops minutus
Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare Possibly seen
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens Photographed
Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher Myiobius sulphureipygius
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii Possibly seen
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
Rough-winged Swallow sp. Stelgidopteryx sp.
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus Recorded
House Wren Troglodytes aedon
White-bellied Wren Uropsila leucogastra
White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticta Recorded
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca Possibly seen
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla
Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda Recorded
Blue-gray Tanager Thraupis episcopus
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea Recorded?
Olive-backed Euphonia Euphonia gouldi
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Possibly seen
Variable Seedeater Sporophila corvina
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola
Orange-billed Sparrow Arremon aurantiirostris Recorded
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Montezuma Oropendola Gymnostinops montezuma

31. Tapanatepec, Oaxaca      23rd November, 2004    Site 11.15

   Tapanatepec, or Tapana as everyone seems to call it, is a small town on the highway. It has a tiny bus station that you will get dropped at and there is a cheap place to stay called 'La Flor' which also sells cheap food. A very basic single room was just N$120 pesos. The near-threatened localized endemic Rose-bellied (or Rosita's) Bunting is found just 10km along Route 190 heading inland. I didn't see any local buses which would stop but managed to hitch a ride. I went in the afternoon and didn't manage to get a ride back before dark. I started to walk and finally got picked up by the police who kindly took me back to the hotel. If you are hitching, give yourself time to get back before dark or even better, visit the site in the morning.I found the Rose-bellied Buntings easily at 10 and 11km along. They responded well to Ferruginous Owl immitations. I went down to look for Long-tailed Manakin in the place mentioned in the site guide but didn't find it. The birding is good in general and it's probably worth spending a morning here.
28 species including 3 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
West Mexican Chachalaca Ortalis poliocephala Endemic
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina
Inca Dove Columbina inca
Green Parakeet Aratinga holochlora
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis Photographed Recorded
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium Recorded
Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila
Russet-crowned Motmot Momotus mexicanus
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Empidonax flaviventris
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus Possibly seen
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Photographed Recorded
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus
Banded Wren Thryothorus pleurostictus Recorded
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
White-lored Gnatcatcher Polioptila albiloris
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa Photographed Recorded
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana
Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow Aimophila sumichrasti Endemic Near-threatened Photographed
Rose-bellied Bunting Passerina rositae Endemic Near-threatened Photographed
Orange-breasted Bunting Passerina leclancherii Endemic Photographed Recorded

32. ZOOMAT, Tuxtla Guttierez, Chiapas      24th November, 2004

   There is plenty of cheap accomodation in Tuxtla. I stayed at the Hotel Casa Blanca which has small basic rooms. There are plenty of places to eat and do internet aswell. The Tuxtla Guttierez Zoo or ZOOMAT as it is also called is 20 minutes by colectivo which leave about 10 blocks south of the hotel. Details are in the normal guide books. It is set on a forested slope and aswell as the interesting captive birds has many wild birds too, like Collared Aracari, Russet-crowned Motmot and Green Jay. Great Curassows and Crested Guans roam free but maybe feral.
22 species including 2 lifers.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula Photographed
Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens Photographed
Great Curassow Crax rubra Possibly feral Near-threatened Photographed
Inca Dove Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Russet-crowned Motmot Momotus mexicanus Photographed
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus Photographed
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua
Banded Wren Thryothorus pleurostictus
Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi Photographed
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas Photographed
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Possibly seen
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus

33. Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas      25th November, 2004    Site 12.1

