April 06: Steve Howell reports from the quiet Rancho Primavera in West Mexico.
Feeder Birds. Not everyone is lucky enough to live in Canada or the Northeast US where the winter cold and snow bring chickadees and sporadic invasions of finches to their feeders. Here at Rancho Primavera in West Mexico (an hour or so south of Puerto Vallarta, out in the hills) I have to live with Russet-crowned Motmot, here alongside a migrant Swainson’s Thrush, …
The occasional Yellow-breasted Chat…
And the usually skulking Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush,
Plus lots of Rufous-backed Thrushes (or Robins).
Streak-backed Orioles really like the oranges…
As do the Mexican (aka Yellow-winged) Caciques
And even the Golden-cheeked Woodpeckers.
It’s not all color, but the Grayish Saltator is attractive in its own subtle way,
Although outshone by a glowing male Yellow Grosbeak, a fan of papaya.
One of the regular feeder visitors is Blue Mockingbird, a great chance to see this typically shy and elusive species.
There are even sparrows, but only the rather fancy Stripe-headed Sparrow. So, if you ever feel like a winter break to escape the chickadees, this could be the spot!
Posted: April 06, 2021