LIST OF BIRDS SEEN WESTERN MEXICO
16 – 27 January 2007.
Red-billed Tropic Bird Phaethon aethereus At least one pair over the “Booby Rocks” off Mazatlan on 26th.
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii Seen on the “Booby Rocks” off Mazatlan on 26th. Difficult to say how many at such a distance, but certainly 20+ seen.
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Numerous over the “Booby Rocks” off Mazatlan on 26th.
Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Common along the coast from Manzanillo to Mazatlan.
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchus Many seen as we travelled from Guadalajara to Ciudad Guzman, manly on Lago Sayula and Zapotlan. Other sightings from San Blas (21st) and Mazatlan (26th).
Neotropic Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus Common in wetland areas and seen on six dates.
Anhinga Anhinga anhinga About a dozen or so seen on two dates in the mangroves near San Blas.
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Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Common in all coastal areas
Bare-throated Tiger Heron Tigrisoma mexicanum Seen on both dates in the San Blas mangroves. Daily max. 4 birds.
Green-backed Heron Butorides virescens Small numbers seen in the wetland areas near Ciudad Guzman and mangroves near San Blas.
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodius Seen on four dates.
Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Seen on three dates. Most numerous near San Blas.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax violaceus Small numbers in the San Blas area, mainly in mangroves but also on the coast near Miramar.
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Small numbers on three dates.
Boat-billed Heron Cochlearius cochlearius One or two in the mangroves near San Blas.
Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Small numbers seen on two dates in the San Blas area.
Great Egret Egretta alba Small numbers on eight dates, mainly during journeys.
Snowy Egret Egretta thula As the above species, especially numerous near San Blas.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Surprisingly few seen, but mostly from the road between sites.
White Ibis Eudocimus albus Seen 20th – 22nd near San Blas, mostly in mangroves.
White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi Seen on four dates, mostly near San Blas.
Wood Stork Mycteria americana Small numbers near San Blas on four dates.
Black Vulture Coragyps atratus Common, seen daily.
Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Common, seen daily.
Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja A few sightings of ones and twos, most numerous near San Blas.
Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis First sightings of this bird on 16th were distant across Laguna Zapotlan. A few (sitting on fence posts) seen as we travelled from Miramar to the Durango Highway on 24th were the only others seen.
Snow Goose Anser caerulescens About 70 north of Zapotlan with smaller numbers in marshes nearer Guadalajara on 16th.
Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata Three flying around on 22nd at Singayta and a single on the way to the Durango Highway on 24th.
Green-winged Teal Anas crecca Seen in fairly good numbers between Guadalajara and Ciudad Guzman on 16th. Small numbers in the swamp along the lower Singayta track 22nd.
Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Seen on the first day in the field only; Sayula and Zapotlan.
Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera As the above species. Doubtless there were more of these species in the distance on the huge roadside lakes and lagoons in this area.
Northern Pintail Anas acuta Small numbers Laguna Sayula on 16th.
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata The most numerous dabbler on 16th with 100’s seen.
Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Single female on Laguna Sayula on 16th.
Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Six at Zapotlan on 16th.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Seen on one date only (22nd) with three birds over the Singayta area and later that afternoon in the mangroves near San Blas.
Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis Seen in the San Blas mangroves on the 22nd.
White-tailed Kite Elanus leucurus A few in open country, mostly from the bus on travel days.
Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Singles seen at Zapotlan and over the lower path to Volcan Fuego.
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Seen on three dates away from the coast.
Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperi Singles at La Tovara (San Blas), Panuco Road and Mazatlan Airport.
Common Black Hawk Buteogallus anthracinus Many observations of mangrove-inhabiting birds (“Mangrove Hawks”) at San Blas on 22nd.
Great Black Hawk Buteogallus urubitinga Small numbers around San Blas on 22nd.
Grey Hawk Buteo nitidus The common “roadside” hawk in the lowlands, especially between San Blas and Mazatlan.
Short-tailed Hawk Buteo brachyurus Seen on six dates, usually above scrub or thorn forest-covered hillsides. One or two seen in a day.
White-tailed Hawk Buteo albicaudatus Seen on our first day in the field only with a few birds south of Guadalajara.
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis Quite common in foothill regions.
Crested Caracara Caracara cheriway Seen on six dates, most numerous along the coast from Manzanillo to San Blas.