   This site is just outside Tuxtla and it is just 5-6km from the centre to the National Park entrance where a 10 peso entrance fee is payable. Colectivos go much of the way, or you can take a taxi. There are distance markers along the way which correspond to descriptions in the site guide. The lower parts are OK for birding but the best areas are after km16. It is best to have your own transport but not impossible otherwise. Hitching is possible and there are also some short cuts which save a lot of time. The road is very winding so any trails leading up will probably pop out on the road again. There are several miradors along the way with spectacular views. I found the near-threatened Belted Flycatcher at km18. Learn its call and listen out for it. I saw Blue-and-white Mickingbird near here and also Jaguarundi.
55 species including 5 lifers.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Photographed Recorded
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula
Red-billed Pigeon Patagioenas flavirostris
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi
Green Parakeet Aratinga holochlora Possibly heard
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Morococcyx erythropygus Photographed
Lesser Roadrunner Geococcyx velox Photographed
Canivet's Emerald Chlorostilbon canivetii Photographed Recorded
Buff-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia yucatanensis Recorded
Green-fronted Hummingbird Agyrtria viridifrons
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris
Collared Trogon Trogon collaris
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster Possibly seen
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe
Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Nutting's Flycatcher Myiarchus nuttingi Recorded
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus Recorded
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Photographed Recorded
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii
Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Banded Wren Thryothorus pleurostictus Recorded
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus Recorded
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
Yellow-throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens Photographed
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Red-breasted Chat Granatellus venustus Endemic
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana
Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus
Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor Photographed
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
Streak-backed Oriole Icterus pustulatus
Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria

34. San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas      26-28th November, 2004    Site 12.8

   This pretty town is a popular tourist destination and has many places to stay, eat and do internet. I stayed in a dormitory at Posada Do�a Rosita for just 35 pesos. Reserva Huitepec is on the north side of Cerro Huitepec. This can be reached by bus from San Cristobal but doesn't open until 9am which means you miss the best hours of the day for birding. Entry is 15 pesos but they may try and get you to go on a tour which I didn't bother with. At 2000m elevation it is very cold in the morning until the sun comes up. There is a loop trail through nice forest but birding within the reserve is a bit limited. At the highest point on the loop trail (2,450m), there is the start of the summit trail which is blocked off and it seems they don't want you to go along it. Along here there are bigger trees covered with bromeliads and birding is even better. The summit is at about 2,700m and is marked by a pile of stones. There are other trails leading down the other side although most of the forest has been cleared here for flower cultivation. The path leads down to a road between 2 villages. Another road here heads up to a radio antenna where Pink-headed Warblers have been seen. I didn't find them here but I did see Black-capped Swallow, Band-backed Wren and Blue-and-white Mockingbird. I found Pink-headed Warbler following the directions for the km2 site on the Ocosingo Road. Here, explore the trails and look for a small valley with bushes below the pine trees. This area should also have Bearded Screech-Owl but I was concerned visiting the site in the evening for safety reasons. With your own car it would be better. Combis pass along the road to Ocosingo and you can flag one of these down and get off at the junction for Chanal and change to another which will take you 30km along to this outstrung settlement. The area didn't seem unsafe. Ocellated Quail has been seen along here, but do't get your hopes up.
45 species including 6 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
American Coot Fulica americana
Band-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas fasciata
White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis Recorded
Amethyst-throated Hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus Recorded
Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus Possibly seen
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis
Wood-Pewee sp Contopus sp
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis Possibly seen
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata Photographed
Gray Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus
Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus
Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus Recorded
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Recorded
Rufous-collared Robin Turdus rufitorques
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus
Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri Recorded
Hutton's Vireo Vireo huttoni Recorded?
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis Possibly seen
Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa
Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata
Townsend's Warbler Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis Photographed?
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia Photographed
Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor Vulnerable Photographed Recorded
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons
Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli
Elegant (Blue-hooded) Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima
White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha Recorded
Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis
Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus

35. Isla Cozumal, Quintana Roo      30th November-2nd December, 2004    Site 14.10

   Cozumel is a popular holiday and diving destination for Americans. It is easily reached by boat from Playa del Carmen. There are 2 different boats. One cheaper than the other. There are plenty of places to stay but few budget places. The cheapest I could find was for N$220. Hiring bicycles seemed expensive and the cheapest deal I could find was for N$250 for 2 days but it didn't work well and I ended up walking. Scooters are widely available and might be a better option. I cycled 9.3km from the centre to the northern site described in the site guide. This had OK birding in the evening and it would probably be worth spending a morning here. I saw Black Catbird and even Ruddy Crake and a racoon in the boggy area further on. I birded one morning at the place in the site guide 6.3km south west of the centre. From the turning it was another 2km to the abandoned housing development which cuts throught good forest. I got here a little late and it was fairly quiet although I did see Cozumel Emerald. The last place I visited was near the San Gervasio Mayan ruins in the centre of the island. It was seemingly in this area that the Cozumel Thrasher was last seen. It is 9km to the turning and another 6 to the ruins themselves. I recommend going as far as the gate (you don't need to go in) as early as possible and then walk slowly back to the road. This area has most of the endemic species and sub-species for the island.
51 species including 17 lifers.

