Yucatan's Bird-watching and Nature Tours
Hacienda Chichen Resort
Yucatan Bird Guide and Photos

Bird-Watching Paradise and Eco-Cultural Destination:
Yucatan's Ecotourism and Responsible Sustainable Tourism at its Best!

At the Hacienda Chichen's Bird Refuge and Maya Jungle Reserve in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico, guests and visitors alike marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature's wildlife. Take a visual tour now of our Maya flora (plants) and Maya fauna (animals) and imagine what a great vacation you can enjoy at Hacienda Chichen, which is Yucatan's ideal bird-watching for both aficionado and professional birders.

The bellow "Full Bird List" is grouped in a manner that most bird lovers will understand rather than in a scientific family format; should you observe at the Hacienda Chichen Resort an additional family or species not mentioned here, please contact us to include it; plus, if you can send your photo it will be great, thanks!

Yucatan Bird Guide: list of birds found at Hacienda Chichen
Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

 Anis and Cuckoos       Bunting Birds      Cardinals & Grosbeak       Currasows and Guans      Doves and Pigeon

Egret      Euphonia and Finches      Falcons & Caracaras      Flycatchers      Galliforms    Crackles and Cowbirds

Gnatcatchers and Grassquits       Hawks and Goatsucker Birds      Humming Birds     Jay Birds     Motmot Birds

 Mocking Birds        Orioles        Owl Birds        Parrots        Quails         Swallows and Thrushes         Tanagers

Tityra and Bacaard       Tucans    Turkey      Trogons     Vireos       Warblers       Woodpeckers and Woodcreepers

Yucatan Endemic Birds   Black-birds ID

Ani  and  Cuckoos:

Ani Groove-billed, Crotophaga sulcirostris, called "Chic Bul" or "Ch'ikbu'ul" in Maya, is a tropical black bird in the cuckoo family that resides at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge most of the year. It has black-shiny plumage,  deep horizontal grooves along its strong wide beak, strong mandible and a really long long tail.  Normally, the Ani Groove-billed is observed in small pair groups in open pastures and orchards.  Territorial, the group feeds mainly of insects, seeds, and round forager.  Ani Groove-billed lay their eggs in one communal nest placing it in tall trees with all group members incubating the eggs and caring for the young. Order: Cuculiformes / Family Cuculidae.

 
Squirrel Cuckoo, Piaya cayana, called "Kip Cho" in Maya, cayana (Kip Cho in Maya), a rather large bird averaging 46 cm long. A shy bird is found in woodlands and semi-open jungle hedges. Squirrel Cuckoo birds fly only short distances, leaping from branch to branch feeding on large insects such as spiders, caterpillars, wasps, and sometimes fruit. Squirrel Cuckoo plumage has a cinnamon or chestnut upperparts covering the top head, then paler on the throat with an almost pink tone. Its lower breast and belly are grayish. Squirrel Cuckoo's long tail feathers have black with white band-like tips. The bill is lime and the iris is red.  These beautiful birds are fairly large in size and their call has sharp "kip! weeuu sounds with long wheeps whistles. Females lay 2 or 3 eggs on twit-leaves high nests.
 

Lesser roadrunner, Geococcyx velox – is a commonly solitary bird but it may live in pairs. A member of the Cuckoo family Cuculidae, order of Cuculiformes. The Lesser roadrunner has a dove-like "coo" vocalization. It resembles in appearance and in its ground foraging habits to the Greater Roadrunner, Geococcyx californiana;  but it is smaller, has a shorter bill, long tail, slender long legs, black-golden brown and white streaked plumage. Its head features a patched of bluish bare skin behind its bulky eyes.  Although capable of flying, this is a terrestrial bird that eats seeds, fruit, insects, small reptiles such as snakes, lizards and frogs.  Forages around roadsides in arid lowland and scrub for its food and occasional road-kill. Lesser roadrunners can run up to 20 miles an hour. Breeding nests care placed in a low bush or cactus. They have bi-parental care to their young.  There is a disjoint range, restricted island population, of Lesser roadrunners found in the North of Yucatan Peninsula.
 

Bunting Birds:

Blue Bunting, Cyanocompsa perellina, belongs to the passerine bird species. Small stocky bunting with a stout black bill. Males have deep dark blue plumage with bright highlights; females have warm brown plumage and slightly paler belly. They forages on ground, in thickets, and in bushy areas.  If - Order: Passeriformes / Family: Cardinalidae
Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea, (click name to see photo and information details).
Painted Bunting, Passerina ciris, (click name to see photo and information details).
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                       PAINTED BUNTING - Male                                    INDIGO BUNTING - Female                    INDIGO BUNTING - Male

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Cardinals and Other Grosbeaks:

Blue Grosbeak,     Passerina caerula formally Guiraca caerulea. Blue grosbeak birds are in the Northern Cardinal grosbeak "tropical" family. A passerina migratory bird that forages on the ground and shrubs eating insects, grains and fruits. Found in partly open habitat and overgrown fields, this beautiful bird nests in low bushes and can be found feeding on seeds and wild grassy edges.

Northern Cardinal,   Cardinalis cardinalis, called "Chak Is'iits'ib" in Maya.  These breathtaking deep bright red songbirds are loved for their beautiful singing notes and familiar shade of red (males) with black face marks. Females have brown plumage with same sharp crest and show warm red accents. 

Other Grosbeaks Birds:

                
Black-headed Saltator - male              Grayish Saltator - male              Rose-breasted Grosbeak - male
         Saltator coerulescens                            Saltator coerulescens                  Pheucticus ludovicianus 
 

Scarlet tanager,   Piranga Olivacea, "Chac yuyum" in Maya, formally classified in the tanager family Thraupidae now within the genus of the Cardinal family Cardinalidae.  Scarlet tanager's plumage and vocalization are similar to the cardinal songbirds. Adults males plumage is bright scarlet red with black wings and tail, while scarlet females have yellowish underparts, olive tops, brown wings and tail.  Juvenile scarlet birds show complex variegated plumage.  They breed in May and stay till October foraging high in tree tops. Eat insects in flight but enjoy small berry fruits, building their nests in horizontal high branches.

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Currasows and Guans:

Plain chachalaca,     Ortalis vetula, called Baach in Maya, is a massive large bird in the Cracidae family. Plain chachalaca birds have long necks, bare throat, small heads and really long tails. This bird species enjoys feeding on the ground fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Gliding and leaping through brushy vegetation, plain chachalaca birds often call with a loud rhythmical chorus early mornings and evening, many times producing peeping whistles and cackles that mimic blabbing chatting loud sounds. They breed in early June and their nests look like a shallow saucer made of twigs, plant fibers and leaves. Plain chachalaca birds are shy and difficult to view in the open but easy to hear from a far during the early morning even in the hotel gardens.

