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Mexico: 27 Jan-22 Feb 1999 Jon Hornbuckle
I undertook a Mexico “clean-up” trip, excluding the northeast, having already briefly covered Yucatan and Sierra de Atoyac, plus Guatemala. This followed 10 days in Cuba and so started in Merida, for the three coastal endemics, before proceeding to Oaxaca, southern Chiapas, Jalisco and Colima, San Blas, southern Baja (mainly for whales), and the Mazatlan area. For part of the time I was accompanied by Ashley Banwell. The trip was quite successful except in Chiapas where we were unlucky with the owls and chose a degraded locality in the morning, exacerbated by too little time. With few birds singing, it was harder work than I had hoped – 58 ticks but I failed to find any of the most difficult species such as Aztec Thrush, Eared Trogon or Thick-billed Parrot. Relied on birding reports, Brian Gee’s being especially useful, until Oaxaca when obtained Steve Howell’s Bird-finding Guide to Mexico which made life a bit easier.
International flights were trouble-free with American Airlines, courtesy of Airmiles; internal flights with Mexicana and Aero California were OK but quite expensive and invariably delayed by an hour or so. All 4 hire-cars were VW beetles, an excellent vehicle for the bumpy roads. Only problems were inability to undo tight wheel nuts when we had the one puncture (up Volcan de Fuego) and spare wheel stolen from inadvertently unlocked boot/ trunk. Various international companies were used but prices were similar at around $50 a day including insurance and tax – the main variable was insurance cost which could range from $7 to $19 a day, depending on company and amount of cover. All other costs were low, with hotels and meals only a few dollars a time, except for road tolls (eg $8 Colima-Manzanillo) – and whale-watching: $40 per boat hour (6 max passengers). I found most Mexicans to be friendly, helpful and honest but there are a few rogues about, such as the Mexicana check-in clerk at Merida who insisted we had not paid tax on our tickets, despite (correct) protestations that we had, and the nice man who would not unlock the chain across the logging road at Cerro San Filipe without payment of $7 for the third day running.
ITINERARY
Jan 26 16.30 arrive Merida from Havana; bus to town, Hotel Nacional ($14 for 2).
27 05.00 bus to Progreso, collectivo to Chicxulub, bird 06.15-08.30, collectivos back to Merida; 14.40-18.00 flight to Oaxaca, 19.00-20.50 drive to Miahuatlan – motel $13
28 05.15-06.45 drive to El Porvenir, bird here & Pluma Hidalgo; 15.00-19.30 drive to Tehuantepec with stop in coastal scrub at Km 300; Hotel Oasis $9 – reunion with NB, KT & BW
29 06.00-07.00 drive N to beyond Juchitan, bird till 09.00, drive to Tuxtla Gutierrez with stop at Km 43, bird zoo 14.00-15.00, drive to Huitapec NR, San Cristobal, arriving 16.45, find hotel; owling at Huitapec 20.00-23.00; nice hotel $18
30 07.00-10.00 east of San Cristobal, 10.45-12.00 Huitapec; drive to Tuxtla and on to Sumidero Canyon, bird 14.00-17.30, night at Tuxtla in low grade posada $8
31 06.15-12.00 Sumidero Canyon, drive to Pto Arista arriving 15.30 after stop S of Tonala, drive to Tapanatapec 17.30-19.00
Feb 1 06.15-10.30 drive to Tehuantepec with stop in coastal scrub/ woodland, then on to Yagul with 3 stops; 16.30-17.45 Yagul, night at Teotitlan de Valle in Tourist Yu’u (hostel, empty, with cooking facilities) $5 a bed
2 06.45-11.15 Teotitlan, 11.15-12.15 drive to Black Tank, then 13.30-17.30 Cerro San Filipe; night in Oaxaca, Hotel America $10
3 06.15 to Km 203.5, 09.30-13.30 Cerro San Filipe, then Km 203.5, Oaxaca
4 06.45-10.00 Cerro San Filipe, then Km 203.5, Yagul, Mitla, Hierve el Agua where stayed in nice chalet for $10
5 06.45 drive to Yagul with stops, then Teotitlan, Km 205, Oaxaca; Hotel Francia $25, cheaper places being full
6 06.45-11.45 Monte Alban, p.m. Oaxaca; Hotel Francia $15 tonight!
7 08.50-13.00 flights to Guadalajara via Mexico City, drive to Cd Guzman with long stop at Laguna Sayula; Posada de Parque Hotel $15
8 05.30-06.30 drive to Volcan de Fuego, bird till 14.00, back to Cd Guzman via L.Zapotlan
9 06.00-12.00 Volcan de Fuego, drive to Colima arriving 13.30, 16.00-20.00 Microondas La Cumbre; night at Hotel La Merced, Colima $15
10 06.00-07.30 Colima – Playa de Oro Road, then Manzanillo airport marshes briefly & on to Barra de Navidad; 16.00-18.00 west of Barra, night at Hotel Caribe, Barra $15
11 06.45-07.15 to Barranca El Choncho, 10.30-16.00 drive to San Blas with stop at Km18.3, 17.00-18.00 Matanchen Bay; Posada Azul, San Blas $10
12 07.00-10.00 lower Singayta, then San Blas Jay rd & Huaristemba, 16.00-18.00 Sewer Ponds Trail; Posada Azul
13 06.30-07.30 drive to Cerro de San Juan (Tepic), bird till 13.30, return to San Blas via El Mirador de Aguila and Huaristemba
14 07.00-10.30 pelagic, upper Singayta, p.m. San Blas coastal scrub
15 06.55-07.30 to La Bajada, 09.30- 11.30 to Tepic via El Cora road; 12.20-14.40 to Guadalajara (195km)
16 09.15-10.40 flight to La Paz, Baja12.00-12.50 scrub N of airport, drive to Pto San Carlos – Motel Las Brisas $13
17 08.00-11.00 whale watch trip, drive to San Jose de Cabo, via La Paz; San Jose Inn $12
18 06.30-08.30 San Jose Estero, drive to Boca de la Sierra, then Santiago – nice motel $20; p.m. Agua Caliente and birding near Santiago
19 Santiago – La Paz with stop near San Antonio 06.40-07.40; 11.05 flight (delayed till 12.00) to Mazatlan, drive up Durango Highway to La Petaca Road; Motel Vadira $8, Potrerillos
20 06.45-07.30 Km206.5, then Barranca Rancho Liebre till 17.30; Motel Vadira
21 06.15-07.00 to Panuco Road, 09.00 drive to Km 265.6 – bird trail, then Km 285 10.30-11.30, drive to Mazatlan, return car; Hotel El Rio $6 single
22 06.00-06.45 awaiting La Noria bus, 07.30-11.00 La Noria road, 11.45 bus to Mazatlan; p.m. beach birding and chilling; 21.00- 05.30 coach to Guadalajara for morning flight to Dallas and London.
