Free and Sovereign State of Yucatán
Yucatán is one of the 31 states of Mexico which, along with Mexico City, constitute the 32 federal entities of Mexico. It is located on the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. The Yucatan peninsula includes three states: Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo; all three modern states were formerly part of the larger historic state of Yucatán in the 19th century. Before the arrival of Spaniards, the peninsula was a very important region for the Maya civilisation that reached the peak of its development here. The most well-known Mayan site being at Chichen Itza.
It covers an area of c.39,500 km2 (over 15,000 square miles) with a population of around 2.4 million people. The state capital and largest city of Yucatán is Mérida and is home to half the people of the state. Yucatán borders the states of Campeche to the southwest, Quintana Roo to the east and southeast, and the Gulf of Mexico to the north and west. As a whole, the state is extremely flat with little or no topographic variation. The exception are the Puuc hills, located in the southern portion of the state.
Templo de los Guerreros (Temple of the Warriors) at Chichén Itzá – ©Keith Pomakis CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Birding Yucatán
The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the premier birding destinations in North America. Not only does it have 555 species of birds (more than half of Mexico’s 1050) but the birding is relatively easy both in terms of climate and terrain. Because of the popularity of the ‘Riviera Maya’: Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, flights are numerous and inexpensive from North America and Europe. The major birding areas are safely accessible by rental car on well-maintained roads. Excellent guides are available due to a twenty year old program of training established by Barbara Mackinnon. Multi day guided tours are available but are not necessary if you have a mildly adventurous spirit and do a bit of advance planning. There are wonderful bonuses to birding in the Yucatan. You can include Mayan Archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Coba, Ek Balam and Calakmul as birding destinations. The majority of the Mayan sites are in pristine places and very productive birding spots.
The Yucatan peninsula’s location, climate and large variety of habitats are the reasons it is such a phenomenal birding destination. It is not only the variety of habitats but the extent and number of good birding areas. The states of Yucatan and Quintanna Roo have 17 Ramsar sites (internationally recognised wetlands of major importance). The Rio Lagartos Reserve is considered an especially important reserve for aquatic birds. The Mexican government has been a leader in creating Biosphere Reserves. On the peninsula there is Rio Lagartos (with American Flamingos and 395 species, the most of any of the reserves), Sian Ká an (Over a million acres of wilderness set aside to the south and west of Playa Del Carmen), Celestun and Calakmul (the most remote and pristine with ocellated turkeys in the midst of Mayan Ruins).
Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve – ©Adam Baker CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Birding here is by no means limited to the remarkable Bio Reserves. Any chance you have to take a walk is a birding opportunity wherever you happen to be on the peninsula. Cenotes and Petenes are always productive places as well as the Mayan archaeological sites with easy to hike paths. Traveling back roads will always yield sightings. The Yucatan depends primarily on tourism, ranching and agriculture. There is very little industry and most is environmentally clean assembly style factories. Even in the midst of the busy resorts you find many birds.
Sian Ká Biosphere Reserve – ©Martha xucunostli CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Yucatan is not third world and travel is no more dangerous than in Europe or the USA. The roads are safe and well maintained and driving is easy. The internet is available in virtually every small town. Lodging ranges from remodelled haciendas and high-end boutique hotels to simple and inexpensive local posadas and hotels. The food is fairly priced with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and great seafood. People here are friendly and somewhat shy but open to communication.
Come Visit! If you are open, friendly and patient and use local guides you will add to your lifetime lists of both birds and friends.
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Diego Nuñez
Yucatan
https://riamaya.com
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Number of bird species: 590
(As at December 2024 - for whole peninsula)
Number of endemics: 9
For the peninsular as a whole:
Yucatan Nightjar Antrostomus badius
Cozumel Emerald Chlorostilbon forficatus
Yucatan Jay Cyanocorax yucatanicus
Yucatan Gnatcatcher Polioptila albiventris
Cozumel Wren Troglodytes beani
Yucatan Wren Campylorhynchus yucatanicus
Cozumel Thrasher Toxostoma guttatum
Rose-throated Tanager Piranga roseogularis
Orange Oriole Icterus auratus
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Avibase
PDF ChecklistThis checklist includes all bird species found in Yucatán Peninsula , 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. -
Wikipedia
Annotated Alphabetical ListBirds of the Yucatán -
eBird
PDF ChecklistThis 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.