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Great Egret Ardea alba Photographed
Snowy Egret Egretta thula Photographed
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Photographed
Ruddy Crake Laterallus ruber Photographed Recorded
Royal Tern Sterna maxima
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina Possibly heard
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Photographed
Caribbean Dove Leptotila jamaicensis
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Possibly seen Recorded
Vaux's Swift Chaetura vauxi Possibly seen
Cozumel Emerald Chlorostilbon forficatus Endemic Photographed
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Yucatan Woodpecker Melanerpes pygmaeus Photographed
Yucatan Flycatcher Myiarchus yucatanensis Photographed
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
(Cozumel Wren) Troglodytes beani Recorded
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Black Catbird Melanoptila glabrirostris Near-threatened Photographed Recorded
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus Photographed Recorded
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Recorded
Cozumel Vireo Vireo bairdi Endemic
Yucatan Vireo Vireo magister
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis Photographed Recorded
Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Photographed
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens Photographed
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor Possibly seen
Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Recorded
Swainson's Warbler Limnothlypis swainsonii
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat Geothlypis poliocephala
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina
Bananaquit Coereba flaveola Photographed
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra
Western Spindalis Spindalis zena Photographed
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Photographed
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea Photographed
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Recorded
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus

36. Felipe Carillo Puerto, Quintana Roo      3rd-4th December, 2004    Site 14.3

   This is a fairly small town at a main junction of the road. It is easily accessible by bus and is about 3 hours south of Playa del Carmen. There are a few places to stay and eat and also do internet. The birding spot is close to town. Head east from the main roundabout and bear left after 5 blocks or 600m following the instructions in the site guide. Birding is great in the early morning but it gets hot very quickly. Ocellated Turkey and Great Curassow are present in the area but but are rare outside of the reserve. There is hunting pressure and I even saw a man cycling along with a rifle.
89 species including 14 lifers.

Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Photographed
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Photographed
Gray Hawk Asturina nitida
Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris
Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula
Rock Dove Columba livia Introduced species
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Photographed
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi Recorded
Olive-throated (Aztec) Parakeet Aratinga nana (astec) Photographed
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus curvipennis Photographed
Canivet's Emerald Chlorostilbon canivetii Photographed
Buff-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia yucatanensis
Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila
Black-headed Trogon Trogon melanocephalus
Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus momota
Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus Photographed
Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus Photographed
Yucatan Woodpecker Melanerpes pygmaeus Recorded
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Melanerpes aurifrons
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigatus
Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Dendrocincla anabatina
Ruddy Woodcreeper Dendrocincla homochroa Possibly seen
Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus Photographed
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus Photographed
Red-capped Manakin Pipra mentalis
Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata
Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster
Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare
Yellow-olive Flycatcher Tolmomyias sulphurescens Photographed
Eastern Wood-Pewee Contopus virens Photographed?
Tropical Pewee Contopus cinereus Photographed
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus
Yucatan Flycatcher Myiarchus yucatanensis Photographed?
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus
Couch's Kingbird Tyrannus couchii
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae
Purple Martin Progne subis
Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus
White-bellied Wren Uropsila leucogastra
Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis
Black Catbird Melanoptila glabrirostris Near-threatened
Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus
Gray-cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus Possibly seen
Clay-colored Robin Turdus grayi
Long-billed Gnatwren Ramphocaenus melanurus
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea
Tropical Gnatcatcher Polioptila plumbea
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas Recorded
Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio
Yucatan Jay Cyanocorax yucatanicus Photographed Recorded
White-eyed Vireo Vireo griseus
Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Northern Parula Parula americana
Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia
Black-throated Gray Warbler Dendroica nigrescens
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda Recorded
Rose-throated Tanager Piranga roseogularis
Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Recorded
Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas
Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea
Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus
Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina Possibly seen
White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola Possibly seen
Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea
Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus
Grayish Saltator Saltator coerulescens
Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps
Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis
Blue Bunting Cyanocompsa parellina
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea
Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor
Melodious Blackbird Dives dives Heard only
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus
Orange Oriole Icterus auratus
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus
Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas
Yellow-billed Cacique Amblycercus holosericeus
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