COMMENTS ON SITES
I visited Merida, Chiapas and southern Oaxaca before obtaining a copy of Howell’s indispensable site guide. The following notes are personal experiences.
Merida
We saw the 3 coastal endemics early in the morning c3km beyond Chicxulub. There is a broad track between the main road and the sea just after a new development called Josefina, before a small café on the inland side, which leads to a line of red brick houses with blue roofs. The wren and the sheartail were visible from the track and the bobwhite found by tramping about in the open scrub. Contrary to what Howell says, Ashley saw only the sheartail during an afternoon visit earlier; he also saw Rufous-necked Wood-Rail in the mangroves south of Progreso.
Oaxaca
Well covered by Howell, although the sp. lists seem a bit optimistic for the winter period.
Dick Byrne’s trail at Km 203.5 leading from the picnic spot on right after Black Tank was good – leave the “car park” away from Oaxaca, down to the concrete bridge over the river and continue up into the pines – did not see his Dwarf Vireos but Ocellated Thrasher gave good views.
El Porvenir was disappointing, with no White-throated Jays. We found Blue-capped Hummingbird at Km 188.7, having failed at Pluma Hidalgo. There is a bumpy but drivable track on the left when going towards Oaxaca, opposite a more obvious track going up into shade coffee. A pair of the hummers was at the first bend by a small canyon.
A random stop on the way back from Tehuantepec to Oaxaca to check the thorn forest in the foothills, at Km 244, 8+km west of Tehuantepec, gave the elusive West Mexican Chachalaca – along a trail on the left.
Hierve el Agua is a spectacular, arid site but not particularly recommended for birds. Yagul is key for Grey-breasted Woodpecker and Beautiful Hummingbird on the tall cacti.
Chiapas
Huitapec NR can be found without going into San Cristobal – a difficult town to drive in. From Tuxtla, do not turn right into town but carry on till you meet the signed left turn to Chamula and the reserve is c4km along this road. It is possible to get in, as the locals do, even when the large gate is locked, but it is useful to have the local guide Roberto at night for the owls. If no-one is there, just wait a while and they will find you. We were unlucky, not helped by the full moon, as we were unable to see the calling owls which stayed in thick canopy. The camp site area east of San Cristobal was badly hacked and disappointing; must be better to follow Howell’s directions but notethat further afield around San Cristobal is potentially dangerous due to insurgents.
Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo, not mentioned by Howell, is worth a visit for the habituated but wild Great Currasows and Crested Guan. It is on the outskirts of town by the main San Cristobal road.
Sumidero Canyon proved almost birdless in the afternoon but was good all the following morning. At the entrance gate we were told the first and third miradors were dangerous, presumably due to thieves, so did not visit the first but the trail to the third was one of the most productive areas. The only Belted Flycatcher and Fan-tailed Warbler were on a small trail on the left c500+m back down the road from the third mirador.
Attempts to find Giant Wren with little time and gen were frustrating but eventually succeeded outside Pto Arista. Leaving the town northwards, cross the big river/ canal and turn right at the first cross-roads. A pair of wrens responded to tape in the field with scattered bushes on the left. Had a flock of Pacific Parakeets 3km north of Arriaga.
Colima & Jalisco
Followed Howell but skipped the Autlan area. Driving from Guadalajara to Cd Guzman, took a track to the left just south of Laguna Sayula to check the fields and ponds – quite rewarding. Able to drive up to Km 21 on Volcan de Fuego, stopping before dawn to try for Eared Poorwill without success. Found Km 18.5 and 12 the most productive, with Colima Warbler, Bumblebee Hummingbird and Shrike-Vireo. The following morning the dusty lower region gave some gems including Spotted Wren, Dwarf Vireo and Lucifer Hummingbird.
A late afternoon visit to La Cumbre from Colima gave the two owls c.500m below the top, at 19.00 just before dusk, by use of canned tape, and Buff-collared Nightjar on the way down. No sign of Lesser Roadrunner but later learnt that Bostock et al had seen it well near the track off to the right c1km before the top. On the way there, saw Black-chested Sparrow near the start of Piscila Road.
Playa de Oro Road disappointing even though there just after dawn - no Flammulated Flycatcher or Rosy Thrush-Tanager - Barra de Navidad a pleasant town. Headed west to hills some 10km away and took a trail on the right after breasting the highest point – a good flock included only Red-breasted Chat of the trip. Nearby Barranca El Choncho well worthwhile – Maroon-fronted Parrot, San Blas Jay – but still no Flammulated Flycatcher and failed to see the calling Hermits in large trees at the start, despite some effort – expected to catch up with this sp. at San Blas but unfortunately did not. Finally caught up with Flamm Fly at the last gasp – a speculative stop at Km 18.3 from Barra; walked 200m down a track on the right and played the tape for the last time – amazed to get a response – a small Myiarchus-lookalike scolding from above, definitely the boy!
