6 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Very special thanks to Dr. Nelly M. Robles Garca, for her trust and
valuable support to make of this guide a reality and for the motiva-
tion to promote appreciation of birds in Oaxaca, while training mem-
bers of the communities as bird guides, while wisely combining the
promotion of archeological sites and their ecotouristic potential. All
these benefit the ecosystem and the neighbouring communities; and to
Arqlgo. Miguel ngel Cruz Gonzlez, present director of the Monte
Albn Archeological Area for his support of this effort.
We thank Olga Landa, Guillermo Ramn, Jorge Ros, Aciel Sn-
chez y Martn, Berenice Villanueva and the rest of the INAH Oax-
aca team for their support in logistics; and special thanks to Manelik
Olivera and Dante Garca for their friendship, help and solidarity. We
appreciate the interest and dedication expressed by our students and
soon to be Bird Guides: Rosendo, Enrique, Fredy, Azael, Silvia and
Daro, as well as the personal sacrifices each of them made to comply
with their training duties.
The text revision, comments and suggestions by Hctor Gmez de
Silva, Jorge Montejo and Amy McAndrews, with whom we share our love
and dedication for the birds, has been of enormous value to the technical
quality of this bird guide.
This book would not have been possible without the invaluable
support in the professional design by Susana Wald, Mario Lugos and
Javier Ros.
We are grateful for the friendship of Edgar del Valle whose persever-
ance enforces our confidence that he is always there when we need him.
Special thanks to Jane Ruiz for building the portable studio where
many of the photographs in this book were taken and for her tolerance
allowing us to do many unusual things in her home.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 7
El INAH junto con Tierra de Aves, motivados por un compromiso so-
cial, en el proceso de la elaboracin de esta gua, capacitaron a personas
de las comunidades aledaas a los sitios arqueolgicos de Monte Albn
y Yagul para poder llevar visitantes a observar aves en dichos sitios.
8 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
During the process of elaborating this guide book and motivated by a
social commitment, INAH together with Tierra de Aves, have trained
people from the communities neighboring Monte Albn and Yagul so
that they may lead bird watching tours around these sites.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 9
Presentacin
10 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Presentation
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 11
Conservacin del hbitat en Monte Albn y Yagul
Los sitios arqueolgicos de Monte Albn especies de fauna silvestres, incluyendo
y Yagul son un tesoro invaluable no slo a las aves. A pesar de que en los terre-
para el Estado de Oaxaca, sino para nos agrcolas aparentemente hay ms
todo Mxico y el mundo. Yagul es un aves, stas son de especies comunes de
rea Natural Protegida y el 1 de agosto amplia distribucin y no de las especies
de 2010 la UNESCO decret Patrimonio raras y endmicas. La importancia del
de la Humanidad 5,000 hectreas de las hbitat natural no reside en el nmero
Cuevas Prehistricas de Yagul y Mitla. de especies de aves, sino en el nmero
En estas cuevas se encontr la evidencia de especies endmicas que lo ocupan.
ms antigua en Amrica de domestica- De las trece especies de aves endmicas
cin de semillas, hace 10,000 aos. que se encuentran en Yagul y Monte
El florecimiento de esas antiguas Albn, doce dependen de habitat no
culturas sin duda dependa de la inte- perurbado para anidar. Esto es vital
raccin de su gente con los recursos para su supervivencia en condiciones
naturales y la rica biodiversidad de la naturales.
regin que se ha conservado durante Se recomienda, para el bien de las
milenios. Entre las amenazas a dicha aves y otras especies, mantener lo ms
bio-diversidad destaca el cambio de uso ntegro y ex-tenso posible el hbitat
del suelo para uso urbano y/o agrcola natural en estos sitios arqueolgicos.
que lleva a la remocin de la vegetacin La buena condicin de conserva-
natural. La invasin de la mancha urba- cin de Yagul y la reciente declaratoria
na ha sido y es un problema latente en como Patrimonio de la Humanidad de
la zona de Monte Albn, prxima a la las Cuevas de Yagul y Mitla, ofrecen el
ciudad de Oaxaca. En Yagul esta ame- marco para un manejo que promueva la
naza la representa la expansin de los proteccin contra las amenazas latentes
terrenos agrcolas. Al alterarse el hbitat de hoy en da que sin duda se refleja-
se pierden las condiciones ideales para r en el bienestar de las aves en estas
la sobrevivencia de la composicin de zonas.
Monte Albn
12
Habitat conservation in Monte Alban and Yagul
The sites of Monte Alban and Yagul survival of wildlife species are affected.
are treasures of immense value not only This is the case of the birds found
for the State of Oaxaca, but for Mexico there. The seeming abundance of birds
and the world. Yagul is a Natural Pro- in agricultural areas, is tempered by the
tected Area. On August 1st, 2010, 5,000 fact that most belong to wide ranging
hectares around the Prehistoric Caves and common species and not to rare
of Yagul and Mitla have been declared endemic ones. The importance of the
World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Evi- natural habitat is not the number of
dence of domestication of seeds as far species of birds, but rather the number
back as 10,000 years ago was found in of endemic ones, which pertain to a
the Caves, the oldest record for the particular area.
American Continent. Undoubtedly the In the natural habitat of Yagul we
flourishing of these great cultures de- find thirteen species endemic to Mexi-
pended on the interaction of people co of which twelve nest in this natural
with natural resources in the rich biodi- habitat.
versity of their environment, well con- It is recommended for the benefit of
served over millenia. the wild birds and other species that
Among the threats to such biodiver- the largest possible extension of natu-
sity is the use of land for urban and/ ral habitat be maintained close to these
or agricultural development implying archaeological sites.
the removal of natural vegetation. The The good condition of the natural
invasion by urban development has habitat around Yagul and its recent dec-
been and still is a latent threat in the laration as Human Heritage Site, offer
Monte Albn area. Around Yagul the important management tools that will
main threat is the expansion of agricul- promote its conservation and protection
tural land. against the latent threats it faces today;
When such alteration of natural habi- this will undoubtedly reflect on the well-
tat happens the ideal conditions for the being of the birds that live there.
Yagul
13
Cmo usar esta gua / How to Use this Guide
Nombre en espaol
Name in Spanish
Hbitat
Tngara roja Matorral
Nombre en ingls
Habitat Scrub habitat
Octubre a abril
Summer Tanager
Piranga rubra
October through April
Name in English
poca del ao
16 a 20 cm; macho: todo rojo uniforme,
pico amarillento; hembra: verde amaril-
Time of year
lenta.
Come abejas y avispas, pero antes les Nombre en latn
quita el aguijn golpeando al insecto
contra las ramas. Latin name
Criterios de 6.5 to 8; male: uniform red, yellowish
bill; female: all yellowish green.
