SOUTHERN MEXICO TOUR REPORT 2026

3/5 - 21 March 2026

Leo Garrigues

The Southern Mexico tour is the most comprehensive of the Birdquest itineraries in the country, covering Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, and central Mexico, and exploring a wide range of habitats in search of the region’s many specialties. On this occasion, a Morelos pre-extension allowed us to add key highland species along with the Balsas drainage specialties from the drier areas, complementing the main itinerary perfectly. This combination delivered excellent results, with 496 species on the main tour and an additional 32 during the extension, for an impressive total of 528 species.

A superb mix of Mexican endemics and regional specialties included highlights such as Rose-bellied and Orange-breasted Buntings, White-throated and Dwarf Jays, Long-tailed Wood Partridge, Tuxtla Quail-Dove, Red and Pink-headed Warblers, Oaxaca and Bumblebee Hummingbirds and Giant Wren.

Among many other highlights were Slaty-breasted Tinamou, West Mexican Chachalaca, Singing Quail, Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo, Black and Least Storm Petrels, Galapagos and Black-vented Shearwaters, Buff-collared and Spot-tailed Nightjars, Amethyst-throated Mountaingem, Beautiful Sheartail, Dusky and Turquoise-crowned Hummingbirds, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Bearded Screech Owl, Fulvous Owl, Ornate and Black Hawk-Eagles, Citreoline and Mountain Trogons, Blue-throated and Russet-crowned Motmots, Grey-crowned, Grey-breasted and Golden-fronted  Woodpeckers, Guatemalan Flicker, Flammulated, Salvadoran, Belted, Pileated, Pine, American Grey and Buff-breasted Flycatchers, White-striped Woodcreeper, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Green Shrike-Vireo, 9 species of Jays which included Azure-hooded, Woodhouse’s Scrub, Unicolored and Green Jays, Bridled Titmouse, Mexican Chicadee, Black-capped Swallow, Grey Silky-flycatcher, Phainopepla, Pygmy Nuthatch, Sumichrast’s, Grey-barred, Boucard’s, Russet-naped and Rufous-browed Wrens, Blue Mockingbird, Ocellated Thrasher, Slate-colored Solitaire, Rufous-collared and Black Thrushes, Olive Warbler, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, White-naped, Green-striped and Rufous-capped Brushfinches, Cinnamon-tailed, Striped, Sierra Madre, Rusty, Rufous-crowned and Oaxaca Sparrows, White-throated Towhee, Mexican Cacique, Yellow-backed, Audubon’s and Black-backed Orioles, Virginia’s, Black-throated Grey, Fan-tailed, Golden-browed and Red-faced Warblers, Red-breasted Chat, Blue Seedeater, Blue and Varied Buntings, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (“Oaxaca”Ant-Tanager), Red-headed Tanager and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer.

The Morelos pre-extension proved very rewarding, with an impressive 205 species recorded in just three days. Some of the standout sightings included Elf Owl, Balsas Screech Owl, Banded Quail, Lesser Roadrunner, Lucifer Sheartail, Grey-collared Becard, Pileated Flycatchher, Transvolcanic Jay, Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow and Black-chested Sparrow.

On our first day of the pre-extension, we were picked up by Miguel in Mexico City and headed to Los Columpios Park on the outskirts of the city. Our main target was Colima Warbler, which Miguel had been seen in previous days, but despite our efforts we were unable to relocate it.  Still, the visit produced excellent birding, highlighted by a group of Transvolcanic Jays and great views of Green-striped Brushfinch. Other species included Acorn Woodpecker, Greater Pewee, Hutton’s Vireo, Blue Mockingbird, Orange-billed and Russet Nightingale-Thrushes, Yellow-eyed Junco, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Canyon and Spotted Towhees, Bullock’s Oriole, MacGillivray’s and Golden-browed Warblers, Painted Whitestart and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer.

After our visit to Los Columpios Park, we continued to birding stakeouts along Cerro Tepozteco, which turned out to be very rewarding. One of the top sightings was Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo with excellent views, while Black-capped Siskin and Mexican Violetear were also notable additions not seen on the main tour. Other species included Amethyst-throated and Blue-throated Mountaingems, Berylline Hummingbird, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, White-striped Woodcreeper, Eastern Warbling Vireo, Mexican Chickadee, American Bushtit, Grey Silky-flycatcher, Chipping Sparrow, Crescent-chested, Orange-crowned, Grace’s and Hermit Warblers, and Flame-colored Tanager.

Later in the afternoon we visited the Oacalco area, a contrasting habitat of arid thorn scrub mixed with agricultural land. Here we enjoyed excellent views of Banded Quail and a very cooperative Lesser Roadrunner. Other highlights included Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow, and a roosting American Barn Owl in an old building. Additional species recorded were Dusky Hummingbird, White-fronted Amazon, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Thick-billed Kingbird, Dusky Flycatcher, Hooded and Streak-backed Orioles, Stripe-headed Sparrow, Magnolia Warbler and Painted Bunting.

One of the most memorable moments came at the same site, where large numbers of Vaux’s Swifts gathered to roost inside the chimneys of the old building—an impressive spectacle as countless birds poured in at dusk. A Sharp-shinned Hawk took advantage of the concentration, successfully catching one at the entrance, adding an exciting predator moment to the day. We then continued to the nearby town of Tepoztlan for the night.

The following day we headed out for a pre-dawn owling session, which delivered excellent views of the endemic Balsas Screech Owl—one of our main targets—as well as superb looks at Elf Owl, a clear favorite of the pre-extension. Buff-collared Nightjar required some persistence, but we eventually connected just before dawn.  With daylight, the birding continued to shine, highlighted by fantastic views of Lucifer Sheartail (both male and female), along with Balsas endemics such as Black-chested Sparrow, Boucard’s Wren, and the localized Pileated Flycatcher.  Other species that rounded out the morning included Ruddy Ground Dove (a scarce bird in Morelos), Broad-billed, Violet-crowned and   Berylline Hummingbirds, Golden-crowned Emerald, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Nutting’s Flycatcher, Golden Vireo, Western Warbling Vireo, Violet-green Swallow, Bewick’s and Happy Wrens, Lark and Grasshopper Sparrows, Streak-backed Oriole, Virginia’s Warbler, Indigo, Lazuli, Painted and Varied Buntings, and Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater.

We also visited a transitional Pine-Oak forest at Ocotitlan, where we recorded different species for the day such as the Western and Hammond’s Flycatchers, Blue Mockingbird, Hermit Thrush, Elegant Euphonia, Rusty Sparrow, Black-throated Grey, Hermit and Rufous-capped Warblers and Western Tanager.  The very last part of the day we went to Cuernavaca City, to check a site where White-naped Swift come to roost just before dusk.

On the last day of the pre-extension we focused on species that we haven’t seen, so we visited Tepozteco Road in the first part of the morning.  Here we target the Grey-collared Becard, which eventually we connected with one male.  Other species seen included the Bumblebee Hummingbird, Coppery-tailed Trogon, Cassin’s Vireo, Brown-backed Solitaire, White-throted Thrush and Red-faced Warbler.  After our session at Tepozteco Road we continued to higher elevations at La Cima, where we looked for the Long-tailed Wood-Partridge which we managed good views of them. Other species seen at La Cima included the American Robin, Rufous-backed Thrush, Striped Sparrow and the localized Endemic, Sierra Madre Sparrow.

We continued to Mexico City where we visited in some urban park where Miguel had information of Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird recent reports.  Despite we didn’t find the Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird we did see the endemic Black-backed Oriole and a female Calliope Hummingbird.  Other birds were the Mexican Duck, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Song Sparrow and Orchard and Hooded Orioles.

We finished the pre-extension by birding the San Greogorio wetlands before arriving to the Hotel to meet the other members of the group.  Our visit to the wetlands definitely boost our list of the extension with species like the Ruddy Duck, Blue-winged, Cinnamon, and Green-winged Teals, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Pied-billed Grebe, Sora, American Avocet, Long-billed Dowitcher, Stilt, Baird’s and Least Sandpipers, American White Pelican, Cassin’s Kingbird, Vermillion Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, American Pipit and Common Yellowthroat.

The first day of the main tour saw us visiting Parque Las Maravillas, initially in search of the restricted endemic Sierra Madre Sparrow. Although we had already seen it during the pre-extension, it remained a key target for those who had joined only the main tour. While searching for the Sierra Madre Sparrow, we also enjoyed easy views of Striped Sparrow, another Mexican endemic, along with some Grass Wrens.  After our sparrow search, we turned our attention to the pine woodlands of Parque Las Maravillas and made additional stops along the mountain roads. Here we recorded a fine selection of endemics, including Strickland’s Woodpecker, White-striped Woodcreeper, Green-striped and Rufous-capped Brushfinches, Hooded Yellowthroat and the stunning Red Warbler.

Other notable sightings included the distinctive macronyx subspecies of Spotted Towhee, who has a distinctive Olive-backed, as well as the unique Olive Warbler, the sole member of its monotypic family.  Additional species that rounded out the morning included Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Pine and Buff-breasted Flycatchers, Loggerhead Shrike, Mexican Chickadee, American Bushtit, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-breasted and Pygmy Nuthatches, Brown Creeper, Northern House Wren (Brown-throated form), Western Bluebird, Elegant Euphonia, Pine Siskin, Canyon Towhee, Crescent-chested Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler and Black-headed Grosbeak.

After our morning birding in the highlands, we continued to the well-known Lerma marshes, an important site for the highly restricted endemic Black-polled Yellowthroat. We obtained good views of this sought-after species at two different locations within the extensive reedbeds. Other notable records here included Chihuahuan Meadowlark, Virginia Rail, Clark’s Grebe, and Red-winged Blackbird (bicolored form).

This wetland proved to be the most productive of the tour, supporting a wide range of waterbirds and associated species. Among those recorded were Ruddy and Mexican Ducks, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Pied-billed and Black-necked Grebes, Sora, Common Gallinule, American Coot, American Avocet, White-faced Ibis, American White Pelican, White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, Vermilion Flycatcher, Marsh Wren [tolucensis], American Pipit, Savannah and Song Sparrows, as well as large flocks of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. After our session at the Lerma marshes, we returned to Mexico City via the highway, reaching our hotel with little traffic.

