Sadly, John suffered a fatal cerebral aneurysm before he was able to post this trip report. If you have any questions, please email me (Noah) at skater_ako1 (at) hotmail.com.
In early January, 2006, my friend Noah Gaines and I took a short birding trip through Chiapas, Mexico. We had the additional goals of visiting some Mayan ruins and visiting Noah’s uncle, who lives in San Cristobal, and collects orchids and bromeliads from areas that are being deforested.
We used Steve Howell’s bird-finding guide to Mexico and various trip reports to plan our route. We did not have enough time on this trip to do much exploration into unknown areas, but inn this report I update those areas we visited that are in the bird-finding guide.
Logistics
We found reasonably priced flights to Villahermosa, Tabasco, from Phoenix, Arizona. The flight went through Houston, thus sparing us the often painful changing of flights in Mexico City. The Villahermosa airport is small and relatively quiet, and it was easy to get in and out. We stayed our last night at the Hilton Hotel, 3km away. This was expensive (1200 pesos) but made logistics easy as we could return our car a night early and use the free shuttle to the airport. The exchange rate pesos was about 10.4 pesos to the dollar while we were on the trip.
Originally, we had intended to arrive on the evening of the 5th and drive straight to Palenque. However, this plan was thwarted when problems with the runway lights occurred that night at Villahermosa and we were diverted to Veracruz. Thus we did not arrive until about 9:00 the next day and we lost a whole morning of birding at Palenque.
We rented a Volkswagon Jetta at the Airport (bright red with Tabasco plates!). This car proved incredibly reliable with good acceleration and handling and a nice turn radius. We only scraped bottom once during the trip, despite the abundance of topes (speed bumps), and potholes in the roads. Also note that Nissans and Volkswagons are the easiest cars to get fixed in Mexico. Although we did not have car trouble, a group from Colorado, with whom we met in San Cristobal, did. Expect to spend a lot on car rental ($500 American for a week) due to taxes and insurance, which are not included in the car rental base rate. We got a better deal due to a mistake on the price we were quoted at the beginning of the trip.
Newer highways were often in very good shape. However, older roads, such as from Palenque to San Cristobal, and from San Cristobal for 40 km toward both Tuxtla Gutierrez and Comitan, were winding, potholed, and full of animals, people, and topes. We avoided driving at night, except for very short distances.
We had not trouble finding places to stay, except at Tuxtla Gutierrez, where we were surprised by how big and noisy the city was. We chose to stay instead about 15 km away in Chapa de Corzo. Food and drink were reasonably priced, and we recommend the pastries and fresh fruit. We used the Lonely Planet guide to find places to stay and eat, and bought bread and fresh fruit for periods on the road.
Despite the trouble in the mid to late 1990’s, all was calm when we were in Chiapas. We had no trouble with any people, and were never stopped at military check points. In fact, we were only stopped once, by a policeman in Tuxtla who wanted to check my driver’s license. He was amiable and gave us good direction to the new highway out of town toward Villahermosa.
BRIEF ITINERARY
January 5: Took flight on Continental Airlines from Phoenix to Villahermosa, via Houston. The flight was diverted to Veracruz due to problems with the runway lights at the Villahermosa airport. We spent the night at a hotel in Veracruz (paid for by the airline) and flew out the next morning to Villahermosa.
January 6: Arrival in Villahermosa at 9:00 a.m. Left airport just before 10:00 a.m. after money exchange, car rental, etc. Drove to Palenque, arriving at noon, and found lodging and lunch. Birded the road from the zona archeologica entrance to the museum in early afternoon. In late afternoon drove toward La Libertad, birding the roadsides until dusk.
January 7: Birded from the museum up to the ruins until about 9:00 a.m. Visited ruins and birded edge until 11:00. Ate lunch in Palenque. Drove the Ocosingo highway to San Cristobal with brief stops at the Misol-Ha waterfall, and at various places along the road. We wanted to visit Tonina ruins outside Ocosingo, but since we had lost a morning of birding at Palenque the previous day, we got a late start on the road. We did not wish to drive after dark and so passed on a visit to this site. The total driving time from Palenque to San Cristobal, including stops, was about 6 hours.
January 8: We met up with group of 5 birders (Andrew Spencer, Nathan Pieplow, Andy Boyce, Cole Wild, and Randy Yuen), from Colorado, at the Huitepec reserve outside San Cristobal, at dawn. Spent the morning in the reserve. After lunch in San Cristobal, the seven of us scouted the Chanal road, mentioned in the Howell guide.
January 9: Spent the morning with the Colorado birders at the km 2 site mentioned in Howell and nearby. Split with Colorado group, and drove to Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello in the afternoon and scouted the area. Driving time to the park from San Cristobal, with few stops, was 2.5 hours.
January 10: Again met up with the Colorado group, which had had car trouble the day before, and spent the first half of the morning at two sites within Lagunas de Montebello. Spent the latter part of the morning and early afternoon at Chinkultec ruins. We wished to return to San Cristobal by way of the El Chiflon waterfall, an hour diversion outside of Comitan, but the Colorado group again had car trouble and we stayed until they found help, which meant we had to return to San Cristobal directly to avoid driving after dark.
January 11: Spent 2 hours in the early morning at the Microondas (microwave towers) on top of Cerro Huitepec. Returned to town and spent early afternoon on a private ranch, where Noah’s uncle maintained a herbarium, on the lower slopes of Huitepec (no public access). Left before dusk on road to Tuxtla Gutierrez, arriving after dark, then backtracked to Chapa de Corzo, 15 km away, to find lodging.
January 12: Visited the miradores (overlooks) in Parque Nacional El Sumidero in the morning and the Tuxtla Zoo in the afternoon. At dusk watched flights of waterbirds on river outside of Chapa de Corzo.
January 13: Again visited El Sumidero in the morning. Left before lunch on the new highway toward Villahermosa. Made limited stops along highway to look at raptors and a ½ hour stop for a late lunch in Huimanguilla, Tabasco. Total driving time to Villahermosa Airport from Tuxtla Gutierrez, including stops, was about 4 hours. Before dusk we spent an hour looking at waterbirds in marshes near the airport before turning in our vehicle.
January 14: Spent an hour in the morning birding outside the airport after checking our bags and before going through customs and flying out. Flight back to Phoenix through Houston.
