The spectacle of thousands of raptors streaming through the state of Veracruz is just one delight of this autumn excursion to the southern arc of the Gulf of Mexico. While over six million birds of prey pass through every September and October, an estimated eight million passerines funnel between the mountains and the coast at the same time of year. Broad-winged Hawks are the most abundant component of the annual “River of Raptors,” but species such as Mississippi Kite and Peregrine Falcon are also important players. Of course, not all the hawks and falcons are migrating. Over 25 species of raptors are possible along our route, and many of these are year-round residents. The latter include Hook-billed Kite, Great Black-Hawk, Black Hawk-Eagle, Collared Forest-Falcon, Bat Falcon, and Aplomado Falcon. Among the smaller birds are flocks of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Dickcissels inland, and Black Terns offshore, which also may number in the hundreds—or even in the thousands. Fall also brings a pronounced surge of North American warblers through a variety of habitats. Townsend’s Warblers fill the cloud forests and the highland pine-oak woodlands, while wintering Black-throated Greens seem to saturate all possible niches, and Hooded Warblers occupy every shady motte in the lowland rain forest. Joining these are pulses of Black-and-white Warblers and American Redstarts pushing towards Central America, as well as delicacies like Blackburnian and Canada Warblers en route to South America. All of these migrating and wintering warblers are not entering a vacuum. Residents include Tropical Parula, Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Red Warbler, Slate-throated Redstart, and both Golden-crowned and Golden-browed Warblers. Altogether well over 30 species of the warbler tribe are possible within a half-day’s drive from the city of Veracruz. Deep canyons, scenic waterfalls, and wonderful wildflowers characterize the cool highlands surrounding Xalapa. In fact, the precincts of Xalapa are the classic, mist-shrouded mountains featured in the movie Romancing the Stone. Approximately 35 species of hummingbird enjoy the wide panoply of habitats found within Veracruz. We are not apt to see them all, but this trip boasts a list of potential hummingbirds comparable to a tour to Costa Rica, ranging in size all the way from tiny Bumblebee in the highlands to huge Violet Sabrewing in the isolated Sierra de las Tuxtlas. Renowned as the northernmost true rain forest in Mexico, the Sierra de las Tuxtlas are home to Sungrebe, Spectacled Owl, Black-crested Coquette, Violaceous Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Slate-colored Solitaire, and Crimson-collared Tanager. Our visit to the Tuxtlas concludes with a morning boat ride on the beautiful Laguna de Sontecomapan.