On this tour we followed a slightly revised itinerary, altering the order of localities. Rather than focusing on morning birding, we prioritized our drive towards the Oaxaca region and concentrated our birding efforts during the afternoon. Our first productive stops were in the dry scrub of the Oaxaca highlands, where we searched for several key targets during the heat of the afternoon. Despite the challenging conditions, we succeeded in finding the endemics Ocellated Thrasher, White-throated Towhee and brief views of Oaxaca Sparrow for some. Other species recorded here included Brown-crested Flycatcher, Lark Sparrow, Black-vented Oriole and Orange-crowned Warbler.

We then continued to the Ixtepeji area, where we spent the remainder of the day birding in pine woodlands. Our principal objective was Dwarf Jay, one of the most sought-after species of the tour; however, we were unable to locate it during this initial visit, though further opportunities lay ahead. Additional species recorded included Steller’s Jay, Mexican Chickadee, Grey Silky-flycatcher, Grey-barred Wren, and Hermit, Golden-browed, and Red Warblers.  During a night excursion, we enjoyed excellent views of a Fulvous Owl, while Mexican Whip-poor-will was heard only.

The following day began well, with excellent views of a group of four Long-tailed Wood-Partridges around our breakfast area. Other species noted during this time comprised Steller’s Jay, Brown-backed Solitaire, American Robin and Collared Towhee.  We then proceeded to a series of stakeouts in semi-arid scrub, where we targeted several localized specialties. Key species here included Slaty Vireo, Ocellated Thrasher, Oaxaca Sparrow, Rufous-crowned Sparrow [australis], and Audubon’s Oriole. Additional species recorded here featured Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay, Northern Raven, Blue Mockingbird and Spotted Towhee.  Continuing our journey, we drove through pine woodlands while searching for one of the tour’s key targets, the Dwarf Jay. After a persistent effort, we were rewarded with excellent views of a small group of Jays associating with Grey-barred Wrens. Other notable species encountered during this search included Mountain Trogon, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Spot-crowned Woodcreeper, and a striking Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo.

After lunch, we birded the upper sections of the famous Valle Nacional, which proved highly productive. Highlights here featured Black Thrush and two jay species, Azure-hooded and Unicolored, the latter representing our fifth jay species of the day. Additional species recorded during this session included Band-tailed Pigeon, Collared Trogon, Northern Emerald Toucanet, Spotted Woodcreeper, Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Common Chlorospingus, and Rufous-capped and Chestnut-capped Brushfinches.  We also obtained brief views of Mexican Whip-poor-will just before dinner, providing a fitting end to an excellent day.

Today we birded the Valle Nacional Road, traversing an altitudinal gradient from pine woodlands to broadleaf cloud forest at lower elevations. This transition proved highly productive, with several notable highlights. Among the most memorable was the sight of three Ornate Hawk-Eagles soaring together, along with the melodious Slate-colored Solitaire, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, and the very distinctive nominate subspecies of White-naped Brushfinch, which differs markedly from other forms.  Additional species recorded during the day included Crested Guan, Collared Trogon, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner, Blue-headed Vireo, Azure-hooded and Unicolored Jays, Brown-backed Solitaire, Common Chlorospingus, Black-throated Green Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-crowned Ant-Tanager and Flame-colored Tanager.

In the late afternoon, we birded around Tuxtepec, where a selection of mostly common species and a few migrants were recorded. These included Groove-billed Ani, Red-billed Pigeon, American White Ibis, Tricolored Heron, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Brown Jay, Blue-grey Gnatcatcher, Clay-colored Thrush, Montezuma Oropendola, Black-and-white, Orange-crowned, Hooded, Magnolia, and American Yellow Warblers, Grey-crowned Yellowthroat, Painted Bunting, and Morelet’s Seedeater.  We also came close to seeing Ruddy Crake; however, it was seen only by the leader while we searched for it in the wet grassy areas.

After dark, while searching for Striped Owl, we instead encountered something even better: a Spot-tailed Nightjar. This unexpected write-in proved to be one of the standout sightings of the tour.

The following morning, we visited an area of limestone outcrops cloaked in humid semi-deciduous forest, a key site for the restricted endemic Sumichrast’s Wren. On this occasion, we encountered a very cooperative individual, which afforded excellent views.

The area was very productive, yielding a fine selection of tropical species. These included Long-billed Hermit, White-bellied Emerald, Ferruginous and Central American Pygmy-Owls (the latter heard only), Slaty-tailed and Black-headed Trogons, Black-cheeked and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers, Red-lored Amazon, Sulphur-rumped Myiobius, Northern Bentbill, Tawny-winged and Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, Northern Plain Xenops, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Rufous Piha, Rufous Mourner, Ochre-crowned Greenlet, Band-backed and Spot-breasted Wrens, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Northern Parula and Black-faced Grosbeak.

During the afternoon, we drove towards Catemaco, making several stops along the way. These produced Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Black-necked Stilt, Green-breasted Mango, Buff-bellied Hummingbird, White-fronted Amazon, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Couch’s Kingbird, Least Flycatcher, Yellow-throated and Blue-headed Vireos, Brown Jay, Southern House Wren, Scrub Euphonia, Lesser Goldfinch, Orchard, Hooded and Altamira Orioles, Giant Cowbird, and Yellow-winged Tanager.  We arrived in the evening and enjoyed a pleasant dinner in Catemaco.

On this day, we visited the Sierra de los Tuxtlas, aiming to find one of the most difficult targets of the tour, the elusive Tuxtla Quail-Dove. We had two close encounters with responsive individuals, but unfortunately failed to obtain views.  Nevertheless, the area produced a good selection of notable species. Highlights included Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Black Hawk-Eagle, and Green Shrike-Vireo. These were complemented by Vaux’s Swift, Mottled Owl, Golden-olive Woodpecker, Ochre-bellied and Yellowish Flycatchers, Eye-ringed Flatbill, Greenish Elaenia, Olivaceous and Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner, Green Jay, White-breasted Wood Wren, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch (apertus form), Red-throated Ant Tanager, White-winged Tanager and Black-headed Saltator.

During the afternoon, we birded near the coastal habitats at Sontecomapan, where the highlight was an excellent sighting of Sungrebe. Most of the remaining species were widespread, although several were new for the trip. These included Lesser Scaup, Least Grebe, Northern Jacana, Brown Pelican, Bare-throated Tiger Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Ringed and Green Kingfishers, Collared Aracari, Olive-throated Parakeet, Great Crested Flycatcher, Barred Antshrike, Bronzed Cowbird, Northern Waterthrush and Morelet’s Seedeater.

Next day, we revisited the Sierra de los Tuxtlas to give the Tuxtla Quail-Dove another try. Unfortunately, the weather conditions were very different from the previous day, with intermittent rain and dense cloud cover creating very dark conditions throughout the morning.  Nevertheless, we were already in the area and returned to one of the territories from the previous day, where we had a responsive bird. At one point, it approached quite closely, but the poor light and its tendency to remain deep in the understory prevented the clients from getting onto it. Using a thermal camera helped keep track of the Quail-Dove position, and it proved to be an extremely shy species. Definitely a tricky bird, but at least the clients came away with a Swedish tick.

Unfortunately, we were playing against the time as we need to drive to Tuxtla Gutierrez so our birding time was limited and the efforts in the Quail-Dove consumed most of our time, but some of the birds seen during our second visit to the Sierra de los Tuxtlas were Northern Plain Xenops, Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner, White-breasted Wood Wren, Worm-eating and Golden-crowned Warblers and Red-crowned Ant-Tanager (rubicoides form).  After our visit to Sierra de los Tuxtlas we spent our afternoon driving to Tuxtla Gutierrez, where the only notable sightings were an Aplomado Falcon at a gas station stop and Keel-billed Toucans that were noted during the drive.

The next day we had to split the group to deal with a health issue affecting one of our participants. The majority went with Miguel to El Ocote, while Leo accompanied the participant to medical services in Tuxtla Gutierrez. At El Ocote, intermittent rain affected birding conditions at times. Unfortunately, our main target, Nava’s Wren, remained heard only, as despite all efforts the bird refused to show. Some of the species recorded there included Long-billed Hermit, Wedge-tailed Sabrewing, Berylline Hummingbird, Collared Trogon, Lesson’s Motmot, Keel-billed Toucan, Golden-olive and Smoky-brown Woodpeckers, Tawny-winged and Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, Band-backed Wren, Scrub and Yellow-throated Euphonias, Rusty Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cacique, Ovenbird, Worm-eating, Nashville and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Black-faced Grosbeak, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, and Yellow-faced Grassquit.

Meanwhile, Leo did some birding with another participant at who had stayed behind to rest in Tuxtla Gutierrez, before the rest of the group rejoined them in the afternoon. Most of this birding took place during the hottest part of the day, but fortunately the bad weather on the other side of the mountains kept temperatures relatively cool at Sumidero Canyon. During this session they recorded several good species, including the rare Blue Seedeater, Belted Flycatcher, Green-fronted Hummingbird and Plain-capped Starthroat.

Later in the afternoon, the rest of the group joined them at Sumidero Canyon, where we focused our efforts on finding Slender Sheartail in its usual area, but without success. Some of the birds seen towards the end of the day included Canivet’s Emerald, Russet-crowned Motmot, Least Flycatcher, Lesser Greenlet, Green Jay, Banded Wren, Clay-colored Thrush, Streak-backed Oriole and Western Tanager.

We visited the famous Sumidero Canyon again for a full morning, where we recorded a good variety of birds. Highlights included a group of Singing Quails, a male Slender Sheartail, the uncommon Flammulated Flycatcher, and a stunning male Red-breasted Chat. Unfortunately, the Belted Flycatcher did not cooperate and remained heard only. Very brief views of a Lesser Roadrunner crossing the path for some, along with the aurantiacus form of Yellow Grosbeak, were other notable sightings. Additional species that rounded out the morning included Buff-bellied Hummingbird , Yellow-olive Flatbill, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Cabanis’s Wren, Olive Sparrow, Ovenbird, Fan-tailed Warbler and Blue Bunting.

