Birdwatching in Yucatan
- Info Mexico Kan Tours
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
The Yucatán Peninsula is a true paradise for bird lovers. Home to a remarkable diversity of species including colorful endemics and seasonal migrants. Our region offers a unique birdwatching experience. From nocturnal hunters to daytime singers, from insect-eaters to fishers, birds thrive here thanks to the wide variety of ecosystems: tropical jungle, lakes, grasslands, dry scrub vegetation, coastal lagoons, mangroves, and many protected nature reserves. Whether you're a seasoned birder or simply enjoy observing wildlife, the Yucatán invites you to explore its natural beauty.
With 15 years of experience working in the area and expertise in birdwatching, Mexico Kan Tours— a Tulum-based eco-tour company, recognized the need for specialized, conservation-minded birding experiences and created Amar Aves, a dedicated birdwatching branch offering high-quality, responsible birding tours led by passionate and experienced guides.
This article serves as an introduction to some of the most iconic bird species one can spot in the Yucatan Peninsula, the best places to observe them and the different tour options you can join on your next visit.
Birds you are most likely to encounter
The Yucatán Peninsula is home to hundreds of bird species, both resident and migratory, making it one of the best regions in Mexico for birdwatching. This selection highlights some of the most commonly spotted birds in our tours.
Raptor (Birds of prey )
Osprey
Common Black Hawk
Zone-tailed Hawk
White-tailed Hawk
Roadside Hawk
Grey Hawk
Crane Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Crested Caracara
Lesser Yellow-headed Vulture
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Laughing Falcon
Owls & Night Birds
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl,
Yucatán Nightjar (endemic)
Gallinaceous
Ocellated Turkey (endemic)
Black-throated Bobwhite
Herons
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Reddish Egret
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Boat-billed Heron
Bare-throated Tiger Heron
Hummingbirds
Cinnamon Hummingbird
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Canivet's Emerald
White-bellied Emerald
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Mexican Sheartail (quasi-endemic)
Cozumel Emerald (Cozumel endemic)
Waterfowl
Least Grebe
Northern Jacana
Aquatic Wading Birds
Wood Stork
Roseate Spoonbill
White Ibis
American Flamingo
Limpkin
Shorebirds
Black-bellied Plover
Wilson´s Plover
Ruddy Turnstone
Sanderling
Coastal Birds & Seabirds
Magnificent Frigatebird
Neotropic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Brown Pelican
Royal Tern
Sandwich Tern
Laughing Gull
Toucans, motmots & toucanets
Keel-billed Toucan
Collared Aracari
Collared Trogon
Gartered Trogon
Black-headed Trogon
Lesson's Motmot
Turquoise-browed Motmot
Woodpecker
Yucatán Woodpecker (endemic)
Golden-olive Woodpecker
Lineated Woodpecker
Pale-billed Woodpecker
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Woodcreeper
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper
Olivaceous Woodcreeper
Barred Woodcreeper
Tawny-winged Woodcreeper
Ruddy Woodcreeper
Other birds remarkable
Lesser Roadrunner
Groove-billed Ani
Squirrel Cuckoo
Mayan Antthrush
Barred Antshrike
Cozumel Vireo (Cozumel endemic)
Yucatan Vireo
Bright-rumped Attila
Black Catbird (endemic)
Mangrove Swallow
Songbirds (Passerine)
Rose-throated Tanager (endemic)
Red-throated Ant Tanager
Red-crowned Ant Tanager
Blue-grey Tanager
Orange Oriole (endemic)
Hooded Oriole
Yellow-backed Oriole
Yellow-tailed Oriole
Altamira Oriole
Black-cowled Oriole
Morelet's Seedeater
White-collared Seedeater
Yellow-faced Grassquit
Yellow-throated Euphonia
Scrub Euphonia
Clay-colored Thrush
Yellow Warbler
Spot-breasted Wren
Cozumel Wren (Cozumel endemic)
Yucatan wren (Endemic)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Long-billed Gnatwren
Grey-crowned Yellowthroat
Rufous-browed Peppershrike
Rose-throated Becard
Grey-collared Becard
Masked Tityra
Black-crowned Tityra
Green Jay
Brown Jay
Yucatán Jay (Endemic)
Western Spindalis
Bananaquit
Northern Cardinal
Yellow (Golden) Warbler
Black-throated Bobwhite
American Redstart
Top Birdwatching Destinations in the Yucatán
Thanks to its wide range of ecosystems, the Yucatán offers fantastic birding sites throughout the region. Amar Aves, created by Mexico Kan Tours, specializes in guided excursions to each of these destinations, ensuring respectful, low-impact, and expert-led birdwatching.
