
This last May I joined my family on a vacation to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I was able to get a few lifers, but the trip was mostly about relaxing and spending time with family. We spent most of our time around Playa del Carmen, checking out the Cenotes, shopping, eating, etc. We did manage to fit in a day trip to Cozumel which I reserved exclusively for birding while they did a snorkeling trip.

Here's a selection of the birds I had around Playa del Carmen.

<EbirdImage id="ML573204391" species="White-bellied Emerald" />
<EbirdImage id="ML573740711" species="Northern Bentbill" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML573740501" species="Mangrove Vireo" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML573740421" species="Spot-breasted Wren" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML573187551" species="Turquoise-browed Motmot" />

The Cacique was surprisingly difficult to track down.

<EbirdImage id="ML573698511" species="Yellow-billed Cacique" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML574090791" species="Yucatan Jay" />
<EbirdImage id="ML573174571" species="Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl" />

And here's a selection of the birds I had on Cozumel, starting with my favorite endemic! Well, there's only two endemics on Cozumel, but still.

<EbirdImage id="ML573723081" species="Cozumel Vire" lifer />

The Emerald was more challenging to get a good photo of.

<EbirdImage id="ML573705081" species="Cozumel Emerald" lifer />

I walked about 3 miles each way to the sewer treatment plant just for the Ruddy Crake, but it paid off! I saw it immediately after arriving.

<EbirdImage id="ML573711081" species="Ruddy Crake" lifer />

Caribbean Dove was extremely challenging to get pictures of. I spent probably over an hour bush whacking trying to get a glimpse of it. It was calling continuously from high in the trees.

<EbirdImage id="ML573724471" species="Caribbean Dove" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML573723291" species="Yucatan Vireo" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML573704791" species="Black Catbird" />


Playa del Carmen & Cozumel

Yucatán, Mexico


My wife and I had planned to rent a camping van and stay at various places around the country. We tried it for a couple days and quickly realized we wanted a real shower and toilet, so we ditched the camping and stayed at a nice AirBnB! As a result, I didn't see nearly as many birding places as I wanted, but I did manage to spend a day birding Monteverde at the [Curi-Cancha Reserve](https://ebird.org/checklist/S127884204). This was by far the best birding of the trip. I ran into a couple from Turkey and Switzerland who were also birding, and we had a great time together.

<EbirdImage id="ML534019121" species="Lesser Violetear" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534010891" species="Purple-throated Mountain-gem" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534019801" species="Coppery-headed Emerald" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534111201" species="Lesson's Motmot" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534082021" species="Dusky-capped Flycatcher" />
<EbirdImage id="ML534082231" species="Resplendent Quetza" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534082491" species="Northern Emerald-Toucanet" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534081591" species="Chestnut-capped Warbler" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534010781" species="Black-faced Solitaire" lifer />

The rest of the trip was spent in the Nicoya Peninsula, primarily in Playa Carrillo. Here's some of my favorite shots from there.

<EbirdImage id="ML533964091" species="Rufous-naped Wren" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534140081" species="Scarlet Macaw" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534140071" species="Scarlet Macaw" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML533956481" species="Nutting's Flycatcher" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML533955231" species="Cinnamon Hummingbird" />
<EbirdImage id="ML533877461" species="Double-striped Thick-knee" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML534151701" species="White-throated Magpie-Jay" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML533963991" species="Blue-throated Goldentail" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML533955411" species="Canivet's Emerald" lifer />


Nicoya Peninsula and Monteverde

Costa Rica


This was my second trip to Puerto Rico. I had been previously on vacation just to the San Juan area, so I still had 4 endemics I needed to see, plus some other reasonable targets that are not endemic. I was hoping to see either a Ruddy or Key-west Quail Dove but that turned out to be a pipe dream.

<EbirdImage id="ML506072771" species="Puerto Rican Tanager" />
<EbirdImage id="ML506032011" species="Yellow-shouldered Blackbird" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML504933101" species="Monk Parakeet" />
<EbirdImage id="ML504932961" species="Green-throated Carib" />
<EbirdImage id="ML506072061" species="Puerto Rican Vireo" />
<EbirdImage id="ML505464101" species="Antillean Crested Hummingbird" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML505470921" species="Lesser Antillean Pewee" />
<EbirdImage id="ML505487471" species="Adelaide's Warbler" />
<EbirdImage id="ML504409981" species="Yellow-faced Grassquit" />
<EbirdImage id="ML506058361" species="Puerto Rican Flycatcher" />
<EbirdImage id="ML506075631" species="American Oystercatcher" />
<EbirdImage id="ML505513641" species="Elfin-woods Warbler" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML505476961" species="Puerto Rican Nightjar" lifer />