Eats bees and wasps, but before it does
identificacin y so, it removes the stinger by banging the
insect against the branches.
datos de interes
Morphology and 170 MANUEL GROSSELET F I E L D G U I D E G E O R G I TA R U I Z
special features
16 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Mandbula superior Supra lores
Upper mandibule Supra Loral Corona
Frente
Culmen Crown Ceja
Forehead Supercilium
Culmen Anillo ocular
Eye ring
Mandbula inferior Nuca
Lower mandibule Nape
Barbilla
Chin
Garganta
Throat Cachete, auricular o partico
Cheek, auricular or parotic
Primarias
Primaries
Cobertoras primarias
Primary coverts
Cobertores grandes
Greater coverts Secundarias
Alula Secondaries
Alula
Cobertores medianas
Medium coverts
Cobertores pequeas Escapulares Terciarias
Small coverts Scapulars Tertials
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 17
Cerceta alazul Humedal / Wetland
Octubre a marzo / October through March
40 cm. Macho: media luna blanca en la
Blue-winged Teal base del pico. Hembra: raya postocular
Anas discors evidente que la distingue de la hembra
de la cerceta canela.
Migra grandes distancias desde el norte
de Canad y Estados Unidos hasta
Mxico donde se concentra en la Penn-
sula de Yucatn.
15 to16. Male: white half moon on lores
region. Female: evident post-ocular stripe
that distinguishes her from the Cinnamon
Teal.
Migrates long distances from northern
Canada and United States to Mexico;
concentrates in the Yucatan Peninsula.
18 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Chachalaca plida
Residente, endmico
Resident, endemic West Mexican
60 cm. Es ms fcil escuchar que ver; Chachalaca
grande, con cola larga; vientre blancuz- Ortalis poliocephala
co, punta de la cola clara.
Esta especie se encuentra principalmente
en las costas del Pacfico de Mxico.
25. Easier heard than seen; large, with
long tail, whitish belly; light color on tip
of tail.
This species is mainly found on the Pacific
coasts of Mxico.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 19
Plumaje de invierno
20 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Adulto
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 21
Garza blanca Humedal / Wetland
Agosto a mayo
August through May
Great Egret 84 a 100 cm; toda blanca, con pico
Ardea alba amarillo. Cuello ms largo que el cuerpo.
Como todas las garzas, en vuelo, gen-
eralmente vuela con el cuello doblado
bajo el cuerpo que parece un bulto
colgante. Aletea lentamente.
La garza blanca ms longeva conocida,
tena 23 aos.
33 to 39; all white, yellow bill. Neck
longer than the body. As in most herons,
during flight the neck curls under the
body; it flaps its wings in slow motion.
The oldest known Great Egret was 23
years old.
22 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Humedal
Wetland Garceta pie-dorado
Agosto a mayo
August through May Snowy Egret
48 a 60 cm; toda blanca, con pico Egretta thula
negro. La parte posterior del tarso y los
dedos son amarillos.
Como muchas garzas, pesca arponeando
sus presas.
19 to 23; all white, with black bill, back
of tarsus and feet are yellow.
As many egrets, it fishes by spearing its
prey.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 23
Garza garrapatera Humedal, pastizal
Wetlands, grasslands
Agosto a mayo
Cattle Egret August through May
Bubulcus ibis 48 cm; pico amarillo, cuello ms corto
que el cuerpo. Se ve cerca del ganado.
Aletea rpidamente. Es una especie
originaria de frica, Europa y Asia, lleg
a Florida en 1941 y la primera anidacin
reportada en Mxico fue en 1963.
19; yellow bill, short neck. Found near
cattle. Fast wing beat. Originally from the
Old World, arrived in Florida in 1941
and was first recorded nesting in Mexico
in 1963.
24 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Adulto Joven
Humedal
Wetland Garceta verde
Agosto a mayo
August through May Green Heron
38 a 43 cm; apariencia oscura, espalda Butorides virescens
verde. Por lo general se esconde en la
vegetacin.
Para pescar, esta garza a veces coloca
un atrayente para los peces en el agua,
como migajas o insectos y cuando estos
vienen a comerlo, los arponea.
15 to 17; dark appearance, green back.
Generally hides in the vegetation.
This heron sometimes puts crumbs or
insects as fish bait in the water, and when
the fish come to eat, the heron spears
them.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 25
Zopilote comn rea abierta
Open area
Residente
Black Vulture Resident
Coragyps atratus 60 cm; envergadura: 150 cm; perchado
se ve todo negro, incluyendo la cabeza. Al
vuelo, parche blanco en la punta del ala,
cola corta y redonda. Aletea mucho.
Al igual que la cigea, esta especie no
tiene rgano para producir sonido, llamado
siringe.
22 to 26; wingspan: 55 to 62; perched,
it looks all black including the head. In flight,
whitish patch on the tip of wing, short round
tail. Beats its wings frequently.
Like storks, this species does not have an
organ to emit sound known as syrinx.
26 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Adulto
rea abierta
Open area Aura comn
Residente
Resident Turkey Vulture
66 a 77 cm; envergadura: 165-185 cm; Cathartes aura
cabeza roja; negro con gris debajo del
ala, sin blanco; cola larga.
Se alimenta de carroa que encuentra
a travs del olfato y que puede detectar
mucho antes de que sea visible.
26 to 30; wingspan: 65-72; red head;
black and gray under the wings without
white; long tail.
Feeds on carrion it finds through its sense
of smell, which may happen long before it
can be seen.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 27
Adulto
28 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
rea abierta
Open area Gaviln rastrero
Octubre a marzo
October through March Northern Harrier
45 a 56 cm; envergadura: 99-117 cm; Circus cyaneus
rabadilla blanca, vuela mirando hacia
abajo, frecuentemente a poca altura.
A diferencia de la mayora de las aves
rapaces diurnas, utiliza el odo para
encontrar su presa.
18 to 22; wingspan: 39 to 46; white
rump, flies looking down, and often close
to the ground.
In contrast with most diurnal raptors, it uses
its sense of hearing to find its prey.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 29
Adulto
30 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Adulto
Distribucin amplia
Widespread distribution Gaviln de Cooper
Residente
Resident Coopers Hawk
38 a 51 cm; envergadura: 68 a 87 cm; Accipiter cooperii
cabeza grande, corona oscura; cola
larga y con punta redonda.
Especialista en cazar aves hasta del
tamao de una paloma. Es raro verlo en
verano en Oaxaca.
15 to 20; wingspan: 27 to 34; large
head, dark crown; long tail with rounded
tip.