San Blas
Saw outstanding species fairly easily here except Elegant Quail, Lesser Roadrunner, Grayson’s Thrush, Rosy Thrush-tanager, Sparkling-tailed Woodstar and the Hermit. Purplish-backed Jays feeding on fallen palm fruits on San Blas Jay Road (see Where to find birds in San Blas by R. Novick and Lan Sing Wu) was a highlight. Spent a lot of time in the Huaristemba area, with only frustratingly brief view of quails, and saw many Rufous-backed Thrushes but could not string Grayson’s. Intended to take an afternoon ferry to Peso Is for the quail but found it impossible to get there except in the morning.
The pelagic in a small motor boat, arranged by Neil Bostock et al, was disappointing for birds but gave great views of a whale-shark, my most wanted fish, and some spectacular leaping displays by Manta rays.
El Cora Road was a waste of time, almost totally deforested, but Cerro de San Juan, near Tepic, was rewarding, especially for the hummingbirds – found mainly in the numerous blue flowers at Km 10.7, the first canyon in the humid forest – Mexican Woodnymph, Bumblebee Hummingbird and Dickey’s Oriole.
Baja
Surprisingly few birders seem to have visited southern Baja and no-one I approached knew anything about whale-watching at what is reputed to be one of the world’s best sites. There are 3 traditional endemics here, plus California Gnatcatcher and Grey Vireo, both duifficult in western USA, while further north is the new endemic split off Le Conte’s Thrasher; Howell and Webb have split a further 3 species occurring in the mountains near the southern tip – Cape Pygmy-Owl, San Lucas Robin and Baird’s Junco.
Although the ferry, eg to or from Mazatlan, had its attraction, eventually decided to fly to save time and hassle – obtaining tickets is not straightforward and the trip takes nearly 20 hours. Collected car pre-booked with Dollar at La Paz airport and soon heading north to Cd Constitucion – all main roads here are in good condition. Good desert scrub along the road for many miles; soon stopped, just north of the check-point beyond habitation – Grey Thrasher and California Gnatcatcher. Changed dollars at Cd Constitucion then turned west to Pto San Carlos where on arrival Grey Whales could easily be seen blowing in the bay. No shortage of boatmen offering morning trips - arranged to go out with 4 Americans. Preferred starting time appears to be 08.00 but probably better to go earlier because the only breaching observed was early on and wind got up by about 10.00. Excellent views of possibly 50 Grey Whales scattered throughout the large bay (said to be 200 present), some swimming directly under the small boat, but it was rare for more than their backs and possibly tails to come out of the water. Suspect January might be a better month, with more display. Other species, eg Humpbacks and Blues, occur in the Sea of Cortez but it appears to be necessary to take a cruise to see these.
After this it was a long drive down to the southern tip to look for the other endemics. The difficult bird is Belding’s Yellowthroat as it occurs in reeds, which are pretty scarce in Baja. Howell gives directions to San Jose Estero, where I finally scored with one on the opposite side of the river to El Presidente Hotel, after perusing dozens of yellowthroats, all of which seemed to be Common. It would doubtless be easier in the breeding season. Xantus’ Hummingbird and Grey Vireo proved to be surprisingly scarce but I eventually found both along the old road back to La Paz, 3-4 km before San Antonio: took a wide gated track on the left for 200m to an open area with a few cattle and birded the thorn scrub round the edge of the clearing. Also saw the hummer at Boca de la Sierra, as recommended by Howell. Tried to find way into mountains without undertaking major trek per Howell – Agua Caliente, a beauty spot inhabited by ageing hippies, looked promising but I could not find any trails into the nearby hills, so won’t be accepting the Howell splits. The pleasant hotel at nearby Santiago saved having to overnight in a large resort.
Mazatlan
Tried all Howell’s Durango Highway sites up to Barranca Rancho Liebre (BRL) but the only one that looked promising was the road at Km 285, near start of the highway. The biggest stroke of luck was when at 06.45 a couple of jays flew across the road at Km 206.5 en route to BRL.. This proved an excellent stop, giving close studies of Tufted Jay, Rufous-capped Brush-Finch (which had eluded me in Oaxaca and Colima) and Red-headed Tanager. After this BRL was an anti-climax, with no ticks, although a pleasant enough spot. A short stop at Km206.5 on the way back produced nothing. The cheap motel mentioned by Howell is Motel Vadira at Potrerillos, close to Panuco Road – quite acceptable, with a modest restaurant La Pasadita opposite – probably not as pleasant as the German hotel lower down but more convenient.
La Noria Road, my final destination, was a great success. The bus goes from near but not in, the main bus terminal – precise location and timing varied with every person asked - 06.00, 06.30, 07.00 all quoted but it actually appeared at 06.40 and left 5 mins later – an infrequent service. I alighted 3km down La Noria Road, at the first track off to the right. Spent the morning on the left, in the fields and along tracks through the thorn forest, before walking the 3 km back to the main road where buses are reasonably frequent. Highlights were good views of Elegant Quail, Lesser Roadrunner and Five-striped Sparrow, an excellent end to the trip!