Laughing Falcon Herpetotheres cachinans Two seen well on the Singayta track. Also heard on the lower slopes of Volcan Fuego.
Collared Forest-Falcon Micrastur semitorquatus Heard only and did not respond to playback. Recorded at Playa del Oro road and lower Singayta.
American Kestrel Falco sparverius Fairly regularly observed, usually from the bus!
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Singles at Singayta on 22nd and Panuco Road on 24th.
West Mexican Chachalaca Ortalis poliocephala Four in Barranca El Choncho on 19th.
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca Ortalis wagleri Several along the track to Panaltitlan on 24th.
Crested Guan Penelope purpurascens One seen going to roost on the Nevado de Colima road in pine-oak forest on 16th.
Banded Quail Philortyx fasciatus At least 8 seen along the lower stretches of the road to Volcan Fuego on 18th.
Elegant Quail Callipepla douglasii Two seen in waste ground in the centre of Puerto Vallarta on 20th.
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail Aramides axillaries One called loudly from the mangroves of San Blas on 22nd but never showed. Another appeared all too briefly to playback later but was missed by most of the group unfortunately.
Common Moorhen Galinula chloropus A couple at Zapotlan on 16th, thereafter not seen until 22nd until we saw some in the San Blas Mangroves.
American Coot Fulica americana Common on the huge bodies of water between Guadalajara and Ciudad Guzman. Smaller numbers around San Blas during our stay here and a few near Mazatlan.
Limpkin Aramus guarauna Heard near Manzanillo Airport Marshes on 19th.Seen in the mangroves near San Blas on 21st.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola A couple seen at Sayula on 16th.
American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Two or three in the San Blas mangroves on 22nd
Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus A couple of birds in the mangroves of San Blas and on the beach at Miramar.
Killdeer Charadrius vociferous A party of 5 or 6 birds near the Hotel Paraiso Miramar were regularly flushed from the road as we drove by (even in the dark!).
American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliates Single at Mazatlan on 26th.
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus One of the most numerous waders seen during the tour. Huge numbers at Sayula on 16th.
American Avocet Recurvirstra americana About 300 seen at Sayula on 16th.
Northern Jacana Jacana spinosa Seen on two days only around San Blas.
Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Seen in the mangroves around San Blas and near Miramar.
Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes A couple seen at Sayula on 16th were the only records.
Willet Catotrophorus semipalmatus A few birds seen at Miramar and in the mangroves near San Blas.
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia One on 16th near Zapotlan and then not seen until San Blas where they were quite numerous in the mangroves and a few near Miramar.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus A few near San Blas and Miramar.
Sanderling Calidris alba One at Miramar on 21st.
Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Several at Sayula on 16th amongst the Least Sandpipers.
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Hundreds at Sayula on 16th!
Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus We saw small parties of these birds at Singayta and San Blas mangroves on 22nd.
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Quite common near the coast with large numbers seen at San Blas and Mazatlan.
Bonaparte’s Gull Larus philadelphia Small numbers near San Blas and Mazatlan.
Heermann’s Gull Larus heermani Numerous on the coast with excellent studies at Miramar.
Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Common near San Blas.
Herring Gull Larus argentatus Small numbers at Miramar.
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica A couple at Sayula on 16th.
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia Several seen at Sayula on 16th, Miramar on 21st and in the San Blas mangroves the following day.
Royal Tern Sterna maxima Numerous on the coast.
Forster’s Tern Sterna forsteri Numerous on the coast.
Red-billed Pigeon Columba flavirostris Common in the lowlands. Best views at Barranca El Choncho.
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura Seen in small numbers on three dates, mostly near Ciudad Guzman and Colima.
White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica Common on the coast.
White-tipped Dove Leptotila verrauxi Common in dry forest areas such as Playa del Oro and quebradas.
Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerine Seen on four dates near San Blas. Not as numerous as inca Dove in our experience in the areas we visited.
Ruddy Ground-Dove Columbina talpacoti Common in Puerto Vallarta.
Inca Dove Columbina inca Common; seen on 8 dates.
Orange-fronted Parakeet Aratinga canicularis Up to 30 seen in Barranca El Choncho, upper Singayta and on the Panuco Road.