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Birds of Mexico and Central America
| By Ber van Perlo | PUP | 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 -
Mexico: Birds – Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche
| By Robert Dean & Mark Wainwright | Rainforest Publications | 2012 | Unbound | 13 pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9780984010745 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Wildlife of the Yucatan Peninsula
| By David A Nuñez | David A Nuñez | 2012 | Paperback | 106 pages, colour photos, colour illustrations | Out of Print | ISBN: 9780615566467 Buy this book from NHBS.com -
Yucatan Birds
| By James R Kavanagh | Waterford Press | Pamphlet | 12 Pages, colour illustrations, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781620055557 Buy this book from NHBS.com
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XXIX International Ornithological Congress in Mexico 2026
IOU PageDear members of the IOU, dear ornithologists, the new location of the XXIX International Ornithological Congress has been selected and will be Campeche, Mexico, in October 2026.
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Yucatan Bird Club
WebsiteBev Scott, Shelagh O’Rourke, and Cherie Pittillo thought it would be fun to form the YUCATAN BIRD CLUB, La Asociación de Yucatán de Pájaros.
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*Protected areas of Yucatán
InformationSatellite ViewReserves etc -
BR Rio Lagartos
InformationSatellite ViewIn 1979, Mexico established the Rio Lagartos Bio-Reserve in the state of Yucatan.The reserve protects nearly 60,000hectares(150,000 acres) of forest,dunes, MANGROVES,estuaries and beaches. It includes the fishing villages of Rio Lagartos, San Felipe, Las Colorados and El Cuyo. 388 Bird species (residents and migratory) have been identified here along with 59 species of Mammals, and 80 species of Reptiles 99 species of Fish, 16 Amphibians and a rich and diverse Flora… -
BR Ría Celestún
InformationSatellite ViewThe Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, best known for its spectacular flocks of American Flamingos, makes for an excellent escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and gives you the perfect excuse to kick back, relax, and get back to nature…
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eBird
SightingsYucatán Rare Bird Alert
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Amar Aves
Local Tour Operator...With over 500 species of birds including 13 endemics, the Yucatan Peninsula offers an exquisite diversity of birds in its different ecosystems such as: coasts, mangrove swamps, wetlands and various types of jungle... -
Aracarí Tours by Eddy
Local Tour OperatorDepending on where you are staying you can choose between our most famous destinations like, Muyil (Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve) Coba, Tulum, Cozumel and Puerto Morelos (Reserva Toh). -
BirdQuest
Tour OperatorSOUTHEAST MEXICO – Birding in the Land of the Mayas, from the Yucatan to Veracruz -
Birding Expeditions
Tour OperatorYou will visit the island of Cozumel, Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, Chichén Itza, Río Celestún Biosphere Reserve, Uxmal, and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. -
Birding Los Cabos
Tour OperatorNumerous Endemics & sub species at least 200 other species Mayan ruins, cenotes, great landscape & delicious food and more... -
Birding With Steven
Local Tour OperatorThe Yucatan Peninsula is a birders paradise as home for around 550 different bird species, more than 50% of all species of Mexico. We have bird watching excursions in great spots like mayan ruins, local villages, natural parks, mangroves, jungle and biospheres such as Rio Lagartos and Sian Kaan. -
Birding in the Yucatan
Local Tour OperatorWe pride ourselves on delivering exceptional experiences to our guests. We maintain high standards in every aspect of our operations, from the moment you inquire about our birding tours to the completion of your journey. -
Colectivo Cardenales
Local Tour OperatorColectivo Cardenales offers private and group birding and nature tours to destinations throughout Yucatán, from the hills to the coast. All tours support grassroots community birding events and programs in Mérida and the surrounding areas. -
ContoyExcursions
Local Tour OperatorBirdwatching Yucatan endemic birds, a 3-day expedition by local birding experts, discover the main birding spots in the Mayan jungle, night Birding, las Coloradas, Valladolid, and much more! -
Ecocolors
Tour OperatorExplore the fascinating Maya World, refuge of great biodiversity, exhuberant jungles, the second largest coral reef in the World, natural springs ( cenotes ); the most important archeological sites of the ancient Maya and impressive colonial cities - This unique eco-tour is specially design for bird watchers. We will be able to visit the main protected areas in theYucatan peninsula such as Sianka`an, Holbox, Coba, and El Eden, as well as Guatemala and Belize rainforest. Mexico has around 1,040 different bird species, just in the Yucatan peninsula there are 509 different species in 62 families, from which 12 are endemic, with 4 subspecies, 2 morphos and 14 hipotetical registers. Belize and Guatemala have also more than 550 species of birds. -
