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MEXICO  --  SOUTH

26 January - 22 February 1999

by Jon Hornbuckle

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

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

ITINERARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMMENTS ON SITES

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

Merida

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

Oaxaca

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

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

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

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

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

Chiapas

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

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

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

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

Colima & Jalisco

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

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

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

San Blas

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

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

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

Baja

Surprisingly few birders seem to have visited southern Baja and no-one I approached knew anything about whale-watching at what is reputed to be one of the world's best sites. There are 3 traditional endemics here, plus California Gnatcatcher and Grey Vireo, both 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 Mazatlan, had its attraction, eventually decided to fly to save time and hassle - obtaining tickets is not straightforward and the trip takes nearly 20 hours. Collected car pre-booked with Dollar at La Paz airport and soon heading north to Cd Constitucion - all main roads here are in good condition. Good desert scrub along the road for many miles; soon stopped, just north of the check-point beyond habitation - Grey Thrasher and California Gnatcatcher. Changed dollars at Cd Constitucion then turned west to Pto San Carlos where on arrival Grey Whales could easily be seen blowing in the bay. No shortage of boatmen offering morning trips - arranged to go out with 4 Americans. Preferred starting time appears to be 08.00 but probably better to go earlier because the only breaching observed was early on and wind got up by about 10.00. Excellent views of possibly 50 Grey Whales scattered throughout the large bay (said to be 200 present), some swimming directly under the small boat, but it was rare for more than their backs and possibly tails to come out of the water. Suspect January might be a better month, with more display. Other species, eg Humpbacks and Blues, occur in the Sea of Cortez but it appears to be necessary to take a cruise to see these.

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

Mazatlan

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

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

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 e-mail: JonHornbu@aol.com

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.
 
