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
Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) > Thraupidae > Passeriformes
IDENTIFICATION: Tiny, active, warbler-like bird of tropical and subtropical forest edge, woodland, and gardens. Feeds on nectar and fruit, and in some areas visits bird feeders. Variable plumage across range, especially in the Caribbean, but always note small size and sharp, slightly decurved bill. Most populations have a bold white eyebrow and yellow underparts. Throat color varies from pale gray on mainland (Mexico to South America) to white on some island populations (including Cozumel) or sooty gray (Greater Antilles). Song is variable across range but usually high-pitched and scratchy.
FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: Miguel Amar Uribe from Mexico Kan Tours and my wife Maria
Date: 10 Dec 2021 @ San Miguel Water Treatment Plant, Cozumel
Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales de San Miguel | MX-ROO
SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the location of my Lifer sighting
DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: We first spotted this species at the entrance to the San Miguel Water Treatment Plant, but it played hard to photograph and I only managed one, partially focused shot. We found them again at Colonia Huertes Familiares and El Cedral before we took the Ferry back to Playa del Carmen..
PHOTOS TAKEN: Images below taken on Cozumel Island, MX
Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.
Reflections of the Natural World 
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