Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites (Nuevo León to Veracruz).
Section 3 - Birding sites (Oaxaca to Coahuila).
Section 4 - Annotated checklist.
Section 5 - Other references and bibliography.

Birding Sites Included below are details of access, habitat and species lists for all sites we visited. Some are well-known birding localities, while others are new localities found ourselves. They are listed in the order in which we visited them, from Monterrey southward down the eastern side of the country, returning on a more westerly route through Mexico City. Other birding sites of importance are described in the list of birds at the end of this report. For the species list, a 'c' denotes that the bird was common or fairly so.

Site M1. Cola de Caballo, Nuevo León.

Cola de Caballo, 550-1,900 m, is the best, and probably the only reliable, place to find the Maroon fronted Parrot, an endemic species listed as vulnerable in the Red Data Book (Collar et al. 1992). Here, at 2,000 metres, they breed in cavities on sheer cliffs above dry, forested country.

Approximately 40 km south of Monterrey on Highway 85, turn right (west), on the well signposted road to Cola de Caballo. Zero the oedometer at this turn-off. From here the road winds uphill through villages and scrub. You will pass the Cola de Caballo Hotel on your right after 5.5 km, and the Cola de Caballo waterfall at 6.9 km. The road continues through picturesque forests and gorges, the village of Cienaga, and then through the village of San Isidro. At 34.9 km, just inside the village of San Isidro, turn hard right by the village store onto a gravel road, which is signposted "S. José de Boquillas". Follow this gravel road, keeping right at a large, cleared area (road maintenance?) at 35.4 km. At 38.5 km you will find one of the few flat areas suitable for camping, with the cliffs towering above the forest on the left (south) side of the road. The birds are present at least between April and November, when they breed and roost in cavities in the cliffs. From the road it is only possible to obtain distant views of birds passing high overhead. It is an hour’s hard slog uphill through the forest to get to the base of the cliffs, where you should have stunning views. The parrots are noisy and call often, although it is not easy to spot them. They fly much higher than imagined from the call.

Time permitting, it is worthwhile to bird along the road as far down as the Cola de Caballo Hotel at 550 metres. We found one particularly good area - the “Buick” track - near the hotel. From the hotel entrance, walk uphill 100 metres, to where an abandoned Buick 1940 Special rests, collecting dust. Walk though the area of houses there, and follow the wide track down through secondary forest. It was along there that we had Crimson-collared Grosbeak and we found Spot-breasted Wren in roadside scrub at the hotel entrance.

Species recorded at Cola de Caballo:

Mallard 20 Ring-necked Duck 1 Black Vulture 20 Turkey Vulture c Common Black Hawk 1 American Kestrel 2 Plain Chachalaca 2 Band-tailed Pigeon 6 Mourning Dove 4 White-winged Dove 4 Inca Dove c Ruddy Ground-Dove 4h White-tipped Dove  6+ Maroon-fronted Parrot 30+ Whip-poor-will 10+ White-throated Swift Elegant Trogon 2 Acorn Woodpecker  c Ladder-backed Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 2 Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Empidonax flycatcher sp. 10+ Ash-throated Flycatcher 2+ Grey-breasted Jay c Green Jay 2 White-necked Raven c Cedar Waxwing 20 Brown-backed Solitaire 4h Swainson’s Thrush 7+ Clay-colored Thrush 10+ American Robin 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1

Brown Creeper 1 Spot-breasted Wren 1 Carolina Wren 2 House Wren 2 Barn Swallow 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet c Bridled Titmouse 16 Black-crested Titmouse 2 Pine Siskin 100+ Nashville Warbler 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Crescent-chested Warbler 20+ Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat 2 Wilson’s Warbler c Painted Redstart 15+ Golden-crowned Warbler 2 Rufous-capped Warbler 10 Song Sparrow 1 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 3 Olive Sparrow 2 Rufous-capped Brushfinch 3 Hepatic Tanager 3 Black-headed Grosbeak 4 Crimson-collared Grosbeak 2+ Blue Bunting 1 Indigo Bunting 1 Audubon’s Oriole 4 Bronzed Cowbird 10 Brown-headed Cowbird 4