After lunch in Tuxtla Gutierrez, we continued on to San Cristobal de las Casas, arriving in time for an afternoon session in the highlands. Back in the pine woodlands, but south of Tehuantepec Isthmus, we entered a new avifaunal zone with strong ties to the Guatemalan highlands.  The afternoon produced a great selection of species, including the dazzling Garnet-throated Hummingbird, a pair of Blue-throated Motmots, Guatemalan Flicker, and Rufous-collared Robin. Other additions included White-throated Swift, Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Rose-throated Becard and Hermit Warbler.

An evening owling session capped off the day nicely, with excellent views of two individuals of the localized near-endemic Bearded Screech Owl, along with Mexican Whip-poor-will. An Unspotted Saw-whet Owl called persistently, but unfortunately refused to show.

The next morning, we were back in the humid pine forest with abundant bromeliads around San Cristobal de las Casas. The high density of bromeliads clearly attracted excellent hummingbird activity, particularly from Garnet-throated Hummingbirds, while several Amethyst-throated Mountaingems were also noted.  Our main target for the morning was the Pink-headed Warbler, and fortunately we found a pair within the first hours of the day. Although they occur regularly in the area, they can sometimes be surprisingly tricky to locate. Other notable sightings included Hutton’s Vireo, Black-capped Swallow, Unicolored Jay, Rufous-browed Wren, Black-vented, Yellow-backed, and Bullock’s Orioles, as well as Golden-browed and Red-faced Warblers.

After a productive morning around San Cristobal, we descended to the Pacific lowlands to bird the Puerto Arista area. Our main target here was the Giant Wren, a species restricted to the Pacific lowlands of Chiapas and adjacent Guatemala. After some searching, we successfully connected with a small family group of wrens.  Another notable highlight was Salvadoran Flycatcher (a recently described Myiarchus), along with Mexican Cacique and Spot-breasted Oriole for some. Unfortunately, White-bellied Chachalaca did not appear during our visit, but the afternoon proved very birdy overall. Additional species included Northern Jacana, Lesser Nighthawk, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Grey Hawk, Orange-chinned and Orange-fronted Parakeets, Willow Flycatcher, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Tropical Mockingbird, Orchard, Streak-backed, Altamira, and Baltimore Orioles, Painted Bunting, Cinnamon-bellied Saltator and Blue-grey Tanager.

The next day we visited the arid scrub and thorn forest of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, home to several regional specialties. One of our main targets, Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow, was located with ease. The other key species, the spectacular Rose-bellied Bunting—one of the stars of the tour—proved equally rewarding. We initially encountered several young males, but eventually a stunning adult male appeared and stole the show.  As if that wasn’t enough, shortly after seeing the adult Rose-bellied Bunting, a male Orange-breasted Bunting made an appearance—two absolute cracking birds in quick succession. Another highlight of the morning was a selection of Beautiful Sheartails, including females and juveniles, along with Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird—both Mexican endemics. Other species that rounded out the morning included West Mexican Chachalaca, Lesser Ground Cuckoo, Plain-capped Starthroat, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, Short-tailed Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, Orange-fronted Parakeet, Nutting’s and Brown-crested Flycatchers, Bell’s Vireo, White-throated Magpie-Jay, White-lored Gnatcatcher, Banded Wren and Altamira Oriole.

Later, we visited Playa Xadani, where we enjoyed a good selection of shorebirds, including American Oystercatcher, Black-bellied, Semipalmated, and Collared Plovers, Hudsonian Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, Sanderling, and Least, Western, and Semipalmated Sandpipers. A first-winter American Herring Gull was a notable record, alongside Laughing Gull, Royal Tern, Reddish Egret, Mangrove Swallow and Stripe-headed Sparrow.

On the way to Huatulco, we made several stops in dry forest habitat, which produced Caspian Tern, Citreoline Trogon, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Bell’s Vireo, Russet-naped Wren, Rufous-backed Thrush, Mexican Cacique, and Northern Cardinal (carneus form).

We were scheduled to do a pelagic the following day, but sea conditions were not suitable, so we postponed it in the hope that conditions would improve. Instead, we spent the day birding the foothills of the Sierra de Mihuatlan, part of the Sierra Madre del Sur.  These mountains are home to another highly restricted endemic, the Oaxaca Hummingbird, one of our main targets for the day. It took some time to locate, but by mid-morning we were rewarded with excellent views of both male and female of this range-restricted species.  Another interesting sighting was Red-crowned Ant-Tanager from this region, currently treated as the Oaxaca form affinis, and a taxon that may well be split in the future. The wagleri form of Northern Emerald-Toucanet (Wagler’s Toucanet) also gave us superb views on several occasions. Other endemics included Grey-crowned Woodpecker, Golden Vireo, Blue Mockingbird, and Red-hooded Tanager.  Additional species recorded during the day included Berylline Hummingbird, Broad-winged and Zone-tailed Hawks, Greenish Elaenia, Thick-billed Kingbird, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Warbling Vireo, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Grey Catbird, Swainson’s and White-throated Thrushes, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Bronzed Cowbird, Tennessee, Fan-tailed, and Rufous-capped Warblers, Tropical Parula, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Red-legged Honeycreeper.

On the return to Huatulco, we visited the lower drier areas at the base of the mountains, where we saw several additional species, including the endemic Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo, Nutting’s Flycatcher, Russet-naped Wren, Red-breasted Chat and Streak-backed Oriole.  By late afternoon we checked the coast for seabirds, where the only notable species were Elegant Tern and a white morph of Reddish Egret. Other regular species included Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Pelican, Laughing Gull and Barn Swallow, with the latter moving in large numbers.

On the last day the ocean conditions improved and we were able to do the pelagic trip. Overall activity was quite low, with no major concentrations of birds offshore. The pelagic species recorded included small groups of Red-necked Phalaropes, Black Storm Petrel and at least a couple of Least Storm Petrels, as well as Galapagos and Black-vented Shearwaters, Cocos Booby and a juvenile Jaeger (probably Parasitic) chasing Laughing Gulls.

On the way back to the port, strengthening northern winds made for a rather rough journey. After returning, we had lunch in Huatulco before beginning our drive up to the higher mountains of the Sierra de Mihuatlan, where we spent the night at San Jose del Pacifico.  Some species that we recorded during the drive included Vaux’s Swift, Golden-crowned Emerald, Berylline Hummingbird, Dusky-capped Flycatcher and Masked Tityra.

The humid pine forest in the Sierra de Mihuatlan holds a disjunct population of the stunning White-throated Jay, which was the main target of our visit. In these mountains the species is more difficult to see than in the highlands of Guerrero, so encounters are often challenging and far from guaranteed.  After a persistent search, our group was eventually rewarded with a pair of White-throated Jays, although they showed rather skittish behavior.  Other notable sightings were several individuals of Bumblebee Hummingbird, Garnet-throated Hummingbird, Rivoli’s Hummingbird, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern House Wren (Brown-throated H W), Brown-backed Solitaire, Ruddy-capped Solitaire, Black Thrush, Chestnut-capped Brushfinch, Bullock’s and Scott’s Orioles, Yellow-rumped (Audubon’s) Warbler, Red Warbler and Western Tanager.

After productive birding in the Sierra de Mihuatlan, we continued to the interior Oaxaca Valley, which is dominated by arid scrub vegetation. Some of the regional specialties included the endemics Dusky Hummingbird, Boucard’s Wren and Bridled Sparrow.  Other species noted during the journey included Lesser Nighthawk, White-tailed and Zone-tailed Hawk, Crested Caracara, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, House Finch and Virginia Warbler.  Upon arrival at Teotitlan del Valle, we settled into our comfortable hotel, where we spent the final nights of the tour.

Our morning at Teotitlan del Valle was very productive, and we managed to see all of our main targets. The first species we focused on was the skulking Dwarf Vireo, which, with some patience and the right technique, eventually gave everyone good views. Shortly after, we found the localized endemic Pileated Flycatcher.  The Grey-breasted Woodpecker initially proved tricky, but persistence paid off and we were rewarded with excellent views. A few cooperative Rock Wrens were also much appreciated.  Other species recorded during the morning included Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Ring-necked Duck, West Mexican Chachalaca, Least Grebe, Mourning Dove, Killdeer, Wood Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Thick-billed Kingbird, Say’s and Black Phoebes, Grey Flycatcher, Bewick’s and Boucard’s Wrens, Curve-billed Thrasher, Lark, Chipping and Lincoln’s Sparrows, White-throated Towhee, Black-vented Oriole, Orange-crowned, Virginia and MacGillivray’s Warblers and Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater.

During the afternoon we headed to the mountains above Teotitlan del Valle, birding the transition zone between arid scrub and higher elevation pine–oak forest. We encountered a few mixed-species flocks that included interesting species such as Bridled Titmouse, Plumbeous Vireo, Painted Whitestart, and Grace’s and Black-throated Grey Warblers.  With some persistence, we managed to locate a Northern Pygmy Owl, which was another highlight of the afternoon. Other species recorded included Blue-throated Mountaingem, White-striped Woodcreeper, Tufted Flycatcher, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Elegant Euphonia and Hepatic Tanager.

We carried out our final owling session, but windy conditions limited activity and we were unable to find the owls we were hoping for. As a consolation, however, we enjoyed excellent views of Buff-collared Nightjar.

On the last day of the tour, we left Teotitlan early in the morning to begin our drive back to Mexico City. Our first birding stops were in the desertic areas of Tehuacan, where we added several new species to the trip list. The Phainopepla was one of the most exciting sightings in the Tehuacan desert, while other notable birds included the nominate subspecies of Yellow Grosbeak, an endemic Mexican form.  Additional new species for the main tour included Harris’s Hawk and a striking male Varied Bunting, the latter having been seen previously during the Morelos pre-extension. Other species recorded during our stops in the Tehuacan area included Dusky Hummingbird, Grey-breasted Woodpecker, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Cassin’s Kingbird, White-lored Gnatcatcher, Boucard’s Wren, Northern Mockingbird, and Bridled Sparrow.