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Doves and Pigeons:

There is no difference between a pigeon and a dove besides the fact that pigeon is a word that comes from the French "pijon" and "dove" s the in English name for birds of the Columbidae family which includes over 300 species of near-passerine birds worldwide.  However, nowadays we commonly refer to "doves" to the small members of the species and to "pigeons" to the larger ones; this practical tendency is also found in ornithology.  Pigeons and doves pair for life and their singing has a very low resonant note pattern with little variations; they typically counter sing with group members creating enthusiastic patterns. The following doves and pigeons are found at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. You can observe most of these doves and pigeons, called "Mucuy" in Maya, at the hotel's main garden and in our many ficus trees and paths all year:

Caribbean dove                   Common ground dove           Ruddy ground-dove                 Mouring dove
Leptotila jamaicensis               Columbina passerine              Columbina talpacoti         Zwnaida macroura

         
  Red-billed pigeon                 Rock pigeon - couple            White tipped dove                      White winged dove
Patagioenas flavirostris                Columba livia                   Leptotila verreauxi                     Zenaida asiatica

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Egret:

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, a small gregarious snowy=white egret distinguished during breeding season by its orange crown plumes. This ibis has long neck and long yellow pinkish bill that turns reddish during breeding season; when they monogamous pair within breeding colonies.  The Cattle Egret normally legs also change color during breeding season from gray-green tones to bright red to orange-brown colors. This bird species is commonly seen foraging and grazing stock in wetlands and interior grassy pastures.  Cattle egrets love to eat grasshoppers and insects as well as worms, ticks, small frogs and lizards. 
 

Euphonia and Finch Birds:

              
  Yellow-throated Euphonia female (left) breeding nest (center photo) male (right)  Euphonia hirundinacea

Yellow-throated Euphonia   Euphonia hirundinacea belong to the Tanager Subfamily, the Thraupinae. This stocky small birds are found all year round at Hacienda Chichen Resort's gardens in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico.  Its natural habitats are subtropical dry or moist lowland and disturbed forests. Note the yellow throat plumage is what distinguish this Euphonia male from the Scrub Euphonia male that has a black throat plumage. Both parents care and feed their young.

Lesser Goldfinch or Dark-backed Goldfinch,   Carduelis psaltria, is a social small seed eating finch, often gregarious and enjoys living in small flocks. It is among the most joyful songbird found year round in Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge.  It has a small pointed and conical dark bill, dark wings with large white wing-bars and short notched tail.   Lesser Goldfinch males have bright yellow body plumage with black backs, cap and wings, though some have dirty green back plumage. Very adaptable to open habitat settings and forest clearings, it primarily feeds in small groups moving through low weeds and seeds. Pairs are monogamous, females wove and line their cup-like nests and the male feeds the female when she is incubating eggs.  Due to their lovely singing they get caught for the cage bird trade by Maya locals but they are protected at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and Maya Jungle Reserve. 

Scrub Euphonia,   Euphonia affinis, order Passeriformes, Family Carduelidae.  Scrub Euphonias are truly social gregarious tiny birds.  Males have a blue black head, upperparts, wings and neckline with bright yellow fore-crown and under-parts.  Females have a duller pale yellow belly and greenish gray upper plumage.  It has a variety of habitats but is commonly found in our scrubby woodland and royal palms when they produce their small fruits.  Scrub Euphonias make different calls with double and tripled dee or deen notes. They often mixed with other bird species near trees that are baring fruits.

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Falcons and Caracaras:

Caracas are raptors (birds of prey) in the Family Falconidae, members of the true falcon subfamily subfamily Falconinae found principally in South America, Central America and the south region of USA.  Caracaras are often scavengers and falcons are aerial hunters, both are carnivorous.  These are the caracaras and falcons found at Hacienda Chichen Maya Jungle and Wildlife Reserve:

                       
     American Kestrel                               Bat Falcon                                    Crested Caracara

American Kestrel,   Falco sparverius, called I'kos in Maya, are the smallest falcons observed at Hacienda Chichen Wildlife Reserve as winter visitors.  Males have truly attractive facial feather patterns with a blue-gray crown and white with black throat bands; their back wings have golden brown plumage with black spots and their wings long blue-gray feathers, their tail under-parts have black and golden brown bands ending with a white tip (see above left photo). Females are similar in size but their plumage is less colorful with mostly golden brown and dark brown body spots and bands. Adapted to various habitats, American Kestrel hunts by perching or hovering for small pray typically lizards, mice and small animals. Nests in tree cavities and both parents help incubating and feeding their offspring.

Bat Falcon, Falco rufigularis a small bird of prey and resident breeder that can be observed in forest clearings or perching conspicuously on high open dead tree branches from where they launch their aerial attacks to their pray such as bats, birds, and large insects.   Females are larger than males. Adults have a black head, back, and tail; the throat and upper chest are creamy white with fine barred white bellies.  Has a distinctive high pitched call.

Crested Caracara, Caracara cheriway, also called Northern Crested Caracara.  A slow flying falcon found in most of Mexico, Cuba and Central America, truly voracious omnivorous scavenger found in semi-open country habitats. It enjoys carrion but eats on ground small mammals, insects and reptiles. Males have broad wings, long tail and legs; frequently found walking and running on ground.  Sexes are similar in size and plumage, with black long feathers a top of the head, bright orange cere or facial skin, and hooked white bills.

       
         Laughing Falcon                Peregrine Falcon                     Crested Caracara

Collared Forest Falcon, Micrastur semitorquatus, (extreme left photo) is the largest member of its genus. You will find it in the wild within Hacienda Chichen Maya Jungle Reserve grounds; this falcon has face mask, yellowish legs and dark tail with light bars.

Laughing Falcon, Herpetotheres cachinnans (Kos in Maya)a Neotropical falcon species of the subfamily Polyborinae that enjoys mostly eating snakes. His call is an unmistakable  laughing aloud sound. As with most birds of pray, this falcon's female is bigger than males.  Adults have pale buff head with a broad black face mask across neck; it has white body plumage and a banded tail with black brownish wings. Prefers humid semi-open habitats.

Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus, a great hunter from the family Falcomidae that preys on birds and bats in mid-flight (speeds over 200 mhp). This large crow sized falcon mates for life and prefers wide open spaces. It has beautiful barred white under-parts and a black head band over his eyes and a banded tail.  Winter visitor to Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge.

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Flycatcher and Antbirds:

Flycatcher family of birds from the order of Passeriformes. Many flycatchers are great songbirds and truly have a beautiful plumage. This large group of birds includes various species, all of which feed mainly on insects that are caught during fly, many feed also on small fruits or berries. Flycatchers have incredible aerial skills and spend time perching on various territories and habitats.  These are the flycatchers found at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and Maya Jungle Wildlife Reserve, in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico:  

                   
  Barred antshrike - male                      Barred antshrike - female                 Brown-crested flycatcher
   Thamnophilus doliatus                          Thamnophilus doliatus                      Myiarchus crinitus

            
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher    Great crested flycatcher     Social Flycatcher             Great Kiskadee

* Barred antshrike, Thamnophilus doliatus, is a non-migratory territorial antbird found at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge, enjoys dense scrub areas in secluded paths. Sexually dimorphic songbird, male has a striking plumage alternating black and white bars all around its body and features a distinctive black feathered head crown; females have a cinnamon-rufous upper plumage with an ocher body tone and stripped head plumage. Both have strong large bills and live as pairs, producing duet long songs during breeding; incubate two purple marked eggs. Feed on insects and follow ant swarms.   (photo above*)

Boat-billed flycatcher, Megarynchus pitangus - it is named X'takay in Maya as all birds with similar head and body plumage colors. Boat-billed flycatcher, are the largest species of the tyrant flycatcher and the only member (monotypic) of the genus Megarynchus.  Breeds near the front of Hacienda Chichen open gardens with tall trees; its nest is built with sticks in a saucer shape by the female for the incubation of two or three eggs. Its large bill helps bird-lovers distinguish it from the Great Kiskadee which has similar plumage. Feeds on insects, small invertebrates and ficus berries.

