FIELD GUIDES BIRDING TOURS: Mexico: Oaxaca 2019

Field Guides Tour Report

Mexico: Oaxaca 2019

Mar 9, 2019 to Mar 16, 2019

Dan Lane & Cory Gregory

For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.

Golden-browed Warbler was one of the colorful species we enjoyed in the mountains above Oaxaca City. Photo by guide Cory Gregory.

Oaxaca remains a birding secret, and it's a shame: it is such a great place to visit! Why the reputation of the region as a birding hotspot hasn't grown is beyond me…but happily, those of us on this tour got to experience it! And in addition to the birding, we were also able to enjoy some fine cuisine (tlayudas or mole anyone?), some history, and culture (and maybe even return with a tapestry from Tlamanalli, or some bottles of mescal). Oaxaca has a lot to offer, and it really shines as a great destination! But let's not overlook the birds, since that was the main reason we came for a visit. The Oaxaca valley is a large, dry intermontane valley system, and as such it has been the site for a good dose of avian endemism. We got to enjoy endemics such as the striking Bridled Sparrow, the sneaky Oaxaca Sparrow and Ocellated Thrasher, and the bold White-throated Towhee. The area is also part of a larger endemic region of southwestern Mexico, including such species as the glowingly brilliant Orange-breasted Bunting, the surprisingly colorful Slaty Vireo, the kinglet-like Dwarf Vireo, and the skulky but rather striking Blue Mockingbird. In addition to these political endemics, we enjoyed specialties such as a Lesser Roadrunner, including one that flew *over* us as it crossed from one slope to another! And the importance of the area for wintering boreal migrants was emphasized by the presence of birds such as Louisiana Waterthrush (even though it was in a fairly dry streambed!). Then there are the orioles! We had six species, including the attractive Streak-backed and a hybrid male “Northern” that we could compare side-by-side with a fine male Bullock’s!

The mountains above the city were also a treat to visit, with their cool and shady pine-oak-Douglas fir forests a ready antidote for all the sun in the valley. Here, we were awed by the attractive warblers such as Red, Golden-browed, and Crescent-chested that joined mixed flocks. The larger bird mixed flocks included the local endemic Dwarf Jay, and the large and impressive Strong-billed Woodcreeper. The understory here had gems such as Rufous-capped Brushfinch, and we could get some fine views of local specialties such as the striking Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo in the alder thickets along the draws and the large concentrations of elegant Gray Silky-Flycatchers around fruiting trees. Our evening visit netted us a couple of great experiences with owls, such as the raucous Fulvous Owl above the noisy campsite and the shy Whiskered Screech-Owl that gave us a fine show! Of course, the Northern Pygmy-Owls were a regular fixture of our daytime birds, and often acted as a scapegoat to our scold tape!

One of the most popular days was our visit to the Pacific slope where we walked a path into deciduous tropical vegetation. It can get hot here pretty early, so we made sure to get to the site as early as possible, and it paid off: a fine pair of Russet-crowned Motmots, the amazingly bold Elegant Trogon that showed off across the canyon, the bubbly-voiced Banded Wren that performed so well, and the family group of impressive White-throated Magpie-Jays that would come coasting in and inspect us several times during our visit!

Most of all, one of the lasting memories from the tour is the chance to experience all these memories with a great group of folks! Thanks to all for being part of the tour. Cory and I hope we get to bird with you all again someday soon. Until then, make sure to take a sip of Mescal with your next mole! Good birding!

--Dan

KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

We had some great cultural experiences on the tour, including a visit to the impressive ruins of Monte Alban. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Spatula discors)

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)

WEST MEXICAN CHACHALACA (Ortalis poliocephala) [E*]

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

LONG-TAILED WOOD-PARTRIDGE (Dendrortyx macroura) – Several pairs heard, a couple lucky folks caught a glimpse of this large quail in flight. [E]

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) – A small crowd on Presa Piedra Azul.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)

LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Oaxaca Sparrows can be difficult to see well, but we managed good views on two mornings of the tour. Photo by participant Jose Padilla.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus) – A graceful white raptor we enjoyed at the entrance to Teotitlan and again at Monte Alban.

