Jesse Fagan (a.k.a. the Motmot or just "Mot") has been passionate about birds since his teens, when he had an encounter with a flying Pileated Woodpecker. He has birded extensively throughout North America and in 2016 published the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Northern Central America (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) with co-author Oliver Komar and illustrators Robert Dean and Peter Burke. In addition, Mot has experience in many other areas of Central and South America, Europe, and Africa. He likes to think he can bird anywhere at any time and still show you the birds, but most importantly, a good time.
Jesse holds a B.S. and an M.S. in mathematics from Texas Tech University. He is currently living in Lima, Peru with his wife, Rocio.
Scroll down to see Jesse's current schedule of tours.
Client comment
"Jesse is a top-notch birder; his spotting skills are incredible--and almost as importantly, he's excellent at getting people in the group on the birds he's spotted. He's also well-organized, good at handling group logistics, and has a flaming sense of humor, all of which combine to make the tour both rewarding and a lot of fun." S. G., MACHU PICCHU & ABRA MALAGA, PERU
"I'd travel with guide Jesse Fagan again in a heartbeat. He has it all when it comes to guiding. He has excellent birding skills and knowledge...Jesse is a leader and does a great job organizing the trip itinerary, getting us birders from place to place, and seeing to our accommodations. He works well with people at the lodgings, with local bird guides, and the trip participants. Your office service was excellent -- complete, thorough, polite, helpful." C.B., GUATEMALA: SHADE-GROWN BIRDING
"Jesse Fagan is a first-rate guide, combining a great ear and eyes with a congenial personality. He manages the group well while being fun to be with. His organization skills matched his birding skills. We are already signed up for another tour with Jesse. Field Guides is always the best." C.B., PERUVIAN RAINFORESTS OF THE TAMBOPATA
Video from Jesse's tours
Enjoy a video from our 2020 "Central Mexico & Baja: Birds, Butterflies & Whales" tour — great fun!
Jesse's Upcoming Tours
Apr 29 - May 10, 2025 ($5925) with Phil Gregory & Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 8
Tour for Taiwan's numerous endemics and specialties.
May be combined with Japan in Spring
Jun 14-26, 2025 ($6995) with Dan Lane & Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 12
A 12-day taste of northern Peru's east-slope Andes, including six nights at Owlet Lodge.
May be combined with Machu Picchu & Abra Malaga, Peru
Jul 16 - Aug 3, 2025 ($13275) with Doug Gochfeld & Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 10
Birds-of-paradise and bowerbirds are the crown jewels of one of the most remarkable bird faunas, one that exists alongside equally fascinating and varied cultures.
(New Britain Extension to Aug 8, 2025)
Oct 4-26, 2025 ($11825) with Tarry Butcher & Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 10
Endemic-rich birding, spectacular landscapes, and a unique flora are the highlights of our energetic survey tour of this beautiful country.
Nov 24 - Dec 1, 2025 ($4250) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 7
A short tour to a new Colombian hotspot with several must-see birds, local culture, and regional cuisine.
May be combined with Colombia's Cloudforests: The Western & Central Andes
Dec 1-11, 2025 ($5825) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
Cloud forests of two Colombian cordilleras and their rich assortment of hummingbirds and tanagers are highlights of this escape across the Caribbean to tropical Colombia. Starting in Cali and exiting through Manizales and Bogota, we will use several good city hotels and one simple ecotourism lodge primarily to access Andean forests, but also dry woodland, marshes, and the paramo.
May be combined with Colombia's Inirida
Jan 5-13, 2026 ($4575) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
A short tour to an endemic-filled region reached by a direct flight from Miami.
May be combined with Colombia's Eastern Cordillera
Jan 13-21, 2026 ($4995) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 7
An endemic-filled week-plus of exciting highland birding,
May be combined with Colombia's Santa Marta Mountains & Caribbean Coast or Colombia's Marvelous Magdalena Valley
Feb 11-20, 2026 (To be determined) with Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 8
Birding tour for Resplendent Quetzal, a host of hummingbirds, and Azure-rumped Tanager set against a dramatic volcanic landscape and colorful Mayan culture.
(Tikal & Guacamayas Pre-tour Extension from Feb 6, 2026)
Mar 13-19, 2026 (To be determined / 2025=$3475) with Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 7
A week of respite to a very birdy and beautiful Caribbean island, a mix of North American and local culture and cuisine; 17 endemic birds and a number of other Caribbean specialties.
May be combined with Bahamas
Mar 21-26, 2026 (To be determined) with Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 6
Small-group tour for four Bahamian endemics, several Caribbean endemics, a few early migrants, Kirtland's Warbler, and a sampling of West Indian butterflies; fun, exciting birding at a relaxed pace.
May be combined with Puerto Rico
Apr 10-26, 2026 (To be determined) with Jesse Fagan & Sam Wilson
Tour Limit: 8
Comprehensive tour searching for all the accessible endemics (many highly endangered) of the southern Caribbean on 10 attractive islands.
Jun 13-25, 2026 (To be determined / 2025=$6995) with Dan Lane & Jesse Fagan
Tour Limit: 12
A 12-day taste of northern Peru's east-slope Andes, including six nights at Owlet Lodge.
May be combined with Machu Picchu & Abra Malaga, Peru
Jun 27 - Jul 8, 2026 (To be determined) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
Rich forests from the foothills to treeline are accessed from good country hotels and comfortable ecotourism lodges at some of Colombia's best private reserves. Many Colombian endemics expected, but the tour is primarily an opportunity to gorge on the birds of the Andes after a short flight across the Caribbean.
Jul 30 - Aug 10, 2026 (To be determined / 2025=$5875) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
Our in-depth transect birding tour of the higher-elevation half of the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
Nov 23-30, 2026 (To be determined / 2025=$4250) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 6
A short tour to a new Colombian hotspot with several must-see birds, local culture, and regional cuisine.
May be combined with Colombia's Cloudforests: The Western & Central Andes
Nov 30 - Dec 10, 2026 (To be determined / 2025=$5825) with Jesse Fagan & local guide
Tour Limit: 8
Cloud forests of two Colombian cordilleras and their rich assortment of hummingbirds and tanagers are highlights of this escape across the Caribbean to tropical Colombia. Starting in Cali and exiting through Manizales and Bogota, we will use several good city hotels and one simple ecotourism lodge primarily to access Andean forests, but also dry woodland, marshes, and the paramo.
May be combined with Colombia's Inirida