Five incredible places to watch birds in Mexico
Bird-watching is a common hobby of observing live birds in their natural habitat. As far as hobbies go, it is quite healthy and beneficial, as it gets you out of the house into nature, and you also get to learn a lot about birds as well.
Bird-watching became a common hobby and scientific sport entirely in the 20th century before that scientific observers had to shoot birds down to observe them, but now, because of high-powered spy binoculars and telescopes, studying unknown species is secure and safe.
There are many fantastic locations in the world for bird-watching, and Mexico is one of the best. Bird watching is a popular activity in Mexico, both for the locals and tourists.
Mexico is a prime geographical location for bird-watching, and that, combined with the impressive diversity of ecosystems in the country, makes for an excellent bird-watching spot.
Mexico is home to more bird species than the US and Canada combined, therefore, if you are an enthusiast, you should plan a trip to Mexico, and here are some of the best bird-watching spots that you need to check out.
Celestún Biosphere Reserve, Yucatan
Situated close to the largest groundwater basin in Yucatan, in the middle of Celestún and Maxcanu, this fantastic reserve is a part of a massive wetland corridor.
Its incredible mangroves, magnificent dunes, and beautiful rainforests attract a lot of tourists every year. Still, the thing that the Celestún Biosphere Reserve is the most popular for is its substantial natural heritage, especially regarding birds.
The coastal location and the suitable humid climate of Yucatan, Mexico, make it a perfect breeding ground for many avian bird species like the rifleman and the Cuckoo roller.
The Celestún Biosphere Reserve is home to over 1,120 different species of birds, and it is also a prevalent resting spot for migrating birds. Therefore, you can be confident that even a couple of days in the Celestún Biosphere Reserve will provide you with enough bird-watching memories to last an entire lifetime.
Although the Celestún Biosphere Reserve is more commonly known for its population of pink flamingos and other birds, the relaxing beaches and the colorful waters also attract many tourists every year, and they make for an excellent distraction if you need one from time to time.
Rio Lagartos, Yucatan
Celestún isn’t the only spot for bird-watching enthusiasts in Yucatan. Located at the northern shore of the Yucatan peninsula, the Rio Lagartos is a fishing village that is known for its incredibly dense flamingo population.
This village, which comes within the Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Lagartos, is one of the most popular spots among Mexican bird-watchers, and it attracts many tourists every year as well.
With similar terrain and geographical features like Celestún, this spot has a dense population of bird species like tiger herons, snowy egrets, and red egrets.
The population of these birds is so thick that you will easily see multiple species in a single glance outside your car.
You need to plan a trip to Rio Lagartos because it is home to some unique species like the Mexican shirttail and the Yucatan wren, amongst many others. The name Rio Lagartos means “crocodile river,” so you will be able to see a lot of them as well.
After you are done with bird watching, you can also observe the nearby pink lake in Rio Lagartos, which is a genuinely unique geographical location.
Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca
The Mexican state of Oaxaca is known to have one of the most diverse varieties of bird species.
It is home to around eight hundred different species, a hundred of which are unique to the region. In this state, you will be able to observe species like the dwarf jays, which can’t be easily seen anywhere else in the world.
This makes the Benito Juárez National Park located in the Cerro San Felipe one of the best bird-watching spots in the entire country, if not the world, therefore, if you are planning a bird-watching trip to Mexico this is a spot you can afford to miss out on.
Even if bird-watching is a considerably new hobby for you, you don’t have to worry; you can find some experienced and friendly guides in Cerro San Felipe who run affordable and fantastic bird-watching tours.
The professional guides will be able to point out all the indigenous species of birds, along with all the breathtaking hummingbirds and other species you will want to observe.
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Campeche
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is one of the best and most unique spots when it comes to bird-watching. It attracts a lot of tourists and locals every year because of the historic Mayan ruins that can be found in the reserve.
There are many excellent bird-watching spots near the ruins, and you can observe species like warblers and herons. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you might even find the unique and rare Royal flycatcher.
However, the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is also known for its population of wildcats, so be careful and consider hiring a guide to help you out.
San Blas, Nayarit
Even though the state of Oaxaca might be known for the most significant quantity of bird species, it still isn’t the best bird-watching spot in Mexico. Saving the best for last, that crown goes to Nayarit, which is critically acclaimed as one of the best bird-watching spots in the entire world.
Located at the coast of Nayarit, San Blas is the location where both novice and experienced bird-watchers gather from all around the world to observe and study the 450 unique endemic species of birds that have Nayarit as a habitat.
Another excellent bird-watching spot in Nayarit is the magnificent La Tovara National Park, therefore, if you are going to Mexico with bird-watching in mind, this is the best spot that you can afford to miss if you want a unique and unforgettable experience.
To sum it all up, Mexico is one of the best countries in the world for bird-watching enthusiasts, and if you are planning to visit, you need to check out the locations mentioned above.
These are the best locations in the entire country to watch birds, and I hope that you have an exciting and enjoyable trip.
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