Birdwatching Trip Report from Oaxaca and Guerrero, Mexico

Report compiled by John Ward with assistance from Manuel Grosselet on the species list, notes on Guerrero, and the photographs.

Participants:

John Duranti - Sydney, Australia
John Lovatt – Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Brian Porter – Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Allan Richards – Sydney, Australia
John Ward – Oxford, England

Introduction:

Planning for this trip started in April 2008. There were obviously a lot of good birds to be found in Mexico so where would a good place be to choose? After several evenings and weekends reading Steve Howell’s guide, I decided on the state of Oaxaca. I had travelled previously through Mexico in 1965, but that was a leisurely journey a long time ago - this time I wanted an intensive two week trip to see as many of the endemics and regional specials as possible plus the numerous migrants passing through during springtime. Later on in the planning stages, the tour would be extended a further week to include Guerrero.

A ground agent and guide were going to be essential and after sending off a number of enquiries, I decided I would try to get Manuel Grosselet of Tierra de Aves, http://www.tierradeaves.com. Manuel is a French ornithologist based in Mexico carrying out research and conservation work and guiding. We agreed a price and worked on an itinerary that would maximize our time.

And so, after a few emails to friends and friends of friends, a group of five was formed and the trip was up and running.


Red-breasted Chat	Russet-crowned Motmot

General Notes:

Oaxaca is well served with frequent flights from Mexico City, flight time about one hour. Allan and John D flew in from two weeks in Cuba and encountered an annoying bureaucratic glitch at Mexico City airport but luckily were able to get onto their Oaxaca flight OK. The rest of us had trouble-free journeys from Dublin and London.

Wader watching near Juichitan

The birding was very comfortable, mainly from the roadside or from good trails. The boat for the pelagic was ideal, and fortunately (for me at least) the sea was calm.

Regarding field guides, other than Ber Van Perlo’s, none of those listed below include illustrations of all the birds of Mexico which resulted in some long-winded checking at times. There seems to be an opening for someone to produce a good quality all inclusive guide…..any volunteers out there?

Our group number of five was perfect for the eight-seater Dodge Ram mini-bus, with plenty of spare room for bags, scopes, water and food etc – and rapid exiting was easy at the numerous stops. We were an ideal size too for the narrow trails and confined spots but big enough for plenty of good banter between everyone, including Manuel whose sense of humour was great.

A word or two about our guide – Manuel’s identification skills were excellent, and he made absolutely every effort possible to get everyone onto every bird. He constantly searched for new birds and worked hard to keep us well fed and watered and looked after all our general welfare needs – his services were of the highest order and I can heartily recommend him for anyone thinking of a birding trip to Mexico.

The accommodation was fine, varying from cabins to very comfortable hotels and family houses.

We ate well and the food was mostly very tasty – although the black beans soon lost any popularity they may have had at the start of the trip! The local beer was incredibly cheap and tasty, and we pretty well OD’d at times on jug after jug of freshly made fruit-juice - it was so refreshing, the best I’ve ever tasted. But certainly some care needed to be taken with food. Because of the remoteness and being well off the tourist routes for a good bit of the time, often the only eating places available were those used just by the local people - the odd tummy up-set was going to be inevitable.

Mosquitoes weren’t too much of a problem, in fact some of the group dispensed with their malaria pills halfway through. Other biting/burrowing insects were present though. I got a lot of chiggers.

High in the mountains the temperature fell close to zero at night (or at least it felt like it). In the eastern lowlands it was hot and humid and in the Central Valley and the west it was mostly very hot and dry. The two Aussies took the heat in their stride of course but the rest of us were feeling it at times. We had no rain at all.

On occasions we were pulled over at security road blocks – correction, we were always pulled over – a couple of the group did look suspicious. The vehicle and one or two of our bags would be searched but soon we were on our way with minimal delay.

Very little English was spoken by the Mexican people once off the beaten track but everyone was extremely friendly and very welcoming towards us. We had good fun trying to converse with the few words we knew. Manuel spoke fluent Spanish so we had no problems and JD also helped out especially when ordering at mealtimes, although it would often be a ‘hope for the best’ sort of choice which usually turned out just fine.

