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Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco

Collared Towhee Pipilo ocai ©Dubi Shapiro Website

Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in western Mexico and is bordered by six states, Nayarit, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Colima and by the Pacific Ocean. As the seventh largest Mexican state, it covers an area of over 78,500 km2 (over 30,000 square miles) and is home to more than 8.5 million people. It is divided into 125 municipalities, and its capital and largest city is Guadalajara whose metropolitan area has over 5.5 million inhabitants!

Jalisco is one of the most economically and culturally important states in Mexico, owing to its natural resources as well as its long history and culture. Many of the characteristic traits of Mexican culture are originally from Jalisco, such as mariachi and tequila – hence the state’s motto: Jalisco es México (‘Jalisco is Mexico’). Economically, it is ranked third among the Mexican states, with industries cantered in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, the third largest metropolitan area in Mexico.

Jalisco’s rivers and streams eventually empty into the Pacific Ocean and are divided into three groups: the Lerma/Santiago River and its tributaries, rivers that empty directly into the Pacific and rivers in the south of the state. Jalisco has several river basins with the most notable being that of the Lerma/Santiago River, which drains the northern and northeastern parts of the state. The Lerma River extends from the State of Mexico and empties into Lake Chapala on the east side. On the west, water flows out in the Santiago River, which crosses the centre of Jalisco on its way to the Pacific, carving deep canyons in the land. Tributaries to the Santiago River include the Zula, the Verde River, the Juchipila and the Bolaños. About three quarters of the state’s population lives close to this river system.

Lake Chapala – ©Gil Garza, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In the southwest of the state, there are a number of small rivers that empty directly into the Pacific Ocean. The most important of these is the Ameca, with its one main tributary, the Mascota River. This river forms the state’s border with Nayarit and empties into the Ipala Bay. The Tomatlán, San Nicolás, Purificación, Marabasco-Minatitlán, Ayuquila, Tuxcacuesco, Armería and Tuxpan rivers flow almost perpendicular to the Pacific Ocean and drain the coastal area. Another river of this group is the Cihuatlán River, which forms the boundary between Jalisco and Colima emptying into the Barra de Navidad Bay. The southeastern corner belongs to the Balsas River basin. This includes the Ayuqila and Tuxcacuesco, which join to form the Armería and the Tuxpan.

The other main surface water is Lake Chapala, and is the largest and most important freshwater lake in Mexico, accounting for about half of the country’s lake surface. The lake acts as a regulator of the flow of both the Lerma and Santiago Rivers. There are a number of seasonal and salty lakes linking to form the Zacoalco-Sayula land-locked system. There are other smaller lakes called Cajititlán, Sayula, San Marcos, and Atotonilco. Dams include the Cajón de Peña, Santa Rosa, La Vega, Tacotán and Las Piedras. Jalisco’s surface water accounts for fifteen percent of the surface freshwater in Mexico.

Forty-five to fifty percent of the state is characterised by deciduous and sub-deciduous forests. They occur along the coastal plains as well as in canyons in the central part of the state.  One major conifer and oak forest is the Primavera Forest. Cloud and fir-dominated forests are restricted to ravines and protected steep slopes within the conifer and oak forest zones. Jalisco’s cloud forests include the Bosque de Maples and those on El Cerro de Manantlán. Savannas are found between 400 and 800 meters above sea level in the area the slopes towards the Pacific Ocean. These grasslands are a transition area between the tropical sub-deciduous forest and oak forest. The thorn forest includes an area of the coastal plains in the western part of the state as well as an area dominated by mesquite within the tropical deciduous forest. Grasslands are restricted to the northeastern corner interspersed with xerophilous scrub. There are mangroves along the ocean where waves are gentle. Beach and frontal dune vegetation dominates the rest of the coastline.

