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This tour offers rewarding winter birding in an area of Mexico with a high concentration of endemic species. The combination of a city with a rich archaeological and cultural heritage, short drives to numerous birding areas, and the possibility of seeing nearly twenty Mexican endemics (as well as many other interesting species), makes this tour a winner.

The beautiful colonial city of Oaxaca might itself be considered old were it not for the fact that the scenic semi-arid valley in which it stands is studded with the truly ancient cities of the pre-Columbian Zapotec culture. The imposing ruins of Monte Alban, overlooking the present-day city of Oaxaca, and Yagul, in the giant cactus forest to the south of the city, are reminders that a complex and advanced civilization flourished here millennia before the arrival of European conquistadores. The present-day Zapotecs, many still clothed in colorful traditional dress, are living testimony to the concurrent existence of several different and distinctive cultures in modern Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is located at the crossroads of several major biogeographic regions of Mexico, and its bird life is influenced by all of these. The resultant mixture includes nearly two dozen species endemic to Mexico. Some of these include West Mexican Chachalaca, Boucard's and Gray-barred wrens, White-throated and Collared towhees, Dusky and Beautiful hummingbirds, Bridled and Oaxaca sparrows, Gray-breasted Woodpecker, Dwarf Jay, Rufous-capped Brushfinch, Russet Nightingale-Thrush, Ocellated Thrasher, Blue Mockingbird, Red Warbler, and Slaty and Dwarf vireos.

This tour I may be combined with MEXICO: OAXACA’S ATLANTIC & PACIFIC SLOPES for a broader exploration of the State of Oaxaca. (See link below.)

Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.

Client comment
"The birds were fabulous and our guides were superb at finding the birds and getting us on them. This particular trip had a great mix of nature and local culture, which I appreciated enormously. Where else can you visit pine/oak forest habitat at 10,000 feet one day and then visit ancient Zapotec sites the next. Overall, it was a trip well packed with interest. It felt like much more than a week had passed at the end of the trip, and that is meant with the highest compliment." J.K., MEXICO: OAXACA VALLEY tour participant

"The tour was absolutely wonderful. The trip was well-organized down to the last details, and our guides made everything smooth and easy. Their expertise with finding birds and making sure everyone had the best chance to see them, along with their extensive background knowledge, was superlative. The non-birding activities added a lot to the trip, especially Monte Alban and Mitla, with Jorge's guidance; also lunch with the Mendoza sisters. Your office service was excellent, without exception." M.S., MEXICO: OAXACA VALLEY tour participant

Combo Tours
If you would like a longer birding holiday, some departures of this tour may be combined with:
MEXICO: OAXACA'S ATLANTIC & PACIFIC SLOPES