MEXICO (SOUTHERN) REP 11

1 Birdquest: Southern Mexico 2011

SOUTHERN MEXICO

10-29 APRIL 2011

TOUR REPORT

LEADER: MARK VAN BEIRS The major highlights of our fifth Southern Mexico tour were the mega quality splendours Highland Guan, Singing Quail, Unspotted Saw-whet Owl, Nava’s Wren and Rosita’s Bunting. We visited nine different Endemic Bird Areas (as defined by BirdLife International) and collected an impressive list of 463 species including more than half of the 213 Mexican and Central American specialities. There were many other magical moments as we also observed great birds like Thicket Tinamou, Black Storm Petrel, Boat-billed Heron, Franklin’s and Sabine’s Gulls, Pacific, Guatemalan and Bearded Screech-Owls, Mountain Pygmy-Owl, Buff-collared Nightjar, Blue-capped Hummingbird, Citreoline and Mountain Trogons, Russet-crowned Motmot, Grey-breasted, Grey-crowned and Strickland’s Woodpeckers, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Belted and Pileated Flycatchers, Black-throated and Dwarf Jays, Giant and Sumichrast’s Wrens, Blue and Blue-and-white Mockingbirds, Ocellated Thrasher, Grey Silky, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Red Warbler, Orange-breasted Bunting, Bridled and Sierra Madre Sparrows and Bar-winged Oriole. We all appreciated the glorious panoramas of Mexico’s forested sierras, the tasty Mexican food, the cosy lodgings and the relaxed atmosphere. On our first day in the field we concentrated on finding several restricted range endemics in the neighbourhood of the sprawling megapolis of Mexico City. Not long after dawn we were at an altitude of 3000m in an area of bunchgrass amidst open pine woodland. Fat Striped Sparrows showed easily and soon we scoped our main target, the subtly patterned Sierra Madre Sparrow. We studied this rare species for a while and also added Violet-green Swallow, Curve-billed Thrasher and Eastern Meadowlark to the list. Nearby, we explored a patch of pine woodland interspersed with copses of evergreen bushes. Here, the restricted range Strickland’s Woodpecker allowed for great scope views and we also observed Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Greater Pewee, the adorable Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Steller’s Jay, colourful Eastern and Western Bluebirds, the Audubon’s form of Yellow-rumped Warbler, the much wanted Olive Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Grey Silky and Abeille’s Oriole. Lower down, in mixed evergreen pine fir forest we found White-eared Hummingbird, Western Scrub Jay, Mexican Chickadee, Grey-barred Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a skulking Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush, an attractive Crescent-chested Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Northern Hepatic Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak and Rufous-capped Brush-Finch. At the extensive Almoloya marshes we were glad to see that the water levels were high. Lots of ducks and


good numbers of waders were about, but more important were the great views we obtained at minimal distance of the scarce, endemic Black-polled Yellowthroat. After highly satisfying views of this cutie we scanned the lake and its muddy margins and noted Pied-billed and Eared Grebes, White-faced Ibis, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Ruddy and Mexican Ducks, several Northern Harriers, Sora, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocets in delightful breeding plumage, Long-billed Dowitcher (3000+), Stilt, Least and Baird’s Sandpipers, Wilson’s Snipe, Killdeer, Vermilion and Cassin’s Flycatchers, Horned Lark, American Pipit, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird (including Bicoloured) and Bronzed and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Our first day in the field had been a great introduction to Mexican birding! Next morning we visited the Botanical Gardens of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), situated not too far from the famous Olympic stadium. We admired the beautiful cacti and succulents exhibition and strolled into the nearby oak scrub habitat. We waited patiently at flowering bushes and came away with Broad-billed, Berylline, Violet-crowned and Magnificent Hummingbirds. Our main target however was Hooded Yellowthroat and we soon had great looks at a male of this endemic, which favours dry scrub, unlike the other members of its genus. Other species here included Bushtit, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, Rufous-backed Thrush, Bell’s Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Canyon Towhee, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer and Chipping, Lincoln’s, Rufous-crowned and a superb male Black-chinned Sparrow. We returned to our hotel, checked out, drove across the whole of immense Mexico City and hit the highway to Cordoba. This took us through birdless altiplano, but we had nice views of the well-known, impressive Popocatepetl volcano (5452m) and of Mexico’s highest mountain, prominent Orizaba (5747m). After a spectacular drop into the Caribbean lowlands we reached the town of Cordoba and its many shoe shops. A stroll in the hotel garden gave us Short-tailed Hawk, Red-billed Pigeon, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Clay-coloured Thrush, Yellow-winged Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Melodious Blackbird and Baltimore Oriole. The following day we visited a nearby limestone hill covered in coffee plantations with lovely bits of karst outcrops drooping with vines and creepers. At dawn we noted Pauraque and Common Nighthawk and roost flights of Red-lored and White-crowned Parrots and Montezuma Oropendolas. We heard the distinctive calls of Thicket Tinamou, Plain Chachalaca and Laughing Falcon while walking up to the specific habitat of the localized Sumichrast’s Wren. After a bit of searching we obtained fantastic eye-ball to eye-ball views of this magnificent endemic. It was very birdy here as we also added Zone-tailed Hawk, Golden-fronted and Golden-olive Woodpeckers, Olivaceous and Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, Brown Jay, Band-backed Wren, Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Green Warbler, Tropical Parula, Wilson’s, Golden-crowned and Rufous-capped Warblers, Yellow-throated Euphonia, Red-crowned and Red-throated Ant-Tanagers, Black-headed Saltator and Indigo Bunting to the tally. An angry-looking Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl brought in several species of hummers, including the localized Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, White-bellied and Canivet’s Emeralds and Rufous-tailed and Buff-bellied Hummingbirds. On the afternoon drive through the watery lowlands of the state of Veracruz we made several stops at marshes, which produced Least Grebe, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, White Ibis, Wood Stork, Black-bellied and Fulvous Whistling Ducks, Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, White-tailed and Snail Kites, Northern Crested Caracara, Grey-necked Wood-Rail, Limpkin, Laughing Gull, Gull-billed, Common and Royal Terns, Tree Swallow, Northern Waterthrush and Altamira Oriole. In late afternoon we were warmly welcomed by our genial hostess Lorena at our guesthouse in Valle Nacional. On our first full day in the Sierra de Juarez we covered the lower and middle elevations along the Valle Nacional road. Here, the forested slopes extend till the horizon offering splendid panoramic vistas. It proved rather quiet today, so we had to work fairly hard to get the specialities, but


persistence and patience eventually paid off. Lots of short stops, some hanging about and several longer walks produced Grey Hawk, a very nice Black Hawk-Eagle, Aztec Parakeet, colourful Brown-hooded Parrots, Central American Pygmy-Owl (heard only), Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Collared Trogon, Blue-crowned Motmot, a pair of lovely Rufous-breasted Spinetails, Masked Tityra, Azure-hooded Jay, Spot-breasted Wren, very vocal Slate-coloured Solitaires, White-collared Manakin (heard only), Swainson’s and White-throated Thrushes, Yellow-green Vireos (all over the place), Canada and Worm-eating Warblers, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Blue-hooded Euphonia, Summer, Western and White-winged Tanagers, Common Bush Tanager, Black-faced Grosbeak, Painted Bunting and Black-cowled and lots of Baltimore Orioles. The second day in the Valle Nacional area was mainly spent in the middle and higher reaches of the Sierra. The birding was slow going and there was little song. Eventually everyone got good views of White-faced Quail-Dove and other goodies included Blue Ground Dove, Mountain Trogon, Emerald Toucanet, Spectacled Foliage-gleaner, Unicoloured Jay, Brown-backed Solitaire, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, Hutton’s Vireo, the spectacular Red Warbler, the charming Golden-browed Warbler, the attractive Crimson-collared Tanager, White-naped Brush-Finch and Yellow-faced Grassquit. On our final morning in the Sierra de Juarez we heard lots of song but soon a dense mist drifted in and sabotaged our birding efforts. Keel-billed Toucan was the only new species here. Our drive to Oaxaca yielded Northern Raven, Brown-throated Wren and Black Thrush and an extended stop in oak scrub habitat of an inter-montane valley gave us Cooper’s Hawk, Greenish Elaenia, Grey and Brown-crested Flycatchers, Canyon Wren, Blue Mockingbird, White-throated Towhee and Black-vented Oriole. In the early evening we rolled into the bustling city of Oaxaca. Next morning, a cool dawn in a scrub-covered valley produced West Mexican Chachalaca, Dusky Hummingbird, Pileated, Dusky and Nutting’s Flycatchers, Thick-billed Kingbird, Rose-throated Becard, Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush, Dwarf and Golden Vireos, Virginia’s Warbler and a Mexican Cottontail. Higher up, at the edge of the pine zone, we noted Elegant Trogon and a brilliant Painted Redstart. While munching our lunch at the local pond a Cooper’s Hawk and a Solitary Sandpiper appeared. The renowned Yagul ruins are surrounded by dense stands of attractive pipe cacti and prickly pear, which were inhabited by the endemic Grey-breasted Woodpecker, Boucard’s Wren and a skittish female Beautiful Hummingbird. A nearby area of oak scrub eventually gave us a striking Ocellated Thrasher, but it was not the best performance ever. Our full day in the pine and pine oak forests of Cerro San Felipe in the Sierra de Alaopaneca started with point blank looks at a fabulous Mexican Whip-poor-will, while listening to the calls of Flammulated and Barred Owls. Soon after a chilly dawn we located a pair of subtly beautiful Dwarf Jays quietly rummaging about. In these fabulous forests we also noted Mountain Pygmy-Owl, Northern Flicker, Strong-billed Woodcreeper, Russet Nightingale-Thrush, Collared Towhee, splendid Red Warblers and lots of Townsend’s, Hermit, Wilson’s and Yellow-rumped Warblers – there had been a fall because of inclement weather. Another visit to the Teotitlan scrub-covered hills produced a fair amount of activity and song, but the wished for Oaxaca Sparrow remained elusive. We did get nice views of Dwarf Vireo, heard Long-tailed Wood-Partridge and found a nest of Thick-billed Kingbird on top of a bromelia. In late morning we left Oaxaca, drove west across a wide field covered altiplano and over the Sierra Madre del Sur, before descending to the Pacific coast. Upon approaching we were welcomed by Magnificent Frigatebirds, Golden-cheeked Woodpeckers and White-throated Magpie-Jays. Our pleasant hotel on the seafront offered dinner on a terrace overlooking a picturesque bay.


