The Mexican portion of the Yucatán Peninsula encompasses the states of Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, a remarkable landscape of tropical forests, ancient Maya cities, coastal wetlands, and turquoise Caribbean waters. From the towering ruins of Calakmul deep within the forests of Campeche to the region’s diverse birdlife and extraordinary natural history, my travels have revealed a fascinating intersection of wildlife, culture, and history. The photographs and stories below reflect my encounters with the birds, landscapes, and places that make this corner of Mexico so memorable.
WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS FROM MEXICO’S YUCATAN PENINSULA
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Bare-throated Tiger-Heron
The Bare-throated Tiger-Heron is a large wading bird found throughout much of Central and South America. It has a bare yellow throat patch and a…
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Social Flycatcher
The Social Flycatcher is medium sized with brown upperparts, bold black and white striped head, and yellow underparts and is particularly adept at catching flying…
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Pale-billed Woodpecker
The Pale-billed Woodpecker is a large, black and white woodpecker named for its distinctive pale ivory-colored bill, which is longer than that of most other…
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Eye-ringed Flatbill
The Eye-ringed Flatbill is a small, active bird, constantly flitting through the forest canopy in search of prey. It is easily recognizable by the distinctive…
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Yellow-billed Cacique
The Yellow-billed Cacique is a medium-sized blackbird species that can be found throughout Central America, including Belize. It is all black and has an ivory…
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Bat Falcon
The Bat Falcon is a striking bird that is dark slate gray above, a black-and-white barred breast, and orange lower belly and thighs. As its…
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Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
The Rufous-tailed Hummingbird is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, gardens, and even urban areas.. This species is…
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Common Black Hawk
The Common Black Hawk has a blackish plumage with a slightly paler head and neck, and yellow legs. They are a common sight around rivers,…
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Spot-breasted Wren
The Spot-breasted Wren has a distinctive white throat and breast speckled with small, dark spots, which gives them their name. They are active, social birds…
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Yucatan Jay
The Yucatan Jay is a striking bird species and is known for its vibrant blue feathers and its impressive vocalizations, which can be heard echoing…
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Cinnamon-bellied Saltator
The Cinnamon-bellied Saltator is gray above and grayish or buffy/”cinnamon” below, with a strong whitish eyebrow and black malar stripes that boarder a white throat. …
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White-wiskered Puffbird
The White-whiskered Puffbird has a distinctive appearance with a mostly brown body, white underparts, and a conspicuous white stripe over their eyes that resembles a…
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Brown Jay
Brown Jays are relatively large, and predominantly are dark brown with a pale buff brown or pale white vent and belly. Brown Jays are highly…
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Slaty-tailed Trogon
The Slaty-tailed Trogon is a stunning, medium-sized trogon, with a distinctive slaty-blue tail, a bright red belly, and a green back. The males have a…
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Ocellated Turkey
One of only two Turkey species worldwide, the Ocellated Turkey is distinct from the more familiar wild turkey species found in North America. It is…
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Black-throated Green Warbler
The Black-throated Green Warbler males have a striking black throat and olive-green upperparts, while females have a yellow-green head and back, and a yellow throat…
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Boat-billed Flycatcher
The Boat-billed Flycatcher has a distinctive broad and flattened bill that is shaped like a boat, which it uses to catch insects in flight. The…
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Ruddy Woodcreeper
Ruddy Woodcreepers are medium-sized birds, about 18-20 cm long, with a ruddy-brown plumage and a long, slightly curved bill. They are typically found in forested…
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Gray Hawk
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #10 By Jim Gain 4/11/2023 About this Bird The Gray Hawk (Buteo plagiatus) is a medium-sized bird of…
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Bright-rumped Attila
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #9 By Jim Gain 4/9/2023 About this Bird The Bright-rumped Attila, is a species of flycatcher found in…
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Russet-naped Wood-Rail
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #8 By Jim Gain 4/7/2023 About this Bird The humid forests of Central and South America are home…
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Jabiru
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #7 By Jim Gain 4/4/2023 About this Species The Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) is a large stork species that…
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Masked Tityra
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #6 By Jim Gain 4/2/2023 About this Bird The Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata) is a species of bird…
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Amazon Kingfisher
Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #5 By Jim Gain 3/31/2023 About this Bird The Amazon Kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona) is a stunning bird species…