NORTHERN HARRIER (Circus hudsonius) – Seen on two days at Teotitlan and Yagul

COOPER'S HAWK (Accipiter cooperii) – A stealth raptor on this tour, zipping by before we could all see it.

ZONE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albonotatus) – Seen on two days.

RED-TAILED HAWK (Buteo jamaicensis) – Seen most days. Probably by March, the boreal migrants have left and we were seeing resident breeders.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

AMERICAN COOT (Fulica americana) – A good number on Presa Piedra Azul.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus)

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)

SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]

The Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo is a real stunner! Photo by guide Dan Lane.

BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – Nice views on Cerro San Felipe the day we went up for owls.

INCA DOVE (Columbina inca)

COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina) – Several skittish birds at KM 77.

WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi) [*]

WHITE-WINGED DOVE (Zenaida asiatica) – Daily.

MOURNING DOVE (Zenaida macroura) – Mostly at the lowest elevations in the valley.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

LESSER ROADRUNNER (Geococcyx velox) – Whew! After missing it on the day we visited Yagul, we made up for it in spades with fine views on the Teotitlan switchbacks, including a bird that coasted overhead (!!) as it flew from hill to hill.

Strigidae (Owls)

WHISKERED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops trichopsis) – Great looks at close quarters on Cerro San Felipe!

NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL (MOUNTAIN) (Glaucidium gnoma gnoma) – At least three birds came in for viewing including a brown morph and a reddish morph.

FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]

FULVOUS OWL (Strix fulvescens) – Wow, what a great experience! The whoopin' and hollerin' accompanied by the exaggerated body movements was appreciated by all!

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

MEXICAN WHIP-POOR-WILL (Antrostomus arizonae) – Views of two or three in flight.

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

MEXICAN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus) – Until recently called Green Violetear, but split into two species, this one and Lesser Violetear found from Costa Rica south. The decline of flowers in the mountains since December translated into more secretive violetears on this visit.

RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD (Eugenes fulgens) – Similar to the last, this species has changed its name thanks to a split of Magnificent Hummer. Rivoli's is the northern form, and Talamanca Hummingbird is found in Costa Rica and Panama.

PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster constantii) – Several showed well at KM 77.

BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Lampornis clemenciae) – One of the more common (or at least more visible) hummers in the mountains.

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD (Archilochus colubris)

DUSKY HUMMINGBIRD (Cynanthus sordidus) – The most common hummers at lower elevations. [E]

BERYLLINE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia beryllina) [E]

GREEN-FRONTED HUMMINGBIRD (CINNAMON-SIDED) (Amazilia viridifrons wagneri) – A handsome hummer at KM 77. [E]

WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis leucotis) – Eventually we all saw this well in the mountains, where they were common, but reluctant to sit for long.

Trogonidae (Trogons)

ELEGANT TROGON (Trogon elegans) – Wow! Not only was this an unexpected species for me (I've not seen it in Oaxaca before!), but the one at KM 77 was making a strong effort to be really obvious as it perched on exposed branches on the ridgetop or flew in an exaggerated fashion high in the air.

We had an especially cool experience with a pair of Fulvous Owls that were raising a racket on the mountainside during our night expedition. Photo by guide Cory Gregory.

MOUNTAIN TROGON (Trogon mexicanus) – Seen or heard four days. A handsome bird!

Momotidae (Motmots)

RUSSET-CROWNED MOTMOT (Momotus mexicanus) – A really flashy species we enjoyed fully at KM 77. Its colors really lit up the valley!

Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana) – Two females on the dam wall at the reservoir were nice.

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

ACORN WOODPECKER (Melanerpes formicivorus) – A pretty good performance from a bird at our lunch spot on the Teotitlan road.

GRAY-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes hypopolius) – Like a Gila Woodpecker with mascara, and similarly closely tied to cacti. [E]

GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER (WEST MEXICO) (Melanerpes aurifrons polygrammus) – Seen only at KM 77.

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER (Sphyrapicus varius) – A boreal migrant that Jose had at Cerro San Felipe, and we heard at Rio Verde.

LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER (Picoides scalaris) – The same species that makes it into the SW US.

HAIRY WOODPECKER (SOUTH MEXICAN) (Picoides villosus jardinii) – A "sooty" version of the species, found in the pine-oak-dougfir forests on Cerro San Felipe.

NORTHERN FLICKER (RED-SHAFTED) (Colaptes auratus mexicanus) [*]

The endemic Red Warbler is one of the most gorgeous birds, and was a favorite bird of the tour. Photo by participant Jose Padilla.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

CRESTED CARACARA (Caracara cheriway)

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Seen our first two days.

Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)

LILAC-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona finschi) – I suspect this was the lone parrot we saw over Monte Alban; an escapee no doubt.

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)

STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus sclateri) – A great show by these huge galumphing woodcreepers!

WHITE-STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes leucogaster) – Never showing well, most folks had a glimpse of one as it flew past. [E]

SPOT-CROWNED WOODCREEPER (NORTHERN) (Lepidocolaptes affinis affinis) – Jose got us our best view of this smaller woodcreeper.

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

NORTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma imberbe) – Our best view was our first day on the Yuvila road.

GREENISH ELAENIA (WEST MEXICO) (Myiopagis viridicata jaliscensis) – A bird showed well at the inlet into the Presa Piedra Azul.

PILEATED FLYCATCHER (Xenotriccus mexicanus) – Thanks to Cory's sharp eyes, we got great views of one of these Mexican endemics at Yagul. [E]

We had a great view of this Rufous-capped Brushfinch when we visited the pine-oak forest. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

TUFTED FLYCATCHER (MEXICAN) (Mitrephanes phaeocercus phaeocercus) – Several put on a show in the pine-oak forests above Teotitlan.

GREATER PEWEE (Contopus pertinax) – Views our first day at Pollo Nino. Heard thereafter.

LEAST FLYCATCHER (Empidonax minimus) – The Empid some of us saw at KM 77.

HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER (Empidonax hammondii) – The common Empid in the pine-oak forest of the mountains.

DUSKY FLYCATCHER (Empidonax oberholseri) – The Empid we saw at Monte Alban.

PINE FLYCATCHER (Empidonax affinis) – A good Empid to get, and we saw it in the pine-dougfir forest on Cerro San Felipe.

CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER (Empidonax occidentalis) – A bird along Rio Verde gave us a view.

BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)

VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – Fairly common at lower elevations.

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) – Seen and heard at Rio Verde.

A family of White-throated Magpie-Jays showed off for us at KM 77. Photo by guide Cory Gregory.

ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cinerascens) – Seen at KM 77 in close proximity to the next species. This is a boreal winterer.

NUTTING'S FLYCATCHER (NUTTING'S) (Myiarchus nuttingi inquietus) – Seen with the last species at KM 77.

GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)

SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (VERMILION-CROWNED) (Myiozetetes similis texensis) – Like a lightly-built Kiskadee, we saw it best at the inlet at Presa Piedra Azul.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)

CASSIN'S KINGBIRD (Tyrannus vociferans) – A boreal migrant species that is fairly common as a winterer at the lower elevations of the valley.

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)

ROSE-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus aglaiae) – A pair or two in the pine-oak forests, these participate in the larger passerine mixed-species flocks with jays, wrens, and woodcreepers.

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

CHESTNUT-SIDED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius melitophrys) – A showstopper we enjoyed on two days: Cerro San Felipe and our second visit above Teotitlan. This is what a Chestnut-sided Warbler would look like if it went all Hulk.

GOLDEN VIREO (Vireo hypochryseus) – An attractive Mexican endemic we saw well at Monte Alban. [E]

SLATY VIREO (Vireo brevipennis) – One of the most attractive vireos out there, we enjoyed it at Yuvila and again at Monte Alban. [E]

We caught up with some wintering birds that were familar friends, such as this male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

DWARF VIREO (Vireo nelsoni) – Happily, a bird behaved really well on our second visit to Teotitlan, hopping up for an extended view... something they don't often do! [E]

HUTTON'S VIREO (Vireo huttoni)

CASSIN'S VIREO (Vireo cassinii) – A wintering "Solitary Vireo" we saw on a few days.

