Bird Life in Mexico

 

On this quiet Saturday I thought I'd take a look at some of the photos of birds from Mexico. I've been trying to identify them using Mexican Birds, with a fair bit of success, I think. As always, I am always open to correction on identification. 

The Little Green Heron, above, didn't seem at all concerned about me on the river bank above him. His colouring is so rich.

There were so many beautiful birds. We walked along the river in Puerto Vallarta and saw them flitting about, perched on trees or on rocks in the water. This might be a Great Kiskadee, although I'm not certain. Looks like he's wearing a flat black cap on his head. 

One day we took a water taxi to a fishing village. Brown Pelicans often glide over the water just off the beaches, graceful despite their gangly appearance. One day we took a water taxi to a fishing village and this one posed admirably as we floated by. 

I think this is a Tropical Kingbird perched on a power line in the fishing village of Quimixto. We enjoyed a hike to a waterfall there, and a delicious lunch of fish tacos on a white sand beach with the waves splashing on the shore. 

On our walk to the waterfall we saw several Chacalaca Birds (so much fun to say). In one spot there were about six Chacalacas racing around the woods chasing each other in a circle of about 20 feet. Round and round they went. Our guide had never seen that behaviour before. They are said to be very loud birds, but we didn't hear them beyond the racket they made running around.

In the river estuary near where we ate lunch Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets waded together, both elegant and deliberate in their movements.

On another day we visited the Botanical Gardens where trails wind through forested wildlands, down to the river, and up again. More groomed gardens surround the restaurant and nursery where one can purchase plants. The orchids were amazing, and I'll share those another time. 

Across the river, we watched a variety of birds flitting between shadow and light. The Squirrel Cuckoo above is well camouflaged. When he flies his long tail streams out in a fan behind. A beautiful sight. 

On one of our first walks along the river, I spied this bright orange bird, a Hooded Oriole, I think. I tried to photograph it with my small camera while Tim watched through his binoculars. It wasn't until today, while looking at the photos, that we noticed the looming iguana above the bird. We didn't even see him while we were focused on the Oriole. The bird didn't seem too concerned either. 

One day while walking along the river path we heard a branch crack from a tree just ahead of us. It fell with a thud to the ground. When we got closer we saw just a bit of leafy branch and a big iguana. It had fallen out of the tree. Temperatures were a bit cooler than normal, and apparently iguanas become lethargic and unbalanced when cold and literally fall out of trees. No harm was done and when we passed by later the iguana had moved on. 

It's evening now and time to read a book or watch a British mystery. The little girls are spending the night and have been tucked in after their baths. I'm glad to put my feet up.