ID Guide
Here you will find a selection of the most emblematic and interesting birds that can be observed in Mexico, especially in the western region. Each bird is presented with a descriptive profile featuring its key characteristics, a distribution map, and illustrative photographs.
Endemic Birds of Mexico are shown in Green.
Anatidae – Ducks – Patos
Mexican Duck – Pato Mexicano (Anas diazi)
Masked Duck – Pato Enmascarado (Nomonyx dominicus)
Cracidae – Chachalacas
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca – Chachalaca Vientre Castaño (Ortalis wagleri)
West Mexican Chachalaca – Chachalaca Pálida (Ortalis poliocephala)
Odontophoridae – Quails – Codornices
Long-tailed Wood-Partridge – Codorniz Coluda Transvolcánica (Dendrortyx macroura)
Banded Quail – Codorniz Barrada (Philortyx fasciatus)
Elegant Quail – Codorniz Cresta Dorada (Callipepla douglasii)
Cuculidae – Cuckoos – Cuclillos
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo – Cuclillo Terrestre (Morococcyx erythropygus)
Mexican Squirrel-Cuckoo – Cuclillo Canelo Mexicano (Piaya Mexicana)
Mangrove Cuckoo – Cuclillo Manglero (Coccyzus minor)
Caprimulgidae – Nighthawks – Tapacaminos
Eared Poorwill – Tapacamino Prío (Nyctiphrynus mcleodii)
Nyctibiidae – Potoo – Pájaros Estaca
Northern Potoo – Pájaro Estaca Norteño (Nyctibius jamaicensis)
White-fronted Swift – Vencejo Cara Blanca (Cypseloides storeri)
White-naped Swift – Vencejo Nuca Blanca (Streptoprocne semicollaris)
Great Swallow-tailed Swift – Vencejo Tijereta Mayor (Panyptila sanctihieronymi)
Trochilidae – Hummingbirds – Colibríes
Mexican Hermit – Colibrí Ermitaño Mexicano (Phaethornis mexicanus)
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem – Colibrí Garganta Amatista (Lampornis amethystinus)
Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird – Colibrí Cola Pinta (Tilmatura dupontii)
Bumblebee Hummingbird – Zumbador Mexicano (Selasphorus heloisa)
Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird – Colibrí Pico Ancho Mexicano (Cynanthus doubledayi)
Tres Marias Hummingbird – Colibrí Pico Ancho de Islas Marías (Cynanthus lawrencei)
Golden-crowned Emerald – Esmeralda Occidental (Cynanthus auriceps)
White-eared Hummingbird – Colibrí Orejas Blancas (Basilinna leucotis)
Cozumel Emerald – Esmeralda de Isla Cozumel (Cynanthus forficatus)
Mexican Woodnymph – Ninfa Mexicana (Eupherusa ridgwayi)
Rallidae – Rails – Rascones
Ridgway’s Rail – Rascón Costero del Pacífico (Rallus obsoletus)
Aztec Rail – Rascón Azteca (Rallus tenuirostris)
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail – Rascón Cuello Canela (Aramides axillaris)
Yellow-breasted Crake – Polluela Pecho Amarillo (Laterallus flaviventer)
Haematopodidae – Oystercatchers – Ostreros
American Oystercatcher – Ostrero Americano (Haematopus palliatus)
Charadriidae – Plovers – Chorlitos
Collared Plover – Chorlo de Collar (Anarhynchus collaris)
Laridae – Gulls, Terns – Gaviotas, Charranes
Heermann’s Gull – Gaviota Plomiza (Larus heermanni)
Elegant Tern – Charrán Elegante (Thalasseus elegans)
Hydrobatidae – Storm-Petrels – Paíños
Black Storm-Petrel – Paíño Negro (Hydrobates melania)
Least Storm-Petrel – Paíño Mínimo (Hydrobates microsoma)
