El Triunfo
El Triunfo, in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, (relatively) near the town of Jaltenango, is arguably the best-known birding site in Chiapas. It is famous as a place where rarities like Horned Guan, and such sought after species as the Mexican endemics Highland Guan, Fulvous Owl, Emerald-chinned and Wine-throated Hummingbirds, Blue-throated Motmot, Black-throated Jay, Black Thrush, Cabanis’ Tanager, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, and Hooded Grosbeak can reliably be seen. In addition to all these endemics it is a place where other difficult species are waiting. Scaled Antpitta, Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, Tawny-throated Leaftosser, and Barred Parakeet are possibilities.
Most birders visit El Triunfo as members of guided tours. It is also possible to make arrangements as an individual, by contacting the Instituto de History Natural(IHN) El Triunfo, Tel: (011-52) 961-23663 or 961-23754 or FAX(011-52)961-29943. Its address is Calzada de los Hombres de la Revolucion s/n Apartado Postal #6, Tuxtla Guierrez, Chiapas 29000 which must give permission for individuals to enter the reserved area. A fee is mandatory. In addition the IHN can arrange for transportation to the trailhead, a cook, a guide, food, and mules, all at very reasonable prices.
The route by road from Tuxla to El Triunfo is quite complicated. Those who do choose to do this withour going on a tour or hiring services from IHN (though such birders must still pay the mandatory fee to the IHN) should consult the detailed directions given in Howell, A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico. Howell also provides sketch maps and bird lists.
Puerto Arista/Boca del Cielo
This coastal village with a nearby estuary (Boca del Cielo) has a long bird list. Many of the birds are seasonal winter visitors. There are also a handful of Mexican and north Central American endemics, including White-bellied Chachalaca, Citreline Torgon, Russet-crowned Motmot, Pacific Parakeet, Giant Wren, Yellow-winged Tanager, Ochre Oriole and Yellow-winged Cacique.
Puerto Arista is close to the town of Tonalá on Rte 200.
For detailed directions as well as bird lists see Howell, A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico.
Tuxtla Gutiérrez – El Sumidero
El Sumidero is a deep gorge through which the Río Grijalva has carved an exit toward the Gulf of Mexico. The key area is a national park, opening unfortunately only at nine in the morning. The park begins in the zone of arid thorn scrub, with species like White-lored Gnatcatcher and White-throated Magpie Jay, passes through some grassy areas, and eventually enters a zone of scrubby woodland and above that, oaks. Birding is good all along this road, though it varies with season and weather. The area has a long list of hummingbirds, including the endemic Canivet’s and White-bellied Emeralds, the Berylline, Green-fronted and Azure-crowned Hummingbirds, and the Slender Sheartail. Other endemics include Russet-crowned Motmot, Belted and Flammulated Flycatchers, Gray-collared Becard, Blue-and-White Mockingbird, Fan-tailed and Rufous-capped Warblers, Red-breasted Chat, Yellow-winged Tanager, Blue Bunting, and Black-vented and Bar-winged Orioles. In addition there are numerous Tyrannidae (some seasonal), and in winter an influx of many species of wood warblers, numerous orioles beyond those already noted, and many, many more good birds.
For detailed directions as well as bird lists see Howell, A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico.