Chronicles of a Birders Life List
Over the past 40 years I have had the good fortune to photographically document 85% of the bird species added to my “Life List.” This blog series showcases the images and anecdotal accounts that document those “Lifer” sightings and a little about the environment and culture of the area. This Lifer blog series begins with the first LIFER outside of the US, Lifer #624 and proceeds chronologically forward from there.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
Ivory-billed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster) > Furnariidae > Passeriformes
IDENTIFICATION: Rather large, fairly common woodcreeper of tropical forest in both dry and humid areas. Feeds mainly on larger trunks, often probing into bromeliads and moving methodically. Note the long stout bill, which is mostly pale (but not really ivory colored), and the bold streaking on the head, back, and underparts. Streak-headed Woodcreeper is smaller and more active, with a slender, slightly decurved bill, very different voice.
FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: Miguel Amar Uribe from Mexico Kan Tours and my wife Maria
Date: 02 Dec 2021 @ Chunyaxché, Quintana Roo, MX
Chunyaxché (Pueblo) | MX-ROO
SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the location of my Lifer sighting
DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: We got in very late to Tulum due to flight delays and lost luggage and had to leave early to meet up with Miguel Amar Uribe from Amar Aves, Mexico Kan Tours who was going to lead us on our first adventure birding in the Yucatan. Miguel met us with a big smile and we were off to explore the pueblito of Chunyaxché and learn about the bird life and cultural history of the area. It was pleasant, slightly warm and humid, with lots of billowing clouds above us. Over the next 2 1/2 hours we would add 52 species to our first checklist for Mexico and discover 25 new “Lifer” species. For me, Lifers #624 to #648.
Chunyaxché/Muyil Ruins Lifer # 634 – Ivory-billed Woodcreeper
For most of the group of 25 Lifers that I encountered on this 2 1/2 hour walk, there was really nothing unique about any of the sightings with the exception of the Toucans and Jays. For all of the others they were all added slowly on the casual walk through the town and along some of the outer trails.
PHOTOS TAKEN: We saw, heard and photographed Ivory-billed Woodcreeper at Chunyaxché. I did see them more times and got decent photographs in Campeche, Guatemala and in Belize at Pook’s Hill.
BACKGROUND ABOUT THE TOWN OF CHUNYAXCHé
Nestled at the edge of the massive Sian Ka’an Biosphere and across the street from the Muyil Archeological Zone, the small town of Chunyaxché is surrounded by tall trees and thick vegetation and is a great spot for finding many of the regions birds. It is located approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of the coastal site of Tulum, in the Municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. However, with the construction of the new Tulum International Airport and the Mayan Train line, this cozy town will be rapidly changing.
Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.
Reflections of the Natural World 