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Birding Tours

If you are a birder, Mexico is a great place! We can create different kinds of tours and incorporate  Science, Art and Culture in each of them, in order to make your experience unforgettable. ¡We are proud members of Mexico birding-tours!

What kind of birding tours do we offer?

  • Customized: if you want to increase your life list or you just want to see as many species as possible, we can plan a route according to your interests.

  • Predesigned tours: we have developed routes in order to maximize your experience and make those days unforgettable.  

We work with local guides, so they really know the sites, the birds and the culture within their home regions; meet them here!

 

We always try to support local initiatives which contribute to the local economy and have a positive impact in both human communities and bird conservation.

Read testimonials from some of the people who have hired us!

Take a look at our map and choose your next destination.

Map

Mapa

Central Mexico

Centro de México

Central Mexico is our home, this is the land of volcanoes and multiple natural wonders, such as the Monarch Butterfly migration. It is also the cradle of ancestral civilizations that have left impressive vestiges, some of which is kept alive by their modern day descendants. Between its mountains and valleys, you can find marshes, lakes, scrublands, bunch grasslands, temperate forests, tropical dry forests and cloud forests.

This is a region of high biological richness, so you can find some beautiful species such as: Berylline HummingbirdRusset-crowned Motmot and the rare Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo. Also, you can find a lot of Mexican endemic birds, such as the spectacular Red WarblerGreen-striped Brushfinch and Black-chested Sparrow; some species are so restricted in their range of distribution that this is the only region where you can find them, such as the Transvolcanic Jay, Black-polled Yellowthroat, Strickland's Woodpecker and the elusive Sierra Madre Sparrow.

Central Mexico 

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Oaxaca

Oaxaca

The beautiful Oaxaca city is the first place to visit this incredible state, one of the most biodiverse in the country, which is also reflected in its culture, still very much alive in its different manifestations. In the different regions around the state, you can visit coastal areas, rivers, lakes, scrublands, temperate forest, tropical dry forest, humid evergreen forest, and cloud forest.

Some of the beautiful birds you can find are: Military Macaw, Garnet-throated Hummingbird and White-throated Magpie-Jay. This state possesses the higher number of Mexican endemics, such as the Ocellated ThrasherBridled Sparrow, Oaxaca Sparrow, Slaty Vireo and Citreoline Trogon; some of them with a small range of distribution such as the Blue-capped Hummingbird, the Sumichrast's Wren, the elusive Dwarf Jay, Cinnamon-tailed Sparrow and the spectacular Rose-bellied Bunting.

Oaxaca

Bird list

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Chiapas

Chiapas: Tacana Volcano and surroundings

Tapachula is the starting  point of the journey in this interesting region, where the culture refuses to die and the boundaries with adjacent  Guatemala only exist on the map. Here you can find coastal areas, mangroves, rivers, tropical dry forests, humid evergreen forests, and cloud forests.

This is a region of great biodiversity, where you can find some of the most wanted birds in the world, such as the Resplendent Quetzal, the Horned Guan and the rare Agami Heron. You can find some of the Middle American bird species, such as the Yellow-naped Parrot, the Rufous Sabrewing and the rare Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge. This is home to the Mexican endemic Giant Wren and other regional endemics, such as the Azure-rumped Tanager, the Pink-headed Warbler, the Wine-throated Hummingbird, and the Black-capped Siskin.

Chiapas: Tacana Volcano and surroundings

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Península de Yucatán

Yucatan Peninsula

Cancun or Mérida can be the starting point of the journey through these paradisiacal lands of great biodiversity, where incredible pyramids are hidden among the jungle, and the Mayan cultural legacy is still alive among its people. In this place there are coastal areas, mangroves, cenotes, petenes, swamps, tropical dry forests and humid evergreen forests.