FieldGuides
Tour OperatorA tour for the most interesting birds of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula amidst its attractive Mayan sites and only a short flight from the US. -
HeatherLea
Tour OperatorThe holiday is a tour of northern and central Yucatán, in a total of five centres as we cover the main habitats to see a host of tropical species. Our targets include endemics Yucatán Bobwhite, Yucatán Wren and Mexican Sheartail, plus many regional specialities including Yucatán Jay, Yucatán Woodpecker, White-bellied Wren, Ocellated Turkey, Canivet’s Emerald, Black Catbird and Orange Oriole. -
Kolibri Expeditions
Tour OperatorDuring our 8 days we bird Rio Lagartos, Valladolid area, Calakmul, Sian Ka’an and Cozumel and also visit spectacular Mayan archeological sites of Chichen Itza and Calakmul. -
Naturalist Journeys
Tour OperatorJoin Naturalist Journeys for an exciting NEW! journey through the Yucatán Peninsula! Discover a kaleidoscope of Neotropical birds surrounded by ancient Maya ruins. This tour begins and ends in Cancun and traverses a fantastic portion of the peninsula. Go beyond the tourist chaos of the Mexican Riviera to the quieter and wilder interior of the Yucatan. -
Pitta Nature Tours
Tour OperatorThe Yucatán Peninsula is famous for its spectacular Mayan ruins, warm climate, and delicious regional cuisine. It is also notable for more than a dozen endemic birds like Orange Oriole, Black Catbird, Yucatan Jay, and Cozumel Vireo. -
Rio Lagartos Adventures
Local Tour OperatorBirding and Photography Packages -
Rockjumper
Tour OperatorMexico - Yucatan Extension -
Tropical Birding Tours
Tour OperatorMexico & Guatemala: Yucatán, Cozumel, & Tikal -
WINGS
Tour OperatorMexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for its spectacular Maya ruins, warm climate, and delicious regional cuisine. It is also a notable center of bird endemism with species such as Black-throated (Yucatan) Bobwhite, Yellow-lored (Yucatan) Parrot, Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Wren, and the recently split Yucatan Gnatcatche -
Yucatan Outdoors
Local Tour OperatorMexican Endemics and Specialties -
Yucatan birding & Nature Tours
Local Tour OperatorExclusively designed expeditions well organized departing from the Flamingoes Guest House, planned by tour leaders knowledgeable whom are experts on nature. The groups always be small and private with comfortable vehicles, boats and canoes. Our mission is to provide a clear look about Celestun and the Yucatan peninsula, while having the comfort you will need and a deep understanding of traditions, culture, and Nature. -
Yucatán Birding Tours
Local Tour OperatorYucatan Birding Tours offers bird watching experiences in the Yucatan Peninsula with local english and spanish speaking guides with the experience and wide knowledge of birds and where to find them. Either in one of our pre-made tours or in a personalized tour, we assure you lots of fun and of course lots of birds!
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2016 [02 February] - Gabor Orban
PDF ReportWe saw our first endemic birds: Yucatan Jay, Orange Oriole and Rose-throated Tanager. Our list grew rapidly with Green and Brown Jays, Bronzed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Smooth-billed Ani, Mangrove and Yellow-throated Vireos, Grey-collared Becard, Black-throated Green Warbler, Black-and-White Warbler, Aztec (Olive-throated) Parakeets, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Great Kiskadee, musical Melodious Blackbird, Yellow-bellied and Social Flycatcher and a swift glimpse of a Squirrel Cuckoo. -
2016 [02 February] - raoul Beunen
PDF ReportIn February 2016 we made a two-week trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. This trip report presents the itinerary, the bird sightings, and some practical issues. The Yucatan Peninsula is an ideal birding destination. It offers a rich and diverse set of birds, fascinating Mayan Ruins, lots of other wildlife, beautiful beaches, and nice snorkeling opportunities. Travelling around is easy with a rental car. Roads are in good conditions, distances are small, and plenty of (affordable) accommodation and restaurants can be found in almost all places. -
2016 [08 August] - Ross & Melissa Gallardy
PDF Report...The first morning I spent birding along this road involved heavy rain that would stop intermittently. In between the heavy bouts of rain I was still able to find Middle American Screech-Owl (before light), Tawny-winged Woodcreeper, Collared Aracari, Stub-tailed Spadebill, and my only Grey-throated Chat of the trip... -
2016 [11 November] - Chris Benesh & Alex Dzib - Yucatan & Cozumel