 
SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME WHERE OBSERVED
Least Grebe  Tachybaptus dominicus Few Teotitlan and San Blas 
Clark's Grebe  Aechmophorus clarkii 2 Laguna Zapotlan 
Sooty Shearwater  Puffinus griseus 1 San Blas pelagic 
Black Storm-Petrel  Oceanodroma melania 1 San Blas pelagic 
Red-billed Tropicbird  Phaethon aethereus 1 juv on the sea San Blas pelagic and distant bird in flight at Playa de Oro 
Brown Booby  Sula leucogaster 10 Barra de Navidad, common San Blas pelagic 
Brandt's Cormorant  Phalacrocorax penicillatus At least a few on Baja coast 
Neotropic Cormorant  Phalacrocorax brasilianus At least a few on inland waters 
Double-crested Cormorant  Phalacrocorax auritus Numerous Chicxulub & Pacific coast; 1000s of cormorants on a sand spit / island at Pto San Carlos were thought to be this sp. 
Anhinga  Anhinga anhinga 1 Manzanillo airport marshes 
American White Pelican  Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Common Chicxulub & San Blas, 2 L.Zapotlan 
Brown Pelican  Pelecanus occidentalis Numerous San Blas, Pto San Carlos & Mazatlan, 10 Barra de Navidad 
Magnificent Frigatebird  Fregata magnificens c.10 Chicxulub & Barra de Navidad, abundant San Blas 
Reddish Egret  Egretta rufescens 3 Chicxulub & several Pto San Carlos 
Tricolored Heron  Egretta tricolor Fairly common Chicxulub, Laguna Sayula & San Blas 
Little Blue Heron  Egretta caerulea 1 Manzanillo airport marshes, few San Blas 
Snowy Egret  Egretta thula Common in suitable habitat 
Great Blue Heron  Ardea herodias Fairly common San Blas, few Laguna Sayula and occasional singles elsewhere 
Great Egret  Casmerodius albus Common in suitable habitat 
Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis Locally common 
Green Heron  Butorides virescens Fairly common Manzanillo airport marshes & San Blas 
Yellow-crowned Night-heron  Nyctanassa violacea Few San Blas & Pto San Carlos 
Black-crowned Night-heron  Nycticorax nycticorax 1 San Blas & a few Pto San Carlos 
Wood Stork  Mycteria americana Several San Blas 
White Ibis  Eudocimus albus Common San Blas 
White-faced Ibis  Plegadis chihi 10+ Laguna Sayula 
Roseate Spoonbill  Ajaia ajaja Common San Blas 
Snow Goose  Anser caerulescens 500+ Laguna Sayula 
Ruddy Duck  Oxyura jamaicensis Several Laguna Sayula & San Jose Estero 
American Wigeon  Anas americana 10+ Laguna Sayula & L.Zapotlan 
Green-winged Teal  Anas crecca carolinensis Common locally 
Mexican Duck  Anas [platyrhynchos] diazi Few Lagunas Sayula &.Zapotlan 
Blue-winged Teal  Anas discors Locally common, eg at Teotitlan 
Cinnamon Teal  Anas cyanoptera 4 Laguna Sayula 7 a few San Blas 
Northern Shoveler  Anas clypeata Common locally 
Black Vulture  Coragyps atratus Common throughout 
Turkey Vulture  Cathartes aura Common throughout 
Hook-billed Kite  Chondrohierax uncinatus 2-3 Volcan de Fuego 
White-tailed Kite  Elanus leucurus 1-2 daily around Oaxaca 
Northern Harrier  Circus cyaneus 3 Laguna Sayula, 1 L.Zapotlan 
Sharp-shinned Hawk  Accipiter striatus Few scattered singles 
Cooper's Hawk  Accipiter cooperii 1 Sumidero Canyon 
Crane Hawk  Geranospiza caerulescens 1 Sewage Pond trail, San Blas 
Common Black-hawk  Buteogallus anthracinus 1 Juchitan - Tuxtla 
Great Black-hawk  Buteogallus urubitinga 1 San Blas 
Harris' Hawk  Parabuteo unicinctus Fairly common southern Baja 
Grey Hawk  Asturina plagiata [nitida] 2-3 daily in San Blas region 
Roadside Hawk  Buteo magnirostris Few throughout 
Broad-winged Hawk  Buteo platypterus 2 El Porvenir, 1 Barranca El Choncho 
Short-tailed Hawk  Buteo brachyurus 2 Volcan de Fuego 
Zone-tailed Hawk  Buteo albonotatus Singles Tuxtla - Tehuantepec Km 30 & La Cumbre 
Red-tailed Hawk  Buteo jamaicensis Several scattered singles 
Osprey  Pandion haliaetus 8-10 Pto San Carlos 
Crested Caracara  Caracara plancus Few throughout lowlands 
Laughing Falcon  Herpetotheres cachinnans 1 lower Singayta 
Barred Forest-Falcon  Micrastur ruficollis 1 El Porvenir 
American Kestrel  Falco sparverius Few throughout 
Merlin  Falco columbarius 1 Sewage Pond trail 
Plain Chachalaca  Ortalis vetula Common Tuxtla Zoo 
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca  Ortalis wagleri 2 seen lower Singayta, several others heard, and 2 La Noria Road 
West Mexican Chachalaca  Ortalis poliocephala 2 Tehuantepec - Oaxaca Km 244 & 1 at Km 236 
Crested Guan  Penelope purpurascens 2 pairs Tuxtla Zoo and 1 Volcan de Fuego 
Great Curassow  Crax rubra A pair Tuxtla Zoo 
Long-tailed Wood-partridge  Dendrortyx macroura 1 Volcan de Fuego and few others heard there 
Elegant Quail  Callipepla douglasii 4+ seen well La Noria Road & 4 utv Huaristemba 