Later, we made a stop at Aculco, where we added Black-chinned Sparrow and Canyon Wren—both new for the trip—along with other species such as Vermilion Flycatcher, Curve-billed Thrasher, and Canyon Towhee. A further stop in pine woodlands produced a Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, another tick for the main tour, while a repeat sighting of the endemic Green-striped Brushfinch provided a very nice encounter. Additional species recorded here included Tufted, Hammond’s, Western, and Buff-breasted Flycatchers, as well as Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush and Hepatic Tanager.

Our final birding stop of the tour yielded the only Dusky Flycatcher and Broad-billed Hummingbird of the main trip. Other species recorded during this last session included Dusky Hummingbird, Golden-crowned Emerald, Thick-billed Kingbird, Blue-headed Vireo, Virginia Warbler, and Varied Bunting.

Once in Mexico City, it was time to say goodbye to our very enthusiastic group. It had been a fantastic tour, filled with many memorable highlights.

BIRDS OF THE MAIN TOUR

1^st Rose-bellied Bunting

2^nd Spot-tailed Nightjar

3^rd Dwarf Jay

4^rd Long-tailed Wood-Partridge

5^th Fulvous Owl

BIRDS OF THE MORELOS PRE-EXTENSION

1^st Elf Owl

2^nd Balsas Screech Owl

3^rd Banded Quail

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Avilist v2025 (Avilist Core Team 2025. Avilist: The Global Avian Checklist v2025)

BIRDS OF THE MAIN TOUR

Slaty-breasted Tinamou ◊  Crypturellus boucardi  Seen at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna autumnalis

Ruddy Duck  Oxyura jamaicensis  Seen at Lerma marsh.

Muscovy Duck  Cairina moschata

Ring-necked Duck  Aythya collaris  Seen at Teotitlan.

Lesser Scaup  Aythya affinis

Blue-winged Teal  Spatula discors

Cinnamon Teal  Spatula cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata

Gadwall  Mareca strepera  Seen at Lerma marsh.

Mexican Duck ◊  Anas diazi  Small numbers at Lerma marsh.

Crested Guan  Penelope purpurascens  Seen at Valle Nacional.

Plain Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis vetula 

West Mexican Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis poliocephala  Endemic.

Long-tailed Wood Partridge ◊  Dendrortyx macroura  Endemic.

Singing Quail ◊  Dactylortyx thoracicus  Seen at Sumidero Canyon.

Spotted Wood Quail ◊  Odontophorus guttatus (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

Least Grebe  Tachybaptus dominicus

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps

Black-necked Grebe (Eared G)  Podiceps nigricollis  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Clark’s Grebe  Aechmophorus clarkii  Good views at Lerma Marsh.

Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris

Pheasant Cuckoo  Dromococcyx phasianellus (H)  Heard only at Valle Nacional.

Lesser Ground Cuckoo ◊  Morococcyx erythropygus  Seen at Tolistoque Ojo de Agua.

Lesser Roadrunner ◊  Geococcyx velox  Brief views at Sumidero Canyon by some.

Common Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana

Mexican Squirrel Cuckoo ◊  Piaya mexicana  Endemic.  Seen in the foothills of Pluma Hidalgo.

Inca Dove  Columbina inca

Common Ground Dove  Columbina passerina

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

Grey-headed Dove ◊  Leptotila plumbeiceps (H)  Heard only at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

White-winged Dove  Zenaida asiatica

Mourning Dove  Zenaida macroura

Tuxtla Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon carrikeri  (LO & H)  Endemic.  Very elusive, we had very close encounters in two different days at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.  At the end only leader managed to see it, heard only for participants.

White-faced Quail-Dove ◊  Zentrygon albifacies

Red-billed Pigeon  Patagioenas flavirostris

Band-tailed Pigeon  Patagioenas fasciata

Short-billed Pigeon ◊  Patagioenas nigrirostris (H)

Eurasian Collared Dove (introduced)  Streptopelia decaocto

Rock Dove (introduced)  Columba livia

Sungrebe  Heliornis fulica  Great views at Sontecomapam.

Russet-naped Wood Rail ◊  Aramides albiventris (H)  Heard only near Tuxtepec.

Virginia Rail  Rallus limícola  Seen by some at Lerma Marsh.

Sora  Porzana carolina  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata

American Coot  Fulica americana

Ruddy Crake ◊  Laterallus ruber (LO & H)  At Tuxtepec.

Double-striped Thick-knee  Hesperoburhinus bistriatus (H)  Heard only at Tuxtepec.

American Avocet  Recurvirostra americana  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus

American Oystercatcher  Recurvirostra americana  Seen at Playa Xadani.

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola

Killdeer  Charadrius vociferus

Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus

Collared Plover  Anarhynchus collaris  Seen at Playa Xadani.

Northern Jacana  Jacana spinosa

Hudsonian Whimbrel  Numenius hudsonicus

Marbled Godwit  Limosa fedoa  Good numbers at Playa Xadani.

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Red-necked Phalarope  Phalaropus lobatus  Around 30 individuals were seen during the Huatulco Pelagic.

Willet (Western W)  Tringa [semipalmata] inornata

Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa melanoleuca

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres

Red Knot  Calidris canutus  Around 20 individuals at Playa Xadani.

Sanderling  Calidris alba  Seen at Playa Xadani and Playa Bamba.

Semipalmated Sandpiper  Calidris pusilla

Western Sandpiper  Calidris mauri

Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla

Jaeger sp.  Stercorarius sp.  A juvenile Parasitic/Pomarine Jager was seen during the pelagic, but not the closest views.

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia  Seen at Playa Bamba.

Elegant Tern ◊  Thalasseus elegans  Seen near Huatulco.

Royal Tern  Thalasseus maximus

Laughing Gull  Leucophaeus atricilla

American Herring Gull  Larus smithsonianus  Initially identified as Western Gull, by checking photos latter we noticed it was actually an American Herring Gull.  At Playa Xadani.

Black Storm Petrel ◊  Hydrobates melania  Several were seen at the Huatulco Pelagic.

Least Storm Petrel ◊  Hydrobates microsoma  At least two individuals were recorded during the Huatulco Pelagic.

Galapagos Shearwater ◊  Puffinus subalaris  Seen during Huatulco Pelagic.

Black-vented Shearwater ◊  Puffinus opisthomelas  Seen during Huatulco Pelagic.

Wood Stork  Mycteria americana

Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens

Cocos Booby  Sula brewsteri  Seen during Huatulco Pelagic.

Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga

Neotropic Cormorant  Nannopterum brasilianum

American White Ibis  Eudocimus albus

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi

American White Pelican  Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis

Bare-throated Tiger Heron  Tigrisoma mexicanum  Seen at Sontecomapam and Puerto Arista.

Boat-billed Heron  Cochlearius cochlearius

Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea

Tricolored Heron (Louisiana H)  Egretta tricolor

Reddish Egret  Egretta rufescens  A white morph near Huatulco.

Snowy Egret  Egretta thula

Yellow-crowned Night Heron  Nyctanassa violacea

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Green Heron  Butorides virescens

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis

Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias

Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis

Spot-tailed Nightjar ◊  Antiurus maculicaudus  Great views at Tuxtepec.  A good write-in for the tour.

Buff-collared Nightjar ◊  Antrostomus ridgwayi  Excellent views at Teotitlan.

Mexican Whip-poor-will ◊  Antrostomus arizonae

Lesser Nighthawk  Chordeiles acutipennis

White-collared Swift  Streptoprocne zonaris

Vaux’s Swift  Chaetura vauxi  Some were noted above Huatulco.

White-throated Swift  Aeronautes saxatalis

Long-billed Hermit  Phaethornis longirostris  Seen at La Reforma and El Ocote.

Mexican Hermit ◊  Phaethornis mexicanus  Very brief views for some at Pluma Hidalgo.

Stripe-throated Hermit  Phaethornis striigularis (H)

Green-breasted Mango ◊  Anthracothorax prevostii

Blue-throated Mountaingem ◊  Lampornis clemenciae

Amethyst-throated Mountaingem ◊ (A-t Hummingbird)  Lampornis amethystinus  Seen at San Cristobal.

Garnet-throated Hummingbird ◊  Lamprolaima rhami  Seen at San Cristobal and at San Jose del Pacifico.

Rivoli’s Hummingbird ◊  Eugenes fulgens

Plain-capped Starthroat ◊  Heliomaster constantii

Beautiful Sheartail ◊ (B Hummingbird)  Calothorax pulcher  Endemic.  Good views at Tehuantepec.

Slender Sheartail ◊  Doricha enicura  A male seen at Sumidero Canyon.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  Archilochus colubris

Bumblebee Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus heloisa  Endemic.  Good views at San Jose del Pacifico.

Dusky Hummingbird ◊  Phaeoptila sordida  Endemic.

Broad-billed Hummingbird  Cynanthus latirostris  Seen the last day of the tour on route to Mexico City.

Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird ◊  Cynanthus doubledayi  Endemic.  Seen well at Tehuantepec.

Golden-crowned Emerald ◊  Cynanthus auriceps  Endemic. Seen above Huatulco and during the last day of the tour on route to Mexico City.

Canivet’s Emerald ◊ (Fork-tailed E)  Cynanthus canivetii

White-eared Hummingbird ◊  Basilinna leucotis

Wedge-tailed Sabrewing ◊ (Long-tailed S)  Pampa [curvipennis] excellens

Emerald-chinned Hummingbird ◊  Abeillia abeillei (LO)  Seen by Miguel at Valle Nacional.

Oaxaca Hummingbird ◊ (Blue-capped H)  Eupherusa cyanophrys  Endemic.  Good views of male and female at Pluma Hidalgo.

Green-fronted Hummingbird ◊  Ramosomyia viridifrons  Seen by some at Sumidero Canyon.