ReportAnnotated list -
2017 [11 November] - Chris Benesh & Cory Gregory
ReportThe birding the next day continued to be outstanding. We found ourselves at the Campeche Road where we saw a Gartered Trogon overhead, a Canivet’s Emerald nicely perched, our first Yucatan Flycatcher swooped in, and White-bellied Wrens skulked through the thick brush. Even the ruins at Uxmal gave us a few firsts like Yellow-rumped Warbler, Cave Swallows, and a Great Black Hawk. -
2019 [01 January\ - Peter Collaerts
PDF ReportYucatan has a lot of endemics and regional endemics, and on top of that, many North American wintering birds. We recorded 261 species, including all possible known endemics at the time. We did not see Yucatan Gnatcatcher, which was split from White-lored only a few months after our visit. -
2019 [06 June] - Ann Duff
PDF ReportThe overall total number of bird species was 180 with 175 seen and 5 heard only. Mammals and butterflies were also recorded on this tour. -
2020 [03 March] - Brian Gibbons
PDF ReportIt’s hard to imagine the birds were the same—Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Hooded Warblers down for the winter, White-fronted Parrots screeching overhead, and motmots sedately taking in the scenes of thousands of Maya going about their daily lives. The birds haven’t changed, but civilizations have. From the unexcavated ruins at Sihunchen to the spectacular pyramids at Uxmal and Chichén Itza, we delighted in the birds and archaeology of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico... -
2022 [08 August] - v
PDF ReportI should start this trip report by making it clear that (as my wife kept telling me) this was not by any means a birding trip, it was actually our honeymoon – I thought it would be useful to other birders travelling to the area to read, to know what species to look out for with limited birding time! -
2023 [03 March] - Mike Moore
PDF ReportAs we drove the road to the gate in the dark in the early morning, we stopped several times, managing to hear Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl and Yucatan Nightjar. Once it became light, we spotted Ruddy Quail-Dove, Barred ForestFalcon and Keel-billed Toucan, amongst others, along the road. At the archeological site, the tropical forest holds some interesting species, and we found Eye-ringed Flatbill, Yucatan Flycatcher and White-bellied Wren. -
2024 [02 February] - Yucatan Birding Tours
ReportHighlights included: Red-billed Pigeon, Ruddy Ground Dove, Groove-billed Ani, Canivet’s Emerald, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Western Cattle Egret, Black Vulture, Roadside Hawk, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Yucatan Woodpecker, American Kestrel, White-fronted Parrot, Olive-throated Parakeet, Rose-throated Becard, Northern Beardless-Tyrannulet, Yucatan Flycatcher, Boat-billed Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Mangrove Vireo, Green Jay, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Gnatcatcher, Tropical Mockingbird, Orange Oriole, Bronzed Cowbird, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Cinnamon-bellied Saltator. -
2024 [04 April| - Max Berlijn
PDF ReportAnnotated list... -
2024 [Composite] - Mark Pretti Nature Tours
Report...It can be a pretty good spot for army ants, and on several occasions we've had good luck in finding ruddy, northern-barred, and ivory-billed woodcreepers as well as red-crowned and red-throated ant tanagers, wood thrush, green-backed sparrow, gray-headed tanager, hooded warbler and other species attending the ants. Northern bentbill, yellow-olive and sepia-capped flycatchers, eye-ringed flatbill, black-cowled and Altamira orioles, long-billed gnatwren, yellow-billed cacique, lineated and pale-billed woodpeckers, spot-breasted wren, yellow-throated and scrub euphonias, gartered and black-headed trogons and many others have also been found here.
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Hacienda Chichen Resort and Yaxkin Spa
AccommodationGreen boutique hotel and Eco-Spa resort committed to sustainable tourism, offers birders a private Bird Refuge Retreat within its 300 hectares of Maya Jungle Reserve in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico; home of over 150 bird species including many Yucatan endemic birds. This unique hotel offers guests true Mayan cultural experiences and eco-cultural activities
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Overview of the Birds of Yucatan
InformationBarbara MacKinnon H.'s checklist of Yucatan Birds lists 537 species in 74 bird families.
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Anuario Ornitológico de Valladolid
BLOGBlog about birds of Valladolid -
Ride Into Birdland
BLOGBird photography travels in the Yucatan Peninsula on a classic BMW F650 motorcycle… A bilingual blog (English-Spanish) about bird photography and bird observation in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Created by writer-photographer Ivan Gabaldon...