Barranca de Huentitán-Oblatos, Guadalajara – ©Isacdaavid CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Most of the state has a temperate climate with Tropical humid summers. There is a distinct rainy season from June to October. The climate can be divided into 29 different zones, from hot to cold and from very dry to semi moist. In most of the state, most of the rain falls in February. The coastal area receives the most precipitation and has the warmest temperatures, at an average of between 22 and 26 °C and an average precipitation of about 2,000 mm annually.  In the north and northwest, a dry climate predominates with average temperatures of between 10 and 18 °C, and average annual precipitation between 300 and 1,000 mm. The centre of the state has three different climates, but all are mostly temperate with an average temperature of 19 °C and an average rainfall of between 700 and 1000 mm. The northeastern corner and coastal plains of Tomatlán are the driest areas with less than 500 mm annually. Los Altos de Jalisco region has a number of microclimates due to the rugged terrain. The area is mostly dry with an average temperature of 18 °C except in the north, where it fluctuates between 18 and 22 °C.  In the highlands, the average temperature is less than 18 °C.

Birding Jalisco

Jalisco is made up of a diverse terrain that includes forests, beaches, plains, and lakes. Altitudes in the state vary from 0 to 14,110 feet above sea level, from the coast to the top of the Nevado de Colima.

The Jalisco area contains all five of Mexico’s natural ecosystems: arid and semi-arid scrublands, tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous and thorn forests, grasslands and mesquite grasslands, and temperate forests with oaks, pines and firs. Over 600 bird species are found in the state, over half of all Mexican species in just over 4% of the land. It is also home to 40% of Mexico’s mammals with 173 and 18% of its reptile species. There are also 7,500 species of veined plants. One reason for its biodiversity is that it lies in the transition area between the temperate north and tropical south. It also lies at the northern edge of the Sierra Madre del Sur and is on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which provides a wide variety of ecological conditions from tropical rainforest conditions to semi-arid areas to areas apt for conifer forests. Its five natural regions are: Northwestern Plains and Sierras, Sierra Madre Occidental, Central Plateau, Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which covers most of the state, and the Sierra Madre del Sur.

Volcan de Colima – ©Jrobertiko CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

There are four protected turtle beaches El Tecuán, Cuitzmala, Teopa and Playón de Mismaloya. Chamela Bay has the greatest number of islets in Mexico, many of which are inhabited by numerous bird species.

Jalisco has eight areas under conservation measures totalling 208,653.8 hectares. Two contains scientific research centres. These areas cover 4.8% of the state and only one, the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve accounts for sixty percent of all legally protected land at 139,500 hectares. The other protected areas include the Chamela-Cuitzmala Bioshere Reserve (13,143 hectares), Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park (10,143 hectares), Bosque de la Primavera (30,500 hectares), Sierra de Quila (15,1923 hectares) and the Marine Turtle Protection Zone (175.8 hectares).

Contributors
Number of Species

  • Number of bird species: 615

    (As at December 2024)
Checklist

  • Avibase

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist includes all bird species found in Jalisco , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to report them.

  • eBird

    PDF Checklist
    This checklist is generated with data from eBird (ebird.org), a global database of bird sightings from birders like you. If you enjoy this checklist, please consider contributing your sightings to eBird. It is 100% free to take part, and your observations will help support birders, researchers, and conservationists worldwide.
Useful Reading

  • Birds of Mexico and Central America

    | By Ber van Perlo | PUP | 2006 | Paperback | 336 pages, 98 plates with colour illustrations; b/w illustrations, b/w distribution maps, colour maps | ISBN: 9780691120706 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Festivals & Bird Fairs
Observatories

  • Observatorio de Aves de San Pancho A.C.

    Observatory WebsiteSatellite View
    Birds and wildlife in the Bahía de Banderas - Sierra de Vallejo region in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit currently face multiple challenges due to accelerating habitat loss
Organisations

  • Lake Chapala Birders

    Website
    Birding Mexico's Largest Lake
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • * Protected areas of Jalisco

    InformationSatellite View
    Intyeractive list of forests, parks, biosphere reserves etc.