The middle altitudes of the Pacific slope of the Sierra Madre del Sur are covered in evergreen forest, mixed in with pines at higher elevations and with coffee plantations lower down. A great selection of birds was found here, including Peregrine, Orange-fronted Parakeet, a smashing male Blue-capped Hummingbird, Long-billed Starthroat, Wagler’s Toucanet, Acorn and Grey-crowned Woodpeckers, Spotted Woodcreeper, Tufted, Cordilleran and Sulphur-bellied Flycatchers, Banded Wren, Grey-breasted Wood-Wren, Golden Vireo, a superb Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Nashville, Black-and-white and Golden-browed Warblers, a splendid pair of nest building Red-headed Tanagers, Chest-capped Brush-Finch, Rusty Sparrow, Audubon’s Oriole (of the distinctive form dickeyi) and Orchard and Bullock’s Orioles. Our pelagic in a small boat off Puerto Angel took us to c10 nautical miles offshore. The sea was quite calm and Keith had brought a concoction of cod liver oil with him from the UK. It created a nice slick, but there was sadly little response to this powerfully smelling substance. We did however see good numbers of Galapagos Shearwaters, a few Pink-footed Shearwaters, Black Storm-Petrel, Brown, Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, Osprey, Red Phalarope, Pomarine Skua, Laughing and Franklin’s Gulls, 23 Sabine Gulls in their magnificent breeding plumage and Elegant, Common and lots of Black Terns. Green Turtles were loafing at the surface, several huge Marlin cruised past and a few Mobula Rays showed off their jumping prowess. After lunch we drove along the coastal road to Tehuantepec, a small town situated at the base of the famous Isthmus. A few short stops at small wetlands and in thorny scrub produced Great Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Swainson’s Hawk, Doubleday’s Hummingbird, Citreoline Trogon, Rufous-naped Wren, White-lored Gnatcatcher, Yellow and Magnolia Warblers, Northern Cardinal, a female Orange-breasted Bunting, Olive Sparrow, an attractive Sumichrast’s Sparrow and Streak-backed Oriole. In the Tehuantepec scrub we obtained very nice views of exquisite male Orange-breasted Buntings and also of Crane Hawk, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Varied Bunting, more Sumichrast’s Sparrows and Stripe-headed Sparrow. Stops at several marshes and ponds holding Long-billed and Short-billed Dowitchers, Semipalmated Plover, Wilson’s Phalarope, Black Tern and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers interrupted our midday drive. The foothills of the Isthmus produced perfect views of outstanding Rosita’s Buntings, while Orange-fronted Parakeet, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot, Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Western Wood Pewee and Yellow-winged Cacique added to the enjoyment. We also noted some raptor migration as small numbers of Broad-winged and Swainson’s Hawks and Turkey Vultures glided over in front of a bad weather system. The rich variety of habitats surrounding the coastal village of Puerto Arista was our next port of call. In the meadows and thickets we located several Giant Wrens and not much later had scope views of raucous White-bellied Chachalacas, next to a hunting Peregrine, Western Wood Pewee, lots of Yellow Warblers, Grey-crowned Yellowthroat, Grasshopper Sparrow and Spot-breasted Oriole. An area of mangrove held Boat-billed Heron and American Redstart and during our seafood lunch in a secluded part of the very busy beach – it was Easter Saturday after all – several roosting Lesser Nighthawks were found. The lagoons held Anhinga, Reddish Egret, Little Blue Heron, Wilson’s Plover, Willet, Marbled Godwit, Semipalmated and Western Sandpipers and several Wilson’s Phalaropes in delicate breeding attire. In late afternoon, upon reaching our base, a large migrating flock of Franklin’s Gulls held our attention, as did pairs of White-fronted Parrots and Pacific Parakeets and lots of delicate Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. A predawn trip into the Pacific lowlands gave us a delightfully showy pair of Pacific Screech-Owls and soon after we made our way to Tuxtla Guttierez via the new toll highway. Only 75 minutes later we were welcomed by several Green Parakeets, before enjoying a scrumptious buffet breakfast in our


Tuxtla hotel. We then explored the scrub and evergreen woodland of the famous Sumidero Canyon. Goddess Orni loved us today as we soon obtained close up views of a party of Singing Quail and only a few minutes later we were admiring a stealthily moving Thicket Tinamou. Magical moments! A pair of stunning Belted Flycatchers showed off, an unobtrusive Flammulated Flycatcher performed, Plain Chachalacas chorused, Vaux’s Swifts flitted about, a Northern Violaceous Trogon sat in its fruiting tree, Green Jays played hide and seek, Magnolia and Fan-tailed Warblers crept through the undergrowth and a Blue Bunting perched on top of its bush. Our full day in the Sumidero Canyon started predawn with a well behaved Buff-collared Nightjar. After our picnic breakfast a fabulous Highland Guan allowed magnificent studies and a Pheasant Cuckoo gave good flight views. A session at a fruiting tree supplied us with multiple observations of rare Bar-winged Orioles and a diligent search resulted in finding a Guatemalan Screech-Owl on its day roost. There were still a fair number of visitors about as it was after all Easter Monday. But we managed to get away from the hordes of tourists visiting the miradors (viewpoints) over the spectacular deep canyon. During the hotter hours of the day Great Swallow-tailed Swift (brief looks for some), Green-fronted Hummingbird, Ridgway’s Rough-winged Swallow, Eastern Kingbird, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Blackburnian Warbler and Yellow Grosbeak presented themselves to us. We very much appreciated one of the highlights of the tour in an area of limestone outcrops on the Atlantic slope. Minutes after arriving at our favourite spot, we obtained mega looks at a fantastic Nava’s Wren performing at length only a couple of metres away. Out of this world! A Long-tailed Sabrewing, a very localized endemic hummingbird showed well too. High winds and the incredibly deafening noise of cicadas kept most of the birds out of view for the rest of the morning. We still managed to add Stripe-breasted Hermit, Chestnut-sided Warbler, lots of Blackburnian Warblers and Black-faced Grosbeak to the tally. In late morning we drove up the mountains to San Cristobal, where we checked in at our nice hotel in the historic centre. In the afternoon we explored the surrounding area, but only found Rufous-collared Thrush and our first Rufous-collared Sparrows. We started the following day in fairly open pine forest, where the trees were thickly festooned in bromelias. An outstanding Pink-headed Warbler gave quite a show and lots of migrant warblers flitted about in the sunny glades. In an agricultural area we observed localized Black-capped Swallows and a Tropical Mockingbird, and it was sad to see that the Green Parakeets had disappeared from their downtown San Cristobal colony. After a good lunch and a bit of a rest we explored some nearby evergreen hill forest where Blue-throated Motmot played hard to get, and Rufous-browed Wren showed very well. A lovely Bearded Screech-Owl posed in the entrance of its nest box, but best of all was the mythical Unspotted Saw-whet Owl that gave magical views after a respectful bit of waiting and hanging about. A superb experience! The next day we explored the tracks leading to the radio towers of Cerro Tzontehuitz. In the evergreen forest Highland Guans were continually calling and wing rattling. A cute Black-throated Jay gave excellent views, a White-breasted Hawk zoomed past, a Barred Forest-Falcon showed well and other interesting species included White-throated Swift, Northern Flickers of the Guatemalan race, Hammond’s, Pine and Yellowish Flycatchers, Mountain Thrush and Yellow-throated Brush-Finch. On the final morning of the tour we overlooked an open area of pine woodland and nearby little fields near San Cristobal. A singing Blue-and-white Mockingbird showed off at length and the last addition to the list was a party of well behaved Red Crossbills sunning themselves in the treetops.


SYSTEMATIC LIST Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL). Subspecies names are given where known and/or appropriate, either in a comment or in parentheses. TINAMIDAE Thicket Tinamou Crypturellus cinnamomeus: We obtained cracking views of one slowly moving

about in the thorny woodland of the Sumidero Canyon (nominate). A fantastic observation of a rarely seen species! We also heard these skulkers call from within dense coffee growth at Amatlan. Tinamous of the genus Crypturellus are almost always notoriously difficult to observe. Most species of this family are polygamous, with the smaller males performing the domestic tasks. Their eggs are lustrously coloured.

PODICIPEDIDAE Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus: Several excellent sightings of this diminutive, yellow-eyed

grebe (brachypterus). Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps: We saw c15 of these widespread grebes on the open waters

at Almoloya and also saw some in the Isthmus area. Eared Grebe (Black-necked Grebe) Podiceps nigricollis: Two were noted in breeding plumage at

Almoloya (californicus). PROCELLARIIDAE Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus: About a dozen birds offered fair views on our pelagic

outing from Puerto Angel. This species breeds on islands off Chile and winters in the northern Pacific Ocean. It is treated as Vulnerable in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Galapagos Shearwater Puffinus subalaris: c200 were seen very well on our Puerto Angel pelagic. This is a recent split from Audubon’s Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri.

HYDROBATIDAE Black Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma melania: Just three on our pelagic off Puerto Angel. Good views of

this large storm-petrel with its distinctive flight action. SULIDAE Nazca Booby Sula granti: Several excellent encounters on our Puerto Angel pelagic. Orange bill! Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii: Six observations of this intriguing species. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster: A few of the race brewsteri in the Puerto Angel area. PELECANIDAE Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis: Regular observations along the Pacific coast (nominate). PHALACROCORACIDAE Neotropic Cormorant (Olivaceous Cormorant) Phalacrocorax brasilianus: This widespread species

was especially common at Puerto Arista (mexicanus). ANHINGIDAE Anhinga Anhinga anhinga: A single bird was found in the Veracruz lowlands and a couple showed

at Puerto Arista (leucogaster).


FREGATIDAE Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens: These wonderful and spectacular kleptoparasites with

their highly distinctive flight silhouette were a real feature of the Pacific coast. Frigatebirds have the lowest wing-loading (low weight in contrast to large wing area) of all birds, enabling them to be amongst the most nimble of fliers.

