Birdwatching Cancun Mexico

Birdwatching Cancun Mexico Birding area

“La Ruta de los Cenotes” near Puerto Morelos, Mexico, is a fantastic birding spot within the Yucatan Peninsula. The area’s diverse ecosystems, including tropical forests, cenotes (natural sinkholes), and jungle trails, attract a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.

Birdwatching Cancun Mexico tour bird list

Here’s a list of some bird species you might spot in “La Ruta de los Cenotes,” categorized for easier reference, including endemic species:

Endemic and Regional Specialties (highly sought after by birders):

• Turquoise-browed Motmot (Pajaro Toh): This beautiful bird is a highlight of the region, known for its distinctive tail feathers and habit of nesting in cenote walls.
• Yucatan Jay: A striking blue and black jay unique to the Yucatan Peninsula.
• Yellow-lored Parrot: An endemic parrot species.
• Rose-throated Tanager: A beautiful and somewhat restricted tanager found in the eastern Yucatan.
• Yucatan Woodpecker: Another endemic woodpecker species.
• Black Catbird: A sleek, attractive bird found in the region.
• Yucatan Flycatcher: Similar to the Dusky-capped Flycatcher, best identified by its unique vocalizations.
• Yucatan Poorwill: A nightjar that can be found in the area.
• Yucatan Vireo: An endemic vireo.
• Yucatan Wren: A wren species restricted to dry scrub along the Caribbean coastline.
• Orange Oriole: A vibrant orange oriole.
• Lesson’s Motmot: Another species of motmot that can be seen.
• Collared Aracari: A member of the toucan family with distinctive orange and black plumage.
• Keel-billed Toucan: Another colorful toucan species.

Common and Widespread Birds you might encounter:

• Doves and Pigeons:
  • Ruddy Ground-Dove
  • White-winged Dove
  • Caribbean Dove
• Hummingbirds:
  • Cinnamon Hummingbird
  • Buff-bellied Hummingbird
  • Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird (migratory)
  • White-bellied Emerald
  • Canivet’s Emerald
  • Green-breasted Mango
• Flycatchers:
  • Great Kiskadee
  • Couch’s Kingbird
  • Greenish Elaenia
  • Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet
  • Social Flycatcher
  • Boat-billed Flycatcher
  • Tropical Kingbird
  • Dusky-capped Flycatcher
  • Yellow-olive Flycatcher
  • Least Flycatcher
  • Olive-sided Flycatcher
• Trogons:
  • Black-headed Trogon
  • Gartered Trogon
  • Collared Trogon
• Woodpeckers:
  • Golden-fronted Woodpecker
  • Ladder-backed Woodpecker
• Parrots and Parakeets:
  • White-fronted Parrot
  • Olive-throated Parakeet
• Other Passerines:
  • Plain Chachalaca (known for its loud, rattling call)
  • Groove-billed Ani (a black cuckoo)
  • Squirrel Cuckoo
  • Tropical Mockingbird
  • Clay-colored Thrush
  • Summer Tanager
  • Painted Bunting
  • Hooded Oriole
  • Green Jay
  • Tropical Gnatcatcher
  • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Blue Bunting
  • Blue Grosbeak
  • Scrub Euphonia
  • Rufous-browed Peppershrike
  • Rose-throated Becard
  • Masked Tityra
  • Melodious Blackbird
  • Great-tailed Grackle
  • Green-backed Sparrow
  • Morelet’s Seedeater
  • Yellow-faced Grassquit
  • Spot-breasted Wren
  • Long-billed Gnatwren
  • Mangrove Vireo
  • White-eyed Vireo
  • Yellow-throated Vireo
  • Philadelphia Vireo
  • Northern Parula
  • Yellow Warbler
  • Orange-crowned Warbler
  • Palm Warbler
  • Black-and-white Warbler
  • Magnolia Warbler
  • Chestnut-sided Warbler
  • Black-throated Green Warbler
  • Hooded Warbler
  • Prothonotary Warbler
  • Tennessee Warbler
  • Northern Waterthrush
  • Common Yellowthroat
  • Yellow-throated Warbler
  • Gray-throated Chat
• Raptors:
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Roadside Hawk
  • Gray Hawk
  • Crested Caracara
  • Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl (often heard)
  • Laughing Falcon
  • Merlin
  • Osprey
  • White-tailed Hawk
  • Zone-tailed Hawk
• Waterbirds (near cenotes and other water sources):
  • Least Grebe
  • Neotropic Cormorant
  • Anhinga
  • Brown Pelican
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Great Egret
  • Snowy Egret
  • Tricolored Heron
  • Green Heron
  • White Ibis
  • Roseate Spoonbill
  • Wood Stork
  • Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
  • Northern Jacana
  • Common Gallinule
  • Purple Gallinule
  • Russet-naped Wood-Rail

Key Considerations for Birding in La Ruta de los Cenotes:

• Time of Day: Early morning (dawn chorus) is generally the best time for bird activity.
• Seasonality: Migratory birds are present from approximately November to March, increasing the diversity of species.
• Guides: Hiring a local birding guide can significantly enhance your chances of spotting elusive species and provide valuable insights into the local flora and fauna. Many guides are familiar with specific birding spots within the Ruta de los Cenotes.
• Equipment: Binoculars are essential. A field guide to the birds of the Yucatan Peninsula or Mexico will be very helpful.
• Biodiversity: The cenotes themselves, with their unique ecosystems, can also be home to specific aquatic or cave-dwelling species.

The “Ruta de los Cenotes” is recognized as an excellent place to experience the rich avian diversity of the Yucatan, including its many beautiful and unique endemic birds.