Postscript
Bill Principe mailed me afterwards to say he found Red-breasted Chats “to be downright easy on the coastal highway just a few miles north of Barra de Navidad. We had them at several stops. By the way, I ate the best shrimp of my life at Barra.Re Mazatlan, if you go all the way north of town, across the lagoon, and turn right at the last opportunity before the rocks - at the tracks, in a few hundred meters, turn left on the dirt road. After a few hundred meters more is a great lagoon where I saw, among other things, Boat-billed Heron, Lesser Roadrunner and Black Swift. Continue on the dirt road and you get into some of the best remaining thorn forest around. (The
local word for dry deciduous woods is "mante.") Also, on the way up the road to the sierra, stop at Concordia before the road begins to rise. Another great area for West Mexican thorn forest species.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Advice was gratefully received from Bob Behrstock, Neil Bostock, Dave Brewer, Dick Byrne, Brian Foster, Richard Schofield, Keith Turner, Tom Will and Barry Wright.
SYSTEMATIC LIST
Taxonomy, names and sequence are based on Birds of the World: A Checklist by JF Clements (1991), with Howell and Webb splits incorporated. Concentrating on the endemics, I failed to record or indeed identify many of the North American migrants, especially flycatchers and vireos, and did not try to see some species already seen, eg Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Boat-billed Heron, Common Potoo, Mountain Pygmy-Owl.
Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) Few Teotitlan and San Blas
Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) 2 Laguna Zapotlan
Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) 1 San Blas pelagic
Black Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma melania) 1 San Blas pelagic
Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) 1 juv on the sea San Blas pelagic and distant bird in flight at Playa de Oro
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) 10 Barra de Navidad, common San Blas pelagic
Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) At least a few on Baja coast
Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) At least a few on inland waters
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Numerous Chicxulub & Pacific coast; 1000s of cormorants on a sand spit / island at Pto San Carlos were thought to be this sp.
Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1 Manzanillo airport marshes
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Common Chicxulub & San Blas, 2 L.Zapotlan
Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Numerous San Blas, Pto San Carlos & Mazatlan, 10 Barra de Navidad
Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) c.10 Chicxulub & Barra de Navidad, abundant San Blas
Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) 3 Chicxulub & several Pto San Carlos
Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Fairly common Chicxulub, Laguna Sayula & San Blas
Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 1 Manzanillo airport marshes, few San Blas
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Common in suitable habitat
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Fairly common San Blas, few Laguna Sayula and occasional singles elsewhere
Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) Common in suitable habitat
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Locally common
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Fairly common Manzanillo airport marshes & San Blas
Yellow-crowned Night-heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Few San Blas & Pto San Carlos
Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) 1 San Blas & a few Pto San Carlos
Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Several San Blas
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) Common San Blas
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) 10+ Laguna Sayula
Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Common San Blas
Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) 500+ Laguna Sayula
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) Several Laguna Sayula & San Jose Estero
American Wigeon (Anas americana) 10+ Laguna Sayula & L.Zapotlan
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) Common locally
Mexican Duck (Anas [platyrhynchos] diazi) Few Lagunas Sayula &.Zapotlan
Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Locally common, eg at Teotitlan
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) 4 Laguna Sayula 7 a few San Blas
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Common locally
Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Common throughout
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Common throughout
Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) 2-3 Volcan de Fuego
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) 1-2 daily around Oaxaca
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 3 Laguna Sayula, 1 L.Zapotlan
Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) Few scattered singles
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1 Sumidero Canyon
Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) 1 Sewage Pond trail, San Blas
Common Black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) 1 Juchitan - Tuxtla
Great Black-hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga) 1 San Blas
Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) Fairly common southern Baja
Grey Hawk (Asturina plagiata [nitida]) 2-3 daily in San Blas region
Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris) Few throughout
Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) 2 El Porvenir, 1 Barranca El Choncho
Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) 2 Volcan de Fuego
Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) Singles Tuxtla - Tehuantepec Km 30 & La Cumbre
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Several scattered singles
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 8-10 Pto San Carlos
Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) Few throughout lowlands
Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) 1 lower Singayta
Barred Forest-Falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) 1 El Porvenir
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Few throughout
Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1 Sewage Pond trail
Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) Common Tuxtla Zoo
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis wagleri) 2 seen lower Singayta, several others heard, and 2 La Noria Road
West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala) 2 Tehuantepec – Oaxaca Km 244 & 1 at Km 236
Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) 2 pairs Tuxtla Zoo and 1 Volcan de Fuego
Great Curassow (Crax rubra) A pair Tuxtla Zoo
Long-tailed Wood-partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) 1 Volcan de Fuego and few others heard there
Elegant Quail (Callipepla douglasii) 4+ seen well La Noria Road & 4 utv Huaristemba
California Quail (Callipepla californica) 2 Boca de la Sierra
Banded Quail (Philortyx fasciatus) 10+ Volcan de Fuego
Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) 2+ Hierve el Agua
Black-throated Bobwhite (Colinus nigrogularis) 4 Chicxulub
Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) 1 heard Sumidero Canyon
American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) 1 Matanchen
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) Common Lagunas Sayula & Zapotlan
American Coot (Fulica americana) Common on suitable waters throughout
Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2 Manzanillo airport marshes
Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) Few at suitable wetlands throughout
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) Common
American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) Common Laguna Sayula & San Blas marshes
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 10 San Blas
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2 Laguna Sayula
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 2 Playa de Oro, 1 Matanchen Bay
Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) Common Pto San Carlos
Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa mElanoleuca) Common Chicxulub & San Blas, few Laguna Sayula
Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) Common Chicxulub & San Blas
Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) Singles Pto Arista & Teotitlan
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) Few throughout
Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Fairly common on coast, especially at Chicxulub
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 1 Matanchen Bay
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) Common San Blas and Laguna Sayula
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) Common Chicxulub & L. Sayula, Barra & San Blas
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) Abundant Laguna Sayula, common San Blas
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) Common Laguna Sayula, 10 San Blas
Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) Common San Blas pelagic, Baja and Mazatlan
Ring-billed Gull (Larus deawarensis) Fairly common Pacific coast
California Gull (Larus californicus) Few Baja coast
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) Several San Blas pelagic & common on Baja coast.