* Bright-rumped attila, Attila spadiceus, has a variable olive brown plumage but its streaking yellowed belly end and obvious dark brown wings with two pale wing-bars help birders identify it. A small tyrant flycatcher It perches while singing and prefers shady garden areas; eats insects as well as seeds and berries. Nests in the quiet areas of Hacienda Chichen property, building deep cups of mosses, leaves and soft pochote fiber, incubates two pale lilac marked light pink eggs. *left photo

* Brown-crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus, a passerine songbird in the tyrant flycatcher family, both sexes have similar plumage of gray breast, lime yellowish belly, whitish neck, olive-brown upperparts and a dark short flat crest head. What helps ID this species from other birds of the genus is its sharp repeated notes and rough call. Feeds on insects and berries, built nests for two purple marked cream eggs in tree cavities or man-made holes.  (photo in above collection*)

* Couch’s kingbird, tyranuus couchii, a passerine tyrant flycatcher resident of Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge belonging to the kingbird genus. Has a large head and bill for its seven inches body; pale gray head with darker cheeks, olive-gray upperparts with a pale throat and bright yellow breast. Best observed in overgrown shrubs areas perching in elevated tree branches around the gardens. It has a distinctive nasal buzz song note. Nests in isolated trees build untidy bowls of twigs and bark strips lined with pochote and fine rootlets. (*left photo)

* Dusky-capped flycatcher, Myiarchus tuberculifer, another passerine tyrant flycatcher that breeds during winter at the Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and gardens. Both sexes have same plumage: gray breast, yellowish belly, blackish short crest head and brown upperparts with pale outer tail and wings feathers. It is a bit difficult for a birder to ID as it is also Similar to other Myiarchus species such as the Myiarchus crinitus, but the dusky-capped is a bit smaller in size and has a sorrowful whistled note.  Loves gumbo-limbo berries but feeds mostly on insects that catches in fly. Builds its nest on tree cavities incubating normally three small brown marked buff eggs.  (right photo)

* Eastern Wood-Pewee, Contopus virens, another common migrating flycatcher found at Hacienda Chichen grounds, adults have gray olive upperparts with two wing bars and light underparts, also a light olive wash on their breasts. This small songbird has a whistled singing note that gave rise to its name.  Easter Wood-Pewee has a clear loud chip call with alternative notes when singing; they build open cup nests made of grass and bark both sexes are territorial and defend their nest aggressively, they feed mainly on insects. (photo click here)

* Great crested flycatcher, Myiarchus crinitus, loves to hunt insects from deciduous forest treetops; thus, easier to be hear than seen.  The great crested flycatcher is a mid-size songbird with bright yellow belly and cinnamon Rufus wings and tail that has pale wing-bars.  Breeds in open deciduous semi-open areas and nests in cavities lining them with snakeskin and soft bark and small twigs.  (photo found in our above flycatchers collection*)

* Great Kiskadee, Pitangus sulphuratus, called X'takay in Maya as do all similar color plumage birds do.  This is a large tyrant songbird, measures aprox. 11 inches) that enjoys perching on tall trees in open areas. It is considered monotypic. It has a black short and thick bill bright yellow under-part, black head with a strong white eye-stripped. It has a strong noisy call. Almost omnivorous, a great hunter. Both sexes build the ball like nest with a side entrance. Three cream eggs with reddish brown blotches are incubated.  Territorial and a bit aggressive with other species.  (photo in our flycatcher set above*)

Greenish Elaenia, Myiopagis viridicata, a perching resident flycatcher from the Tyrannidae family. A small bird with grey head and short beak with some yellow on wing bend and no wing bars; its grey throat merges into a olive dusky chest and pale breast and belly. Best ID for its buuur-zeeep call note, it is truly a shy bird and usually is found in the garden bushes where some clearing areas are quiet at Hacienda Chichen gardens, perching solitary up high.

Least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus, migratory songbird visitor in Spring that has white underbelly and olive-gray coloring on the back. Two white bars on their wings help identify it from other flycatchers. Feeds hawking from the air on insects.

Northern Bentbill, Oncostoma cinereigulare, native to Mesoamerica, this small resident flycatcher can be observed in numerous areas of Hacienda Chichen. A member of the Tyrannidae family, it perches in small bushy shrubs around the gardens. Has an olive-grayish upper-part and pale lime yellow chest and belly with thin orange with small dark mark curved beak.  Feeds mostly on small berries, spiders and flies.  Solitary by nature even during breeding season Mar,ch / April.  Nests are globular structure pendants built with vegetable fibers between 30 to 60 cm above ground; female lays one or two eggs.

* Social flycatcher, Myiazetetes similis - (X'takay in Maya) is a member of the tyrant flycatcher bird family. Social flycatchers plumage resemble that of Boat-billed flycatchers and Great Kiskadee birds; however social flycatcher adult birds are smaller,18 cm. long.  The male head has a dark almost black crown with a strong white eye stripe; the upperparts are olive brown, wings and tail have gray brown feather tones. Social flycatcher belly and under-parts are bright yellow and the throat is white.  At the Hacienda Chichen these cheerful birds' calls chips-k'-cheery are sang all day long to the enjoyment of guests and visiting birders. Social flycatcher birds love to perch in the open terraces of the hotel and feed on small berries from many of the trees around the hotel's main arch. They nest near water from February to June. (photo found in our above flycatchers collection*)

Sulphur-bellied flycatcher, Mylodynastes luteiventris - A resident of Hacienda Chichen's main garden, this lovely tyrant flycatcher belongs to the Passeriformes order.  It has distinctive strong streaking in its plumage, a black eyes-tripe, pale yellow-lime colored belly, and a deep rusty brown tail. Its call has a deep squeaky sound as it perches on high tree branches in semi-open garden areas.  These flycatchers' nest are shaped like a cup, and can be found in old woodpecker holes or tree cavities with two to four small eggs.  Suphur-bellied flycatchers hawk their prey, normally feeding on insects, but also enjoys seeds and berries.

* Tropical Pewee, Contopus cinereus, another small tyrant flycatcher found at the edges of the gardens perching in Hacienda Chichen tall ficus. Large in numbers, they reside in the grounds all year round, nesting in small open saucers made our of soft grass and linchen chunks, built in branch forks by the female who lays two creamy off white eggs marked with red-brown spots, both parents defend their nest aggressively specially from the Great kiskadeee.  Dark brownish grey under-parts and dark grey crown plumage, a pale olive yellow belly as well as two white wing bars with some variations on plumage are common in this species.  Its call has a sharp weeet call.  (right photo* )

Tropical Kingbird, Tyrannus melancholius (X'takay in Maya), this large tyrant Flycatcher is one of the many resident songbirds at Hacienda Chichen gardens and grounds. Both sexes are similar with pale-gray head plumage and a darker eye mask, they showcase an orange crown stripe and a heavy grey bill. The back is greyish-green, and the wing and forked tail are brown. The throat is pale grey, becoming olive on the breast, with the rest of the underparts being yellow. Their call has a high-pitched twittering trill note. They defend their territory with an aggressive behavior toward other birds, They nest in ficus in upper tree cannopies.

Yellow-bellied elaenia, Elaenia flavogaster, another songbird from the tyrant flycatcher family common to the Yucatan peninsula. It is a conspicuous little bird that has yellow-olive under-parts, white eye-ring and bushy crest.  it has a nasal call and can be found around the gardens eating insects and small berries. Builds cup nests.