ARDEIDAE Bare-throated Tiger-Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum: Excellent views of an adult bird in lowland

Veracruz. We also noted one in a patch of mangrove at Puerto Arista. An appropriate scientific epithet!

Great Blue Heron Ardeola herodias: A single observation of this always impressive species along the Pacific coast near Tehuantepec (nominate). The specific scientific name herodias stems from the Greek word for heron: erodios.

Great Egret Egretta alba: Many encounters with the race egretta. Now more often put in the genus Ardea.

Snowy Egret Egretta thula: The race brewsteri was commonly observed at ponds and in wetlands. Yellow lores!!

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea: A couple of adults were found at Puerto Arista. The monotypic genus Florida is sometimes used for this species.

Tricoloured Heron (Louisiana Heron) Egretta tricolor: Regular encounters. The adults in breeding attire really are handsome creatures.

Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens: Excellent scope views of this energetic feeder prancing about on the mudflats at Puerto Arista. We saw the dark morph of the western race dickeyi. It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: Too many!! First noted in the New World in Suriname in 1877, after which a spectacular expansion over the whole continent followed. The main expansion in Mexico was in the 1960’s and by the early 1970’s this species was well established all over the Mexican mainland.

Green Heron Butorides virescens: A handful of sightings of this attractive species. Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax: Two were noted at the Almoloya marshes

(hoactli). Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius: Great views of an adult and an immature of these

unusual-looking birds in a patch of mangrove in the Puerto Arista area. THRESKIORNITHIDAE White Ibis Eudocimus albus: Three were seen in the Veracruz lowlands and 100+ in the Puerto

Arista area. White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi: 70 at the Almoloya marshes near Mexico City and c200 in the

Veracruz lowlands. The scientific epithet is derived from the onomatopoeic French name chihi for this species, given by Vieillot in 1817.

Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja: A few birds were scoped in the Isthmus area and at Puerto Arista. The word ajaja is a Tupi (Brazilian) Indian name for this species. This is one of many names originally found in Marcgrave (1648). Georg Marcgrave (or Marcgraf), a German doctor and mathematician wrote comprehensively, from first hand knowledge on the birds of the Pernambuco district of Brazil. Over forty scientific names are based on his descriptions.

CICONIIDAE Wood Stork Mycteria americana: 20 of these well known storks were seen in flight in the Veracruz

lowlands.


ANATIDAE Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor: Three were found in a marsh in the Veracruz

lowlands. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis: We encountered a couple of flocks. The

epithet autumnalis (= autumnal) refers to the orange, yellow and brown colours of this species.

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis: We observed a male at the Almoloya marshes near Mexico City.

Mexican Duck Anas diazi: Four were seen at the Almoloya marshes near Mexico City. Northern Pintail Anas acuta: Pairs were spotted at the Almoloya marshes and at a lake along the

Pacific coast near Tehuantepec. Blue-winged Teal Anas discors: Regular observations of this attractive North American migrant. Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata: This well-known northern breeder was particularly common at

Almoloya (c1,500birds). Small numbers were noted at several other localities. Gadwall Anas strepera: A dozen were found at Almoloya. A new bird for this itinerary. American Wigeon Anas americana: Three were seen at the Almoloya marshes. Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis: Excellent studies of at least 30 birds at the Almoloya marshes near

Mexico City. Smaller numbers were noted elsewhere and we found 100+ on a lagoon at Puerto Arista.

CATHARTIDAE Black Vulture Coragyps atratus: Many encounters with the race brasiliensis. Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura: Several races may have been seen. It was impressive to see an

extended flock migrate rapidly ahead of an incoming front over the Tapanatepec foothills. It is now fairly well accepted that the American vultures are in fact more closely related to storks. Sibley and Monroe actually merge the ‘family’ with the Ciconiidae. Several of the New World Vultures have an extremely keen sense of smell, unlike most other species of birds.

Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Savanna Vulture) Cathartes burrovianus: At least three of these savanna-favouring vultures were flying low over the grasslands and fields of the Veracruz lowlands.

PANDIONIDAE Osprey Pandion haliaetus: Four sightings of this widespread piscivore. Recent research has shown

that as many as five species may be involved in the Osprey-complex!!! Armchair ticks!!! ACCIPITRIDAE White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus: A single observation of this lovely and elegant bird of prey in the

Veracruz lowlands (majusculus). Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis: A few showed well in the Veracruz lowlands and again in the

Isthmus area. Here the race major. Northern Harrier (Hen Harrier) Circus cyaneus: We noted four females at the Almoloya marshes and

another two in the Veracruz lowlands. The form here is hudsonius, which is a potential split (as Northern Harrier).

Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus: A single sighting of this speedy raptor. Several subspecies occur in the area covered.

White-breasted Hawk Accipiter chionogaster: One was briefly seen near San Cristobal. This distinctive taxon is endemic to Chiapas and northern Central America.


Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii: Three very nice sightings of this northern migrant in the Oaxaca area.

Crane Hawk Geranospiza caerulescens: A brief encounter in the Tehuantepec scrubby woodland. Grey Hawk Buteo nitidus: Three observations of the race plagiata. The genus Asturina is sometimes

used for this species. Roadside Hawk Buteo magnirostris: Ten observations of the race griseocauda. Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus: Just two of these distinctive northern migrants were

travelling together with migrating Turkey Vultures over the Tapanatepec foothills. Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus: We saw both morphs of this widespread bird of prey on this

tour. Swainson’s Hawk Buteo swainsoni: A few birds were noted in the Isthmus area. The adult bird

hunting flying prey over Arriaga was particularly interesting. White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus: Several excellent encounters with this attractive bird of prey

(hypospodius). Zone-tailed Hawk Buteo albonotatus: Two encounters. One of these showed very well, allowing us

to admire its Turkey Vulture imitation behaviour. Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis: A few observations of this widespread raptor (texanus). Black Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus tyrannus: One showed beautifully over the evergreen forest at Valle

Nacional. Definitely uncommon in Mexico. FALCONIDAE Northern Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway: Regular observations of the carrion-eating “Mexican

Eagle”. The race involved is audubonii. The Crested Caracara complex has recently undergone some changes, with splitting and using a different genus name.

Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinnans (H): We heard the distinctive maniacal calls just after dawn at Amatlan.

Barred Forest-Falcon Micrastur ruficollis: Good views of an adult in flight in the San Cristobal area. A highly distinctive call.

Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus (H): We listened to the distant bark in the lower reaches of the Valle Nacional.

Peregrine Falcon (Peregrine) Falco peregrinus: Five observations of this well known species. Best of all was the big young female (probably of the northern race tundrius) hunting over a wet meadow at Puerto Arista. An obviously territorial pair were seen harassing a Red-tailed Hawk relentlessly in the Sumidero Canyon.

CRACIDAE Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula: Regular sightings and impressive dawn choruses (nominate). West Mexican Chachalaca Ortalis poliocephala: Excellent views of this vociferous Mexican endemic

at Teotitlan. White-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis leucogastra: Cracking scope studies in the dense scrub at Puerto

Arista and impressive dawn choruses. A Pacific coast speciality, occurring from Chiapas (Mexico) till Nicaragua. It is one of the distinctive species of the North Central American Pacific slope Endemic Bird Area (EBA 017), defined by BirdLife International in “Endemic Bird Areas of the World - Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation”.

Highland Guan (Black Penelopina) Penelopina nigra: We had a fabulous encounter with a male of this attractive species in the Sumidero Canyon. We also heard the distinctive calls and wing rattles in the highland forests near San Cristobal. It is treated as Vulnerable in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet.


PHASIANIDAE (The New World Quails and Wood-Quails are sometimes put in a separate family: the ODONTOPHORIDAE) Long-tailed Wood-Partridge Dendrortyx macroura (H): We heard the distinctive voice in the

Teotitlan area and also in the Sierra Madre del Sur, but always too far away. Spotted Wood-Quail Odontophorus guttatus (H): Several nice audio encounters at Valle Nacional. Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus: Amazing close up views of a cracking male and two females in

the evergreen forest of the Sumidero Canyon. The birds really posed for us. One of those unforgettable experiences!! We heard the distinctive whistling song just a few times. It occurs from north-eastern Mexico down to Honduras and El Salvador.

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus (H): We heard it a few times in the meadows at Puerto Arista.

RALLIDAE Virginia Rail Rallus limicola (H): The characteristic calls were heard at the Almoloya marshes. Grey-necked Wood-Rail Aramides cajanea: A single bird showed very well at a pond in the Veracruz

lowlands. Sora Porzana carolina: Nice views of two at the Almoloya marshes near Mexico City. We also heard

the characteristic calls. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: Many of the race cachinnans at the Almoloya marshes near

Mexico City and a few elsewhere. The New World races are now sometimes considered as a separate species: Common Gallinule Gallinula galeata.

American Coot Fulica americana: c300 of the nominate race at the Almoloya marshes near Mexico City and scattered records of small numbers elsewhere.

ARAMIDAE Limpkin Aramus guarauna: A few sightings of this peculiar snail-eating bird. CHARADRIIDAE Black-bellied Plover (Grey Plover) Pluvialis squatarola: A single bird showed at the Puerto Arista

lagoons. Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia: Three of these heavy-billed plovers were found at Puerto Arista. Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus: A few were noted in the Pacific lowlands. Killdeer Charadrius vociferus: Just a few observations at the Almoloya marshes near Mexico City and

at Teotitlan near Oaxaca. RECURVIROSTRIDAE Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus: Regular observations of the nominate race. A maximum

of 50 at Puerto Arista. American Avocet Recurvirostra americana: Scattered records, but excellent views of c25 in breeding

attire at Puerto Arista. JACANIDAE Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa: Regular excellent observations of adults and of stripy youngsters

(nominate). The name jacana is derived from the Tupi (Brazilian) Indian word jasaná, so the right pronunciation should really be ‘jasaná’. The Portuguese spelling is jaçaná.

SCOLOPACIDAE Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca: Small numbers of this northern migrant were noted.


Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes: A few were seen in the Veracruz lowlands, at Teotitlan and on the mudflats at Puerto Arista.

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria: Single birds were noted at the Teotitlan pond and at a lake near Tehuantepec.

Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus: Three observations of the nominate race. Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia: Regular sightings. Scope studies of a cracking breeding-

plumaged bird at the Teotitlan pond. Hudsonian Whimbrel Numenius hudsonicus: Two showed well on the Puerto Arista mudflats. This is

a recent split from Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus. Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa: Excellent scope views of ten birds at Puerto Arista. Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla: Many could be studied in detail at Puerto Arista. Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri: A few were hanging out with the previous species. Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla: Regular encounters. Most birds were in lovely breeding attire. Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii: Ten birds showed well on a muddy fringe at the Almoloya

marshes. This species is a long distance migrant that breeds in northern Canada and winters in southern Chile, Argentina and the Falkland Islands.

Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus: Many sightings along our route. Several birds were beginning to show their attractive breeding attire.

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus: A few were identified in the Isthmus area. Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus: At least 3,500 birds were noted at the Almoloya

marshes. Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata: A single bird was seen at the Almoloya marshes. Wilson’s Phalarope Steganopus tricolor: Several in perfect breeding attire in the Isthmus area and at

Puerto Arista. Gorgeous! Red Phalarope (Grey Phalarope) Phalaropus fulicaria: A single bird in winter plumage was noted on

our pelagic off Puerto Angel. STERCORARIIDAE Pomarine Jaeger (Pomarine Skua) Stercorarius pomarinus: Good views of three birds on our pelagic

off Puerto Angel. LARIDAE Laughing Gull Larus atricilla: Regular observations of this well-known gull. Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan: At least 300 were seen during our Puerto Angel pelagic. An

impressive migrating flock of breeding plumaged birds was noted in the Arriaga area, involving more than 1000 individuals. These birds were obviously travelling from their wintering haunts off Chile to their nesting grounds in the northern US and central Canada. “Pipizcan” was the name given by Mexican Indians to a sort of gull. The bird is named after John Franklin (1786-1847), a Royal Navy officer and arctic explorer, who made two overland Canadian expeditions. He also led a disastrous expedition to search for the North-West passage, on which every man perished.

Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini: No fewer than 23 birds were noted on our Puerto Angel pelagic and several offered fantastic views of their attractive breeding attire. Definitely one of the smartest gulls in existence. It breeds in the high arctic. The bird is named after General Sir Edward Sabine (1788-1883), an English scientist and explorer.

Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica: Just two in the Veracruz lowlands (arenea). Caspian Tern Sterna caspia: A few observations of this widespread species. Royal Tern Sterna maxima: Just a handful of sightings.


Elegant Tern Sterna elegans: Two showed well on our Puerto Angel pelagic. It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis: A single bird was noted at Puerto Arista. Common Tern Sterna hirundo: Six birds were found on our pelagic off Puerto Angel. Black Tern Chlidonias niger: At least 150, of which many in breeding plumage, were seen off Puerto

Angel (surinamensis). The following day we observed four hunting over a wetland in the Isthmus area.

COLUMBIDAE Rock Dove Columba livia: No comment. Red-billed Pigeon Columba flavirostris: Many excellent views of the nominate race. The bill is

mainly yellow!! Band-tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata: Regular sightings of this widespread species (nominate). The

New World members of the genus Columba are now usually placed in the genus Patagioenas.

White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica: Many excellent sightings of the nominate race. A rather inappropriate scientific name!

Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura: Just a few (marginella). Inca Dove Columbina inca: This cutie was found everywhere on our route. Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina: Small numbers all over the place (pallescens). Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti: Regular observations. There is no explanation available

for the scientific epithet talpacoti. Blue Ground-Dove Claravis pretiosa: Good views of several in the lower reaches of the Sierra de

Juarez. White-tipped Dove Leptotila verreauxi: Commonly encountered (fulviventris). We all know its

mournful song. The bird is named after Jules Pierre Verreaux (1808-1873), a French collector, naturalist and natural history dealer, who also has, amongst others an Eagle, a Coua and a Turaco bearing his name.

Grey-headed Dove Leptotila plumbeiceps (H): Audio encounters only on the Atlantic slope. White-faced Quail-Dove Geotrygon albifacies: Good views for all. Regular audio encounters in the

Sierra de Juarez and in the Sierra de Miahuatlan. PSITTACIDAE Green Parakeet Aratinga holochlora: Excellent scope views of several in Tuxtla Guttierez. This

Mexican endemic is sometimes seen just across the Texan border. Pacific Parakeet Aratinga strenua: Two showed briefly in flight near Arriaga, in the Pacific lowlands. Aztec Parakeet Aratinga astec: Excellent views of several in the Sierra de Juarez. Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis: Very good views of several at Puerto Arista (nominate). Barred Parakeet Bolborhynchus lineola: Two in frustrating, characteristic fast flight at Valle Nacional. Brown-hooded Parrot Pionopsitta haematotis: Splendid looks at six of these colourful parrots in flight

at Valle Nacional (Sierra de Juarez). White-crowned Parrot Pionus senilis: c10 birds were noted at Amatlan and in the Sierra de Juarez.

Several allowed prolonged scope studies. Splendid. White-fronted Parrot (White-fronted Amazon) Amazona albifrons: Two showed well in flight near

Arriaga. Red-lored Parrot (Yellow-cheeked Parrot) Amazona autumnalis: Fair scope views at Amatlan and in

the lower reaches of the Sierra de Juarez.


CUCULIDAE Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana: Regular excellent observations. Pheasant Cuckoo Dromococcyx phasianellus: Fair flight views of this much-wanted species in the

Sumidero Canyon. This is one of only three parasitic Neotropical cuckoos, laying its eggs mainly in nests of Tyrannid flycatchers.

Lesser Ground-Cuckoo Morococcyx erythropygus (H): We all heard this skulking species in scrubby woodland near Tehuantepec and in the Chiapas foothills (mexicanus).

Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris: Too many. Everyone saw the groves through the scope!! STRIGIDAE Flammulated Owl Otus flammeolus (H): One was heard at close range at Cerro San Felipe near

Oaxaca. A first for this itinerary. Pacific Screech-Owl Otus cooperi: Superb looks at two in full glory in the Puerto Arista area. Lovely.

The New World members of the genus Otus are now usually placed in the genus Megascops.

Guatemalan Screech-Owl (Middle American Screech-Owl) Otus guatemalae: We heard the quiet trill, just after dawn in a patch of bamboo in the Sumidero Canyon (nominate) and managed to find the little devil on his day roost. Cracking scope studies!!

Bearded Screech-Owl (Santa Barbara Screech-Owl) Otus barbarus: A great encounter with this cutie on Cerro Huitepec near San Cristobal. The Bearded Screech-Owl is one of the distinctive species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018), defined by BirdLife International in “Endemic Bird Areas of the World - Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation”. It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Mountain Pygmy Owl Glaucidium gnoma: Excellent scope studies of this adorable species on Cerro San Felipe. Keith’s Bird of the Trip!

Central American Pygmy Owl Glaucidium griseiceps (H): No joy this year with this usually responsive species. We heard it in the lower reaches of the Sierra de Juarez.

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium brasilianum: Several great scope studies of this responsive diurnal owl. No fewer than six observations. We will not forget the call easily and my lips still hurt. The form concerned is sometimes split off as a separate species: Ridgway’s Pygmy-Owl Glaucidium ridgwayi, but the grounds for this split are rather shaky.

Mottled Owl Strix virgata (H): We heard its distinctive calls in the Sumidero Canyon and at Cerro Huitepec, near San Cristobal.

Barred Owl Strix varia (H): One uttered its distinctive bark-like hoots at close range at Cerro San Felipe near Oaxaca.

Unspotted Saw-whet Owl Aegolius ridgwayi: Fantastic close up views for all of this enigmatic species in the San Cristobal area. We had heard this secretive little owl a few times in the past, but had never managed to lay eyes on it. What a delightful little critter!! Mark’s Bird of the Trip!

CAPRIMULGIDAE Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis: Several showed very well in broad daylight while we were

enjoying our seafood lunch at Puerto Arista. Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor: A single bird was noted at dawn at Amatlan. Pauraque (Common Pauraque) Nyctidromus albicollis: A few nice encounters in the Veracruz

lowlands. Buff-collared Nightjar Caprimulgus ridgwayi: Good views of several in the Sumidero Canyon. A very

unique call. The species is sometimes known as Cookacheea or Tucuchillo. Mexican Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus arizonae: Great looks at a responsive male on Cerro San

Felipe near Oaxaca.


NYCTIBIIDAE Northern Potoo Nyctibius jamaicensis (H): We heard one predawn in the Sumidero Canyon. APODIDAE White-collared Swift Streptoprocne zonaris: Regular excellent encounters with this impressive swift

(mexicana). Vaux’s Swift Chaetura vauxi: A single observation of this small species. White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatilis: Several were noted in the Chiapas highlands. Great Swallow-tailed Swift Panyptila sanctihieronymi (NL): Keith and Bob had brief views of one in

the Sumidero Canyon. The bird is named after the town of San Geronimo in Vera Paz, Guatemala.

TROCHILIDAE Long-tailed Hermit Phaethornis superciliosus: A single bird showed all too briefly in the lower

reaches of the Sierra de Juarez. Stripe-throated Hermit Pygmornis striigularis: A brief encounter with the race saturatus at the Nava’s

Wren site. It was formerly lumped in Little Hermit P. longuemareus. Wedge-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus curvipennis: Two birds showed well at Amatlan. Long-tailed Sabrewing Campylopterus excellens: Pretty good views of this very restricted range

species at the Nava’s Wren site. It is sometimes considered as a subspecies of Wedge-tailed Sabrewing. The Long-tailed Sabrewing is one of the distinctive species of the Los Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa Endemic Bird Area (EBA 013). It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet.

Canivet’s Emerald (Fork-tailed Emerald) Chlorostilbon canivetii: Many nice views of the nominate race and a habitual mobber of the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl.

Dusky Hummingbird Cynanthus sordidus: This Mexican endemic was regularly observed in the Oaxaca area and is one of the distinctive species of the Balsas region and interior Oaxaca Endemic Bird Area (EBA 008), defined by BirdLife International in “Endemic Bird Areas of the World - Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation”.

Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris: A few in the UNAM Botanical Gardens in Mexico City.