California Quail  Callipepla californica 2 Boca de la Sierra 
Banded Quail  Philortyx fasciatus 10+ Volcan de Fuego 
Northern Bobwhite  Colinus virginianus 2+ Hierve el Agua 
Black-throated Bobwhite  Colinus nigrogularis 4 Chicxulub 
Singing Quail  Dactylortyx thoracicus 1 heard Sumidero Canyon 
American Purple Gallinule  Porphyrula martinica 1 Matanchen 
Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus Common Lagunas Sayula & Zapotlan 
American Coot  Fulica americana Common on suitable waters throughout 
Limpkin  Aramus guarauna 2 Manzanillo airport marshes 
Northern Jacana  Jacana spinosa Few at suitable wetlands throughout 
Black-necked Stilt  Himantopus mexicanus Common 
American Avocet  Recurvirostra americana Common Laguna Sayula & San Blas marshes 
Semipalmated Plover  Charadrius semipalmatus 10 San Blas 
Killdeer  Charadrius vociferus 2 Laguna Sayula 
Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus 2 Playa de Oro, 1 Matanchen Bay 
Marbled Godwit  Limosa fedoa Common Pto San Carlos 
Greater Yellowlegs  Tringa mElanoleuca Common Chicxulub & San Blas, few Laguna Sayula 
Lesser Yellowlegs  Tringa flavipes Common Chicxulub & San Blas 
Solitary Sandpiper  Tringa solitaria Singles Pto Arista & Teotitlan 
Spotted Sandpiper  Actitis macularia Few throughout 
Willet  Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Fairly common on coast, especially at Chicxulub 
Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres 1 Matanchen Bay 
Long-billed Dowitcher  Limnodromus scolopaceus Common San Blas and Laguna Sayula 
Western Sandpiper  Calidris mauri Common Chicxulub & L. Sayula, Barra & San Blas 
Least Sandpiper  Calidris minutilla Abundant Laguna Sayula, common San Blas 
Wilson's Phalarope  Phalaropus tricolor Common Laguna Sayula, 10 San Blas 
Heermann's Gull  Larus heermanni Common San Blas pelagic, Baja and Mazatlan 
Ring-billed Gull  Larus deawarensis Fairly common Pacific coast 
California Gull  Larus californicus Few Baja coast 
Herring Gull  Larus argentatus Several San Blas pelagic & common on Baja coast. Gulls at Mazatlan looked like Western L. occidentalis to me but as this should not occur here, were possibly dark argentatus. 
Bonaparte's Gull  Larus philadephia 1 Mazatlan beach 
Laughing Gull  Larus atricilla Few Barra de Navidad, common San Blas, 2 L Sayula 
Gull-billed Tern  Sterna nilotica Few Laguna Sayula 
Caspian Tern  Sterna caspia Few Pto Arista, 2 Laguna Sayula, 4 San Blas 
Royal Tern  Sterna maxima Common Barra de Navidad 
Forster's Tern  Sterna forsteri 2 Chicxulub & few San Blas pelagic and Mazatlan 
Black Tern  Chlidonias niger 1 San Blas pelagic 
Black Skimmer  Rynchops niger 4 San Blas pelagic 
Band-tailed Pigeon  Columba fasciata Few Cerro San Felipe, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Red-billed Pigeon  Columba flavirostris Few Sumidero Canyon, Panuco Road & doubtless elsewhere 
Mourning Dove  Zenaida macroura Fairly common in lowlands 
White-winged Dove  Zenaida asiatica Locally fairly common 
Inca Dove  Scardafella inca Locally common 
Common Ground-dove  Columbina passerina Widespread and common 
Ruddy Ground-dove  Columbina talpacoti Locally fairly common 
White-tipped Dove  Leptotila verreauxi Scattered singles 
Pacific Parakeet  Aratinga strenua 80 just south of Tonala 
Orange-fronted Parakeet  Aratinga canicularis 15+ below Pluma Hidalgo and on coast, common around San Blas 
[Thick-billed Parrot]  Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha  Parrot calls heard once on Volcan de Fuego were probably this sp. 
Mexican Parrotlet  Forpus cyanopygius 20-30 at several sites around San Blas 
Lilac-crowned Parrot  Amazona finschi  3+ Barranca El Choncho, 2 La Bajada 
[White-fronted Parrot]  Amazona albifrons 2 north of Juchitan & 2-4 east of San Cristobal thought to be this species 
Squirrel Cuckoo  Piaya cayana Singles Km 43 Tehuantepec - Tuxtla & Huaristemba, 2 Playa de Oro Road
Groove-billed Ani  Crotophaga sulcirostris Locally common 
Greater Roadrunner  Geococcyx californianus Singles Boca de la Sierra & La Paz airport 
Lesser Roadrunner  Geococcyx velox 1 La Noria Road, utv's of singles at Km 203.5, Oaxaca and Km 285 Durango Hwy 
Balsas Screech-owl  Otus kennicottii seductus 1 seen and 2 heard La Cumbre 
[Bearded Screech-owl]  Otus barbarus  1 heard Huitapec NR 
Colima Pygmy-owl  Glaucidium palmarum 1 seen La Cumbre 
[Ferruginous Pygmy-owl]  Glaucidium brasilianum  Singles heard Huitapec NR, Teotitlan & La Bajada 
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl]  Aegolius acadicus ridgwayi  2 heard Huitapec NR 