DETAILED NOTES
1: Palenque and Vicinity
The distance from the Villahermosa airport to Palenque is about 125 km, which took us 2.5 hours to drive, including a couple of very short stops. The highway was is heavy repair during our trip, and once this is finished (a long way off from what we could tell) the trip will likely take only 2 hours.
In Palenque, we stayed at Margarita and Ed’s Cabanas (250 pesos for a double, 270 for a triple), which had very clean rooms with hot showers. Don Mucho’s restaurant, next door, had good food. There were a number of other options for places to stay here, as well as two restaurants, the Mono Blanco and Don Mucho’s. Birding is good, especially for North American migrants, in the second gtowth here. This area is reached by going to the arch at the entrance to the Zona Archeologica, and making a left onto the narrow dirt road. A short series of somewhat confusing winding tracks leads back to the restaurants and cabanas.
The entrance fee to the zona archeologica is 10 pesos per person, and to visit the ruins (which open at 8:00 a.m., although you can go to the museum area earlier) is another 40 pesos per person.
We would recommend spending two full days at Palenque. One morning can be used to bird the road through the zona archeologica up to the museum. We had a large number of neotropical mgrants and second growth species here in one afternoon (a list of highlights would be exceedingly long). The second morning could be used to bird from the museum area up through ruins, including the “Cascada Trail” mentioned in the Howell guide (where we had Gray-headed Dove among others). The ruins themselves did not have as much activity as the road, although Bat Falcons were common (one for each temple, seemingly) and we heard Black Howler Monkeys. Note that the “Temple of Inscriptions Trail” is closed except for a very short stretch to a small ruin, and that the “Museum Trail” which is now a well-maintained and heavily used exit trail from the ruins (no entry from the museum area) and the birding is less good than indicated by the Howell guide.
A full afternoon is also needed if one wants to visit the Usmanacinta marshes, mentioned in Howell, which are an hour drive from Palenque, and have more water birds than the La Libertad area. We had only a partial afternoon and so we birded the La Libertad road, which may be found in a small community just north of the town of Palenque (look for the sign when coming from Villahermosa). Along this road we found a flock of 30+ Fork-tailed Flycatchers, some Ridgeway’s Rough-winged Swallows, and a Bare-throated Tiger Heron in a wet pasture about 16 km from Palenque, and a Double-striped Thick-Knee and Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture in a recently plowed field on a side road marked “El Cacao” about 20 km from Palenque. At the bridge north of La Libertad we saw many Snail Kites and egrets, but did not stay until full dark and did not see Boat-billed Herons.
2: The Ocosingo Highway
The trip from Palenque to San Cristobal, via Ocosingo, follows a 200 km long winding mountain road. This road is full of topes, potholes, slow trucks, and even ropes blocking the road to make you stop so that people can sell you fruit. The full drive took us 5 hours, including a few brief stops. The Misol-Ha Waterfall, about 25 km from Palenque, was nearly birdless around noon, when we were there, but may be better earlier in the day. Our best stop was at a river crossing some 40km outside Palenque where we saw White-collared Swifts, and two soaring raptors that appeared, by size and shape, to be dark phase Hook-billed Kites. We regretted not being able to visit the Tonina ruins outside Ocosingo due to our late start from Palenque. A full day should be allowed to properly bird the area between Palenque and San Cristobal.
3: San Cristobal
In San Cristobal, we stayed with Noah’s uncle, and so we cannot make recommendations on lodging. However, there were lots of places with a full range of prices from very cheap to expensive. Restaurants were generally moderately priced and had good food, although there was more European style food than Mexican! The one-way street system in town made navigation difficult by car, and some may wish to stay close to the highway to avoid the difficulty of getting around the city center.
Huitepec reserve was a 15 minute drive from the city center. The reserve does not open until 9:00 a.m., but reservations can be made to meet the caretakers earlier in the morning (an option not open to us, as we had just arrive the night before). The entrance charge is 50 pesos per person. If arriving early and contact has not been made with the caretakers, one can easily enter the reserve by walking the trail along the fence to the right of the gate until a concrete water tank is reached. The fence may then be jumped by standing on the tank. We did this and paid our entry fee late in the morning upon our return. This was not a problem, but the caretakers did insist that we contact them in the future, as they worry about poachers in the park. The highlight of our visit here were two coveys of Singing Quail, members of the second of which was well seen by all 7 of us! Many other species, including a Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch, a White-naped Brush-Finch, Golden-browed Warblers, and both Collared and Mountain Trogons were seen. Garnet-throated Hummingbirds were common where the large trees had bromiliads, but were difficult to see well at this location. Also note that we did not see Pink-headed Warbler or Black-throated Jay. According to the caretakers they are both rare visitors to the reserve and are unlikely to be found on any given trip.
The caretakers were very knowledgeable about birds and owling trips can be arranged. The Colorado group returned to do some owling that night (we had other engagements) and heard Mottled, Bearded-screech, and Unspotted Saw-whet Owls (no visuals) and “Mexican” Whip-poor-wills.
To reach the microondas site, mentioned in the Howell guide, on the top of Cerro Huitepec, take the highway toward Tuxtla to km 78 and take the steep paved road up to the right. After a few km take another partially paved road to the left (there are two, about a km apart, but the road appears to make a loop and both exits end up at the same place). Watch for a steep two-track cement lane at the high point along this road, heading up to the tower area. As long as you keep going up, you are pretty much on the right track. In about two hours of morning birding at the towers we had good looks at Blue and White Mockingbird, White-naped Brush-Finch, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, and Gray Silky-Flycatcher. We also heard, but never saw, Blue-hooded Euphonias. Rufous-collared Sparrows are common along the access road.
The sites along the upper Ocosingo Highway near San Cristobal were easy to find. The Highway junction is about 12 km east of San Cristobal, and it takes about 20 minutes to drive there from the city center. However, some updates are required on birding these sites. We had seen trip reports, and heard from at least one guide, that the km 2 site, mentioned in Howell, on the Ocosingo Road was dangerous. The residents of the ejido there have apparently accosted some previous visitors and extorted money. We visited this area, along with the Colorado birders, on one morning. We had decided having a large group, with one fluent Spanish speaker, might be safer. We were going to ask anyone there if we could bird the area and, if necessary, pay an entry fee, as this seemed from pervious reports to be the best location for Pink-headed Warbler.
It turned out we saw no-one at the site except a boy on a bike and an old lady herding some sheep. We were never challenged, nor even approached by anyone. Nevertheless, caution should be taken based on previous reports, and the property in the area should be respected. If anyone is around, we recommend asking permission to visit the area and explaining the reason for the visit.