Specialized in hunting birds as big as a Joven
dove. In Oaxaca rare during summer.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 31
Forma clara
32 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Forma clara
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 33
Inmaduro
34 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Distribucin amplia / Widespread distribution
Residente / Resident Aguililla aura
45 a 53 cm; envergadura: 122 a137 cm;
Ad: todo oscuro con banda blanca en Zone-tailed Hawk
la cola. Inm: sin banda blanca. Alas seme- Buteo albonotatus
jantes a las del Aura comn. Al vuelo,
se aprecia la cera amarilla alrededor
del pico. Con su vuelo semejante al
aura comn, carroero, confunde a sus
vctimas cuando caza.
18 to 21; wingspan: 48 to 44; Ad: all
dark with white tail band. Imm: no white
tail band. Wings look like those of the
Turkey Vulture. During flight, yellow cere
around the bill. Flies like Turkey Vulture
which feeds on carrion, thus confusing its
victims when hunting.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 35
Adulto
Forma clara
36 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Adulto
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 37
Cerncalo americano Amplia distribucin
Widespread distribution
Septiembre a abril
American Kestrel September through April
Falco sparverius 25 a 29 cm; envergadura: 61 a 65 cm;
parche blanco en la cara, alas azules en
el macho. En vuelo, alas puntiagudas y
cola larga; puede realizar vuelos estticos
mientras caza. En invierno, las hembras
prefieren partes abiertas; los machos
prefieren partes ms arboladas.
10 to 11.5; wingspan: 24 to 25.5;
white patch on face; male has blue wings.
In flight, sharp wings and long tail; when
hunting, performs static flights. During
winter the females found in open areas;
males in more wooded ones.
38 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Distribucin amplia
Widespread distribution Halcn peregrino
Septiembre a mayo (posible en verano)
September through May (possible during Peregrine Falcon
summer) Falco peregrinus
38 a 51 cm; envergadura: 96 a 116 cm;
capucha negra, alas muy puntiagudas.
En sus picadas, puede alcanzar una
velocidad hasta de 320 km/hora.
15 to 20; wingspan: 38 to 47; black
hood, very pointed wings.
While diving it can reach a speed of up to
320km/hr.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 39
Rascn limcola Humedal
Wetland
Octubre a marzo, raro en verano
Virginia Rail October through March, rare during
Rallus limicola summer
21 a 24 cm; pico largo y rojo, cachete
gris, cobertoras debajo de la cola
blancuzcas.
El rascn limcola y otros rlidos tienen
mayor volumen de msculos en las patas
en proporcin a los msculos de vuelo,
que todas las dems especies de aves.
8.5 to 9.5; long red bill, grey cheeks,
off-white undertail coverts.
The Virginia Rail and other rail species
have the highest ratio of leg muscles to
flight muscles of any birds.
40 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Humedal
Wetland Polluela sora
Septiembre a abril
September through April Sora
20 a 22 cm; pico corto amarillo, cola Porzana carolina
pequea y levantada.
Se puede ver en la orilla de los pantanos
y las cinegas, entre la vegetacin. Le
gusta ocultarse en los tules.
8 to 8.5; short yellow bill, tiny tail point-
ing upward.
They can be seen on the edge of marshes,
within the vegetation. They like to hide
among the reeds.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 41
Gallareta americana Humedal
Wetland
Octubre a marzo
American Coot October through March
Fulica americana 35 a 41 cm; todo negro con pico blanco.
Puede nadar, aunque no tiene membra-
nas interdigitales, sino lbulos en los
dedos. A pesar de su apariencia pesada,
es un ave que migra grandes distancias.
14 to16; all black with white bill.
Swims, but its toes have lobes instead of
webs. In spite of its heavy appearance, it
migrates long distances.
42 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Humedal, cultivo
Wetland, field Chorlo tildo
Residente, raro en verano
Resident, rare in summer Killdeer
24 a 26 cm; doble banda pectoral negra. Charadrius vociferus
Cuando el ave percibe peligro cerca del
nido, finge tener un ala rota para distraer
al potencial depredador. Se adapta bien
al hbitat modificado por urbanizacin.
9.5 to10; double black pectoral band.
When this bird senses a threat to the
nest, it pretends to have a broken wing to
distract the potential predator. It adapts to
habitats modified by urbanization.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 43
Invierno
44 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Parque urbano y matorral
City park and scrub Paloma aliblanca
Residente
Resident White-winged Dove
26 a 31 cm; azul alrededor del ojo. Es Zenaida asiatica
la nica paloma con una larga banda
blanca en el ala.
Esta paloma era migratoria hasta el inicio
de este siglo cuando se comenz a regis-
trar durante el verano y en reproduccin
en los Valles Centrales de Oaxaca.
10.5 to 12; blue around the eye. It is
the only dove with a large white band on
the wing. This dove used to be migratory
until the beginning of this century when it
started to reproduce all year round in the
Central Valleys of Oaxaca.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 45
Paloma huilota Zona semi-rida
Semi-arid area
Residente
Mourning Dove Resident
Zenaida macroura 25 a 31 cm; cola larga y puntiaguda.
Es la especie de paloma ms comn en
Norteamrica. Su canto es melanclico.
10 to 12; has long, narrow, pointed tail.
It is the most common dove species of
North America. Its song sounds melan-
cholic.
46 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Amplia distribucin
Widespread Trtola colalarga
Residente
Resident Inca Dove
20 a 23 cm; cola larga, espalda esca- Columbina inca
mosa.
Al caminar parece color caf, pero al
despegar, se ve el rojo de las alas.
8 to 9; has long tail, scaled back.
When on the ground it appears to be
completely brown, but when it flies, the red
of the wings becomes visible.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 47
Trtola coquita Zona urbana y zona rida
Urban area, arid habitat
Residente
Common Ground-Dove Resident
Columbina passerina 16 a 17 cm; cola corta, manchas oscuras
en las alas que no alcanzan las escapu-
lares.
Forma pareja de por vida y defiende
territorio permanentemente.
6.2 to 6.7; has short tail, dark spots on
wing below the scapulars.
They mate for life and defend their terri-
tory permanently.
48 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Selva baja caducifolia / Short dry forest
Residente / Resident Paloma arroyera
28 a 30 cm; blanco en la punta de los
lados de cola. Cuerpo caf claro con la White-tipped Dove
corona y nuca color vino. Difcil de ver, Leptotila verreauxi
por lo general se ve cuando despega
del piso.
Esta paloma mantiene muy limpio su
nido a diferencia de otras que lo dejan
ensuciar.
11 to 12; white on the corners of the tail
tip. Light brown body; wine colored crown
and nape.
