Photo Gallery
Photos by Steve N. G. Howell and Rich Hoyer
This tour distills a great blend of tropical forest birding on quiet roads…
…with the unique flavor of Caribbean Mexico and birds such as the dazzling Cozumel Emerald…
…along with a rich coastal environment, home to shockingly pink American Flamingos.
We’ll start our birding around Puerto Morelos, where species include the regionally endemic Orange Oriole…
…and with luck we may encounter a confiding troop of Central American Spider Monkeys.
In the rich tropical forest near Carrillo Puerto we’ll check the parrots carefully (here a group of White-fronteds)…
…for the rather local Yucatan (or Yellow-lored) Parrot.
Other regional specialties include the handsome Gray-throated Chat…
…and Rose-throated Tanager (here a female).
Among many other forest possibilities are the local Ruddy Woodcreeper…
…and the spectacular Ornate Hawk-Eagle.
We’ll then move on to our delightful hotel in Valladolid…
…from which we’ll make a day trip to the north coast…
…home to an avian example of decorative exuberance personified in the form of American Flamingos.
Numerous other waterbirds may feature the bizarre Boat-billed Heron and…
…the striking Great White Heron.
A good variety of raptors includes Common Black Hawk.
Mexican Sheartail is a local inhabitant of the coastal agave scrub…
…where we may also encounter Lesser Roadrunner.
We’ll also visit the spectacular Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza…
…and perhaps find the stunning Turquoise-browed Motmot sitting quietly in the shade.
The tour ends on Cozumel Island, which adds a unique component to the Mexican avifauna…
…including island endemics such as the endearing Cozumel Vireo…
…and Caribbean species such as the handsome Western Spindalis.
We’ll also look for the diminutive Yucatan Woodpecker…
…and the normally retiring Ruddy Crake…
…while it will be impossible to miss the ubiquitous Black Catbird.
Wintering North American migrants are abundant, ranging from the dashing Merlin…
…to the understated Swainson’s Warbler, which is fairly common.
As with all Mexico tours, there’s a lot more to see than birds, such as numerous butterflies, including the local Mexican Cycadian…
…and perhaps the endemic Cozumel Raccoon.