Cathartidae – New World Vultures – Zopilotes
Black Vulture – Zopilote Común (Coragyps atratus)
Turkey Vulture – Zopilote Aura (Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae – Hawks, Eagles, Kites – Gavilanes, Águilas, Aguilillas
Hook-billed Kite – Gavilán Pico de Gancho (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
Black Hawk-Eagle – Águila Tirana (Spizaetus tyrannus)
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle – Águila Albinegra (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
Double-toothed Kite – Gavilán Bidentado (Harpagus bidentatus)
Crane Hawk – Gavilán Zancón (Geranospiza caerulescens)
Snail Kite – Gavilán Caracolero (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
Common Black Hawk – Aguililla Negra Menor (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Great Black Hawk – Aguililla Negra Mayor (Buteogallus urubitinga)
Short-tailed Hawk – Aguililla Cola Corta (Buteo brachyurus)
Strigidae – Owls – Búhos, Tecolotes
Whiskered Screech-Owl – Tecolote Rítmico (Megascops trichopsis)
Balsas Screech-Owl – Tecolote del Balsas (Megascops seductus)
Colima Pygmy-Owl – Tecolote Colimense (Glaucidium palmarum)
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Tecolote Bajeño (Glaucidium brasilianum)
Mottled Owl – Búho Café (Strix virgata)
Black-and-white Owl – Búho Barrado Albinegro (Strix nigrolineata)
Cinereous Owl – Búho Barrado Mexicano (Strix sartorii)
Stygian Owl – Búho Cara Oscura (Asio stygius)
Trogonidae – Trogons – Coas
Eared Quetzal – Quetzal Orejón (Euptilotis neoxenus)
Citreoline Trogon – Coa Citrina (Trogon citreolus)
Coppery-tailed Trogon (Trogon ambiguus)
Mountain Trogon – Coa Mexicana (Trogon mexicanus)
Momotidae – Motmots – Momotos
Russet-crowned Motmot – Momoto Corona Canela (Momotus mexicanus)
Alcedinidae – Kingfishers – Martín Pescadores
Green Kingfisher – Martín Pescador Verde (Chloroceryle americana)
Picidae – Woodpeckers – Carpinteros
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker – Carpintero Enmascarado (Melanerpes chrysogenys)
Gray-crowned Woodpecker – Carpintero Corona Gris (Colaptes auricularis)
Falconidae – Falcons – Halcones
Laughing Falcon – Halcón Guaco (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
Collared Forest-Falcon – Halcón Selvático de Collar (Micrastur semitorquatus)
Bat Falcon – Halcón Murcielaguero (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae – Parrots – Loros
Lilac-crowned Amazon – Loro Corona Lila (Amazona finschi)
Yellow-headed Amazon – Loro Cabeza Amarilla (Amazona oratrix)
White-fronted Amazon – Loro Frente Blanca (Amazona albifrons)
Mexican Parrotlet – Periquito Catarino (Forpus cyanopygius)
Military Macaw- Guacamaya Verde (Ara militaris)
Tityridae – Becards – Cabezones
Gray-collared Becard – Cabezón Mexicano (Pachyramphus major)
Tyrannidae – Flycatchers – Papamoscas
Flammulated Flycatcher – Papamoscas Mexicano (Ramphotrigon flammulatum)
Nutting’s Flycatcher – Papamoscas Huí (Myiarchus nuttingi)
Vireonidae – Vireos
Golden Vireo – Vireo Amarillo (Vireo hypochryseus)
Mangrove Vireo – Vireo Manglero (Vireo pallens)
Corvidae – Jays, Crows – Charas, Urracas, Cuervos
Black-throated Magpie-Jay – Urraca Cara Negra (Cyanocorax colliei)
