Mexico Birding Trip Report

27 January - 22 February 1999

by Jon Hornbuckle

I undertook a Mexico "clean-up" trip, excluding the northeast, having already briefly covered Yucatán and Sierra de Atoyac, plus Guatemala. This followed 10 days in Cuba and so started in Mérida, for the three coastal endemics, before proceeding to Oaxaca, southern Chiapas, Jalisco and Colima, San Blas, southern Baja (mainly for whales), and the Mazatlán area. For part of the time I was accompanied by Ashley Banwell. The trip was quite successful except in Chiapas where we were unlucky with the owls and chose a degraded locality in the morning, exacerbated by too little time. With few birds singing, it was harder work than I had hoped - 58 ticks but I failed to find any of the most difficult species such as Aztec Thrush, Eared Trogon or Thick-billed Parrot. Relied on birding reports, Brian Gee's being especially useful, until Oaxaca when obtained Steve Howell's Bird-finding Guide to Mexico which made life a bit easier.

International flights were trouble-free with American Airlines, courtesy of Airmiles; internal flights with Mexicana and Aero California were OK but quite expensive and invariably delayed by an hour or so. All 4 hire-cars were VW beetles, an excellent vehicle for the bumpy roads. Only problems were inability to undo tight wheel nuts when we had the one puncture (up Volcán de Fuego) and spare wheel stolen from inadvertently unlocked boot/ trunk. Various international companies were used but prices were similar at around $50 a day including insurance and tax - the main variable was insurance cost which could range from $7 to $19 a day, depending on company and amount of cover. All other costs were low, with hotels and meals only a few dollars a time, except for road tolls (eg $8 Colima-Manzanillo) - and whale-watching: $40 per boat hour (6 max passengers). I found most Mexicans to be friendly, helpful and honest but there are a few rogues about, such as the Mexicana check-in clerk at Mérida who insisted we had not paid tax on our tickets, despite (correct) protestations that we had, and the nice man who would not unlock the chain across the logging road at Cerro San Filipe without payment of $7 for the third day running.

ITINERARY

Jan 26 16.30 arrive Mérida from Havana; bus to town, Hotel Nacional ($14 for 2).

27 05.00 bus to Progreso, collectivo to Chicxulub, bird 06.15-08.30, collectivos back to Mérida; 14.40-18.00 flight to Oaxaca, 19.00-20.50 drive to Miahuatlán - motel $13

28 05.15-06.45 drive to El Porvenir, bird here & Pluma Hidalgo; 15.00-19.30 drive to Tehuantepec with stop in coastal scrub at Km 300; Hotel Oasis $9 - reunion with NB, KT & BW

29 06.00-07.00 drive N to beyond Juchitán, bird till 09.00, drive to Tuxtla Gutiérrez with stop at Km 43, bird zoo 14.00-15.00, drive to Huitapec NR, San Cristóbal, arriving 16.45, find hotel; owling at Huitapec 20.00-23.00; nice hotel $18

30 07.00-10.00 east of San Cristóbal, 10.45-12.00 Huitapec; drive to Tuxtla and on to Sumidero Canyon, bird 14.00-17.30, night at Tuxtla in low grade posada $8

31 06.15-12.00 Sumidero Canyon, drive to Pto Arista arriving 15.30 after stop S of Tonala, drive to Tapanatapec 17.30-19.00

Feb 1 06.15-10.30 drive to Tehuantepec with stop in coastal scrub/ woodland, then on to Yagul with 3 stops; 16.30-17.45 Yagul, night at Teotitlán de Valle in Tourist Yu'u (hostel, empty, with cooking facilities) $5 a bed

2 06.45-11.15 Teotitlán, 11.15-12.15 drive to Black Tank, then 13.30-17.30 Cerro San Filipe; night in Oaxaca, Hotel America $10

3 06.15 to Km 203.5, 09.30-13.30 Cerro San Filipe, then Km 203.5, Oaxaca

4 06.45-10.00 Cerro San Filipe, then Km 203.5, Yagul, Mitlá, Hierve el Água where stayed in nice chalet for $10

5 06.45 drive to Yagul with stops, then Teotitlán, Km 205, Oaxaca; Hotel Francia $25, cheaper places being full

6 06.45-11.45 Monte Albán, p.m. Oaxaca; Hotel Francia $15 tonight!

7 08.50-13.00 flights to Guadalajara via Mexico City, drive to Cd Guzman with long stop at Laguna Sayula; Posada de Parque Hotel $15

8 05.30-06.30 drive to Volcán de Fuego, bird till 14.00, back to Cd Guzman via L. Zapotlán

9 06.00-12.00 Volcán de Fuego, drive to Colima arriving 13.30, 16.00-20.00 Microondas La Cumbre; night at Hotel La Merced, Colima $15

10 06.00-07.30 Colima - Playa de Oro Road, then Manzanillo airport marshes briefly & on to Barra de Navidad; 16.00-18.00 west of Barra, night at Hotel Caribe, Barra $15

11 06.45-07.15 to Barranca El Choncho, 10.30-16.00 drive to San Blas with stop at Km18.3, 17.00-18.00 Matanchen Bay; Posada Azul, San Blas $10

12 07.00-10.00 lower Singayta, then san Blas Jay rd & Huaristemba, 16.00-18.00 Sewer Ponds Trail; Posada Azul

13 06.30-07.30 drive to Cerro de San Juan (Tepic), bird till 13.30, return to San Blas via El Mirador de Aguila and Huaristemba

14 07.00-10.30 pelagic, upper Singayta, p.m. San Blas coastal scrub

15 06.55-07.30 to La Bajada, 09.30- 11.30 to Tepic via El Cora road; 12.20-14.40 to Guadalajara (195km)

16 09.15-10.40 flight to La Paz, Baja12.00-12.50 scrub N of airport, drive to Pto San Carlos - Motel Las Brisas $13

