Birdwatching in Mexico

Birding contacts and birdwatching information

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Local Birdingpal Contacts
Local Birdwatchers
Using the Birdingpal resources you must agree to the following: If you contact a local Birdingpal and make arrangement to go birding, you should note it is common courtesy to make sure you show up for the appointment. If for any reason you are unable to do this, the least you must do is contacting the local Pal right away.
Please note that most Birdingpals are serious birdwatchers. It is a privilege to contact them, and your message should reflect it. A local Pal does not get paid, but should he/she offer to take you out birding, using their own vehicle, it would be courteous to pay for the fuel. A lunch and/or a small gift would also be appropriate, something as simple as a souvenir of your country, or a pin from your local birding club.

Initial Last Name Area Available Language
A Gutierrez Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur Weekend
K Kühne San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Anytime German/English
Spanish/Portuguese
French/Chinese
San Cristobal is in the mountains (at 2100 meters) with the according avifauna, but trips to the rainforest lowlands in Eastern Chiapas or other parts of the state can be planned from here.
R Padilla Pachuca, Hidalgo Weekend Spanish/English
In Pachuca, we have Abies, Quercus, Pinus forest, xerofitic matorral. 1 or 2 hours form Pachuca,we have Lakes, cloud forest. 3 hours from Pachuca, Cloud forest, evergreen forest.
R Guerra Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Weekend
G Conti Patzcuaro Anytime English/Spanish
Turkish
Although I have birded the Morelia-Patzcuaro area for over 10 years, I moved February 2008 to Arocutin, a small village on the west side of Lake Patzcuaro. Before this permanent move, I lived in and seriously birded Seattle, WA and Anchorage, AK. My focus this next year will be to understand more about status and distribution of this area's birds. I'd be happy to answer any questions or show you some of my favorite spots.
M Armenta Mazatlan, Sinaloa Anytime
G Boz-Sepulveda Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas Anytime Spanish/English
The Altas Cumbres area located high in the cloud forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental, N.E. Tamaulipas boasts of over 500 types of birds and butterfly some of which only occur in this region. I will be available to small groups of 3 to 5 persons. I am not a professional guide, nor will I charge for the tour. I will only ask you tell a friend and help us to continue to promote the neo-tropics in responsible and sustainable manner, donations always welcome. I have been going to the Cd.Victoria area for over 35 years and do have access to local bird, butterfly, and canopy tour guides. Thank you for your help to protect and preserve these fragile and endangered natural areas.
A Palos Dzemul, Yucatan Anytime
B Scott Progreso, Yucatan Anytime English/Spanish
I started birding in my native country, Canada in 1988 and it has been a passion since then. My tropical birding experience started when we moved to the Yucatan in 2003. Since then we have taken 6 extensive birding trips in 7 of the southern states in Mexico. The best birding areas in our immediate vicinity are Dzibilchaltun, Xcambo, Chuburna, Dzilam de Bravo and Aquaparque in Merida. Further afield are Celestun, Chumbec, Uxmal and Rio Lagartos. I have recorded 292 species in the state and 367 species in the peninsula. Within an hour’s drive of my home, I can fairly reliably locate several regional endemics and quasi-endemics such as Yucatan Wren, Mexican Sheartail, Yucatan Bobwhite, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Flycatcher, and Orange Oriole.

Professional Guides
If you contact a professional Birdingpal guide you must be prepared to pay a fee for guiding services.