Yellow-bellied flycatcher, Empidonax flaviventris, a noisy little flycatcher with a large semi-crested head, yellowish eye-ring, yellowish cream throat and breast, two broad yellow or white wing-bars. Yellow-bellied flycatchers are found in semi-open habitats.

Yellow-olive flycatcher, Tolmonyias sulphurescens, a small songbird found at Hacienda Chichen Resort's grounds. Feeds on insects, small seeds and berries.  Its call is a nasal breeer, and the song  has a wheezing zhu-zhee-zhu-zhee note. It makes a cup nest and lays two cream eggs with reddish blotches at the larger end.

* Yucatan flycatcher, Myiarchus yucatanensis – a small tyrant flycatcher and an endemic bird species of the Yucatan Peninsula, called X'takay in Maya, as ancient Maya grouped birds for their plumage alike color design and habits.  This small flycatcher bird resides all year round at Hacienda Chichen Resorts garden edges near the rejoyadas on mid-range cannopy.  There are three subspecies currently recognized: Myiarchus yucatanensis, Myiarchus lanyoni, and Myiarchus navai, all within the Maya world (Yucatan Peninsula, Chiapas, Guatemala and Belize) it is easy to ID mainly due to its vocal characters. (right photo*)
 

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Galliforms:

Yucatan bobwhite or Black-throated bobwhite, Colinus nigrogularis, "Bech" in Maya. Like its northern relative, though smaller, this endemic quail emits a sound like a masked bobwhite. It belongs to the Odontophoridae family. The male's face  is black with white stripes above and below their eyes. This bird has a black throat and a reddish brown crown; the chest and belly plumage is white with black in a very noticeable pattern of flakes. The back, wings and tail are reddish brown. Females are similar to the northern masked bobwhite quail with chestnut throat.

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 Grackles and Cowbirds:

Almost all black feathered birds are called Pi’ich (such as the black melodious bird) or X'Kau (grackles and cacique) in Maya, even though they are not of the same bird family or bird species: see photos bellow,  Black Melodious is a songbird that delights anyone with its lovely melodious singing notes at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and Gardens.

        
     Melodious Blackbird                       Great-tailed Grackle                               Yellow-billed cacique

         
         Bronzed cowbird                                         Brown Jay                                         Common grackle

* Melodious blackbird, Dives dives, endemic to the New World Icterid bird list, and there is no subspecies. This midsized black songbird resides in tropical regions, from the East Mexican coastline, to the Yucatan peninsula and down to Costa Rica. This delightful melodious songbird is a permanent resident at Hacienda Chichen, you can hear its joyful songs around the hotel's gardens all day long. This blackbird enjoys visiting guests at meal time at the terrace restaurant for a few treats, fruit, seeds, and even a bit of warm bread. Males and females have identical black bluish glossy plumage, their eyes, feet and bill are deep black. These birds seen in a duet pair with many joyful notes, whistles, and calls. Prefers open spaces and forages insects,, mainly on the ground; loves to feed on nectar and sweet fruits.  Highly territorial, especially during breeding season. Both sexes build a cup nest high in tree branches. The female lays three or four brown-blotched blue eggs, which she incubates alone, although the male helps with feeding the chicks. ( first top photo found left side in our above photo set*)

* Common grackle, Quiscalus quiscula, (Pi’ich in Maya) is a permanent resident and very common in Yucatan. A large black bird from the Icteridae family, the male is just a bit larger than the female. As adults both have long dark tail, long dark bill and pale yellowish eyes Their feathers appear black with iridescent purple, green or blue shades on their head.  Nest are concealed in lush tall tree branches. ( last bottom right photo found in our above set*)

* Yellow-billed cacique, Amblycercus holosericeus (called also Pi’ich in Maya) Another resident bird to the Hacienda Chichen gardens. It is a large black bird with deep yellow peak and bright yellow eyes from the Icteridae family. Not a true cacique but related to the species, this impressive monotypic bird belongs to the genus Amblycercus. Has a long black shinny tail; it feeds by pecking leaves and twits for insects. The nest has a classic cup-shaped made of twits and fibers. The Yellow-billed cacique found in Yucatan is a lowland bird with no relationship to the bamboo specialized group found in Costa Rica. - (left top photo found in above photo set*)

* Great tail grackle, Quiscalus mexicanus (X'Kau in Maya)  is a common resident to our gardens native to North and Central America. It has a medium size with deep black and violet-blue iridescent plumage and a long slender tail. Another member of the Icteridae family, this bird can rich up to 17 inches in length. The great tail grackle has a vast range of call notes, some quite melodic.  You can spot them easily at sundown and down often congregated in large flocks.  Cunning and opportunists by nature, these birds are brave and approach humans for food and scraps as they are omnivorous.  - (center top photo found in our above bird photo collection*)

* Bronzed cowbird or Red-eyed cowbird, Molothrus aeneus  this Icteridae bird is smaller than those in above, it is also a common resident to the Yucatan; the male has a green-rusty-brown neck and head coloration with shinny black body plumage. The female is smaller and has a duller look, she lays its eggs in other bird species nests such as the prevost's ground sparrow and the yellow-throated brush finch; her young are fed by such bird parents.  - (bottom left photo found in our above bird photo collection*)

* Brown Jay, Psilorhinus morio, please click here for brief info- It is displayed in the above, bottom center, photo set since the Maya people commonly group birds by color not species; thus, it is in the Maya family of the deep dark birds or Box Kau (black / brown plumage).

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Gnatcatchers and Grassquits:

                
          White-lored gnatcatcher                        Blue-gray gnatcatcher - female            Blue-black grassquit

Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Polioptila caerulea, looking like a miniature mockingbird, this little bird has a lovely blue-gray feathers atop and white belly with a distinctive white eye ring, broad white borders on black tail. Male have a deep blue gray eyebrow band, females do note (above photos). Parents are quite vocal and build exquisite nests, lovely singing birds.

               
      White-collared seedeater                   Yellow-faced grassquit                  Blue-black grassquit - female

Blue-black grassquit, Volatinia jacarina, resident of Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge, this lovely songbird has deep blue black plumage all over its body.  These grassquit birds form flocks and enjoy feeding in open weed fields and habitats.

* White-collared seedeater, Sporophila torqueola, a passerine bird that has a softh delightful call and whistled singing feeds in the low weedy places of Hacienda Chichen gardens, thus, the hotel leaves tall weedy areas around the garden near the Church. they nest in small colonies and sing to defend their territory. Both parents feed seeds and small insects to their young.

White-lored gnatcatcher, Polioptila albiloris, males have glossy black caps extended to their eyes as it curves around the white cheek. It is found at Hacienda Chichen's semi-arid scrubby garden areas. Its call has a nasal scratchy sound and pairs breed during spring and early summer. They eat insects: caterpillars and small beetles.

Yellow-faced grassquit, Tiaris olivacea, is a small passerine seedeater and a melodious bird with a sharp conical bill; males have a bright yellow throat with deep olive green backs, gray legs, black plumage on breast and face. Females have dull olive green plumage and pale grayish underparts. Their call has a low soft buzzing sound with high rapid trills.

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Hawks and Goatsucker Birds:  

      
     White Hawk                Common Nighthawk at dusk                Gray Hawk male                   Short-tailed Hawk

Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, with an appearance similar to owls, this nocturnal insectivore hawk, is a migrating hawk difficult to spot during the daytime. Best seen at dusk and twilight hours. Has a distinctive plumage dark brown and gray coloration and patterns, slender dark wings with large white patch. Distinguished by its forked tail, this hawk prefers to perch when resting or take flight; it is easy to locate at dusk due to its clear vocalization. It enjoys roosting together, but it is primarily a solitary territorial hawk. It can measure up to 10 inches and has a five year lifespan.  Feeds on insects mainly.  Do not disturb, they are know to attack intruders.