17 08.00-11.00 whale watch trip, drive to San José de Cabo, via La Paz; San José Inn $12

18 06.30-08.30 San José Estero, drive to Boca de la Sierra, then Santiago - nice motel $20; p.m. Água Caliente and birding near Santiago

19 Santiago - La Paz with stop near San Antonio 06.40-07.40; 11.05 flight (delayed till 12.00) to Mazatlán, drive up Durango Highway to La Petaca Road; Motel Vadira $8, Potrerillos

20 06.45-07.30 Km206.5, then Barranca Rancho Liebre till 17.30; Motel Vadira

21 06.15-07.00 to Panuco Road, 09.00 drive to Km 265.6 - bird trail, then Km 285 10.30-11.30, drive to Mazatlán, return car; Hotel El Rio $6 single

22 06.00-06.45 awaiting La Noria bus, 07.30-11.00 La Noria road, 11.45 bus to Mazatlán; p.m. beach birding and chilling; 21.00- 05.30 coach to Guadalajara for morning flight to Dallas and London.

COMMENTS ON SITES

I visited Mérida, Chiapas and southern Oaxaca before obtaining a copy of Howell's indispensable site guide. The following notes are personal experiences.

Mérida

We saw the 3 coastal endemics early in the morning c3km beyond Chicxulub. There is a broad track between the main road and the sea just after a new development called Josefina, before a small café on the inland side, which leads to a line of red brick houses with blue roofs. The wren and the sheartail were visible from the track and the bobwhite found by tramping about in the open scrub. Contrary to what Howell says, Ashley saw only the sheartail during an afternoon visit earlier; he also saw Rufous-necked Wood-Rail in the mangroves south of Progreso.

Oaxaca

Well covered by Howell, although the sp. lists seem a bit optimistic for the winter period.

Dick Byrne's trail at Km 203.5 leading from the picnic spot on right after Black Tank was good - leave the "car park" away from Oaxaca, down to the concrete bridge over the river and continue up into the pines - did not see his Dwarf Vireos but Ocellated Thrasher gave good views.

El Porvenir was disappointing, with no White-throated Jays. We found Blue-capped Hummingbird at Km 188.7, having failed at Pluma Hidalgo. There is a bumpy but drivable track on the left when going towards Oaxaca, opposite a more obvious track going up into shade coffee. A pair of the hummers was at the first bend by a small canyon.

A random stop on the way back from Tehuantepec to Oaxaca to check the thorn forest in the foothills, at Km 244, 8+km west of Tehuantepec, gave the elusive West Mexican Chachalaca - along a trail on the left.

Hierve el Água is a spectacular, arid site but not particularly recommended for birds. Yagul is key for Grey-breasted Woodpecker and Beautiful Hummingbird on the tall cacti.

Chiapas

Huitapec NR can be found without going into San Cristóbal - a difficult town to drive in. From Tuxtla, do not turn right into town but carry on till you meet the signed left turn to Chamula and the reserve is c4km along this road. It is possible to get in, as the locals do, even when the large gate is locked, but it is useful to have the local guide Roberto at night for the owls. If no-one is there, just wait a while and they will find you. We were unlucky, not helped by the full moon, as we were unable to see the calling owls which stayed in thick canopy. The camp site area east of San Cristóbal was badly hacked and disappointing; must be better to follow Howell's directions but notethat further afield around San Cristóbal is potentially dangerous due to insurgents.

Tuxtla Gutiérrez zoo, not mentioned by Howell, is worth a visit for the habituated but wild Great Currasows and Crested Guan. It is on the outskirts of town by the main San Cristóbal road.

Sumidero Canyon proved almost birdless in the afternoon but was good all the following morning. At the entrance gate we were told the first and third miradors were dangerous, presumably due to thieves, so did not visit the first but the trail to the third was one of the most productive areas. The only Belted Flycatcher and Fan-tailed Warbler were on a small trail on the left c500+m back down the road from the third mirador.

Attempts to find Giant Wren with little time and gen were frustrating but eventually succeeded outside Pto Arista. Leaving the town northwards, cross the big river/ canal and turn right at the first cross-roads. A pair of wrens responded to tape in the field with scattered bushes on the left. Had a flock of Pacific Parakeets 3km north of Arriaga.

Colima & Jalisco

Followed Howell but skipped the Autlán area. Driving from Guadalajara to Cd Guzman, took a track to the left just south of Laguna Sayula to check the fields and ponds - quite rewarding. Able to drive up to Km 21 on Volcán de Fuego, stopping before dawn to try for Eared Poorwill without success. Found Km 18.5 and 12 the most productive, with Colima Warbler, Bumblebee Hummingbird and Shrike-Vireo. The following morning the dusty lower region gave some gems including Spotted Wren, Dwarf Vireo and Lucifer Hummingbird.

A late afternoon visit to La Cumbre from Colima gave the two owls c.500m below the top, at 19.00 just before dusk, by use of canned tape, and Buff-collared Nightjar on the way down. No sign of Lesser Roadrunner but later learnt that Bostock et al had seen it well near the track off to the right c1km before the top. On the way there, saw Black-chested Sparrow near the start of Piscila Road.

Playa de Oro Road disappointing even though there just after dawn - no Flammulated Flycatcher or Rosy Thrush-Tanager - Barra de Navidad a pleasant town. Headed west to hills some 10km away and took a trail on the right after breasting the highest point - a good flock included only Red-breasted Chat of the trip. Nearby Barranca El Choncho well worthwhile - Maroon-fronted Parrot, San Blas Jay - but still no Flammulated Flycatcher and failed to see the calling Hermits in large trees at the start, despite some effort - expected to catch up with this sp. at San Blas but unfortunately did not. Finally caught up with Flamm Fly at the last gasp - a speculative stop at Km 18.3 from Barra; walked 200m down a track on the right and played the tape for the last time - amazed to get a response - a small Myiarchus-lookalike scolding from above, definitely the boy!