Military Macaw Ara militaris Seven seen in atrocious conditions from Mirador del Aguila on 23rd. Happily we saw between 7 and 9 birds in much better weather (including one perched) on 26th on the Panuco Road.
Thick-billed Parrot Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha A flock was heard at Barranca Rancho Liebre on 25th. Despite much searching we could not locate these birds.
Mexican Parrotlet Forpus cyanopygius Two on lower Singayta and a flock of about 30 were seen very briefly in the Singayta area. On 26th we saw 30+ in Mazatlan in the late afternoon.
White-fronted Parrot Amazona albifrons Two seen Singayta on 22nd.
Lilac-crowned Parrot Amazona finschi Two pairs in Barranca El Choncho on 19th and 20th.
Squirrel Cuckoo Piaya cayana Two sightings; one at La Bajada and another on the Panuco Road.
Groove-billed Ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Small numbers on several dates.
Barn Owl Tyto alba One seen by the roadside as we left San Blas on 24th.
Balsas Screech OwlOtus seductus One heard at La Cumbre on 18th just would not respond to playback.
Mountain Pygmy Owl Glaucidium gnoma One seen really well on Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Colima Pygmy Owl Glaucidium palmarum Heard at La Cumbre, La Bajada and Cerro San Juan.
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl Glaucidium brasilianum One outside the hotel Cabo Blanco in Barra de Navidad on 20th.
Lesser Nighthawk Chordeiles acutipennis Several seen between Nevado de Colima and Ciudad Guzman on 16th and in mangroves near San Blas.
Common Pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis One at La Tovara on 21st.
Northern Potoo Nyctibius jamaicensis At least 6 seen in La Tovara mangroves on 21st.
White-throated Swift Aeronautes saxatalis Three parties seen during the tour. One at Volcan Fuego, one over Mesa de los Alisos and finally from the Panuco Road.
Mexican Hermit Phaethornis mexicanus One at the top of the La Bajada track was the only record.
Green Violet-ear Colibri thalassinus Loads above 2400m on Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Golden-crowned Emerald Chlorostilbon auriceps Two records, both males; Barranca El Choncho and on the Panuco Road.
Broad-billed Hummingbird Cynanthus latirostris Small numbers on four dates in Guadalajara, Barranca El Choncho, Singayta and lower Durango Highway.
Mexican Woodnymph Thalurania ridgwayi A cracking male on Cerro San Juan on 23rd watched from the bus in the pouring rain!
White-eared Hummingbird Basilinna leucotis The common “highland hummer” during our tour.
Berylline Hummingbird Amazilia beryllina Seen on five dates; more common in middle elevations.
Cinnamon Hummingbird Amazilia rutila Common in dry thorn forest in the lowlands.
Violet-crowned Hummingbird Amazilia violiceps A female seen in the Hotel Tapatio on 16th was the only record until 24th when we saw one on the lower Durango Highway. One showed well on the Panuco Road on our last full day in the field.
Blue-throated Hummingbird Lampornis clemenciae Small numbers on 24th and 25th in the Mesa de los Alisos area (Tufted Jay Preserve).
Magnificent Hummingbird Eugenes fulgens Two on Nevado de Colima on 17th and a couple on the way down Barranca Rancho Liebre on 25th were the only ones seen.
Plain-capped Starthroat Heliomaster constantii One in Barranca El Choncho on 19th.
Sparkling-tailed Woodstar Phiodice dupontii Seen in Barranca El Choncho on 19th and 20th.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris A few along the Singayta track on 22nd.
Black-chinned Hummingbird Archlochus alexandri Up to five on the Playa del Oro road on 19th and one near Cerro de Elefante on 24th.
Calliope Hummingbird Archilochus calliope A single on Volcan Fuego on 18th was the only one identified.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird Selasphorus platycercus Seen on Nevado de Colima and Volcan Fuego in small numbers.
Rufous Hummingbird Selasphorus rufus One on the Panuco Road on 26th.
Bumblebee Hummingbird Selasphorus heloisa At least one seen on Cerro San Juan on 23rd.
Citreoline TrogonTrogon citreolus Numerous sightings in drier forest from Playa del Oro, Barranca El Choncho, La Bajada and lower Durango Highway.
Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus A couple of pairs seen on the volcanoes near Colima.
