Birds of Zacatecas are a diverse and colorful array of species, ranging from the diminutive hummingbird to the majestic golden eagle. This beautiful region of Mexico is home to more than 300 species of birds, many of which are migratory or endangered.
Many of the birds in Zacatecas are of particular interest due to their rarity, as they are only found in certain areas of the country.
From its diverse habitats, Zacatecas offers an amazing variety of birds that can be seen in the sky, from the highest mountaintops to the deepest valleys. Whether you’re a lifelong birder or a novice, the birds of Zacatecas are sure to delight.
1. Worthen’s Sparrow
Worthen’s sparrow is a species of American sparrow found only in northeastern Mexico. It was discovered and characterized by Robert Ridgway in 1884 and named after the American naturalist Charles K. Worthen.
This small bird is a very rare species, and has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1994. Due to its rarity, Worthen’s sparrow is facing various threats such as habitat destruction, agrochemical pollution, and illegal hunting.
As a result, its population has been steadily declining, and it is now considered to be one of the most endangered birds in Mexico.
Conservation efforts have been underway for several years in order to protect the species and its habitat, and a number of protected areas have been established in northeastern Mexico for its protection. In addition to conservation efforts, researchers are also studying the ecology of Worthen’s sparrow in order to better understand its needs and the factors that are contributing to its decline.
This knowledge will be invaluable in developing effective conservation strategies and ensuring the species’ long-term survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Spizella |
| Species | S. wortheni |
2. Northern Beardless Tyrannulet
The northern beardless tyrannulet is a small passerine bird that belongs to the tyrant flycatcher family. It is found in areas ranging from Arizona and Texas in the United States all the way to northwestern Costa Rica.
This bird prefers habitats such as light forests, cultivation, and gardens that have trees. The northern beardless tyrannulet is a migratory bird, travelling from northern regions during the winter to more southern locations in the summer.
It is generally found alone, or in pairs, and has a very distinctive song that is often heard during the breeding season. Its diet consists of insects, small fruits, and occasionally nectar.
The northern beardless tyrannulet is a beautiful bird, usually measuring around 11 cm in length. Its crown is a rich olive-green color, while its sides are a pale yellow-olive. The wings and tail are a darker olive-brown color, and the throat and breast are white.
It has a thin black line that runs from its bill to its eye. The northern beardless tyrannulet is an important part of the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations and disperse seeds from the fruits that it eats.
It is also a common sight in many gardens, and can provide a source of entertainment as it forages for food. However, due to habitat destruction and other human-related activities, this species is in decline and is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Tyrannidae |
| Genus | Camptostoma |
| Species | C. imberbe |
3. Russet Nightingale-Thrush
Source: Wikipedia
The russet nightingale-thrush is a species of bird found only in Mexico. It belongs to the family Turdidae, which includes many other species of thrush. The bird is found in moist montane forests, which are forests located on mountains.
These forests usually have a subtropical or tropical climate, meaning they are warm and humid. The russet nightingale-thrush is adapted to the humid climate and can thrive in this type of environment.
They usually hide in the thick vegetation of the forest, making them difficult to spot. The russet nightingale-thrush is an important part of the ecosystem, as it helps to control the insect population and eat other small animals.
It also provides a valuable food source for many other species of animals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Catharus |
| Species | C. occidentalis |
4. Black-Vented Oriole
The black-vented oriole is a species of bird that belongs to the family Icteridae. It is found in six different countries in Central America and the United States, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States.
The natural habitats of the black-vented oriole are typically dry or moist forests, which can include both lowland and montane forests. These forests are often located in a subtropical or tropical climate, providing the birds with the perfect environment to thrive.
The black-vented oriole is a species that is specialized to live in these specific conditions and is therefore highly adapted to their environment.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Icteridae |
| Genus | Icterus |
| Species | I. wagleri |
5. Slate-Throated white start
The slate-throated whitestart or slate-throated redstart is a species of bird belonging to the family Parulidae. It is native to Central and South America and is known for its unique coloration.
Its throat feathers are a deep slate gray, while its tail feathers are a bright red. It has white patches on its wings and back, and its underside is yellowish in color.
This species of bird enjoys the warmer climates of the region and is often seen in open woodlands, grasslands, and along rivers and streams. Its diet consists of insects, fruits, and small invertebrates.
This species of bird is also known for its call, which is a series of short, thin whistles that can be heard at dawn and dusk. The slate-throated whitestart or slate-throated redstart is a beautiful and unique species that is a joy to observe in its natural habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Parulidae |
| Genus | Myioborus |
| Species | M. miniatus |
6. Aztec Thrush
Source: ebird.org
The Aztec thrush is an interesting species of bird that can be found in the family Turdidae. It is mainly found in Mexico, but there are rare occasions when it will be spotted in the United States.
Its natural habitat is montane forests, which is a type of forest found at higher altitudes. According to the IUCN Red List, the Aztec thrush is considered a least-concern species, which means that it is not at risk of becoming extinct.
The Aztec thrush is a fascinating bird with an interesting range of habitats. Its presence in Mexico and the United States is a testament to its ability to adapt to different environments.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
| Genus | Ridgwayia |
| Species | R. pinicola |
7. Mexican Chickadee
The Mexican chickadee, also known as Poecile, is a small songbird belonging to the tit family Paridae. Traditionally, it was included in the genus Parus, which contains most other tits.
However, recent studies have revealed that the Mexican chickadee is more closely related to other birds than previously thought.