Purplish-backed Jay – Chara Sinaloense (Cyanocorax beecheii)
San Blas Jay – Chara de San Blas (Cyanocorax sanblasianus)
Tufted Jay – Chara Pinta (Cyanocorax dickeyi)
Transvolcanic Jay – Chara Transvolcánica (Aphelocoma ultramarina)
Sinaloa Crow – Cuervo Sinaloense (Corvus sinaloae)
Hirundinidae – Swallows – Golondrinas
Sinaloa Martin – Golondrina Sinaloense (Progne sinaloae)
Gray-breasted Martin – Golondrina Pecho Gris (Progne chalybea)
Polioptilidae – Gnatcatchers – Perlitas
Black-capped Gnatcatcher – Perlita Sinaloense (Polioptila nigriceps)
Troglodytidae – Wrens – Matracas, Saltaparedes
Gray-barred Wren – Matraca Barrada (Campylorhynchus megalopterus)
Spotted Wren – Matraca Serrana (Campylorhynchus gularis)
Happy Wren – Saltapared Feliz (Pheugopedius felix)
Sinaloa Wren – Saltapared Sinaloense (Thryophilus sinaloa)
Mimidae – Mockingbirds – Mulatos
Blue Mockingbird – Mulato Azul (Melanotis caerulescens)
Turdidae – Thrushes – Zorzales
Russet Nightingale-Thrush – Zorzal Mexicano (Catharus occidentalis)
Aztec Thrush – Mirlo Azteca (Ridgwayia pinicola)
Frigillidae – Euphonias – Eufonias
West Mexican Euphonia – Eufonia Garganta Negra Mexicana (Euphonia godmani)
Passerellidae – New World Sparrows – Gorriones, Zacatoneros, Rascadores
Black-chested Sparrow – Zacatonero Pecho Negro (Peucaea humeralis)
Green-striped Brushfinch – Rascador Cejas Verdes (Arremon virenticeps)
Sierra Madre Sparrow – Gorrión Serrano (Xenospiza baileyi)
Striped Sparrow – Zacatonero Serrano (Oriturus superciliosus)
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow – Rascador Nuca Canela (Melozone kieneri)
Collared Towhee – Rascador de Collar (Pipilo ocai)
Rufous-capped Brushfinch – Rascador Gorra Rufa (Atlapetes pileatus)
Parulidae – Warblers – Chipes, Mascaritas
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat – Mascarita Pico Grueso (Geothlypis poliocephala)
Red Warbler – Chipe Rojo (Cardellina rubra)
Cardinalidae – Buntings – Colorines, Granatelos
Red-headed Tanager – Piranga Cabeza Roja (Piranga erythrocephala)
Red-breasted Chat – Granatelo Mexicano (Granatellus venustus)
Orange-breasted Bunting – Colorín Pecho Naranja (Passerina leclancherii)
Thraupidae – Seedeaters – Semilleros
Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater – Semillero Rabadilla Canela (Sporophila torqueola)
Anatidae – Ducks
Mexican Duck – Pato Mexicano (Anas diazi)
Masked Duck – Pato Enmascarado (Nomonyx dominicus)
Caprimulgidae – Chachalacas
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca – Chachalaca Vientre Castaño (Ortalis wagleri)
West Mexican Chachalaca – Chachalaca Pálida (Ortalis poliocephala)
Odontophoridae – Quails
Long-tailed Wood-Partridge – Codorniz Coluda Transvolcánica (Dendrortyx macroura)
Banded Quail – Codorniz Barrada (Philortyx fasciatus)
Elegant Quail – Codorniz Cresta Dorada (Callipepla douglasii)
Cuculidae – Cuckoos
Lesser Ground-Cuckoo – Cuclillo Terrestre (Morococcyx erythropygus)
Squirrel Cuckoo (West Mexico) – Cuclillo Canelo (Piaya cayana Mexicana)
Mangrove Cuckoo – Cuclillo Manglero (Coccyzus minor)
Caprimulgidae –
Eared Poorwill – Tapacamino Prío (Nyctiphrynus mcleodii)
Nyctibiidae – Potoo
Northern Potoo – Pájaro Estaca Norteño (Nyctibius jamaicensis)