Initial Last Name Area Available Language
J Spencer La Ribera/Cabo, Baja California Sur Anytime English
John Spencer. La Ribera, Baja Sur, Mexico. Southern Baja peninsula professional bird guide and bird photographer. Specializing in the East Cape area of Baja, Sur, Mexico. La Paz (north) to Cabo San Lucas (south).
Fifteen years of local birding experience. Over fifty years experience birding all over the world. Scientifically educated. Have studied birds and birding since I was a young man.
Area has a wide range of habitats. Within a two hour drive we bird the beaches and lagoons along the Sea of Cortez, thru desert, then into thorn scrub, a palm oasis, up into oak riparian and finally 'sky islands'. Sea level thru 2000 ft and six different habitats.
Over 300 species, with 6 endemics. Wide range of local accommodations, from simple (20USD/day)to elegant five star (200+/day).
Overnight mountain camping trips can be arranged for sighting the rare endemic Cape Pygmy Owl.
Visit my web site
M Jurado Erongarícuaro, Michoacán Anytime Spanish/English
I'm a government bonded tour guide in general knowledge, and naturalist by love, birdwatching is something I really enjoy, so I volunteer in monitoring two ares for BBS Breeding Bird Survey.
H Valencia Erongarícuaro, Michoacán Anytime Spanish/English
Most people know me by Hugo. I am a 34-year old Purhepechan bird guide, and I live in the small town of Erongaricuaro, Michoacan. My town is on Lake Patzcuaro, which is in the middle of the central volcanic area of Mexico. My father, who died in 2004, used to take me fishing and camping in the surrounding pine-oak mountains, when I was young. This is why I love Mother Nature and am curious about birds. I collarborate with Georgia Conti, a birding pal (check out her blog about our activities at www.patzcuarobirder.blogspot.com). If you come to Patzcuaro, which is not far from the monarch butterfly sanctuaries, I am willing to help you see birds in our area. Please contact me for current prices.
R Valdes Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Anytime Spanish/English
I'm Rene Valdes, a Biologist/Ornithologist living in Monterrey city. I was born at Mazatlan, Sinaloa and still visit 2-3 times a year to do birdwatching.
I guide birding trips in Monterrey, Mazatlan and Sinaloa, I also have a job researching the threatened Thick-billed Parrots in Chihuahua and the Maroon-fronted Parrots in Nuevo Leon and Coahuila states. Been part of this research projects I have got the knowledge of the presence of many others endangered and endemic bird species, over the past 8 years.
Monterrey and adjacent areas: Maroon-fronted Parrot, Green Jay, Brown Jay, Plain Chachalaca, Thicket Tinamou, Rose-throat Becard, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Blue-crowned Motmot, Black-capped Vireo, Blue Bunting, Elegant Trogon, Military Macaws, Colima Warbler, Worthen's Sparrow, Golden Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Long-billed Curlews, Mountain Plover, Burrowing Owl, among several species (Nuevo Leon state bird checklist +400 species).
Madera, Chihuahua: Thick-billed Parrot, Eared Quetzal, Mountain Trogon, Spotted Owl, Northern Ghoshawk, Crescent-chested Warbler, Red-faced Warbler, Lucy's Warbler among several migratory warblers.
Daily fee: Full-day (12hrs): US$200, Morning fee (3 hrs): US$60. ALL INCLUSIVE. 5-days Trip: US $550 ALL INCLUSIVE.
M Guerrero Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Anytime Spanish/English
M.Sc. Mario Guerrero did his bachelor in Biology at Monterrey and my Master in Science on Marine Ecology at Ensenada. More than 7 years working on avian research in Mexico.
Birding in Monterrey-Saltillo Mexico, speak Spanish and English fluently.
Atractive birds on the zone are: Maroon-fronted Parrots, Colima Warbler, Crescent-chested Warbler, Worthern Sparrow, Black-caped Vireo, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Blue-crowned Motmot among others.
As well lodging provide in Monterrey in 4-5 stars hotels, no matter how many days you stay at the city with just one morning trip hire. Also the oportunity to visit the Mexican Bird´s Museum in Saltillo.
Visit my web site
R Antonio Santiago Bahias de Huatulco, Oaxaca Anytime Spanish/English
Roque is an experienced birder and naturalist who has organized and led many nature tours, originally from Teotitlan del Valle. His interest in birds and his Knowledge of his home country is unrivalled, there is nobody with better knowledge of where to find the specialties of the region. Roque runs his own company and leads tours for many companies both in Mexico and USA, his enthusiastic manner, extensive knowledge for wild life make him a popular choice.
Visit my web site
Fees: For birding in central valley , my fee is $75 usd. per person minimum 2 people. The tours are 10 hours in the field going to different habitats in search for Oaxaca specialties, and in winter we have many migrants from the north.
M Malone Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca Anytime (Winter only) English/some Spanish
I have been birding in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca since 1981, and established my business "Hidden Voyages Ecotours" (Viajes Escondidos)in 1984. I operate this business professionally each year from Dec 15th - March 25th in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, everyday for that 3 1/2 month period. You can view my checklist of birds of the area at www.tomzap.com/birds.pdf, and some of my photos of birds of that region at www.tomzap.com/LMbirds.html