Elegant Trogon Trogon elegans Pairs seen on Volcan de Fuego, Playa del Oro road, Cerro San Juan, Durango Highway, Barranca Rancho Liebre and the Panuco Road.
Russet-crowned Motmot Momotus mexicanus Three or four along the lower road to Volcan de Fuego were surprisingly the only birds seen on the tour.
Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Apart from a few birds by the roadside most were seen in the mangroves near San Blas.
Green Kingfisher Chloroceryle Americana Common in the mangroves near San Blas.
Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Common in any highland areas visited such as Nevado de Colima, Cerro San Juan and the upper Durango Highway.
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker Centurus chrysogenys The common woodpecker of the coastal lowlands from Playa de Oro through to San Blas.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Centurus aurifrons A couple seen in the Hotel Tapatio on 16th and a few near Volcan de Fuego were the only ones seen.
Gila Woodpecker Centurus uropygialis Common from San Blas through to the Mazatlan area.
Williamson's Sapsucker Sphyrapicus thyrpoideus Two females or immatures at Mesa de los Alisos on 24th.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius A couple with the above species.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Picoides scalaris Single birds on the volcanoes. Thereafter only recorded along the Durango Highway.
Arizona Woodpecker Picoides arizonae Small numbers on Cerro San Juan and the Durango Highway.
Smoky-brown Woodpecker Venillornis fumigatus One on Volcan de Fuego on 18th was our only record.
Grey-crowned Woodpecker Piculus auricularis One on Cerro San Juan on 23rd.
Lineated Woodpecker Drycopus lineatus A couple in the mangroves of San Blas.
Pale-billed Woodpecker Campephilus guatemalensis One seen at the top of La Bajada trail.
White-striped Woodcreeper Lepidocolaptes leucogaster Seen in the highlands of Nevado de Colima, Cerro San Juan and the Durango Highway.
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus flavigaster First seen at Barranca El Choncho, lower Cerro San Juan and then on the lower Durango Highway on the Panuco Road.
Northern Beardless Tyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe Heard on the Playa de Oro Road and one seen on the Panuco Road.
Greenish Eleana Myiopagis viridicata A couple of birds seen on the lower Singayta track on 22nd.
Tufted Flycatcher Mitrephanes phaeocercus Quite common in the highlands and seen down to 800m elevation on the Panuco Road.
Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax Common from mid – high elevations from La Bajada, Nevado de Colima, Cerro San Juan and the Durango Highway.
White-throated Flycatcher Empidonax albigularis One at Singayta 22nd.
Least Flycatcher Empidonax minimus A couple seen on Nevado de Colima 17th.
Dusky Flycatcher Empidonax oberholseri One seen (and heard calling) at Mesa de los Alisos on 25th.
Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis One on Nevado de Colima on 17th and another at Mesa de los Alisos on 25th.
Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons One on Cerro San Juan 23rd.
Pacific Slope [Western] Flycatcher Empidonax difficilis Only definitely identified on the Panuco Road when a calling bird was studied on 26th. Many other “candidates” remained unidentified for sure!
Cordilleran [Western] Flycatcher Empidonax [difficilis?] occidentalis Identified on Nevado de Colima and Cerro San Juan only. What a headache!
Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons One on Cerro San Juan on 23rd.
Black Phoebe Sayornis nigricans Seen on 22nd in the Singayta area.
Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya One on Cerro San Juan on 23rd.
Vermillion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus Widespread, if not numerous. Seen on 7 dates.
Bright-rumped Attila Attila spadiceus Heard only: Playa del Oro Road and La Bajada.
Dusky-capped Flycatcher Myiarchus tuberculifer Many sightings throughout the tour from the volcanoes down to the coastal lowlands.
Nutting’s Flycatcher Myiarchus nuttingi At least one sighting from the Playa del Oro Road.
Brown-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus tyrannus Widespread and quite numerous in the lowlands.
Flammulated Flycatcher Deltarhynchus flammulatus This one really played up! One calling (they rarely vocalise at this time of year apparently) in Barranca El Choncho on 20th, just would not give itself up.
Great Kiskadee Pitangus sulphuratus Six dates, first seen near Colima.
Boat-billed Flycatcher Megarynchus pitangua Seen at La Bajada near San Blas on one date.
