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

Black-crowned Tityra (Tityra inquisitor) > Tityridae > Passeriformes

IDENTIFICATION: Handsome, mostly silvery gray bird of tropical lowland forest and adjacent semi-open areas with taller trees. Usually found at mid-upper levels of fruiting trees, sometimes in small groups that mix readily with the commoner Masked Tityra. Black-crowned is told from slightly larger Masked by its solidly black bill. Male is more silvery overall, with a black cap; female had brown face and smaller black cap. Tityras nest in tree cavities, that they sometimes steal from woodpeckers.

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.

5th Lifer – Muyil Visit on 12/5/21: Lifer #660 Black-crowned Tityra.

I was trying to get photos of a Masked Tityra when this Black-crowned female popped into view. She stayed only a minute or two and was off to destinations unknown. In addition to this encounter I found one a little farther south in Campeche.

PHOTOS TAKEN:

All images below, except the first one, were taken at Muyil. The first one below was photographed at Cobá.

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