Lifer 633 – Olive-throated Parakeet – Reflections of the Natural World

Over the past 40 years I have had the good fortune to photographically document 85% of the bird species added to my “Life List.” This blog series showcases the images and anecdotal accounts that document those “Lifer” sightings and a little about the environment and culture of the area. This Lifer blog series begins with the first LIFER outside of the US, Lifer #624 and proceeds chronologically forward from there.

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

Lifer Photo @ Zoh-Laguna Pueblo, Campeche, MX

Olive-throated Parakeet (Eupsittula nana) > Psittacidae > Psittaciformes

@ PN Tikal – sitio arqueológico, Petén District, Guatemala

IDENTIFICATION: Parakeets are fairly small parrots, usually with a relatively long and somewhat pointed tail. This species is fairly common in tropical lowlands, mainly in semi-open areas with scattered trees, woodland, locally in towns and suburban areas. Often in small flocks, also in pairs. Note the dirty brownish cast to the breast, and the whitish eyering. In most parts of its range, no other parakeets occur.

FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: Miguel Amar Uribe from Mexico Kan Tours and my wife Maria
Date: 02 Dec 2021 @ Chunyaxché, Quintana Roo, MX
Chunyaxché (Pueblo) | MX-ROO

SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the location of my Lifer sighting

DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: We got in very late to Tulum due to flight delays and lost luggage and had to leave early to meet up with Miguel Amar Uribe from Amar Aves, Mexico Kan Tours who was going to lead us on our first adventure birding in the Yucatan. Miguel met us with a big smile and we were off to explore the pueblito of Chunyaxché and learn about the bird life and cultural history of the area. It was pleasant, slightly warm and humid, with lots of billowing clouds above us. Over the next 2 1/2 hours we would add 52 species to our first checklist for Mexico and discover 25 new “Lifer” species. For me, Lifers #624 to #648.

Chunyaxché/Muyil Ruins Lifer # 633 – Olive-throated Parakeet

For most of the group of 25 Lifers that I encountered on this 2 1/2 hour walk, there was really nothing unique about any of the sightings with the exception of the Toucans and Jays. For all of the others they were all added slowly on the casual walk through the town and along some of the outer trails.

PHOTOS TAKEN: We saw our “Lifer” first small flock of Olive-throated Parakeets flying over the town. I was not able to photograph them successfully in Chunyaxché that day, nor would I have any photographic success for the next six times that I saw them. It wasn’t until I saw them in the small pueblo of Zoh-Laguna in Campeche that I was able to get some good shots of them.

@ Chunyaxché Pueblo, Quintana Roo, Mexico

@ PN Tikal – hotel Jungle Lodge; Guatemala

BACKGROUND ABOUT THE TOWN OF CHUNYAXCHé

Nestled at the edge of the massive Sian Ka’an Biosphere and across the street from the Muyil Archeological Zone, the small town of Chunyaxché is surrounded by tall trees and thick vegetation and is a great spot for finding many of the regions birds. It is located approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of the coastal site of Tulum, in the Municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. However, with the construction of the new Tulum International Airport and the Mayan Train line, this cozy town will be rapidly changing.