References:

Where to Watch Birds in Mexico by Steve Howell. Very useful for planning a trip, and for site information or if going without a guide.
Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America by Howell and Webb. A good guide but no illustrations of waders, seabirds or North American migrants. Also too heavy for carrying around in the field.
Field Guide Birds of Mexico, Volume 1: Mexico City by Manuel Grosselet and Georgita Ruiz. A good small guide to identify birds around Mexico City and the pine oak forest region of Mexico.
North American Bird Guide by David Sibley. Good for NA migrants.
National Geographic Birds of North America by Jonathan Alderfer. Good for NA migrants.
Birds of Mexico and Central America by Ber Van Perlo. The only guide that has illustrations of all the birds of Mexico but some are unfortunately poor and misleading.
Birds of the World – a Checklist by James Clements.
Map: Mexico – Oaxaca and Chiapas from International Travel Maps. www.itmb.com
Various trip reports on www.travellingbirder.com and www.birdtours.co.uk.


Oaxaca Sparrow	Citreoline Trogon

Itinerary:

Day No.	Date	Location	Key Birds
1	06/03/2009	Birding in Las Guacamayas. Hotel in Oaxaca.	Dwarf Jay, Grey-barred Wren, Oaxaca Sparrow, Ocellated Thrasher
2	07/03/2009	Birded dry scrub habitat in the Central Valley at Yagul and Teotitlan, then along the 175 road towards La Cumbre National Park. Night in cabins at La Cumbre.	Dwarf Vireo, Bridled Sparrow, Beautiful Hummingbird, Pileated Flycatcher
3	08/03/2009	Montane pine and oak forest birding at La Cumbre. Second night in cabins at Ixtlan	Collared Towhee, Rufous-capped Brushfinch, Dwarf Jay, Pine Flycatcher
4	09/03/2009	Drive to Valle National, with numerous stops in pine and oak forest, and cloud and tropical rainforest en route. Night in lodge on banks of Rio San Juan Bautista in village of San Mateo, Yelta.	Unicoloured Jay, Bumblebee Hummingbird, Slate coloured Solitaire, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Mountain trogon, Black Thrush, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia
5	10/03/2009	Tropical rainforest birding around Valle National, then drive to Tuxtepec. Hotel in Tuxtepec.	White-collared Manakin, Red-legged Honeycreeper, Violaceous and Black-headed Trogons, Band-backed Wren, Yellow-headed Parrot
6	11/03/2009	Birded tropical humid forest at Presa Miguel Aleman, then long drive to Juchitan with several stops en route including part of the Uxpanapan Road. Hotel in Juichitan.	Sumichrast’s Wren, White Hawk, and lowlands species.
7	12/03/2009	Dry scrub birding in the Sierra de Tolistoque and coastal lagoon. Second night in Juchitan.	Rosita’s and Orange-breasted Buntings, Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow, Golden-crowned Emerald, Green-fronted Hummingbird, Russet-crowned Motmot
