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
Yellow-faced Grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) > Thraupidae > Passeriformes
IDENTIFICATION: Very small bird of grassy and weedy areas in tropical and subtropical areas. Male is striking, with rich yellow eyebrow and throat set off by a black face and breast; extent of black on breast variable (less extensive on Cozumel Island birds). Female is notably drab olive overall but shows a ghosting of male’s face pattern; note the conical gray bill, unlike the stubby bill of seedeaters and female buntings.
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 indicates 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 a couple of so-so shots.
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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