Azure-crowned Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia cyanocephala  Seen at Valle Nacional and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Berylline Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia beryllina

Cinnamon Hummingbird ◊  Amazilia rutila

Buff-bellied Hummingbird ◊  Amazilia yucatanensis  Good views at Sumidero Canyon, the cerviniventris form.

Rufous-tailed Hummingbird  Amazilia tzacatl

White-bellied Emerald ◊  Chlorestes candida

Unspotted Saw-whet Owl ◊  Aegolius ridgwayi (H)  Heard only at San Cristobal.

Central American Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium griseiceps (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum

Great Horned Owl  Buho virginianus

Bearded Screech Owl ◊  Megascops barbarus  Good views at San Cristobal, a localized near-endemic with Guatemala.

Mottled Owl  Strix virgata  Great views

Fulvous Owl ◊  Strix fulvescens  Great views at Ixtepegui.

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus

White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus

Black Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus tyrannus  Good views of one individual flying low at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Ornate Hawk-Eagle  Spizaetus ornatus  Three individuals soaring together at Valle Nacional.

Sharp-shinned Hawk  Accipiter striatus  Seen at San Jose del Pacifico.

Cooper’s Hawk  Astur cooperii (LO & H)  Heard only at Ixtepegui.

Northern Harrier  Circus hudsonius  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Roadside Hawk  Rupornis magnirostris

White-tailed Hawk  Geranoaetus albicaudatus  Seen at Yagul, Oaxaca.

Grey Hawk  Buteo plagiatus

Broad-winged Hawk  Buteo platypterus

Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus

Short-tailed Hawk  Buteo brachyurus

Red-tailed Hawk  Buteo jamaicensis

Slaty-tailed Trogon  Trogon Massena

Black-headed Trogon ◊  Trogon melanocephalus  Seen at La Reforma.

Citreoline Trogon ◊  Trogon citreolus  Endemic.

Gartered Trogon (Northern Violaceous T)  Trogon caligatus

Mountain Trogon ◊  Trogon mexicanus

Collared Trogon  Trogon collaris

Tody Motmot ◊  Hylomanes momotula (H)  Heard only at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Blue-throated Motmot ◊  Aspatha gularis  Good views at San Cristobal.

Russet-crowned Motmot ◊  Momotus mexicanus  Good views at Sumidero Canyon.

Lesson’s Motmot ◊ (Blue-diademed M)  Momotus lessonii  Seen at El Ocote.

Belted Kingfisher  Megaceryle alcyon

Ringed Kingfisher  Megaceryle torquata

Green Kingfisher  Chloroceryle americana

Keel-billed Toucan  Ramphastos sulfuratus

Collared Aracari  Pteroglossus torquatus

Northern Emerald Toucanet ◊  Aulacorhynchus prasinus  Seen at Valle Nacional.

Northern Emerald Toucanet ◊ (Wagler’s T)  Aulacorhynchus [prasinus] wagleri  Good views at Pluma Hidalgo.

Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus

Golden-olive Woodpecker  Colaptes rubiginosus

Grey-crowned Woodpecker ◊  Colaptes auricularis  Endemic.  Good views at Pluma Hidalgo.

Northern Flicker  Colaptes auratus  Seen at Parque Las Maravillas.

Guatemalan Flicker ◊  Colaptes mexicanoides  Seen at San Cristobal.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  Sphyrapicus varius

Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus

Black-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes pucherani

Grey-breasted Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes hypopolius  Endemic.  Seen at Teotiltan and Tehuacan desert.

Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Velasquez’s W)  Melanerpes [aurifrons] santacruzi

Ladder-backed Woodpecker  Dryobates scalaris

Hairy Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus villosus

Smoky-brown Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus fumigatus  Seen at El Ocote.

Strickland’s Woodpecker ◊  Leuconotopicus stricklandi  Endemic.  Good views at Parque Las Maravillas.

Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans

Barred Forest Falcon  Micrastur ruficollis

Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius

Bat Falcon  Falco rufigularis  Seen at Pluma Hidalgo.

Aplomado Falcon  Falco femoralis  One seen at a gas station on route to Catemaco.

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus  One noted at Huatulco.

Orange-chinned Parakeet  Brotogeris jugularis

White-crowned Parrot ◊  Pionus senilis (H)  Heard only at El Ocote.

Red-lored Amazon (R-l Parrot)  Amazona autumnalis

White-fronted Amazon ◊ (W-f Parrot)  Amazona albifrons  Seen on route to Catemaco and El Ocote.

Mealy Amazon  Amazona farinose (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

Olive-throated Parakeet ◊ (Aztec P)  Eupsittula [nana] astec  Seen a Tuxtepec and Sontecomapam.

Orange-fronted Parakeet ◊  Eupsittula canicularis  Good views at Tehuantepec.

Red-capped Manakin  Cenatopipra mentalis (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

Rufous Piha ◊  Lipaugus unirufus  Great views at La Reforma.

Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata

Rose-throated Becard  Pachyramphus aglaiae

Sulphur-rumped Myiobius  Myiobius sulphureipygius  Seen at La Reforma.

Ochre-bellied Flycatcher  Mionectes oleagineus

Eye-ringed Flatbill  Rhynchocyclus brevirostris  Seen at Valle Nacional and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Yellow-olive Flatbill (Y-o Flycatcher)  Tolmomyias sulphurescens  Seen at Sumidero Canyon.

Common Tody-Flycatcher  Todirostrum cinereum

Northern Bentbill ◊  Oncostoma cinereigulare  Good views at La Reforma.

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma imberbe  Seen at Playa Bamba in the Pacific dry lowlands.

Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata

Yellow-bellied Elaenia  Elaenia flavogaster

Flammulated Flycatcher ◊  Ramphotrigon flammulatum  Great views at Sumidero Canyon.

Rufous Mourner  Rhytipterna holerythra  Good views at La Reforma.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer

Ash-throated Flycatcher  Myiarchus cinerascens  Seen at Oaxaca Valley areas.

Nutting’s Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus nuttingi

Salvadoran Flycathcer ◊  Myiarchus flavidior  Great views of a responsive bird at Puerto Arista.

Great Crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus crinitus

Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus

Piratic Flycatcher  Legatus leucophaius

Bright-rumped Attila (Flammulated A)  Attila [spadiceus] flammulatus

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis

Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher  Myiodynastes luteiventris (H)

Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarynchus pitangua

Fork-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus savana  Seen on route to Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus

Couch’s Kingbird ◊  Tyrannus couchii

Thick-billed Kingbird ◊  Tyrannus crassirostris

Cassin’s Kingbird  Tyrannus vociferans

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher  Tyrannus forficatus

Western Kingbird  Tyrannus verticalis

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus rubinus

Belted Flycatcher ◊  Xenotriccus callizonus

Pileated Flycatcher ◊  Xenotriccus mexicanus

Say’s Phoebe  Sayornis saya  Seen at Teotitlan and Tehuacan desert.

Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans

Willow Flycatcher  Empidonax traillii  Good views of a bird vocalizing at Puerto Arista.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  Empidonax flaviventris 

Yellowish Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax flavescens  Seen at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Western Flycatcher ◊ (Pacific Slope F)  Empidonax [difficilis] difficilis  Seen at Pluma Hidalgo.

Western Flycatcher ◊ (Cordilleran F)  Empidonax [difficilis] occidentalis  Seen at the upper areas of Valle Nacional.

Hammond’s Flycatcher  Empidonax hammondii  Seen on the last day on route to Mexico D.F.

American Dusky Flycatcher  Empidonax oberholseri  Seen on the last day on route to Mexico D.F.

Pine Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax affinis  Good views at Parque Las Maravillas.

Least Flycatcher  Empidonax minimus

American Grey Flycatcher  Empidonax wrightii  Seen at Teotitlan.

Buff-breasted Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax fulvifrons

Northern Tufted Flycatcher  Mitrephanes phaeocercus

Greater Pewee  Contopus pertinax

Barred Antshrike  Thamnophilus doliatus

Mayan Antthrush ◊ (Mexican A)  Formicarius moniliger (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

Tawny-throated Leaftosser  Sclerurus mexicanus (LO)

Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper  Dendrocincla anabatina  Seen at La Reforma and El Ocote.

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper ◊  Xiphorhynchus flavigaster

Spotted Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus erythropygius  Good views at Valle Nacional.

White-striped Woodcreeper ◊  Lepidocolaptes leucogaster  Endemic.  Seen the first day of the main tour after visit Parque Las Maravillas.

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes affinis

Northern Plain Xenops  Xenops mexicanus

Scaly-throated Foliage-gleaner  Anabacerthia variegaticeps  Good views at Valle Nacional.

Fawn-throated Foliage-gleaner  Automolus cervinigularis  Seen at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Rufous-breasted Spinetail ◊  Synallaxis erythrothorax  Seen at La Reforma.

Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis

Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo ◊  Vireolanius melitophrys  Good views at the pine woodlands above Valle Nacional.

Green Shrike-Vireo ◊  Vireolanius pulchellus  Excellent views at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Ochre-crowned Greenlet  Tunchiornis ochraceiceps  Seen at La Reforma.

Lesser Greenlet  Pachysylvia decurtata

Golden Vireo ◊  Vireo hypochryseus  Endemic.  Seen at Pluma Hidalgo.

Eastern Warbling Vireo  Vireo gilvus  Common at Pluma Hidalgo area.

Hutton’s Vireo  Vireo huttoni

Yellow-throated Vireo  Vireo flavifrons  Seen on route to Catemaco.

Blue-headed Vireo  Vireo solitarius

Plumbeous Vireo  Vireo plumbeus  Seen at San Cristobal.

White-eyed Vireo  Vireo griseus

Bell’s Vireo  Vireo bellii  Seen at Tehuantepec and Playa Bamba.

Slaty Vireo ◊  Vireo brevipennis  Endemic.  Seen in the dry valleys after Ixtepegui.

