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Birds of Huatulco

Roseate Spoon Bill (platalea ajaja) seen at Río Copalita
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Common Birds of Huatulco

Most of the sites in the coast of Oaxaca share similar bird species in each season. Here are some of the resident and migrant species that you are likely to find. Local bird habitats include low jungle, middle jungle or rainforest, different types of open fields, and humid zones such as ponds and estuaries. Some species can occur in more than one type of habitat, but are generally listed only once, and some species, may be more difficult to find than others, such as the pilgrim hawk.


Bird watching in Huatulco
There are several great birding spots within 15 minutes of the hotel area, offering year-round birding. These include the National Park of Huatulco, about 14 miles NE of downtown La Crucecita. Another excellent birding opportunities is in a place called Botazoo in the recently discovered archeological site Punta Celeste 10 miles SW of Tangolunda bay. The best time to see a great variety of species is from sunrise until 10:00 am. In the afternoon, the best time is from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Low Jungle or Caducifolia Jungle:

Resident Species:   White throated Magpie, Lineated Woodpecker, Emerald Hummingbird, Common Black Hawk, Solitary Eagle, Osprey, Crested Caracara, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Russet-crowned Motmot, Tropical Flycatchers, Tyrannus: kingbirds, Wrens, Allies, Nightjars, Parrots & Parakeets, Ground-Doves, Wild Turkeys, Robins, Buntings, Mourning Dove.

Winter Migrants:   Icterids, Orioles, Hawks, Osprey, Northern Cardinal, White Winged Dove, West Mexican Chachalaca, American Robin.

Ponds and Estuaries
Resident Species:   Boat-billed Heron, Rufescent Tiger Heron, Owls, Allies, Cuckoos, Blue & Green Herons, Vultures, Hawks, Kites, Eagles, Jacana, Rails, Kingfishers, Chickadees, Kingbirds, Orioles, Mangrove Vireo, Icterids, Cormorant.

Winter Migrants:   Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Osprey, Anhinga, Black Duck, Roseate Spoon Bill, White Ibis, Little Blue Heron.

Middle Jungle or Rainforest

Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (G. brasilianum ridwayi) (Búho in Spanish)
-- actually we think this looks more like a burrowing owl
Resident Species:   Woodcreepers, Highland Hummingbirds, Hermits, Sabrewings, Pygmy Owls, Doves, Woodpeckers, Forest Falcons, Forest Quail, Trogons, Woodpeckers, Gnatcatchers, Large Wrens, Robins, Grosbeaks, Mockingbirds, Grosbeaks, Buntings, Sparrows, Eagles.

Winter Migrants:   Swifts, Swallows, Pilgrim Hawk, Hermit Thrush.

Humid Regions
Resident Species:   Along the coast and estuaries numerous aquatic bird species can be seen year round.

Winter Migrants:   Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shearwater, Booby, White Ibis, White Pelican, Oystercatcher, Petrels, Frigatebirds, Gulls.

Obviously, this list of groupings is very simplified, but hopefully this will give you an idea of what species you are most likely to find in the different seasons and habitats.

You can refer to the bird check list of Outdoor Huatulco, do not hesitate to contact me if you have an specific question about the outdoor activities in Oaxaca State.

Pedro Gasca
(958) 116-7732 (Mexico)
Field Guide
ABA member 049113


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