8	13/03/2009	Drive from Juchitan towards Huatulco, birding thorn forest and shoreline before turning inland into tropical deciduous forest clad mountain slopes of the shade coffee plantations. Night at Finca Monte Carlo.	Red-breasted Chat, Blue Bunting, Banded Wren.
9	14/03/2009	Birded coffee plantation forest. Second night at Finca Monte Carlo. A truly magical experience.	Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird, Vermiculated Schreech Owl, Fan-tailed Warbler
10	15/03/2009	Drive from the mountain forest zone to coastal humid forest near Huatulco. Night in cabins in Huatulco National Park.	Flammulated Flycatcher, Colima Pygmy-Owl, Olive Sparrow, Happy Wren
11	16/03/2009	Morning pelagic from Huatulco, then thorn forest birding in Huatulco National Park. Hotel in Huatulco.	Galapagos and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Masked and Blue-footed Boobies
12	17/03/2009	Birding from the beach at Puerto Angel and Zipolete, then on the 175 road up into the mountains towards Oaxaca. Night in cabins at San Jose Pacifico	Red-billed Tropicbird, Blue capped Hummingbird, Grey-crowned Woodpecker, Garnet-throated Hummingbird
13	18/03/2009	Montane pine/oak forest birding and then drive down into The Central Valley and Oaxaca City. Hotel in Oaxaca.	Aztec Thrush, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Red Warbler
14	19/03/2009	Birding around the ancient site of Monte Alban. Hotel in Oaxaca.	Slatey Vireo, Pileated Flycatcher, Occelated Thrasher
15	20/03/2009	Visit to San Felipe Park in the morning. BP and JW return home pm. JD, JL and AR continue on to Guerrero.	Hooded Yellowthroat, Elegant Euphonia, Painted Redstart
16	21/03/2009	Birding to Tecomavaca, in the National Park of Tehuacan Cuicatlan. Night in Yautepec.	Military Macaw, Bridled Sparrow, Nutting’s flycatcher
17	22/03/2009	Birding in Cañon de los Lobos, then drive to Sierra de Atoyac, Night in El Carrizal	Black-chested Sparrow, Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow, Yellow Grosbeak.
18	23/03/2009	Birding around El Carrizal, crossing the Sierra. Night in Nuevo Dehli in private family home.	White-throated Jay, Common Bush-Tanager (endemic form of Sierra Sur).Garnet-throated Hummingbird,
19	24/03/2009	Birding around Nuevo Delhi, then down to El Paraiso. Night in the new Hotel de El Paraiso.	Short-crested Coquette, Sparking-tailed Hummingbird, Ruddy Foliage Gleaner, White-faced Quail Dove
20	25/03/2009	Birding above the El Paraiso, afternoon ringing session. Night in el Paraiso	Collared Forest-Falcon, White-tailed Hummingbird, Singing Quail, Lilac-crowned Parrot, Berylline Hummingbird, Sinaloa Wren, Bright-rumped Attila
21	26/03/2009	Birding on the Pacific Coast, lagoon boat trip and marsh area., then drive to Mexico City,.	Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture, marshes and wetlands species.
22	27/03/2009	Final birding around Mexico city. End of the tour.	Sierra Madre Sparrow, Green-striped Brushfinch, Striped Sparrow