Is hard to see, usually visible as it takes off
from the ground.
This dove keeps its nest very clean, as op-
posed to other doves that soil their nests.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 49
Cuclillo canelo Matorral, solamente en Monte Albn
Scrub habitat, only in Monte Alban
Residente
Squirrel Cuckoo Resident
Piaya cayana 40 a 50 cm; pjaro todo canela, grande
con cola larga.
Especie que apenas se registr en Monte
Albn en 2010, no se conoca antes para
la zona.
16 to 19.5; is all cinnamon color, large
bird with long tail.
Species recently registered in Monte Al-
ban, since 2010; was not known before.
50 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral rido / Arid scrub
Residente / Resident Correcaminos
40 a 50 cm; rayas en los lados del
cuello, parte delantera del cuello y pecho tropical
beige sin rayas, cola larga. Corre con el
cuerpo horizontal. Lesser Roadrunner
Este gnero inspir la caricatura del Geococcyx velox
Coyote que corretea al correcaminos
Bip Bip.
16 to 20; has stripes on the sides of the
neck, front of the neck and breast beige
without stripes, long tail. Runs with the
body in a horizontal position.
This genus inspired the cartoon of Wile
E. Coyote chasing the roadrunner Beep
Beep.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 51
Garrapatero pijuy Matorral rido / Arid Scrub
Residente / Resident
30 a 35 cm; color negro, pico corto,
Groove-billed Ani grueso y aplanado de los lados, cola
Crotophaga sulcirostris larga, gregario. Vocaliza pi juy.
Esta especie viven en grupos de 1 a 5
parejas. Al anidar, varias parejas com-
parten el mismo nido y todos incuban los
huevos. No confundir con el zanate, que
tiene el pico largo y puntiagudo.
12 to 13.5; has short, thick, laterally flat-
tened bill, long tail, gregarious. Vocalizes
pee hooey. This species lives in groups
of 1 to 5 couples. While breeding, several
pairs share the same nest and they all
incubate the eggs. Do not confuse with
Grackle which has a long, pointed bill.
52 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Zona urbana y humedal / Urban area
and wetland Lechuza de campanario
Residente / Resident
35 a 40 cm; todo blanco en el lado ven- Barn Owl
tral y la cara tiene forma de corazn. Tyto alba
Se escucha ms de lo que se ve. No es
ave de mal agero. Es benfico, ya que
se alimenta de roedores en las ciudades y
campo. Su odo es tan sensible que puede
atrapar ratones en la oscuridad total.
14 to16; all white underparts, heart-
shaped face.
It is more commonly heard than seen.
Not a bad omen, quite the contrary, it is
beneficial. It eats rodents in the cities and
fields. Its sense of hearing is so fine that it
can catch mice in total darkness.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 53
Tecolote llanero rea abierta
Open field
Octubre a marzo, rara
Burrowing Owl October through March, rare
Athene cunicularia 23 a 26 cm; ojos amarillos, patas largas.
Usualmente se encuentra sobre el piso,
se refugia en cavidades donde tambin
anida. Por lo general come insectos du-
rante el da y ratones durante la noche.
9 to 10; has yellow eyes, long legs.
Often found on the ground where it bur-
rows, and also nests. It eats insects during
the day and mice at night.
54 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Barranca, cueva / Ravine, cave
Residente / Resident Bho cornudo
48 a 54 cm; envergadura: 105 a 125
cm; uno de los bhos ms grandes de Great Horned Owl
Mxico. Parece tener cuernos y sus ojos Bubo virginianus
son amarillos. Al atardecer cuando vuela
es fcil confundirlo con un aguililla, sin
embargo, pareciera no tener cabeza.
Es el nico animal que come zorrillo
regularmente .
19 to 22; wingspan: 41 to 49; one
of the largest owls in Mexico. It has ear
tufts and yellow eyes. At dusk it can be
easily confused with a hawk, but without
a head.
The Great Horned Owl is the only animal
that eats skunks regularly.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 55
Chotacabras menor Zona abierta / Open area
Residente raro en verano
Resident rare en summer
Lesser Nighthawk 20 a 23 cm; envergadura: 51 a 60 cm,
Chordeiles acutipennis en vuelo: banda blanca casi en la punta
del ala. Perchado: alas y cola de la misma
longitud. Vuela alto al atardecer. Captura
mariposas nocturnas al vuelo. Su pico
parece muy pequeo, pero al abrirlo, es
casi tan grande como su cabeza.
8 to 9; wingspan: 20 to 23.5; white
stripe near tip of wing in flight. Perched:
wing tips and tail are the same length.
Flies high during the evening. Catches
moths during night flights. Its bill appears
to be very small, but when it opens it, its
almost as big as its head.
56 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Areo /Aerial
Marzo a octubre / March through November
17 cm, envergadura: 40 cm. Todo negro;
Vencejo negro
pliegue de las alas muy cerca del cuerpo; Black Swift
parte posterior despus de alas corres- Cypseloides niger
ponde a la mitad del tamao del cuerpo;
macho: cola bifurcada; hembra: cola
cuadrada. Distinto del Vencejo de cuello
castao que tiene la parte posterior mas
corta que el resto del cuerpo.
6 to 7, wingspan: 14,3 to 16,5 all
black; angle of wrist very close to body; half
of the body projects behind the wing; male
has forked tail and female has square tail.
Size of tail distinguishes it from Chesnut-
collared Swift, whose posterior part of the
body is shorter than the rest.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 57
Vencejo Areo
Aerial
58 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral rocoso
Rocky Scrub Tapacamino
Residente (por confirmar)
Resident, (to be confirmed) tu-cuchillo
21 a 23 cm; sin blanco en alas, cola
larga redonda. Vuela cerca del piso. Buff-collared Nightjarh
En los Valles Centrales se escucha cantar Caprimulgus ridgwayi
desde febrero hasta mayo, despus no se
sabe si permanece ah o se va.
8.5 to 9; has no white on wings, long,
rounded tail. Flies close to the ground.
In the Central Valleys it can be heard
singing from February through May, after
which it is not known whether it stays or
goes elsewhere.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 59
Colibr oscuro Matorral y parte abierta
Scrub and open area
Residente
Dusky Hummingbird Resident
Cynanthus sordidus 9 a 10 cm; pico con rojo, pecho gris su-
cio, verde pastel arriba. Hembra: esquina
de la cola clara.
Esta especie es endmica al centro de
Mxico. Se confunde con el colibr de
pico ancho que tiene la espalda verde
esmeralda.
3to 4; bill with red, dusky under parts,
pastel green upperparts. Female: light color
on external tips of the tail.
