Chronicles of a Birders Life List
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 my 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
Yucatan Jay (Cyanocorax yucatanicus) > Corvidae > Passeriformes
IDENTIFICATION: Common and conspicuous in woodland and forest edge of Yucatan Peninsula, where there are no similar species. Usually found in groups of 5-25 birds, often chattering noisily. Black and bright blue plumage is distinctive. The bill is black on adult birds, yellow on juveniles and 1st-year birds. The striking white bodied juvenile plumage is held for only a few weeks in late summer before being replaced by adult-like black feathering.
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.
Muyil Ruins Lifer # 637 – Yucatan Jay
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. The Yucatan Jay however, was one of my most sought after species in the Yucatan Peninsula. I especially wanted to get a good photograph of an immature bird with its bright yellow bill. As luck would have it, the very first Yucatan Jay I saw when we walked across the street to meet Miguel, was of an immature bird.
PHOTOS TAKEN: I got pretty good shots of my “Lifer” here at Chunyaxché in the vegetation next to our meeting place, and I did see them more times and got decent photographs in Yucatan and Belize.
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.
Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.
Reflections of the Natural World 