Enjoying hospitality from a Guerrero family

Species List:

English Name	Scientific Name
Least Grebe	Tachybaptus dominicus
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps
Wedge-tailed Shearwater	Puffinus pacificus
Black-vented Shearwater	Puffinus opistomelas
Galapagos Shearwater	Puffinus subalaris
Least Storm-Petrel	Oceanodroma microsoma
Black Storm-Petrel	Oceanodroma melania
Red-billed Tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus
American White Pelican	Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis
Masked Booby	Sula dactylatra
Blue-footed Booby	Sula nebouxi
Brown Booby	Sula leucogaster
Neotropic Cormorant	Phalacrocorax brasilianus
Magnificent Frigatebird	Fregata magnificens
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias
Great Egret	Ardea alba
Reddish Egret	Egretta rufescens
Tricolored Heron	Egretta tricolor
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Green Heron	Butorides virescens
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron	Nyctanassa violacea
Boat-billed Heron	Cochlearius cochlearius
Bare-throated Tiger-Heron	Tigrisoma mexicanum
Least Bittern	Ixobrychus exilis
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus
Wood Stork	Mycteria americana
White Ibis	Eudocimus albus
White-faced Ibis	Plegadis chihi
Roseate Spoonbill	Platalea ajaja
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Dendrocygna autumnalis
American Wigeon	Anas americana
Blue-winged Teal	Anas discors
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus
Turkey Vulture	Cathartes aura
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture	Cathartes burrovianus
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus
Hook-billed Kite	Chondrohierax uncinatus
Snail Kite	Rostrhamus sociabilis
Northern Harrier	Circus cyaneus
Sharp-shinned Hawk	Accipiter striatus
Cooper's Hawk	Accipiter cooperii
White Hawk	Leucopternis albicollis
Common Black-Hawk	Buteogallus anthracinus
Great Black-Hawk	Buteogallus urubitinga
Roadside Hawk	Buteo magnirostris
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus
Gray Hawk	Buteo nitidus
Short-tailed Hawk	Buteo brachyurus
Swainson's Hawk	Buteo swainsoni
White-tailed Hawk	Buteo albicaudatus
Zone-tailed Hawk	Buteo albonotatus
Red-tailed Hawk	Buteo jamaicensis
Black Hawk-Eagle	Spizaetus tyrannus
Crested Caracara	Caracara cheriway
Laughing Falcon	Herpetotheres cachinnans
Barred Forest-Falcon	Micrastur ruficollis
Collared Forest-Falcon	Micrastur semitorquatus
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius
Merlin	Falco columbarius
Bat Falcon	Falco rufigularis
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus
Plain Chachalaca	Ortalis vetula
West Mexican Chachalaca	Ortalis poliocephala
Long-tailed Wood-Partridge	Dendrortyx macroura
Singing Quail	Dactylortyx thoracicus
Montezuma Quail	Cyrtonyx montezumae
Sora	Porzana carolina
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
American Coot	Fulica americana
Northern Jacana	Jacana spinosa
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus
Double-striped Thick-knee	Burhinus bistriatus
Semipalmated Plover	Charadrius semipalmatus
Wilson's Plover	Charadrius wilsonia
Killdeer	Charadrius vociferus
Collared Plover	Charadrius collaris
Short-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus griseus
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularius
Solitary Sandpiper	Tringa solitaria
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca
Willet	Tringa semipalmata
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres
Sanderling	Calidris alba
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla
Western Sandpiper	Calidris mauri
Least Sandpiper	Calidris minutilla
American Herring Gull	Larus smithsonianus
Laughing Gull	Larus atricilla
Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo
Royal Tern	Thalasseus maximus
Sandwich Tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis
Black Skimmer	Rynchops niger
Rock Pigeon	Columba livia
