Chronicles of a Birders Life Record
Over the previous 40 years I’ve had the great fortune to photographically doc 85% of the chook species added to my “Life Record.” This weblog collection showcases the photographs and anecdotal accounts that doc these “Lifer” sightings and somewhat in regards to the surroundings and tradition of the realm. This Lifer weblog collection begins with the primary LIFER outdoors of the US, Lifer #624 and proceeds chronologically ahead from there.
A Reflections of the Pure World Weblog Submit Sequence by Jim Acquire
Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana) > Cuculidae > Cuculiformes
IDENTIFICATION: Very putting and long-tailed shiny rusty cuckoo, widespread in tropical lowlands and regionally up into foothills. No comparable species in Mexico and Central America. Happens in a variety of wooded and forest edge habitats. Principally forages stealthily at mid-upper ranges in timber, the place could be surprisingly troublesome to see. Usually seen swooping throughout roads and eliciting a ‘wow’ response. Underside of white-tipped tail feathers is rusty general in West Mexico, blackish general in different areas.
FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: Miguel Amar Uribe, Claudio Gomez, and Santiago Contreras from Mexico Kan Excursions
Date First Noticed: 10 Jan 2022 @ El Tajo, Yucatán, MX
Carrt. El Tajo, Yucatán, MX (21.395, -88.565) | MX-YUC
SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the placement of my Lifer sighting
DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: We discovered an Military Ant swarm working its method within the vegetation alongside the aspect of the highway. We first noticed a number of Groove-billed Anis after which noticed this flashy, beautiful Squirrel Cuckoo. Whereas its head and higher physique have been within the open more often than not, with such an extended tail, I had a tough time getting your complete chook in view. I might finally see this species in Quintana Roo, Campeche, Belize and Guatemala.
PHOTOS TAKEN: Picture titles point out location.
ABOUT THE AREA: The northern areas of the State of Yucatan are composed of Yucatan Dry Forests the place the local weather is tropical subhumid with an extended dry season. The common annual rainfall on this ecoregion doesn’t exceed 1,200 mm per 12 months. Dominant vegetative species within the central portion of the area embody wild tamarind and Jamaican dogwood timber. They’re usually intermixed with different tree species corresponding to Spanish cedar, gumbo-limbo, dryer’s mulberry, and Spanish elm. Within the northern a part of the ecoregion, close to the coast, cacti develop into extra plentiful. The dry forests of Yucatán represent a novel island of vegetation within the Gulf of Mexico area. They’re remoted from different dry forests by the ocean and by an enormous extension of moist forests within the Maya area.
Miguel Amar Uribe, Claudio Lopez, Santiago Contreras and I spent the morning and early afternoon in the hunt for a number of of the Yucatan specialty birds that may happen in these dry forests; corresponding to Yucatan Poorwill, Yucatan Wren, Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Flycatcher, Yucatan Vireo, Mexican Sheartail, Yucatan Gnatcatcher and Orange Oriole. Over the course of the subsequent 7 hours we’d discover 15 new “Lifers” for me.
Earlier 3 posts in my LIFER Weblog Sequence.
