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Veracruz is the largest state of Mexico, representing 3.7% of Mexico's overall area. Its landscape has many types of habitat, from tropical rainforest to highland grasslands. Maybe because of this Veracruz has more than 689 bird species (approximately 66% of the Mexico list). Veracruz is located in the East of Mexico, by the Gulf of Mexico. In spite of many conservation efforts, much of Veracruz is deforested, and this has consequences for the bird populations. For example, in Veracruz, before 1886, there are records [including skins] of migratory individuals of the extinct Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorios) and of Harpy Eagle. However, Veracruz has, still, many easily accessible birding areas where birdwatchers can see interesting bird species. For example, near to Xalapa, the state capital, it is possible to see many of the endemic and endangered species such as Mexican Sheartail Hummingbird (Doricha eliza) and to see the autumn migration of millions of birds (including many raptors). In the highlands the near extinct Golden–cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia) still manages to hang on. Veracruz is easily accessible by air through Heriberto Jara Corona International airport (Veracruz City) or Xalapa municipal airport. Whether you have just a few days or more there are ample birding opportunities. The sections below highlight the most productive birding areas in the state. |
Altamira Wetlands
Satellite ViewAltamira Wetlands is the only place with a viable population of Altamira Yellowthroat (Geothlypis flavovelata).
Alvarado Wetlands
Satellite ViewHere a birder can see nesting birds of prey such as Snail Kite (Rosthramus sociabilis); Black collared-Hawk (Busarellus nigricollis); Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus); and Great Black-Hawk (Buteogallus urobitinga); and aquatic mammals as the Manatee.
Cardel - Autumn Migration
Satellite ViewOn the right day in October, a bird watcher can witness the awesome spectacle of the River of Raptors, when more than a million Swainson's and Broad-winged Hawks may pass overhead in a single day during the annual migration to Central and South America…
Central Veracruz
Around 236 migratory bird species use Veracruz to nest or travel through towards their wintering grounds. There are 12 endemic or geographic restricted bird species, four bird species registered in the red data book, and 34% of the Mexican bird species considered as endangered. You can see, in the ravine of Naolinco, the northeast population of the Mexican Sheartail Hummingbird (this population is considered to be endangered, and some researchers say that it population represents a different species to that of Yucatan)Los Tuxtlas
Satellite ViewThe Sierra de los Tuxtlas is a range of volcanic peaks that run right down to the Bay of Campeche on the coast of Veracruz. Rugged volcanic ridges reach from sea level up to about 6000 feet in elevation. Nestled among the peaks is Lake Catemaco, formed from the calderas of several extinct volcanoes. This wide range of geological features, from beach to crater to steep-walled canyons, coupled with the moist, tropical climate leads to a wide range of different habitats for birds and an incredible diversity of bird species (up to 568 by some counts) within a small area.
Uxpanapa Tropical Rainforest
Satellite ViewThere are 519 bird species reported here. Especially interesting are the forest remnants with karstic rock which hold endangered and endemic species such as Long-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus excellens) and Nava's Wren (Hylorchilus navai).
Raúl Ortiz-Pulido
Editor-in-Chief of HUITZIL, Journal of Mexican Ornithology
ortizrau@uaeh.reduaeh.mxhttp://www.huitzil.net
Number of bird species: 689
...at least!
...at least!
Fieldguides, CDs etc.
For a selection of appropriate fieldguides and CDs etc see the general Mexico page of Fatbirder...La ornitofauna veracruzana
La ornitofauna veracruzana: una revision bibliografica. By Juan Esteban Mart?nez G?mez Published by Universidad Veracruzana, Journal La Ciencia y el hombre 22:19-48Site Guide to the Birds of Veracruz
by Robert Straub published by Pronatura Veracruz - 2007. Available at ABA Sales etc.Club de Observadores de Aves de Xalapa
WebsiteUno de los principales objetivos del Club de Observadores de Aves de Xalapa (COAX) es disfrutar y promover la observación, estudio y conservación de las aves en México, ocupando el Estado de Veracruz nuestro principal objetivo... They are always happy to have visitor and new members for their outings.
Pronatura
WebsiteActualmente Pronatura sostiene cuatro programas de conservación en Veracruz... Pronatura is a Mexican non-profit organization whose mission is the conservation of flora, fauna and priority ecosystems promoting society`s development in harmony with nature.
Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve Community Tourism Project
WebsiteSatellite View
Special focus will be placed on bird watching, hiking nature trails in rainforest, visiting the mangroves and beach, Olmec archeological sites nearby, and seeing local crafts.
Los Tuxtlas Field Station
WebsiteSatellite View
The research station permanently protects a sample of the tropical rain forest ecosystems. During 30 years scientific research has been carried out successfully on various aspects of the tropical ecosystem generating a substantial volume of literature. Such unique bank of information places Mexico in the vangard of scientific information regarding tropical rain forests.