Dwarf Vireo ◊  Vireo nelsoni  Endemic.  Good views at Teotitlan

Loggerhead Shrike  Lanius ludovicianus

White-throated Jay ◊  Cyanolyca mirabilis  Endemic.  Seen at San Jose del Pacifico.

Dwarf Jay ◊  Cyanolyca nanus  Endemic.  Great views in the higher areas above Valle Nacional.

Azure-hooded Jay ◊  Cyanolyca cucullata  Good views at Valle Nacional, the endemic Mexican form mitrata.

Steller’s Jay  Cyanocitta stelleri

Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay ◊  Aphelocoma woodhouseii

Unicolored Jay ◊  Aphelocoma unicolor  Two different subspecies were seen: the nominate form at San Cristobal, and the oaxacae at Valle Nacional.

White-throated Magpie-Jay ◊  Cyanocorax formosus

Brown Jay  Cyanocorax morio

Green Jay  Cyanocorax yncas

Northern Raven (Common R)  Corvus corax

Bridled Titmouse ◊  Baeolophus wollweberi  Good views at the mountains above Teotitlan.

Mexican Chickadee ◊  Poecile sclateri

Mangrove Swallow  Tachycineta albilinea

Violet-green Swallow  Tachycineta thalassina

Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Black-capped Swallow ◊  Atticora pileata  Excellent views at San Cristobal.

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica  Huge number were passing by the Pacific lowlands mainly.

American Bushtit  Psaltriparus minimus

Grey Silky-flycatcher ◊ (G Silky)  Ptiliogonys cinereus

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  Corthylio calendula

Golden-crowned Kinglet  Regulus satrapa

White-breasted Nuthatch  Sitta carolinensis

Pygmy Nuthatch  Sitta pygmaea

Brown Creeper (B Treecreeper)  Certhia americana

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher  Polioptila caerulea

White-lored Gnatcatcher ◊  Polioptila albiloris

Rock Wren  Salpinctes obsoletus  Excellent views at Teotitlan.

Canyon Wren  Catherpes mexicanus  Seen the last day on route to Mexico DF.

Sumichrast’s Wren ◊ (Slender-billed W)  Hylorchilus sumichrasti  Endemic.  Great views at La Reforma.

Nava’s Wren ◊  Hylorchilus navai (H)  Endemic. Heard only at El Ocote.

Bewick’s Wren  Thryomanes bewickii

Band-backed Wren  Campylorhynchus zonatus

Grey-barred Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus megalopterus  Endemic.

Giant Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus chiapensis  Endemic.  Good views at Puerto Arista.

Russet-naped Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus humilis  Endemic.  Seen at the Pacific coast dry forest lowlands, North of Tehuantepec Istmus.

Rufous-backed Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus capistratus (H)  Heard only at Puerto Arista.

Boucard’s Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus jocosus  Endemic.  Seen at Oaxaca Valley areas.

Grass Wren  Cistothorus platensis

Marsh Wren  Cistothorus palustris  The endemic subspecies tolucencis  at Lerma Marsh.

Northern House Wren  Troglodytes aedon

Northern House Wren ◊ (Brown-throated H W)  Troglodytes [aedon] brunneicollis

Southern House Wren  Troglodytes musculus

Rufous-browed Wren ◊  Troglodytes rufociliatus  Good views at San Cristobal.

White-bellied Wren ◊  Uropsila leucogastra (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

Spot-breasted Wren  Pheugopedius maculipectus

Cabanis’s Wren ◊  Cantorchilus modestus  Seen at Sumidero Canyon.

White-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucosticta  Seen at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Grey-breasted Wood Wren  Henicorhina leucophrys 

Banded Wren ◊  Thryophilus pleurostictus  Good views at Sumidero Canyon. 

Blue-and-white Mockingbird ◊  Melanotis hypoleucus (LO)  Seen by leader at Sumidero Canyon.

Blue Mockingbird ◊  Melanotis caerulescens  Technically a Mexican Endemic, several sightings during the trip.

Grey Catbird  Dumetella carolinensis  Seen at Pluma Hidalgo.

Curve-billed Thrasher  Toxostoma curvirostre

Ocellated Thrasher ◊  Toxostoma ocellatum  Endemic.  Seen on different opportunities in Oaxaca region.

Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus

Northern Mockingbird  Mimus polyglottos

Common Starling (introduced)  Sturnus vulgaris

Eastern Bluebird  Sialia sialis  Seen above Valle Nacional.

Western Bluebird  Sialia mexicana  Seen at Parque Las Maravillas.

Brown-backed Solitaire ◊  Myadestes occidentalis

Slate-colored Solitaire ◊  Myadestes unicolor  Seen at Valle Nacional and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Wood Thrush  Hylocichla mustelina

Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus mexicanus  Seen at Valle Nacional and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris

Swainson’s Thrush  Catharus ustulatus

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus frantzii  Seen at San Jose del Pacifico.

Russet Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus occidentalis  Endemic.  Seen at Parque Las Maravillas.

Hermit Thrush  Catharus guttatus  Seen at Teotitlan.

Rufous-collared Thrush ◊  Turdus rufitorques  Seen at San Cristobal.

American Robin  Turdus migratorius

Black Thrush ◊ (B Robin)  Turdus infuscatus  Seen at Valle Nacional and San Jose del Pacifico.

White-throated Thrush (W-t Robin)  Turdus assimilis

Rufous-backed Thrush ◊ (R-b Robin)  Turdus rufopalliatus

Clay-colored Thrush (C-c Robin)  Turdus grayi

Olive Warbler ◊  Peucedramus taeniatus

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus

American Pipit (Buff-bellied P)  Anthus rubescens  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Elegant Euphonia (Blue-hooded E)  Chlorophonia elegantissima

Blue-crowned Chlorophonia ◊  Chlorophonia occipitalis  Good views from Valle Nacional and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Scrub Euphonia  Euphonia affinis

Yellow-throated Euphonia ◊  Euphonia hirundinacea

Olive-backed Euphonia ◊  Euphonia gouldi (H)  Heard only at La Reforma.

House Finch  Haemorhous mexicanus

Red Crossbill (Common C)  Loxia curvirostra (H)

Pine Siskin  Spinus pinus

Lesser Goldfinch (Dark-backed G)  Spinus psaltria

Lark Sparrow  Chondestes grammacus

Chipping Sparrow  Spizella passerina

Black-chinned Sparrow  Spizella atrogularis  Seen the last day of the tour on route to Mexico D.F.

Common Chlorospingus  Chlorospingus flavopectus

Olive Sparrow ◊  Arremonops rufivirgatus  Good views at Sumidero Canyon.

Green-backed Sparrow ◊  Arremonops chloronotus (H)  Heard only at El Ocote.

Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow  Peucaea sumichrasti  Endemic.  Good views at Tehuantepec.

Stripe-headed Sparrow ◊  Peucaea ruficauda

Bridled Sparrow ◊  Peucaea mystacalis  Endemic.  Good views at the dry regions of Oaxaca Valley.

Green-striped Brushfinch ◊  Arremon virenticeps  Endemic.  Seen at Parque Las Maravillas also the last day of the tour on route to Mexico D.F.

Chestnut-capped Brushfinch  Arremon brunneinucha

Yellow-eyed Junco ◊  Junco phaeonotus

Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis

Striped Sparrow ◊  Oriturus superciliosus  Endemic.  Seen at Parque Las Maravillas.

Savannah Sparrow  Passerculus sandwichensis

Sierra Madre Sparrow ◊  Xenospiza baileyi  Endemic. Good views at Parque Las Maravillas.

Song Sparrow  Melospiza melodia  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Lincoln’s Sparrow  Melospiza lincolnii

Rusty Sparrow ◊  Aimophila rufescens

Rufous-crowned Sparrow ◊  Aimophila ruficeps

Oaxaca Sparrow ◊  Aimophila notosticta  Endemic.  Seen at Oaxaca Valley.

Canyon Towhee ◊  Melozone fusca

White-throated Towhee ◊  Melozone albicollis  Endemic.  Good views at Teotitlan.

Spotted Towhee  Pipilo maculatus

Collared Towhee ◊  Pipilo ocai  Endemic.  Good views at Ixtepegui.

Rufous-capped Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes pileatus  Endemic.  Seen at Parque Las Maravillas also above Valle Nacional.

White-naped Brushfinch ◊  Atlapetes albinucha  The very distinctive nominate form, which is endemic by the way.

Yellow-breasted Chat  Icteria virens (LO)  Seen by leader at Puerto Arista.

Yellow-headed Blackbird  Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Chihuahuan Meadowlark ◊  Sturnella lilianae  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Yellow-billed Cacique  Amblycercus holosericeus  Seen at Sumidero Canyon.

Mexican Cacique ◊ (Yellow-winged C)  Cassiculus melanicterus

Montezuma Oropendola  Psarocolius montezuma

Black-vented Oriole ◊  Icterus wagleri

Orchard Oriole  Icterus spurius

Hooded Oriole  Icterus cucullatus

Yellow-backed Oriole  Icterus chrysater  Seen at San Cristobal.

Yellow-tailed Oriole  Icterus mesomelas (H)  Heard only at Sontecomapam.

Streak-backed Oriole ◊  Icterus pustulatus

Bullock’s Oriole  Icterus bullockiorum

Spot-breasted Oriole ◊  Icterus pectoralis  Seen at Puerto Arista.

Altamira Oriole ◊  Icterus gularis

Audubon’s Oriole ◊  Icterus graduacauda  Seen in the Oaxaca near Ixtepegui.

Baltimore Oriole  Icterus galbula

Black-backed Oriole  Icterus abeillei  Endemic.  A juvenile seen at the restaurant in route to Lerma Marsh. 

Scott’s Oriole  Icterus parisorum

Red-winged Blackbird  Agelaius phoeniceus

Red-winged Blackbird ◊ (Bicoloured B)  Agelaius [phoeniceus] gubernator  Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Bronzed Cowbird  Molothrus aeneus

Giant Cowbird  Molothrus oryzivorus

Melodious Blackbird  Dives dives

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus

Ovenbird  Seiurus aurocapilla

Northern Waterthrush  Parkesia noveboracensis

Louisiana Waterthrush  Parkesia motacilla

Worm-eating Warbler  Helmitheros vermivorum  Seen at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas and El Ocote.

