The Rufous-backed Robin is only found in Mexico. It is quite similar to our American Robin, except for its rufous (red-orange) back!
This bird was displaying for another nearby bird by fanning its tail. The birds were high in a tree, but I was on a pedestrian walkway spanning a canyon, so I was level with the treetops.
Photographed in Guadalajara's Bosque Los Colomos in February of this year.
As I was about to leave Bosque Los Colomos in Guadalajara, out of the corner of my eye a bird flew past. Its shape was different from any others I had seen that day. Upon finding it in the trees above, I was pleased to discover a Russet-crowned Motmot, one of the most colorful birds of western Mexico!
Unfortunately the bird was nearly straight overhead, in deep shadow, in front of bright sky, so this was the best picture I was able to obtain. It was my only view of a motmot on this trip, however, so I was happy to see it!
Another Greater Pewee, this time photographed in Guadalajara's beautiful Bosque Los Colomos park, a great place to see birds in the middle of the sprawling city.
The bird was in deep shadow, so exposing for the bird created a bright background. I don't remember what was in the background that created the pleasing sherbet-like colors!
Photographed in February of this year.
The Vermilion Flycatcher is a very common bird throughout most of Mexico. I must have seen many dozens on my recent trip through Jalisco and Colima. Nevertheless, this colorful bird is always a joy to see.
This one was photographed at the Parque Ecológico Las Peñas, in Ciuadad Guzmán, Jalisco, in February of this year.
The Greater Pewee can be found in breeding season in southeast Arizona and a sliver of New Mexico, but is found year-round throughout much of Mexico and parts of Central America.
Here is one in the Parque Ecológico Las Peñas, in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, photographed in February of this year.
Ciudad Guzmán is town west of Guadalajara and east of Colima, little visited by tourists.
It is near the base of the Volcán de Nieve, and west of town is one of my favorite places to stay in Mexico, Chalet de Colombo.
On the eastern edge of town is a lovely park, Parque Ecológico Las Peñas, which has plenty of bird life for those willing to look.
Here is, I believe, a Dusky Flycatcher, photographed in February of this year. The out of focus background is formed by the long needles of a conifer.
An American Oystercatcher, photographed from a boat at Isla Patos, in the bay of Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico. Photographed in January of this year.
Topolobampo is a port city next to Los Mochis, Sinaloa. In its large natural harbor is a large oil refinery. But in the center of the bay is an island, named Isla Patos (Duck Island), which has been set aside as a nature preserve. The island can be approached by boat, landing, however, is not permitted. There are thousands of birds on this island, mostly herons, cormorants, pelicans, vultures, caracaras, and various shorebirds and gulls, but no ducks!
Here is a Ring-billed Gull on Duck Island, photographed in January of this year.
These White-winged Doves appear to be rapt with interest staring at a House Sparrow. Actually, I believe the doves were in the middle of some kind of courtship dance, and the sparrow just happened to be wandering through!
Photographed in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico in February of this year.
The Broad-billed Hummingbird is a very common hummingbird during breeding season in southeast Arizona. It is also found in western and central Mexico.
Here is one in the Benjamin Francis Johnston Botanical Garden in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, photographed in February of this year.
