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

This birding adventure begins in Mazatlan, where we will be visiting many hotspots nearby. We will be visiting also the foothills and the mountain forest of the Durango hwy, and then going south, to Tepic and the popular birding site San Blas, in the state of Nayarit. We may also have extension trips to even southern places such as the Volcan de Fuego (Jalisco), or even taking a short flight from Mazatlan to visit south Baja, and birding its endemic species.

A trip like this can get you up to 350 species, and this area is one of the best birding sites in Mexico to get more endemic birds than any other region in the country, where about 40 to 50 endemics can be recorded.

Mazatlan:

(Private ranches, and local roads to nearby 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

The species will be at close range, and it’s a great opportunity to get excellent photographs.

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 whole tour is planned for a minimum 8 days, and max. 12 days, depending on your plans, and considering any of the extensions that you may add.  

Recommendations: from November to April, you will avoid the rainy season, also hot and humid weather.

Arrival/Departure location: Mazatlan, Sinaloa. 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