Lesser Nighthawk  Chordeiles acutipennis 10 San Cristobal and a few scattered singles 
Buff-collared Nightjar  Caprimulgus ridgwayi 4 La Cumbre 
[Mexican Whip-poor-will] Caprimulgus arizonae  Several calling Huitapec NR 
White-naped Swift  Streptoprocne semicollaris 10 Km 235 Durango Hwy 
White-throated Swift  Aeronautes saxatalis 20 Hierve El Agua 
[Mexican Hermit]  Phaethornis [superciliosus] mexicanus  3 lekking Barranca El Choncho 
Green Violet-ear  Colibri thalassinus Several in all pine forests 
Canivet's [Fork-tailed] Emerald  Chlorostilbon canivetii 2+ Sumidero Canyon 
Golden-crowned Emerald  Chlorostilbon [canivetii] auriceps Singles Playa de Oro Road & Barranca el Choncho 
Dusky Hummingbird  Cynanthus sordidus Few Teotitlan, Yagul & Monte Alban 
Broad-billed Hummingbird  Cynanthus latirostris 2 La Noria Road & Km 285 Durango Hwy 
Doubleday's (Broad-billed) Hummingbird  Cyanthus doubledayi 1 at Km 244 Tehuantepec - Oaxaca road 
Mexican Woodnymph  Thalurania ridgwayi 1 Cerro de San Juan 
Xantus' Hummingbird  Hylocharis xantusii Single males Boca de la Sierra & San Antonio 
White-eared Hummingbird  Hylocharis leucotis Common in montane forest 
Berylline Hummingbird  Amazilia beryllina Few Sumidero Canyon, Teotitlan & La Bajada 
Cinnamon Hummingbird  Amazilia rutila Few all along the Pacific coast 
Buff-bellied Hummingbird  Amazilia yucatanensis 2 Chicxulub & La Petaca Road 
Green-fronted Hummingbird  Amazilia viridifrons 3+ Sumidero Canyon 
Violet-crowned Hummingbird  Amazilia violiceps 1-2 La Petaca Road 
Blue-capped Hummingbird  Eupherusa cyanophrys Pair at Km 188.7 above Pluma Hidalgo 
Blue-throated Hummingbird  Lampornis clemenciae 1-2 at Km 188.7, Volcan de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan and common at Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Garnet-throated Hummingbird  Lamprolaima rhami 1 Huitapec NR 
Magnificent Hummingbird  Eugenes fulgens 1-2 El Porvenir, Cerro San Filipe, Volcan de Fuego & La Petaca Road 
Plain-capped Starthroat  Heliomaster constantii Common Barranca Rancho Liebre, 1-2 La Petaca Rd 
Mexican Sheartail  Doricha eliza 1+ Chicxulub 
Lucifer Hummingbird  Calothorax lucifer 1 Volcan de Fuego 
Beautiful Hummingbird  Calothorax pulcher 1 Yagul 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird  Archilochus colubris Few near Juchitan and Elsewhere right along coast 
Black-chinned Hummingbird  Archilochus alexandri Common Playa de Oro Road and around Barra de Navidad 
Costa's Hummingbird  Calypte costae Widespread and fairly common southern Baja unless other small sp. were involved, which is quite likely
Calliope Hummingbird  Stellula calliope 2 La Petaca Road 
Bumblebee Hummingbird  Atthis heloisa 1 Volcan de Fuego, 2 Cerro de San Juan 
Broad-tailed Hummingbird  Selasphorus platycercus 1-2 La Cumbre & Volcan de Fuego 
Rufous Hummingbird  Selasphorus rufus Few Volcan de Fuego, common Cerro de San Juan, several lower Durango Hwy 
Citreoline Trogon  Trogon citreolus 1-3 at all Pacific coastal sites except Baja 
Mountain Trogon  Trogon mexicanus 6 El Porvenir, few Sumidero Canyon, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Collared Trogon  Trogon collaris 1 San Cristobal 
Belted Kingfisher  Megaceryle alcyon Common San Blas & few Elsewhere 
Russet-crowned Motmot  Momotus mexicanus 2 Tuxtla Zoo 
[Emerald Toucanet ] Aulacorhynchus prasinus  1 heard Pluma Hidalgo 
Acorn Woodpecker  Melanerpes formicivorus Few near Hierve El Agua & at Volcan de Fuego 
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker  Melanerpes chrysogenys Common San Blas area 
Grey-breasted Woodpecker  Melanerpes hypopolius 3 Yagul only 
Gila Woodpecker  Melanerpes uropygialis Common San Blas area and Baja 
Golden-fronted Woodpecker  Melanerpes aurifrons Few along Oaxaca coast 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  Sphyrapicus varius 2 Cerro San Filipe 
Nuttall's Woodpecker  Picoides nuttallii Several southern Baja 
Ladder-backed Woodpecker  Picoides scalaris Fairly common throughout dry open woodland 
Arizona / Strickland's Woodpecker  Picoides arizonae [stricklandi] 1 Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Hairy Woodpecker  Dendrocopos villosus 2 Km 203 north of Oaxaca 
Red-shafted Flicker  Colaptes cafer [auratus] Several Cerro San Filipe 
Gilded Flicker  Colaptes chrysoides [auratus] Fairly common southern Baja 
Lineated Woodpecker  Dryocopus lineatus 1-4 daily San Blas area & Cerro de San Juan 
Pale-billed Woodpecker  Campephilus guatemalensis Singles lower Singayta, La Bajada, Km 285 Durango Hwy and La Noria Road 
Olivaceous Woodcreeper  Sittasomus griseicapillus 1 Cerro de San Juan 