White-fronted Swift – Vencejo Cara Blanca (Cypseloides storeri)
White-naped Swift – Vencejo Nuca Blanca (Streptoprocne semicollaris)
Great Swallow-tailed Swift – Vencejo Tijereta Mayor (Panyptila sanctihieronymi)
Trochilidae
Mexican Hermit – Colibrí Ermitaño Mexicano (Phaethornis mexicanus)
Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird – Colibrí Cola Pinta (Tilmatura dupontii)
Bumblebee Hummingbird – Zumbador Mexicano (Selasphorus heloisa)
Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird – Colibrí Pico Ancho Mexicano (Cynanthus doubledayi)
Tres Marias Hummingbird – Colibrí Pico Ancho de Islas Marías (Cynanthus lawrencei)
Golden-crowned Emerald – Esmeralda Occidental (Cynanthus auriceps)
White-eared Hummingbird – Colibrí Orejas Blancas (Basilinna leucotis)
Cozumel Emerald – Esmeralda de Isla Cozumel (Cynanthus forficatus)
Mexican Woodnymph – Ninfa Mexicana (Eupherusa ridgwayi)
Rallidae
Ridgway’s Rail – Rascón Costero del Pacífico (Rallus obsoletus)
Aztec Rail – Rascón Azteca (Rallus tenuirostris)
Rufous-necked Wood-Rail – Rascón Cuello Canela (Aramides axillaris)
Yellow-breasted Crake – Polluela Pecho Amarillo (Laterallus flaviventer)
Haematopodidae
American Oystercatcher – Ostrero Americano (Haematopus palliatus)
Charadriidae
Collared Plover – Chorlo de Collar (Anarhynchus collaris)
Laridae
Heermann’s Gull – Gaviota Plomiza (Larus heermanni)
Elegant Tern – Charrán Elegante (Thalasseus elegans)
Hydrobatidae
Black Storm-Petrel – Paíño Negro (Hydrobates melania)
Least Storm-Petrel – Paíño Mínimo (Hydrobates microsoma)
Cathartidae
Black Vulture – Zopilote Común (Coragyps atratus)
Turkey Vulture – Zopilote Aura (Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae
Hook-billed Kite – Gavilán Pico de Gancho (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
Black Hawk-Eagle – Águila Tirana (Spizaetus tyrannus)
Black-and-white Hawk-Eagle – Águila Albinegra (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
Double-toothed Kite – Gavilán Bidentado (Harpagus bidentatus)
Crane Hawk – Gavilán Zancón (Geranospiza caerulescens)
Snail Kite – Gavilán Caracolero (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
Common Black Hawk – Aguililla Negra Menor (Buteogallus anthracinus)
Great Black Hawk – Aguililla Negra Mayor (Buteogallus urubitinga)
Short-tailed Hawk – Aguililla Cola Corta (Buteo brachyurus)
Strigidae
Whiskered Screech-Owl – Tecolote Rítmico (Megascops trichopsis)
Balsas Screech-Owl – Tecolote del Balsas (Megascops seductus)
Colima Pygmy-Owl – Tecolote Colimense (Glaucidium palmarum)
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl – Tecolote Bajeño (Glaucidium brasilianum)
Mottled Owl – Búho Café (Strix virgata)
Black-and-white Owl – Búho Barrado Albinegro (Strix nigrolineata)
Cinereous Owl – Búho Barrado Mexicano (Strix sartorii)
Stygian Owl – Búho Cara Oscura (Asio stygius)
Trogonidae
Eared Quetzal – Quetzal Orejón (Euptilotis neoxenus)
Citreoline Trogon – Coa Citrina (Trogon citreolus)
Elegant Trogon – Coa Elegante (Trogon elegans)
Mountain Trogon – Coa Mexicana (Trogon mexicanus)
Momotidae
Russet-crowned Motmot – Momoto Corona Canela (Momotus mexicanus)
Alcedinidae
Green Kingfisher – Martín Pescador Verde (Chloroceryle americana)