Social Flycatcher Myiozetetes similes Several seen in Puerto Vallarta as we passed through on 20th. Thereafter seen with some regularity around San Blas.
Cassin’s Kingbird Tyrannus vociferans The common kingbird for the first part of the tour until we hit the coast near Manzanillo.
Tropical Kingbird Tyrannus melanocholicus The common kingbird of coastal western Mexico on our tour.
Thick-billed Kingbird Tyrannus crassirostris First seen at the Playa del Oro Road. Further records during the rest of the tour came from a range of elevations from sea-level up to the lower slopes of Cerro San Juan.
Grey-collared Becard Pachyramphus major We did very well for this scarce bird on our tour. Firs seen at Nevado de Colima (a female) on 16th, quickly followed by a male on Volcan de Fuego on 18th. Our “bumper day” for this species was the 21st when we saw three birds (male and female together, and a nice plumaged immature male) on La Bajada trail.
Rose-throated Becard Pachyramphus aglaiae Several seen during the tour from the volcanoes, La Bajada and lower Durango Highway / Panuco Road.
Masked Tityra Tityra inquisitor Recorded on the Playa del Oro Road, La Bajada, San Blas mangroves and the Panuco Road.
Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea A flock of about 20 over fields on the lower Durango Highway on 24th.
Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina Quite numerous over the fields just outside the entrance to Nevado de Colima on 16th and 17th. We also saw some near Sayula as we travelled from Guadalajara to Ciudad Guzman.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Seen with the above species in good numbers as well as scattered records near the coast.
Black-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta colliei These stunning birds showed well at Mirador del Aguila while we were waiting for the Military Macaws to appear on 23rd. We saw more the next day as we went up the Durango Highway, particularly at Cerro de Elefante) and on the return journey to Mazatlan.
White-throated Magpie-Jay Calocitta Formosa Seen at the foot of La Cumbre near Colima on 18th and in Barranca El Choncho the next day.
Tufted Jay Cyanocorax dickeyi Two flocks seen in Barranca Rancho Liebre on 25th totalling maybe 15 birds. One of the top three birds of the tour and a major target for everyone!
Green Jay Cyanocorax yncas A flock associating with warblers, hummers, buntings, woodpeckers and woodcreepers on Cerro San Juan. Very different from the birds I regularly encounter in South America.
San Blas Jay Cyanocorax sanblasianus Up to 20 seen in Barranca El Choncho on 19th and a few at Altimira the next day as we travelled to Puerto Vallarta.
Purplish-backed Jay Cyanocorax beecheii We stopped for a flock of roadside birds as we drove from San Blas to the Durango Highway on 24th.
Grey-breasted Jay Aphelocoma ultramarine A nice noisy flock giving away their presence at Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Sinaloa Crow Corvus sinaloae Locally common (mainly in villages) from the San Blas area until the end of the trip.
Northern Raven Corvus corax Heard on Volcan de Fuego and seen well on the Panuco Road.
Mexican Chickadee Parus sclateri Seen on Volcan de Fuego and near the Tufted Jay Preserve.
Bridled Titmouse Parus wollweberi Volcan de Fuego on 18th was the only place we saw this bird.
Bushtit Psaltriparus minimus Very common on Nevado de Colima on the lower slopes and less so on Fuego.
Brown Creeper Certhia americana Highland areas, in mixed flocks.
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis One in a good mixed flock on Volcan de Fuego on 18th.
Grey-barred Wren Campylorhynchus megalopterus Found at higher elevations and often in flocks in pines. Common on the volcanoes 17th and 18th.
Spotted Wren Campylorhynchus gularis Seen on the lower sections of Nevado de Colima and Volcan de Fuego.
Sinaloa Wren Thryotherus sinaloa Seen on Playa del Oro Road and Panuco Road.
Happy Wren Thryotherus felix Seen Playa del Oro Road, La Bajada and Cerro San Juan. Heard elsewhere.
White-bellied Wren Uropsila leucogastra Seenwell on Playa del Oro Road.
Brown-throated [House] Wren Troglodytes [a.] brunneicollis One seen near Nevado de Colima 16th.
Grey-breasted Wood-Wren Henicorhina leucophrys Present on the volcanoes with one seen on Fuego 18th.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet Regulus canendula Common in mixed species flocks, mostly in the highlands.
Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa One or two seen well on Nevado de Colima.
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea I have never looked at so many of these (searching for Black-capped P. nigriceps)! Very common, mainly in arid areas.
Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis Regularly encountered in the highlands of Nevado de Colima, Cerro San Juan and Mesa de los Alisos.
Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis Common on Nevado de Colima (at least by voice) and not difficult to see. We found some at La Bajada, Durango Highway and the Panuco Road.
Russet Nightingale-Thrush Catharus occidentalis Easy to see early morning and evening around the Tufted Jay Preserve cabins.
Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush Catharus aurantiirostris One seen on the Panuco Road responded well to playback after initially appearing briefly.
Hermit Thrush Catharus gutatus A few on Cerro San Juan and near the Tufted Jay Preserve cabins.
Rufous-backed Thrush Turdus rufopalliatus This attractive endemic was seen at La Bajada, Singayta and on the Panuco Road.
White-throated Thrush Turdus assimilis A flock of about 20 seen on Nevado de Colima on 16th was the most we saw. Other than that we encountered a few on La Bajada track and up the Durango Highway.
Aztec Thrush Zoothera pinicola After drawing a blank on Nevado de Colima finding 8+ on the Durango Highway was a major highlight of the tour for everyone! Some cracking males present in the flock we found feeding around km 216 on our way to the Tufted Jay Preserve on 24th. Definitely in the top three trip birds!
Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens Another one that took some work to get respectable views of. Fleeting glimpses of birds on the lower slope of Fuego, the undergrowth of the Playa del Oro forests, and dense secondary growth at the top of La Bajada just made us more determined to nail this species properly. Finally we saw birds well near the Tufted Jay Preserve cabins and on the Panuco Road at the end of the tour.
Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Surprisingly few: Hotel Tapatia and Hotel Paraiso de Miramar were the only places we saw this bird until a few showed in Mazatlan in our last hours of birding.
Curve-billed Thrasher Taxostoma curvirostre One in Guadalajara on 16th.
Sprague's Pipit Anthus spragueli One in wet grassland near Sayula on 16th was the only record.
Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum 70+ in the grounds of the Hotel Tapatio on 16th and 10+ near Colima were the only records.
Grey Silky Flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus Found in small flocks (max 11) in highland sites on five dates.
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus A bird often found perched on roadside cables during the trip, but only two or three seen in a day.
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii Seen 18th on the lower slopes of Volcan de Fuego, and Barranca El Choncho on 19th.
Black-capped Vireo Vireo atricapillus This striking vireo was seen on the lower section of the Durango Highway on 24th.
Dwarf Vireo Vireo nelsoni One seen on our first day at Nevado de Colima in a huge mixed flock provoking many “false alarms” as kinglets passed though! Three birds seen the next morning higher on the road.
Plumbeous [Solitary] Vireo Vireo [s.] plumbeus Seen on four dates, all singles.
Cassin’s [Solitary] Vireo Vireo [s.] cassini Recorded on five dates.
Hutton’s Vireo Vireo huttoni A couple of sightings from the lower slopes of Volcan de Fuego and the Durango Highway.
Golden Vireo Vireo hypochryseus This striking endemic was seen on the Playa del Oro Road, La Bajada, Singayta and Cerro San Juan in small numbers.
Warbling Vireo Vireo gilvus Seen on eight dates in ones and twos.
Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo Vireolaneus melitophrys On 17th two birds were attracted by playback on Nevado de Colima and another pair encountered in a good flock on Fuego the next day. Generally agreed as one of the tour’s top three birds along with Aztec Thrush and Tufted Jay.
Orange-crowned Warbler Vermivora celata This indistinct warbler was seen throughout the tour in small numbers.
Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla Common just about throughout the tour and involved in most flocks.
Crescent-chested Warbler Vermivora superciliosa An attractive warbler of highland forests such as Nevado de Colima, Cerro San Juan and the Durango Highway.
Tropical Parula Parula pitiayumi Small numbers in the lowland sites like Playa del Oro Road.
Mangrove Warbler Dendroica [petechia] erithachorides Common in the mangroves near San Blas.