Puerto Rico


This was another vacation trip where I managed to fit in some birding. I wasn't exactly staying in prime areas for birding, so overall it wasn't my best birding trip, but I did pick up 35 lifers which was alright. My time was mostly split between Panama City area and the little island of Bocas Del Toro. I made it to the famous Pipeline Road spot about 40 mins out of Panama City on my first day. I wanted to go back but I ended up getting into a car accident (not my fault) which disrupted my plans a little! Regardless, here's a selection of some of my less bad shots.

<EbirdImage id="ML496691131" species="Red-throated Ant-Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496691121" species="Red-throated Ant-Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496636091" species="Plain-colored Tanager" text="Appropriately named" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496356681" species="Morelet's Seedeater" />
<EbirdImage id="ML496278911" species="Yellow Warbler (Mangrove)" text="First time seeing this striking subspecies!" />
<EbirdImage id="ML496308181" species="Golden-collared Manakin" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496314461" species="Dusky Antbird" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496291211" species="Bronzy Hermit" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496692311" species="Crimson-crested Woodpecker" lifer />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML497204901"
  species="White-whiskered Puffbird"
  text="One of the few birds that actually posed nicely. Taken at the Pipeline Road."
  lifer
/>

The gardens surounding the Biomuseum were surprisingly good for hummingbirds that I didn't see anywhere else.

<EbirdImage id="ML496720671" species="Snowy-bellied Hummingbird" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML496727041" species="Garden Emerald" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML494311641" species="Orange-chinned Parakeet" />


Bocas Del Toro and Panama City

Panama


While visiting family in the Los Angeles, area my wife and I found some really affordable flights to Puerto Vallarta. We made a short trip out there and I was able to do some casual birding. Here's a few of my favorite shots from the trip.

<EbirdImage id="ML451549591" species="Citreoline Trogon" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML451604131" species="Golden-cheeked Woodpecker" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML451593761" species="Orange-fronted Parakeet" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML451581011" species="Sinaloa Wren" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML451587931" species="Russet-crowned Motmot" lifer />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML451546301"
  species="Rusty-crowned Ground-Sparrow"
  text="This species was supposed to be fairly uncommon but I regularly had them right around the AirBnb where we stayed."
  lifer
/>
<EbirdImage id="ML451557891" species="Stripe-headed Sparrow" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML451553381" species="Yellow-winged Cacique" lifer />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML451577561"
  species="Blue Bunting"
  text="Not the best picture, but I was excited to see a male. I've seen boring females in Texas."
/>
<EbirdImage id="ML451548121" species="Rufous-bellied Chachalaca" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML451589301" species="Black-bellied Whistling-Duck" />


Puerto Vallarta, Mexico


After arriving in Quito we went to the Papallacta for a day. My wife and the others on the trip enjoyed the hot springs while I went birding. Numbers weren't great but it was certainly worthwhile. Here's a few of the highlights.

<EbirdImage id="ML417561711" species="Masked Trogon" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML417569621" species="Chestnut-bellied Chat-Tyrant" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML417560311" species="Buff-breasted Mountain Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML417549101" species="Plumbeous Sierra Finch" lifer />

The rest of the time I spent casually birding around Mindo. One particular place, San Tadeo, really stood out. They have hummingbird and fruit feeders. Here's a few of my favorites.

<EbirdImage id="ML424405331" species="White-booted Racket-tail" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424416401" species="Blue-winged Mountain Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424412761" species="Golden Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424412811" species="Flame-faced Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424408781" species="Empress Brilliant" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424408971" species="Violet-tailed Sylph" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424414181" species="Black-capped Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424408131" species="Purple-bibbed Whitetip" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424416001" species="Orange-bellied Euphonia" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424416191" species="Black-chinned Mountain Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML424416021" species="Red-headed Barbet" lifer />

In addition, I paid for the half-day birding tour at the famous Refugio Paz de las Aves (Angel Paz). The owner hand feeds the antpittas and the refuge also provides great looks at many other species. I had 70 species in one morning. Here's a few highlights.