Band-tailed Pigeon	Patagioenas fasciata
Red-billed Pigeon	Patagioenas flavirostris
Short-billed Pigeon	Patagioenas nigrirostris
Mourning Dove	Zenaida macroura
White-winged Dove	Zenaida asiatica
Common Ground-Dove	Columbina passerina
Ruddy Ground-Dove	Columbina talpacoti
Inca Dove	Columbina inca
White-tipped Dove	Leptotila verreauxi
White-faced Quail-Dove	Geotrygon albifacies
Ruddy Quail-Dove	Geotrygon montana
Military Macaw	Ara militaris
Olive-throated Parakeet	Aratinga nana
Orange-fronted Parakeet	Aratinga canicularis
Barred Parakeet	Bolborhynchus lineola
White-crowned Parrot	Pionus senilis
White-fronted Parrot	Amazona albifrons
Lilac-crowned Parrot	Amazona finschi
Red-lored Parrot	Amazona autumnalis
Yellow-headed Parrot	Amazona oratrix
Mealy Parrot	Amazona farinosa
Squirrel Cuckoo	Piaya cayana
Groove-billed Ani	Crotophaga sulcirostris
Striped Cuckoo	Tapera naevia
Pheasant Cuckoo	Dromococcyx phasianellus
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo	Morococcyx erythropygus
Flammulated Owl	Otus flammeolus
Vermiculated Screech-Owl	Megascops guatemalae
Great Horned Owl	Bubo virginianus
Mottled Owl	Ciccaba virgata
Colima Pygmy-Owl	Glaucidium palmarum
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl	Glaucidium brasilianum
Lesser Nighthawk	Chordeiles acutipennis
Pauraque	Nyctidromus albicollis
Buff-collared Nightjar	Caprimulgus ridgwayi
Whip-poor-will	Caprimulgus vociferus
Black Swift	Cypseloides niger
Chestnut-collared Swift	Streptoprocne rutila
White-naped Swift	Streptoprocne semicollaris
White-collared Swift	Streptoprocne zonaris
Vaux's Swift	Chaetura vauxi
White-throated Swift	Aeronautes saxatalis
Western Long-tailed Hermit	Phaethornis longirostris
Eastern Long-tailed Hermit	Phaethornis superciliosus
Green-breasted Mango	Anthracothorax prevostii
Emerald-chinned Hummingbird	Abeillia abeillei
Short-crested Coquette	Lophornis brachylopha
Golden-crowned Emerald	Chlorostilbon auriceps
Canivet's Emerald	Chlorostilbon canivetii
Blue-capped Hummingbird	Eupherusa cyanophrys
White-tailed Hummingbird	Eupherusa poliocerca
Dusky Hummingbird	Cynanthus sordidus
Broad-billed Hummingbird	Cynanthus latirostris
White-eared Hummingbird	Hylocharis leucotis
Buff-bellied Hummingbird	Amazilia yucatanensis
Cinnamon Hummingbird	Amazilia rutila
White-bellied Emerald	Agyrtria candida
Azure-crowned Hummingbird	Agyrtria cyanocephala
Violet-crowned Hummingbird	Agyrtria violiceps
Green-fronted Hummingbird	Agyrtria viridifrons
Berylline Hummingbird	Saucerottia beryllina
Blue-throated Hummingbird	Lampornis clemenciae
Amethyst-throated Hummingbird	Lampornis amethystinus
Garnet-throated Hummingbird	Lamprolaima rhami
Magnificent Hummingbird	Eugenes fulgens
Plain-capped Starthroat	Heliomaster constantii
Long-billed Starthroat	Heliomaster longirostris
Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird	Tilmatura dupontii
Beautiful Hummingbird	Calothorax pulcher
Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Archilochus colubris
Bumblebee Hummingbird	Atthis heloisa
Broad-tailed Hummingbird	Selasphorus platycercus
Rufous Hummingbird	Selasphorus rufus
Black-headed Trogon	Trogon melanocephalus
Citreoline Trogon	Trogon citreolus
Violaceous Trogon	Trogon violaceus
Mountain Trogon	Trogon mexicanus
Collared Trogon	Trogon collaris
Belted Kingfisher	Megaceryle alcyon
Ringed Kingfisher	Megaceryle torquata
Amazon Kingfisher	Chloroceryle amazona
Green Kingfisher	Chloroceryle americana
Russet-crowned Motmot	Momotus mexicanus
Blue-crowned Motmot	Momotus momota
Wagler's Toucanet	Aulacorhynchus wagleri
Keel-billed Toucan	Ramphastos sulfuratus
Acorn Woodpecker	Melanerpes formicivorus
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker	Melanerpes chrysogenys
Gray-breasted Woodpecker	Melanerpes hypopolius
Golden-fronted Woodpecker	Melanerpes aurifrons
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker	Sphyrapicus varius
Ladder-backed Woodpecker	Picoides scalaris
Hairy Woodpecker	Picoides villosus
Gray-crowned Woodpecker	Piculus auricularis