Doubleday’s Hummingbird Cynanthus doubledayi: Great views of this localized endemic in the thorn forests near Tehuantepec.

White-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotis: Regularly encountered in the highland pine forests (nominate). Smashing views!

White-bellied Emerald Amazilia candida: Four nice observations of this rather unexciting-looking hummer.

Azure-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia cyanocephala: Two excellent sightings in the Sierra de Juarez (Valle Nacional).

Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina: Regular observations of this Central American endemic. Remember the rufous wing panel!

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Amazilia tzacatl: Several sightings on the Atlantic slope. Buff-bellied Hummingbird Amazilia yucatanensis: Several lovely sightings at Amatlan and in the

Sumidero Canyon (cerviniventris). Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila: Cracking observations of the race corrallirostris in the

Puerto Arista area. Violet-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia violiceps: Great views of one in the UNAM Botanical

Gardens in Mexico City.


Green-fronted Hummingbird Amazilia viridifrons: Nice looks at one in the Sumidero Canyon. Gorgeous!!

Blue-capped Hummingbird (Oaxaca Hummingbird) Eupherusa cyanophrys: Superb views of a male in the Puerto Angel foothills. Another highly localized hummer that is one of the characteristic species of the Sierra Madre del Sur Endemic Bird Area (EBA 009). This species is treated as Endangered in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Magnificent Hummingbird (Rivoli’s Hummingbird) Eugenes fulgens: Several observations of a really attractive hummer.

Long-billed Starthroat Heliomaster longirostris: A single showed beautifully in the Sierra Madre del Sur.

Beautiful Hummingbird Calothorax pulcher: A female showed all too briefly at prickly pear flowers in the Oaxaca area.

TROGONIDAE Citreoline Trogon Trogon citreolus: Great looks at this Mexican endemic in the thorn forests of the

Pacific coast (sumichrasti). All the members of the pantropical trogon family have an incredibly thin skin and very loosely attached feathers, but only the new world members have a serrated bill.

Northern Violaceous Trogon (Gartered Trogon) Trogon caligatus : Several excellent scope studies of males and females (braccatus).

Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus: Splendid encounters in the Sierra de Juarez (and elsewhere) of this gorgeous Central American endemic (nominate).

Elegant Trogon Trogon elegans: A magical sighting of a male in the Teotitlan area near Oaxaca. Collared Trogon Trogon collaris: This widespread species offered lovely views on several occasions

(puella). MOMOTIDAE Blue-throated Motmot Aspatha gularis: Fair views of a shy, singing bird in the San Cristobal area. It is

one of the distinctive species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

Blue-crowned Motmot Momotus coeruliceps: Singles of this well-known and widespread species showed in the Valle Nacional and in the Sumidero Canyon. Others were heard elsewhere. The original Blue-crowned Motmot has now been split into five species. The form involved (occurring in Mexico and Central America) has retained the English name.

Russet-crowned Motmot Momotus mexicanus: Breath-taking and prolonged scope studies at Tapanatepec (saturatus). A truly fabulous bird. One of the local names is “reloj” (watch, clock), because of the rhythmic tail movement.

ALCEDINIDAE Ringed Kingfisher Ceryle torquata: A single observation of this most impressive New World

Kingfisher. RAMPHASTIDAE Emerald Toucanet Aulacorhynchus prasinus: Good looks at several in the Sierra de Juarez and in the

Sumidero Canyon (stenorhabdus). Wagler’s Toucanet Aulacorhynchus wagleri: Many splendid views in the foothills above Puerto

Angel. This is a recent split, according to some taxonomists, from Emerald Toucanet. It is endemic to the Sierra Madre del Sur in Mexico.

Collared Aracari Pteroglossus torquatus: A brief observation of one at Amatlan.


Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus: Great looks at this impressive beast in the lower reaches of the Sierra de Juarez. A marvellous creature!! The more appropriate name Rainbow-billed Toucan is now more and more often used.

PICIDAE Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus: Several observations of this well-known social species. Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Centurus chrysogenys: Great views of cracking males and females in

Puerto Angel. A Mexican endemic. Grey-breasted Woodpecker Centurus hypopolius: This cactus-dwelling endemic of the Oaxaca area

showed beautifully at Teotitlan and at the Yagul ruins. It is one of the distinctive species of the Balsas region and interior Oaxaca Endemic Bird Area (EBA 008).

Golden-fronted Woodpecker Centurus aurifrons: A very common and vocal lowland woodpecker. The races observed include grateloupensis (Amatlan and the Sierra de Juarez) and polygrammus (Isthmus).

Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris: Several excellent sightings. Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus: Just a few encounters. Strickland’s Woodpecker Picoides stricklandi: Great looks at this local endemic at La Cima, near

Mexico City. Howell & Webb consider Strickland’s Woodpecker as endemic to a tiny area of highland forest in the central volcanic belt near Mexico City, but most authorities still consider Strickland’s Woodpecker to include the Arizona Woodpecker and thus ranging from southern Arizona to Mexico City. The bird is named after Hugh Edwin Strickland (1811-1853), British ornithologist and zoologist.

Smoky-brown Woodpecker Veniliornis fumigates (H): One was heard in the middle reaches of the Sierra de Juarez.

Golden-olive Woodpecker Piculus rubiginosus: Superb views of this widespread species at Amatlan. Grey-crowned Woodpecker Piculus auricularis: A single bird allowed great views in the foothills

above Puerto Angel. Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus: Good views of the race mexicanoides (Guatemalan Flicker) in the

highlands south of the Isthmus. The distinctive cinnamon head and narrowly-barred upperparts of the latter race were well studied. We also saw the race cafer on Cerro San Felipe.

Lineated Woodpecker Dryocopus lineatus: A single bird behaved well at Puerto Arista. Widespread and well-known.

Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis (H): We heard the distinctive double knock in the lower reaches of the Sierra de Juarez.

FURNARIIDAE Rufous-breasted Spinetail Synallaxis erythrothorax: Marvellous views of this Central American

endemic in the Sierra de Juarez. It played a bit hide and seek at first, but eventually we all had repeated great looks (furtiva).

Spectacled Foliage-gleaner (Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner) Anabacerthia variegaticeps: Nice views of this widespread species in the middle reaches of the Sierra de Juarez (nominate).

Plain Xenops Xenops minutus: Great looks at this well-known species in the middle reaches of the Sierra de Juarez (mexicanus).

DENDROCOLAPTIDAE (This family is now often considered a subfamily in the Furnariidae) Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus: Good looks at this tiny woodcreeper at Amatlan

(sylvioides).


Strong-billed Woodcreeper Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus: This largest of Mexican woodcreepers showed well at Cerro San Felipe near Oaxaca (sclateri).

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster: Many heard and several seen. A typical lowland forest and forest edge woodcreeper.

Spotted Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus erythropygius: One showed well in the forests of the southern Sierra Madre del Sur (nominate).

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes affinis: A single bird showed well in the San Cristobal area (nominate).

THAMNOPHILIDAE Barred Antshrike Thamnophilus doliatus (H): We heard the distinctive song on a number of

occasions (intermedius). TYRANNIDAE Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet Ornithion semiflavum (H): We heard this tiny species at the Nava’s Wren

site. Northern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe: Several great looks at this unobtrusive

tyrannid (nominate). Greenish Elaenia Myiopagis viridicata: Regular excellent observations of this modest flycatcher

(placens/pacifica). Yellow-bellied Elaenia Elaenia flavogaster: Several observations of this widespread species. A highly

characteristic voice (subpagana). Northern Bentbill Oncostoma cinereigulare (H): We heard the distinctive voice of this different-

looking tyrannid in the Sumidero Canyon and at the Nava’s Wren site. Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Yellow-olive Flatbill) Tolmomyias sulphurescens: This widespread species

was seen at Amatlan. Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus: Dynamite views of this very distinctive, beautiful, little-

known and rare flycatcher at the Sumidero Canyon. Very much appreciated!! It is a rarely seen Central American endemic, which is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet. It is one of the characteristic species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

Pileated Flycatcher Xenotriccus mexicanus: Great views of one at Teotitlan. This localized and easy to miss bird is one of the distinctive species of the Balsas region and interior Oaxaca Endemic Bird Area (EBA 008). It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus: A single observation in the southern Sierra Madre del Sur.

Olive-sided Flycatcher Contopus borealis: Regular sightings of this northern migrant in central Chiapas. It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax: Many excellent observations. A distinctive call. Western Pewee (Western Wood-Pewee) Contopus sordidulus: A couple of sightings of this

unobtrusive northern migrant. Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens: A single bird that showed most of the characteristics of this

species was seen in the Veracruz lowlands. Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus: Four sightings of this winter visitor. Hammond’s Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii: Singles showed well in mixed pine-oak forest near

San Cristobal. Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri: Excellent views of this winter visitor near Oaxaca.


Grey Flycatcher Empidonax wrightii: Good looks at this winter visitor near Oaxaca. Remember the distinctive tail dipping!

Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis: Good views of two near San Cristobal. A characteristic call. Pacific-slope Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis: A single bird was identified in the foothills above Puerto

Angel. Cordilleran Flycatcher Empidonax occidentalis: A few were noted in the Sierra Madre del Sur. Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens: Good views of several of this localized species in the

San Cristobal area. An easy Empidonax to identify!! Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons: The most distinctive member of a difficult genus!!!!

We observed this subtly beautiful species near Mexico City. Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans: A couple were hawking insects at the edge of the Teotitlan pond. Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus: Many excellent sightings of this lovely species

(mexicanus). One of the local names in Venezuela is “Hijo del Sol” (= the son of the sun). Flammulated Attila Attila flammulatus (H): We heard its distinctive voice in the Sierra de Juarez. This

is a recent, rather dubious split from Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus. Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer: Regular encounters with this distinctive Myiarchus

Flycatcher. Ash-throated Flycatcher Myiarchus cinerascens: Regular observations of the nominate race. Nutting’s Flycatcher Myiarchus nuttingi: Several offered fair views (inquietus). The genus Myiarchus

is always a bit of a nightmare and its members are usually best identified by voice. Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannulus: Regular sightings of the race cooperi. Flammulated Flycatcher Deltarhynchus flammulatus: Great looks at a couple of birds in the

Sumidero Canyon. Unobtrusive, but luckily its very distinctive call betrays its presence. The lovely genus name refers to the short, but wide bill of this species (delta = the letter Δ and rhunkhos = bill, in Greek). It is the only member of its genus.

Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus: Many encounters with the race derbianus (Isthmus) and the race guatimalensis (Pacific slope). A highly characteristic call!!

Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua: Regular encounters with the race mexicanus. What a bill!

Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similis: Many observations of this vocal species (texensis). Streaked Flycatcher Myiodynastes maculatus: Two sightings in the lower reaches of the Sierra de

Juarez. Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher Myiodynastes luteiventris: This summer visitor was regularly seen. Piratic Flycatcher Legatus leucophaius: The race variegatus was recorded a few times. Vocal! Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melancholicus: The famous TK. Regular observations of the race satrapa. Couch’s Kingbird Tyrannus couchii (H): Several were heard in the lower reaches of the Sierra de

Juarez. Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans: Regular sightings in the highlands (nominate). Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris: Two birds showed off their main feature at Teotitlan

(nominate). We saw one on its nest in a bromeliad in a leafless tree. Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus: Just two encounters with these northern migrants. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Tyrannus forficatus: This lovely species was seen several times in the

lowlands. Some very obvious migration was noted in the Isthmus area. COTINGIDAE Rose-throated Becard Platypsaris aglaiae: Excellent sightings of males and females on several

occasions. Always a delightful bird to observe (nominate). The large nest was also found. Masked Tityra Tityra semifasciata: Regular observations of this widespread species.


PIPRIDAE White-collared Manakin Manacus candei (H): We heard the characteristic, firecracker wing-snaps in

the lower reaches of the Sierra de Juarez. ALAUDIDAE Horned Lark (Shore Lark) Eremophila alpestris: Smashing looks at this attractive species at the

Almoloya marshes. HIRUNDINIDAE Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea: Small numbers in the lowlands (nominate). Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor: A few of these northern migrants were noted in the Veracruz

lowlands and elsewhere. Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina: Excellent views in the highlands near Mexico City, in

the Sierra de Juarez, near Oaxaca and in the San Cristobal area (nominate). Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata: Fair views of several in the San Cristobal highlands. It

is one of the characteristic species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis: Regular encounters. Ridgway’s Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ridgwayi: Good looks at several in the Sumidero

Canyon. This species is often considered to be a mere subspecies of Northern Rough-winged Swallow.

Cliff Swallow Hirundo pyrrhonota: A few sightings of this northern migrant and summer resident. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: Many encounters with this well-known bird, here of the race

erythrogaster, with its dark vinaceous underparts. CORVIDAE Steller’s Jay Cyanocitta stelleri: Several vociferous flocks in the highland pine forests. We saw the

race azteca near Mexico City, restricta near Oaxaca and ridgwayi in the Chiapas highlands. The species is named after Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709-1746), German naturalist and explorer in Russian service who took part in Vitus Bering’s expedition to Alaska, 1740-1742.

White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta formosa: Many sightings of this splendid bird in the Pacific lowlands. A bit of a harlequin!! We saw the nominate race in the Oaxaca lowlands and azurea in Chiapas.

Green Jay Cyanocorax luxuosus: Great looks at this attractive species in the Sumidero Canyon (vividus).

Brown Jay Cyanocorax morio: Many observations of this loud-mouthed species in the Atlantic lowlands. We saw the race palliatus in Amatlan and the Sierra de Juarez and the nominate race in northern Chiapas.

Azure-hooded Jay Cyanolyca cucullata: This often secretive species showed well in the middle reaches of the Sierra de Juarez (mitrata).

Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilio: Excellent views of this unobtrusive species in the pine-oak forests near San Cristobal. A beautiful jay, restricted to southern Mexico and northern Central America. Bob’s favourite.

Dwarf Jay Cyanolyca nana: Eye-ball to eye-ball looks at this very localized endemic on Cerro San Felipe. Three birds showed brilliantly. Glorious moments!! This species is treated as Vulnerable in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet. It is one of the characteristic species of the Southern Sierra Madre Occidental Endemic Bird Area (EBA 012).


Western Scrub Jay Aphelocoma caerulescens: Several observations of this widespread species near Mexico City and near Oaxaca (sumichrasti).

Unicoloured Jay Aphelocoma unicolor: Lovely views of this gorgeous bird in the Sierra de Juarez (oaxacae) and near San Cristobal (unicolor).

Northern Raven (Common Raven) Corvus corax: Several fine sightings near Oaxaca (sinuatus). PARIDAE Mexican Chickadee Parus sclateri: A few sightings in the highlands. We saw the nominate race near

Mexico City and the race rayi near Oaxaca. AEGITHALIDAE Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus: Several first-rate sightings of flocks of the black-eared form in the

highlands. A very lively bird. We observed the race personatus near Mexico City and melanotis near San Cristobal.

SITTIDAE White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis. A single bird was seen at La Cima near Mexico City and

a couple behaved well at Cerro San Felipe near Oaxaca. Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea: Good views of a single bird at La Cima near Mexico City. CERTHIIDAE Brown Creeper Certhia americana: One showed well at La Cima near the capital and one was found

at Cerro San Felipe (alticola). TROGLODYTIDAE Band-backed Wren Campylorhynchus zonatus: Several splendid sightings of this widespread and

vocal species. Grey-barred Wren Campylorhynchus megalopterus: Repeated observations of this vociferous

endemic in the pine forests near the capital (nominate) and in the Sierra de Juarez and near Oaxaca (nelsoni). It is one of the distinctive species of the Sierra Madre Occidental and trans-Mexican range Endemic Bird Area (EBA 006) and of the Southern Sierra Madre Occidental EBA (EBA 012).

Giant Wren Campylorhynchus chiapensis: Many perfect views of this impressive and vocal bird near Puerto Arista. An appropriate scientific name. This species is endemic to the Chiapas coast and is one of the characteristic species of the North Central American Pacific slope Endemic Bird Area (EBA 017).

Rufous-naped Wren Campylorhynchus rufinucha: Several showed beautifully in the Tehuantepec area (humilis).

Boucard’s Wren Campylorhynchus jocosus: Several close up observations of this endemic in the Oaxaca area. The specific scientific name jocosus stems from the Latin word iocosus (merry, humorous) and probably relates to the rather exuberant vocalizations of this species.

Canyon Wren Catherpes mexicanus: We heard this one at the UNAM Botanical gardens in Mexico City and saw it well in the Oaxaca area (mexicanus).

Sumichrast’s Wren Hylorchilus sumichrasti: Magnificent views of a singing bird in the Amatlan karst hills. Marvellous to see it creep about in the nooks and crannies of those large, vine and creeper covered limestone outcrops. A terrific voice too!!! Sumichrast’s Wren is endemic to west-central Veracruz, north Oaxaca and extreme east Puebla and its range covers only c6000 km2. The bird is named after the Mexican naturalist and field worker Francis


Sumichrast (1828-1882). It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet.

Nava’s Wren Hylorchilus navai: Superb views of an incredibly cooperative bird in limestone outcrop habitat in western Chiapas. What a thrilling performance!! We were able to admire its splendidly long bill at very close range. Perfect studies!! Nava’s Wren has a range of only c4000 km² in easternmost Veracruz, west Chiapas and east Oaxaca and is restricted to karst outcrops. It is one of the distinctive species of the Los Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa Endemic Bird Area (EBA 013) and is treated as Vulnerable in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

Spot-breasted Wren Thryothorus maculipectus: Good looks at this skulker in the forests of the Sierra de Juarez (canobrunneus).

Happy Wren Thryothorus felix (H): We heard this West Mexican speciality near Oaxaca and in the Puerto Angel foothills, but it did not want to play.

Banded Wren Thryothorus pleurostictus: Many great sightings of this well-marked bird (oaxacae). They were extremely vocal during our visit.

Plain Wren Thryothorus modestus (H): We heard this one in the Sumidero Canyon. White-bellied Wren Uropsila leucogastra: We heard and briefly saw this tiny wren at Amatlan. It is

endemic to Mexico and extreme northern Central America. Bewick’s Wren Thryomanes bewickii: Several sightings in central Mexico (muriunus). The bird is

named after Thomas Bewick (1753-1828), British naturalist, artist and author, who also has a swan named after him.

Northern House Wren Troglodytes aedon: A few encounters with this familiar species near Oaxaca. Brown-throated House Wren Troglodytes brunneicollis: Smashing looks at this distinctive bird in the

upper reaches of the Sierra de Juarez. Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus: Good looks, eventually, at this attractive critter near

San Cristobal. It is one of the distinctive species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris (H): We heard it in the reed beds of the Almoloya marshes. White-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucosticte (H): A few were heard at several foothill sites

on the Atlantic slope. Grey-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys: Nice views of this widespread skulker in the

Sierra Madre del Sur. SYLVIIDAE Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula: A few observations near Mexico City and in the Oaxaca

area (nominate). Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea: One was seen near Mexico City. White-lored Gnatcatcher Polioptila albiloris: Commonly encountered along the Pacific coast

(vanrossemi). It sure hates Ferruginous Pygmy-Owls! TURDIDAE Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis: Several observations near Mexico City and near San Cristobal. A real

beauty!! Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana: Two showed beautifully at La Cima near Mexico City (australis). A

lovely species. Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis: A beautiful and remarkable songster, of which we

obtained several great views (deignani north of the Isthmus and oberholseri near San Cristobal).


Slate-coloured Solitaire Myadestes unicolor: Another outstanding songster that allowed great looks in the Sierra de Juarez. We found a nest containing two eggs in the Sierra de Juarez. We also recorded it at the Nava’s Wren site (nominate).

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris: An excellent encounter with this rather secretive species at Teotitlan.

Russet Nightingale-Thrush Catharus occidentalis: Excellent views of this endemic in the highland forests of Cerro San Felipe (nominate).

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Highland Nightingale-Thrush) Catharus frantzii: Several great observations, whereby we were able to appreciate why it is called that way.

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus mexicanus: Fair views of a skulking bird in the Sierra de Juarez. We heard several others.