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper  Xiphorhynchus flavigaster Singles Tuxtla Zoo, Sumidero Canyon, Barranca el Chonco & Cerro de San Juan 
White-striped Woodcreeper  Lepidocolaptes leucogaster 2 Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Northern Beardless-tyrannulet  Camptostoma imberbe Few on the coast, eg 2 Playa de Oro Road 
Greenish Elaenia  Myiopagis viridicata 1 Barranca El Choncho 
Belted Flycatcher  Xenotriccus callizonus 1 Sumidero Canyon 
Pileated Flycatcher  Xenotriccus mexicanus 1-2 Km 203.5 north of Oaxaca, 1 Yagul 
Tufted Flycatcher  Mitrephanes phaeocercus 1-3 in all montane forests except in Chiapas 
Greater Pewee  Contopus pertinax Scattered singles 
White-throated Flycatcher  Empidonax albigularis 1 Barranca El Choncho 
Hammond's Flycatcher  Empidonax hammondii 1-2 Cerro San Filipe, several southern Baja 
Grey Flycatcher  Empidonax wrightii Several southern Baja 
Dusky Flycatcher  Empidonax oberholseri Few in montane forest 
Pine Flycatcher  Empidonax affinis 1-2 Cerro San Filipe & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Pacific Slope Flycatcher  Empidonax difficilis Few San Blas & Mazatlan areas 
Cordilleran Flycatcher  Empidonax occidentalis 2 at Km 300 coastal road to Tehuantepec 
Buff-breasted Flycatcher  Empidonax fulvifrons 1 Cerro de San Juan 
Black Phoebe  Sayornis nigricans Singles San Cristobal & Teotitlan 
Vermilion Flycatcher  Pyrocephalus rubinus Several in dry areas, eg Yagul and La Noria Road 
Dusky-capped Flycatcher  Myiarchus tuberculifer Few San Cristobal & Sumidero Canyon 
Ash-throated Flycatcher  Myiarchus cinerascens Several in dry areas, eg Teotitlan and Baja 
Nutting's Flycatcher  Myiarchus nuttingi 2-3 near Juchitan & La Noria Road 
Brown-crested Flycatcher  Myiarchus tyrannulus Few coastal Oaxaca 
Flammulated Flycatcher  Detarhynchus flammulatus 1 taped in at Km 18.3 west of Barra de Navidad 
Cassin's Kingbird  Tyrannus vociferans Several in Oaxaca and southern Baja 
Thick-billed Kingbird  Tyrannus crassirostris 2 Playa de Oro, few San Blas and Mazatlan areas 
Western Kingbird  Tyrannus verticalis Common Colima coast northwards 
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher  Muscivora forficata 30+ Juchitan - Tuxtla, especially near Km 43 
Boat-billed Flycatcher  Megarhynchus pitangua 4 Pto Arista 
Social Flycatcher  Myiozetetes similis Common Sumidero Canyon, few Pto Arista 
Great Kiskadee  Pitangus sulphuratus Fairly common in Oaxaca valley & around San Blas 
Grey-collared Becard  Pachyramphus major Singles Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego 
Rose-throated Becard  Platypsaris aglaiae 2-3 Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego, singles west of Barra de Navidad and at lower Singayta 
Masked Tityra  Tityra semifasciata Few scattered throughout, except Baja 
Violet-green Swallow  Tachycineta thalassina Fairly common 
Grey-breasted Martin  Progne chalybea Few Pto Arista 
N Rough-winged Swallow  Stelgidopteryx serripennis 6+ Teotitlan 
Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica Several on coast 
Grey Silky-flycatcher  Ptilogonys cinereus Numerous Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego, several in other montane localities 
Phainopepla  Phainopepla nitens Few southern Baja 
Cedar Waxwing  Bombycilla cedrorum Several flocks throughout 
Spotted Wren  Campylorhynchus gularis 4 Volcan de Fuego 
Cactus Wren  Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus Several southern Baja 
Boucard's Wren  Campylorhynchus jocosus 2 Yagul and Monte Alban 
Yucatan Wren  Campylorhynchus yucatanicus 3 + 2 Chicxulub 
Giant Wren  Campylorhynchus chiapensis Two 3 Km N of Pto Arista 
Rufous-naped Wren  Campylorhynchus rufinucha 8 at Km 300 on coast road to Tehuantepec 
Grey-barred Wren  Campylorhynchus megalopterus Locally common Cerro San Filipe, 1 party Volcan de Fuego 
Rock Wren  Salpinctes obsoletus 1 Monte Alban 
Canyon Wren  Catherpes mexicanus 4+ Yagul and Monte Alban 
Bewick's Wren  Thryomanes bewickii 2 Teotitlan and Yagul 
Happy Wren  Thryothorus felix Several in coastal scrub, at Cerro de San Juan & Singayta 
Banded Wren  Thryothorus pleurostictus Few Sumidero Canyon 
Sinaloa Wren  Thryothorus sinaloa Few Sewage Pond Trail & lower Durango Hwy 
House Wren  Troglodytes aedon Widespread 
White-bellied Wren  Uropsila leucogastra Common west of Barra de Navidad 
[White-breasted Wood-wren ] Henicorhina leucosticta Heard around Pluma Hidalgo 
Grey-breasted Wood-wren  Henicorhina leucophrys Common in montane forest 
Grey Catbird  Dumetella carolinensis Several in Oaxaca, eg Juchitan & Monte Alban 
