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 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

Barred Antshrike (Thamnophilus doliatus) > Thamnophilidae > Passeriforme

IDENTIFICATION: A retiring bird of thickets, forest edge, and other tangled vegetation. Distinctive song is heard regularly and pairs are usually within earshot of each other, but antshrikes generally remain hidden. The sexes look very different, but both have a spiky crest that is often raised. Male is barred black-and-white in ‘convict stripes,’ whereas female looks a lot like a wren with a stout bill that has a slightly hooked tip.

FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: My wife Maria
Date: 05 Dec 2021 @ Zona Arqueológica Muyil, Quintana Roo, MX
Zona Arqueológica Muyil (Chunyaxché) | MX-ROO

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

DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: After 4 busy days of exploring so many interesting, but very much packed with people places, Maria and I wanted to return to visit Muyil knowing that it was not going to be very busy. We enjoyed another breakfast at our favorite restaurant, El Rincón Mexicano Muyil. We were not disappointed and pretty much had the whole area to ourselves. As we walked through the park-like entrance area all the way back to the small pyramid and back, we just casually explored the zone, pausing to sit and relax and just listen and enjoy. Over the course of the next 2 1/2 hours, I was able to add 7 new “Lifer” bird species.

3rd Lifer – Muyil Visit on 12/5/21: Lifer #658 Barred Antshrike.

Maria and I heard this bird first, not knowing what it was until we got a good glimpse of it. A male Barred Antshrike is pretty easy to identify. I ended up seeing this species 8 more times between Quintana Roo, Yucatan and Belize.

PHOTOS TAKEN:

All images below were taken at Zona Arqueológica Muyil, Quintana Roo, MX.

Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.

• 
  Lifer 684 – Yucatan Flycatcher
  by Jim Gain
  February 20, 2024
• 
  Lifer 683 – Lesson’s Motmot
  by Jim Gain
  February 19, 2024
• 
  Lifer 680 – Squirrel Cuckoo
  by Jim Gain
  February 18, 2024