In this region of high biological richness, you can find the spectacular American Flamingo, the Keel-billed Toucan and the legendary Turquoise-browed Motmot. There are a lot of regional endemic birds, such as the charismatic Yucatan Jay, the Yellow-lored Parrot, the Orange Oriole, the Yucatan Woodpecker, and the rare Ocellated Turkey. Also, you can find the endemic Mexican Sheartail, and this is the only place possible for Yucatan Wren.

Yucatan Peninsula

Bird list

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Veracruz

Veracruz: Los Tuxtlas

Catemaco and its beautiful lake welcome visitors, well known for its reputation as the "witch place," it  is the starting point to discover this region, which is full of natural beauty and where traces of the original cultures still remain . In this place, you can find coastal areas, mangroves, lakes, grasslands, tropical dry forests, humid evergreen forests, and cloud forests.

This region possesses a high biological diversity and many birds which can be found all year round, such as the iconic Montezuma Oropendola, the Red-lored Parrot, the White Hawk and the recently reintroduced Scarlet Macaw. Every year, a great number of migratory birds come here, and the most spectacular raptor migration takes place in October, when you can see hundreds of individuals flying overhead. Also, you can find the Mexican endemic Long-tailed Sabrewing, and this  is the only place in the world where the elusive Tuxtla Quail-Dove lives.

Veracruz: Los Tuxtlas

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Tamaulipas

Tamaulipas: El Cielo

Ciudad Victoria or Tampico is just the point of arrival: from here, you will travel to the beautiful town of Gómez Farias located right in this paradise of spectacular landscapes called: "El Cielo" (Heaven). In this place you will find scrublands, rivers, temperate forests, humid evergreen forests, and cloud forests.

In this spectacular region, tropical birds such as Military Macaw, Sungrebe, and the stunning Ornate Hawk-Eagle coexist with northern birds such as Red-crowned Parrot and Tamaulipas Crow. Some Mexican endemics are possible, such as Blue-capped Motmot, Bumblebee Hummingbird and Tawny-collared Nightjar. Although restricted to the northeast of Mexico, Crimson-collared Grosbeak, Altamira Yellowthroat and Tamaulipas Pygmy-Owl, among others, are also possible.

Tamaulipas: El Cielo

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Guías

Bird Guides

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Rubén Ortega-Álvarez

Central Mexico  

I received my bachelor's degree in Biology and my Master's degree in Biological Sciences from the National University of Mexico (UNAM). I work primarily with topics related with ornithology, urban ecology, restoration ecology, and community-based biological monitoring. I also coordinate bird monitoring projects, promote citizen science programs, and develope activities for the conservation of biodiversity. I'm interested in linking scientific research with decision making in environmental improvement, as well as promoting community development through the study of birds and birdwatching. I'm fluent in Spanish and English.

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Rafael Calderón-Parra

Central Mexico 

I was born and raised in Mexico City. Since my childhood I have been interested in nature and I spend a lot of time in natural areas both within and outside Mexico City. I obtained my bachelor's degree in biology and my masters degree in biological sciences from the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM). My work has been focused in bird ecology, environmental education, wildlife illustration, and community-based biological monitoring projects. I'm an avid birder and have guided  birding trips for more than 6 years in the central Mexico area. I am fluent in Spanish and English.

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Héctor Gómez de Silva

Central Mexico

I was born  in Mexico, but spent several years in New York City and Kenya. I became a birder in New York at eight years of age. I've acquired one of the highest Mexico bird lists at 960 species.

I have published more than 30 articles on Mexican bird distribution, natural history, taxonomy, and conservation. I'm adept in identifying birds by their vocalizations. My work on bird songs has led to the elevation of the Nava’s Wren to species status. I was involved in the rediscovery of the endangered Bearded Wood-Partridge in central Veracruz. I completed my PhD in ornithology from the National University of Mexico, specializing in bird community ecology. I am fluent in English and Spanish and have working knowledge of French and Tok Pisin. I've led birding tours for more than 18 years, mostly in Mexico and Central America but also Papua New Guinea, Peru, Brazil, New Caledonia, Kenya, and Uganda.

