Mexico Bird Conservation

The Blue Mockingbird Melanotis caerulescens can be found throughout parts of Mexico and has been recorded in the United States as a rare vagrant.

This photo was taken in Weslaco Texas

The Blue Mockingbird has a large range but is shy and can be hard to see. Below is a range map found through NatureServe, a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to provide the scientific basis for effective conservation action.

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Veracruz has quickly gained fame for its yearly spectacle of raptor migration. Each fall between 4 & 6 million (!) raptors make there way through the state, offering a birding experience like no other.

The geography of Veracruz acts as a funnel for western, central, and eastern raptor species as they trek southward to wintering grounds in Central and South America. Nearly the entire population of Mississippi Kites (200,000 birds) pass through the area, making this not only a wonderful place to view birds, but an area of conservation importance.

Other raptor numbers are equally impressive as the kites: 2 million Broad-winged Hawks, 1 million Swainson’s Hawks, and over 1.5 million Turkey Vultures pass through Veracruz.

Turkey Vultures

Without safe, protected areas in Veracruz, the River of Raptors would not be what it is and many of the wonderful birds of prey that spend their time in the U.S. would be in trouble.

The Mexican state of Quintana Roo is on the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. The most famous destination for most travelers is the popular city of Cancún but birders might prefer to go to a nearby quieter location. Off the coast is an island called Isla Contoy- considered by some to be the most important nesting place of sea birds in the Mexican Caribbean, even though it covers only 317 hectares.

Isla Contoy is located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. 152 species of birds have been documented at Isla Contoy and it has been protected by the Mexican government since 1961. In 1998 Isla Contoy became a National Park and is jointly run by the Amigos de Isla Contoy A.C. and the Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources and Fishing (SEMARNAT).

To visit this sanctuary you must go with a tour and only 200 visitors are allowed per day to prevent overcrowding. Tours are held by resident biologists on the island.

Brown Pelicans are one of many species found at Isla Contoy

Much like the Important Bird Areas (IBA) program in the United States, Areas of Importance for the Conservation of Aves (AICAS) is designed to collect information of the top conservation areas for birds. AICAS was started by a joint effort of Birdlife International and La Sección Mexicana del Consejo Internacional para la Preservación de las Aves, A.C. (CIPAMEX).

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Endemism is when a species is only found in one particular place. There are approximately 97 species of birds in Mexico that are considered to be endemic. Endemic birds are especially important because:

1. They provide incentive for people to visit to find these specialty birds
2. They are often some of the most endangered and least protected types of birds

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Information on Mexico’s endangered birds is limited. Mexico has not benefited from excellent laws like the Endangered Species Act in the United States and with current conservation trends, this list is likely to change. Read the rest of this entry »

Today, August 15th, 2007 at 8:30 PM Central Time, mxbirds.com was launched. Mexico Bird Conservation is dedicated to promoting the conservation of Mexico’s wonderful diversity of bird species. Please take a moment to subscribe to our feed and if you have information on the birds and conservation status in Mexico, please contact us.