Western Mexico: Mazatlan, Durango hwy, Tepic, and San Blas.

This birding adventure begins in Mazatlán, where we will explore a variety of nearby birding hotspots. From there, we will visit the foothills and montane forests along the famous Durango Highway before continuing south to Tepic and the renowned birding destination of San Blas.

Optional extensions may also be arranged to more southern locations, such as Volcán de Fuego, or even to southern Baja California via a short flight from Mazatlán, offering opportunities to target several of the peninsula’s endemic species.

A tour through this region can produce up to 350 bird species and is considered one of the finest birding circuits in Mexico for endemic birds. Depending on the season and itinerary, participants may record between 40 and 50 Mexican endemic species—more than in almost any other region of the country.

Mazatlan:

(Private ranches and local roads to nearby villages and towns)

Main Habitat:
Tropical and subtropical dry forest.

Target Species:

• Black-throated Magpie-Jay

• Purplish-backed Jay

• Elegant Quail

• Rufous-bellied Chachalaca

• Sinaloa Wren

• Happy Wren

• Black-capped Gnatcatcher

Most species can be observed at close range, providing exceptional opportunities for both observation and high-quality wildlife photography.

Mazatlan-Durango hwy:

• COPALA, AND PANUCO ROAD

Habitat: tropical and subtropical dry forest.

Target species:

• Military Macaw

• Orange-fronted Parakeet 

• Yellow Grosbeak 

• Golden-crowned Emerald

• Russet-crowned Motmot

• TUFTED JAY PRESERVE

Habitat: Pine-oak Forest 

Target species:

• Tufted Jay (the highlight of the trip!)

• Red Warbler 

• Red faced warbler 

• Green-striped Brushfinch 

• Rufous-capped Brushfinch

• Arizona Woodpecker

• Red-headed Tanager 

• Russet nightingale-Thrush 

• Blue Mockingbird 

• Stygian Owl

• Aztec Thrush

• Eared Quetzal

TEPIC:

Public city park

Habitat: wetland, and riparian forest

Target species:

• Aztec Rail

• Spotted Rail

• CERRO SAN JUAN

Habitat: Pine-oak Forest

Target species:

• Cinereous Owl 

• Eared poorwill

• Spotted Wren 

• Black-headed Siskin

• White-striped woodcreeper 

• Blue Mockingbird

• Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow

SAN BLAS:

Main locations: San Blas town, La Bajada, Tecuitata, Singayta, Río La Tobara, etc.

Habitat: tropical and subtropical dry forest

Target species:

• Mexican Woodnymph

• Mexican Hermit

• Red-breasted Chat 

• San Blas Jay 

• Black-capped Gnatcatcher 

• Rufous-necked Wood-Rail

• Mexican Parrotlet 

• Rosy-Thrush Tanager 

• Colima Pygmy-Owl

• Rufous-backed Robin 

• Lesser-Ground Cuckoo

Optional: Pelagic boat tour, and visit to Isabel Island.

The complete tour is designed for a minimum of 8 days and up to 12 days, depending on your travel plans and any optional extensions you may wish to include.

Recommended Season:
The best time for this tour is from November through April, when conditions are generally drier and temperatures are more comfortable, avoiding the rainy season as well as the hottest and most humid months of the year.

Arrival / Departure Location:
Mazatlán — General Rafael Buelna International Airport.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TRIPS:

Volcán de Fuego, Jalisco 

Habitat: Pine-oak Forest

Target species:

• Eared Poorwill

• Buff-collared Nightjar

• Long-tailed Wood-Partridge 

• Collared Towhee

• Slaty Vireo 

• Dwarf Vireo

• Banded Quail 

• Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo

• West Mexican Chachalaca

• Transvolcanic Jay

• Blue Mockingbird 

• Aztec Thrush 

Duration: 2.5 days