I have developed a 9 day birding tour of Oaxaca state that I lead for both private groups, and professional organizations such as Quest Nature Tours - Toronto, National Audubon Society - NYC, Massachusetts Audubon Society - Boston, and the American Birding Association - Colorado USA. Individual birders are welcome to contact me if they are visiting Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.
Visit my web site
My fee in Puerto Escondido for Manialtepec Lagoon, 7am - 12:00 noon is US $45.
M Martin Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca Anytime Spanish/English
Italian
Oaxaca is one of the best areas in Mexico for birding. Over 700 species occur here and over 400 breed here. Best time to go from March through June and also early spring and fall for the migration. The price goes from US$35 to 70 depending where we go. US$35 is a three hour tour to the Colotepec river and low lands of the coast. US$50 is the 5 hour tour in the lagoons or in the wetlands of El Naranjo and Palma Sola. US$70 the 7 hour tour in the high lands of Oaxaca near the coffee plantations(we can go farther). About me: I work in the sian Ka'an biosphere reserve in Quintana Roo Mexico as a guide now. I live in Puerto Escondido. I will go to biology university this summer, so money from tours will be for my education.
E Antonio Martinez Oaxaca/Chiapas Anytime Spanish/English
I was born in the village of Teotiltlan de Valle, Oaxaca, Mexico. At the age of 8, because of my father's influence, I became interested in nature, birds, and tourism. Ever since then, I have devoted my life to ecology and the wonders of the natural world, especially birds. I have birded and researched birds in Mexico for ten years. In 2006, I was certified as a federal guide by the Secretary of Tourism. in Mexico City. I have also studied archeology and anthropology. In 2008, I received a scholarship from the Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Canada, to advance my birding skills. I worked as a field biologist focusing on the migration of passerines, and I honed my skills as a bird bander. In addition to private bird guiding, I lead bird-watching trips for passengers on cruise ships that dock at Huatulco, Mexico. I also organize and compile data for the Oaxaca Christmas Bird Count. I speak English and are available for any trips in Oaxaca and Chiapas.
A Martinez Puerto Vallarta Anytime Spanish/English
I am a professional birder specialist on Western Mexico. We have published a check list and field guide for the birds of Puerto Vallarta Mexico called the Birds from Paradise. Currently we are working on a conservation program for the Military Machaws in Mexico and other endangered species. We offer birding tours for the San Blas area and western Mexico combined with other eco tour activities, such as whale watching, turtle camp adventours, snorkeling and ocean kayaking. We enjoy meeting other birders and birding with them.
Visit my web site
Our daily fees are US$70 per person for the one day tours. For more people please inquire for pricing.
A Arellano Querétaro Anytime Spanish/English
Im Mexican, I was born in the center of the Republic, in a city with a lot of history called Querétaro. Studied biology at the University of Querétaro. I have been birding since 10 years ago and worked as a birding tourist guide in Yucatan. Now im living in Querétaro again and promoting birding in the state and surrounding states. Querétaro has a list of more than 350 species of birds and many kind of habitats from pine forest, semideciduos forest and dessert scrubs. Many species of birds that live in Querétaro are endangered.
Im trying to combine the history with the birds, thats why in the birding tours you can observe many species of birds and many historical places. We create the birding tours acording to your preferences and offer consultancy for birding in any place of the country.
Fees. Depend of the lenght of the tour, places to visit, etc.
A van der Heiden Mazatlan, Sinaloa Anytime Dutch/Spanish
English
I was fortunate to be raised by my father who is a professional biologist. We always explored oceans, mountains, and wetlands together. He gave me my first camera when I was 14. I studied Oceanography at The Faculty of Marine Sciences based in Ensenada, Baja California Norte. I speak Dutch, Spanish and English fluently.
The state of Sinaloa offers the naturalist, wildlife photographer, ornithologists and other nature lovers many ecosystems where one can find the richness of the biodiversity in each area.
The wilderness is astonishing and I will take you along local guides to some truly remote areas, far from civilization where you will only hear the sounds of nature. It could be a waterfall, the call of the Crested Guan, Military Macaws, Tufted Jay or the striking song of the Brown-backed Solitaire; or perhaps, simply the sounds of the falling leaves during fall. We lead tours from the estuaries north and south of Sinaloa. We visit deciduous forest areas, where you will find birds such as the Purplish-backed Jay, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Citreoline Trogon, Elegant Trogon and many more; Also we can venture to the sub-deciduous forest (300-900 meters above sea level) where I discovered dormitories of Military Macaws, and you can also search for the uncommon Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Collared Forest-Falcon, Mangrove Cuckoo and many more endemics. From there we can drive to the pine/oak forest and search for the enigmatic Tufted Jay, Eared Quetzal, Mountain Trogon, and many more true endemic specialties.
Fees: Please contact me for current prices of birding tours.
C Felderhof Mazatlan, Sinaloa Anytime English/Spanish
