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
Northern Barred-Woodcreeper (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) > Furnariidae > Passeriformes
IDENTIFICATION: Uncommon, rather large woodcreeper of humid tropical forest; infrequently seen away from ant swarms. Found singly or in twos and threes, often with Tawny-winged and Ruddy Woodcreepers at army ant swarms. Perches upright on trunks at all levels; often rather sluggish. Often looks dark and plain overall, with dark mask and pale base to stout bill. Dark barring on head and body visible with good views. Loud whistled song given mainly around dawn, a whistled “too’ih tooh’ih.”
FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: My wife Maria
Date: 06 Dec 2021 @ Cobá Archeological Ruins, Quintana Roo, MX
Zona Arqueológica Cobá | MX-ROO
SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the location of my Lifer sighting
DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: Maria and I were walking along the trail to the Grupo Nohoch Mul ruins absolutely enjoying the shade and nice road. My attention was grabbed by a small flock of Yucatan Jays that seemed to be mobbing something. And then I noticed at first one woodcreeper and then more Suddenly we were surrounded by lots of birds flying back and forth to the ground and back up to the trees. Then I noticed the SWARM! A huge swarm of Army Ants was making its was along the side of the road. I discovered 5 LIFER bird species working around this ant swarm.
1st Cobá Ant Swarm Lifer
Lifer #665 Northern Barred-Woodcreeper. After focusing intently on trying (successfully!) to get photographs of the Yucatan Jays, I noticed this large woodcreeper swoop in on the tree right next to me. It landed in pretty good mixed sunlight and I was able to clearly see its striped neck and chest. Later more of them joined in the feeding frenzy surrounding the ant swarm.
PHOTOS TAKEN:
All images below were taken on that day in the Cobá Ruins.
Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.
Reflections of the Natural World 
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