Swainson’s Thrush Catharus ustulatus: Regular observations of this northern migrant. Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus: A single bird was seen on our final morning near San Cristobal. Black Thrush (Black Robin) Turdus infuscatus: A few observations in the highlands. This usually shy

and reclusive species is restricted to Mexico and Central America. Mountain Thrush (Mountain Robin) Turdus plebejus: A few sightings of this drably-attired thrush in

the San Cristobal area. A very distinctive song. Clay-coloured Thrush (Clay-coloured Robin) Turdus grayi: A commonly-encountered species. Not

the most colourful thrush!! Costa Rica’s national bird. White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis: Regular encounters. The southern populations are more

distinctive. Rufous-backed Thrush Turdus rufopalliatus: Excellent views of this lovely bird in Mexico City and in

the Oaxaca area (nominate). Rufous-collared Thrush Turdus rufitorques: Many splendid observations in the San Cristobal area. It

is one of the distinctive species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

American Robin Turdus migratorius: Regular in the highland forests. MIMIDAE Grey Catbird Dumetella carolinensis (NL): Bob saw one of these migrants at Teotitlan. Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens: Several great encounters and perfect scope studies in the

Oaxaca area. A bird with character! Red eyes!! Blue-and-white Mockingbird Melanotis hypoleucus: This species allowed for splendid views near

San Cristobal. It is a characteristic species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos: A few in Mexico City and in the Oaxaca area (leucopterus).

Tropical Mockingbird Mimus gilvus: A single bird showed well near San Cristobal (leucophaeus). Curve-billed Thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre: Several excellent encounters with this bird full of

personality (nominate). Ocellated Thrasher Toxostoma ocellatum: This attractive and highly distinctive endemic showed

quite well in an area of oak scrub near Teotitlan (villai). MOTACILLIDAE American Pipit Anthus rubescens: Eight were feeding along muddy edges at Almoloya and two birds

performed well at the Teotitlan pond. A northern migrant.


PTILOGONATIDAE Grey Silky-Flycatcher (Grey Silky) Ptilogonys cinereus: One of the star birds of the highland forests. It

is endemic to Mexico and Guatemala. The four species of Silky-Flycatchers are closely related to waxwings and are often merged with them in the Bombycillidae.

STURNIDAE European Starling (Common Starling) Sturnus vulgaris: Six or so showed well at the Almoloya

marshes. Obviously spreading. VIREONIDAE Bell’s Vireo Vireo belli: A couple of observations of this self-effacing species north of the Isthmus. It is

treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”. Dwarf Vireo Vireo nelsoni: Single birds performed a couple of times in the scrub near Teotitlan. It is

endemic to southern central Mexico. Blue-headed Vireo Vireo solitarius: Cassin’s and Plumbeous Vireos were formerly lumped in this

species, being called Solitary Vireo. A few observations of the nominate race. Plumbeous Vireo Vireo plumbeus: Terrific views of one of the southern race notius near San

Cristobal. Hutton’s Vireo Vireo huttoni: Good views of several in the highland oak forests (mexicanus). Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus: Great looks at this lovely species in the thorn forest at Teotitlan

and in the evergreen forest of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus: Regular sightings. Yellow-green Vireo Vireo flavoviridis: Common and singing all over the place. Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolanius melitophrys: Cracking views of a well performing bird in the

southern Sierra Madre del Sur (goldmani). A truly magnificent jewel of a bird, endemic to Mexico and Guatemala.

Rufous-browed Peppershrike Cyclarhis gujanensis: This widespread Neotropical species was heard and seen well in the Sumidero Canyon.

PARULIDAE Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina: Regular sightings of one of the more unassuming parulids. Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata: A few encounters with this unobtrusive species. Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla: A few observations. Virginia’s Warbler Vermivora virginiae: One showed nicely in the Teotitlan gully. Crescent-chested Warbler Vermivora superciliosa: This really smart-looking Mexican and Central

American endemic was recorded near Mexico City, in the Sierra de Juarez, on Cerro San Felipe and in the San Cristobal area. A beauty!!!

Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi: A couple of sightings of this little gem. The scientific epithet is a Guarani (Paraguay) Indian name, meaning ‘little yellow chest’ for this species.

Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia: A common lowland warbler, of which we only saw the migratory nominate race.

Chestnut-sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica: A gorgeous male showed very well at the Nava’s Wren site.

Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia: Another fairly common lowland winter visitor, of which several splendid males were recorded.

Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata: Fairly common in the highlands where all were of the western, yellow-throated form, formerly known as Audubon’s Warbler D. auduboni.

Townsend’s Warbler Dendroica townsendi: A few of these very attractive creatures in the highland pine forests.

Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis: A few were seen at Cerro San Felipe, near Oaxaca.


Black-throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens: Regular observations, including some really cracking males. Especially common in the San Cristobal area.

Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca: Good numbers of gorgeous males in breeding plumage were recorded in Chiapas. What a bird!!!

Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor: A single bird was observed in pine-oak forest near San Cristobal. An unusual sighting!

Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia: Quite a few showed off their distinctive creeping behaviour. A gem of a bird.

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla: Regular sightings, including several pristine males. Worm-eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivorus: A single bird obliged beautifully in the lower reaches

of the Sierra de Juarez. Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis: A single sighting only. Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas: A few were noted in the Veracruz lowlands and at Puerto

Arista. Hooded Yellowthroat Geothlypis nelsoni: Perfect views of a singing male at the UNAM Botanical

Gardens in Mexico City. A Mexican endemic of dry brushy scrub and chaparral. Black-polled Yellowthroat Geothlypis speciosa: At least five of these rare endemics were seen well in

the reedbeds of the Almoloya marshes. This species is treated as Endangered in “Threatened Birds of the World”. It is the characteristic species of the Central Mexican marshes Endemic Bird Area (EBA 007).

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat Chamaethlypis poliocephala: Good views of two at Puerto Arista. Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia pusilla: One of the more common migrant warblers. Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis: A male gave great views at Valle Nacional. Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber: Regular great looks at this fabulous and glorious endemic in the pine

forests of Oaxaca (nominate). A really exquisite and much-wanted species!!! Dana’s favourite.

Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor: A pair of these fantastic birds showed very well near San Cristobal and the obtained views were much appreciated. It is one of the distinctive species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018) and it is treated as Vulnerable in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet.

Painted Redstart (Painted Whitestart) Myioborus picta: A single bird performed well in the Teotitlan area. A gem of a bird!

Slate-throated Redstart (Slate-throated Whitestart) Myioborus miniatus: Commonly seen (nominate). These were red-bellied birds, quite different from the yellow-bellied forms in South America.

Fan-tailed Warbler Basileuterus lachrymosa: Close up looks at this lovely, confiding species in the Sumidero Canyon. A stunner of a bird. Endemic to Mexico and northern Central America.

Golden-crowned Warbler Basileuterus culicivorus: Regular encounters with this widespread species. Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons: Another attractive warbler which showed well on

several occasions. Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli: Great views of this skulker at several highland locations.

Another magnificent species! Red-breasted Chat Granatellus venustus (H): We only heard this endemic at the Sumidero Canyon

(nominate). No joy this year. A real pity.


PEUCEDRAMIDAE Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus: A pair showed very well near Mexico City and later we

obtained great looks in the highland pines near Oaxaca and near San Cristobal. It has recently been put in its own family, based on very different DNA and voice characteristics.

EMBERIZIDAE Bananaquit Coereba flaveola: A few observations of this lovely species. Red-legged Honeycreeper Cyanerpes cyaneus: Regular observations of the race carneipes. Many

great looks at lovely males. Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis (H): We only heard this attractive species in

the Sierra de Juarez. Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis: Many excellent looks. A distinctive call. Yellow-throated Euphonia Euphonia hirundinacea: Especially common in the Sumidero Canyon

(nominate). Blue-hooded Euphonia (Elegant Euphonia) Euphonia elegantissima: Several excellent observations of

this mistletoe specialist in the Sierra de Juarez (nominate). A real beauty. Blue-grey Tanager Thraupis episcopus: A single sighting in the Atlantic lowlands. Yellow-winged Tanager Thraupis abbas: Many very good views of this subtly-coloured species.

Abbas (Latin) = abbot, for this bird was named after J. Abbott (1751-1840), a US philologist.

Red-crowned Ant-Tanager Habia rubica: A couple of nice encounters. Widespread and well-known. Red-throated Ant-Tanager Habia fuscicauda: Nice looks at Amatlan and also at the Nava’s Wren site. Northern Hepatic Tanager Piranga hepatica: Good looks at a male near Mexico City. Hepatic = liver

coloured. Recent genetic research has indicated that the Piranga tanagers probably belong with the cardinals.

Summer Tanager Piranga rubra: Three observations of this northern migrant. Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana: A fairly common migrant with several observations of

cracking males. Flame-coloured Tanager Piranga bidentata: A female was seen in the Sumidero Canyon. A Central

American endemic. White-winged Tanager Spermagra leucoptera: Five observations of this delightful species. Red-headed Tanager Spermagra erythrocephala: Splendid looks at a male and a female nest building

in the Puerto Angel foothills. This cracking species is endemic to the mountains of western Mexico.

Crimson-collared Tanager Phlogothraupis sanguinolenta: A few were seen in the lower reaches of the Sierra de Juarez. Very attractive.

Common Bush-Tanager Chlorospingus ophthalmicus: Many in the highland forests. We saw the nominate race in the Sierra de Juarez and albifrons above Puerto Angel.

Black-headed Saltator Saltator atriceps: Smashing looks at vociferous parties at different spots. A very distinctive voice!

Black-faced Grosbeak Caryothraustes poliogaster: A few at the Nava’s Wren site. Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis: We saw a couple near Puerto Angel. Yellow Grosbeak Pheucticus chrysopeplus: Nice, but all too brief views of this great bird at the

Sumidero Canyon (aurantiacus). Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus: Regular observations, mainly of handsome males.

The bird is named after the Louisiana Territory or Colony, the Mississippi Basin claimed by France and named after King Louis XIV (‘Ludovicius’). Covering a much larger area than the present state of Louisiana, it was a Spanish possession from 1763, before being repossessed by the French and sold by Napoleon to the USA in 1803.


Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus: Regular in the highlands near Mexico City and Oaxaca (nominate).