Site M2. Rancho Los Colorados, Tamaulipas

Rancho Los Colorados is a private ranch, located northeast of Aldama (north of Tampico) on the Barra El Toro road. Ernesto Enkerlin, who was studying Amazona parrots on Rancho Los Colorados, took us to a study site where we could observe nests of both Red-crowned Parrot and Yellow-headed Parrot, and then showed us around the ranch. Rancho Los Colorados is mentioned in the ICBP’s Red Data Book as one of the last strongholds for Yellow-headed Parrot, but the Red Data Book erroneously suggests that parrots at the ranch have taken to artificial nest boxes. The owner of Rancho Los Colorados, Roberto Klein, is interested in wildlife conservation, and has left a substantial number of mature trees standing on the property. As might be expected, the area holds many other interesting species. The highlight of the first Rancho Los Colorados Christmas Bird Count, held in 1992, was Great Curassow.

Visitors to the ranch may stay in a bungalow with three beds and a bathroom. It is quite comfortable and convenient. A charge of $10 per person per night is levied and donated to parrot conservation. All would-be visitors should contact Ernesto Enkerlin in advance. A final word of warning - the abundance of ticks, both large and very small, in the grasslands here is unbelievable. Use a good insect repellant, and tuck trousers into socks.

Species recorded at Rancho Los Colorados:

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 6 Muscovy Duck 4 Snowy Egret 4 Glossy Ibis 2 Black Vulture c Turkey Vulture c White-tailed Kite 3 Cooper’s Hawk 1 Great Black Hawk 1 imm Grey Hawk 2+ Roadside Hawk 1+ Crested Caracara 2 American Kestrel 1 Plain Chachalaca 3 Wild Turkey 3 Red-billed Pigeon 20 Inca Dove 10 Common Ground-Dove 6 Ruddy Ground-Dove 2 Green Parakeet 20 Red-crowned Parrot 10 Red-lored Parrot 8 Yellow-headed Parrot 6 Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl 1h Pauraque 6h Buff-bellied Hummingbird 1 Ringed Kingfisher 1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 20 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 Lineated Woodpecker 2 Pale-billed Woodpecker 1 Northern Beardless Tyrannulet 2 Couch’s Kingbird 6+ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 20

Boat-billed Flycatcher 2 Great Kiskadee 10 Rose-throated Becard 3 Brown Jay 1 White-necked Raven c White-eyed Vireo 1h Solitary Vireo 2 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Cedar Waxwing 50 Northern House Wren 1 Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 4+ Northern Rough-winged Swallow c Barn Swallow c Black-crested Titmouse 6 Black-throated Green Warbler 2 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Palm Warbler 4 Black-and-white Warbler 2 Common Yellowthroat 2 Grey-crowned Yellowthroat 2 Lark Sparrow 2 Western Tanager 2 Variable Seed-eater 4 Indigo Bunting 4 Altamira Oriole 4 Orchard Oriole 10 Audubon’s Oriole 2 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Eastern Meadowlark 1 Melodious Blackbird 1 Great-tailed Grackle c Bronzed Cowbird 6 Brown-headed Cowbird c

Site M3. Tlanchinol, Hidalgo

Cloud forest, at 1,450 m, between 4 and 8 km north of Tlanchinol (190 km south of Tampico), along Rt. 105 was first bought to our attention in an article by Howell and Webb. We decided to visit on the possibility of locating Bearded Wood-Partridge. The one day we spent was completely inadequate, and we would recommend that birders allow at least two days, possibly longer, to stand any success of relocating the Wood-Partridge. Travelling north from Tlanchinol, pass the "Pollo al Hornero" chicken restaurant on the right and look for a pullover on the left with space for several cars. This is marked by a sign reading "Lontla", and is about 5 km north of Tlanchinol.