Chuck-will’s-widow, Caprimulgus carolinensis, the largest nightjar in America, ranging up to 23 inches in length. A migrating nightjar famous for its repetitive vibrating night calls, thus its name. With a short bill and long tail, this bird has reddish brown feathers lined with black and white patterns (see photo), males have white patches on their outer tail. Its nocturnal insects, small birds and bats. Females lay spotted pinkish - lavander eggs on dead leaves on the ground.

Gray Hawk, Buteo nitidus, a neo-tropical raptor or bird of prey that breeds at Hacienda Chichen's lush gardens and wild forest edges. This beautiful raptor is know to Mayans as Yoksadz.  Adult Gray hawks reach up to 50cm in height and hunt for food primarily using their talons; these raptors eat lizards, snakes, birds, small animals. Gray hawks display a characteristic curved tip to their beak. They have superb vision and hunting skills. Grey hawks also they have strong pale grey bodies, black tail with three wide white bands. Wings are gray, their striking stripped gray and white feather pattern covers breast; Gray hawks have strong orange legs. Gray hawks are short winged and have a fast agile flight. Territorial in nature; they highly guard their breeding grounds; their nests usual are high and have two pale blue white eggs.

  
     Roadside Hawk             Chuck-will’s-widow                 Lesser Nighthawk               Yucatan nightjar

Lesser Nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis, is very similar to the common nighthawk but a bit smaller. Both have redish-brown-gray patterning on the upperparts and chest, but the Lesser nighthawk has a puffier breast and under plumage with a softer coloration. What helps distinguish them in the field, is that their calls are completely different sounds, the Lesser nighthawk call has a rapid melodious rhythm that lasts for couple of minutes. They also nest on the ground or on flat roof structures; eggs are off white with multiple tiny brown spots, look dirty.  Aggressive and territorial when nesting and breeding. they eat at night many insects while in flight.  You can spot them sometimes near our garden tall lights due to the insects attracted to them.

Pigeon Hawk or Merlin, Falco Columbarius, a migratory bird of prey that has taken residence at Hacienda Chichen's private Nature Reserve. Easy to distinguish among other falcons. The drawing placed in this page, will help you recognize both female and male adults. Argument still flows if genetically the Eurasian an North America populations are distinct species.  It has a wingspan of about 29 inches and a robust built; males have blue gray back and buff under-parts with orange tinted marks.  Females have a brownish gray back and spotted under-part marks. They are easier to find at the Hacienda Chichen's private Nature Reserved grounds during the winter months.  Pigeon or Merlin Hawks are great hunters, fly fast and low searching for pray but can catch other birds in mid-air.  It is very important to protect their habitat and breeding area as over disforestation is widespread.

Roadside Hawk, Buteo Magnirostris, is a laud small bird of prey with many subspecies; thus, its plumage can vary from brown to grey hues and tones with stripped like patterns in its underparts. It has a large deep yellow peak with dark ending mark.  In flight you can observe its short wings compared to its longer tail. This hawk is well adapted to our ecosystem and has aggressive temper, specially at the time of breeding and nesting.   Feeds on insects and small mammals.

Short-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus

White Hawk, Leucoptemis albicollis, (see photo under title Hawks) a laud

Yucatan nightjar, Caprimulgus badius, called "Box Pujuy" in Maya, is very similar to the Yucatan poorwill and non-professional birders may confuse both in field. But Yucatan nightjar has more white at the tail tip and wider white forecollar. Plumage is extremely similar in pattern and color.  Their nocturnal call notes are very rhythmic clear and very loud.  They enjoy same habitat ambience as the Yucatan poorwill. Lays its eggs on the ground.

Yucatan poorwill, Nyctiphrynus yucatanius, called "Chac Pujuy" in Maya, this endemic mid-size nightjar belongs to the Caprimulgidae family. It is protected at Hacienda Chichen's private Nature Reserve. Nocturnal and very territorial; enjoys quiet semi-arid deciduous forest areas, feed on insects from ground and perches on tree.  Male emits repetitive loud rhythmic calls at dusk. Males and females have similar plumage that blends perfectly with bark and dry leafs making it difficult to spot. Upperparts brown streaked brown-blackish, distinct spot on wing-coverts, a narrow white collar, and truly small peak. Lay eggs on the ground, both parents caretakers.

Zone-tailed Hawk, Buteo albonotatus

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Hummingbirds:

All hummingbirds are called Dzunum or Tz'unu'un in Yucatec Maya language. Hummingbirds are a joy to observe and very difficult to photograph due to their speed and tinny bodies. Bellow are the various colorful hummingbirds you will find at Hacienda Chichen Resort gardens and private Maya Nature Reserve.  Easy to spot drinking our flower's nectar early morning, specially from the Heliconia family near the terrace restaurant and Yaxkin Spa.

Hummingbirds belong to the order Apodiformes; there are three families: Trochilidae (hummingbirds), Hemiprocnidae (tree swifts), and Apodidae (swifts).  Trochiline male hummingbirds often have bright, colorful iridescent feathers while their female counterparts have lighter coloration.  Both sexes have elongated narrow beaks, extendable tongues and a vivid hovering flight. Trochilines are territorial solitary birds, they feed mainly on nectar and a few insects. Hummingbirds are polygynous, only females build nests and care for their young.   Learn more about hummingbirds, by ADW, University of Michigan.

               
        Mexican sheartail            Emerald-chinned hummingbird      Cinnamon hummingbird        White-bellied Emerald

                                  
     Canivet’s Emerald   /   Wedge-tailed sabrewing  /  Green breasted mango female and male   /   Buff-bellied

* Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilla yucatanensis - called Dzunum or Tz'unu'un in Maya  - (right bottom photo)

* Canivet’s Emerald hummingbird, Chlorostibon canivetii, weights less than an once and grows up to 3 inches. At Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge, you can observe the subspecies C.c. salvini which is protected as it is listed as an endangered bird. The male has metallic emerald feathers with a forked dark blue tail, almost black. Females have less bright green plumage with a dark eye mask and a white top line. Easy to spot in our gardens near the lovely heliconias, specially early morning hours.  -  (left bottom photo)

* Cinnamon hummingbird, Amazilla rutila, called Tz'unu'un in Maya   -(right center top photo)

* Emerald-chinned hummingbird, Abeillia abeillei   - (left center top photo)

* Green breasted mango, Anthracothorax prevostii (Dzunum in Maya)  -  (female and male center bottom photos)

* Mexican sheartail, Doricha eliza, "Dzunum" in Maya is a species found only in Mexico belonging to the Trochilidae family. This tiny hummingbird is endangered due to habitat lost; thus protected at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and in our Maya Jungle Reserved where visitors and birders enjoy this beautiful hummingbird. (left top photo)

Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, (Dzunum in Maya most hummingbirds)  

* White-bellied Emerald hummingbird, Amazilia candida

* Wedge-tailed sabrewing, Campylopterus pampa, is a large hummingbird with a long wedge-shaped tail. Upperparts are green with blue to violet-blue crown that blends into the green nape. It has a white spot behind its eyes and a dark gray cheek.  Breeds from March to July and enjoys the nectar of our heliconias and flowers.