This species is endemic to central Mexico.
Often confused with Broad-billed Humming-
bird, which has emerald green back.
60 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Zafiro oreja blanca
Ocasional
Vagrant White-eared
9 a 10 cm; distintiva lnea blanca detrs Hummingbird
del ojo. Hylocharis leucotis
Como todos los colibres, no puede
caminar o brincar.
Sus pollos al nacer, son tan pequeos
que caben en una cuchara de t.
3.5 to 4; distinctive white line behind
the eye.
As all hummingbirds, it does not walk or
jump.
The hatchlings are so tiny that they fit
inside a tea spoon.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 61
Colibr berilo Matorral, zona urbana
Scrub habitat, urban area
Residente
Berylline Hummingbird Resident
Amazilia beryllina 9.5 a 10 cm; pico recto, cola y alas caf
rojizos.
Como muchos colibres, pelean entre s
y contra otras aves frecuentemente ms
grandes.
3.7 to 4; straight bill, reddish-brown tail
and wings.
Like many hummingbirds, it fights amongst
its kind and against other, often larger
species.
62 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Colibr corona violeta
Residente, ocasional
Uncommon resident Violet-crowned
10 a 12 cm; garganta, pecho y vientre Hummingbird
completamente blancos. Pico recto rojo, Amazilia violiceps
corona violeta.
Para encontrar esta especie, busca las
flores amarillas tubulares.
4 to 4.5; all white under parts. Straight
red bill, violet crown.
To find this bird, look for tubular yellow
flowers.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 63
Colibr magnfico Matorral
Scrub habitat
Residente
Magnificent Hummingbird Resident
Eugenes fulgens 12 a 13.5 cm; colibr grande; el macho
parece ser todo negro; pico negro y
recto, punto blanco bien marcado detrs
del ojo.
El pulso de un colibr, puede subir hasta
900 latidos por minuto.
4.7 to 5.3; large hummingbird; the male
usually looks all black; straight black bill,
distinctive white spot behind the eye.
The heartbeat frequency of a hummingbird
can reach up to 900 beats per minute.
64 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral rido / Arid scrub
Residente / Resident Colibr zapoteco
8 a 9 cm; muy pequeo, pico ligeramente
curvo. Macho: garganta magenta, cola
(Antes Colibr oaxaqueo)
muy bifurcada, vientre con chaleco
verdoso. Hembra: cola bifurcada con lados
Beautiful (Zapotec)
canela, vientre beige. Endmica al centro
Hummingbird
de Mxico. Algunos aos es muy comn,
Calothorax pulcher
no es fcil de encontrar. Se encuentra ms
en Yagul que Monte Albn.
3.2 to 3.7; very small, slightly curved bill.
Male: magenta throat, strongly forked tail,
abdomen with a green vest. Female: forked
tail with cinnamon flanks, beige abdomen.
Endemic to central Mexico. Some years it is
very common, not easy to find, however it is
more common in Yagul than in Monte Alban.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 65
Joven
66 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral / Scrub habitat
Ocasional / Vagrant Zumbador cola ancha
9 a 10 cm; macho: garganta roja brilla
con la luz, cola negra, plumas anchas que Broad-tailed
rebasan claramente las alas una vez percha- Hummingbird
do. Hembra: pecho canela claro, garganta Selasphorus
con muchos puntos oscuros, base de la cola platycercus
canela. Cuando el macho vuela, sus alas
emiten un ruido similar al de un insecto, por
eso le dicen zumbador.
3.5 to 4; male: throat shines red in sunlight,
black tail, broad feathers; when perched,
tail tip extends beyond wingtips. Female:
light cinnamon chest, throat with dark spots,
cinnamon base of tail. When the male flies,
its wings make sounds of an insect; hence its
Spanish name: Zumbador (hummer).
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 67
Zumbador rufo Matorral rido / Dry scrub
Septiembre a diciembre
September through December
Rufous Hummingbird 8 a 9 cm; base de las rectrices canela,
Selasphorus rufus flancos anaranjados. En vuelo, la cola
parece puntiaguda. Oaxaca es su lmite
sur de distribucin. En verano puede ir
hasta Alaska, es el colibr que va ms al
norte. Su migracin puede ser de ms de
6,000 km de ida.
3.3 to 3.7 in.; base of the rectrices cin-
namon color, orange flanks. In flight, the
tail looks pointed. Oaxaca is the southern
limit of its distribution. During summer it can
go as far as Alaska, it is the hummingbird
that goes farthest north. Its migration can
be more than 3,728 miles one way.
68 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral rido
Dry scrub Carpintero pecho gris
Residente
Resident Gray-breasted
19 a 20 cm; cara gris sucia, dorso Woodpecker
rayado, vientre, pecho y garganta grises. Melanerpes hypopolius
Es una especie endmica del centro de
Mxico. A pesar de ser residente realiza
desplazamientos regulares en ciertas
pocas del ao; se desconocen los sitios
a donde se mueve.
7.5 to 8; dirty gray face, banded back
and gray under parts.
It is a species endemic to central Mexico.
Although it is resident, it moves seasonally
every year to unknown destinations.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 69
Chupasavia maculado Matorral y rea arbolada
Scrub habitat and wooded area
Septiembre hasta abril
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker September through April
Sphyrapicus varius 19 a 21 cm; en esta zona, es el nico
carpintero con una larga mancha blanca
en el ala.
Se puede detectar su presencia por lneas
horizontales de pequeos agujeros en los
troncos de los rboles.
7.5 to 8; in this area, it is the only
woodpecker with a large white patch on
the wing.
Horizontal lines of holes on tree trunks are
the evidence of its presence.
70 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Carpintero mexicano
Residente
Resident Ladder-backed
15 a 20 cm; cara blanca con negro y Woodpecker
espalda con rayas horizontales negro Picoides scalaris
con blanco
Es uno de los ms pequeos carpinteros
de Mxico. Puede anidar en troncos de
yuca.
6 to 8; black and white pattern on face,
black-and-white barred back.
It is one of the smallest woodpeckers in
Mexico, it can nest in the trunks of the
yucca plant.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 71
Mosquerito lampio Matorral
Scrub habitat
Residente
Northern Beardless Resident
Tyrannulet 9.5 a 11 cm; muy pequeo, culmen curvo,
Camptostoma imberbe copete discreto.
Ms fcil de escuchar que ver. Es uno de
los ms pequeos mosqueros en Mxico.
3.8 to 4.2; very small, curved culmen,
slight crest.
Easier heard than seen. It is one of the
smallest flycatchers in Mexico.