Picidae
Golden-cheeked Woodpecker – Carpintero Enmascarado (Melanerpes chrysogenys)
Gray-crowned Woodpecker – Carpintero Corona Gris (Colaptes auricularis)
Falconidae
Laughing Falcon – Halcón Guaco (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
Collared Forest-Falcon – Halcón Selvático de Collar (Micrastur semitorquatus)
Bat Falcon – Halcón Murcielaguero (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae
Lilac-crowned Amazon – Loro Corona Lila (Amazona finschi)
Yellow-headed Amazon – Loro Cabeza Amarilla (Amazona oratrix)
White-fronted Amazon – Loro Frente Blanca (Amazona albifrons)
Mexican Parrotlet – Periquito Catarino (Forpus cyanopygius)
Military Macaw- Guacamaya Verde (Ara militaris)
Tityridae
Gray-collared Becard – Cabezón Mexicano (Pachyramphus major)
Tyrannidae
White-throated Flycatcher – Papamoscas Garganta Blanca (Empidonax albigularis)
Flammulated Flycatcher – Papamoscas Mexicano (Ramphotrigon flammulatum)
Nutting’s Flycatcher – Papamoscas Huí (Myiarchus nuttingi)
Vireonidae
Golden Vireo – Vireo Amarillo (Vireo hypochryseus)
Mangrove Vireo – Vireo Manglero (Vireo pallens)
Vireonidae
Black-throated Magpie-Jay – Urraca Cara Negra (Calocitta colliei)
Purplish-backed Jay – Chara Sinaloense (Cyanocorax beecheii)
San Blas Jay – Chara de San Blas (Cyanocorax sanblasianus)
Tufted Jay – Chara Pinta (Cyanocorax dickeyi)
Transvolcanic Jay – Chara Transvolcánica (Aphelocoma ultramarina)
Sinaloa Crow – Cuervo Sinaloense (Corvus sinaloae)
Hirundinidae
Sinaloa Martin – Golondrina Sinaloense (Progne sinaloae)
Gray-breasted Martin – Golondrina Pecho Gris (Progne chalybea)
Polioptilidae
Black-capped Gnatcatcher – Perlita Sinaloense (Polioptila nigriceps)
Troglodytidae
Gray-barred Wren – Matraca Barrada (Campylorhynchus megalopterus)
Spotted Wren – Matraca Serrana (Campylorhynchus gularis)
Happy Wren – Saltapared Feliz (Pheugopedius felix)
Sinaloa Wren – Saltapared Sinaloense (Thryophilus sinaloa)
Passeriformes: Mimidae
Blue Mockingbird – Mulato Azul (Melanotis caerulescens)
Passeriformes: Turdidae
Russet Nightingale-Thrush – Zorzal Mexicano (Catharus occidentalis)
Aztec Thrush – Mirlo Azteca (Ridgwayia pinicola)
Passeriformes: Frigillidae
West Mexican Euphonia – Eufonia Garganta Negra Mexicana (Euphonia godmani)
Passeriformes: Passerellidae
Black-chested Sparrow – Zacatonero Pecho Negro (Peucaea humeralis)
Green-striped Brushfinch – Rascador Cejas Verdes (Arremon virenticeps)
Striped Sparrow – Zacatonero Serrano (Oriturus superciliosus)
Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow – Rascador Nuca Canela (Melozone kieneri)
Collared Towhee – Rascador de Collar (Pipilo ocai)
Rufous-capped Brushfinch – Rascador Gorra Rufa (Atlapetes pileatus)
Passeriformes: Parulidae
Gray-crowned Yellowthroat – Mascarita Pico Grueso (Geothlypis poliocephala)
Red Warbler – Chipe Rojo (Cardellina rubra)
Passeriformes: Cardinalidae
Red-headed Tanager – Piranga Cabeza Roja (Piranga erythrocephala)
Red-breasted Chat – Granatelo Mexicano (Granatellus venustus)
Orange-breasted Bunting – Colorín Pecho Naranja (Passerina leclancherii)
Passeriformes: Thraupidae
Cinnamon-rumped Seedeater – Semillero Rabadilla Canela (Sporophila torqueola)