Northern Flicker	Colaptes auratus
Lineated Woodpecker	Dryocopus lineatus
Pale-billed Woodpecker	Campephilus guatemalensis
Rufous-breasted Spinetail	Synallaxis erythrothorax
Ruddy Foliage-gleaner	Automolus rubiginosus
Olivaceous Woodcreeper	Sittasomus griseicapillus
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper	Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
Spot-crowned Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes affinis
Streak-headed Woodcreeper	Lepidocolaptes souleyetii
Barred Antshrike	Thamnophilus doliatus
Scaled Antpitta	Grallaria guatimalensis
White-collared Manakin	Manacus candei
Greenish Elaenia	Myiopagis viridicata
Yellow-bellied Tyrannulet	Ornithion semiflavum
Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet	Camptostoma imberbe
Northern Bentbill	Oncostoma cinereigulare
Yellow-olive Flycatcher	Tolmomyias sulphurescens
Pileated Flycatcher	Xenotriccus mexicanus
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Empidonax flaviventris
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus
Hammond's Flycatcher	Empidonax hammondii
Dusky Flycatcher	Empidonax oberholseri
Pine Flycatcher	Empidonax affinis
Pacific-slope Flycatcher	Empidonax difficilis
Cordilleran Flycatcher	Empidonax occidentalis
Greater Pewee	Contopus pertinax
Western Wood-Pewee	Contopus sordidulus
Tropical Pewee	Contopus cinereus
Tufted Flycatcher	Mitrephanes phaeocercus
Black Phoebe	Sayornis nigricans
Say's Phoebe	Sayornis saya
Vermilion Flycatcher	Pyrocephalus rubinus
Piratic Flycatcher	Legatus leucophaius
Social Flycatcher	Myiozetetes similis
Great Kiskadee	Pitangus sulphuratus
Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher	Myiodynastes luteiventris
Boat-billed Flycatcher	Megarynchus pitangua
Tropical Kingbird	Tyrannus melancholicus
Couch's Kingbird	Tyrannus couchii
Cassin's Kingbird	Tyrannus vociferans
Thick-billed Kingbird	Tyrannus crassirostris
Western Kingbird	Tyrannus verticalis
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Tyrannus forficatus
Rufous Mourner	Rhytipterna holerythra
Dusky-capped Flycatcher	Myiarchus tuberculifer
Ash-throated Flycatcher	Myiarchus cinerascens
Nutting's Flycatcher	Myiarchus nuttingi
Brown-crested Flycatcher	Myiarchus tyrannulus
Bright-rumped Attila	Attila spadiceus
Masked Tityra	Tityra semifasciata
Rose-throated Becard	Pachyramphus aglaiae
Horned Lark	Eremophila alpestris
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia
Tree Swallow	Tachycineta bicolor
Violet-green Swallow	Tachycineta thalassina
Mangrove Swallow	Tachycineta albilinea
Purple Martin	Progne subis
Gray-breasted Martin	Progne chalybea
Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Stelgidopteryx serripennis
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
American Pipit	Anthus rubescens
Golden-crowned Kinglet	Regulus satrapa
Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Regulus calendula
Gray Silky-flycatcher	Ptilogonys cinereus
Cedar Waxwing	Bombycilla cedrorum
Band-backed Wren	Campylorhynchus zonatus
Gray-barred Wren	Campylorhynchus megalopterus
Rufous-naped Wren	Campylorhynchus rufinucha
Boucard's Wren	Campylorhynchus jocosus
Rock Wren	Salpinctes obsoletus
Canyon Wren	Catherpes mexicanus
Sumichrast's Wren	Hylorchilus sumichrasti
Happy Wren	Thryothorus felix
Spot-breasted Wren	Thryothorus maculipectus
Banded Wren	Thryothorus pleurostictus
Sinaloa Wren	Thryothorus sinaloa
Bewick's Wren	Thryomanes bewickii
House Wren	Troglodytes aedon
Brown-throated Wren	Troglodytes aedon brunneicapillus
Southern House Wren	Troglodytes aedon musculus
Gray-breasted Wood-Wren	Henicorhina leucophrys
Northern Mockingbird	Mimus polyglottos
Tropical Mockingbird	Mimus gilvus
Ocellated Thrasher	Toxostoma ocellatum
Curve-billed Thrasher	Toxostoma curvirostre
Blue Mockingbird	Melanotis caerulescens
Western Bluebird	Sialia mexicana
Brown-backed Solitaire	Myadestes occidentalis
Slate-colored Solitaire	Myadestes unicolor