Blue Mockingbird  Melanotis caerulescens Scattered singles, eg at Teotitlan, Volcan de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan 
Tropical Mockingbird  Mimus gilvus 2 Chicxulub 
Northern Mockingbird  Mimus polyglottos Several San Blas and southern Baja 
Grey Thrasher  Toxostoma cinereum Several southern Baja 
Curve-billed Thrasher  Toxostoma curvirostre Singles Yagul, Teotitlan and Monte Alban 
Ocellated Thrasher  Toxostoma ocEllatum Two singles Km 203.5 
Eastern Bluebird  Sialia sialis 3 Volcan de Fuego, 1 Huaristemba 
Brown-backed Solitaire  Myadestes occidentalis Common in montane forest, down as low as Panuco Road 600m
Russet Nightingale-thrush  Catharus occidentalis 1 El Porvenir 
Ruddy-capped Nightingale-thrush  Catharus frantzii 1 Sumidero Canyon 
Swainson's Thrush  Catharus ustulatus 2 Sumidero Canyon, 1 San Blas 
Hermit Thrush  Catharus guttatus 1 Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Clay-coloured Robin  Turdus grayi Common near Oaxaca coast & Sumidero Canyon 
White-throated Thrush  Turdus assimilis Few La Bajada and Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Rufous-backed Robin  Turdus rufopalliatus Locally common around San Blas, especially Sewage Pond trail 
American Robin  Turdus migratorius Singles Cerro San Filipe and Hierve El Agua, fairly common Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Rufous-collared Robin  Turdus rufitorques 3 San Cristobal 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  Regulus calendula 2 Cerro San Filipe, fairly common Durango Highway and Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Verdin  Auriparus flaviceps Fairly common southern Baja
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher  Polioptila caerulea Fairly common throughout, especially southern Baja 
California Gnatcatcher  Polioptila californica 2 north of La Paz 
Black-capped Gnatcatcher  Polioptila nigriceps 2 Barranca El Choncho and Km 285 Durango Hwy 
White-lored Gnatcatcher  Polioptila albiloris 2 Chicxulub, Teotitlan and Yagul, few Oaxaca coast 
Bushtit  Psaltriparus minimus 1 Teotitlan, 10 Volcan de Fuego, few Cerro San Filipe 
Mexican Chickadee  Parus sclateri 2+ Cerro San Filipe, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Bridled Titmouse  Parus wollweberi 2 near Hierve El Agua 
California [Plain] Titmouse  Parus inornatus 2 Agua Caliente, southern Baja 
White-breasted Nuthatch  Sitta carolinensis 2 Volcan de Fuego 
Brown Creeper  Certhia americana 1-2 Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Loggerhead Shrike  Lanius ludovicianus 2 Teotitlan, 1 La Noria Road & Monte Alban 
Steller's Jay  Cyanocitta stelleri Several in all montane pine forest, with 20 at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy 
Western Scrub Jay  Aphelocoma californica [coerulescens] Several southern Baja 
Grey-breasted Jay  Aphelocoma ultramarina 2 Volcan de Fuego, 1 near Hierve El Agua 
Dwarf Jay  Cyanolyca nana 2-3 Cerro San Filipe on 3 Feb only 
San Blas Jay  Cyanocorax sanblasianus 1 Manzanillo airport, 4 Barranca el Choncho, 10+ near Pto Vallarta 
Purplish-backed Jay  Cyanocorax beecheii 4 San Blas Jay track near Huaristemba), 6 La Noria Road 
Tufted Jay  Cyanocorax dickeyi 6+ at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy and Barranca Rancho Liebre with 2 more in the lower canyon 
Green Jay  Cyanocorax yncas Few Sumidero Canyon and Cerro de San Juan 
Black-throated Magpie-jay  Calocitta colliei Fairly common San Blas and Mazatlan area 
White-throated Magpie-jay  Calocitta formosa Common Oaxaca, Chiapas and Colima coastal areas 
Sinaloa Crow  Corvus sinaloae Common San Blas and Mazatlan 
Common Raven  Corvus corax 2 Yagul, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre, fairly common southern Baja 
European Starling  Sturnus vulgaris Few flocks southern Baja 
House Sparrow  Passer domesticus Widespread in settlements 
Rufous-browed Peppershrike  Cyclarhis gujanensis 1 Sumidero Canyon 
Chestnut-sided Shrike-vireo  Vireolanius melitophrys 1 Volcan de Fuego 
Slaty Vireo  Vireo brevipennis 2 seen & 1 heard at Km 205 N of Oaxaca, opposite side of main road to the Black Tank 
Bell's Vireo  Vireo bellii Scattered singles, eg Km 300 coast rd to Tehuantepec 
Dwarf Vireo  Vireo nelsoni 1 Volcan de Fuego 
Hutton's Vireo  Vireo huttoni 2 san Cristobal and Cerro San Filipe 
Mangrove Vireo  Vireo pallens 1 Chicxulub 
Grey Vireo  Vireo vicinior 1 San Antonio 
Golden Vireo  Vireo hypochryseus Singles Teotitlan & opposite the Black Tank 
Blue-headed Vireo  Vireo solitarius 1 Yagul 
Cassin's Vireo  Vireo cassinii Several southern Baja 
Plumbeous Vireo  Vireo plumbeus 1-2 scattered throughout 