BLUE-HEADED VIREO (Vireo solitarius) – One migrant bird on the hotel grounds.

PLUMBEOUS VIREO (Vireo plumbeus) [*]

WARBLING VIREO (Vireo gilvus) – A common wintering migrant, but some of the birds we heard on the Teotitlan were probably local breeders.

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

DWARF JAY (Cyanolyca nanus) – A very local endemic we saw well in the forests of Cerro San Felipe. Great experience! [E]

WHITE-THROATED MAGPIE-JAY (Calocitta formosa) – Quite a different sort of jay from the last, we saw a family group well at KM 77! Those tails are amazing!

STELLER'S JAY (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Cyanocitta stelleri coronata) – These are the blue-crested Mexican form, which look a bit different from those farther north.

WOODHOUSE'S SCRUB-JAY (SUMICHRAST'S) (Aphelocoma woodhouseii sumichrasti) – Since Western Scrub-Jay was split into California and Woodhouse's, this population is retained in the latter, but it may well be split out as its own species sometime in the future.

COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – Found south to Nicaragua, we watched several of these large black birds as they flew over Teotitlan.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) – This and the next were the two common swallows most places.

VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW (Tachycineta thalassina)

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Cory called our attention to some of these migrants as we were headed from the highway towards Teotitlan.

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

MEXICAN CHICKADEE (Poecile sclateri) – The southernmost of the New World chickadees, we had a small flock show well above Teotitlan.

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

BUSHTIT (MELANOTIS GROUP) (Psaltriparus minimus melanotis) – Still considered the same species as the Bushtit in the US, this montane Mexican population was considered a species in the past and called "Black-eared Bushtit"... only the males show the ear patch.

Sittidae (Nuthatches)

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (INTERIOR WEST) (Sitta carolinensis mexicana) [*]

Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

BROWN CREEPER (ALBESCENS/ALTICOLA) (Certhia americana alticola) – Fairly common in pine-oak forests in the mountains.

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

ROCK WREN (Salpinctes obsoletus) – This talented songster was showing off at Monte Alban's ruins.

CANYON WREN (Catherpes mexicanus) [*]

Pileated Flycatcher is a Mexican endemic that we saw very well at Yagul. Photo by participant Jose Padilla.

HOUSE WREN (BROWN-THROATED) (Troglodytes aedon brunneicollis) – Considered a separate species in the past, this form of House Wren is found in mountains from AZ south into southern Mexico.

BEWICK'S WREN (MEXICANUS GROUP) (Thryomanes bewickii mexicanus)

GRAY-BARRED WREN (Campylorhynchus megalopterus) – A relative of Cactus Wren, but quite different behaviorally, as it is found in the canopy of pine-oak forests, where it forages in bromeliads and moss clumps. [E]

RUFOUS-NAPED WREN (SCLATER'S) (Campylorhynchus rufinucha humilis) – A pair responded well in the arid scrub at KM 77.

BOUCARD'S WREN (Campylorhynchus jocosus) – Another Cactus Wren relative, and the one in Oaxaca that acts most like that species, usually around prickly pears and columnar cacti. [E]

BANDED WREN (Thryophilus pleurostictus) – Wow! This has been a hard species to see on this tour in past years, so having a bird respond so well at KM 77 was a treat!

GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Henicorhina leucophrys mexicana) – After a false start or two, we finally had a pair show well on Cerro San Felipe.

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)

BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER (Polioptila caerulea)

WHITE-LORED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila albiloris) – The common gnatcatcher at KM 77.

Regulidae (Kinglets)

GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus satrapa) – On our evening visit to Cerro San Felipe, we bumped into a couple of these little feisties. They are probably local breeders.

Another endemic, the beautiful Orange-breasted Bunting, sat for this lovely portrait by guide Cory Gregory.

RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET (Regulus calendula)

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

BROWN-BACKED SOLITAIRE (Myadestes occidentalis) – One of the more spectacular songs in the bird world!

ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus aurantiirostris) – Mostly heard by the group, but some folks may have caught a glimpse.

RUSSET NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus occidentalis) – Great views on Cerro San Felipe! [E]

BLACK THRUSH (Turdus infuscatus) – A brief view on Cerro San Felipe was lucky!

CLAY-COLORED THRUSH (Turdus grayi) – Common on the hotel grounds. This and Rufous-backed Robin are believed to have been released in the city. [I]

WHITE-THROATED THRUSH (WHITE-THROATED) (Turdus assimilis oaxacae) – Mostly heard, but Cory got on one that some folks may have seen above Teotitlan.

RUFOUS-BACKED ROBIN (Turdus rufopalliatus) [I]

AMERICAN ROBIN (MIGRATORIUS GROUP) (Turdus migratorius phillipsi) – About at the southern terminus of its range!

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

BLUE MOCKINGBIRD (Melanotis caerulescens) – Whew! The second visit to Teotitlan gave us several good views! [E]

Grace's Warbler is said to be a rare species in the Oaxaca area, but we had a very nice view of this cooperative individual. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

CURVE-BILLED THRASHER (CURVIROSTRE GROUP) (Toxostoma curvirostre curvirostre)

OCELLATED THRASHER (Toxostoma ocellatum) – Although we heard it at several points, we finally saw one at Monte Alban. [E]

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus polyglottos) – Another species at about its southern terminus.

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

AMERICAN PIPIT (Anthus rubescens) – A flyover at Presa Piedra Azul.

Bombycillidae (Waxwings)

CEDAR WAXWING (Bombycilla cedrorum) – Small flocks were evident at several spots, most obviously at our hotel.

Ptiliogonatidae (Silky-flycatchers)

GRAY SILKY-FLYCATCHER (Ptiliogonys cinereus) – A fancy relative of the Phainopepla, we enjoyed fine views on several days.

Peucedramidae (Olive Warbler)

OLIVE WARBLER (Peucedramus taeniatus) – Wow, that female in our face on Yuvila road and a male who came in close above Teotitlan were great!

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH (Parkesia motacilla)

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER (Mniotilta varia)

CRESCENT-CHESTED WARBLER (Oreothlypis superciliosa) – A fairly common species in the pine-oak forest, and pretty sharp-lookin' too!

One of the main targets of the tour is the Dwarf Vireo, and we were happy to get a good look at this one on our second try at Teotitlan. Photo by participant Jose Padilla.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (Oreothlypis celata)

NASHVILLE WARBLER (Oreothlypis ruficapilla)

VIRGINIA'S WARBLER (Oreothlypis virginiae) – After not detecting any for several days, we had one at Monte Alban and another above Teotitlan.

MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (Geothlypis tolmiei) – Our first day, we saw a rather extroverted female on the Yuvila road!

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (MYRTLE) (Setophaga coronata coronata) – One at the inlet of Presa Piedra Azul seems to be a fixture there.

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (AUDUBON'S) (Setophaga coronata auduboni) – Common winterer at many locations.

GRACE'S WARBLER (Setophaga graciae) – Cool! A rare bird (according to the literature), but that ridge above Teotitlan seems to be a good spot to see it!

TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (Setophaga townsendi)

HERMIT WARBLER (Setophaga occidentalis) – This and the last species were pretty common in the pine-oak forest.

RUFOUS-CAPPED WARBLER (RUFIFRONS GROUP) (Basileuterus rufifrons rufifrons) – A skulky resident species that was tuning up during the tour.

GOLDEN-BROWED WARBLER (Basileuterus belli) – A real looker we enjoyed at Cerro San Felipe.

WILSON'S WARBLER (Cardellina pusilla)

RED-FACED WARBLER (Cardellina rubrifrons) – Another rare wintering species we saw well above Teotitlan.

RED WARBLER (Cardellina rubra) – A favorite of the tour, and why not? Great color scheme! [E]

PAINTED REDSTART (Myioborus pictus) – Heard on several mornings, we got good views our last day.

SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus miniatus) – Common in many habitats, and we didn't have a problem with that!