Blue Bunting Cyanocompsa parellina: Excellent views of males and females in the Sumidero Canyon (nominate).

Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea: Repeated good looks at this attractive species. Traditionally put in the monotypic genus Guiraca.

Rosita’s Bunting (Rose-bellied Bunting, Pink-bellied Bunting) Passerina rositae: One of the birds of the trip! No fewer than seven sightings of this amazing, very-localized bird in the foothills of the Tehuantepec Isthmus. The males are really out of this world. The bird is named after Rosita Sumichrast, wife of the Mexican naturalist Francis Sumichrast. This endemic species is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet. It is one of the characteristic species of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Endemic Bird Area (EBA 014).

Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea: Several excellent sightings of this delightful species. Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor: Nice views of males in central Chiapas. Orange-breasted Bunting Passerina leclancherii: Another unbelievable endemic bunting with an

amazing combination of colours (grandior). Definitely another mega bird!! Named after C. Léclancher (1804-1857), French explorer and surgeon.

Painted Bunting Passerina ciris: A few observations of brilliant males and bright green females. Always delightful. It is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”.

White-naped Brush-Finch Atlapetes albinucha: Great looks at this rather localized Mexican endemic in the Sierra de Juarez.

Yellow-throated Brush-Finch Atlapetes gutteralis: Fair views of one in the San Cristobal area. Its range reaches from the Tehuantepec Isthmus till northern Colombia.

Rufous-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes pileatus: Several very nice encounters with this skulker. It is endemic to the Mexican highlands north of the Isthmus.

Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch Atlapetes brunneinucha: Two birds were noted in the Sierra Madre del Sur. A widespread species.

Olive Sparrow Arremonops rufivirgatus: Regular observations of this unobtrusive bird near Tehuantepec and in the Canyon del Sumidero.

Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai: Marvellous looks at Cerro San Felipe. Yet another endemic (brunnescens).

Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculatus: Good views of several near Mexico City and near San Cristobal. Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus: Common at the UNAM Botanical Gardens in Mexico City (nominate). White-throated Towhee Pipilo albicollis: A common endemic of the Oaxaca area (nominate). It is

one of the distinctive species of the Balsas region and interior Oaxaca Endemic Bird Area (EBA 008).

Blue-black Grassquit Volatinia jacarina: Regular observations (splendens). White-collared Seedeater Sporophila torqueola: Quite a few in the lowlands (mutanda). Ruddy-breasted Seedeater Sporophila minuta: A couple of flighty birds at Puerto Arista. Yellow-faced Grassquit Tiaris olivacea: Good views of smart-looking males in the Sierra de Juarez

(intermedia). Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula: Six very nice observations. It is endemic to

Mexico and northern Central America. Bridled Sparrow Aimophila mystacalis: Several splendid sightings of this beautiful endemic in the

Oaxaca area. Definitely one of the best-looking sparrows. It is one of the characteristic species of the Balsas region and interior Oaxaca Endemic Bird Area (EBA 008).

Stripe-headed Sparrow Aimophila ruficauda: Several of these striking sparrows were noted in the Tehuantepec and Puerto Arista areas (lawrencii).


Sumichrast’s Sparrow (Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow) Aimophila sumichrasti: Another well marked endemic sparrow which gave great views near Tehuantepec. The bird is named after the Mexican naturalist and field worker Francis Sumichrast (1828-1882) and has a tiny area of distribution centred on the Pacific slope of the Tehuantepec Isthmus. This species is treated as Near-Threatened in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet. It is one of the distinctive species of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Endemic Bird Area (EBA 014).

Rufous-crowned Sparrow Aimophila ruficeps: Eight birds showed well in the UNAM Botanical Gardens in Mexico City.

Rusty Sparrow Aimophila rufescens: Several brief observations of this distinctive sparrow. Striped Sparrow Oriturus superciliosus: This large endemic sparrow was commonly observed at La

Cima near Mexico City. Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina: Another fairly common migrant sparrow of the highlands. Black-chinned Sparrow Spizella atrogularis: A delightful male showed beautifully at the UNAM

Botanical gardens in Mexico City. Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum: Keith found one of these skulkers in a meadow at

Puerto Arista. Sierra Madre Sparrow Ammodramus baileyi: Excellent scope views of three of these rare and

extremely-localized endemics in the bunch grass at La Cima near Mexico City. The total range (i.e. suitable habitat) covers only 54 km2 and the population was estimated at 2500-10000 birds, but is probably a lot less. Another small population occurs in the state of Durango. It is definitely one of the rarest of Mexican birds and is treated as Endangered in “Threatened Birds of the World”, BirdLife International’s magnificent book on the future of the birds on our planet. This sparrow is one of the characteristic species of the Sierra Madre Occidental and trans-Mexican range Endemic Bird Area (EBA 006).

Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia: Good numbers of these large dark birds in and near the reedbeds of the Almoloya marshes.

Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii: Several skulking migrants in the highlands. Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis: Commonly encountered in the highlands of Chiapas

(septentrionalis). Yellow-eyed Junco Junco phaeonotus: A common highland bird with piercing eyes. Make sure you

note where you have seen this bird, as the taxonomy of this group is not clear yet. ICTERIDAE Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus: Two forms were observed: the widespread and

migratory phoeniceus and the localized gubernator, which lacks the creamy-yellow edge to the red shoulders. The latter form occurs only in highland marshes and is called Bicoloured Blackbird (a future split?).

Yellow-headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus: A single bird showed well in the marsh at Almoloya.

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna: Singles were seen near Mexico City and near Tehuantepec. Melodious Blackbird Dives dives: Regular sightings in the lowlands. A lovely song. This species is

still spreading and will probably reach the US soon. Great-tailed Grackle Cassidix mexicanus: Everywhere and extremely common. Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus: Regular encounters. Red eyes!! Some extraordinary display was

admired. Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus ater: c20 of these northern migrants were seen at the Almoloya

marshes and small numbers elsewhere north of the Isthmus. Black-cowled Oriole Icterus prosthemelas: Three were observed in the Sierra de Juarez.


Bar-winged Oriole Icterus maculialatus: We found several males and females in the Sumidero Canyon and they showed at very close range. A very localized and rarely-encountered species. It is one of the distinctive species of the North Central American highlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA 018).

Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius: A few sightings of this endearing species (nominate). Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri: Several observations of this lovely oriole in the Oaxaca area

(nominate). Yellow-backed Oriole Icterus chrysater (NL): A single bird was found in the forests near San

Cristobal. Audubon’s Oriole Icterus graduacauda: A single bird performed well in the Sierra Madre del Sur. Streak-backed Oriole Icterus pustulatus: Very common along the Pacific coast (formosus). Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis: Two showed very well in the Puerto Arista area. Altamira Oriole Icterus gularis: Several great views of this marvellous species. We saw the race

gularis. Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula: Repeated encounters with this northern migrant. Bullock’s Oriole Icterus bullockii: Two were seen in the Sierra Madre del Sur. Abeille’s Oriole (Black-headed Oriole) Icterus abeillei: Brief views of male and female in and near

Mexico City. Yellow-winged Cacique Cacicus melanicterus: Many splendid looks in the Pacific lowlands. A lovely

wispy crest. Montezuma Oropendola Psarocolius montezuma: The larger of the two Mexican oropendolas was

regular in the Pacific lowlands. We observed some splendid display. This species is obviously named after Montezuma or Moctezuma Xocoyotzin (1480-1520), Emperor of the Aztecs. He died of wounds inflicted by his own subjects, enraged of his support for the Spanish conquistadores under Cortes.

FRINGILLIDAE House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus: Many observations (nominate). Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra: We saw a party of nine birds in the highland pines near San Cristobal

on our last morning (stricklandi). Black-headed Siskin Carduelis notata: Several nice encounters near San Cristobal. This attractive

species is endemic to the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala. Lesser Goldfinch (Dark-backed Goldfinch) Carduelis psaltria: A couple of encounters with the

nominate race. PASSERIDAE House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Regular, but not really common.


MAMMALS Mexican Cottontail Sylvilagus cunicularius: A few encounters. Mexican Grey Squirrel (Red-bellied S) Sciurus aureogaster: Regular observations of this variable

species. Deppe’s Squirrel Sciurus deppei: A single animal was found in the Sierra de Juarez. OTHER CREATURES Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas: We saw three of these fascinating animals on our Puerto Angel

pelagic. Green Iguana Iguana iguana: Several showed well in the Arriaga area. Mobula Ray Mobula sp: A couple of these impressive rays showed off on our pelagic off Puerto

Angel. Marlin/Spearfish sp Tetrapturus sp: We encountered a couple of these impressive creatures on our

Puerto Angel pelagic.


Photos Southern Mexico (all taken by Mark Van Beirs)

Sierra Madre Sparrow, one of the specialities of the Mexico City area. Striped Sparrow near Mexico City. Least Grebes in the Veracruz lowlands. Northern Jacana along a muddy edge. Slate-coloured Solitaire in the Sierra de Juarez.


Emerald Toucanet in the Sierra de Juarez. Mountain Trogon in the same mountain range. The famous cacti of Yagul. Brown-backed Solitaire at Cerro San Felipe. Collared Towhee above Oaxaca.


Mountain Pygmy-Owl above Oaxaca. The view from our hotel at Puerto Angel. Keith in action on our pelagic. Pomarine Jaeger at sea. An inquisitive Green Turtle.


Sumichrast’s Sparrow at Tehuantepec. Russet-crowned Motmot in the Pacific foothills. Orange-fronted Parakeet above Tehuantepec. Citreoline Trogon near Tehuantepec.


Streak-backed Oriole in coastal woodland along the Pacific. The Giant Wren is one of the specialities of the Chiapas Pacific coast, together with White-bellied Chachalaca. A dark morph Reddish Egret. A posing Lesser Nighthawk.


A Pacific Screech-Owl in coastal Chiapas. The impressive Sumidero Canyon. A male Northern Violaceous Trogon and a male Bar-winged Oriole in a fruiting tree.


A Guatemalan Screech-Owl on its day roost. The enigmatic Nava’s Wren in its karst habitat. A party of Red Crossbills in the Chiapas highlands. A Rufous-collared Sparrow near San Cristobal.

MEXICO (SOUTHERN) REP 11

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