Related to the more familiar Cactus Wren, the Boucard’s Wren is found only in the cactus-dominated scrub and woodlands of south-central Mexico.
Photo: Rich Hoyer -
Related to the more familiar Cactus Wren, the Boucard’s Wren is found only in the cactus-dominated scrub and woodlands of south-central Mexico. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
Bridled Sparrow is a handsome endemic of the semi-desert intermontane valleys of southern Mexico. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
We usually get spectacular views of Gray Silky-flycatcher as long as we find their favorite mistletoe in fruit. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
Gray-breasted Woodpecker appreciates the enormous diversity of Oaxaca’s giant columnar cactus flora. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
The spectacular Rivoli's Hummingbird is one of 24 species of hummingbird possible on this tour. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
We drop into the Tehuantepec drainage one day where White-lored Gnatcatcher is one of the signature species. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
Our tour includes a side trip to the more tropical Gulf of Mexico lowlands where Roadside Hawk lives up to its name. Photo: Rich Hoyer
-
Northern Pygmy-Owls inhabit the lush pine-oak forests of Oaxaca’s higher elevations. Photo: Rich Hoyer
The city of Oaxaca lies in an arid valley ringed by mountains in south-central Mexico. The site has been occupied for centuries, as evidenced by the old architecture and nearby pre-Columbian ruins, but the city remains rather small and retains a vibrant atmosphere. And although Oaxacan handicrafts offered in the colorful markets have lured travelers from all over the world, the visitors have not changed the town’s unique flavor. When Oaxaca celebrates the holidays, it is perhaps the most Mexican of all cities. The area has also acquired a reputation among birdwatchers, for in the immediate surroundings of the city one can find a variety of habitats, from desert and oak thorn-scrub to pine and cloud forest. Birds of at least three distinct faunal regions occur here, among them many of Mexico’s most notable endemic species. This trip departs somewhat from the normal pattern of our tours: mornings will be spent birdwatching, but some afternoons will be devoted to cultural events in Oaxaca City (such as the Noche de Rábanos), exploring a couple markets, or visiting ruins. The trip is designed for the person wanting to take a Christmas vacation, experience the holidays in the surroundings of a different culture, and see a number of Mexico’s rare endemic birds.
Day 1: The tour begins at 6:00 pm in Oaxaca City. Our comfortable hotel is perched on a hillside with a splendid view of Oaxaca City. A good restaurant, shuttle service to downtown, and a pool round out the important amenities. Night in Oaxaca City.
This is, by far, one of the best birding tours EVER for me. The location with its birding opportunities, the time of year (Christmas getaway!) and the general pace of the tour were great. Of course, all of this was made possible by Rich Hoyer who was a fantastic guide, sharing his love for this region of Mexico and his endless enthusiasm for the natural world.
Alane Gray, Jan 2019
Days 2-5: Our explorations will begin the morning of day 2. Each of our forays afield will concentrate on a particular habitat, with ample time to observe the common birds and seek out the rare or more retiring ones. Visiting thorn-scrub and arid oak forest north and southeast of town, we expect to see Dusky Hummingbird, Gray-breasted Woodpecker, Rufous-capped Warbler, Bridled Sparrow, and perhaps the very local Oaxaca Sparrow. Exploring the higher elevations on Cerro San Felipe north of town, with stops in pine-oak, fir, and cloud forests, we’ll look for Chestnut-sided Shrike-Vireo, Mountain Trogon, Gray-barred Wren, Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer, Collared Towhee, and Rufous-capped Brushfinch. Warbler flocks should include migrant species from the north mingling with the local Crescent-chested and Red Warblers and Slate-throated Redstart. And of course we’ll search for Dwarf Jay, the specialty of Cerro San Felipe.
We’ll also bird near and in the famous ruins of Monte Albán and Yagul. Located on lower hills near the main valley, species here might include Pileated Flycatcher, Boucard’s Wren, Beautiful Hummingbird, and Gray Silky-flycatcher. There will even be some time to bird on the hotel grounds, where White-throated Towhee, Tufted Flycatcher, and Slate-throated Redstart might mingle with the many migrant Nashville and Yellow-rumped Warblers.
Days 6-8: We’ll make a two-night, three-day side trip to Tuxtepec in the Gulf of Mexico lowlands. The distance to Tuxtepec is only 130 miles, but because of the winding mountain road and several birding stops along the way, we’ll reach our hotel in the late afternoon. The road above Valle Nacional passes through one of the finest stretches of cloud forest in Mexico. This road is rich in birds, virtually none of which can be found in the Oaxaca Valley. Here we may see White Hawk, Montezuma Oropendola, Slate-colored Solitaire, Azure-hooded and Unicolored Jays, Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, and many others characteristic of this more humid forest. Closer to Tuxtepec, we’ll enjoy birds of a rather tropical flavor, such as Band-backed and White-bellied Wrens, Yellow-tailed and Black-cowled Orioles, Keel-billed Toucan, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, and many other species that will boost our trip list. We even have a small chance of seeing the Mexico endemic Sumichrast’s Wren.
Days 9-10: We’ll have two nights and one final day based out of our Oaxaca City hotel to visit some new locations in the interior valleys or perhaps return to the pine-oak if any specialties still elude us. We usually drop down a few kilometers into the Tehuantepec drainage into a beautiful giant cactus woodland where White-lored Gnatcatcher, Nutting’s Flycatcher, Banded Wren, Rufous-naped Wren, or Elegant Trogon could be trip additions.
With the exception of our travel days to Tuxtepec, we finish birding most days with lunch and an afternoon stop or two to examine local rugs, textiles, and handicrafts in the open-air markets. On the way back to the hotel one of the days we’ll stop to ogle at a famously huge and ancient tree. On a couple days participants even will have time to honor the Mexican tradition of the afternoon siesta, or else take a personal trip to re-visit the nearby Monte Albán ruins or simply walk around town enjoying the architecture and absorbing the festive spirit of the season.
The tour concludes in Oaxaca City on the morning of Day 10.
Updated: 28 February 2019
Prices
- 2023 Tour Price : $3,650
- Single Occupancy Supplement : $630
- 2025 Tour Price Not Yet Available
Notes
Questions? Tour Manager: Erin Olmstead. Call 1-866-547-9868 (US or Canada) or (01) 520-320-9868 or click here to email.
* Tour invoices paid by check carry a 4% discount. Details here.
This tour is limited to eight participants with one leader.