72 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Elenia verdosa
Residente
Resident Greenish Elaenia
12.5 a 15 cm; cabeza griscea, espalda Myiopagis viridicata
verdosa, vientre amarillo.
Como muchos mosqueros, se percha en
posicin vertical.
5 to 5.7; grayish head, greenish back,
yellow belly.
As many flycatchers, it perches in an
upright position.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 73
Mosquero del Balsas Matorral / Scrub habitat
Residente endmico/ Resident endemic
13 a 15 cm; color verdoso a gris, cresta
Pileated Flycatcher erctil generalmente visible, anillo ocular
Xenotriccus mexicanus incompleto, bordes de las secundarias
canelas, cola larga. Vive dentro del
matorral.
Aunque es residente, en invierno es muy
difcil de encontrar. En primavera su canto
tpico se oye entre los matorrales.
5.2 to 5.7; greenish gray color, erectile
crest visible most of the time, incomplete
eye ring, cinnamon on the borders of the
secondaries, long tail. Lives in bushy areas.
Though resident, is very hard to see in
the winter. In springtime, its typical call is
heard in bushy areas.
74 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Caada
Ravine Mosquero copetn
Residente
Resident Tufted Flycatcher
12 a 13.5 cm; tiene cresta y cuerpo color Mitrephanes phaeocercus
canela.
Vuela de su percha, atrapa un insecto y
regresa enseguida al mismo sitio, compor-
tamiento tpico de los mosqueros.
4.7 to 5.2; crested; cinnamon colored
body.
It flies from its perch, traps an insect in flight
and returns to the same place right away,
typical behavior of a flycatcher.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 75
Pib boreal Matorral / Scrub habitat
Agosto a octubre y abril y mayo
August through October and April and May
Olive-sided Flycatcher 18 cm; cabeza oscura, con cresta ligera.
Contopus cooperi Linea vertical blanca en medio del pecho,
constrastante con flancos oscuros. A
veces, parches blancos a los lados de la
rabadilla. En los ltimos 40 aos, esta
especie presenta un marcado declive
poblacional estimado en ms de 72% en
Norte America.
6.8 to 7.3 dark head with slight crest.
White vertical line on front of the breast,
contrasting with dark flanks. Sometimes,
white patches on the sides of the rump.
In the last 40 years, this species has had
a marked decline of more than 72% in
North America.
76 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Pib mayor
Residente
Resident Greater Pewee
17 a 19 cm; con copete, toda la Contopus pertinax
mandbula inferior naranja intenso, canto
caracterstico tengo fro.
Su canto es la mejor forma de encon-
trarlo, se percha en lugares visibles.
6.8 to 7.5; crested, the lower mandible
is bright orange, sings hosay-marry-a.
The best way to find this bird is by its song.
It perches in conspicuous places.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 77
Joven
78 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Amplia distribucin / Widespread
Mayo y agosto / May and August Mosquero
12.5 a 14 cm; todo amarillento;
mandbula inferior naranja, anillo ocular vientre amarillo
bien marcado, dos barras alares blancas,
proyeccin primaria mediana. Diferenciar Yellow-bellied
del mosquero barranqueo con anillo Flycatcher
ocular ms marcado y barras alares me- Empidonax flaviventris
nos blancas. Presente en el sitio en mayo
pero raro en otoo.
5.2 to 5.5; all yellow; orange lower man-
dible, well marked eye ring and two white
wing bars, medium primary projection.
Distinguish from the Cordilleran Flycatcher
whose eye ring is thicker and better marked,
with less obvious wing bars. Present in the
sites in May but rare in Autumn.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 79
Mosquero ailero Amplia distribucin, ocasional
Widespread, occasional
Agosto a octubre y mayo a junio
Alder Flycatcher August through October and May through June
Empidonax alnorum 13 a 15 cm; pico largo y ancho, anillo
ocular presente pero tenue. Proyeccin
primaria mediana, espalda caf verdoso.
Son difciles de diferenciar, en particular
ste se parece al mosquero saucero que es
una rareza, pero puede ocurrir en este sitio.
Se diferencian por el canto.
5.3 to 6; long wide bill; slightly marked
eye ring. Medium length primary projection;
greenish brown back.
Hard to differentiate, this one is easily con-
fused with Willow Flycatcher; the best way
to differentiate them is by vocalization.
80 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Humedal, zacatn
Wetland, Grassland Mosquero
Abril a septiembre, raro
April through September, rare garganta blanca
12 a 14 cm; garganta blanca, espalda
caf, alas cortas, patas negras, canto White-throated Flycatcher
nico. Anillo ocular casi ausente. Empidonax albigularis
Esta especie migra dentro de Mxico;
durante el invierno se encuentra en los hu-
medales de la costa y durante el verano
en las partes altas.
5 to 5.5; white throat, brown back, short
wings, black legs, unique song. Very slight
eye ring. This species migrates within
Mexico; in winter it can be found in the
coastal wetlands and in the summer in the
highlands.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 81
Mosquero Matorral
Scrub habitat
82 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Mosquero gris
Agosto a abril, raro
August through April, rare Gray Flycatcher
14 a 15 cm; tono gris en general; pico Empidonax wrightii
largo con la punta de la mandbula
inferior negra. Mueve despacio la cola,
pero a diferencia de todos los dems
Empidonax, primero la mueve para abajo
y despus hacia arriba. Esto es caracters-
tico de esta especie.
5.5 to 6; is all grayish; long bill with
dark tip on lower mandible. Initially wags
tail slowly downwards, then up. This is
characteristic of this species.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 83
Mosquero oscuro Matorral / Scrub habitat
Octubre a abril / October through April
13 a 15 cm; mandbula inferior naranja en
Dusky Flycatcher la base y ms oscura hacia la punta. Borde
Empidonax oberholseri oscuro de las coberteras secundarias, sin
contraste. La corta proyeccin primaria, da
la impresin de una cola larga. Menea la
cola primero hacia arriba y luego hacia
abajo. Difcil de identificar, usar la combi-
nacin de criterios y el hbitat.
5.2 to 5.7; lower mandible orange at
base and darker towards tip, no contrast
on external border of secondary coverts,
short primary projection gives the impres-
sion of a long tail. Tail pumps first up then
down. Difficult to differentiate; combine
above criteria with habitat.
84 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Barranca / Ravine
Residente / Resident Mosquero
13 a 14 cm; verdoso, anillo ocular evidente
ms marcado detrs del ojo. Los mosqueros barranqueo
del gnero Empidonax se parecen mucho.
Su plumaje verdoso es difcil de ver entre Cordilleran Flycatcher
el follaje, pero su canto, de dos notas, es Empidonax occidentalis
caracterstico.