Black-and-white Warbler  Mniotilta varia

Blue-winged Warbler  Vermivora cyanoptera  Seen at La Reforma.

Crescent-chested Warbler ◊  Oreothlypis superciliosa

Tennessee Warbler  Leiothlypis peregrina

Orange-crowned Warbler  Leiothlypis celata

Nashville Warbler  Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Virginia’s Warbler  Leiothlypis virginiae  Seen at Teotitlan.

MacGillivray’s Warbler  Geothlypis tolmiei

Grey-crowned Yellowthroat  Geothlypis poliocephala  Seen at Tuxtepec.

Kentucky Warbler  Geothlypis formosa  Seen at El Ocote.

Black-polled Yellowthroat ◊  Geothlypis speciosa  Endemic. Seen at Lerma Marsh.

Hooded Yellowthroat ◊  Geothlypis nelsoni  Endemic. Seen at Parque Las Maravillas.

Common Yellowthroat  Geothlypis trichas

American Redstart  Setophaga ruticilla

Hooded Warbler  Setophaga citrina  A nice male at Tuxtepec.

Northern Parula  Setophaga americana

Tropical Parula  Setophaga pitiayumi

Magnolia Warbler  Setophaga magnolia

American Yellow Warbler (Yellow W)  Setophaga aestiva

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s W)  Setophaga [coronata] auduboni

Black-throated Grey Warbler  Setophaga nigrescens  Seen at Teotitlan.

Graces’s Warbler  Setophaga graciae  Seen at Teotitlan.

Black-throated Green Warbler  Setophaga virens

Golden-cheeked Warbler ◊  Setophaga chrysoparia (LO)  Seen by Miguel at San Cristobal.

Hermit Warbler  Setophaga occidentalis

Townsend’s Warbler  Setophaga townsendi

Fan-tailed Warbler ◊  Basileuterus lachrymosus  Good views at Sumidero Canyon and Pluma Hidalgo.

Rufous-capped Warbler ◊  Basileuterus rufifrons

Golden-browed Warbler ◊  Basileuterus belli

Golden-crowned Warbler  Basileuterus culicivorus

Wilson’s Warbler  Cardellina pusilla

Red-faced Warbler ◊  Cardellina rubrifrons  Good views at San Cristobal.

Pink-headed Warbler ◊  Cardellina versicolor  A pair seen at San Cristobal.

Red Warbler ◊  Cardellina rubra  Seen in the highlands of Mexico City and San Jose del Pacifico.

Painted Whitestart ◊ (P Redstart)  Myioborus pictus

Slate-throated Whitestart (S-t Redstart)  Myioborus miniatus

Yellow Grosbeak  Pheucticus chrysopeplus  Two forms were seen during the tour:  At Sumidero Canyon we saw the orange form (“Guatemalan” Y G) aurantiacus, and at the Tehuacan desert we saw the nominate form which is restricted to Western Mexico.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus

Black-headed Grosbeak  Pheucticus melanocephalus

Red-breasted Chat ◊  Granatellus venustus  Nearly Endemic.  Good views at Sumidero Canyon and at the foothills above Huatulco.

Blue Seedeater ◊  Amaurospiza concolor  Seen by some at Sumidero Canyon.

Blue Bunting ◊  Cyanocompsa parellina  Great views at Sumidero Canyon.

Indigo Bunting  Passerina cyanea

Rose-bellied Bunting ◊  Passerina rositae  Endemic.  Fantastic views at Tehuantepec, including an adult male and several young males and females.  The bird of the trip!

Orange-breasted Bunting ◊  Passerina leclancherii  A stunning male at Tehuantepec, just after seen the Rose-bellied Bunting male.

Painted Bunting ◊  Passerina ciris

Varied Bunting  Passerina versicolor  Seen at Tehuantepec desert.

Red-crowned Ant Tanager  Habia rubica  We saw two different subspecies during the tour; the nominate form was seen at Valle Nacional and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, at the foothills of Sierra Mihuatlan we saw the affinins form which is a potential split.

Black-faced Grosbeak ◊  Caryothraustes poliogaster  Seen at La Reforma and at El Ocote.

Northern Cardinal  Cardinalis cardinalis  The distintintive form carneus (“Long-crested”) from the western Pacific coast of Mexico to Isthmus of Tehuantepec.  Good views at Playa Bamba and above Huatulco.

Red-throated Ant Tanager ◊  Driophlox fuscicauda  Seen at La Reforma, Sierra de Los Tuxtlas and El Ocote.

Red-headed Tanager ◊  Piranga erythrocephala  Endemic.  Great views at Pluma Hidalgo.

White-winged Tanager  Piranga leucoptera

Summer Tanager  Piranga rubra

Hepatic Tanager (Northern H T)  Piranga [flava] hepatica

Western Tanager  Piranga ludoviciana

Red-legged Honeycreeper  Cyanerpes cyaneus

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina

Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa baritula  Seen the last day on route to Mexico D.F.

Buff-throated Saltator  Saltator maximus  Seen at Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

Black-headed Saltator  Saltator atriceps

Cinnamon-bellied Saltator  Saltator grandis  Seen at Puerto Arista.

Morelet’s Seedeater  Sporophila morelleti  Seen at Puerto Arista

Bananaquit  Coereba flaveola

Yellow-faced Grassquit  Tiaris olivaceus

Blue-grey Tanager  Thraupis episcopus

Yellow-winged Tanager ◊  Thraupis abbas  Seen on route to Catemaco and Sierra de Los Tuxtlas.

BIRDS OF MORELOS PRE-EXTENSION 

Ruddy Duck  Oxyura jamaicensis    Small numbers at San Gregorio wetlands.

Blue-winged Teal  Spatula discors

Cinnamon Teal  Spatula cyanoptera

Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata  Big numbers at San Gregorio wetlands where they were nesting at the moment.

Gadwall  Mareca strepera  A couple at San Gregorio wetlands.

American Wigeon  Mareca americana

Mexican Duck ◊  Anas diazi

Green-winged Teal (W)  Anas [crecca] carolinensis

West Mexican Chachalaca ◊  Ortalis poliocephala (H)  Endemic.  Heard only at Amilsingo reserve.

Long-tailed Wood Partridge ◊  Dendrortyx macroura  Endemic.  Good views at La Cima.

Banded Quail ◊  Philortyx fasciatus  A Balsas Endemic.  Around 9 individuals at Oacalco.

Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps

Lesser Roadrunner ◊  Geococcyx velox  Great views at Oacalco.

Inca Dove  Columbina inca

Ruddy Ground Dove  Columbina talpacoti  A rare sighting for Morelos.

White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi

White-winged Dove  Zenaida asiatica

Eurasian Collared Dove (introduced)  Streptopelia decaocto

Rock Dove (introduced) (Feral Pigeon)  Columba [livia] var_domestica

Virginia Rail  Rallus limicola (H)

Sora  Porzana carolina  Seen at San Gregorio wetlands.

Common Gallinule  Gallinula galeata

American Coot  Fulica americana

American Avocet  Recurvirostra americana Seen at San Gregorio wetlands.

Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus

Killdeer  Charadrius vociferus

Long-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus scolopaceus  Seen at San Gregorio wetlands.

Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularius

Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes

Stilt Sandpiper  Calidris himantopus  Seen at San Gregorio wetlands.

Baird’s Sandpiper (B)  Calidris bairdii  Seen at San Gregorio wetlands.

Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla

White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi

American White Pelican  Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Least Bittern  Botaurus exilis (H)  Heard only at San Gregorio wetlands.

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax

Green Heron  Butorides virescens

Great Egret (American G E)  Ardea [alba] egretta

Western Cattle Egret  Ardea ibis

Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias

Pauraque  Nyctidromus albicollis

Buff-collared Nightjar ◊  Antrostomus ridgwayi  Brief views at Amilsingo Reserve.

White-naped Swift ◊  Streptoprocne semicollaris  We visited a roosting site at Cuernavaca where big numbers came at dusk.

Vaux’s Swift  Chaetura vauxi  We visited an old sugar mill where thousands (20.000+) come to roost inside the old chimneys, an almost unreal spectacle.

Mexican Violetear ◊  Colibri thalassinus  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Amethyst-throated Mountaingem ◊ (A-t Hummingbird)  Lampornis amethystinus  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Blue-throated Mountaingem ◊ (B-t Hummingbird)  Lampornis clemenciae  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco and La Cima.

Rivoli’s Hummingbird ◊  Eugenes fulgens (LO)

Lucifer Sheartail ◊  Calothorax lucifer  Great views of at least 3 different individuals, including a full adult male.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  Archilochus colubris

Calliope Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus calliope  A female seen at Mexico City Park.

Bumblebee Hummingbird ◊  Selasphorus heloisa

Dusky Hummingbird ◊  Phaeoptila sordida  Endemic.  Seen at Oacalco region.

Broad-billed Hummingbird ◊  Cynanthus latirostris 

Golden-crowned Emerald ◊  Cynanthus auriceps  Endemic.  Seen at Amilsingo Reserve.

White-eared Hummingbird ◊  Basilinna leucotis

Violet-crowned Hummingbird ◊  Ramosomyia violiceps  Seen at Tepoztlan.

Berylline Hummingbird ◊  Saucerottia beryllina

American Barn Owl  Tyto furcata  A roosting bird at the sugar mill buildings.

Elf Owl ◊ (B)  Micrathene whitneyi  Great great views at Amilsingo Reserve.

Colima Pygmy Owl ◊  Glaucidium palmarum (H)  Heard only at Amilsingo Reserve.

Ferruginous Pygmy Owl  Glaucidium brasilianum

Great Horned Owl  Bubo virginianus (H)

Balsas Screech Owl ◊  Megascops seductus   One of the Balsas Endemics, great views at Amilsingo Reserve.

Mottled Owl  Strix virgata (H)

Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus

Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura

Sharp-shinned Hawk  Accipiter striatus  One individual hunted and captured a Vaux’s Swift right at the entrance of the chimney where the swifts were entering to roost.

