Birds of Mexico:
CHIAPAS'S CENTRAL DEPRESSION
(arid scrub, tropical deciduous forest --
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Angostura Reservoir area; see map)
Adapted from distribution maps and descriptions in A Guide to The Birds of Mexico and Northern interior America by Steve Howell & Sophie Webb
*** 321 species on this tentative list ***
(The eastern Depression is more humid and supports more species)
Tinamous (Family Tinamidae)
- Thicket Tinamou Crypturellus cinnamomeus
-- permanent
Grebes (Family Podicipedidae)
- Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis californicus
-- winter - Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps podiceps
-- winter - Least Grebe Tachybaptus dominicus
-- permanent
Herons, Egrets, etc. (Family Ardeidae)
- Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias
-- winter - American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus
-- winter in west - Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis ibis
-- permanent - Green Heron, Butorides virescens
-- winter - Boat-billed Heron, Cochlearius cochlearius
-- permanent in west - Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea
-- winter - Great Egret, Egretta alba egretta
-- winter - Snowy Egret, Egretta thula
-- winter - Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor
-- winter - Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis
-- winter - Black-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli
-- winter - Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Nycticorax violaceus
-- permanent in west - Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Tigrisoma mexicanum
-- permanent in west
New World Vultures (Family Cathartidae)
- Turkey Vulture, Cathartes aura
-- permanent - Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus
-- permanent - King Vulture, Sacrcoramphus papa
-- permanent in west
Ducks, Geese & Swans (Family Anatidae)
- Northern Pintail, Anas acuta acuta
-- winter - American Wigeon, Anas americana
-- winter in west - Green-winged Teal, Anas crecca carolinensis
-- winter in west - Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata
-- winter in west - Cinnamon Teal, Anas cyanoptera septentrionalium
-- winter in west - Blue-winged Teal, Anas discors
-- winter - Lesser Scaup, Aythya affinis
-- winter - Redhead, Aythya americana
-- winter in west - Muscovy Duck, Cairina moschata
-- permanent in west - Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis autumnalis
-- permanent in west - Ruddy Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis jamaicensis
-- winter
Hawks, Eagles & Kites (Family Accipitridae)
- Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperi
-- winter - Sharp-shinned Hawk, Accipiter striatus
-- winter - White-tailed Hawk, Buteo albicaudatus hypospodius
-- permanent - Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus albonotatus
-- winter - Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo brachyurus fuliginosus
-- permanent - Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis
-- permanent - Roadside Hawk, Buteo magnirostris
-- permanent in west - Gray Hawk, Buteo nitidus
-- permanent - Browd-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus platypterus
-- migrant - Swainson's Hawk, Buteo swainsoni
-- migrant - Great Black Hawk, Buteogallus urubitinga ridgwayi
-- permanent in west - Hook-billed Kite, Chondrohierax uncinatus
-- permanent in west - Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus hudsonius
-- winter - White-tailed Kite, Elanus leucurus majusculus
-- permanent - Crane Hawk, Geranospiza caerulescens
-- permanent in west - Mississippi Kite, Ictinia mississippiensis
-- migrant in west - Plumbeous Kite, Ictinia plumbea
-- summer, migrant in west - Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
-- winter in west, migrant Falcons & Allies (Family Falconidae)
- Crested Caracara, Caracara plancus
-- permanent - Merlin, Falco columbarius
-- winter - Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
-- winter - Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis
-- permanent in west - American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
-- permanent - Laughing Falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans
-- permanent in west - Collared Forest-Falcon, Micrastur semitorquatus naso
-- permanent in west
Chachalacas & Allies (Family Cracidae)
- Plain Chachalaca, Ortalis vetula
-- permanent - Crested Guan, Penelopina purpurascens purpurascens
-- permanent in west
Turkeys & Quail (Family Phasianidae)