Diferenciar del mosquero de vientre amarillo,
con anillo ocular ms delgado.
5.2 to 5.5; greenish; conspicuous eye ring,
broader behind the eye. Empidonax flycatch-
ers are confusingly similar.
Its greenish plumage, is difficult to see
amongst the foliage, but its double note song
is characteristic.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 85
Papamoscas llanero Zona abierta, pastizal
Open field, grassland
Septiembre a abril
Says Phoebe September through April
Sayornis saya 17.5 a 19 cm; parte superior color cenizo,
vientre color canela.
Es una especie migratoria, anida en el
norte de Mxico. No confundir con la hem-
bra de papamoscas cardenalito, que tiene
el pecho blanco con finas rayas.
7 to 7.5; grayish-brown above, tawny
below.
It is a migratory species; nests in northern
Mexico. Do not confuse with the female
Vermilion Flycatcher, which has a whitish
breast with fine dark streaks.
86 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Humedal
Wetland Papamoscas negro
Residente
Resident Black Phoebe
15 a 18 cm; negro con vientre blanco, Sayornis nigricans
generalmente se encuentra cerca del
agua.
Vuela a ras del agua para capturar
insectos.
6 to 7; black with white belly, usually
found near water.
To capture insects flies skimming the water.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 87
Mosquero cardenal rea abierta, humedal
Open field, wetland
Residente
Vermilion Flycatcher Resident
Pyrocephalus rubinus 12.5 a 14.5 cm. Macho: rojo brillante
con mscara, dorso alas, y cola negra.
Hembra: pecho rayado y vientre rosa
salmn.
Esconde su nido cubrindolo con
lquenes, simulando la corteza del tronco.
5 to 5.7. Male: bright red with black
mask, back wings and tail. Female:
streaked breast and salmon-colored belly.
Hides its nest covering it with lichens,
simulating the bark of a tree trunk.
88 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Papamoscas triste
Residente
Resident Dusky-capped Flycatcher
16 a 19 cm; cabeza gris, barras alares Myiarchus tuberculifer
difusas, caf en los bordes de las
coberteras secundarias, vientre amarillo y
caf claro debajo de la cola.
Se localiza fcilmente por su llamado, un
silbido largo y triste.
6.3 to 7.3; gray head, diffuse wing
bars, brown on the sides of the secondary
coverts, yellow under-parts, light brown
beneath the tail.
Easily found by its call, a long sad whistle.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 89
rea abierta / Open field
Papamoscas cenizo Octubre a marzo / October through March
20 a 23 cm; cresta caf contrasta con
Ash-throated Flycatcher cachete gris; bordes de las primarias
Myiarchus cinerascens canela, de las secundarias amarillento
que hace muy evidente la diferencia entre
los dos. Canela debajo de la cola que
no llega hasta la punta. Si tienes suerte
y puedes ver dentro del pico, es color
rosado.
7.5 to 8; brown crest contrasting gray
cheek; cinnamon on the edge of the pri-
maries, and yellow on the edge of the sec-
ondaries, makes a very evident difference
between the two. Cinnamon under the tail
that does not reach the tip. If you are lucky
and can see inside the bill, it is pink.
90 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral / Scrub habitat
Residente / Resident Papamoscas
18 a 19 cm; corona y cachete del mismo
tono caf, borde de las primarias canela de Nutting
que pasa progresivamente hasta ser
amarillento en las secundarias. Canelo de- Nuttings Flycatcher
bajo de la cola que llega hasta la punta. Myiarchus nuttingi
Amarillo dentro del pico.
La mejor forma de diferenciar del papa-
moscas cenizo es por el canto.
7 to 7.5; crown and cheek same brown,
cinnamon on the edge of the primaries
that progressively turn yellowish on the sec-
ondaries. Cinnamon under the tail which
reaches down to the tip. Yellow inside of
bill. The best way to differentiate from the
Ash-throated Flycatcher, is by its song.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 91
Papamoscas tirano Matorral / Scrub habitat
Residente / Resident
20 a 24 cm; pico muy grueso, casi del
Brown-crested Flycatcher largo de la cabeza. Al erguirse las plumas
Myiarchus tyrannulus de la corona dan la impresin de una
cabeza puntiaguda. Caf abajo de la cola
que llega hasta su punta.
Le gusta mucho comer chicharras y cuando
captura una, el insecto trata de liberarse
usando la vibracin de sus alas.
8 to 9.2; thick bill, almost as long as the
head. When the crown feathers rise, they
give the impression of a pointed head.
Brown under the tail that extends to its tip.
It likes to eat cicadas and when it captures
them, the insect tries to escape by using the
vibration of its wings.
92 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
rea abierta
Open field Luis bienteveo
Residente
Resident Great Kiskadee
23 a 25 cm; pico largo, rayas blanco y Pitangus sulphuratus
negro en la cabeza, dorso caf, alas de
color canela.
Cuando est cerca del agua, es capaz
de pescar ranas y pequeos peces.
9 to 10; white and black stripes on
the head; long bill; brown back with cin-
namon wings.
When near water, it can catch small frogs
and fish.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 93
Luis gregario rea abierta
Open field
Residente
Social Flycatcher Resident
Myiozetetes similis 17 a 19 cm; pico corto, rayas blanco y
negro en la cabeza, espalda verde olivo.
Normalmente, se encuentra en grupos.
Distinguir de Luis bienteveo que es ms
grande y tiene alas de color canela.
6.7 to 7.2; short bill, black and white
stripes on the head, olive green back
with no cinnamon color. Usually found in
groups.
Do not confuse with Great Kiskadee,
which is larger with cinnamon wings.
94 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
rea abierta / Open field
Residente / Resident Tirano tropical
19.5 a 24 cm; pico largo, cola caf
bifurcada. Poco contraste entre el blanco Tropical Kingbird
de la garganta y el gris de la cabeza. Tyrannus melancholicus
Esta especie se encuentra ms haca el
centro de la Ciudad de Oaxaca a diferen-
cia de otros tiranos. Come exclusivamente
insectos que captura al vuelo.
7.8 to 9.5; long bill, brown forked tail.
Slight contrast between white on the throat
and gray on the head.
Contrary to other Kingbirds this species is
found more towards the centre of the City
of Oaxaca. It feeds exclusively on insects it
captures in flight.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 95
Tirano gritn Zona abierta / Open area
Residente / Resident
20 a 23 cm.; pico corto, garganta blanca
Cassins Kingbird contrasta con la cabeza gris, cola negra
Tyrannus vociferans sin bordes blancos a los lados con banda
terminal blancuzca.
Es el tirano ms comn en los campos
de Valles Centrales de Oaxaca. Atrapa
liblulas y otros insectos voladores.