San Blas

Saw outstanding species fairly easily here except Elegant Quail, Lesser Roadrunner, Grayson's Thrush, Rosy Thrush-tanager, Sparkling-tailed Woodstar and the Hermit. Purplish-backed Jays feeding on fallen palm fruits on San Blas Jay Road (see Where to find birds in San Blas by R. Novick and Lan Sing Wu) was a highlight. Spent a lot of time in the Huaristemba area, with only frustratingly brief view of quails, and saw many Rufous-backed Thrushes but could not string Grayson's. Intended to take an afternoon ferry to Peso Is for the quail but found it impossible to get there except in the morning.

The pelagic in a small motor boat, arranged by Neil Bostock et al, was disappointing for birds but gave great views of a whale-shark, my most wanted fish, and some spectacular leaping displays by Manta rays.

El Cora Road was a waste of time, almost totally deforested, but Cerro de San Juan, near Tepic, was rewarding, especially for the hummingbirds - found mainly in the numerous blue flowers at Km 10.7, the first canyon in the humid forest - Mexican Woodnymph, Bumblebee Hummingbird and Dickey's Oriole.

Baja

Surprisingly few birders seem to have visited southern Baja and no-one I approached knew anything about whale-watching at what is reputed to be one of the world's best sites. There are 3 traditional endemics here, plus California Gnatcatcher and Grey Vireo, both difficult in western USA, while further north is the new endemic split off Le Conte's Thrasher; Howell and Webb have split a further 3 species occurring in the mountains near the southern tip - Cape Pygmy-Owl, San Lucas Robin and Baird's Junco.

Although the ferry, eg to or from Mazatlán, had its attraction, eventually decided to fly to save time and hassle - obtaining tickets is not straightforward and the trip takes nearly 20 hours. Collected car pre-booked with Dollar at La Paz airport and soon heading north to Cd Constitución - all main roads here are in good condition. Good desert scrub along the road for many miles; soon stopped, just north of the check-point beyond habitation - Grey Thrasher and California Gnatcatcher. Changed dollars at Cd Constitución then turned west to Pto San Carlos where on arrival Grey Whales could easily be seen blowing in the bay. No shortage of boatmen offering morning trips - arranged to go out with 4 Americans. Preferred starting time appears to be 08.00 but probably better to go earlier because the only breaching observed was early on and wind got up by about 10.00. Excellent views of possibly 50 Grey Whales scattered throughout the large bay (said to be 200 present), some swimming directly under the small boat, but it was rare for more than their backs and possibly tails to come out of the water. Suspect January might be a better month, with more display. Other species, eg Humpbacks and Blues, occur in the Sea of Cortez but it appears to be necessary to take a cruise to see these.

After this it was a long drive down to the southern tip to look for the other endemics. The difficult bird is Belding's Yellowthroat as it occurs in reeds, which are pretty scarce in Baja. Howell gives directions to San José Estero, where I finally scored with one on the opposite side of the river to El Presidente Hotel, after perusing dozens of yellowthroats, all of which seemed to be Common. It would doubtless be easier in the breeding season. Xantus' Hummingbird and Grey Vireo proved to be surprisingly scarce but I eventually found both along the old road back to La Paz, 3-4 km before San Antonio: took a wide gated track on the left for 200m to an open area with a few cattle and birded the thorn scrub round the edge of the clearing. Also saw the hummer at Boca de la Sierra, as recommended by Howell. Tried to find way into mountains without undertaking major trek per Howell - Água Caliente, a beauty spot inhabited by ageing hippies, looked promising but I could not find any trails into the nearby hills, so won't be accepting the Howell splits. The pleasant hotel at nearby Santiago saved having to overnight in a large resort.

Mazatlán

Tried all Howell's Durango Highway sites up to Barranca Rancho Liebre (BRL) but the only one that looked promising was the road at Km 285, near start of the highway. The biggest stroke of luck was when at 06.45 a couple of jays flew across the road at Km 206.5 en route to BRL. This proved an excellent stop, giving close studies of Tufted Jay, Rufous-capped Brush-Finch (which had eluded me in Oaxaca and Colima) and Red-headed Tanager. After this BRL was an anti-climax, with no ticks, although a pleasant enough spot. A short stop at Km206.5 on the way back produced nothing. The cheap motel mentioned by Howell is Motel Vadira at Potrerillos, close to Panuco Road - quite acceptable, with a modest restaurant La Pasadita opposite - probably not as pleasant as the German hotel lower down but more convenient.

La Noria Road, my final destination, was a great success. The bus goes from near but not in, the main bus terminal - precise location and timing varied with every person asked - 06.00, 06.30, 07.00 all quoted but it actually appeared at 06.40 and left 5 mins later - an infrequent service. I alighted 3km down La Noria Road, at the first track off to the right. Spent the morning on the left, in the fields and along tracks through the thorn forest, before walking the 3 km back to the main road where buses are reasonably frequent. Highlights were good views of Elegant Quail, Lesser Roadrunner and Five-striped Sparrow, an excellent end to the trip!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Advice was gratefully received from Bob Behrstock, Neil Bostock, Dave Brewer, Dick Byrne, Brian Foster, Richard Schofield, Keith Turner, Tom Will and Barry Wright.

Jon Hornbuckle
35 Grove Road, Sheffield S7 2GY

SYSTEMATIC LIST

Taxonomy, names and sequence are based on Birds of the World: A Checklist by JF Clements (1991), with Howell and Webb splits incorporated. Concentrating on the endemics, I failed to record or indeed identify many of the North American migrants, especially flycatchers and vireos, and did not try to see some species already seen, eg Rufous-necked Wood-Rail, Boat-billed Heron, Common Potoo, Mountain Pygmy-Owl.

Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) Few Teotitlán and San Blas

Clark's Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) 2 Laguna Zapotlán

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus) 1 San Blas pelagic

Black Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma melania) 1 San Blas pelagic

Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) 1 juv on the sea San Blas pelagic and distant bird in flight at Playa de Oro

Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) 10 Barra de Navidad, common San Blas pelagic

Brandt's Cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) At least a few on Baja coast

Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) At least a few on inland waters

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) Numerous Chicxulub & Pacific coast; 1000s of cormorants on a sand spit / island at Pto San Carlos were thought to be this sp.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) 1 Manzanillo airport marshes

American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Common Chicxulub & San Blas, 2 L.Zapotlán

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) Numerous San Blas, Pto San Carlos & Mazatlán, 10 Barra de Navidad

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) c.10 Chicxulub & Barra de Navidad, abundant San Blas

Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) 3 Chicxulub & several Pto San Carlos

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) Fairly common Chicxulub, Laguna Sayula & San Blas

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) 1 Manzanillo airport marshes, few San Blas

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) Common in suitable habitat

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Fairly common San Blas, few Laguna Sayula and occasional singles elsewhere

Great Egret (Casmerodius albus) Common in suitable habitat

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Locally common

Green Heron (Butorides virescens) Fairly common Manzanillo airport marshes & San Blas

Yellow-crowned Night-heron (Nyctanassa violacea) Few San Blas & Pto San Carlos

Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) 1 San Blas & a few Pto San Carlos

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Several San Blas

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) Common San Blas

White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) 10+ Laguna Sayula

Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) Common San Blas

Snow Goose (Anser caerulescens) 500+ Laguna Sayula

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) Several Laguna Sayula & San José Estero

American Wigeon (Anas americana) 10+ Laguna Sayula & L.Zapotlán

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca carolinensis) Common locally

Mexican Duck (Anas [platyrhynchos] diazi) Few Lagunas Sayula &.Zapotlán

Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) Locally common, eg at Teotitlán

Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) 4 Laguna Sayula 7 a few San Blas

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) Common locally

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Common throughout

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Common throughout

Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus) 2-3 Volcán de Fuego

White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) 1-2 daily around Oaxaca

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 3 Laguna Sayula, 1 L.Zapotlán

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) Few scattered singles

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1 Sumidero Canyon

Crane Hawk (Geranospiza caerulescens) 1 Sewage Pond trail, San Blas

Common Black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) 1 Juchitán - Tuxtla

Great Black-hawk (Buteogallus urubitinga) 1 San Blas

Harris' Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) Fairly common southern Baja

Grey Hawk (Asturina plagiata [nitida]) 2-3 daily in San Blas region

Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris) Few throughout

Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) 2 El Porvenir, 1 Barranca El Choncho

Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) 2 Volcán de Fuego

Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) Singles Tuxtla - Tehuantepec Km 30 & La Cumbre

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Several scattered singles

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 8-10 Pto San Carlos

Crested Caracara (Caracara plancus) Few throughout lowlands

Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans) 1 lower Singayta

Barred Forest-Falcon (Micrastur ruficollis) 1 El Porvenir

American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Few throughout

Merlin (Falco columbarius) 1 Sewage Pond trail

Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) Common Tuxtla Zoo

Rufous-bellied Chachalaca (Ortalis wagleri) 2 seen lower Singayta, several others heard, and 2 La Noria Road

West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala) 2 Tehuantepec - Oaxaca Km 244 & 1 at Km 236

Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens) 2 pairs Tuxtla Zoo and 1 Volcán de Fuego

Great Curassow (Crax rubra) A pair Tuxtla Zoo

Long-tailed Wood-partridge (Dendrortyx macroura) 1 Volcán de Fuego and few others heard there

Elegant Quail (Callipepla douglasii) 4+ seen well La Noria Road & 4 utv Huaristemba

California Quail (Callipepla californica) 2 Boca de la Sierra

Banded Quail (Philortyx fasciatus) 10+ Volcán de Fuego

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) 2+ Hierve el Água

Black-throated Bobwhite (Colinus nigrogularis) 4 Chicxulub

Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus) 1 heard Sumidero Canyon

American Purple Gallinule (Porphyrula martinica) 1 Matanchen

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) Common Lagunas Sayula & Zapotlán

American Coot (Fulica americana) Common on suitable waters throughout

Limpkin (Aramus guarauna) 2 Manzanillo airport marshes

Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa) Few at suitable wetlands throughout

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) Common

American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) Common Laguna Sayula & San Blas marshes

Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 10 San Blas

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 2 Laguna Sayula

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 2 Playa de Oro, 1 Matanchen Bay

Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa) Common Pto San Carlos

Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa mElanoleuca) Common Chicxulub & San Blas, few Laguna Sayula

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) Common Chicxulub & San Blas

Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) Singles Pto Arista & Teotitlán

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) Few throughout

Willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Fairly common on coast, especially at Chicxulub

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 1 Matanchen Bay

Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) Common San Blas and Laguna Sayula

Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) Common Chicxulub & L. Sayula, Barra & San Blas

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) Abundant Laguna Sayula, common San Blas

Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) Common Laguna Sayula, 10 San Blas

Heermann's Gull (Larus heermanni) Common San Blas pelagic, Baja and Mazatlán

Ring-billed Gull (Larus deawarensis) Fairly common Pacific coast

California Gull (Larus californicus) Few Baja coast

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) Several San Blas pelagic & common on Baja coast. Gulls at Mazatlán looked like Western L. occidentalis to me but as this should not occur here, were possibly dark argentatus.

Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadephia) 1 Mazatlán beach

Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) Few Barra de Navidad, common San Blas, 2 L Sayula

Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica) Few Laguna Sayula

Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) Few Pto Arista, 2 Laguna Sayula, 4 San Blas

Royal Tern (Sterna maxima) Common Barra de Navidad

Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri) 2 Chicxulub & few San Blas pelagic and Mazatlán

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) 1 San Blas pelagic

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) 4 San Blas pelagic

Band-tailed Pigeon (Columba fasciata) Few Cerro San Felipe, Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Red-billed Pigeon (Columba flavirostris) Few Sumidero Canyon, Panuco Road & doubtless elsewhere

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Fairly common in lowlands

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) Locally fairly common

Inca Dove (Scardafella inca) Locally common

Common Ground-dove (Columbina passerina) Widespread and common

Ruddy Ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti) Locally fairly common

White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi) Scattered singles

Pacific Parakeet (Aratinga strenua) 80 just south of Tonala

Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis) 15+ below Pluma Hidalgo and on coast, common around San Blas

[Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha)] Parrot calls heard once on Volcán de Fuego were probably this sp.

Mexican Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius) 20-30 at several sites around San Blas

Lilac-crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi ) 3+ Barranca El Choncho, 2 La Bajada

[White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons)] 2 north of Juchitán & 2-4 east of San Cristóbal thought to be this species

Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) Singles Km 43 Tehuantepec - Tuxtla & Huaristemba, 2 Playa de Oro Road

Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) Locally common

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Singles Boca de la Sierra & La Paz airport

Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) 1 La Noria Road, utv's of singles at Km 203.5, Oaxaca and Km 285 Durango Hwy

Balsas Screech-owl (Otus kennicottii seductus) 1 seen and 2 heard La Cumbre

[Bearded Screech-owl (Otus barbarus)] 1 heard Huitapec NR

Colima Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium palmarum) 1 seen La Cumbre

[Ferruginous Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum)] Singles heard Huitapec NR, Teotitlán & La Bajada

Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus ridgwayi)] 2 heard Huitapec NR

Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) 10 San Cristóbal and a few scattered singles

Buff-collared Nightjar (Caprimulgus ridgwayi) 4 La Cumbre

[Mexican Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus arizonae)] Several calling Huitapec NR

White-naped Swift (Streptoprocne semicollaris) 10 Km 235 Durango Hwy

White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) 20 Hierve El Água

[Mexican Hermit (Phaethornis [superciliosus] mexicanus)] 3 lekking Barranca El Choncho

Green Violet-ear (Colibri thalassinus) Several in all pine forests

Canivet's [Fork-tailed] Emerald (Chlorostilbon canivetii) 2+ Sumidero Canyon

Golden-crowned Emerald (Chlorostilbon [canivetii] auriceps) Singles Playa de Oro Road & Barranca el Choncho

Dusky Hummingbird (Cynanthus sordidus) Few Teotitlán, Yagul & Monte Albán

Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) 2 La Noria Road & Km 285 Durango Hwy

Doubleday's (Broad-billed) Hummingbird (Cyanthus doubledayi) 1 at Km 244 Tehuantepec - Oaxaca road

Mexican Woodnymph (Thalurania ridgwayi) 1 Cerro de San Juan

Xantus' Hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii) Single males Boca de la Sierra & San Antonio

White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis) Common in montane forest

Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) Few Sumidero Canyon, Teotitlán & La Bajada

Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila) Few all along the Pacific coast

Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) 2 Chicxulub & La Petaca Road

Green-fronted Hummingbird (Amazilia viridifrons) 3+ Sumidero Canyon

Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps) 1-2 La Petaca Road

Blue-capped Hummingbird (Eupherusa cyanophrys) Pair at Km 188.7 above Pluma Hidalgo

Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) 1-2 at Km 188.7, Volcán de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan and common at Barranca Rancho Liebre

Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami) 1 Huitapec NR

Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) 1-2 El Porvenir, Cerro San Filipe, Volcán de Fuego & La Petaca Road

Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii) Common Barranca Rancho Liebre, 1-2 La Petaca Rd

Mexican Sheartail (Doricha eliza) 1+ Chicxulub

Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) 1 Volcán de Fuego

Beautiful Hummingbird (Calothorax pulcher) 1 Yagul

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Few near Juchitán and Elsewhere right along coast

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) Common Playa de Oro Road and around Barra de Navidad

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) Widespread and fairly common southern Baja (unless other small sp. were involved, which is quite likely)

Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) 2 La Petaca Road

Bumblebee Hummingbird (Atthis heloisa) 1 Volcán de Fuego, 2 Cerro de San Juan

Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) 1-2 La Cumbre & Volcán de Fuego

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) Few Volcán de Fuego, common Cerro de San Juan, several lower Durango Hwy

Citreoline Trogon (Trogon citreolus) 1-3 at all Pacific coastal sites except Baja

Mountain Trogon (Trogon mexicanus) 6 El Porvenir, few Sumidero Canyon, Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris) 1 San Cristóbal

Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Common San Blas & few Elsewhere

Russet-crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus) 2 Tuxtla Zoo

[Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)] 1 heard Pluma Hidalgo

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) Few near Hierve El Água & at Volcán de Fuego

Golden-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes chrysogenys) Common San Blas area

Grey-breasted Woodpecker (Melanerpes hypopolius) 3 Yagul only

Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) Common San Blas area and Baja

Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) Few along Oaxaca coast

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) 2 Cerro San Filipe

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) Several southern Baja

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris) Fairly common throughout dry open woodland

Arizona / Strickland's Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae [stricklandi]) 1 Barranca Rancho Liebre

Hairy Woodpecker (Dendrocopos villosus) 2 Km 203 north of Oaxaca

Red-shafted Flicker (Colaptes cafer [auratus]) Several Cerro San Filipe

Gilded Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides [auratus]) Fairly common southern Baja

Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) 1-4 daily San Blas area & Cerro de San Juan

Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis) Singles lower Singayta, La Bajada, Km 285 Durango Hwy and La Noria Road

Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseicapillus) 1 Cerro de San Juan

Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster) Singles Tuxtla Zoo, Sumidero Canyon, Barranca el Chonco & Cerro de San Juan

White-striped Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes leucogaster) 2 Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Northern Beardless-tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) Few on the coast, eg 2 Playa de Oro Road

Greenish Elaenia (Myiopagis viridicata) 1 Barranca El Choncho

Belted Flycatcher (Xenotriccus callizonus) 1 Sumidero Canyon

Pileated Flycatcher (Xenotriccus mexicanus) 1-2 Km 203.5 north of Oaxaca, 1 Yagul

Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus) 1-3 in all montane forests except in Chiapas

Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) Scattered singles

White-throated Flycatcher (Empidonax albigularis) 1 Barranca El Choncho

Hammond's Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii) 1-2 Cerro San Filipe, several southern Baja

Grey Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) Several southern Baja

Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) Few in montane forest

Pine Flycatcher (Empidonax affinis) 1-2 Cerro San Filipe & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Pacific Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis) Few San Blas & Mazatlán areas

Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis) 2 at Km 300 coastal road to Tehuantepec

Buff-breasted Flycatcher (Empidonax fulvifrons) 1 Cerro de San Juan

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) Singles San Cristóbal & Teotitlán

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) Several in dry areas, eg Yagul and La Noria Road

Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) Few San Cristóbal & Sumidero Canyon

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) Several in dry areas, eg Teotitlán and Baja

Nutting's Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi) 2-3 near Juchitán & La Noria Road

Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) Few coastal Oaxaca

Flammulated Flycatcher (Detarhynchus flammulatus) 1 taped in at Km 18.3 west of Barra de Navidad

Cassin's Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) Several in Oaxaca and southern Baja

Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris) 2 Playa de Oro, few San Blas and Mazatlán areas

Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) Common Colima coast northwards

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) 30+ Juchitán - Tuxtla, especially near Km 43

Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua) 4 Pto Arista

Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis) Common Sumidero Canyon, few Pto Arista

Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) Fairly common in Oaxaca valley & around San Blas

Grey-collared Becard (Pachyramphus major) Singles Cerro San Filipe & Volcán de Fuego

Rose-throated Becard (Platypsaris aglaiae) 2-3 Cerro San Filipe & Volcán de Fuego, singles west of Barra de Navidad and at lower Singayta

Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) Few scattered throughout, except Baja

Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) Fairly common

Grey-breasted Martin (Progne chalybea) Few Pto Arista

N Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 6+ Teotitlán

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Several on coast

Grey Silky-flycatcher (Ptilogonys cinereus) Numerous Cerro San Filipe & Volcán de Fuego, several in other montane localities

Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) Few southern Baja

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) Several flocks throughout

Spotted Wren (Campylorhynchus gularis) 4 Volcán de Fuego

Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) Several southern Baja

Boucard's Wren (Campylorhynchus jocosus) 2 Yagul and Monte Albán

Yucatan Wren (Campylorhynchus yucatanicus) 3 + 2 Chicxulub

Giant Wren (Campylorhynchus chiapensis) Two 3 Km N of Pto Arista

Rufous-naped Wren (Campylorhynchus rufinucha) 8 at Km 300 on coast road to Tehuantepec

Grey-barred Wren (Campylorhynchus megalopterus) Locally common Cerro San Filipe, 1 party Volcán de Fuego

Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) 1 Monte Albán

Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) 4+ Yagul and Monte Albán

Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 2 Teotitlán and Yagul

Happy Wren (Thryothorus felix) Several in coastal scrub, at Cerro de San Juan & Singayta

Banded Wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus) Few Sumidero Canyon

Sinaloa Wren (Thryothorus sinaloa) Few Sewage Pond Trail & lower Durango Hwy

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Widespread

White-bellied Wren (Uropsila leucogastra) Common west of Barra de Navidad

[White-breasted Wood-wren (Henicorhina leucosticta)] Heard around Pluma Hidalgo

Grey-breasted Wood-wren (Henicorhina leucophrys) Common in montane forest

Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Several in Oaxaca, eg Juchitán & Monte Albán

Blue Mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens) Scattered singles, eg at Teotitlán, Volcán de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan

Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) 2 Chicxulub

Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Several San Blas and southern Baja

Grey Thrasher (Toxostoma cinereum) Several southern Baja

Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) Singles Yagul, Teotitlán and Monte Albán

Ocellated Thrasher (Toxostoma ocEllatum) Two singles Km 203.5

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) 3 Volcán de Fuego, 1 Huaristemba

Brown-backed Solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis) Common in montane forest, down as low as Panuco Road (600m)

Russet Nightingale-thrush (Catharus occidentalis) 1 El Porvenir

Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush (Catharus frantzii) 1 Sumidero Canyon

Swainson's Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) 2 Sumidero Canyon, 1 San Blas

Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1 Barranca Rancho Liebre

Clay-coloured Robin (Turdus grayi) Common near Oaxaca coast & Sumidero Canyon

White-throated Thrush (Turdus assimilis) Few La Bajada and Barranca Rancho Liebre

Rufous-backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus) Locally common around San Blas, especially Sewage Pond trail

American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Singles Cerro San Filipe and Hierve El Água, fairly common Barranca Rancho Liebre

Rufous-collared Robin (Turdus rufitorques) 3 San Cristóbal

Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2 Cerro San Filipe, fairly common Durango Highway and Barranca Rancho Liebre

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) Fairly common southern Baja

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) Fairly common throughout, especially southern Baja

California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) 2 north of La Paz

Black-capped Gnatcatcher (Polioptila nigriceps) 2 Barranca El Choncho and Km 285 Durango Hwy

White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris) 2 Chicxulub, Teotitlán and Yagul, few Oaxaca coast

Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) 1 Teotitlán, 10 Volcán de Fuego, few Cerro San Filipe

Mexican Chickadee (Parus sclateri) 2+ Cerro San Filipe, Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Bridled Titmouse (Parus wollweberi) 2 near Hierve El Água

