Over 350 species of migratory birds have a second home in Mexico

Without borders or walls that stop them, these 350 species of birds travel from different parts of the United States and Canada to migrate in Mexican territory thanks to the wealth and diversity that offers them rest from the winter.

Expert on bird conservation, Vicente Rodríguez Contreras, of the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (Conabio), regretted that few people today look at the sky and its surroundings to rediscover the country’s wealth to house so many birds.

“In Mexico we do not pay much attention sometimes – to the birds – because most are terrestrial species, small birds like the chipes,” but we also have large birds that we can clearly identify as the white pelicans that come in winter, he said.

It is only a matter of paying a little attention to discover that Mexico has a strong bond with its birds from pre-Hispanic times and until today, reflected in customs and songs from different towns in the country.

In the cultural heritage of Mexico there is a tradition rooted in birds like the same swallows, that year after year return to the country to reproduce and share their beautiful presence with the Mexicans, and then leave.

Local and international migrants

In Mexico there are four general types of migratory species: winter residents, summer residents, passers-by or migrants with resident populations.

The first are species that reproduce in the north of the continent and spend the winter in Mexico, some in Central America, about 202, such as the golden cheeked warbler of Texas, that spend the winter in the mountains of Chiapas, Guatemala and The Savior.

The summer residents are about 30 species that reproduce in Mexico and spend the winter more to the south; Among them the lucifer hummingbird, which is considered in this category although while migrating it does not leave Mexico as it reproduces in the Sierra Madre Oriental and Occidental and spends the winter further south, in the Balsas Basin.

At the same time, passers-by are about 35 species that breed north of Mexican territory and winter in Central and South America, such as the pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melantos) that breeds in Alaska and Northern Canada and spends winter in South America.

Migratory populations with resident populations are about 140 species such as diver birds, which breeds in Canada and the United States and winter in Mexico, although there are populations that are all year round in Durango and Zacatecas.

Mexico, a paradise of birds unknown by its inhabitants

Mexico is important because it is a place of transit that, literally, “is a funnel where all migratory species pass during their journey and depend on our resources to continue their traveling.”

“Our whole country is a great migration route for all birds. There are other places in the world where this migration phenomenon occurs, but Mexico is one of the most obvious,” said Rodríguez Contreras.

In fact, the researcher said that Mexico is one of the countries with the highest influx of birds, and an example is Veracruz, where the phenomenon called “The Raptor River” occurs.

It is the passage of a large number of birds of prey that has sometimes added up to four million individuals during a single day, which has landed this area in the Guinness Record for birds flying in one place.

However, Mexicans are not very aware that we have this wealth of birds, lamented the bird conservation specialist of the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity.

“We can develop an ability to observe birds and can serve us to connect with our environment, it’s a hobby that helps to reduce stress and is free,” he said.

The urgency of an environmental conscience

Rodríguez Contreras warned that appealing spaces in Mexico are disappearing for wintering sites, so many birds have had to go to other less optimal areas where they will not have the same resources to survive the migration and winter months.

This results in a risk that affects the bird populations that, lacking the necessary food, at the end of winter do not have the strength to return to their place of origin and die.

As a consequence, in Mexico there are several species in danger of extinction and among the most affected are the endemic species of the country, such as Golden Cheeked Warblers.

This bird only reproduces in certain areas of Texas and migrates to a part of the south of Mexico in the forests of San Cristóbal de las Casas and its population has begun to reduce considerably, the reason why they have had to apply diverse programs to help its survival.

Without borders or walls that stop them, these 350 species of birds travel from different parts of the United States and Canada to migrate in . . .

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • raw-sewage-playa-los-muertos-puerto-vallartaMore Raw Sewage Dumping at Playa Los Muertos Appear to Come From Local Hotel Business owners in Puerto Vallarta are demanding action after raw sewage was discovered leaking onto Playa Los Muertos, raising public health and tourism concerns. A raw sewage leak at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta has sparked outrage among local tourist service providers and business owners, who say the contamination is driving away visitors and…
  • hurricane-flossie-strengthens-july-1-2025Hurricane Flossie will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco Hurricane Flossie intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 90 mph. Heavy rain, flooding, and tropical storm conditions expected in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify early Tuesday morning as it moved west-northwestward off the coast of southwestern Mexico, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across multiple states.…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-hurricane-mexico-pacific-coastTropical Storm Flossie to Strengthen into Hurricane as It Tracks Along Mexico’s Pacific Coast Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane by July 2 as it moves parallel to Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing dangerous rainfall, wind, and surf. Tropical Storm Flossie is on the verge of forming from Tropical Depression Six-E and is forecast to strengthen rapidly into a hurricane as it parallels Mexico’s southwestern…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-strengthens-mexico-june-2025Tropical Storm Flossie Strengthens Off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Could Become Hurricane by Tuesday Tropical Storm Flossie gains strength off southwestern Mexico, with hurricane status possible by Tuesday. Storm warnings issued from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula. Tropical Storm Flossie continues to gain strength off Mexico’s Pacific coastline, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across several southwestern states. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Flossie is expected…
  • oregon-murder-fugitive-extradited-puerto-vallartaFugitive Wanted for 2008 Oregon Homicide Captured in Puerto Vallarta and Extradited to U.S. Jesús Rodríguez Borrayo, a fugitive for 17 years, was extradited from Mexico to Oregon for his role in a 2008 drive-by shooting that left one dead. He was located in Puerto Vallarta. A man wanted for murder and other violent crimes in the United States for nearly two decades has been extradited after being found…
  • tropical-storm-flossie-mexico-coast-rain-surf-alertCabo Corrientes under tropical storm watch as Flossie expected to Bring Heavy Rain and Dangerous Surf to Southwestern Mexico Tropical Storm Flossie is forecast to strengthen and may impact Mexico's southwest coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes with heavy rain, flooding, and hazardous surf early this week. Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to deliver heavy rains, gusty winds, and dangerous surf conditions to Mexico’s southwestern coast in the coming days, prompting authorities to issue…
  • cabo-corrientes-warning-canceled-hurricane-flossieCabo Corrientes Spared as Hurricane Flossie Warning Lifted, But Pacific Coast Still at Risk Cabo Corrientes no longer under tropical storm watch as Hurricane Flossie nears Mexico's Pacific coast, with dangerous winds and heavy rains threatening Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. The tropical storm watch for Cabo Corrientes was officially canceled Tuesday, offering a measure of relief for the scenic coastal town as Hurricane Flossie continues to churn off Mexico’s…
  • cancun-2025-sargassum-beaches-and-activitiesSargassum won’t ruin your Cancun vacation, there are plenty of clean beaches and tourist activities As the 2025 sargassum season continues through September, visitors to Cancun can still enjoy clear beaches like Playa Delfines and Playa Caracol. As the 2025 sargassum season intensifies across Quintana Roo, tourists are finding it more difficult to enjoy the region’s iconic white-sand beaches without encountering the unsightly brown seaweed. While the influx of sargassum…
  • cancun-beach-cleanup-sargassumMassive Beach Cleanup to Combat Sargassum in Cancun After a week of the Cancun’s tourism department denying sargassum existed and insisting media photos were fakes, over 600 public servants and volunteers joined the first simultaneous beach cleanup. In a bold step toward environmental preservation and tourism sustainability, Cancun's Municipal President Ana Paty Peralta led the city’s first simultaneous beach cleanup effort this week.…
Scroll to Top