Myrtle [Yellow-rumped] Warbler Dendroica [c.] coronata Yellow-rumped Warbler was a common migrant throughout the tour, especially in the highlands. However most studied appeared to be of the following form.
Audobon's [Yellow-rumped] Warbler Dendroica [c.] audoboni Very common in the highlands with flocks of 30+ on Cerro San Juan.
Black-throated Grey Warbler Dendroica nigrescens Another common warbler, especially in the highlands.
Townsend’s Warbler dendroica townsendi Fairly common in the highlands.
Hermit Warbler Dendroica occidentalis Usually associating with the above species, but not nearly so common.
Yellow-throated Warbler Dendroica dominica One in the gardens of the Hotel Tapatio in Guadalajara on 17th. A rare bird for Jalisco but this locality has at least one previous record for this species!
Grace’s Warbler Dendroica graciae A couple of pairs at Nevado de Colima and a single near the Tufted Jay Preserve.
Black-and-white Warbler Mniotilta varia A few records scattered throughout the tour. Nowhere numerous.
American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla Common Singayta and a few in the mangroves near San Blas.
Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus One Cerro San Juan 23rd.
Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis Seen in the mangroves near San Blas.
MacGillivray’s Warbler Oporornis tolmiei Singles Nevado de Colima and Panuco Road on the first and last days of the tour.
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas A few at Sayula on 16th.
Grey-crowned Yellowthroat Chamaethlypis poliocephala One lower Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Wilson’s Warbler Wilsonia citrina Very common indeed!
Red-faced Warbler Cardellina rubrifrons Small numbers seen in the highlands of Nevado de Colima, Volcan de Fuego, Cerro San Juan and the Durango Highway.
Red Warbler Ergaticus ruber Seen on Nevado de Colima, Volcan de Fuego, Cerro San Juan and one seen at the Aztec Thrush spot on the Durango Highway.
Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus Highland areas.
Slate-throated Redstart Myioborus miniatus Highland areas and Panuco Road. Very different from the paler-bellied birds in South America but the song seems similar.
Fan-tailed Warbler Basileuterus lachrymose One only on La Bajada trail – very disappointing.
Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons Three seen in all. Singles on Volcan de Fuego, and on two occasions on Mesa de los Alisos.
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens Seen on six dates, usually in pairs and quite elusive.
Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli Stunning! Seen in the highlands and often in groups of 7-8 birds.
Olive Warbler Peucedramus taeniatus Seen on both days on Nevado de Colima and once at Mesa de los Alisos.
Godman's Euphonia Euphonia [affinis] godmani Seen Barranca El Choncho and along the Durango Highway.
Blue-hooded Euphonia Euphonia elegantissima Only seen on 18th when three were observed on the track below Volcan de Fuego.
Hepatic Tanager Piranga flava The most widespread and numerous tanager throughout the tour.
Western Tanager Piranga ludoviciana Several seen, mostly in lowlands.
Flame-coloured Tanager Piranga bidentata Scarce; only on Nevado de Colima with two pairs in total.
Red-headed Tanager Spermagra leucoptera A couple showed briefly on Cerro San Juan but seen well on the Durango Highway and Mesa de los Alisos at the end of the tour.
Rosy Thrush-Tanager Rhodinocichla rosea Heard at La Bajada but they did not respond to playback.
Greyish Saltator Saltator coerulescens Seen La Bajada, lower Durango Highway and in Mazatlan. Ones and twos only.
Pyrrhuloxia Cardinalis sinuatus A pair on the upper Singayta track.
Black-headed Grosbeak Pheucticus melanocephalus Quite common when encountered, especially on the lower Volcan de Fuego track.
Yellow Grosbeak Pheucticis chrysopeplus Heard on the Panuco Road on 24th where one responded well to playback on 26th.
Blue Bunting Cyanocompsa parellina Singles Playa del Oro, Barranca El Choncho and Panuco Road.
Blue Grosbeak Passerina caerulea Many seen on 18th on the lower track to Volcan de Fuego.
Lazuli's Bunting Passerina amoena Four with the Blue Grosbeaks on 18th.
Painted Bunting Passerina ciris Several seen in the San Blas area, mainly Singayta.
Varied Bunting Passerina versicolor One on Nevado de Colima on the first day was rather skulking to say the least. We later saw this species very well on the Durango Highway and Panuco Road with another “skulker” being difficult beforehand at La Bajada.
Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea We saw 5 or so on 18th on the lower slopes of Volcan de Fuego.
Orange-breasted Bunting Passerina leclancherii A female in Barranca El Choncho was the only record. Phew!
Dickcisssel Spiza americana One on the lower slopes of Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Rufous-capped Brushfinch Atlapetes pileatus Seen on Volcan de Fuego on 18th and Mesa de los Alisos on 24th.
Green-striped Brushfinch Atlapetes vireticeps Good views of a pair in the morning of 17th on Nevado de Colima.
Rusty-crowned Ground Sparrow Melozone kieneri Good views of this endemic on Cerro San Juan and especially on the Panuco Road.
Green-tailed Towhee Pipilo chlorosus One on Cerro San Juan on 23rd.
Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai Great views of a pair that responded well to playback on Nevado de Colima the first afternoon. Another seen on Fuego on 18th.
Canyon Towhee Pipilo fuscus Seen in Guadalajara and Volcan de Fuego.
Spotted Towhee Pipilo maculates A couple on Mesa de los Alisos on 24th.
Blue-black Grassquit Volatina jacarina A few in Puerto Vallarta on 20th.
Cinnamon-rumped [White-collared] Seedeater Sporophila [torqueola] torqueola This attractive (male) seedeater was seen on waste ground in Puerto Vallarta on 20th. About 15 – 20 seen.
Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula Fairly common around 2400m on Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Black-chested Sparrow Aimophila humeralis One responded immediately to playback near Piscilla (below La Cumbre) and showed really well. It was joined by a second for a short while.
Stripe-headed Sparrow Aimophila ruficauda About a dozen seen on the lower slopes of Volcan de Fuego on 18th.
Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerine The most numerous sparrow on the tour. Usually in large flocks in the highlands. Two birds seen at Cerro San Juan on 24th were studied for some time and although some of us thought otherwise at the time, they must’ve been this species by virtue of their extensive grey rumps / lower mantle.
Clay-coloured Sparrow Spizella pallida A couple seen lower Nevado de Colima on 17th.
Lincoln’s Sparrow Melospiza lincolnii A couple seen on the lower Nevado de Colima road were the only ones of the tour.
Mexican [Yellow-eyed] Junco Junco [phaeonotus] phaeonotus First seen on Volcan de Fuego on 18th, but only briefly. Easier in the Mesa de los Alisos clearings near the cabins where 25+ birds congregated near dusk.
Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Thousands seen near Ciudad Guzman on 17th.
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna 12+ in the Puerto Vallarta waste ground on 20th.
Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus Common in the lowlands.
Bronzed Cowbird Molothrus aeneus Flocks of 40 or 50 frequently encountered by the roadside.
Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri A pair in the grounds of the Hotel Tapatio were the first seen. The only other one was seen on 18th near Volcan de Fuego.
Orchard Oriole Icterus spurious A pair in the waste ground of Puerto Vallarta on 20th.
Hooded Oriole Icterus cucullatus Seen on three dates near Cuidad Guzman and on the Durango Highway.
Streak-backed Oriole Icterus pustulatus The most frequently seen of the orioles; found on 8 dates.
Bullock’s Oriole Icterus bullockii Seen at sites of middle elevation such as the upper La Bajada and lower slopes of Nevado de Colima and Volcan de Fuego.
Scott’s Oriole Icterus parisorum Seen on 24th and 25th near the Tufted Jay Preserve. Max. 3 birds on 25th.
Yellow-winged Cacique Cacicus melanicterus This bird became common once we hit Colima and was with us at lower elevations for the rest of the trip. Large flocks going to roost at many sites.
House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus Seen in Guadalajara and Mazatlan.
Black-headed Siskin Carduelis notata A nice male seen on our first afternoon on the Nevado de Colima.
Lesser Goldfinch Carduelis psaltria Small numbers on the first three dates of the tour.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus Seen on 7 dates in built up areas (and petrol stations!).
MAMMALS
We saw plenty of Collie’s Squirrels Sciurus colliaei, mostly on Nevado de Colima in the first few days of the tour. A Racoon Procyon lotor ran across the road one morning but perhaps the nicest mammal sighting of the tour was of White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus at the Panuco Road.
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