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus aurantiirostris
Russet Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus occidentalis
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus frantzii
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush	Catharus mexicanus
Swainson's Thrush	Catharus ustulatus
Hermit Thrush	Catharus guttatus
Black Robin	Turdus infuscatus
Clay-colored Robin	Turdus grayi
White-throated Thrush	Turdus assimilis
Rufous-backed Robin	Turdus rufopalliatus
American Robin	Turdus migratorius
Aztec Thrush	Ridgwayia pinicola
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher	Polioptila caerulea
White-lored Gnatcatcher	Polioptila albiloris
Bushtit	Psaltriparus minimus
Mexican Chickadee	Poecile sclateri
Bridled Titmouse	Baeolophus wollweberi
White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis
Brown Creeper	Certhia americana
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus
Steller's Jay	Cyanocitta stelleri
White-throated Magpie-Jay	Calocitta formosa
Green Jay	Cyanocorax yncas
Brown Jay	Cyanocorax morio
Dwarf Jay	Cyanolyca nana
White-throated Jay	Cyanolyca mirabilis
Western Scrub-Jay	Aphelocoma californica
Unicolored Jay	Aphelocoma unicolor
Common Raven	Corvus corax
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus
Slaty Vireo	Vireo brevipennis
White-eyed Vireo	Vireo griseus
Bell's Vireo	Vireo bellii
Dwarf Vireo	Vireo nelsoni
Plumbeous Vireo	Vireo plumbeus
Cassin's Vireo	Vireo cassinii
Blue-headed Vireo	Vireo solitarius
Hutton's Vireo	Vireo huttoni
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus
Golden Vireo	Vireo hypochryseus
Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo	Vireolanius melitophrys
Scrub Euphonia	Euphonia affinis
Yellow-throated Euphonia	Euphonia hirundinacea
Elegant Euphonia	Euphonia elegantissima
Olive-backed Euphonia	Euphonia gouldi
Blue-crowned Chlorophonia	Chlorophonia occipitalis
House Finch	Carpodacus mexicanus
Red Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra
Pine Siskin	Carduelis pinus
Lesser Goldfinch	Carduelis psaltria
Olive Warbler	Peucedramus taeniatus
Tennessee Warbler	Vermivora peregrina
Orange-crowned Warbler	Vermivora celata
Nashville Warbler	Vermivora ruficapilla
Virginia's Warbler	Vermivora virginiae
Crescent-chested Warbler	Parula superciliosa
Northern Parula	Parula americana
Tropical Parula	Parula pitiayumi
Yellow Warbler	Dendroica petechia
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Dendroica pensylvanica
Magnolia Warbler	Dendroica magnolia
Myrtle Warbler	Dendroica coronata coronata
Audubon´s Warbler	Dendroica coronata auduboni
Black-throated Gray Warbler	Dendroica nigrescens
Black-throated Green Warbler	Dendroica virens
Townsend's Warbler	Dendroica townsendi
Hermit Warbler	Dendroica occidentalis
Yellow-throated Warbler	Dendroica dominica
Grace's Warbler	Dendroica graciae
Prairie Warbler	Dendroica discolor
Palm Warbler	Dendroica palmarum
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla
Northern Waterthrush	Seiurus noveboracensis
Louisiana Waterthrush	Seiurus motacilla
Kentucky Warbler	Oporornis formosus
MacGillivray's Warbler	Oporornis tolmiei
Common Yellowthroat	Geothlypis trichas
Hooded Yellowthroat	Geothlypis nelsoni
Hooded Warbler	Wilsonia citrina
Wilson's Warbler	Wilsonia pusilla
Red-faced Warbler	Cardellina rubrifrons
Red Warbler	Ergaticus ruber
Painted Redstart	Myioborus pictus
Slate-throated Redstart	Myioborus miniatus
Fan-tailed Warbler	Euthlypis lachrymosa
Golden-crowned Warbler	Basileuterus culicivorus
Rufous-capped Warbler	Basileuterus rufifrons
Golden-browed Warbler	Basileuterus belli
Yellow-breasted Chat	Icteria virens
Red-breasted Chat	Granatellus venustus
Bananaquit	Coereba flaveola
Common Bush-Tanager	Chlorospingus ophthalmicus
White-fronted Bush Tanager	Chlorospingus ophtalmicus
Red-crowned Ant-Tanager	Habia rubica
Hepatic Tanager	Piranga flava
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra
Western Tanager	Piranga ludoviciana
Flame-colored Tanager	Piranga bidentata
