Oaxaca has the biggest bird list of any Mexican state, and of the nearly 700 species recorded here, about 97 are Mexican endemics. With impressive ruins, a bustling capital city rich in commerce and architecture, a vibrant native culture, and some of the world's most beautiful beaches, Oaxaca offers even the non-birder much to write home about. If you're looking for a trip that's also good for a non-birding partner, we highly recommend this one. On many of the days, afternoon birding is optional, and those wishing to take it easy may do so.

Day 1: Arrive in Oaxaca. After we meet you at the airport, you might want to relax at the hotel in preparation for tomorrow’s exhilarating morning of birding.

Day 2: Monte Albán. Today, we stand in awe among some of the most exquisite native ruins to be found in all of the Americas, the Zapotec capital of Monte Albán. Rock and Canyon Wrens that have taken up residence in the ruins will keep us company as we search for our first dry interior endemics; White-throated Towhee, Gray-breasted Woodpecker, and Dusky Hummingbirds are our targets. Other birds we may come across include Blue Mockingbird, Gray Silky-flycatcher, Scott’s Oriole, Varied Bunting, and the unbelievable Slaty Vireo.

Day 3: Teotilán del Valle. Finding Ocellated Thrasher and Bridled and Oaxaca Sparrows is our main goal while birding the arid scrub above the village, but we’ll also keep an eye and ear out for Dwarf Vireo, Boucard’s Wren, and the odd-looking southernmost race of Western Scrub-Jay. After birding today, we will stop in the village of Teotilán del Valle to shop within its world-famous rug market. The hand-woven tapetes here are made of local wool and dyed with all natural, locally made dyes derived from materials as diverse as walnut hulls, indigo, and insects. 

Days 4-5: Cerro San Felipe. Two mornings are planned at this humid pine-oak site, the best place in the world to see the endemic Dwarf Jay; we’ll look for it among noisy flocks of Steller’s Jays and Gray-barred Wrens. Along the way we hope to see resident birds like Red Warbler, Slate-throated Whitestart, and Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. Long-tailed Wood-Partridge is relatively common, but seldom seen. One day we may spend the evening owling.

Day 6: North to Tuxtepec. Today we will concentrate on the road north of Cerro San Felipe towards the Gulf lowland town of Valle Nacional. With luck, Gulf-slope cloudforest will yield birds like Emerald-chinned Hummingbird, Blue-crowned Chlorophonia, Slate-colored Solitaire, and Azure-crowned and Unicolored Jays.

Day 7: Around Tuxtepec. Today we will bird the lowland rainforest and humid foothills surrounding Tuxtepec. Keel-billed Toucans are always a favorite, and those who love colorful birds should not go to bed disappointed tonight: Green Shrike-Vireo, Violet Sabrewing, Black-crested Coquette, Green Honeycreeper, and Crimson-collared and Golden-hooded Tanagers are all possibilities in the foothills. The lowland areas offer birds like Blue-black Grosbeak, Rufous-breasted Spinetail, Yellow-tailed Oriole, Thick-billed Seedfinch, and the ghostly White Hawk.

Day 8: Back to Oaxaca. This morning we'll bird the foothills and cloudforest on our way back to our hotel for a pleasant evening in Oaxaca City.

Day 9: Yagul. Today we will bird the other of the Oaxaca Valley’s splendid pre-Hispanic ruins. This site is one of the best in the Valley for Gray-breasted Woodpecker and Beautiful Hummingbird. Black-vented Oriole, Rufous-capped Warbler, and the elusive Pileated Flycatcher may also grace is with their presence here.

Day 10: Sierra de Miahuatlán. This range is perhaps one of the least-studied areas of Mexican highland endemism; consequently, there are many potential splits to be found here. Numerous endemic birds occur in the Sierra, and we have a chance to see some of them. Wagler’s Toucanet is the most conspicuous, but we’ll also search for White-throated Jay and the gorgeous little Blue-capped Hummingbird. We’ll spend the night in the cozy beach town of Puerto Ángel.

Day 11: The Pacific Ocean. At dawn we will embark on a pelagic adventure. Our main target is the endemic Townsend’s Shearwater. Additionally we’ll hope to see Black-vented and Pink-footed among the more expected Wedge-tailed and Galápagos Shearwaters. Black, Least, and Wedge-tailed Storm-Petrels all occur in the deep waters just offshore, where we even have a chance at finding a petrel. Closer to shore, we should see Red-billed Tropicbird, and Brown, Red-footed, Masked, and Nazca Boobies can all be observed here. This afternoon will have optional birding: those who wish to lounge on the beach can enjoy the relaxing feel and the delicious seafood of this friendly coastal community.

Day 12: Puerto Ángel and Zipolite. Today we will bird the coastal thorn-scrub around Puerto Ángel and the world-famous beach town of Zipolite. Here we will encounter an entirely new avifauna: Doubleday’s Hummingbird, Citreoline Trogon, Russet-crowned Motmot, Red-breasted Chat, Happy Wren, Colima Pygmy-Owl, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, and Orange-breasted Bunting are all found here, and those are just the endemics. White-throated Magpie-Jays should be quite easy.

Day 13: Back to Oaxaca. If we have time this morning, we’ll bird the highway above Puerto Escondido. This is our best chance at finding Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird, one of the Sierra Madre del Sur endemics. West Mexican Chachalaca, Golden-crowned Emerald, Rufous-backed Robin, and Yellow-winged Cacique are all also possible.

Day 14: Departure. The tour ends at the airport in the morning.

TOUR INFO:

CLIMATE: Pleasant in most areas, with cold, crisp mornings in the highlands and hot afternoons in the lowlands. A bit of rain is likely.

DIFFICULTY: Easy. Almost all birding is done on roads and easily accessible trails.

ACCOMMODATION: Good to excellent throughout.