  • BR Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve

    InformationSatellite View
    It covers 131.42 square kilometres in La Huerta Municipality. The land is mountainous and contains dry tropical forest and rolling hills and alluvial plains. Wildlife includes the jaguar, puma,[4] ocelot, jaguarundi, coyote, coati, armadillo, skunk, white tailed deer, peccary, American crocodile, geckos, potoos, hawks, kites, storks, vultures, boas, vipers, coral snakes, toads, frogs, sea turtles, opossums, macaws, and woodpeckers. In addition, the Pacific Slope region of Mexico and the reserve itself supports a high diversity of neotropical migratory bird species during the winter.

  • BR La Primavera Biosphere Reserve

    InformationSatellite View
    It is located in the state of Jalisco, immediately west of the city of Guadalajara. 205 resident and migratory bird species have been recorded in the reserve.[4] Native birds include the lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), berylline hummingbird (Saucerottia beryllina), russet-crowned motmot (Momotus mexicanus), black-throated magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei), spotted wren (Campylorhynchus gularis), brown-backed solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis), blue mockingbird (Melanotis caerulescens), collared towhee (Pipilo ocai), blue bunting (Cyanocompsa parellina), black-vented oriole (Icterus wagleri), and rusty-crowned ground sparrow (Melozone kieneri).[2] 73 native mammal species have been recorded in the reserve,[2] as have 49 species of reptiles and amphibians.

  • BR Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve

    InformationSatellite View
    Three hundred and thirty-six species of birds have been reported, among them 36 which are endemic to Mexico, such as the charismatic species: the crested guan (Penelope purpurascens), the military macaw (Ara militaris), the red-lored amazon (Amazona autumnalis), and the Mexican national symbol, the golden eagle. Eighty-five species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded; of these it is known that 13 are endemic to the western and central region of Mexico: the rattlesnake, the black iguana, the frog Shyrrhopus modestus, the beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) and the Autlan rattlesnake (Crotalus lannomi), an endemic species only reported for the area of Puerto de Los Mazos. Of the 16 species of fish identified, 13 are native and four of these are endemic to the region.

  • Jalisco Dry Forests

    InformationSatellite View
    List of locations - The Jalisco Dry Forests are a region of unparalleled diversity in Mexico. These rich forests, with more than 750 species of plants, are a crucial point in the migratory routes of many birds coming from Canada and the United States each winter…

  • MP Los Arcos

    InformationSatellite View

  • NP Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park

    InformationSatellite View
    102 species of birds have been recorded in the park, including the long-tailed wood partridge (Dendrortyx macroura), white-striped woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes leucogaster), russet nightingale-thrush (Catharus occidentalis), brown-backed solitaire (Myadestes occidentalis), gray silky-flycatcher (Ptiliogonys cinereus), chestnut-sided shrike-vireo (Vireolanius melitophrys), golden-browed warbler (Basileuterus belli), red warbler (Cardellina rubra), crescent-chested warbler (Oreothlypis superciliosa), rufous-capped brushfinch (Atlapetes pileatus), green-striped brushfinch (Arremon virenticeps), and collared towhee (Pipilo ocai).
Sightings, News & Forums

  • eBird - Jalisco Rare Bird Alert

    Sightings
    The report below shows observations of rare birds in Jalisco. Includes both unreviewed and reviewed/approved observations.
Guides & Tour Operators

  • BirdQuest

    Tour Operator
    WESTERN MEXICO – The ultimate itinerary in the region: Sierra Madre Occidental, San Blas, Colima, Jalisco & Baja California

  • Birding in Mexico

    Tour Operator
    A Private Rancho & Wildlife Sanctuary located 45-minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta Well-forested, with many ecotones, flowery Rancho Primavera is now recognized as a keystone wildlife sanctuary in Cabo Corrientes—home to many exciting West Mexican specialties and endemics.