Red-headed Tanager	Piranga erythrocephala
Crimson-collared Tanager	Ramphocelus sanguinolentus
Blue-gray Tanager	Thraupis episcopus
Yellow-winged Tanager	Thraupis abbas
Red-legged Honeycreeper	Cyanerpes cyaneus
Blue-black Grassquit	Volatinia jacarina
Variable Seedeater	Sporophila corvina
White-collared Seedeater	Sporophila torqueola
Yellow-faced Grassquit	Tiaris olivaceus
Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer	Diglossa baritula
Rufous-capped Brush-Finch	Atlapetes pileatus
Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch	Buarremon brunneinucha
Green-striped Brush-Finch	Arremon virenticeps
Olive Sparrow	Arremonops rufivirgatus
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow	Melozone kieneri
Collared Towhee	Pipilo ocai
Spotted Towhee	Pipilo maculatus
White-throated Towhee	Pipilo albicollis
Bridled Sparrow	Aimophila mystacalis
Black-chested Sparrow	Aimophila humeralis
Stripe-headed Sparrow	Aimophila ruficauda
Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow	Aimophila sumichrasti
Rufous-crowned Sparrow	Aimophila ruficeps
Oaxaca Sparrow	Aimophila notosticta
Rusty Sparrow	Aimophila rufescens
Striped Sparrow	Oriturus superciliosus
Chipping Sparrow	Spizella passerina
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus
Lark Sparrow	Chondestes grammacus
Savannah Sparrow	Passerculus sandwichensis
Sierra Madre Sparrow	Xenospiza baileyi
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum
Lincoln's Sparrow	Melospiza lincolnii
Yellow-eyed Junco	Junco phaeonotus
Grayish Saltator	Saltator coerulescens
Buff-throated Saltator	Saltator maximus
Black-headed Saltator	Saltator atriceps
Northern Cardinal	Cardinalis cardinalis
Yellow Grosbeak	Pheucticus chrysopeplus
Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Pheucticus ludovicianus
Black-headed Grosbeak	Pheucticus melanocephalus
Blue Bunting	Cyanocompsa parellina
Blue Grosbeak	Passerina caerulea
Lazuli Bunting	Passerina amoena
Indigo Bunting	Passerina cyanea
Rose-bellied Bunting	Passerina rositae
Orange-breasted Bunting	Passerina leclancherii
Varied Bunting	Passerina versicolor
Painted Bunting	Passerina ciris
Red-winged Blackbird	Agelaius phoeniceus
Eastern Meadowlark	Sturnella magna
Melodious Blackbird	Dives dives
Great-tailed Grackle	Quiscalus mexicanus
Bronzed Cowbird	Molothrus aeneus
Brown-headed Cowbird	Molothrus ater
Black-vented Oriole	Icterus wagleri
Black-cowled Oriole	Icterus prosthemelas
Orchard Oriole	Icterus spurius
Yellow-tailed Oriole	Icterus mesomelas
Streak-backed Oriole	Icterus pustulatus
Bullock’s Oriole	Icterus bullockii
Black-backed Oriole	Icterus abeillei
Altamira Oriole	Icterus gularis
Dickey’s Oriole	Icterus graduacuada
Baltimore Oriole	Icterus galbula
Scott’s Oriole	Icterus parisorum
Yellow-billed Cacique	Amblycercus holosericeus
Yellow-winged Cacique	Cacicus melanicterus
Montezuma Oropendula	Psarocolius montezuma

Relaxing at Finca Monte Carlo

Conclusion:

I was anxious about how the trip would turn out but I needn’t have been - we had no serious hitches and everyone agreed it went off extremely well.

The total trip list was a very respectable 440 species seen plus 18 heard. These included 31 hummingbirds, 40 flycatchers, 16 wrens, 8 jays, 40 warblers, 21 sparrows and 11 orioles. We all added hugely to our life lists and had refreshingly new sightings of previously seen species.

Apart from the amazing birding experience, it was a huge privilege just to be in this part of Mexico – it’s pine and oak forests of the high Sierra Madre, the cloud and tropical forests of the lower eastern slopes, the more arid terrain of the interior and Pacific slope, and to be among the rural people for a glimpse into their very hard way of life.

Finally, I would like to give my thanks to Allan, Brian, both Johns, and Manuel for making this trip so enjoyable, successful and memorable

John Ward

Email: johnward737@btinternet.com.

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