8 to 9; small bill; white throat contrasts
clearly with gray head; blackish tail with
no white on the sides with terminal whitish
band.
The most common Kingbird in the field of
the Central Valley of Oaxaca. It catches
dragonflies and other flying insects.
96 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Tirano pico grueso
Residente
Resident Thick-billed Kingbird
21 a 24 cm; pico muy fuerte, corona y Tyrannus crassirostris
espalda oscuras, de lejos se ve negro.
Vientre amarillo plido contrasta con
pecho blancuzco, poco marcado.
Es una especie semi-endmica de Mxico.
Se percha en sitios visibles y evidentes
cuando canta.
8.5 to 9.5; strong thick bill; dark crown
and back; looks black from a distance.
Pale yellow belly contrasts with unmarked
whitish breast.
This species is semi-endemic to Mexico. It
perches in easily visible sites when it sings.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 97
Tirano plido Zona abierta
Open area
Septiembre a abril
Western Kingbird September through April
Tyrannus verticalis 19 a 21 cm; cola negra cuadrada con
bordes blancos a los lados.
Se alimenta de insectos. Antes de comer
su presa, a veces la golpea contra una
superficie dura, ya sea para matarla o
para quitarle las partes duras.
7.8 to 8.3; square black tail with white
edges.
Feeds on insects. Before eating its prey,
it sometimes bangs it against something
hard, either to kill it or to remove hard
parts.
98 MANUEL GROSSELET F I e l d g u i d e G E O R G I TA R U I Z
Matorral
Scrub habitat Tirano-tijereta
Septiembre a noviembre y en abril y
mayo, errtico rosado
September through November and April
and May, vagrant Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
19 a 35 cm: Cabeza clara unforme, Tyrannus forficatus
rosado debajo las alas, cola larga
bifurcada,
Puede comer avispas, pero antes, les
quita el aguijn.
7.5 to 14 Clear clean head, pink below
the wings and long forked tail.
It can eat wasps, but first it removes their
stingers.
MANUEL GROSSELET G u i a d e a v e s G E O R G I TA R U I Z 99
Alcaudn verdugo Zona abierta
Open area
Residente
Loggerhead Shrike Resident
Lanius ludovicianus 21 a 23 cm; gris, negro y blanco; pico
fuerte y ganchudo, mscara negra.
Carnvoro (se alimenta de insectos,
lagartijas, pequeos roedores y a veces
hasta pjaros). Deja su presa clavada
viva sobre una espina para marcar su
territorio y atraer una pareja.
8.2 to 9; gray, black, and white; hooked
strong bill, black mask.
Carnivorous: (eats insects, lizards, small
rodents and even small birds). It leaves
its live prey pinned on a thorn to mark its
territory and attract a mate.
Areo
Aerial Golondrina
Agosto a mayo
August through May verdemar
11 a 13 cm; blanco arriba del ojo y en la
rabadilla. Violet-green Swallow
Pueden anidar en nidos artificiales, fciles Tachycineta thalassina
de construir.
4.5 to 5; white around the eye and on
the rump.
This swallow will nest in artificial nests,
which are easy to build.
Adulto
barranqueo Residente
Resident
13.5 a 14.5 cm; garganta blanca
Canyon Wren contrastante con el resto del cuerpo rojizo
Catherpes mexicanus oscuro.
Es campen en la escalada. Se desplaza
para arriba y para abajo con facilidad
en las rocas.
5 to 5.5; white throat which contrasts
with the rest of the dark reddish body.
Champion climber, can move up and
down the rocks with great ease.
Adulto
Matorral
Scrub habitat Chivirn cola oscura
Residente
Resident Bewicks Wren
12 a 14 cm; ceja blanca, cola larga, Thryomanes bewickii
pecho claro.
Aprende a cantar desde su territorio na-
tal, pero imita a los vecinos de su misma
especie, no a sus padres.
4.7 to 5.2; white supercilium, long tail,
clear underparts.
This bird learns to sing from his natal terri-
tory, but imitates the neighboring birds of
the same species and not its own parents.
Adulto
anaranjado Residente
Resident
15 a 17 cm; pico, anillo ocular y patas,
Orange-billed color naranja. Pecho sin manchas.
Nightingale Thrush Aunque su inconfundible canto se escucha
Catharus fcilmente, es difcil de ver. A veces canta
aurantiirostris desde un sitio expuesto, pero por lo gene-
ral, desde lo tupido de la vegetacin.
6 to 6.8; orange bill, eye-ring and legs.
No spots on the chest.
Though its unmistakable song can be eas-
ily heard, it is difficult to see. It sometimes
sings from a visible place, but generally it
stays within the vegetation.
Amplia distribucin
Widespread distribution Chipe coronado
Septiembre a mayo / September to May
13 a 14 cm; flancos y rabadilla amarillos. Yellow-rumped Warbler
Cuerpo gris rayado. Dendroica coronata
En Monte Albn y Yagul tienen la
garganta amarilla; a veces se observan
algunos con la garganta blanca. Es el
nico chipe capaz de digerir la cera de
la cscara de algunas frutas.
5 to 5.5; yellow flanks and rump. Gray
stripped body.
In Monte Alban and Yagul mostly
Audubons Warbler (yellow throat) and
sometimes Myrtle (white throat) Warbler
show up. This is the only warbler able to Garganta blanca
digest the wax on the skin of some fruits.
Humedal / Wetland
Octubre a mayo / October through May Mascarita comn
11 a 14 cm; macho adulto: mscara ne-
gra bordeada arriba y atrs con blanco; Common Yellowthroat
pecho amarillo. Hembra: ms opaca, Geothlypis trichas
sin mscara, garganta amarilla; alas y
cola verdosos; vientre caf claro. Macho
joven: parecido a la hembra.
Esta especie se puede ver en Yagul en el
humedal detrs de las ruinas.
4.5 to 5.2; male: black mask with white
borders above and behind, yellow breast.
Female: drab, no mask, yellowish throat
and greenish wing and tail. Immature
male: similar to female.
This species can be found in the wetlands
behind the Yagul ruins.
tortilla-con-chile Residente
Resident
Macho: 21 a 24 cm. Hembra: 19 a
Eastern Meadowlark 22cm. Pecho amarillo brillante, cola
Sturnella magna blanca y corta. Anda en el suelo.
Los machos, normalmente tienen dos
hembras en la misma temporada de
anidacin.
Male: 8.5 to 9.5. Female: 7.5 to 8.5.
Bright yellow under-parts, white short tail.
Lives close to the ground.
The males usually have two females dur-
ing the same nesting season.