Yellow-throated Vireo  Vireo flavifrons 2 Sumidero Canyon 
Warbling Vireo  Vireo gilvus 1 El Porvenir, 2 Cerro San Filipe 
Brown-capped Vireo  Vireo leucophrys Few El Porvenir - Pluma Hidalgo 
Lesser Greenlet  Hylophilus decurtatus Few El Porvenir - Pluma Hidalgo 
Black-headed Siskin  Carduelis notata Few Cerro San Filipe and Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Lesser Goldfinch  Carduelis psaltria Widespread in small parties, especially common around San Blas 
House Finch  Carpodacus mexicanus Common in arid Oaxaca, eg Teotitlan, and Baja 
Olive Warbler  Peucedramus taeniatus 1 Cerro San Filipe 
Orange-crowned Warbler  Vermivora celata Fairly common Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Nashville Warbler  Vermivora ruficapilla Widespread and fairly common 
Virginia's Warbler  Vermivora virginiae 2 Volcan Fuego 
Colima Warbler  Vermivora crissalis 1 Volcan de Fuego 
Tropical Parula  Parula pitiayumi Fairly common Volcan de Fuego, 4 Barranca El Choncho 
Crescent-chested Warbler  Parula superciliosa Fairly common in montane forest 
Yellow Warbler  Dendroica petechia Fairly common San Blas 
Magnolia Warbler  Dendroica magnolia Few Sumidero Canyon and near Tehuantepec 
Yellow-rumped Warbler  Dendroica coronata Few scattered records but common at Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Black-throated Grey Warbler  Dendroica nigrescens Few most days from Colima onwards 
Townsend's Warbler  Dendroica townsendi Fairly common in montane forest 
Hermit Warbler  Dendroica occidentalis Few in most montane forest 
Black-throated Green Warbler  Dendroica virens Few Sumidero Canyon 
Grace's Warbler  Dendroica graciae Few in most montane forest 
Palm Warbler  Dendroica palmarum 3 Chicxulub 
Black-and-white Warbler  Mniotilta varia Widespread in small numbers 
American Redstart  Setophaga ruticilla Few San Blas, Cerro de San Juan & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Ovenbird  Seiurus aurocapillus 2 Sumidero Canyon 
Waterthrush sp.  Seiurus sp. 2 singles San Blas 
MacGillivray's Warbler  Oporornis tolmiei Few Oaxaca valley, San Blas, Baja & Mazatlan area 
Common Yellowthroat  Geothlypis trichas Few San Blas & numerous San Jose Estero 
Belding's Yellowthroat  Geothlypis beldingi Only 1 positively identified at San Jose Estero 
Wilson's Warbler  Wilsonia pusilla Fairly common throughout 
Red-faced Warbler  Cardelina rubrifrons 1 Cerro San Filipe, few Volcan de Fuego 
Red Warbler  Ergaticus ruber Fairly common throughout in montane pine forest 
Painted Redstart  Myioborus pictus 1-2 Volcan de Fuego, Cerro de San Juan & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Slate-throated Redstart  Myioborus miniatus Few in most montane forest 
Fan-tailed Warbler  Euthlypis lachrymosa 1 Sumidero Canyon 
Golden-crowned Warbler  Basileuterus culicivorus Few Pluma Hidalgo 
Rufous-capped Warbler  Basileuterus rufifrons Fairly common throughout in montane pine forest 
Golden-browed Warbler  Basileuterus belli Few in montane forests 
Yellow-breasted Chat  Icteria virens Singles Volcan de Fuego and upper & lower Singayta 
Red-breasted Chat  Granatellus venustus 1 imm male west of Barra de Navidad 
Red-crowned Ant-tanager  Habia rubica 6+ Sumidero Canyon, 3 Barranca El Choncho 
Flame-coloured Tanager  Piranga bidentata Few throughout 
Hepatic Tanager  Piranga flava Several 
Summer Tanager  Piranga rubra 1 Sumidero Canyon, 2 at Km 203.5 N of Oaxaca & Volcan de Fuego 
Western Tanager  Piranga ludoviciana Scattered sightings throughout Oaxaca - Mazatlan 
Red-headed Tanager  Piranga erythrocephala 1 Km 203.5 Oaxaca, 6 west of Barra de Navidad, 2 Barranca El Choncho and Cerro de San Juan, 6 at Km 206.5 Durango Hwy 
Yellow-winged Tanager  Thraupis abbas 2 Sumidero Canyon 
Scrub Euphonia  Euphonia affinis 2 affinis Juchitan and 2 godmani west of Barra de Navidad 
Yellow-throated Euphonia  Euphonia hirundinacea Several Juchitan & Sumidero Canyon 
Blue-hooded Euphonia  Euphonia elegantissima 4 Volcan de Fuego 
Lark Bunting  Calamospiza melanocorys 20+ Teotitlan, few L Sayula 
Lincoln's Sparrow  Melospiza lincolnii Several throughout 
Rufous-collared Sparrow  Zonotrichia capensis Common in montane forest in Chiapas 
White-crowned Sparrow  Zonotrichia leucophrys Few San Jose Estero 
Yellow-eyed Junco  Junco phaeonotus Several Cerro San Filipe, Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Chipping Sparrow  Spizella passerina 2 Monte Alban & La Petaca Road 
Clay-coloured Sparrow  Spizella pallida Few Monte Alban, Pto San Carlos, San Antonio & La Noria Rd 
Lark Sparrow  Chondestes grammacus 20+ Pto San Carlos, San Antonio & La Noria Road 