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Mónica Pérez-Villafaña

Central Mexico

I was born  in Mexico, I did my thesis about the natural history of Sumichrast's Wren. In order to get a master's degree, I studied the biotic dispersal of cacti seeds in the Tehuacan valley. All my academic training has been earned at National University of Mexico (UNAM). I've participated in several projects linked to bird conservation, and I am interested in environmental education. I have teamed up with Hector, so I have traveled  to several regions within Mexico and also other countries, such as Brazil,  Canada, China, Japan, Peru, India, and Costa Rica.  I am fluent in Spanish.

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Eric Antonio

Oaxaca | Chiapas

My name is Eric Antonio Martinez, I have birded the area of Oaxaca for nearly 20 years. My interest started in my own village of Teotitlan del Valle, but the birds have taken me to many other parts of the world. I have volunteered  and worked at the Long-Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Canada. I  travel every year to Cuba to visit some of my family and do birding.  I travel extensively within my country  to enjoy the birds of my beloved Mexico. Birds  are truly a passion in my life.

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Leonel Bautista

Oaxaca (Sierra Norte)

I was born in Capulálpam de Méndez en Oaxaca, México. I have been  interested in nature all my life and have worked as a  nature guide for 11 years. In 2014 I was certified by the national authorities. I became a birder 3 years ago, and now this is a great passion for me, especially bird photography. I was trained as a bird monitor in 2016 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). I am involved in several projects concerning birds within  the region. I am an active eBird user, and I am available as a bird guide in my community and surroundings. I am fluent in Spanish.

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Community network of bird monitors "Pavón/Pavo de Cacho"

Chiapas (Tacana Volcano and surroundings)

A group of people from different rural communities settled in the "Tacana Volcano" Biosphere Reserve located in Chiapas, Mexico were trained as community bird monitors in 2012 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). They have submitted more than 100 lists to eBird derived from systematic bird monitoring. They have participated as authors in the publication of a scientific article, a book chapter; and, are  collaborators in a scientific communication article, and a field guide. They have instructed eight workshops, training  new community monitors in other regions of the country. They have  also collaborated in ornithological research work in other regions. They have carried out several activities related to environmental education and other activities that benefit the conservation of natural resources, particularly the birds and their habitat.

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Community network of bird monitors "Tä jmidsa'"

Oaxaca (La Chinantla)

A group of people from different rural communities settled in the region named "La Chinantla", a Priority Region for Conservation located in Oaxaca. They were trained as community bird monitors in 2010 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). They have submitted more than 1,600 lists on eBird derived from systematic bird monitoring. This group has published a  book chapter and as collaborators in a scientific article. They have participated as instructors in a workshop for the training of new community monitors in other regions of the country. They have carried out several activities related to environmental education, scientific communication and other activities that contribute to the conservation of natural resources, and particularly to the birds and their habitat.

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Community group of bird monitors "Monitoreo Biológico Milpa Alta"

Mexico City (Milpa Alta)

A group formed by people from the town of San Pablo Oztotepec, one of the 12 original towns of Milpa Alta in Mexico City, where one of the most important natural reserves of the entity is located. They were trained as community bird monitors in 2014 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). For more than 10 years they have participated and carried out the monitoring of the endemic Sierra Madre Sparrow (Xenospiza baileyi) and have collaborated in multiple research projects with state, federal and international institutions, as well as with other species such as the endemic Zacatuche (Romerolagus diazi). They are quite active in environmental education work within their community to promote knowledge and conservation of natural resources in the region.

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Community network of bird monitors "Mayan Jays"

Yucatan Peninsula

Group of people from different communities and cities in different regions of the Yucatan Peninsula. They were trained as community bird monitors in 2015 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). Passionate about nature, they carry out different environmental awareness activities in their respective localities with the intention of promoting bird watching in order to help people appreciate and take care of nature. They also participate as instructors and promoters of different citizen science projects.