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Jay Birds:

Brown Jay, Psilorhinus morio, Corvidae family, endemic to the East costal region of Mexico and the Yucatan and Central America, this corvid bird is among the most intelligent birds known to science. Brown Jays vary in plumage geographically, the Yucatan brown jays have deep brown wings upper-parts and wings witn cream tips on tail plumage; their under parts and belly is light cream. Bill and legs are deep yellow with orange tones; eyes have a deep yellow ring. Their calls have a loud but low pitched pee-ah tone. Very social and brave, nest has three to six eggs, both parents build it and feed chicks. Feeds on insects, small seeds and young fruits from various trees.

Green Jay, Cyanocorax luxosus, this beautiful jay is known to Yucatan's Maya as majestic "Ses Ib".  Green jay body plumage stands out with beautiful shades of deep lime and green on back and wings; deep yellow under tail feathers. Its iridescent blue-violet head top contrasts beautifully with its black marking bib coming from the head sides and throat. The green tail has yellow feathers on each side that are seen as it flies.  Green Jays inhabit well preserved low or medium forest, feeding on fruits, tender shoots and flowers.  Breeds and nests in deep foliage areas.  Enjoys flying solitary but known to fly in groups of two or more during mating season. Yucatan's side roads and open forest areas are perfect places to find the green jay.

Yucatan Jay, Cyanocorax yucatanicus, called Ch'el in Maya, is an endemic bird species to the Yucatan Peninsula. Protected at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge, where birders have the unique opportunity to see it enjoy many of the fruits of the hotel's organic plantain orchard.  This is a jay with a brilliant turquoise blue plumage on back and wings, bright yellow peak, feet, and eyeliner, with black feather head, throat, and belly.  Breeds in undisturbed wooded areas, nesting in small flocks.  Can be seen eating near banana and fruit crops, or insects and seeds. Flies in small groups and enjoys pastures and open fields; very talkative and social.  The Yucatan Jay is a medium size bird that can be observed all times of the day. Adult birds have black peaks and feet.

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Mockingbirds:

Gray Catbird,     Dumetella Carolinensis, called Box Chika' in Maya, is a mid-sized perching bird; the only member of the "catbird" genus Dumetella of the Mimidae family. This bird species is named for its cat-like call but it also mimics other birds songs.  Male and female birds look alike with plain grey plumage and the head top darker, almost black, the undertail coverts are rust colored.   Gray Catbirds enjoy perching inside bushes and small trees when choosing to sing their many musical tones when hidden in undergrowth.  These birds breed in semi-open dense areas, they build bulky cup nests and lay pale turquoise eggs (two or three). Both parents take turns feeding the young birds.

Tropical Mockingbird,    Mimus gilvus, a resident passerine bird from the Mimidae family. Both female and male are alikewith grey plumage on the head and upper parts and a white-eye-stripe and dark patch through its yellow eye.  The Tropical Mockingbird long tail is dark with white feather tips. These resident birds have a varied of musical songs; enjoy eating insects and small wild berries. They build twig nests that are aggressively protected by the female.

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Motmots:  

The Motmots are a bird species called Toh in the Maya language, and can be observed regularly at the Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and Maya Jungle Reserve.  These near-passerine birds of the Momotidae family are in the order of Coraciiformes.  You can find these motmots in woodlands and neotropical forests.  Both spices have beautiful and colorful plumage (see bellow photos), long racket like tip tails, and heavy bill; they love to move their tail in a waging back and forth motion when they detect predators.  Toh birds, as the Maya call them, eat small pray such as insects, lizards, and fruit. These species enjoy forming large bird colonies and nest in bank tunnels and limestone caves laying about four eggs; with both parents caring for the young.

                                                           
Turquoise-browed motmot, Eumomota superciliosa              Blue crowned motmot, Momotus momota

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Oriole Birds:

Oriole birds are passerine birds in the New World family of Icteridae. These perching birds are known as songbirds for the joyful melodic singing of their rich whistles. Most orioles at Hacienda Chichen feed on insects, nectar and the Gumbo-limbo fruits, Bursera simaruba.  They have bright yellow and deep orange color plumage with black and white marks near neck, tail, and in their wing feathers.  Fairly common to find each morning are the following beautiful oriole species, do observe the different subdue markings and plumage differences:

** The below Orange and Deep Yellow Oriole Birds are called Chel in Maya / Melodious Blackbird is called Pi'ch:

                      
 Baltimore oriole, Icterus galbula    Yellow-backed, Icterus chrysater   Yellow-tailed, Icterus mesomelas

                 
Orchard oriole, Icterus spurius      Black-Cowled oriole, I. Dominicensis    Melodious black, Dives dives

**  The bellow beautiful Oriole Birds are called Yuyum in Maya:

                                           
  Altamira oriole, Icterus gularis    Hooded oriole,  Icterus Cucullatus        Orange oriole, Icterus auratus

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Owl Birds:

                          
             Barn owl                              Mottled owl                        Great horned owl                     F. Pygmy owl

Barn owl, Tyto alba, lechuza común (Spanish) called  Xoch'  in Maya.  Primary a nocturnal sedentary owl with high auditory acuity, the only member of the family Tytonidae (all other owls are from the Strigidae family). Sometimes called the monkey-faced owl family, this medium sized owl is easy to ID as it lacks ear tufts and has a distinctive heart shaped facial disk unlike all other owls.  Barn Owl enjoys warm weather and lowland habitats, its diet is mainly wild rodents and reptiles. It builds its nest sites in hollows or natural cavities in trees.

Ferruginous pygmy owl,  Glaucidium brasilianum ridwayi, Buho Viejita o Mochuelo Caburé (Spanish) called X'nuk in Maya
It is a small sedentary owl with reddish-brown-rust color and white plumage.  You can hear its calls fromyour own room patio terraces at Hacienda Chichen gardens and observe pygmy owls during the early dusk (crepuscular hours) it is a ferocious predator, feeds on small mammals, birds and reptiles, that nests in tree cavities from all woodpecker holes and on tree depressions.  Both adults bring food to their young.  

Great Horned owl,  Bubo virginianus mayensis, called búho real (Spanish) and Moan Ikim in Maya meaning the "wise-great-owl."  This great horned owl subspecies is only found on the Yucatan Peninsula.  In general, the Great horned owl is a family with 4 races and a native owl of the Americas.  The largest and most powerful of all owls found at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and private Maya Jungle Wildlife Reserve.  It has prominent horned ear tufts and a clear facial disk bordered with black lines and has intense yellow-lime eyes.  An adaptable sedentary predator feeds on any small to medium creatures as it has a powerful feet and a strong grip; perches and scans for pray before the hunt.  Adapts to most habitats; nests in caves and hollows quarries or even in cactus' holes left by other birds.  Both parents care for the young.

Mottled owl,  Ciccaba virgata, a strictly nocturnal owl found in the Yucatan to South America, its habitat is very extensive and enjoys dwelling in forest areas and jungles such as that found in Hacienda Chichen Maya Jungle Reserve. Hunting from a perch, its diet consists on large insects, small mammals and reptiles.  Nests can be found in old palm holes during January and February each year.

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Quails:

Black-throated bobwhite, Colinus nigrogularis, "Bech" in Maya.
Yucatan Quail, Colinus virginianus

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Parrots:

                   
     Yucatan Amazon Parrot                           White-fronted parrot
Amazona xantholora, T’uut in Maya                Amazona Albifrons

White-fronted parrot,  Amazona Albifrons, is found from Southern Mexico to Central America. An easy to detect parrot for its clearly marked bright red patch around the eyes and white forehead plumage; its body is covered with bright green feathers and has a red shoulder wing-spot. Strong yellow peak with dark tip. Flies in family groups in forests eating nuts, berries, seeds and ripe fruits.  Nests in tree hollows. 