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

CINNAMON-BELLIED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa baritula baritula) – Whew! With the relative dearth of flowers in the mountains, we were lucky to spot this tanager on Cerro San Felipe, and a male at that!

Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)

BRIDLED SPARROW (Peucaea mystacalis) – One of the more handsome sparrows of the world! [E]

CHIPPING SPARROW (Spizella passerina)

LARK SPARROW (Chondestes grammacus) – As per usual, we came upon a small cluster below Teotitlan.

CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (CHESTNUT-CAPPED) (Arremon brunneinucha suttoni) – Much like Collared Towhee in plumage, but not at all in its temperament.

YELLOW-EYED JUNCO (Junco phaeonotus)

SAVANNAH SPARROW (Passerculus sandwichensis) – A rare species in the area, we spotted one on the entrance road to Teotitlan.

Boucard's Wren is another endemic, and one that we saw well. Photo by guide Cory Gregory.

LINCOLN'S SPARROW (Melospiza lincolnii)

WHITE-THROATED TOWHEE (Melozone albicollis) – One of the easiest of the endemics to see on the tour. [E]

RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW (Aimophila ruficeps) – A pair showed well above Teotitlan.

OAXACA SPARROW (Aimophila notosticta) – Great views on two mornings of this skulky and difficult sparrow! [E]

SPOTTED TOWHEE (MACULATUS GROUP) (Pipilo maculatus oaxacae) [*]

COLLARED TOWHEE (Pipilo ocai) – A cool towhee that looks rather unlike other towhees. [E]

RUFOUS-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (Atlapetes pileatus) – An attractive sparrow we enjoyed in the pine-oak forest. It showed particularly well on our first day. [E]

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

HEPATIC TANAGER (NORTHERN) (Piranga flava hepatica)

SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)

WESTERN TANAGER (Piranga ludoviciana)

Rufous-capped Warblers can be very shy, but this one showed nicely. Photo by guide Cory Gregory.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus ludovicianus) – A handsome winter male gave us a fine show at Monte Alban.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus melanocephalus) – Tuning up during the tour, we saw several but heard many more.

BLUE GROSBEAK (Passerina caerulea)

ORANGE-BREASTED BUNTING (Passerina leclancherii) – A real looker we drank in at KM 77! [E]

VARIED BUNTING (Passerina versicolor) – Nice! Often a hard one on this tour, we had several females and one reluctant male at KM 77.

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

EASTERN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella magna)

BLACK-VENTED ORIOLE (Icterus wagleri) – A lovely long-bodied black and saffron oriole that is usually on flowering trees.

ORCHARD ORIOLE (Icterus spurius) – A distant bird at the entrance to Teotitlan was almost over the earth's curvature.

STREAK-BACKED ORIOLE (Icterus pustulatus) – We had two above Teotitlan, but the mother lode was at KM 77.

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (Icterus bullockii) – A cluster was in the eucalypt at Pollo Nino, and a bright male was a good comparison for that hybrid oriole there!

AUDUBON'S ORIOLE (DICKEY'S) (Icterus graduacauda dickeyae) – Seen on a couple of occasions, particularly at the Oaxaca Sparrow spot.

Guide Dan Lane got this candid shot of the group at Monte Alban.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE (Icterus galbula)

BRONZED COWBIRD (Molothrus aeneus) – Mostly around town.

BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (Molothrus ater) – Cory and some folks got on one.

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus) – Also mostly around towns.

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

ELEGANT EUPHONIA (Euphonia elegantissima) – A rather well-named euphonia with a blue crown, common wherever there is mistletoe.

HOUSE FINCH (COMMON) (Haemorhous mexicanus roseipectus) – These HOFIs are not like those you know from back home! They make you blink and take notice!

LESSER GOLDFINCH (Spinus psaltria)

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

EASTERN COTTONTAIL (Sylvilagus floridanus)

MEXICAN GRAY SQUIRREL (Sciurus aureogaster) – This is rather a variable squirrel, but most have rufous bellies. It is common on the hotel grounds, but we did see some "wild" ones in the mountains, too.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Totals for the tour: 184 bird taxa and 2 mammal taxa