This section sponsored by: 
1995 [March] - Greg D. & Debra G. Jackson
ReportA circuit through eastern Mexico provided a fascinating mix of birding and non-birding activities. Priorities for the trip were to find Slender-billed (Sumichrast`s) Wren near Cordoba, Veracruz, visit the ruins of El Tajin, and bird the wonderful cloud forest near Tlanchinol, Hidalgo.
1999 [January] - Richard Carlson
ReportI just returned from ten wonderful days in the Yucatan. Both birding and diving were excellent...
2000 [August] - Chris Merkord
ReportMembers of the trip were Cameron Cox, Scott Brandes, Tony Ortiz, Pat & Glenn Merkord, and myself - all squeezed into one beat-up pickup truck - perhaps a little more beat-up now than before...
2001 [March] - Bert & Shari Frenz
ReportThe toucans are out early this morning, but so are we. We drove for nearly an hour in the dark along the bumpy UNAM road to arrive at the jungle by sunrise. Now two toucans feed high on a tall broad tree, and as the morning wears on we see more than a dozen, including one group of six - a tympani of toucans...
2003 [January] Mike Andersen, Nick Block, and Pete Hosner
ReportThis is an overdue trip report documenting a three-week trip to México. Ten college-aged birders drove from the U.S. border as far south as Chiapas and back. Due to scheduling restraints, our group of two cars had to split up on the night of 7 January 2003 at Puerto Arista, Chiapas. At this point, one group returned back to the States via Uxpanapa Road, Veracruz, while the other spent an extra week exploring Chiapas. The pace of this trip was very fast. We were up at sunrise almost every day and spent much of the day birding with little down time for meals...
2006 [January] - Mike Mulligan
Report...We hear/see several species from the roadside (Violaceous Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Great Kiskadee, Social Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Spot-breasted Wren, Brown Jay, Lesser Greenlet, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Rufous-capped Warbler, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Crimson-collared Tanager, Olive-backed Euphonia, Blue-gray Tanager, a few migrants) but hear no Nava's...
2007 [October] - Scott Bowers
ReportI took a last minute flight to Veracruz to do some photography of warblers and tropical species...
This section sponsored by:
Birding Veracruz
Tour OperatorSmall group birding excursions to Mexico - River of Raptors Veracruz hawk migrations - Rainforest birding in the Tuxtlas Mtns.
David McCauley
Tour OperatorI stumbled upon birding eight years ago and have been stumbling ever since. It's a helluva lot of fun. I live in Veracruz, Mexico where I struggle to make a living as a nature photographer/digiscoper. I also conduct birding tours. I despise "elitism" especially in birders. I love nature,cooking and a cold beer. I am a hawkwatch junkie...
Earthfoot
Tour OperatorDuring this proposed five-day experience you will learn about such different things as coffee production, the traditional manufacturing of tile, local mountainside ecology, local foods and their preparation, how the local campesinos organize themselves, what local schools are like, and many other things, depending upon the time of year and the visitor`s special interests.
Endemicos Insulares (Island Endemics)
Tour OperatorIf you did not get the chance to travel in one of our tours, or those of the other tour operators serving the IV North American Ornithological Conference....No se preocupe! We have prepared a detailed guide to take you to 40 different sites that will improve your birding experience...
Pronatura Veracruz
Tour OperatorPronatura is a Mexican non-profit organization whose mission is the conservation of flora, fauna and priority ecosystems promoting society`s development in harmony with nature. It also is a tour operator, with birding, butterfly, and cultural tours, and as specialists for the River of Raptor birding tours.
Sierra Nevada Avian Center
Tour OperatorCentral Veracruz boasts the largest migration of birds in the world, and is well known for its bird diversity (over 500 species), particularly the millions of migrating raptors (~30 spp.), and warblers (~50 spp.), and the endemic species (~17 spp.). On ths tour we explore Veracruz from the coastal forests, mangroves, and beaches; along rivers and high into the mountains and cloud forests.
David McCauley - The Incorrogible Birder
BlogWelcome to my blog. I stumbled upon birding eight years ago and have been stumbling ever since. It's a helluva lot of fun. I live in Veracruz, Mexico where I struggle to make a living as a nature photographer/digiscoper. I also conduct birding tours. I despise "elitism" especially in birders. I love nature,cooking and a cold beer. I am a hawkwatch junkie...
Veracruz Hawkwatch
BlogFor birders and raptor enthusiasts everywhere; a weblog about Spring and Fall raptor migrations in Veracruz. Each fall millions of migrating raptors pass though a narrow corridor in central Veracruz Mexico. Enjoy links to photos of this migration spectacle or read accounts by other hawkwatch observers...
Aveoptica - Xalapa
WebsiteThe first Veracruz the first birding store in Veracruz…
Birding Laguna Catemaco
Website...I leave the state of Oaxaca and enter the state of Veracruz. Now the flat land between villages and cities is occupied by banana and sugarcane plantations, and weedy pastures with Zebu cattle attended by lots of Cattle Egrets...
Checklist
WebsiteThere is a downloadable checklist in pdf format available on this page...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
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