California [Plain] Titmouse (Parus inornatus) 2 Água Caliente, southern Baja

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 2 Volcán de Fuego

Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 1-2 Barranca Rancho Liebre

Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) 2 Teotitlán, 1 La Noria Road & Monte Albán

Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) Several in all montane pine forest, with 20 at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy

Western Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica [coerulescens]) Several southern Baja

Grey-breasted Jay (Aphelocoma ultramarina) 2 Volcán de Fuego, 1 near Hierve El Água

Dwarf Jay (Cyanolyca nana) 2-3 Cerro San Filipe on 3 Feb only

San Blas Jay (Cyanocorax sanblasianus) 1 Manzanillo airport, 4 Barranca el Choncho, 10+ near Pto Vallarta

Purplish-backed Jay (Cyanocorax beecheii) 4 San Blas Jay track (near Huaristemba), 6 La Noria Road

Tufted Jay (Cyanocorax dickeyi) 6+ at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy and Barranca Rancho Liebre with 2 more in the lower canyon

Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas) Few Sumidero Canyon and Cerro de San Juan

Black-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei) Fairly common San Blas and Mazatlán area

White-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta formosa) Common Oaxaca, Chiapas and Colima coastal areas

Sinaloa Crow (Corvus sinaloae) Common San Blas and Mazatlán

Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2 Yagul, Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre, fairly common southern Baja

European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) Few flocks southern Baja

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Widespread in settlements

Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis) 1 Sumidero Canyon

Chestnut-sided Shrike-vireo (Vireolanius melitophrys) 1 Volcán de Fuego

Slaty Vireo (Vireo brevipennis) 2 seen & 1 heard at Km 205 N of Oaxaca, opposite side of main road to the Black Tank

Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) Scattered singles, eg Km 300 coast rd to Tehuantepec

Dwarf Vireo (Vireo nelsoni) 1 Volcán de Fuego

Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni) 2 san Cristóbal and Cerro San Filipe

Mangrove Vireo (Vireo pallens) 1 Chicxulub

Grey Vireo (Vireo vicinior) 1 San Antonio

Golden Vireo (Vireo hypochryseus) Singles Teotitlán & opposite the Black Tank

Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) 1 Yagul

Cassin's Vireo (Vireo cassinii) Several southern Baja

Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) 1-2 scattered throughout

Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) 2 Sumidero Canyon

Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) 1 El Porvenir, 2 Cerro San Filipe

Brown-capped Vireo (Vireo leucophrys) Few El Porvenir - Pluma Hidalgo

Lesser Greenlet (Hylophilus decurtatus) Few El Porvenir - Pluma Hidalgo

Black-headed Siskin (Carduelis notata) Few Cerro San Filipe and Barranca Rancho Liebre

Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria) Widespread in small parties, especially common around San Blas

House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) Common in arid Oaxaca, eg Teotitlán, and Baja

Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) 1 Cerro San Filipe

Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata) Fairly common Barranca Rancho Liebre

Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) Widespread and fairly common

Virginia's Warbler (Vermivora virginiae) 2 Volcán de Fuego

Colima Warbler (Vermivora crissalis) 1 Volcán de Fuego

Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi) Fairly common Volcán de Fuego, 4 Barranca El Choncho

Crescent-chested Warbler (Parula superciliosa) Fairly common in montane forest

Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) Fairly common San Blas

Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) Few Sumidero Canyon and near Tehuantepec

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) Few scattered records but common at Barranca Rancho Liebre

Black-throated Grey Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) Few most days from Colima onwards

Townsend's Warbler (Dendroica townsendi) Fairly common in montane forest

Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) Few in most montane forest

Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) Few Sumidero Canyon

Grace's Warbler (Dendroica graciae) Few in most montane forest

Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) 3 Chicxulub

Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) Widespread in small numbers

American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) Few San Blas, Cerro de San Juan & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) 2 Sumidero Canyon

Waterthrush sp. (Seiurus sp.) 2 singles San Blas

MacGillivray's Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei) Few Oaxaca valley, San Blas, Baja & Mazatlán area

Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) Few San Blas & numerous San José Estero

Belding's Yellowthroat (Geothlypis beldingi) Only 1 positively identified at San José Estero

Wilson's Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) Fairly common throughout

Red-faced Warbler (Cardelina rubrifrons) 1 Cerro San Filipe, few Volcán de Fuego

Red Warbler (Ergaticus ruber) Fairly common throughout in montane pine forest

Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) 1-2 Volcán de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus) Few in most montane forest

Fan-tailed Warbler (Euthlypis lachrymosa) 1 Sumidero Canyon

Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus) Few Pluma Hidalgo

Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons) Fairly common throughout in montane pine forest

Golden-browed Warbler (Basileuterus belli) Few in montane forests

Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) Singles Volcán de Fuego and upper & lower Singayta

Red-breasted Chat (Granatellus venustus) 1 imm male west of Barra de Navidad

Red-crowned Ant-tanager (Habia rubica) 6+ Sumidero Canyon, 3 Barranca El Choncho

Flame-coloured Tanager (Piranga bidentata) Few throughout

Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) Several

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) 1 Sumidero Canyon, 2 at Km 203.5 N of Oaxaca & Volcán de Fuego

Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) Scattered sightings throughout Oaxaca - Mazatlán

Red-headed Tanager (Piranga erythrocephala) 1 Km 203.5 Oaxaca, 6 west of Barra de Navidad, 2 Barranca El Choncho and Cerro de San Juan, 6 at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy

Yellow-winged Tanager (Thraupis abbas) 2 Sumidero Canyon

Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis) 2 affinis Juchitán and 2 godmani west of Barra de Navidad

Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea) Several Juchitán & Sumidero Canyon

Blue-hooded Euphonia (Euphonia elegantissima) 4 Volcán de Fuego

Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) 20+ Teotitlán, few L Sayula