Olive-throated parakeet, Aratinga nana, of the Psittacidae family. Called Periquito Verde (Spanish) or K'ijil (Maya) is found in Jamaica, Mexico and Central America in a wide range of fragmented habitats and areas.  A very green looking parakeet with the head, back and tail bright green and their throat olive green, the eyes are orange with a dark iris, skin around the eyes is cream color. 

  Yucatan Amazon Parrots or Yellow Lored Amazon, Amazona xantholora, "T'uut" in Maya, are one of the many Yucatan endemic bird species found at Hacienda Chichen Maya Jungle Reserve, Chichen Itza, Yucatan.  These lovely parrots of Yellow lories are only found in the Yucatan Peninsula, and a great family flock can be observed and heard every day at sunrise and later in the day.   These birds travel in flocks from feeding grounds to their roosting sites. Parrots are monogamous for life and become good pets; but are best enjoy flying free in their medium forest habitat. Yucatan parrots love to fly together in small groups to feed on fruits, seeds, flowers high on tree branches. Talkative and noisy, their plumage is mainly emerald green with indigo blue outline wing feathers; when in flight, their red patched wings can be observed clearly. At the forehead, these birds have a patch of yellow feathers near the peak, a white spot covers the head top, red feather near eyes.

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Plovers:

Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, rare to observe at Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge but does venture to inland disturbed habitats and open fields.

Sparrows:

Olive sparrow, Arremmonops rufivirgatus, also known as Green Finch, family Emberizidae, essentially a Mexican bird species ranging up to Texas.  It is a bush loving species, Its plumage has olive colors in general with a set of dark lines in its headline.  A small seedeater bird that enjoys staying close to the grown.

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Swifts:

Rufous-breasted Spinetail  Synallaxis erythrothorax

Vaux’s Swift, Chaetura vauxi

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Tanagers:

 

  Blue-gray tanager, Thraupis episcopus

Gray-headed tanager, Eucometis penicillata

Red-throated ant-tanager, Habia fuscicauda

Red-legged honeycreeper, Cyanerpes cyaneus

Rose-throated tanager, Piranga roseogularis – rare to observe

       
      Scarlet tanager:   male (left photo), feeding their young (center photo)  female (right photo)

Scarlet tanager birds,   Piranga Olivacea, formally classified in the tanager family Thraupidae now its genus is in the cardinal family Cardinalidae.  Scarlet tanager's plumage and vocalization are similar to their cardinal family members. Adults males plumage is bright scarlet red with black wings and tail, while scarlet females have yellowish under-parts, olive tops, brown wings and tail.  Juvenile scarlet birds show complex variegated plumage.  They breed in May and stay till October foraging high in tree tops. Eat insects in flight but enjoy small berry fruits, building their nests in horizontal high branches. 

 

Summer tanager, Pirunga rubra

Western tanager, Piranga ludoviciana

Yellow-winged tanager, Thraupis abbas 

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Thrushes and Swallows:

                   
           Barn swallow                Cave swallow             Clay colored robin       Louisiana Waterthrush        Purple Martin

* Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica.  A distinctive worldwide spread passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings.  Enjoys feeding on insects caught while it flies.  Barn swallows tend to be comfortable around humans and perches in electric cables and man-made structures. Enjoys open space areas as its habitat.

* Cave swallow, Petrochelidon fulva - Its located mainly in central south Mexico, with isolated permanent groups in Chiapas and upper Yucatán peninsula where the Cave shallow flocks prefer cenotes and caves as their habitats, which they shared with bats in Yucatan. This shallow visits the Hacienda Chichen pool area almost daily for a drink of water. Easy to recognize for their brown tangerine forefront and throat with blue gray upper-parts, tail is square and bill very small.  Feeds on small insects. Nests in tunnels and caves. (center left photo above text)

* Clay colored robin, Turdus greyi, ( X'Kok in Maya ) This songbird has a rather low-pitched and with a slow steady tempo, consists of many slurred musical notes, often repeated irregularly. Loves to feed on ants and other insects, also small fruit seeds found in the ground.   (center, third photo above text)

Cliff swallow, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota it is from same family as the cave swallow found in Hacienda Chichen Bird Refuge and gardens all year round though it is a migratory bird. Females lay 2 to 4 pale blue eggs with red-brown and gray markings between March and July and are known to eject parasite bird eggs from their nests.

Gray-cheeked thrush, Turdus

* Louisiana waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla, this migrant small thrush has plain brown back and white underparts streaked with black. The flanks and undertail are buff, with a strong white flared supercilium, and the legs are bright pink. The male's song is a musical with distinctive descending notes.  (center right photo above text)

Northern rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx serripennis

* Pulple martins, Progne subis, the largest swallow in North America. Males have dark, glossy blue-black plumage; females and immature birds are duller above and grayish below. The purple martin is an extremely popular and well-known bird. Known for its series of chortles, gurgles, and slightly harsher croaking singing notes and calls.
(side right top photo above)

Ridgway’s rough-winged swallow, Stelgidopteryx ridgway - "Cutzam" in Maya. This brown-backed, dusky-throated little swallow prefers open areas, including those in human-made structures. Females nest singly or in small colonies in burrows or crevices. It feeds over water, more than most species of swallows, and occasionally picks floating insects from the water surface.

Swainson’s thrush, Catharus ustulatus, these birds migrate to southern Mexico, and as far south as Argentina. Swainson's thrush tends to keep away from noisy areas and human contact.

Tree swallow, Tachycineta bicolor

Wood thrush, Hylocichla mustelina

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TINAMOUS:

Thicket Tinamou, Crypturellus cinnamomeus

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Tityra and Bacard:

Black crowned tityra, Tityra inquisitor (Pelan K'euel in Maya)
Mask tityra, Tityra semifasciata, (Pelan K'euel in Maya)

Rose-throated bacard, Piranga roseogularis.

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Toucan and Aracari:

   
 

 

   

 

 

                    Collared Aracari, Pteroglossus torquatus             Toucan, Keel-billed, Ramphastos sufuratus

 

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Turkey:

Ocellated Turkey,    Agriocharis ocellata, this wild bird is one of the many endemic bird species of Yucatan and it is protected in our Nature Reserve, is  known to the Maya as the grand "Kutz".  Males have a lovely plumage of  iridescent golden yellow, violent, indigo blue, metallic greens and white; their head and neck color has deep hues of blue and violet  with  protuberances like a domestic turkey. Their tails have a semi-circular pattern near the end of the feathers. 

 Found only in Yucatan, the Oscellated turkey feeds on seeds, shoots or insects, lives in small family groups within deciduous low bush forest.  A ground dweller that can not be domesticated and nests in dense forest spots, sleeping at tree top branches.  Mayan families enjoy to eat these shy and easy to disrupt birds.

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Trogons:

Trogon family of birds has 36 species that reside in tropical forests worldwide. This bird species loves to perch and has only one family, the Trogonidae. The word "trogon" in Greek means "nibbling" and it refers to the birds building tree nest holes.  Two trogon bird species are found at Hacienda Chichen, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico,  both reside at the hotel's Bird Refuge and can be seen eating insects and fruits perching serene on their arboreal habitats; they are generally sedentary.