Black-throated Sparrow  Amphispiza bilineata 2 La Paz - San Jose de Cabo 
Five-striped Sparrow  Aimophila quinquestriata 1 La Noria Road 
Bridled Sparrow  Aimophila mystacalis Few Teotitlan, Yagul & Hierve El Agua 
Black-chested Sparrow  Aimophila humeralis 8 at Piscila Road below La Cumbre 
Stripe-headed Sparrow  Aimophila ruficauda Few Km 300 coast rd to Tehuantepec, common Piscila Road below La Cumbre, few Playa de Oro road and Barra de Navidad 
Sumichrast's / Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow  Aimophila sumichrasti 2+ north of Juchitan 
Rufous-crowned Sparrow  Aimophila ruficeps Few Teotitlan & Hierve El Agua 
Oaxaca Sparrow  Aimophila notosticta Singles Teotitlan and Monte Alban 
Green-tailed Towhee  Pipilo chlorurus Common southern Baja, few Barranca Rancho Liebre & La Noria Road 
Collared Towhee  Pipilo ocai 3 Cerro San Filipe & Volcan de Fuego 
Spotted Towhee  Pipilo maculatus [erythrophthalmus] 2 Cerro San Filipe & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
California Towhee  Pipilo crissalis Several southern Baja 
Canyon Towhee  Pipilo fuscus 2 Volcan de Fuego 
White-throated Towhee  Pipilo albicollis Common in Oaxaca 
Rusty-crowned Ground-sparrow  Melozone kieneri Singles Cerro de San Juan & La Petaca Road 
Olive Sparrow  Arremonops rufivirgatus 2 Sumidero Canyon 
White-naped Brush-finch  Atlapetes albinucha 1 Huitapec NR 
Rufous-capped Brush-finch  Atlapetes pileatus 2 Km 206.5 & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Chestnut-capped Brush-finch  Atlapetes brunneinucha 2 Huitapec NR & Volcan de Fuego 
Green-striped Brush-finch  Atlapetes virenticeps 2 Volcan de Fuego & Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Blue-black Grassquit  Volatinia jacarina Common San Blas 
White-collared Seedeater  Sporophila torqueola Few morelleti Huitapec NR, Volcan de Fuego & a few S.t.torqeola (Cinnamon-rumped) Piscila Road, Cerro de San Juan, lower Singayta & Huaristemba 
Ruddy-breasted Seedeater  Sporophila minuta 20+ Pto Arista 
Cinnamon-bellied Flower-piercer  Diglossa baritula 2 El Porvenir & Volcan de Fuego 
Yellow Grosbeak  Pheucticus chrysopeplus 1-2 Huitapec NR and several sites from San Blas northwards 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak  Pheucticus ludovicianus 1 Huitapec NR 
Black-headed Grosbeak  Pheucticus melanocephalus Widespread in small numbers 
Northern Cardinal  Cardinalis cardinalis Several southern Baja, 2 Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Pyrrhuloxia  Cardinalis sinuatus Few southern Baja 
Greyish Saltator  Saltator coerulescens Few San Blas 
Blue Bunting  Cyanocompsa parellina 1-2 Juchitan, Yagul and at sites around San Blas 
Blue Grosbeak  Guiraca caerulea Fairly common San Blas and Baja 
Indigo Bunting  Passerina cyanea Several at sites in Chiapas 
Varied Bunting  Passerina versicolor Several southern Baja 
Painted Bunting  Passerina ciris Few along the caoast, 8 Huaristemba 
Rose-bellied Bunting  Passerina rositae 3 north of Juchitan 
Orange-breasted Bunting  Passerina leclancherii Fairly common along the coast including the rositae site 
Yellow-winged Cacique  Cacicus melanicterus Common Playa de Oro Road, San Blas & Mazatlan 
Yellow-billed Cacique  Amblycercus holosericeus 1+ Sumidero Canyon 
Dickey's / Audubon's Oriole  Icterus [graduacauda] dickeyae 2 Cerro de San Juan 
Altamira Oriole  Icterus gularis Fairly common throughout 
Streak-backed Oriole  Icterus pustulatus Few all along the coast & lower Durango Hwy 
Abeille's / Black-backed Oriole  Icterus abeillei [galbula] 2 Cerro San Filipe 
Hooded Oriole  Icterus cucullatus Few Teotitlan, common Baja, Barranca Rancho Liebre & Durango Hwy 
Orchard Oriole  Icterus spurius Common at Huaristemba, several in Baja, 3 fuertesi Ochre Orioleb at Pto Arista 
Black-vented Oriole  Icterus wagleri 2 La Petaca Road 
Scott's Oriole  Icterus parisorum Few Teotitlan, common Barranca Rancho Liebre 
Yellow-headed Blackbird  Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 100+ Laguna Sayula 
Red-winged Blackbird  Agelaius phoeniceus 50+ Laguna Sayula - Howell calls this Bicoloured Blackbird A. gubernator; a flock of 20+ in San Blas area and probably overlooked elsewhere. 
Eastern Meadowlark  Sturnella magna Few San Blas area 
Western Meadowlark  Sturnella neglecta Few southern Baja 
Great-tailed Grackle  Quiscalus mexicanus Common throughout 
Brewer's Blackbird  Euphagus cyanocephalus 10+ Laguna Sayula 
Bronzed Cowbird  Molothrus aeneus Fairly common throughout the lowlands, excluding Baja 
Brown-headed Cowbird  Molothrus ater Several flocks southern Baja