Bird watching in Huatulco

Birds of Huatulco

Place yourself trekking through the jungle, moving forward precariously under the trailing branches of a big Guanacastle. The proximity of the Copalita river stream as one of the best bird watching spots nearby, offering year-round birding just few minutes from town.
The birding, in fact, begins in the downtown; a lot of naughty Zanates (cacique) can be found at any park while the Urracas (white-throated Magpie) sneak in the house yards always on feeding time.

Birders in Huatulco

For those who love bird watching, the low jungle surrounding Huatulco, with its almost 300 species of birds, means something different from the beaten only-beach activities. Walking along the paths near the river mouth with binoculars is an easy add-on to schedule. As we advance marveling over nature itself, the colorful Altamira bird stands proud because of its own beauty on the top of a tree. The west Mexican Chachalacas’ concert welcomes the visitor with their loud drumming resounding through everywhere. The good-looking Vermilion fly-catcher bird, flying in circles over the river stream and the curious Kingfisher bird seem to challenge each other in a closed competition of feeding as long as nervous chirping and movement take place because a pigmy owl shows up. Flacks of parrots and parakeets with their known commotion fly across the sky. A couple of timid cardinals, hidden in the bushes and looking for seeds, appear to be two deep-red living flowers.

Local names of birds

Local people call "Chihuiro" to the Kiskadee bird, in fact, in Spanish its name is "Luis Bienteveo" (Louis I-see-you-well) because it is supposed the bird says that instead of the kiskadee sound heard by Americans.

They also call "Burro or Turco" to the Motmot bird which swings its clock-hand-alike tail meanwhile a Bandit bird descends from the top of a tree maybe to catch a mosquito over a pond.

Migrant birds in Huatulco

Migrant birds can also be found in winter: storks, orioles, icterids, gulls, ospreys, hawks, and roseate spoon bills among many others.

Come and hide yourself behind a log and keep watch on the magnificent treasure that Mother Nature offers, I promise you will come away smiling and satisfied.