                            
Black-headed Trogon, Trogon Melanocephalus.   Violaceus trogon, Trogon violaceus

 

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 VULTURES:

American Black vulture, Coragyps atratus

Turkey vulture, Cathartes aura

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Vireo Birds:

Males of most vireo bird species are persistent singers.  Vireos feed mainly on small insects, fruits and seeds.

Lesser greenlet. vireo, Hylophilus decurtatus

Mangrove vireo, Vireo pallens

Red-eyed vireo, Vireo olivaceus

   Rufous-browed peppershike
         Cyclarhis gujanensis

Warbling vireo, Vireo gilvus

White-eyed vireo, Vireo griseus,

Yellow-green vireo, Vireo flavoviridis,

Yellow-throated vireo, Vireo flavifrons  Yucatan vireo, Vireo magister,

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Warbler Birds:

American redstart warbler, Setophaga ruticilla

        Bay-breasted warbler
         Dendroic castaneaa

Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora pinus

Black-and-white warbler, Mniotilta varia

Blackpoll warbler, Dendroica straita

Black-throated blue warbler, Dendroica caerulescens

Black-throated green warbler, Dendroica virens

Black and white warbler, Mniotita varia

Cape May warbler, Dendroica tigrina

Cerulean  warbler, Dendroica cerulea

Chestnut-sided warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica

Common yellowthroat warbler, Geothlypis trichas

Kentucky warbler, Oporomis formosus

Louisiana waterthush, Seiurus motacilla, this migrant small thrush has plain brown back and white underparts streaked with black. The flanks and undertail are buff, with a strong white flared supercilium, and the legs are bright pink. The male's song is a musical with distinctive descending notes.

Gray-crowned yellow-throat, Geothlypis poliocephala

Hooded warbler, Wilsonia citrina

Magnolia warbler, Dendroica magnolia

Northern Parula, Perula americana

Northern waterthrush warbler, Parkesia noveboracensis

Ovenbird warbler, Seiurus aurocapillus

Palm warbler, Dendroica palmarum

Prairie warbler, Dendroica discolor

Prothonotary  warbler, Protonotaria citrea

Tennessee warbler, Vermivora peregrina

Yellow warbler, Dendroica petechia aestiva

Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens

Yellow-rumped warbler, Dendroica coronata

Yellow-throated warbler, Dendroica dominica,

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WAXWINGS: 

Cedar waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

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Woodpeckers and Woodcreeper Birds:

All woodpeckers and woodcreeper birds are called Colonte in Maya, at Hacienda Chichen private Bird Refuge and Wildlife Sanctuary in Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. Woodpeckers are a family of near-passerine birds Picidae.  Most species live in woodlands habitats, feeding on insects and some small seeds.  There are ten species of this genera residing in our gardens and Maya jungle.  The Ivory-billed woodpecker is extinct in many parts of the world but has been observed in our property by renown bird-watchers such as Barbara MacKinnon and naturalist Jim Conrad. 

Woodcreepers are passerine birds endemic to the Neotropics with their distinct family Dendrocolaptidae; they keep an upright vertical posture thanks to their stiff tail vanes.  Woodcreepers feed mainly on insects and like woodpeckers they are arboreal cavity-nesting birds. Woodpeckers and woodcreepers have stiffened tails, used as prop, crucial for their climbing and foraging.  View our photo album of both species bellow to identify which bird you have observed while staying with us:

            
Ivory-billed woodcreeper     Golden-fronted woodpecker    Golden olive woodpecker    Ruddy woodcreeper
Xiphorhynchus flavigaste                 Centurus aurifrons             Piculus Rubiginodud     Dendrocincla homochroa
 

                    
Ladder-backed woodpecker     Pale-billed woodpecker        Yellow-bellied sapsucker     Yucatan woodpecker
     Picoides scalaris                Campephilus guatemalensis          Spyrapicus varius            Melanerpes pygmaeus

Lineated woodpecker, Dryocopus lineatus

Olivaceous woodcreeper, Sittasomus griseicapillus

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WRENS:

Carolina wren, thryothorus ludovicianus

House wren, Troplodytes aedon

Spot-breasted wren, Thryothorus maculipectus

Southern house wren, Troglodytes aedon

White-browed wren, thryothorus albinucha

White-bellied wren, Uropsila leucogastra

  Yucatan wren, Campylorhynchus yucatanicus, called " Yan coti" in Maya (see Yucatan endemic birds).

 

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Yucatan Endemic Birds:   look also for each bird group

Mexican sheartail, Dorich eliza, endemic emerald green humming bird, "Dzunum" in Maya.

Ocellated Turkey, Meleagris ocellata – endemic species

Yucatan bobwhite, Colinus nigrogularis, "Bech" in Maya.

Yucatan flycatcher, Myiarchus yucatanesis, known in Maya as a " X'takay "

Yucatan Jay, Cyanocorax yucatanicus, endemic.

  Yucatan nightjar, Caprimulgus badius, called "Box Pujuy" in Maya.  Yucatan nightjar, Caprimulgus badius, called "Box Pujuy" in Maya, is very similar to the Yucatan poorwill and non-professional birders may confuse both in field. Though their plumage is extremely similar in eavy spotted pattern and color that blend perfectly with its semi-arid scrubby habitat, Yucatan nightjar has more white at the tip of his tail and wider white forecollar.  Their nocturnal call notes are very rhythmic clear and very loud.  They enjoy same habitat ambience as the Yucatan poorwill, and they also lays their eggs on the ground around April / Aug. Both parents attend the incubation of no more than two elliptical white eggs with sparsely flecked with brown shades. This is a very sedentary bird that feeds mainly on insects and is highly territorial.
 

Yucatan amazon parrot or Yellow lored amazon, Amazona xantholora, "T'uut" in Maya, are one of the many Yucatan endemic bird species found at Hacienda Chichen Maya Jungle Reserve, Chichen Itza, Yucatan.  These lovely parrots of Yellow lories are only found in the Yucatan Peninsula, and a great family flock can be observed and heard every day at sunrise and later in the day.   These birds travel in flocks from feeding grounds to their roosting sites. Parrots are monogamous for life and become good pets; but are best enjoy flying free in their medium forest habitat. Yucatan parrots love to fly together in small groups to feed on fruits, seeds, flowers high on tree branches. Talkative and noisy, their plumage is mainly emerald green with indigo blue outline wing feathers; when in flight, their red patched wings can be observed clearly. At the forehead, these birds have a patch of yellow feathers near the peak, a white spot covers the head top, red feather near eyes

 

Yucatan poorwill, Nyctiphrynus yucatanius, called "Chac Pujuy" in Maya, this endemic mid-size nightjar belongs to the Caprimulgidae family. It is protected at Hacienda Chichen's private Nature Reserve. Nocturnal and very territorial; enjoys quiet semi-arid deciduous forest areas, feed on insects from ground and perches on tree.  Male emits repetitive loud rhythmic calls at dusk. Males and females have similar plumage that blends perfectly with bark and dry leafs making it difficult to spot. Upperparts brown streaked brown-blackish, distinct spot on wing-coverts, a narrow white neck band, and truly small peak. Lay eggs on the ground, both parents caretakers.

 

Yucatan Quail, Colinus virginianus

Yucatan vireo, Vireo magister, (see verios)

Yucatan woodpecker, Amazilla

Yucatan wren, Campylorhynchus yucatanicus, called " Yan coti" in Maya.

 

 

 

 

 

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