Much of the forest down-slope from the road has suffered minimal disturbance and would appear to remain suitable habitat for Bearded Wood-Partridge. There is less extensive forest on the other side of the road, and it seemed to hold fewer birds. Among the birds observed were Crested Guan, White-faced Quail-Dove, Mountain Trogon, Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner, Scaled Antpitta, Azure-hooded Jay, Unicoloured Jay, Brown-backed Solitaire, Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush, and Black Thrush. The main trail continues far down-slope to a village. With more time, it would be worthwhile to continue down to the valley below. In August, 1993, Karl Overman found Crimson-collared Grosbeak south of Tlanchinol along the road to the Otongo industrial zone, across the valley from Molango. In July, 1994, John Gee found Hooded Yellowthroat, White-throated Flycatcher, Crested Guan, Bumblebee Hummingbird, White-naped Brushfinch and Azure-hooded Jay at a small pulloff about 1 mile south of the southern edge of Tlanchinol. The Yellowthroats were downslope on the west side of the road and just south of the pulloff. In 1994, John Gee also discovered a spot for Black-polled Yellowthroat south of Tlanchinol on the road to Pachuca. About 5 miles south of Molango, there is a large pond on the east side of the road. Hooded Yellowthroats were found in trees and shrubs around this pond. Across the road from the pond is a large, apparently manmade hill of gravel or shale and asphalt. An unpaved road goes up this hill. Near the top, on the left, is a pond with some open water. A pair of Black-polled Yellowthroats were found in bushes around the upper pond. No accommodation is available in Tlanchinol, but the excellent Hotel Conchita is located about 18 km (½ hour) south of Tlanchinol on Rt. 105 in Ixtlahuaco.

Species recorded at Tlanchinol: (Karl Overman's observations in August, 1993 are referenced as KO).

Red-tailed Hawk 1 Barred Forest-Falcon (KO) Crested Guan 2 White-crowned Parrot 1 Band-tailed Pigeon (KO) Black Swift (KO) White-collared Swift (KO) Vaux’s Swift 30 Green Violetear 1 Magnificent Hummingbird 5 Amythest-throated Hummingbird (KO) Mountain Trogon 20 Collared Trogon 2 Smoky-brown Woodpecker 1 Golden-olive Woodpecker (KO) Spotted Woodcreeper 10 Spot-crowned Woodcreeper 1 Olivaceous Woodcreeper (KO) Strong-billed Woodcreeper (KO) Ruddy Foliage-gleaner 2 Scaled Antpitta 1h Tufted Flycatcher 2 Hammond’s Flycatcher 3 Western Flycatcher (KO) Becard spp. 1 Unicolored Jay 20 Azure-hooded Jay 2 Green Jay (KO - Molango) Solitary Vireo 2 Brown-capped Vireo 1

Cliff Swallow (KO) Barn Swallow (KO) Eastern Bluebird (KO) Brown-backed Solitaire 20 Black-headed Nightngle-Thrush 1+ Black Thrush 3+ White-throated Thrush 2 Clay-colored Thrush (KO) Grey Silky-Flycatcher (KO) Northern House Wren 1 Grey-breasted Wood-Wren 10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 Black-throated Green Warbler 1 Wilson’s Warbler 100+ Golden-browed Warbler 3 Rufous-capped Warbler (KO-Ixtlahuaco) Golden-crowned Warbler (KO-Molango) Orange-billed Sparrow 1h Chestnut-capped Brushfinch 6 White-naped Brushfinch (KO) Crimson-collared Grosbeak (KO-Molango) Blue Grosbeak (KO) Hooded Grosbeak (KO) Common Chlorospingus 100+ Flame-colored Tanager 10 Hepatic Tanager (KO) White-collared Seedeater (KO) House Finch (KO) Black-headed Siskin (KO)

Site M4. Puente Nacional, Veracruz

This is a good, and in fact the only, stakeout for Mexican Sheartail in Veracruz. Puente Nacional is just off Rt. 140, the east-west highway from José Cardel to Xalapa, about 60 km north-west of Veracruz City. Driving west on Rt. 140, turn off left (south) about 13 km west of José Cardel, through the village of Puente Nacional. A further 3.5 km brings you to a confusingly signposted junction at which you should turn right onto Rt. 125. You are now again travelling west, and after driving another 6.4 km, and passing some interesting-looking dry thorn forest, you will arrive at the small village of Colónia Francisco Barrios. On the north side of the road, immediately before the village you should find the 101 kilometre post, and two completely overgrazed fields (which look to be the poorest habitat in the area). Look for the Sheartail in the tops of the few bushes that remain in the overgrazed fields.

