The trip begins in the extreme southeast corner of Mexico at Tapachula. The Pacific lowlands here are home to the only endemic confined to one state in the entirety of Mexico. Spectacular russet and white Giant Wrens occur right on the edge of Tapachula, along with such regional specialties as White-bellied Chachalaca, Pacific Screech-Owl, and Spot-breasted Oriole. The next day we ascend halfway up 13,280-foot-high Volcan Tacana. Just a half-hour’s drive out of Tapachula, the area known as Unión Juárez hosts another subset of birds that scarcely occur in Mexico. Chief among these is Blue-tailed Hummingbird, but Unión Juárez also affords birders a realistic chance to see Pacific Parakeet, Paltry Tyrannulet, and Shining Honeycreeper. Beautiful Red-legged Honeycreepers and White-winged Tanagers are typically common. Endemic Green-fronted Hummingbird, and spectacular Rose-bellied and Orange-breasted Buntings dwell in the thorn forests near Arriaga. Possible in the same area are equally charismatic Citreoline Trogon, Long-tailed Manakin, and Russet-crowned Motmot. Next stop is Tuxtla Gutiérrez, the capital of Chiapas, where nearby El Sumidero National Park will afford us a spectacular introduction to tropical birding. Here a majestic barranca, or canyon, slicing 3,000 vertical feet through Pacific slope thorn forest, provides habitat for Lesser Roadrunner, Green Parakeet, “cute” little Belted Flycatcher, White-throated Magpie-Jay, Red-breasted Chat, and Blue Bunting. Situated in the geographic center of Chiapas, the avifauna at El Sumidero offers a unique amalgam of thorn, rain, and cloud forest species. Another stop will be the internationally famous Tuxtla Zoo. Dedicated exclusively to regional wildlife, the zoo features endangered species like Jaguars, Tapirs, Resplendent Quetzals, and Horned Guans. Other species such as Plain Chachalacas, Squirrel Cuckoos, Russet-crowned Motmots, and Green Jays fly freely across the shady paths. Set in a cool mountain bowl and a natural trade center for Chamulan and Zinacantan Indians, highland descendants of the Mayans, traditional Native American and Spanish culture are both apparent on San Cristóbal's narrow, cobbled streets, and at the 1547 Santo Domingo Church. Some of the birds surrounding this colonial city are Mountain Trogon, Blue-and-white Mockingbird, Rufous-collared Robin, Pink-headed Warbler, and the dainty Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer. Red-flowering bromeliads above San Cristóbal attract the indescribably-hued Garnet-throated Hummingbird, certainly one of the most beautiful species in all Mexico.

View Chiapas Photo Gallery