Directions for birding the area require clarification. Park at the bottom of the dirt road, which is on the right if coming from San Cristobal), 2 km from the junction with the highway between San Cristobal and Comitan (this is 12 km outside San Cristobal proper). The main dirt road goes up the hill to the right and does have good birding (a Golden-cheeked Warbler, a Rufous-browed Wren, and Yellow-eyed Juncos were seen), but we did not find any Pink-headed Warblers here. The better area is up the less obvious dirt track which angles to the left from the parking spot and goes into a narrow canyon filled with lots of bromeliad laden broadleaf trees. We had most of our better birds, including 3-4 Pink-headed Warblers and a flock of Black-throated Jays, Band-backed Wrens, and Yellow-tailed Orioles, here. Garnet-throated Hummingbirds were numerous and easier to see here than at any other location we visited.
Another good site was about 4 km up the Ocosingo highway, just 2 km from the Howell site, and about 1 km before the airport turnoff. There is a good parking spot on the left side of the road (coming from San Cristobal), at this site. The area below the highway (on the pullout side) is mostly pines, with little understory, while the area on the opposite side of the road was thicker pines with a good understory, especially in several small sinkholes. We had good birding here, including a Pink-headed Warbler, a Golden-cheeked Warbler, a Rufous-browed Wren, a pair of Collared Trogons, several Ruddy-capped Nightengale-Thrushes, and many Olive Warblers. Although we did not see Black-throated Jays or Yellow-backed Orioles here, we see no reason they would not be found at this site.
One evening we drove out to about 25 km down the Chanal road, mentioned in Howell. This road is now fully paved and starts about 9 km before the junction to the highway going in to San Cristobal. The forest here is very fragmented, and we found the best sites to be 3-7 km from the Ocosingo Highway. Although we had some good birds here including Golden-browed Warblers, White-naped Brush-Finches and very brief views of a Golden-cheeked Warbler and a Pink-headed Warbler, we do not believe these sites are worth birding, unless one has lots of extra time.
4: Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello and Chinkultec Ruins
These areas are only a 2.5 hour drive from San Cristobal and still worth a visit. The total distance is about 150 km, the first 40 of which (coming from San Cristobal) are on winding mountain roads. After that the road is fairly flat and straight, with good signage, and the only really slow stretch is through the town of Comitan. We stayed at the Los Pinos cabanas, just past the turnoff to Chinkultec. The charge here was 120 pesos for a very basic room and bathroom. The chickens were the only problem, as they started crowing at 3:45 in the morning. There are now some nice-looking new cabanas in the park, passed the grutas (caves) area. We did not find out how much it was to stay there, however.
The entry fee to Lagunas de Montebello is 20 pesos per person, with an additional five peso per person fee to go to lakes off the main road. We had seen reports that the cloud forest here was much reduced, and this did indeed turn out to be the case. Many of the more sensitive species, such as White-faced Quail-Dove, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, and Black Thrush are likely gone from the area.
We found the best patch of accessible broadleaf cloud forest (not humid pine-oak) along the road to Laguna Pujoj. There is a pulloff a bit before you reach the lake, which can be used to park. Birding was good along the road, which had low traffic, and along some side trails down to a small lagoon, in both the afternoon and morning of the days we visited. Birds of note included Collared Trogon, Green-throated Mountain-Gem, Spotted and Olivaceous Woodcreepers, Yellowish Flycatcher, Azure-hooded and Black-throated Jays (the latter was much easier to find here than at San Cristobal), Slate-colored Solitaire, Gray-breasted Wood-Wren, Golden-crowned Warbler, and Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch. We also heard a call here that was probably a Ruddy Foliage-Gleaner, but could not find the bird. Another site, right at the junction of the main road and the road to Cinco Lagos, also had some of the same species. The forest in that area was more heavily disturbed, however.
A terrific area of humid pine-oak forest was accessible from Laguna de Montebello. From the access road to the lake, go left past the kiosks, to the edge of the forest and find the trail leading up the slope. This trail eventually levels off and leads past a couple of big sinkholes with large, bromeliad-laden pines. A pair of Common Black-Hawks were nesting in one of the sinkholes. On the evening Noah and I scouted here we found a huge flock that included three Strong-billed Woodcreepers, and many Azure-hooded Jays, Yellow-backed Orioles, and Band-backed Wrens. The next morning, when we returned with the Colorado group, we found a smaller flock of birds with the same species minus the jays and with only 1 or 2 woodcreepers. That morning we also had excellent looks at Unicolored Jays feeding around some picnic tables by the lake and saw several large flocks of Black-capped Swallows flying over the lake.
Our scouting suggested the humid pine-oak area in the vicinity of the grutas would likely be productive. We had limited time, late the day, at his area, however. The best birds we saw here were several Wood Thrushes coming to a small pool to drink.
We visited the Chinkultec ruins the late morning and early afternoon of one day. The entry fee here was 30 pesos per person. Unfortunately, we probably should have arrived earlier, as Andrew, from the Colorado group, was the only one who got a glimpse of a Prevost’s Ground-Sparrow. Birds at the ruins were very active, however, and we had excellent looks at a subadult male Slender Sheartail, and many Azure-crowned Hummingbirds. Raptors were common, and we saw Red-tailed, Short-tailed, and White-tailed Hawks soaring over the area. Noah also viewed a White-breasted Hawk. Several marshes and ponds added a few waterbirds to the list for this location.
We did not have enough time in this area and would recommend spending a full day birding the lakes and another morning at Chinkultec ruins. Not only were there a few cloud forest species still present in the area, but some pine-oak species were much easier to find here than around San Cristobal.
5: El Sumidero, Tuxtla Gutierrez Zoo, and Chapa de Corzo.
Tuxtla is about 1.5 hours drive from San Cristobal. There is a new toll highway that covers half of the 80 km distance, but the San Cristobal end is not yet complete (there is a sign for the cuota on the west end of San Cristobal, but this should be ignored). To drive the part of the new highway that is finished costs 25 pesos.
We found Tuxtla itself to be very noisy and crowded, and so we stayed about 15 km away in Chapa de Corzo, a small but pleasant town. We had a hotel on the plaza, where there was a festival going on, so it was still noisy, but at least it was celebration and music, not motors, horns, and sirens. On our second evening in town we arrived in time to watch the river at dusk. There we saw many egrets and Neotropical Cormerants going to roost, along with a large flock of Mangrove Swallows.