The area can be explored further, from two tracks leading northward off the road, 0.5 km and 0.9 km before the 101 km marker. The track at 0.9 km is the better of the two, and gives access to large areas of thorn brush, where Thicket Tinamou is common, and Buff-collared Nightjar possibly may be found.

Species recorded at Puente Nacional:

Thicket Tinamou 10h Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Roadside Hawk 1+ Crested Caracara 2 Laughing Falcon 1 Mourning Dove 10 Common Ground-Dove 10 Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl 2h Common Nighthawk 1 Pauraque 2+ Mexican Sheartail 2 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 5 Ladder-backed Woodpecker 2 Empidonax flycatcher sp. Vermilion Flycatcher 10 Brown-crested Flycatcher 3 Boat-billed Flycatcher 2

Great Kiskadee 10 Rose-throated Becard 1 Brown Jay 10 Northern Mockingbird 10 Rufous-naped Wren 10 Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 10 Barn Swallow 10 Lesser Goldfinch 5 Lark Sparrow 4 Botteri’s Sparrow 2 Scrub Euphonia 4 Varied Bunting 1 Montezuma Oropendola 5 Altamira Oriole 4 Melodious Blackbird 3 Great-tailed Grackle c Bronzed Cowbird c

Site M5. Amatlán, Veracruz

Amatlán, at an altirude of 900 m, is located 5 km south of Córdoba. Forested, limestone hills to the south of Amatlán are one of the very few places where Sumichrast's Wren can be found. The nominate form, Hylorchilus sumichrasti, which occurs in the Córdoba area of Veracruz, recently has been split from Nava's Wren, H. navai, which occurs in eastern Veracruz (around Uxpanapa) and Chiapas. The undergrowth of the original primary forest covering these hills has been cleared for coffee. However, some large trees remain as shade-forest, and the tangled understorey proves still to be suitable for the wren. Although difficult to find, a trail winds through the hills. The strange mixture of rocky outcrops within shade-forest really feels ancient and mystical. Starting from the intersection of Calle 7 and Avenida 11 near the centre of Córdoba, drive south on Avenida 11 (about 1 km?), to a fork in the road with a Pemex station lying in the fork. (Note that the Pemex station is slightly shielded by some trees as you approach). Keep right at the fork and follow the road as it winds through a built-up area, past the railway station (on the right), and over three separate sets of railway tracks. Zero the oedometer at the last railway crossing.

Keep directly ahead, and follow the road through the sugar-processing factory area. Cross the autopista at 0.8 km, and continue straight ahead to the village of Amatlán. Once in the village, head for the village square (zócalo) (look for church tower), which will be at 2.3 km. From the square, continue on the road from the south-east corner, which should be diagonally opposite to the road on which you arrived. This road soon turns to gravel, and comes to a fork at 4.0 km. Turn left at the fork and drive into the quarry at 4.4 km. From the quarry, follow the narrow footpath along the stream, which starts on the opposite side from which you arrived. The path crosses the steam several times, then veers away from it, and after about 600 metres from the quarry, exits the forest to arrive at a wide track next to a sugar cane field. Turn right, walk 50 metres, and turn right again on another wide track, which leads back into the forest again. After approximately another 150 metres, a narrow, but obvious, trail leads off left into the hills. This is the main trail through the hills, and continues for at least the kilometre we followed it.

Species recorded at Amatlán:

Black Vulture c Turkey Vulture c Red-tailed Hawk 1 Mourning Dove 10 Common Ground-Dove 2 Blue-crowned Motmot 2 Emerald Toucanet 1 Golden-fronted Woodpecker 6 Olivaceous Woodcreeper 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Empidonax flycatcher sp. Ash-throated Flycatcher 1+ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1

Boat-billed Flycatcher 2 Social Flycatcher 10 Masked Tityra 2 Brown Jay 10 Clay-colored Thrush 2 Rufous-naped Wren 10 Sumichrast’s Wren 4+ Grey-breasted Wood-Wren 10 Magnolia Warbler 2 Wilson’s Warbler 1 Rufous-capped Warbler 2 Buff-throated Saltator 10

Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites (Nuevo León to Veracruz).
Section 3 - Birding sites (Oaxaca to Coahuila).
Section 4 - Annotated checklist.
Section 5 - Other references and bibliography.