Western Gull (Larus occidentalis) Several Mazatlan beach – rare here but confirmed by Bill Principe from my photos.
Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadephia) 1 Mazatlan beach
Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) Few Barra de Navidad, common San Blas, 2 L Sayula
Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica) Few Laguna Sayula
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) Few Pto Arista, 2 Laguna Sayula, 4 San Blas
Royal Tern (Sterna maxima) Common Barra de Navidad
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) 2 Chicxulub & few San Blas pelagic and Mazatlan
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 1 San Blas pelagic
Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) 4 San Blas pelagic
Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata) Few Cerro San Felipe, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Red-billed Pigeon (Columba flavirostris) Few Sumidero Canyon, Panuco Road & doubtless elsewhere
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Fairly common in lowlands
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) Locally fairly common
Inca Dove (Scardafella inca) Locally common
Common Ground-dove (Columbina passerina) Widespread and common
Ruddy Ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti) Locally fairly common
White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) Scattered singles
Pacific Parakeet (Aratinga strenua) 80 just south of Tonala
Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis) 15+ below Pluma Hidalgo and on coast, common around San Blas
[Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha)] Parrot calls heard once on Volcan de Fuego were probably this sp.
Mexican Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius) 20-30 at several sites around San Blas
Lilac-crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi ) 3+ Barranca El Choncho, 2 La Bajada
[White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons)] 2 north of Juchitan & 2-4 east of San Cristobal thought to be this species
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) Singles Km 43 Tehuantepec – Tuxtla & Huaristemba, 2 Playa de Oro Road
Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) Locally common
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Singles Boca de la Sierra & La Paz airport
Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) 1 La Noria Road, utv’s of singles at Km 203.5, Oaxaca and Km 285 Durango Hwy
Balsas Screech-owl (Otus kennicottii seductus) 1 seen and 2 heard La Cumbre
[Bearded Screech-owl (Otus barbarus)] 1 heard Huitapec NR
Colima Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium palmarum) 1 seen La Cumbre
[Ferruginous Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)] Singles heard Huitapec NR, Teotitlan & La Bajada
[Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus ridgwayi)] 2 heard Huitapec NR
Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) 10 San Cristobal and a few scattered singles
Buff-collared Nightjar (Caprimulgus ridgwayi) 4 La Cumbre
[Mexican Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus arizonae)] Several calling Huitapec NR
White-naped Swift (Streptoprocne semicollaris) 10 Km 235 Durango Hwy
White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) 20 Hierve El Agua
[Mexican Hermit (Phaethornis [superciliosus] mexicanus)] 3 lekking Barranca El Choncho
Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalassinus) Several in all pine forests
Canivet’s [Fork-tailed] Emerald (Chlorostilbon canivetii) 2+ Sumidero Canyon
Golden-crowned Emerald (Chlorostilbon [canivetii] auriceps) Singles Playa de Oro Road & Barranca el Choncho
Dusky Hummingbird (Cynanthus sordidus) Few Teotitlan, Yagul & Monte Alban
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) 2 La Noria Road & Km 285 Durango Hwy
Doubleday’s (Broad-billed) Hummingbird (Cyanthus doubledayi) 1 at Km 244 Tehuantepec - Oaxaca road
Mexican Woodnymph (Thalurania ridgwayi) 1 Cerro de San Juan
Xantus' Hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii) Single males Boca de la Sierra & San Antonio
White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) Common in montane forest
Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) Few Sumidero Canyon, Teotitlan & La Bajada
Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila) Few all along the Pacific coast
Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) 2 Chicxulub & La Petaca Road
Green-fronted Hummingbird (Amazilia viridifrons) 3+ Sumidero Canyon
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) 1-2 La Petaca Road
Blue-capped Hummingbird (Eupherusa cyanophrys) Pair at Km 188.7 above Pluma Hidalgo
Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) 1-2 at Km 188.7, Volcan de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan and common at Barranca Rancho Liebre
Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami) 1 Huitapec NR
Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) 1-2 El Porvenir, Cerro San Filipe, Volcan de Fuego & La Petaca Road
Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii) Common Barranca Rancho Liebre, 1-2 La Petaca Rd
Mexican Sheartail (Doricha eliza) 1+ Chicxulub
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) 1 Volcan de Fuego
Beautiful Hummingbird (Calothorax pulcher) 1 Yagul
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Few near Juchitan and Elsewhere right along coast
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) Common Playa de Oro Road and around Barra de Navidad
Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) Widespread and fairly common southern Baja (unless other small sp. were involved, which is quite likely)
Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) 2 La Petaca Road
Bumblebee Hummingbird (Atthis heloisa) 1 Volcan de Fuego, 2 Cerro de San Juan
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) 1-2 La Cumbre & Volcan de Fuego
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) Few Volcan de Fuego, common Cerro de San Juan, several lower Durango Hwy
Citreoline Trogon (Trogon citreolus) 1-3 at all Pacific coastal sites except Baja
Mountain Trogon (Trogon mexicanus) 6 El Porvenir, few Sumidero Canyon, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) 1 San Cristobal
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Common San Blas & few Elsewhere
Russet-crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus) 2 Tuxtla Zoo
[Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)] 1 heard Pluma Hidalgo
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) Few near Hierve El Agua & at Volcan de Fuego
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysogenys) Common San Blas area
Grey-breasted Woodpecker (Melanerpes hypopolius) 3 Yagul only
Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) Common San Blas area and Baja
Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) Few along Oaxaca coast
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2 Cerro San Filipe
Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) Several southern Baja
Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) Fairly common throughout dry open woodland
Arizona / Strickland's Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae [stricklandi]) 1 Barranca Rancho Liebre
Hairy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos villosus) 2 Km 203 north of Oaxaca
Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer [auratus]) Several Cerro San Filipe
Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides [auratus]) Fairly common southern Baja
Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) 1-4 daily San Blas area & Cerro de San Juan
Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis) Singles lower Singayta, La Bajada, Km 285 Durango Hwy and La Noria Road
Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus) 1 Cerro de San Juan
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster) Singles Tuxtla Zoo, Sumidero Canyon, Barranca el Chonco & Cerro de San Juan
White-striped Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes leucogaster) 2 Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Northern Beardless-tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) Few on the coast, eg 2 Playa de Oro Road
Greenish Elaenia (Myiopagis viridicata) 1 Barranca El Choncho
Belted Flycatcher (Xenotriccus callizonus) 1 Sumidero Canyon
Pileated Flycatcher (Xenotriccus mexicanus) 1-2 Km 203.5 north of Oaxaca, 1 Yagul
Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) 1-3 in all montane forests except in Chiapas
Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) Scattered singles
White-throated Flycatcher (Empidonax albigularis) 1 Barranca El Choncho
Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii) 1-2 Cerro San Filipe, several southern Baja
Grey Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) Several southern Baja
Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) Few in montane forest
Pine Flycatcher (Empidonax affinis) 1-2 Cerro San Filipe & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Pacific Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) Few San Blas & Mazatlan areas
Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis) 2 at Km 300 coastal road to Tehuantepec
Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons) 1 Cerro de San Juan
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) Singles San Cristobal & Teotitlan
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) Several in dry areas, eg Yagul and La Noria Road
Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) Few San Cristobal & Sumidero Canyon
Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) Several in dry areas, eg Teotitlan and Baja
Nutting's Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi) 2-3 near Juchitan & La Noria Road
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) Few coastal Oaxaca
Flammulated Flycatcher (Detarhynchus flammulatus) 1 taped in at Km 18.3 west of Barra de Navidad
Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) Several in Oaxaca and southern Baja
Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris) 2 Playa de Oro, few San Blas and Mazatlan areas
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) Common Colima coast northwards
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) 30+ Juchitan – Tuxtla, especially near Km 43
Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua) 4 Pto Arista
Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) Common Sumidero Canyon, few Pto Arista
Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) Fairly common in Oaxaca valley & around San Blas
Grey-collared Becard (Pachyramphus major) Singles Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego
Rose-throated Becard (Platypsaris aglaiae) 2-3 Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego, singles west of Barra de Navidad and at lower Singayta
Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) Few scattered throughout, except Baja
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) Fairly common
Grey-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea) Few Pto Arista
N Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 6+ Teotitlan
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Several on coast
Grey Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys cinereus) Numerous Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego, several in other montane localities
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) Few southern Baja
Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Several flocks throughout
Spotted Wren (Campylorhynchus gularis) 4 Volcan de Fuego
Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) Several southern Baja
Boucard's Wren (Campylorhynchus jocosus) 2 Yagul and Monte Alban
Yucatan Wren (Campylorhynchus yucatanicus) 3 + 2 Chicxulub
Giant Wren (Campylorhynchus chiapensis) Two 3 Km N of Pto Arista
Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) 8 at Km 300 on coast road to Tehuantepec
Grey-barred Wren (Campylorhynchus megalopterus) Locally common Cerro San Filipe, 1 party Volcan de Fuego
Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1 Monte Alban
Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 4+ Yagul and Monte Alban
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 2 Teotitlan and Yagul
Happy Wren (Thryothorus felix) Several in coastal scrub, at Cerro de San Juan & Singayta
Banded Wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus) Few Sumidero Canyon
Sinaloa Wren (Thryothorus sinaloa) Few Sewage Pond Trail & lower Durango Hwy
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Widespread
White-bellied Wren (Uropsila leucogastra) Common west of Barra de Navidad
[White-breasted Wood-wren (Henicorhina leucosticta)] Heard around Pluma Hidalgo
Grey-breasted Wood-wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) Common in montane forest
Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Several in Oaxaca, eg Juchitan & Monte Alban
Blue Mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens) Scattered singles, eg at Teotitlan, Volcan de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan
Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) 2 Chicxulub
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Several San Blas and southern Baja
Grey Thrasher (Toxostoma cinereum) Several southern Baja
Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) Singles Yagul, Teotitlan and Monte Alban
Ocellated Thrasher (Toxostoma ocEllatum) Two singles Km 203.5
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 3 Volcan de Fuego, 1 Huaristemba
Brown-backed Solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis) Common in montane forest, down as low as Panuco Road (600m)
Russet Nightingale-thrush (Catharus occidentalis) 1 El Porvenir
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush (Catharus frantzii) 1 Sumidero Canyon
Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 2 Sumidero Canyon, 1 San Blas
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1 Barranca Rancho Liebre
Clay-coloured Robin (Turdus grayi) Common near Oaxaca coast & Sumidero Canyon
White-throated Thrush (Turdus assimilis) Few La Bajada and Barranca Rancho Liebre
Rufous-backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus) Locally common around San Blas, especially Sewage Pond trail
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Singles Cerro San Filipe and Hierve El Agua, fairly common Barranca Rancho Liebre
Rufous-collared Robin (Turdus rufitorques) 3 San Cristobal
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2 Cerro San Filipe, fairly common Durango Highway and Barranca Rancho Liebre
Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Fairly common southern Baja
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) Fairly common throughout, especially southern Baja
California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) 2 north of La Paz
Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps) 2 Barranca El Choncho and Km 285 Durango Hwy
White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris) 2 Chicxulub, Teotitlan and Yagul, few Oaxaca coast
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) 1 Teotitlan, 10 Volcan de Fuego, few Cerro San Filipe
Mexican Chickadee (Parus sclateri) 2+ Cerro San Filipe, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Bridled Titmouse (Parus wollweberi) 2 near Hierve El Agua
California [Plain] Titmouse (Parus inornatus) 2 Agua Caliente, southern Baja
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2 Volcan de Fuego
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1-2 Barranca Rancho Liebre
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 2 Teotitlan, 1 La Noria Road & Monte Alban
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) Several in all montane pine forest, with 20 at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy
Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica [coerulescens]) Several southern Baja
Grey-breasted Jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) 2 Volcan de Fuego, 1 near Hierve El Agua
Dwarf Jay (Cyanolyca nana) 2-3 Cerro San Filipe on 3 Feb only
San Blas Jay (Cyanocorax sanblasianus) 1 Manzanillo airport, 4 Barranca el Choncho, 10+ near Pto Vallarta
Purplish-backed Jay (Cyanocorax beecheii) 4 San Blas Jay track (near Huaristemba), 6 La Noria Road
Tufted Jay (Cyanocorax dickeyi) 6+ at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy and Barranca Rancho Liebre with 2 more in the lower canyon
Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) Few Sumidero Canyon and Cerro de San Juan
Black-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei) Fairly common San Blas and Mazatlan area
White-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) Common Oaxaca, Chiapas and Colima coastal areas
Sinaloa Crow (Corvus sinaloae) Common San Blas and Mazatlan
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2 Yagul, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre, fairly common southern Baja
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Few flocks southern Baja
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Widespread in settlements
Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) 1 Sumidero Canyon
Chestnut-sided Shrike-vireo (Vireolanius melitophrys) 1 Volcan de Fuego
Slaty Vireo (Vireo brevipennis) 2 seen & 1 heard at Km 205 N of Oaxaca, opposite side of main road to the Black Tank
Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) Scattered singles, eg Km 300 coast rd to Tehuantepec
Dwarf Vireo (Vireo nelsoni) 1 Volcan de Fuego
Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni) 2 san Cristobal and Cerro San Filipe
Mangrove Vireo (Vireo pallens) 1 Chicxulub
Grey Vireo (Vireo vicinior) 1 San Antonio
Golden Vireo (Vireo hypochryseus) Singles Teotitlan & opposite the Black Tank
Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1 Yagul
Cassin's Vireo (Vireo cassinii) Several southern Baja
Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) 1-2 scattered throughout
Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 2 Sumidero Canyon
Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1 El Porvenir, 2 Cerro San Filipe
Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys) Few El Porvenir – Pluma Hidalgo
Lesser Greenlet (Hylophilus decurtatus) Few El Porvenir – Pluma Hidalgo
Black-headed Siskin (Carduelis notata) Few Cerro San Filipe and Barranca Rancho Liebre
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria) Widespread in small parties, especially common around San Blas
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) Common in arid Oaxaca, eg Teotitlan, and Baja
Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) 1 Cerro San Filipe
Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata) Fairly common Barranca Rancho Liebre
Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) Widespread and fairly common
Virginia's Warbler (Vermivora virginiae) 2 Volcan Fuego
Colima Warbler (Vermivora crissalis) 1 Volcan de Fuego
Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi) Fairly common Volcan de Fuego, 4 Barranca El Choncho
Crescent-chested Warbler (Parula superciliosa) Fairly common in montane forest
Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) Fairly common San Blas
Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) Few Sumidero Canyon and near Tehuantepec
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) Few scattered records but common at Barranca Rancho Liebre
Black-throated Grey Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) Few most days from Colima onwards
Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi) Fairly common in montane forest
Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) Few in most montane forest
Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) Few Sumidero Canyon
Grace's Warbler (Dendroica graciae) Few in most montane forest
Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) 3 Chicxulub
Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) Widespread in small numbers
American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) Few San Blas, Cerro de San Juan & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) 2 Sumidero Canyon
Waterthrush sp. (Seiurus sp.) 2 singles San Blas
MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) Few Oaxaca valley, San Blas, Baja & Mazatlan area
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) Few San Blas & numerous San Jose Estero
Belding's Yellowthroat (Geothlypis beldingi) Only 1 positively identified at San Jose Estero
Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) Fairly common throughout
Red-faced Warbler (Cardelina rubrifrons) 1 Cerro San Filipe, few Volcan de Fuego
Red Warbler (Ergaticus ruber) Fairly common throughout in montane pine forest
Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) 1-2 Volcan de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) Few in most montane forest
Fan-tailed Warbler (Euthlypis lachrymosa) 1 Sumidero Canyon
Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) Few Pluma Hidalgo
Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) Fairly common throughout in montane pine forest
Golden-browed Warbler (Basileuterus belli) Few in montane forests
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) Singles Volcan de Fuego and upper & lower Singayta
Red-breasted Chat (Granatellus venustus) 1 imm male west of Barra de Navidad
Red-crowned Ant-tanager (Habia rubica) 6+ Sumidero Canyon, 3 Barranca El Choncho
Flame-coloured Tanager (Piranga bidentata) Few throughout
Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) Several
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1 Sumidero Canyon, 2 at Km 203.5 N of Oaxaca & Volcan de Fuego
Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) Scattered sightings throughout Oaxaca - Mazatlan
Red-headed Tanager (Piranga erythrocephala) 1 Km 203.5 Oaxaca, 6 west of Barra de Navidad, 2 Barranca El Choncho and Cerro de San Juan, 6 at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy
Yellow-winged Tanager (Thraupis abbas) 2 Sumidero Canyon
Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis) 2 affinis Juchitan and 2 godmani west of Barra de Navidad
Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea) Several Juchitan & Sumidero Canyon
Blue-hooded Euphonia (Euphonia elegantissima) 4 Volcan de Fuego
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) 20+ Teotitlan, few L Sayula
Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) Several throughout
Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) Common in montane forest in Chiapas
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) Few San Jose Estero
Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus) Several Cerro San Filipe, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2 Monte Alban & La Petaca Road
Clay-coloured Sparrow (Spizella pallida) Few Monte Alban, Pto San Carlos, San Antonio & La Noria Rd
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 20+ Pto San Carlos, San Antonio & La Noria Road
Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 2 La Paz – San Jose de Cabo
Five-striped Sparrow (Aimophila quinquestriata) 1 La Noria Road
Bridled Sparrow (Aimophila mystacalis) Few Teotitlan, Yagul & Hierve El Agua
Black-chested Sparrow (Aimophila humeralis) 8 at Piscila Road below La Cumbre
Stripe-headed Sparrow (Aimophila ruficauda) Few Km 300 coast rd to Tehuantepec, common Piscila Road below La Cumbre, few Playa de Oro road and Barra de Navidad
Sumichrast’s / Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow (Aimophila sumichrasti) 2+ north of Juchitan
Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) Few Teotitlan & Hierve El Agua
Oaxaca Sparrow (Aimophila notosticta) Singles Teotitlan and Monte Alban
Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) Common southern Baja, few Barranca Rancho Liebre & La Noria Road
Collared Towhee (Pipilo ocai) 3 Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus [erythrophthalmus]) 2 Cerro San Filipe & Barranca Rancho Liebre
California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis) Several southern Baja
Canyon Towhee (Pipilo fuscus) 2 Volcan de Fuego
White-throated Towhee (Pipilo albicollis) Common in Oaxaca
Rusty-crowned Ground-sparrow (Melozone kieneri) Singles Cerro de San Juan & La Petaca Road
Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) 2 Sumidero Canyon
White-naped Brush-finch (Atlapetes albinucha) 1 Huitapec NR
Rufous-capped Brush-finch (Atlapetes pileatus) 2 Km 206.5 & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Chestnut-capped Brush-finch (Atlapetes brunneinucha) 2 Huitapec NR & Volcan de Fuego
Green-striped Brush-finch (Atlapetes virenticeps) 2 Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre
Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) Common San Blas
White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola) Few morelleti Huitapec NR, Volcan de Fuego & a few S.t.torqeola (Cinnamon-rumped) Piscila Road, Cerro de San Juan, lower Singayta & Huaristemba
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) 20+ Pto Arista
Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer (Diglossa baritula) 2 El Porvenir & Volcan de Fuego
Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus) 1-2 Huitapec NR and several sites from San Blas northwards
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1 Huitapec NR
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) Widespread in small numbers
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Several southern Baja, 2 Barranca Rancho Liebre
Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) Few southern Baja
Greyish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens) Few San Blas
Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina) 1-2 Juchitan, Yagul and at sites around San Blas
Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea) Fairly common San Blas and Baja
Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Several at sites in Chiapas
Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) Several southern Baja
Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) Few along the caoast, 8 Huaristemba
Rose-bellied Bunting (Passerina rositae) 3 north of Juchitan
Orange-breasted Bunting (Passerina leclancherii) Fairly common along the coast including the rositae site
Yellow-winged Cacique (Cacicus melanicterus) Common Playa de Oro Road, San Blas & Mazatlan
Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus) 1+ Sumidero Canyon
Dickey’s / Audubon's Oriole (Icterus [graduacauda] dickeyae) 2 Cerro de San Juan
Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis) Fairly common throughout
Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) Few all along the coast & lower Durango Hwy
Abeille’s / Black-backed Oriole (Icterus abeillei [galbula]) 2 Cerro San Filipe
Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) Few Teotitlan, common Baja, Barranca Rancho Liebre & Durango Hwy
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) Common at Huaristemba, several in Baja, 3 fuertesi (Ochre Oriole) at Pto Arista
Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri) 2 La Petaca Road
Scott's Oriole (Icterus parisorum) Few Teotitlan, common Barranca Rancho Liebre
Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 100+ Laguna Sayula
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 50+ Laguna Sayula – Howell calls this Bicoloured Blackbird A. gubernator; a flock of 20+ in San Blas area and probably overlooked elsewhere.
Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) Few San Blas area
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Few southern Baja
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) Common throughout
Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 10+ Laguna Sayula
Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) Fairly common throughout the lowlands, excluding Baja
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Several flocks southern Baja
DIPS
Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas San Blas pelagic
Least Storm-petrel Oceanodroma microsoma San Blas pelagic
Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus Sumidero Canyon
Green Parakeet Aratinga holochlora San Cristobal, Sumidero Canyon
Thick-billed Parrot Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha Volcan de Fuego
Pacific Screech-Owl Otus cooperi Pto Arista, Pto Madero
Bearded Screech-Owl Otus barbarus San Cristobal
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl Aegolius ridgwayi San Cristobal
Eared Poorwill Nyctiphrynus mcleodii Volcan de Fuego
Mexican Hermit Phaethornis [superciliosus] mexicanus San Blas
Slender Sheartail Doricha enicura Sumidero Canyon
Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird Amazilia [viridifrons] wagneri Pluma Hidalgo
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar Philodice dupontii San Blas, Durango Hwy
Eared Trogon Euptilotis neoxenus Barranca Rancho Liebre, “an unmarked gravel road
outside Colima city in Feb” (stunning photo on Bill Principe’s checklist)
White-throated Jay Cyanolyca mirabilis El Porvenir
Aztec Thrush Zoothera pinicola Volcan de Fuego, Barranca Rancho Liebre
Grayson's Thrush Turdus graysoni San Blas
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea San Blas, Playa de Oro Road
Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis Pto Arista, Pto Madero