It took about 25 minutes to drive from here to the entrance road for the miradores in El Sumidero. The entry fee for the canyon was 10 pesos per person. The entry gate is at km 5 along the road. The first mirador (La Ceiba), at km 7, simply overlooks Tuxtla, and we were warned not to stop there early in the morning due to robberies that had taken place there.
The km 11 site, mentioned in the Howell guide, is the next stopping point. We passed it early on the first morning as there was someone chopping wood there, and returned later, while we visited it early on the 2nd morning. The habitat here is thick thorny scrub with lots of bamboo. On our return on the first morning, we were drawn to the cries of a wounded Streak-backed Oriole (hit by a Sharp-shin?) which attracted a good flock of birds that included several Yellow-billed Caciques, a male Red-breasted Chat, and a pair of Blue Seedeaters. The second morning was somewhat quieter. We did not see or hear any Flammulated Flycatchers on either day, but Dusky-capped, Brown-crested and Nutting’s Flycatchers were easily observed. Olive Sparrows, Banded Wrens, and Orange-billed Nightengale-Thrushes were also common.
At km 14 is a nice pulloff and some open grassy areas where we found Rusty Sparrow to be common and a Lesser Roadrunner put in a brief appearance. The second mirador (La Coyota) at km 17 was also active, but we saw nothing special there except a flyover flock of Ridgeway’s Rough-winged Swallows.
The third mirador (El Roblar) at about km 20 was the best site. This has a parking lot by the road and a long trail through bamboo and forest to the actual overlook. Along the long trail here on the first morning we had an amazing flock of birds which included a vocal and obliging Belted Flycatcher a Fan-tailed Warbler, two Ivory-billed Woodcreepers, and many Green Jays and Altamira Orioles among others. As at km 11, the second morning here was somewhat quieter and we saw much less, although a nice male Blue Bunting and a Yellow-throated Vireo were highlights. White-tipped Doves were very common both days. We had the best luck moving slowly or sitting along the trail and letting the flocks of birds move around us. I also saw a wild Mexican Agouti here
The fourth mirador (Tepehuaje) and fifth mirador (with the centro de visitantes and restaurant) were quite quiet when we visited. We saw no swifts at all, and wonder if this is primarily a summer phenomenon. Note that the two mornings we visited were very different in terms of what we saw, with one being far less active. We recommend visiting at least twice to be sure of finding the specialties here.
The Tuxtla Zoo was easily found on the other side of town. It’s a nice place to visit and has good birds. Outside, in the parking lot, we saw several flyover flocks Orange-fronted Parakeets and a few Green Parakeets. Inside the zoo we saw many Plain Chachalacas, Green Jays, White-throated Magpie-Jays, Yellow-winged Caciques, and a lovely Russet-crowned Motmot which perched in the open for several minutes. We also saw many Crested Guans and Great Currassows, as mentioned in previous trip reports. Despite the insistence of many that these are wild birds, I have never seen ones so tame, even where they are protected (as at La Selva biological station in Costa Rica). I have trouble believing these are not derived from captured stock. We also saw several monkeys and a flock of Collared Aracaris that were almost inarguably escapees. Mexican Agoutis were common.
Driving out of Tuxtla after our second morning at El Sumidero was easy. There is a new highway to Mexico City (signs are marked only as “Mexico”) on the northwest side of the city which takes you approximately 120 km to an exit where you can follow a terribly potholed 2 km connecting road to the old highway (follow signs for Cardenas if there are none for Villahermosa). Once on the old highway you must deal with 20 km of slow winding road before coming out on the flatland. After that the road is in good shape and goes essentially straight for 70 km before connecting with the main highway coming west from Villahermosa. Its another 30 km back to the Villahermosa airport from this point. The total driving time is about 4 hours from Tuxtla Gutierrez to Villahermosa, a great savings over the old route, which was entirely on the old highway starting in Chapa del Corzo.
We did not stop for birds much along the new highway, but did see Red-tailed, Short-tailed, Broad-winged, and White Hawks as well as White-collared Swifts during the drive. There did appear to be some good stopping areas about 40 or 50 km outside of Tuxtla, where the highway passed through some steep hills. Also one could stop at either end of a long bridge on the new highway which passed over a big reservoir. We saw several Laughing Gulls and a Caspian Tern while crossing this bridge, but did not stop to see other birds as we wished to save our time for the marshes near Villahermosa.
6: Villahermosa Area
On our last evening we checked in to the Villahermosa Airport Hilton Hotel. This was expensive (1200 pesos), but very convenient for us as we could bird the nearby marshes and return the rental car a night early. The hotel is ultra-modern and has free shuttles to the airport and to Villahermosa proper.
We spent an hour before dusk the last night birding the marshes. We saw a good variety of water birds, although not the hoped-for Pinnated Bittern. Limpkins, Black-necked Stilts, and many waders were common and we saw an Anhinga, several Purple Gallinules, an Aplomado Falcon, a sizeable flock of Orchard Orioles, and several Yellow-breasted Chats. As a bonus, a field next to the Hilton held 2 Double-striped Thick-Knees which we watched in the moonlight from the hotel parking lot.
The next morning, after checking our bags, we birded the area immediately around the airport. It was surprisingly active, with several large fruit trees attracting Great Kiskadees, Pale-vented Pigeons, Altamira Orioles, Olive-throated Parakeets, Yellow-winged and Blue-gray Tanagers, and Clay-colored Robins. A pair of Lineated Woodpeckers and a Buff-bellied Humminbird, seen from a bridge along the entrance road from the airport were final highlights.
1. Least Grebe (Podiceps dominicus): A pair was seen at a marsh near the Villahermosa airport.
2. Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis): Seen in the morning from the airport in Veracruz after our unplanned diversion there.
3. Neotropic Cormerant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus): Abundant at La Libertad, Chapa del Corzo, and the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
4. American Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga): One seen flying over the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
5. Great Blue-Heron (Ardea herodias): A few seen at La Libertad and the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
6. Great Egret (Ardea alba): Fairly common in wet areas throughout.
7. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea): Common at La Libertad, Chapa del Corzo, and the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
8. Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor): Fairly common at La Libertad and the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
9. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula): Common at La Libertad, Chapa del Corzo, and the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
10. Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis): Common around cattle and in wet areas throughout.
11. Green Heron (Butorides virescens): A few seen at at La Libertad and the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
12. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax): One seen in the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
13. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrosoma mexicanum): One seen at on the road to La Libertad.
14. Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis): Seen at a wetland off the Ocosingo Highway and at the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
15. Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors): A few seen near La Libertad.
16. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura): Common throughout.
17. Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture (Cathartes burrovanius): One seen near La Libertad and another in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
18. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus): Common throughout.
19. Osprey (Pandion haliaetus): One seen along the road to La Libertad and another at the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
20. Hook-billed Kite (Chondrohierax uncinatus): Two soaring raptors over a river along the Ocosingo Highway appeared to be this species.
21. White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus): A few were seen near Comitan en route to and from Laguanas de Montebello. One at the Villahermosa airport.
22. Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis): Many near La Libertad and a few in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
23. White-breasted Hawk (Accipiter chionogaster): One seen by NG at Chinkultec.
24. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus): One seen at El Sumidero.
25. Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii): One seen along the Chanal road and another at Lagunas de Montebello.
26. Common Black-Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus): A pair was nesting at a sinkhole near Laguna Montebello.
27. White Hawk (Leucopternis albicollis): Two were seen along the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
28. Roadside Hawk (Buteo magnirostris): Common in lowlands near Palenque, Villahermosa, and Tuxtla Gutierrez.
29. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus): One was seen along the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
30. Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus): Two were seen at Chinkultec and another was soaring over the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
31. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis): Several were seen near Chinkultec and Lagunas de Montebello. One was seen in San Cristobal, one at El Sumidero, and one was soaring over the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
32. White-tailed Hawk (Buteo albicaudatus): One was seen at Chinkultec.
33. American Kestrel (Falco sparvarius): Common in the lowlands around Palenque and along the route from Comitan to Lagunas de Montebello.
34. Bat Falcon (Falco rufigularis): Several were at the ruins in Palenque.
35. Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis): One was seen at a marsh near the Villahermosa airport.
36. Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway): A few were seen near the Villahermosa airport and along the road to La Libertad.
37. Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula): Common at the Tuxtla Gutierrez Zoo. Also heard, but not seen at El Sumidero.
38. Crested Guan (Penelope pupuracens): Individuals at the Tuxtla Gutierrez Zoo may derive from escapees.
39. Great Currassow (Crax rubra): Individuals at the Tuxtla Gutierrez Zoo may derive from escapees.
40. Singing Quail (Dactylortyx thoracicus): Two coveys were seen in the Huitepec Reserve.
41. Limpkin (Aramus guarauna): Common in the marshes at the Villahermosa airport.
42. Sora (Porzana carolina): Two were heard calling in the wetlands by the Chinkultec ruins.
43. American Coot (Fulia americana): A few were seen in the wetlands by the Chinkultec ruins.
44. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus): A few were seen in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
45. Purple Gallinule (Poryphyrula martinica): A few were seen in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
46. Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa): A few were seen along the La Libertad road and they were common in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
47. Double-striped Thick-Knee (Burhinus bistriatus): One was seen along the road to La Libertad and two more were seen in a field adjacent to the Villahermosa Airport Hilton Hotel.
48. Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous): One was heard only along the road to La Libertad.
49. Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus): Common near La Libertad and in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
50. Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla): Several were seen over a large reservoir along the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
51. Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia): One was seen over a large reservoir along the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
52. Rock Pigeon (Columba livia): Common in developed areas throughout.
53. Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagoniae fasciata): A large flock was seen near Laguna Pujoj in Lagunas de Montebello.
54. Pale-vented Pigeon (Patagoniae cayennensis): Common at Palenque and the Villahermosa airport.
55. Red-billed Pigeon (Patagoniae flavirostris): Common at El Sumidero.
56. White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica): A few seen near La Libertad and along the road between Comitan and Lagunas de Montebello.
57. Inca Dove (Columbina inca): A few were seen at the zoo in Tuxtla Gutierrez.
58. Ruddy Ground-Dove (Columbina talpacoti): A few were seen near Palenque and the Villahermosa airport.
59. Gray-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps): One along the Cascada Trail at Palenque.
60. White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi): One seen at Huitepec Reserve, another at the Microondas on Cerro Huitepec, and a few at Chinkultec. Common at El Sumidero. Heard only at Palenque.
61. White-fronted Parrot (Amazona albifrons): A few were seen flying over the road near Palenque.
62. White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilis): A few were seen flying near Palenque. Two were at the Misol-Ha waterfall, and a flock that was likely this species was seen at distance near Lagunas de Montebello.
63. Olive-throated Parakeet (Aratinga astec): Commonly seen flying over Palenque. Also seen well at the Villahermosa airport.
64. Green Parakeet (Aratinga holochlora): A few were seen outside the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo. Although this species is more commonly reported here than Orange-fronted Parakeet, we saw many more of the latter.
65. Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis): Many were seen in small flocks outside the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
66. Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox): One was very briefly seen along the road near km 14 at El Sumidero.
67. Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana): A few were seen at Palenque and one was seen at the Tuxtla Gutierrez Zoo. One was heard at the Villahermosa airport.
68. Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris): Common in disturbed habitats throughout.
69. Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum): One was seen along the highway while we were en route from Villahermosa to Palenque.
70. Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis): Commonly seen hawking insects over San Cristobal at night.
71. Pauraque (Nyctridromus albicollis): One was heard early in the morning at Palenque.
72. White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris): A flock was seen over the Ocosingo Highway, and another flock was over the new highway between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Villahermosa.
73. Vaux’s Swift (Chaetura vauxi): A flock was seen near San Cristobal on the return trip from Lagunas de Montebello.
74. Long-billed (Long-tailed) Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris): Several were noted at Palenque.
75. Stripe-throated (Little) Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis): One was seen very briefly by JP behind the museum at Palenque.
76. White-eared Hummingbird (Hylocharis leucotis): Common in woodlands near San Cristobal.
77. White-bellied Emerald (Amazilia candida): Several were seen at Palenque and one was seen at El Sumidero.
78. Azure-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanocephala): Common at Chinkultec. One was also seen at the 3rd mirador at El Sumidero.
79. Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina): Fairly common at El Sumidero.
80. Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis): One was seen at the Villahermosa airport.
81. Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl): Common at Palenque.
82. Amythyst-throated Mountain-Gem (Lampornis amythystensis): Fairly common at Huitepec reserve and some other areas around San Cristobal.
83. Green-throated Mountain-Gem (Lapornis viridipallens): Several were seen in the cloud forest fragment at Laguna Pujoj in Lagunas de Montebello.
84. Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens): A few were seen at scattered locations around San Cristobal.
85. Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami): Common in forests with bromiliads near San Cristobal. Most easily seen at km 2 on the Ocosingo road.
86. Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris): One female at Chinkultec and 2 more at km 14 at El Sumidero.
87. Slender Sheartail (Doricha enicura): One subadult male at Chinkultec.
88. Canivet’s Emerald (Chloristilboon canivetii): A few seen at El Sumidero.
89. Mountain Trogon (Trogon mexicanus): Pairs seen at the Huitepec reserve and a forest fragment on the Chanal Road. Less common than the next species.
90. Collared Trogon (Trogon collaris): Seen at several locations near San Cristobal and at Lagunas de Montebello.
91. Black-headed Trogon (Trogon nigrocephalus): Several seen at Palenque.
92. Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceous): Several seen at Palenque. More common than the previous species.
93. Ringed Kingfisher (Ceryle torquata): Seen at virtually all open water areas thoughout. Common near La Libertad.
94. Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulphratus): A few seen at Palenque.
95. Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus): A couple of flocks seen at Palenque and one group (escapees?) at the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
96. Russet-crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus): One seen well at the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo, and another seen flying across the road near km 11 at El Sumidero.
97. Pale-billed Woodpecker (Camphiphelus guatemalensis): The characteristic double-knock of this species was heard at Palenque, but none were seen.
98. Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus): A pair was along the entrance road to the Palenque ruins and another pair was at the Villahermosa airport.
99. Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus): Seen at scattered localities near Palenque and San Cristobal and on the Ocosingo highway in between.
100. Golden-fronted Woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons): Common at both Palenque, the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo and El Sumidero.
101. Black-cheeked Woodpecker (Melanerpes pucherani): One seen along the entrance road to the Palenque ruins.
102. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius): Seen at Huitepec Reserve and at Laguna Pujoj at Lagunas de Montebello.
103. Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus): Fairly common around San Cristobal and at Lagunas de Montebello.
104. Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Picoides scalaris): One seen along the road to La Libertad.
105. Northern (Guatemalan) Flicker (Colaptes auratus guatamalensis): A few seen at the Huitepec Reserve and two with the Strong-billed Woodcreeper flock at Lagunas de Montebello.
106. Wedge-billed Woodcreeper (Glyphorhynchus spirurus): Two were seen in the museum area at Palenque.
107. Olivaceous Woodcreeper (Sittasomus griseacapillus): One was at km 4 on the Ocosingo road near San Cristobal. Several were with a flock at Laguna Pujoj at Lagunas de Montebello.
108. Strong-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus): Three were seen in a large flock near Laguna Montebello in Lagunas de Montebello.
109. Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster): One was seen near the entrance to the ruins at Palenque and two more were with a flock at mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero.
110. Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius): Several were with a flock at Laguna Pujoj at Lagunas de Montebello.
111. Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (Lepicocolaptes affinis): Common with flocks at many sites near San Cristobal and at Lagunas de Montebello.
112. Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidicolaptes souleyetti): Common at Palenque.
113. Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus): One male seen along the entrance road to Palenque.
114. Scaled Antpitta (Grallaria guatemalensis): One seen by JP behind the museum at Palenque.
115. Common Tody-Flycatcher (Todirostrum cinereum): One seen and several heard along the entrance road to Palenque.
116. Yellow-olive Flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens): Two with a flock at mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero.
117. Northern Beardless Tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe): A few seen and/or heard at El Sumidero.
118. Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax): Seen and/or heard in several flocks in areas around San Cristobal.
119. Yellowish Flycatcher (Empidonax flavescens): One seen at Laguna Pujoj in Lagunas de Montebello.
120. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris): One or two seen and heard at Palenque.
121. Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens): Common at Palenque.
122. Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus): One seen and heard at Palenque.
123. Pine Flycatcher (Empidonax affinis): Seen and heard in several locations near San Cristobal.
124. Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii): A few seen around San Cristobal.
125. Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus): Three seen on private land near the Huitepec Reserve in San Cristobal.
126. Belted Flycatcher (Xenotriccus callizonus): One very vocal individual seen and a 2nd heard at the mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero.
127. Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus): One seen on private land near San Cristobal.
128. Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer): Commonly heard and seen at both Palenque and El Sumidero.
129. Great-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus): One seen well at Palenque.
130. Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus): A few seen at El Sumidero.
131. Nutting’s Flycatcher (Myiarchus nuttingi): A few seen and heard at El Sumidero.
132. Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus): Common in all lowland areas.
133. Boat-billed Flycatcher (Megarhynchus pitangua): Several seen at Palenque and at El Sumidero.
134. Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis): Common at El Sumidero. A few seen at the Villahermosa airport.
135. Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus): Common around Villahermosa and Palenque. Based on calls, they appeared to be far more common than Couch’s Kingbird in the areas we visited.
136. Couch’s Kingbird (Tyrannus couchii): A few seen and heard at Palenque.
137. Fork-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus savana): A flock was seen along the road to La Libertad.
138. Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata): Two seen at Palenque.
139. White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus): A few were seen in second growth near Palenque and one was seen by JP at km 11 at El Sumidero.
140. Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii): One was seen along the entrance road to the Palenque ruins.
141. Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius): Seen regularly around San Cristobal and also at El Sumidero.
142. Cassin’s Vireo (Vireo cassinii): Seen regularly around San Cristobal and at El Sumidero..
143. Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus): Only 2 or 3 were seen at sites around San Cristobal.
144. Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons): One was at the mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero.
145. Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni): Very common in flocks at sites around San Cristobal.
146. Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philidelphicus): One was seen by NG at a stop along the Ocosingo highway en route to San Cristobal.
147. Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus): Rather common at El Sumidero, but not seen elsewhere.
148. Lesser Greenlet (Hylophilis decurtatus): One seen by JP near the entrance to the ruins at Palenque
149. Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis): A few were seen at the 3rd mirador at El Sumidero.
150. Brown Jay (Cyanocorax morio): Common at most lower elevation sites.
151. Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas): Easy to find at mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero and at the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
152. Azure-hooded Jay (Cyanolyca cucullata): Two flocks were seen at Lagunas de Montebello.
153. Black-throated Jay (Cyanolyca pumilio): A flock was at km 2 on the Ocosingo Road near San Cristobal. However, this species was much easier to see at Lagunas de Montebello where two large flocks were encountered.
154. Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri): Common at sites around San Cristobal and also seen at Lagunas de Montebello. Often with other species. In poor light, or with quick views, all three species of Blue Jays in the region look very similar (the Steller’s Jay here is crestless). We believe some reports of Black-throated Jays in Huitepec reserve, probably were misidentified Steller’s, which are common there. Care and good looks are necessary to confirm identification of the jays in any flock.
155. Unicolored Jay (Aphelocoma unicolor): Two were seen by NG at km 2 on the Ocosingo Road near San Cristobal. A large flock was encoutered at Lagunas de Montebello.
156. White-throated Magpie-Jay (Calocitta formosa): A flock was at the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
157. Common Raven (Corvus corax): One seen in Tziscao at Lagunas de Montebello.
158. Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis): A flock was seen along the road to La Libertad.
159. Ridgeway’s Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx ridgewayii): A few of these were in the flock mentioned above and a large flock passed over the mirador La Coytoa at El Sumidero.
160. Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor): Several flocks were seen near Palenque and the Villahermosa airport.
161. Mangrove Swallow (Tachycineta albilinea): A large number came to roost on small boats one evening at Chapa del Corzo.
162. Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina): A flock was seen near San Cristobal on the return trip from Lagunas de Montebello and another was at mirador La Coyota at El Sumidero.
163. Black-capped Swallow (Notiochelidon pileata): Large flocks were seen over Lagunas de Montebello.
164. Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus): Several flocks were seen near San Cristobal.
165. Brown Creeper (Certhia americana): Common in flocks at sites around San Cristobal.
166. Band-backed Wren (Campylorhynchus zonatus): Flocks were seen at several sites near San Cristobal, at Lagunas de Montebello, and at El Sumidero.
167. Spot-breasted Wren (Thrysothorus maculipectus): Common in 2nd growth at Palenque, and a few were seen at El Sumidero.
168. Plain Wren (Thryothorus modestus): Common at Chinkultec and a couple were seen at El Sumidero.
169. Banded Wren (Thryothorus pleurostictus): Common at El Sumidero.
170. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon): Only a few were noted at scattered locations.
171. Rufous-browed Wren (Trogolodytes rufociliatus): Seen well by JP at km 2 and by NG at km 4 on the Ocosingo Road near San Cristobal. Also heard at Huitepec Reserve and along the Chanal Road.
172. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophrys): One was with a flock at Laguna Pujoj at Lagunas de Montebello.
173. White-breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucosticta): Commonly heard but difficult to see at Palenque. Only one was ever glimpsed.
174. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea): Common at most of the lower elevation sites and at Chinkultec.
175. Tropical Gnatcatcher (Polioptila plumbea): A few were seen at Palenque.
176. White-lored Gnatcatcher (Polioptila albiloris): One was seen by NG and several were heard calling at El Sumidero.
177. Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus aurantiirostris): Common at El Sumidero. One was also glimpsed at Chinkultec.
178. Ruddy-capped Nightingale-Thrush (Catharus frantzii): A few were seen at km 4 on the Ocosingo Road near San Cristobal. One was seen by JP at the Huitepec reserve.
179. Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus): One seen by JP at Laguna Pujoj in Lagunas de Montebello, and a couple were seen at El Sumidero.
180. Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus): One was seen in the Huitepec Reserve.
181. Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina): Several were noted at Palenque and a few were drinking from a pool in the road at the grutas area of Lagunas de Montebello.
182. Clay-colored Thrush (Turdus grayi): Common at Palenque, El Sumidero, and the Villahermosa airport.
183. Rufous-collared Thrush (Turdus rufitorques): Common at sites around San Cristobal.
184. Slate-colored Solitaire (Myadestes unicolor): A few were seen and heard at Laguna Pujoj at Lagunas de Montebello.
185. Brown-backed Solitaire (Myadestes obscurus): Conmmonly heard and less often seen at sites around San Cristobal and in pines at Lagunas de Montebello.
186. Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis): Seen in open areas near Tziscao in Lagunas de Montebello and around Sand Cristobal.
187. Gray Silky-Flycatcher (Ptiligonys cinereus): A flock was seen at the microondas site on Cerro Huitepec.
188. Gray Catbird (Dumatella carolinensis): Several were seen at Palenque, Chinkulec, and El Sumidero.
189. Blue and White Mockingbird (Melanotis hypoleucus): Heard often, but infrequently seen in scrubby habitat at Cerro Huitepec, Chinkutec, and El Sumidero.
190. Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus): A few were seen in route to Lagunas de Montebello and one was seen near the Huitepec reserve at San Cristobal.
191. Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla): Several were seen at Chinkultec and at El Sumidero.
192. Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata): One was seen by NG at Chinkultec.
193. Crescent-chested Warbler (Parula superciliosa): Common in flocks around San Cristobal and a few were noted at Lagunas de Montebello.
194. Northern Parula (Parula americana): Two or three were seen at Palenque.
195. Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia): Seen near Palenque, at Chinkultec, at El Sumidero, and at the Villahermosa airport, but nowhere common.
196. Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia): Abundant at Palenque and individuals were also seen at Chinkultec, El Sumidero, and the Villahermosa airport.
197. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata): Uncommon in open areas around San Cristobal and around Lagunas de Montebello.
198. Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens): Fairly common at Palenque, El Sumidero, Chinkultec, and Lagunas de Montebello but nearly absent around San Cristobal.
199. Townsend’s Warbler (Dendroica townsendii): Abundant in flocks around San Cristobal and in pines at Lagunas de Montebello.
200. Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis): Common in flocks around San Cristobal and also noted at Lagunas de Montebello.
201. Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia): Three individuals were seen at sites along the Ocosingo road near San Cristobal.
202. Black and White Warbler (Mniotilta varia): Flocks at every location generally contained one or two individuals of this species.
203. American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla): Abundant at Palenque and common around Tuxtla, but otherwise only seen at Chinkultec and the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
204. Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivora): A few were seen at Palenque, one was at Chinkultec, and one was at El Sumidero.
205. Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus): A few were seen at Palenque and one at the Huitepec Reserve. Abundant at Chinkultec.
206. Northern Waterthrush (Sierus noveboracensis): One was seen at Palenque near Margarita and Ed’s Cabanas.
207. Louisiana Waterthrush (Seirus motacilla): One behind the museum at Palenque and one at Chinkultec along the creek running through the ruins.
208. Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus): A few were seen at Palenque.
209. MacGillivray’s Warbler (Oporornis tolmiei): Several were seen or heard at Huitepec Reserve and individuals were noted at Chinkultec and on the Chanal Road.
210. Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas): Common in marshes at Villahermosa and at Chinkultec.
211. Gray-crowned Yellowthroat (Geothlypis poliocephala): One responded well to pishing at km 14 at El Sumidero.
212. Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina): Common around Palenque.
213. Wilson’s Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla): Fairly common at all sites except around Villahermosa.
214. Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons): A few were seen with flocks at sites around San Cristobal.
215. Pink-headed Warbler (Ergaticus versicolor): Three or four were seen at the km 2 site along the Ocosingo Road near San Cristobal. Another was at km 4 and another was glimpsed in a forest fragment along the Chanal Road.
216. Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus): Several were seen around Laguna Pujoj at Lagunas de Montebello.
217. Golden-browed Warbler (Basileuterus belli): Small numbers were seen at several locations near San Cristobal.
218. Rufous-capped Warbler (Basileuterus rufifrons): Common in second growth at El Sumidero and Chinkultec.
219. Fan-tailed Warbler (Euthlypis lachrymosa): One seen by JP in the Huitepec Reserve and one seen at the 3rd mirador in El Sumidero.
220. Slate-throated Redstart (Myioborus miniatus): Most flocks at sites around San Cristobal, Lagunas de Montebello, and El Sumidero had one of this species.
221. Olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus): Three seen at the Huitepec Reserve. Many were seen at km 4 on the Ocosingo Road.
222. Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens): One seen at Palenque and one at Chinkultec. Common in second growth around Villahermosa.
223. Red-breasted Chat (Granatellus venustus): One male seen at km 11 in El Sumidero.
224. Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola): A few were seen along the entrance road to Palenque.
225. Golden-hooded Tanager (Tangara larvata): One was seen in a large fruiting tree behind the museum at Palenque.
226. Blue-gray Tanager (Thraupis episcopus): A few were seen along the La Libertad road and at the Villahermosa airport.
227. Yellow-winged Tanager (Thraupis abbas): A few were seen at Palenque, La Libertad road, and the Villahermosa airport.
228. Red-throated Ant-Tanager (Habia fuscicauda): Common at Palenque.
229. Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra): A few seen at Plaenque and the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
230. Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava): Uncommon, but seen with flocks at a few locations around San Cristobal.
231. Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana): Fairly common at El Sumidero.
232. Crimson-collared Tanager (Ramphocelus sanguinolenta): Common at Palenque.
233. Passerini’s (Scarlet-rumped) Tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii): Fairly common at Palenque.
234. Common Bush-Tanager (Chlorospingus opthalmicus): Two seen at the Huitepec Reserve and two seen at the microondas oneCerro Huitepec. A few were also seen at Lagunas de Montebello.
235. Yellow-throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinicea): Common at Palenque. One seen at El Sumidero.
236. Scrub Euphonia (Euphonia affinis): Common at Palenque.
237. Olive-backed Euphonia (Euphonia gouldi): One male seen by JP in the fruiting fig behind the museum at Palenque.
238. Blue-hooded Euphonia (Euphonia musica): Heard at the microondas at Cerro Huitepec.
239. Grayish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens): Common at Chinkultec and one seen at El Sumidero.
240. Buff-throated Saltator (Saltator maximus): Common in second growth at Palenque.
241. Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps): Seen in small numbers with the former species at Palenque. One seen at Lagunas de Montebello.
242. Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovacianus): One male seen at the Huitepec Reserve and one female seen at El Sumidero.
243. Yellow Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysopeplus): Several seen at El Sumidero.
244. Blue Bunting (Cyanocompsa perellina): One female seen by JP at Chinkultec and a male seen at mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero.
245. Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea): A few seen/heard at El Sumidero and at the Villahermosa airport.
246. Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor): One male seen at km 11 at El Sumidero.
247. Green-backed Sparrow (Arremonops chloronotus): One seen on a short trail behind the museum at Palenque.
248. Olive Sparrow (Arremonops rufivirgatus): Common at El Sumidero.
249. White-naped Brush-Finch (Atlapetes albinucha): Seen at several sites around San Cristobal.
250. Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch (Buarremon brunneinucha): One seen at the Huitepec Reserve and 2-3 seen at Laguna Pujoj in Lagunas de Montebello.
251. Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis): Common along the Chanal road and the road to the microondas near San Cristobal.
252. Rusty Sparrow (Aimpophila rufescens): Several seen around km 14 at El Sumidero.
253. Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii): One heard by JP at Chinkultec.
254. Yellow-eyed Junco (Junco phaeonotus): Only two were seen, as a pair at the km 2 site on the Ocosingo road near San Cristobal.
255. White-collared Seedeater (Sporophila torqueola): Common along the La Libertad road and in the marshes near the Villahermosa airport.
256. Variable Seedeater (Sporophila aurita): A pair was seen along the entrance road to the Palenque ruins.
257. Blue Seedeater (Amaurospiza concolor): A pair was seen at the km 11 site at El Sumidero.
258. Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa baritula): Several were seen at the microondas on Cerro Huitepec and one was seen at Chinkultec.
259. Eastern Meadowlark (Sternella magna): A few were noted near Palenque.
260. Melodious Blackbird (Dives dives): Common at Palenque.
261. Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus): Abundant almost everywhere in disturbed habitats.
262. Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus): Abundant along the Chanal road and near Chinkultec.
263. Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius): A large flock was seen in scrub near the Villahermosa airport.
264. Altamira Oriole (Icterus gularis): A flock was at mirador El Roblar at El Sumidero and two were seen at the Villahermosa airport.
265. Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus): A few were noted at sites in El Sumidero and at the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
266. Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula): Common at Palenque, and a few were seen at the Villahermosa airport.
267. Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii): A few were seen at the Huitepec Reserve.
268. Yellow-backed Oriole (Icterus chrysatur): Flocks were seen at km 2 along the Ocosingo Road near San Cristobal and at Lagunas de Montebello.
269. Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus): A small flock was seen at Km 11 in El Sumidero.
270. Yellow-winged Cacique (Cacicus melanicterus): A few were seen at the Tuxtla Gutierrez zoo.
271. Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma): A few were seen on the entrance road to Palenque.
272. House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus): One was seen at a residence in San Cristobal.
273. Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria): A small flock was seen near Chinkultec.
274. Black-headed Siskin (Carduelis notatus): A small flock was near the town of Tziscao in Lagunas de Montebello.
275. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus): Common in developed areas throughout.