Cooper’s Hawk  Astur cooperii  One individual at Mexico City.

Broad-winged Hawk  Buteo platypterus

Red-tailed Hawk  Buteo jamaicensis

Coppery-tailed Trogon ◊  Trogon ambiguus  Seen at the lower areas of Cerro Tepozteco.

Mountain Trogon ◊  Trogon mexicanus (H)  Heard only at Cerro Tepozteco.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (W)  Sphyrapicus varius

Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus

Golden-cheeked Woodpecker ◊  Melanerpes chrysogenys  Endemic.  Seen at Oacalco area.

Ladder-backed Woodpecker  Dryobates scalaris

Hairy Woodpecker  Leuconotopicus villosus

Crested Caracara (Northern C C)  Caracara [plancus] cheriway

American Kestrel  Falco sparverius

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus

Monk Parakeet (introduced)  Myiopsitta monachus (H)  Heard only at Mexico City, introduced.

White-fronted Amazon ◊  Amazona albifrons

Grey-collared Becard ◊  Pachyramphus major  A male seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Rose-throated Becard  Pachyramphus aglaiae

Northern Beardless Tyrannulet  Camptostoma imberbe

Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata  Good views at El Columpio and at Tepoztlan.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer

Ash-throated Flycatcher  Myiarchus cinerascens  Seen at Oacalco.

Nutting’s Flycatcher ◊  Myiarchus nuttingi  Seen at Almisingo Reserve.

Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus

Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis

Tropical Kingbird  Tyrannus melancholicus

Thick-billed Kingbird ◊  Tyrannus crassirostris

Cassin’s Kingbird  Tyrannus vociferans

Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus rubinus

Pileated Flycatcher ◊  Xenotriccus mexicanus  Endemic.  Seen around Oacalco.

Black Phoebe (B)  Sayornis nigricans

Western Flycatcher ◊ (Cordilleran F)  Empidonax [difficilis] occidentalis

Hammond’s Flycatcher  Empidonax hammondii

American Dusky Flycatcher (Dusky F)  Empidonax oberholseri

Pine Flycatcher ◊  Empidonax affinis  Seen at Parque El Columpio Park.

Northern Tufted Flycatcher  Mitrephanes phaeocercus

Greater Pewee  Contopus pertinax

White-striped Woodcreeper ◊  Lepidocolaptes leucogaster  Endemic.  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo ◊  Vireolanius melitophrys  Great views at Cerro Tepozteco.

Golden Vireo ◊  Vireo hypochryseus  Endemic. Seen at Almisingo Reserve.

Eastern Warbling Vireo  Vireo gilvus  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Western Warbling Vireo  Vireo swainsoni  Seen at Oacalco area.

Hutton’s Vireo ◊  Vireo huttoni

Cassin’s Vireo  Vireo cassinii

Transvolcanic Jay ◊  Aphelocoma ultramarina  Seen at Parque El Columpio.

Mexican Chickadee ◊  Poecile sclateri

Tree Swallow  Tachycineta bicolor  Good views of one individual at San Gregorio wetlands.

Violet-green Swallow  Tachycineta thalassina

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Barn Swallow (American B S)  Hirundo [rustica] erythrogaster

American Cliff Swallow  Petrochelidon pyrrhonota  Seen at Oacalco area.

American Bushtit ◊ (Black-eared B)  Psaltriparus [minimus] melanurus  Seen at different sites in the highlands.

Grey Silky-flycatcher ◊ (G Silky)  Ptiliogonys cinereus

Ruby-crowned Kinglet  Corthylio calendula

White-breasted Nuthatch  Sitta carolinensis

Pygmy Nuthatch ◊  Sitta pygmaea  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Brown Creeper (B Treecreeper)  Certhia americana

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher  Polioptila caerulea

Canyon Wren  Catherpes mexicanus (H)

Bewick’s Wren  Thryomanes bewickii

Grey-barred Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus megalopterus  Endemic. Seen at El Columpio Park.

Boucard’s Wren ◊  Campylorhynchus jocosus  Endemic. Seen near Tepoztlan.

Marsh Wren  Cistothorus palustris (H)

Northern House Wren  Troglodytes aedon

Happy Wren ◊  Pheugopedius felix  Endemic.  Seen at the drier areas.

Blue Mockingbird ◊  Melanotis caerulescens  Endemic.  Seen at different occasions.

Curve-billed Thrasher  Toxostoma curvirostre  Seen at Oacalco area.

Brown-backed Solitaire ◊  Myadestes occidentalis 

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush  Catharus aurantiirostris

Russet Nightingale-Thrush ◊  Catharus occidentalis  Endemic.  Good views at La Cima.

Hermit Thrush  Catharus guttatus  Seen at La Cima.

American Robin  Turdus migratorius

White-throated Thrush  Turdus assimilis

Rufous-backed Thrush ◊  Turdus rufopalliatus  Common during the pre-extension.

Olive Warbler ◊  Peucedramus taeniatus  Male and female seen at El Columpio Park.

House Sparrow (introduced)  Passer domesticus

American Pipit  Anthus rubescens  Good views at San Gregorio wetlands.

Elegant Euphonia (Blue-hooded E)  Chlorophonia elegantissima

House Finch  Haemorhous mexicanus

Red Crossbill (Common C)  Loxia curvirostra (H)  Heard only at La Cima.

Black-headed Siskin ◊  Spinus notatus  Seen at Cerro Tepozteco.

Lesser Goldfinch  Spinus psaltria

Lark Sparrow  Chondestes grammacus

Chipping Sparrow  Spizella passerina

Grasshopper Sparrow  Ammodramus savannarum  Good views at Oacalco.

Stripe-headed Sparrow  Peucaea ruficauda

Black-chested Sparrow ◊  Peucaea humeralis   Endemic.  Good views at Amilsingo Reserve.

Green-striped Brushfinch ◊  Arremon virenticeps  Endemic. Good views at El Columpio Park.

Yellow-eyed Junco ◊  Junco phaeonotus

Striped Sparrow ◊  Oriturus superciliosus Endemic.  Seen at La Cima.

Savannah Sparrow  Passerculus sandwichensis (LO)

Sierra Madre Sparrow ◊  Xenospiza baileyi  Endemic.  Great views at La Cima.

Song Sparrow ◊  Melospiza melodia

Lincoln’s Sparrow  Melospiza lincolnii

Rusty Sparrow ◊  Aimophila rufescens

Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow ◊  Melozone kieneri  Endemic.  Good views at Oacalco.

Canyon Towhee ◊  Melozone fusca

Spotted Towhee  Pipilo maculatus

Hooded Oriole ◊  Icterus cucullatus

Streak-backed Oriole  Icterus pustulatus

Bullock’s Oriole  Icterus bullockiorum

Black-backed Oriole ◊ (Abeille’s O)  Icterus abeillei  Endemic.  A young male at El Canal Nacional, Mex DF.

Red-winged Blackbird  Agelaius phoeniceus

Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus

Louisiana Waterthrush (W)  Parkesia motacilla

Black-and-white Warbler  Mniotilta varia

Crescent-chested Warbler ◊  Oreothlypis superciliosa

Orange-crowned Warbler  Leiothlypis celata

Nashville Warbler  Leiothlypis ruficapilla

Virginia’s Warbler  Leiothlypis virginiae

MacGillivray’s Warbler ◊  Geothlypis tolmiei

Common Yellowthroat  Geothlypis trichas

Magnolia Warbler  Setophaga magnolia  One seen at Oacalco area.

American Yellow Warbler  Setophaga aestiva

Yellow-rumped Warbler (B) (Myrtle W)  Setophaga [coronata] coronata  One seen at Tepoztlan.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s W)  Setophaga [coronata] auduboni

Black-throated Grey Warbler  Setophaga nigrescens

Grace’s Warbler ◊  Setophaga graciae  Seen at Tepoztlan.

Hermit Warbler ◊  Setophaga occidentalis

Townsend’s Warbler ◊  Setophaga townsendi

Rufous-capped Warbler ◊  Basileuterus rufifrons

Golden-browed Warbler ◊  Basileuterus belli  Good views at Parque El Columpio.

Wilson’s Warbler  Cardellina pusilla

Red-faced Warbler ◊  Cardellina rubrifrons  Great views at Cerro Tepozteco.

Painted Whitestart ◊ (P Redstart)  Myioborus pictus

Slate-throated Whitestart (S-t Redstart)  Myioborus miniatus

Black-headed Grosbeak  Pheucticus melanocephalus

Indigo Bunting  Passerina cyanea

Lazuli Bunting ◊  Passerina amoena  Good views at Oacalco, one individual coming to drink water.

Blue Grosbeak  Passerina caerulea

Painted Bunting ◊  Passerina ciris

Varied Bunting ◊  Passerina versicolor  Nice male at Oacalco.

Hepatic Tanager  Piranga flava

Western Tanager  Piranga ludoviciana

Flame-colored Tanager ◊  Piranga bidentata

Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina

Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer ◊  Diglossa baritula  Seen at El Columpio Park.

Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater ◊  Sporophila torqueola  Endemic.  Good views at Oacalco.

MAMMAL LIST DURING THE MAIN TOUR

Central American Black Howler  Alouatta pigra (H)

Mexican Cottontail  Sylvilagus cunicularius  Seen at Teotitlan.

Common Rock Squirrel  Otospermophilus variegatus

Red-bellied Squirrel  Sciurus aureogaster

MAMMALS OF MORELOS PRE-EXTENSION

White-nosed Coati  Nasua narica  Seen at Cuernavaca at the White-naped roosting swifts site.

Northern Raccoon (Common R)  Procyon lotor  Seen at Cuernavaca at the White-naped roosting swifts site.

Mexican Cottontail  Sylvilagus cunicularius  Seen before dawn at Almisingo Reserve.

Common Rock Squirrel  Otospermophilus variegatus

Red-bellied Squirrel  Sciurus aureogaster  Fairly common, mainly in pine woodlands.