<EbirdImage id="ML422238681" species="Golden-naped Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML420151631" species="Andean Cock-of-the-rock" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422241431" species="Ochre-breasted Antpitta" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422234771" species="Yellow-breasted Antpitta" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422242631" species="Chestnut-crowned Antpitta" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422218791" species="Giant Antpitta" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422267641" species="Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422240111" species="Toucan Barbet" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422226771" species="Empress Brilliant" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422238041" species="Purple-bibbed Whitetip" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422229111" species="Velvet-purple Coronet" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML422220471" species="Common Potoo" lifer />

Here's a few others from various locations around Mindo.

<EbirdImage id="ML417992331" species="White-necked Jacobin" />
<EbirdImage id="ML420140781" species="Ornate Flycatcher" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML420135001" species="Rufous-tailed Hummingbird" />
<EbirdImage id="ML422272741" species="Purple-throated Woodstar" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML420135371" species="Fawn-breasted Brilliant" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML417985201" species="Blue-necked Tanager" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML417984621" species="Little Cuckoo" lifer />


Mindo and Papallacta

Ecuador


Even though the Galapagos Islands have a relatively low bird species abundance, the species they do have are quite unique. I found the birds and other wildlife to be quite approachable which afforded great photo ops. I went to the islands of Santa Cruz, Isabella, San Cristobol, and a short trip to Floreana. The purpose of my trip was not soley birding, so I didn't make it out to the far side of Isabella where the Flightless Cormorants are found.

<EbirdImage id="ML363177591" species="Galapagos Penguin" lifer />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML361218541"
  species="Waved Albatross"
  text="I had the best success with Waved Albatross on the boats between the islands."
  lifer
/>

<EbirdImage id="ML361213521" species="Red-billed Tropicbird" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML363706101" species="Blue-footed Booby" />
<EbirdImage id="ML363176681" species="Striated Heron (Galapagos)" />

Unfortunately I didn't do quite as well with the endemic shearwater and petrel.

<EbirdImage id="ML363187181" species="Galapagos Shearwater" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML363170611" species="Galapagos Petrel" lifer />

<EbirdImage id="ML363709881" species="Galapagos Dove" lifer />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML361252091"
  species="Dark-billed Cuckoo"
  text="I thought I would have a difficult time with these, but after searching for and finding this one I incidentally saw several more"
  lifer
/>
<EbirdImage
  id="ML360633991"
  species="Galapagos Rail"
  text="This was possibly the biggest highlight of the trip. They're extremely secretive and very few people have photos of them at all. I was fortunate enough to get amazing views after putting in quite a bit of effort researching and searching in the field."
  lifer
/>
<EbirdImage id="ML361233831" species="San Cristobal Mockingbird" />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML361209501"
  species="Floreana Mockingbird"
  text={`Evidently at one point they moved all the Floreana Mockingbirds onto one or two offshore "rocks". Our boat circled one of them and I was eventually able to spot one on a cactus. There's only about 750 left in the wild, 70 of which were evidently on the rock we visited (Champion).`}
  lifer
/>
<EbirdImage id="ML361214191" species="Galapagos Flycatcher" lifer />
<EbirdImage
  id="ML363169581"
  species="Short-eared Owl (Galapagos)"
  text="This was a pleasant surprise. I randomly came across it while out cycling the highlands of Santa Cruz in search of a Brujo Flycatcher. I only ever saw a Brujo briefly from a bus."
/>
<EbirdImage id="ML363206601" species="Green Warbler-Finch" lifer />

At the end of the trip I hiked the Sierra Negra volcano on Isabella. I had several target species including the Hawk and Martin for which I thought my chances were pretty low. Thankfully I had great success with both!

<EbirdImage id="ML363171871" species="Galapagos Hawk" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML363174191" species="Galapagos Martin" lifer />

The finches were kinda tough to identify, but thankfully I saw so many that I was able to feel confident about my identifications. Some have such massive bills that they're undoubtedly Large Ground-Finch, and some islands have Medium-Ground Finches but not Large, so it all worked out.

<EbirdImage id="ML361238771" species="Small Ground-Finch" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML361237541" species="Vegetarian Finch" text="Such a cool name!" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML361237571" species="Woodpecker Finch" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML361243921" species="Large Ground-Finch" lifer />
<EbirdImage id="ML363207781" species="Common Cactus-Finch" lifer />

Some additional shots from the trip:

<EbirdImage id="ML363178361" species="Whimbrel" />
<EbirdImage id="ML363178411" species="Ruddy Turnstone" />
<EbirdImage id="ML363710841" species="Brown Noddy" />


Trip Reports

Yucatán, Mexico

Costa Rica

Puerto Rico

Panama

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Ecuador

Galapagos Islands

Adam Jackson

Birding Life List

Stuff I've Built