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Community network of bird monitors "Huilotl Toxtlan"

Veracruz (Los Tuxtlas)

A group of people from different rural communities settled in 5 municipalities of "Los Tuxtlas " Biosphere Reserve located in Veracruz. They were trained as community bird monitors in 2010 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). They were trained in techniques of capture and bird banding by PRONATURA in 2012. They received  awards from CONABIO, such as monitor of the year, coordinator of the year, and eBird contributions. They are active members of the Network of Community Bird Monitors of CONABIO. They have submitted more than 7000 lists on eBird derived from systematic bird monitoring. They have participated as authors in the publication of a scientific article, a book chapter, and, as collaborators in a scientific communication article, and a field guide. They have instructed eight workshops in order to train new community monitors in other regions of the country. They have also collaborated in ornithological research work in other regions. They have carried out several activities related to environmental education, scientific communication, and other activities that contribute to the conservation of natural resources, and particularly to the birds and their habitat.

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Community network of bird monitors "Tropa Pajarera de El Cielo"

Tamaulipas (El Cielo)

An organization of people from different rural communities of the "El Cielo" Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas. They were trained as guides for bird watchers by Héctor Gómez de Silva in 2006 and as community bird monitors in 2014 by the National Commission of Biodiversity (CONABIO). They have received awards from several local and national institutions. They are active members of the Network of Community Bird Monitors of CONABIO. They have participated as authors in the publication of two  scientific articles and one field guide. They have also collaborated in ornithological research work in other regions. They have carried out various activities related to environmental education, scientific communication and other activities that contribute to the conservation of natural resources.

Testimoniales

Testimonials

As an excellent bird guide, Mr. Rafa Calderon was recommended very highly to me, and he has proven himself to be exceptionally talented in every way that an avid birder seeks in a guide. What I couldn't predict before meeting him, was just how wonderful he is as a person. It is a true pleasure, and frankly an honor to bird with such a kind man. After a very successful itinerary near Mexico City and surrounds, I was motivated to find another place to go with him. So, along with my nonbirder wife, we arranged a trip to Oaxaca and nearby sites, wonderfully combining culture, birds, and food. We were both very happy, and so much so that we are currently in the process of organizing another mixed culture/birding trip to West Mexico for next year. I can't wait. I have been blessed with some amazing days in the field and am a veteran of nearly 5,000 lifebirds. Along the way, I have been able to meet many fine bird guides. Rafa rates towards the top! Do yourself an amazing favor and consider a trip to his wonderful homeland, and let him be the ambassador to his country, his culture, and the birds. God willing I will plan trips to East Mexico, and Chiapas as well. If you have any specific questions, ask Rafa for my personal contact information. I would be happy to try and help if I can.

Timothy Bonsack

Mi esposa y yo tuvimos el placer de pasar un día de observación de aves cerca del DF con Rafael y Rubén. Son biólogos apasionados y muy conocedores de las aves y la naturaleza en el área. Mi esposa, bióloga también, estuvo muy feliz que nuestras guías supieron tanto sobre las plantas. Entre nosotros tenemos más de 40 años de experiencia con las aves, y hemos viajado a lugares en México y América Central. Estábamos más impresionados con las habilidades de Rafa y Rubén. Esperamos ver aves con ellos otra vez. 

Michael Hurben

I was staying in a hotel opposite the Auditorio Nacional i.e. in the centre of Mexico City but Ruben and Rafa managed to take me out for two excellent days of birding in beautiful locations including the Desierto de los Leones and La Cima.  I was really impressed by their energy and enthusiasm for these trips, starting soon after 6.00am (when it was dark) and carrying on for as long as I wished.  Their identification of birds by sight and sound was outstanding, and we found all the species I was keen to see.

Peter Andrews

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Request more information or a quote, please include in your message the following information:

  • The region you would like to visit.

  • Dates of your visit.

  • Number of people.

  • The birds you want to look for.

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