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) Several throughout

Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) Common in montane forest in Chiapas

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) Few San José Estero

Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus) Several Cerro San Filipe, Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) 2 Monte Albán & La Petaca Road

Clay-coloured Sparrow (Spizella pallida) Few Monte Albán, Pto San Carlos, San Antonio & La Noria Rd

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 20+ Pto San Carlos, San Antonio & La Noria Road

Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) 2 La Paz - San José de Cabo

Five-striped Sparrow (Aimophila quinquestriata) 1 La Noria Road

Bridled Sparrow (Aimophila mystacalis) Few Teotitlán, Yagul & Hierve El Água

Black-chested Sparrow (Aimophila humeralis) 8 at Piscila Road below La Cumbre

Stripe-headed Sparrow (Aimophila ruficauda) Few Km 300 coast rd to Tehuantepec, common Piscila Road below La Cumbre, few Playa de Oro road and Barra de Navidad

Sumichrast's / Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow (Aimophila sumichrasti) 2+ north of Juchitán

Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) Few Teotitlán & Hierve El Água

Oaxaca Sparrow (Aimophila notosticta) Singles Teotitlán and Monte Albán

Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) Common southern Baja, few Barranca Rancho Liebre & La Noria Road

Collared Towhee (Pipilo ocai) 3 Cerro San Filipe & Volcán de Fuego

Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus [erythrophthalmus]) 2 Cerro San Filipe & Barranca Rancho Liebre

California Towhee (Pipilo crissalis) Several southern Baja

Canyon Towhee (Pipilo fuscus) 2 Volcán de Fuego

White-throated Towhee (Pipilo albicollis) Common in Oaxaca

Rusty-crowned Ground-sparrow (Melozone kieneri) Singles Cerro de San Juan & La Petaca Road

Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus) 2 Sumidero Canyon

White-naped Brush-finch (Atlapetes albinucha) 1 Huitapec NR

Rufous-capped Brush-finch (Atlapetes pileatus) 2 Km 206.5 & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Chestnut-capped Brush-finch (Atlapetes brunneinucha) 2 Huitapec NR & Volcán de Fuego

Green-striped Brush-finch (Atlapetes virenticeps) 2 Volcán de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre

Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina) Common San Blas

White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola) Few morelleti Huitapec NR, Volcán de Fuego & a few S.t.torqeola (Cinnamon-rumped) Piscila Road, Cerro de San Juan, lower Singayta & Huaristemba

Ruddy-breasted Seedeater (Sporophila minuta) 20+ Pto Arista

Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer (Diglossa baritula) 2 El Porvenir & Volcán de Fuego

Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus) 1-2 Huitapec NR and several sites from San Blas northwards

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) 1 Huitapec NR

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) Widespread in small numbers

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Several southern Baja, 2 Barranca Rancho Liebre

Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) Few southern Baja

Greyish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens) Few San Blas

Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina) 1-2 Juchitán, Yagul and at sites around San Blas

Blue Grosbeak (Guiraca caerulea) Fairly common San Blas and Baja

Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Several at sites in Chiapas

Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) Several southern Baja

Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) Few along the caoast, 8 Huaristemba

Rose-bellied Bunting (Passerina rositae) 3 north of Juchitán

Orange-breasted Bunting (Passerina leclancherii) Fairly common along the coast including the rositae site

Yellow-winged Cacique (Cacicus melanicterus) Common Playa de Oro Road, San Blas & Mazatlán

Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus) 1+ Sumidero Canyon

Dickey's / Audubon's Oriole (Icterus [graduacauda] dickeyae) 2 Cerro de San Juan

Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis) Fairly common throughout

Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) Few all along the coast & lower Durango Hwy

Abeille's / Black-backed Oriole (Icterus abeillei [galbula]) 2 Cerro San Filipe

Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) Few Teotitlán, common Baja, Barranca Rancho Liebre & Durango Hwy

Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) Common at Huaristemba, several in Baja, 3 fuertesi (Ochre Oriole) at Pto Arista

Black-vented Oriole (Icterus wagleri) 2 La Petaca Road

Scott's Oriole (Icterus parisorum) Few Teotitlán, common Barranca Rancho Liebre

Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) 100+ Laguna Sayula

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 50+ Laguna Sayula - Howell calls this Bicoloured Blackbird A. gubernator; a flock of 20+ in San Blas area and probably overlooked elsewhere.

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) Few San Blas area

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Few southern Baja

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) Common throughout

Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 10+ Laguna Sayula

Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) Fairly common throughout the lowlands, excluding Baja

Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Several flocks southern Baja

DIPS

Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas San Blas pelagic

Least Storm-petrel Oceanodroma microsoma San Blas pelagic

Singing Quail Dactylortyx thoracicus Sumidero Canyon

Green Parakeet Aratinga holochlora San Cristóbal, Sumidero Canyon

Thick-billed Parrot Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha Volcán de Fuego

Pacific Screech-Owl Otus cooperi Pto Arista, Pto Madero

Bearded Screech-Owl Otus barbarus San Cristóbal

Unspotted Saw-whet Owl Aegolius ridgwayi San Cristóbal

Eared Poorwill Nyctiphrynus mcleodii Volcán de Fuego

Mexican Hermit Phaethornis [superciliosus] mexicanus San Blas

Slender Sheartail Doricha enicura Sumidero Canyon

Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird Amazilia [viridifrons] wagneri Pluma Hidalgo

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar Philodice dupontii San Blas, Durango Hwy

Eared Trogon Euptilotis neoxenus Barranca Rancho Liebre

White-throated Jay Cyanolyca mirabilis El Porvenir

Aztec Thrush Zoothera pinicola Volcán de Fuego, Barranca Rancho Liebre

Grayson's Thrush Turdus graysoni San Blas

Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea San Blas, Playa de Oro Road

Spot-breasted Oriole Icterus pectoralis Pto Arista, Pto Madero