  • Ecotours de Mexico

    Tour Operator
    The western Mexico offers a great diversity of habitats and wildlife. On this trip you’ll be able to visit mangroves, coastal lagoons, pine and oak forests on the Sierra Madre, low and medium semideciduos jungles, beaches.

  • Mexico, Birding & Travel

    Guiding
    Day Trips

  • Naturalist Journeys

    Tour Operator
    Relax this spring on a private ranch in western Mexico, with West Mexican Chachalacas as your alarm clock and Black-throated Magpie-Jays over coffee. Spend six nights in the same location as you explore the endemic-rich habitats...

  • PIB - Partnership For International Birding

    Tour Operator
    Birding Mexico in Colima and Jalisco - This tour is a comprehensive birding exploration of two of Mexico’s western states, Jalisco and Colima. This area epitomizes the richness and diversity of birding in Mexico. During this tour we will explore tropical forests, coastal wetlands, pine-oak forests and more.

  • Rockjumper

    Tour Operator
    Mexico - Northwest: Sinaloa, Nayarit & Jalisco

  • Sayulita Bird Watching Tours

    Local Tour Operator
    Sayulita Bird Watching Tours in Western Mexico seeks to enrich the lives of its travelers by supporting ecotourism projects that involve local communities in meaningful, professional work that is sustainable, and of benefit to nature, conservation, and education.

  • Vallarta Whales

    Pelagics
    Choose either the Coastal Bird Walk or the Mountain Bird Hike. We suggest the Coastal Birds if this is your first time birding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We will drive you to a local estuary down a road paralleling the river. This is great habitat for Seedeaters, Buntings, Oriols, Kestrels and more. At the estuary, we will use a Spyingscope to scan the Shores and Mangroves for Egrets, Herons, Avocets and Sandpipers. Next we will drive 15 minutes to a fresh water lagoon to view Rails, Coots, Jacanas and Ducks

  • Wildlife Connection

    Tour Operator
    Bird watching is a fascinating outdoor activity. Due to its geographical position, Puerto Vallarta is, without a doubt, a perfect location, where on a relatively small area, we can observe a great variety of birds. Wildlife Connection offers you the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable encounter with these birds, surrounded by exuberant vegetation and in the company of biologists who will share with you their experience and knowledge

  • ecoTOURS

    Tour Operator
    Western Mexico, Puerto Vallarta & San Blas area is well known among birders because of the richness of birdlife with several amazing and localized endemic species ranging from Mexican Parrotlet through Golden-cheecked Woodpecker to San Blas Jay or Tufted Jay, just to name a few.
Trip Reports

  • 2017 [11 November] - Gordon Shaw

    PDF Report
    ...This is undoubtedly a biodiverse and bird rich area, but joining an organised tour would probably be the best way of getting the most from this. There seemed to be lack of recent trip reports, most were at least 10 years old, from the area, which suggested that freelancing had become unpopular, presumably due to security issues...

  • 2020 [10 October] - Ann Gifford

    PDF Report
    .... Our third flight was to Guadalajara with Air Mexico...

  • 2022 [04 April] - Max Berlijn

    PDF Report
    Annotated List

  • 2022 [12 December} - Pritam Baruah

    PDF Report
    Sierra Madre Occidental & Lowlands of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco

  • 2023 [03 March] - Joachim Teunen

    Report
    ...Chapala area (Parque de la Cristiana + Ciénaga Ribera del Pilar + Sendero El Caracol) + drive | Chalet de Colombo Hotel in La Mesa...

  • 2024 [03 March] - Henk Hendriks

    PDF Report
    Sinaloya, Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima
Places to Stay

  • Casa de las Flores B&B

    Accommodation
    Casa de las Flores Bed & Breakfast in Tlaquepaque - Guadalajara is a restored, turn of the century adobe home in a traditional neighborhood. When you open our doors you will find English-speaking hosts, large flower-filled gardens, and spacious accommodations waiting to greet you.

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