Río Lagartos
If you're passionate about birds and eager to observe some of the species listed above, Río Lagartos is the perfect place to start. This picturesque fishing village, located on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, is surrounded by diverse aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems—including mangroves, deciduous jungle and dry scrub vegetation. Its rich biodiversity makes it a prime destination for birdwatchers. Among the iconic species you’re likely to spot here are the American Flamingo, the Yucatán Nightjar, the Yucatán Wren, the Black-throated Bobwhite, and the Mexican Sheartail hummingbird.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another must-visit destination for bird and wildlife enthusiasts. This protected area is home to an array of fauna, including crocodiles, dolphins, sea turtles, and as many as 326 bird species. On the coastal side of Sian Ka´an, Amar Aves offers boat-based tours to explore its bird islands and wetland systems. You’ll spot species like Roseate Spoonbills, Reddish Egrets, and Magnificent Frigatebirds.
Muyil
Muyil is another birdwatching paradise nestled within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. This serene site offers a unique blend of nature and history, you can stroll through the ancient Mayan ruins, wander around a Mayan town, and immerse yourself in the lush jungle, freshwater wetlands, and gorgeous freshwater lagoons. The area is rich in birdlife, including the Turquoise-browed Motmot, known locally by its Mayan name “Toh”. Keep an ear out for the rhythmic tapping of the Yucatán Woodpecker, a species similar to the more commonly seen Golden-fronted Woodpecker. One key difference? The Yucatan Woodpecker has a yellow all around its bill as if it dipped its bill in egg yolk.
Amar Aves offers specialized half-day tours in Muyil with the option to add a boat trip into the Sian Ka´an wetlands, led by expert local guides who interpret the area's ecological and cultural significance while helping guests locate and identify a broad range of species. Muyil is an ideal location for beginner and experienced birders alike, providing great diversity within a short walking route.
Cozumel
Cozumel, an island located off the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, is a fantastic destination for birdwatching. Its unique and diverse ecosystems, a blend of mangrove forests, tropical forests, wetlands, and coastal areas support a rich variety of bird species, including some endemics. Cozumel is home to several endemic species, such as the Cozumel Vireo and Cozumel Emerald. Additionally, the island is a stopover for many migratory birds, making it a great birdwatching destination year-round.
Cozumel is committed to preserving its natural heritage, with ongoing conservation efforts aimed at protecting the island’s unique bird species and their habitats. Birdwatching here with Amar Aves supports these initiatives, as it promotes awareness and appreciation for the local wildlife.
Coba
The archaeological site of Cobá is not only rich in history but also a fantastic location for birdwatching. One standout is the Ocellated Turkey, an impressively colorful bird with shimmering plumage and a striking blue head with orange facial warts that gives it a truly unique appearance. Birding here can be combined with archaeological exploration and is ideal for early-morning outings with expert Amar Aves guides.
Punta Laguna
Punta Laguna is a rich habitat, home to an incredible variety of wildlife thanks to its diverse ecosystems. Its serene lagoon and lush jungle are home to a great diversity of birds and other animals. A great place to spot Spider monkeys and Howler Monkeys in their natural habitat!
Toh Nature reserve - Puerto Morelos
Another tour we strongly recommend is the Toh Nature reserve in Puerto Morelos.This privately-owned nature reserve has been getting some attention from birders due to its convenient proximity to Cancun, Playa del Carmen and nearby hotels in the Riviera Maya. Over 170 bird species have been documented at the TOH nature reserve making this visit well worth it.
Come birding with us !
Whether you're discovering the elegant flight of a flamingo over Río Lagartos, spotting the elusive Cozumel Vireo, or listening to the calls of orioles in the jungle, the Yucatán Peninsula offers birdwatching experiences that are unforgettable.
Through the creation of Amar Aves, Mexico Kan Tours provides the most complete and responsible birding tours in the region—connecting visitors with the landscapes, people, and birds that make the Yucatán so extraordinary. With a team of expert birdwatchers and naturalists, strong conservation values, and deep local knowledge, Amar Aves ensures that every birdwatching experience is both meaningful and sustainable.
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