- Spotted Wood-Quail, Odontophorus guttatus
-- permanent in west - Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus
-- permanent
Rails, Gallinules & Coots (Family Rallidae)
- American Coot, Fulica americana americana
-- permanent - Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus cachinnans
-- permanent - Ruddy Crake, Laterallus ruber
-- permanent - Purple Gallinule, Porphyrula martinica
-- winter, permanent in west - Virginia Rail, Rallus limicola
-- permanent in north - Sora, Porzana carolina
-- winter - Spotted Rail, Rallus maculatus insolitus
-- permanent
Plovers (Family Charadriidae)
- Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus vociferus
-- winter - American Golden Plover, Pluvialis dominica
-- migrant
Stilts & Avocets (Family Recurvirostridae)
- Black-necked Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus
-- permanent in west & migrant - American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana
-- winter in west
Jacanas (Family Jacanidae)
- Northern Jacana, Jacana spinosa spinosa
-- permanent in west
Sandpipers & Allies (Family Scolopacidae)
- Spotted Sandpiper, Actitis macularia
-- winter - Upland Sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda
-- migrant - Stilt Sandpiper, Calidris himantopus
-- winter in west & migrant - Pectoral Sandpiper, Calidris melanotus
-- migrant - Baird's Sandpiper, Calidris bairdii
-- migrant - Least Sandpiper, Calidris minutilla
-- winter in west & migrant - Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago delicata
-- winter - Long-billed Dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus
-- winter in west - Wilson's Phalarope, Steganopus tricolor
-- migrant - Lesser Yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes
-- winter - Greater Yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca
-- winter in west & migrant - Solitary Sandpiper, Tringa solitaria
-- winter
Gulls & Terns (Family Laridae)
- Black Tern, Chlidonias niger surinamensis
-- migrant - Laughing Gull, Larus atricilla
-- winter - Franklin's Gull, Larus pipixcan
-- migrant - Forster's Tern, Sterna forsteri
-- winter in west
Doves & Pigeons (Family Columbidae)
- Red-billed Pigeon, Columba flavirostris
-- permanent in west - Inca Dove, Columbina inca
-- permanent - Common Ground-Dove, Columbina minuta interrupta
-- permanent - Feral Pigeon, Columba livia
-- permanent - Ruddy Quail-Dove, Geotrygon montana montana
-- permanent in west - White-tipped Dove, Leptotila verreauxi
-- permanent - White-winged Dove, Zenaida asiatica
-- permanent - Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura
-- winter
Parrots & Parakeets (Family Psittacidae)
- Green Parakeet, Aratinga holochlora
-- permanent - White-crowned Parrot, Pionus senilis
-- permanent in west
Cuckoos, Anis & Roadrunners (Family Cuculidae)
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus
-- migrant - Black-billed Cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
-- migrant - Mangrove Cuckoo, Coccyzus minor
-- permanent in west - Groove-billed Ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris
-- permanent - Pheasant Cuckoo, Dromococcyx phasianellus rufigularis
-- permanent in west - Lesser Roadrunner, Geococcyx velox
-- permanent - Lesser Ground-Cuckoo, Morococyx erythropygus
-- permanent - Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana
-- permanent in west - Striped Cuckoo, Tapera naevia excellens
-- permanent in west
Barn Owl (Family Tytonidae)
- Barn Owl, Tyto alba
-- permanent
Typical Owls (Family Strigidae)
- Striped Owl, Asio clamator forbesi
-- permanent in west - Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia
-- winter - Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus
-- permanent - Ferruginous Pygmy-owl, Glaucidum brasilianum
-- permanent - Spectacled Owl, Pulsatrix perspicillata saturata
-- permanent in west - Black-and-white Owl, Strix nigrolineata
-- permanent in west - Mottled Owl, Strix virgata
-- permanent in west
Goatsuckers (Family Caprimulgidae)
- Mexican Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus arizonae
-- mostly winter on upper slopes - Chuck-will's-Widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis
-- winter - Spot-tailed Nightjar, Caprimulgus maculicaudus
-- winter in west - Buff-collared Nightjar, Caprimulgus ridgwayi
-- permanent - Northern Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus
-- winter - Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis
-- permanent - Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor
-- summer - Pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis
-- permanent
Potoos (Family Nyctibiidae)
- Northern Potoo, Nyctibius jamaicensis
-- permanent in west
Swifts (Family Apodidae)
- White-throated Swift, Aeronautes saxatalis
-- permanent - Vaux's Swift, Chaetura vauxi
-- permanent - Black Swift, Cypseloides niger
-- summer - Chestunut-collared Swift, Cypseloides rutilus
-- permanent - Great Swallow-tailed Swift, Panyptila sanctihieronymi
-- permanent - White-collared Swift, Streptoprocne zonaris
-- permanent
Hummingbirds (Family Trochilidae)
- Berylline Hummingbird, Amazilia beryllina
-- permanent - White-bellied Emerald, Amazilia candida
or winter in west-- permanent - Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanocephala
-- permanent in west - Green-fronted Hummingbird, Amazilia viridifrons
-- permanent - Green-breasted Mango, Anthracothorax prevostii
-- winter in west - Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris
-- winter - Slender Sheartail, Calothorax enicura
-- permanent - Canivet's Emerald, Chlorostilbon canivetii
-- permanent - Magnificent Hummingbird, Eugenes fulgens
in east-- permanent - Plain-capped Starthroat, Heliomaster constantii
-- permanent - Blue-throated Sapphire, Hylocharis eliciae
-- permanent in west - Long-tailed Hermit, Phaethornis superciliosus
-- permanent in west - Sparkling-tailed Woodstar, Philodice dupontii
-- permanent - Little Hermit, Pygmornis longuemareus
-- permanent in west
Trogons (Family Trogonidae)
- Citreoline Trogon, Trogon citreolus
-- permanent in west - Collared Trogon, Trogon collaris
-- permanent in west - Violaceous Trogon, Trogon violaceus braccatus
-- permanent in west
Motmots (Family Momotidae)
- Tody Motmot, Hylomanes momotula
-- permanent in west - Russet-crowned Motmot, Momotus mexicanus
-- permanent - Blue-crowned Motmot, Momotus momota
-- permanent in west
Kingfishers (Family Alcedinidae)
- Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon
-- winter - Ringed Kingfisher, Ceryle torquata torquata
-- permanent in west - Amazone Kingfisher, Chloroceryle amazona mexicana
-- permanent in west - Green Kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana
-- permanent
Toucans (Family Ramphastidae)
- Emerald Toucanet, Aulacorhynchus prasinus
-- permanent in west
Woodpeckers (Family Picidae)
- Pale-billed Woodpecker, Campephilus guatemalensis
-- permanent in west - Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Centurus aurifrons
-- permanent - Lineated Woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus
-- permanent - Acorn Woodpecker, Melanerpes formicivorus
-- permanent - Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Picoides scalaris
-- permanent - Hairy Woodpecker, Picoides villosus
in east-- permanent - Golden-olive Woodpecker, Piculus rubiginosus
-- permanent - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
-- winter
Woodcreepers (Family Dendrocolaptidae)
- Ruddy Woodcreeper, Dendrocincla homochroa homochroa
-- permanent in west - Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Sittasomus griseicapillus
-- permanent in west - Ivory-billed Woodcreeper, Xiphorhynchus flavigaster
-- permanent in west
Antbirds (Family Formicariidae)
- Scaled Antpitta, Grallaria guatimalensis
-- permanent - Barred Antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus
-- permanent
Tyrant Flycatchers (Family Tyrannidae)
- Bright-rumped Attila, Attila spadiceus
-- permanent - Northern Beardless Tyrannulet, Camptostoma imberbe
-- permanent - Olive-sided Flycatcher, Contopus borealis
-- winter - Western Pewee, Contopus sordidulus
-- migrant - Eastern Pewee, Contopus virens
-- migrant - Flammulated Flycatcher, Deltarhynchus flammulatus
-- permanent in west - White-throated Flycatcher, Empidonax albigularis
-- winter - Alnder Flycatcher, Empidonax alnorum
-- migrant - Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris
& migrant-- winter in west - Hammond's Flycatcher, Empidonax hammondii
-- migrant - Least Flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
-- winter - Willow Flycatcher, Empidonax traillii
-- migrant - Acadian Flycatcher, Empidonax virescens
-- migrant - Boat-billed Flycatcher, Megarynchus pitangua
-- permanent - Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens
-- winter - Great Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus
-- winter - Nutting's Flycatcher, Myiarchus nuttingi
-- permanent - Dusky-capped Flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer
-- permanent - Brown-crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus tyrannulus
-- permanent in west - Sulphur-bellied Flycatacher, Myiodynastes luteiventris
-- summer - Greenish Elaenia, Myiopagis veridicata
-- permanent in west - Social Flycatacher, Myiozetetes similis
except east-- permanent - Northern Bentbill, Oncostoma cinereigulare
-- permanent in west - Royal Flycatcher, Onychorhynchus coronatus mexicanus
-- permanent in west - Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus
except east-- permanent - Stub-tailed Spadebill, Platyrinchus cancrominus
-- permanent in west - Vermilion Flycatcher, Pyrocephalus rubinus
-- permanent - Eye-ringed Flatbill, Rhynchocyclus brevirostris
-- permanent in west - Black Phoebe, Sayornis nigricans
-- permanent - Yellow-olive Flycatcher, Tolmomyias sulphurescens cinereiceps
-- permanent in west - Couch's Kingbird, Tyrannus couchii
-- permanent in west - Thick-billed Kingbird, Tyrannus crassirostris
-- winter in west - Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus
-- winter - Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholicus
-- permanent - Eastern Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
-- migrant - Western Kingbird, Tyrannus verticalis
-- winter - Cassin's Kingbird, Tyrannus vociferans
-- winter - Belted Flycatcher, Xenotriccus callizonus
-- permanent
Cotingas (Family Cotingidae)
- Rose-throated Becard, Pachyramphus aglaiae
-- permanent - Masked Tityra, Tityra semifasciata
except east-- permanent
Swallows (Family Hirundinidae)
- Cave Swallow, Hirundo fulva
-- summer - Cliff Swallow, Hirundo pyrrhonota
-- migrantr - Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica erythrogaster
-- winter - Gray-breasted Martin, Progne chalybea
-- permanent - Purple Martin, Progne subis
-- migrant - Bank Swallow, Riparia riparia riparia
-- migrantr - Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis
-- permanent - Mangrove Swallow, Tachycineta albilinea albilinea
-- permanent in west - Tree Swallow, Tachycineta bicolor
-- winter - Violet-green Swallow, Tachycineta thalassina
-- winter
Jays & Crows (Family Corvidae)
- White-throated Magpie-Jay, Calocitta formosa
-- permanent - Northern Raven, Corvus corax
-- permanent - Green Jay, Cyanocorax yncas
-- permanent in west
Wrens (Family Troglodytidae)
- Band-backed Wren, Campylorhynchus zonatus
-- permanent in west - Canyon Wren, Catherpes mexicanus
-- permanent in west - White-breasted Wood-Wren, Henicorhina leucostricta
-- permanent in west - Rock Wren, Salpinctes obsoletus
except west-- permanent - Spot-breasted Wren, Thryothorus maculipectus
except east-- permanent - Plain Wren, Thryothorus modestus
except east-- permanent - Banded Wren, Thryothorus pleurostictus
-- permanent - Southern House Wren, Troglodytes aedon
-- permanent
Gnatcatachers & Allies (Family Sylviidae)
- White-lored Gnatcatcher, Polioptila albiloris
-- permanent - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea
or winter-- permanent
Thrushes, Robins, Solitaires & Bluebirds (Family Turdidae)
- Orange-billed Nightingale-thrush, Catharus aurantiirostris
-- permanent - Veery, Catharus fuscescens
-- migrant - Gray-cheeked Thrush, Catharus minimus
-- migrant - Wood Thrush, Catharus mustelinus
-- migrant - Swainson's Thrush, Catharus ustulatus
-- winter and migrant - Clay-colored Thrush, Turdus grayi
-- permanent
Mockingbirds & Thrashers (Family Mimidae)
- Gray Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis
-- winter - Tropical Mockingbird, Mimus gilvus
-- permanent
Waxwings (Family Bombycillidae)
- Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum
-- winter
Shrikes (Family Laniidae)
- Loggerhead Shrike, Lanius ludovicianus
-- irregular
Vireos (Family Vireonidae)
- Leser Greenlet, Hylophilus decurtatus decurtatus
-- permanent in west - Bell's Vireo, Vireo bellii
-- migrant - Yellow-throated Vireo, Vireo flavifrons
-- winter - Yellow-green Vireo, Vireo flavoviridis
-- summer - Warbling Vireo, Vireo gilvus
-- winter - Red-eyed Vireo, Vireo olivaceus
-- migrant - Philadelphia Vireo, Vireo philadelphicus
-- winter - Blue-headed Vireo, Vireo solitarius
-- winter - Green Shrike-Vireo, Vireolanius pulchellus
-- permanent in west - Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Cyclarhis gujanensis
-- permanent
Wood Warblers (Family Emberizidae, Subfamily Parulinae)
- Fan-tailed Warbler, Basileuterus lachrymosa
-- permanent except east - Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons
-- permanent - Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Chamaethlypis poliocephala
-- permanent except east - Golden-cheeked Warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia
-- migrant - Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata
-- winter - Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica
-- migrant - Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
-- migrant - Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia
-- winter - Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia
-- winter - Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens
-- winter - Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis tricas
-- winter - Red-breasted Chat, Granatellus venustus
-- permanent - Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus
-- winter & migrant - Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens
-- winter - Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia
-- winter - Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus
-- winter & migrant - Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia
-- migrant - MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei
-- winter - Northern Parula, Parula americana
-- winter in west - Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus
-- winter - Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla
-- winter - Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis
-- winter - American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
-- winter - Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata
-- winter - Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina
-- winter - Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla
-- winter - Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis
-- migrant - Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla
-- winter
Tanagers (Family Emberizidae, Subfamily Thraupinae)
- Red-legged Honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus carneipes
-- permanent in west - Scrub Euphonia, Euphonia affinis
-- permanent in west - Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Habia fuscicauda
-- permanent in west - Red-crowned Ant-Tanager, Habia rubica
-- permanent in west - Hepatic Tanager, Piranga flava
-- permanent in far west - Western Tanager, Piranga ludoviciana
-- winter - Scarlet Tanager, Piranga olivacea
-- migrant - Summer Tanager, Piranga rubra
-- winter - Yellow-wingted Tanager, Thraupis abbas
-- permanent in west
Grosbeaks & Buntings (Family Emberizidae, Subfamily Cardinalinae)
- Blue Grosbeak, Passerina caerulea
-- permanent - Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris
-- winter - Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea
-- winter - Varied Bunting, Passerina versicolor
-- permanent - Yellow Grosbeak, Pheucticus chrysopeplus
-- permanent - Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus
-- winter - Black-headed Saltator, Saltator atriceps
-- permanent in west - Grayish Saltator, Saltator coerulescens
-- permanent in west - Dickcissel, Spiza americana
-- winter & migrant
Emberizids (Family Emberizidae, Subfamily Emberizinae)
- Botteri's Sparrow, Aimophila botterii
-- permanent - Rusty Sparrow, Aimophila rufescens
-- permanent - Blue Seedeater, Amaurospiza concolor concolor
-- permanent - Grasshopper Sparrow, Ammodramus savannarum
-- winter - Olive Sparrow, Arremonops rufivirgatus
-- permanent - Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolnii
-- winter - White-collared Seedeater, Sporophila torqueola
-- permanent - Blue-black Grassquit, Volatinia jacarina spendens
-- permanent
Blackbirds & Orioles (Family Icteridae)
- Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus
-- permanent - Yellow-billed Cacique, Amblycercus holosericeus holosericeus
-- permanent in west - Yellow-winged Cacique, Cacicus melanicterus
-- permanent except east - Bullock's Oriole, Icterus bullockii
-- winter - Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula
-- winter - Altamira Oriole, Icterus gularis
-- permanent except east - Bar-winged Oriole, Icterus maculialatus
-- permanent - Streak-backed Oriole, Icterus pustulatus
-- permanent - Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius
-- winter - Black-vented Oriole, Icterus wagleri
-- permanent - Bronzed Cowbird, Molothrus aeneus
-- permanent - Great-tailed Grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus
-- permanent - Eastern Meadowlark, Sturnella magna
-- permanent
Finches and Allies (Family Fringillidae)
- Lesser Goldfinch, Carduelis psaltria
-- permanent
Old World Sparrows (Family Passeridae)
- House Sparrow, Passer domesticus
-- permanent