This is based on evidence from mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data and morphology, which suggests that the Mexican chickadee should be separated from other tits into its own genus.
This new arrangement more accurately reflects the bird’s true relationships and is more representative of its evolutionary history.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Poecile |
| Species | P. sclateri |
8. Cassin’s Vireo
Cassin’s vireo is a species of songbird native to North America. It inhabits a large range spanning from southern British Columbia in Canada to the western coastal states of the United States.
This bird is migratory in nature, and it spends the winter in southern Arizona and Mexico. During the breeding season, these birds prefer to breed in coniferous forests, as well as in deciduous woodlands and chaparral.
They can also be found in riparian areas and on mountain slopes. They feed on a variety of insects, as well as some berries. Cassin’s vireo has a large and expanding population and is considered to be of least concern.
It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is listed as a species of special concern in some areas. In addition, some areas have designated Cassin’s Vireo as a species of special concern, which provides additional protection.
Overall, Cassin’s Vireo is an important species in North America and helps to maintain the balance of the environment. It is important that we continue to protect and conserve this species so that it can continue to play an important role in the North American ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Vireonidae |
| Genus | Vireo |
| Species | V. cassinii |
9. Plumbeous Vireo
Source: Wikipedia
The plumbeous vireo is a species of songbird found in North America. The bird is small in size and is distributed across a wide range of habitats.
Its range extends from far southeastern Montana and western South Dakota south to the Pacific coast of Mexico, reaching as far south as the extreme southern regions of Baja California Sur.
The plumbeous vireo is found in a variety of habitats, such as shrublands, woodlands, and wetlands. It is most common in oak woodlands but is also found in chaparral, riparian areas, and open grasslands.
The plumbeous vireo is a permanent resident in its range, meaning that it does not migrate. It is a solitary species, rarely seen in flocks, and it is typically seen singly or in pairs.
During the breeding season, the plumbeous vireo can be found in higher and more open habitats, such as oak woodlands and open grasslands. The plumbeous vireo has a variety of vocalizations, including a distinctive “chip-chip-cheer” call.
These birds feed mainly on insects but also eat small fruits, berries, and seeds.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Vireonidae |
| Genus | Vireo |
| Species | V. plumbeus |
10. Eared Quetzal
The eared quetzal is a species of bird in the trogon family, which is found in the western hemisphere. It is native to Mexico and parts of the United States and typically lives in streamside pine-oak forests and canyons.
Specifically, it is found in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico and in western Michoacán, southeastern Arizona, and New Mexico. This bird species is also known as the eared trogon and is a near passerine bird.
It is characterized by its bright, colorful plumage and long tail feathers, which can reach up to 14 inches in length. It has a black head with a white throat and yellow breast, and bright green back and wings. The males also have a red belly and a black and white tail.
The eared quetzal is an omnivore, eating insects, fruits, seeds, and small animals. It is a solitary bird, but it may join other quetzals in the winter when food sources become scarce.
It is an important cultural symbol in Mexico and is protected by law in both Mexico and the United States.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Trogoniformes |
| Family | Trogonidae |
| Genus | Euptilotis |
| Species | E. neoxenus |
11. Cassin’s Sparrow
Cassin’s sparrow is a species of passerine bird found in the western region of the United States and Mexico. It is a medium-sized sparrow, measuring between 4.7 and 5.7 inches in length.
This species has a distinctive gray-brown upper body and white belly, with a white eye stripe and dark brown crown.
Its wings are gray-brown with white edges and it has two white stripes on its tail. The Cassin’s sparrow is most commonly found in the western parts of Nebraska and Mexico, and its range extends as far east as North Carolina.
It prefers dry, open grasslands, but can also be found in other open habitats such as brushy fields and roadsides. It is an avid seed-eater and generally forages on the ground.
During the breeding season, it nests low to the ground in thick vegetation and lays 3 to 5 eggs per clutch. The Cassin’s sparrow is a fairly common species, but it is threatened by the destruction of its habitat due to agricultural and urban development.
The species is also threatened by grazing livestock, which can disrupt its nesting sites. In order to help protect this species, conservation efforts have been put in place to protect its habitat and create nesting areas.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passerellidae |
| Genus | Peucaea |
| Species | P. cassinii |
12. Crissal Thrasher
The Crissal Thrasher is a species of bird found in the deserts and scrublands of the Southwestern United States and Central Mexico. It is part of the genus Toxostoma, which is composed of medium-sized birds that are found in North, Central, and South America.
It is considered the largest species in the thrasher family with a length of 8 to 10 inches and a wingspan of 15 inches. The Crissal Thrasher is easily identified by its long tail, which is tipped with a white band, and its long, curved bill.
Its plumage is a grayish-brown color, and its breast is covered in dark streaks. The Crissal Thrasher is a solitary bird, but it can sometimes be seen in small groups. It is generally a ground-dwelling bird, but it will also forage in low bushes and trees.
It typically feeds on insects, fruits, and seeds. The Crissal Thrasher is a common bird in its range and is not considered to be threatened with extinction.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Mimidae |
| Genus | Toxostoma |
| Species | T. crissale |
Conclusion
Birds in Zacatecas are a vital part of the local wildlife. Their diverse range of species makes them an important part of the local ecosystem, and their presence helps to promote biodiversity.
However, conservation efforts are still needed to ensure that the birds of Zacatecas continue to thrive and that their populations remain healthy into the future.