Carolyn Felderhof- Raised on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, I developed a deep and lasting love for the great outdoors at a very early age. This desire to spend my time outdoors led me to my career in fisheries and aquaculture and as luck would have it to my Mexican husband (long story!). Married life brought me to the coastal city of Mazatlán, Sinaloa in 1992 where I soon discovered the beautiful countryside, coastal areas and culture.
We started Sendero Mexico in 1994, a small company offering quality birding and eco-tours which explore areas rich in birdlife in the states of Sinaloa and Nayarit. As consultants we are committed to the development and implementation of sustainable community tourism models that promote habitat conservation and human development.
As an established tour operator we offer small personalized half day, full day and custom made birding tours which cover the extensive wetlands, the tropical semi-deciduous forest and the rugged pine forested canyons of the Sierra Madre Occidentals. The state of Sinaloa, located on the Pacific flyway, boasts an amazing diversity of birdlife of which 32 species are West Mexican endemics. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in the state, totaling half of all species in Mexico (Mexico is home to 10 % of the world total). Highlight species are the Flammulated Flycatcher, Purplish-backed Jay, Tufted Jay and Black-throated Magpie Jay, Sinaloa Crow, the Sinaloa Wren, Black-capped Vireo, and the Red Warbler. Other highlights include the Rufous-bellied Chachalaca, Elegant Quail, Lesser Roadrunner, Military Macaw, Eared Quetzal, Aztec Thrush, Brown-backed Solitaire and Red-headed Tanager.
One of our birding destinations is the Tufted Jay Preserve, located on one of the most important birding corridors in the world, the Mazatlán-Durango Highway. The highway rises in just over two hours from sea level to over 2500m (7000ft+), offering constantly changing habitat and spectacular views. The Tufted Jay Preserve was created by a joint collaboration between the people of Palmito, Sendero Mexico, Pronatura Noroeste and many other important organizations www.tufted-jay-preserve.org
Visit my web site
D Bacab Merida, Yucatan Anytime English/Spanish
I am profesional bird guide, I have been guiding southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala for over 20 years. I can take people all over my area and other mexican states like Chiaspas and Oaxaca.
L Ku Quiñones Cancun, Riviera Maya in Q. Roo, Yucatan Anytime Spanish/English
Luis was born in the State of Yucatán in 1962 and studied Administration at the University of Yucatan. In 1990 he was contacted to work at the Botanical Garden by Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin. Working in the Garden and having contact with people interested in the observation of birds he started to guide. This created his interest in resident and migratory birds, the knowledge of their feeding, reproduction, songs and identification. In 2000 Luis guided his first group of birdwatchers on a 13 day tour of the Yucatan Peninsula. Lois is also active at the festival of birds in Yucatan.
R Gonzalez Tulum o Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Yucatan Anytime English/Spanish
Portuguese
My name is Rene Gonzalez and I work as a bird guide in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere reserve in Tulum, Mexico. I have birded in Europe, Brazil, Central America, Mexico and the US. My interest in birds started as a kid growing up on a farm with my grandparents in Veracruz, right next to the Papaloapan river and the Tuxtla region, where I was privileged enough to enjoy the raptor migration which passes every year. My passion is to preserve, protect and educate people on the importance of birds and I'm currently working on producing a booklet to educate children on why birds should be free and not kept in cages, is as customary in this region.
My fees are $60 USD per person for a morning tour and $100 USD per person for dawn to dusk. Prices are flexible depending on numbers.
D Nuñez Martinez Rio Lagartos Reserve, Yucatan Anytime Spanish/English
I was born in Espita, Yucatan, and since a child make my home the beautiful land of Rio Lagartos. I am 33 years old and I have being birding since 1990. Since I was young, I learned to enjoy and appreciate the wonderful and diverse landscapes and wildlife my country of origin had to offer. To further my understanding of the natural world, I chose to study some courses of biology from Pro-Nature, RARE center for tropical conservation and Ria Lagartos biosphere reserve management. My Grandfather was a great Mayan hunter, so I was already familiar with nature at a young age. I decided to turn my passion into what I do every day and began Birding in Rio Lagartos Expeditions, a small tour company that specializes in birding tours.
E Canul Rio Lagartos, Yucatan Anytime English/Spanish
Here in the state of Yucatan we have 432 of the 540 bird species registered for the entire Yucatan peninsula. Just in Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve more than 350 different bird species have been recorded.
A Garcia Puerto Progreso, Yucatan Anytime English/Spanish
My name is Adriano and I live in Puerto Progreso, Costa Norte de Yucatan. Sea, Mudflats, Inland birds.

Local Information
Name Description
Sociedad Audubon de Mexico Club
Ornitológica de México Latest Sights
Birding Hotspots around the world Sites
Komchén Bird Sanctuary Yucatan Site
Bruce Walsh's Butterflies
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mexico
Local weather Yahoo
Electronic maps Google
Find lowest prices for field guides, books, maps etc.
Field guides recommended by Birdingpals
Printable bird check list
Trip Reports from Mexico
Read a Birdingpal's Trip Report from Mexico

Last update 22/08/2010