Ixtapa is a popular beach destination located on the Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Guerrero. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and luxury resorts, Ixtapa attracts over 2 million visitors each year. However, beyond the beaches and hotels, Ixtapa is also home to a diversity of bird species. From seabirds to songbirds, over 300 species of birds can be found in and around Ixtapa. Many birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts visit Ixtapa specifically to observe the wide variety of avian life. In this article, we will discuss some of the most commonly seen birds in Ixtapa. Understanding which birds are prevalent in the area can help visitors more easily spot and identify them during their stay.
Seabirds
One of the most distinctive groups of birds commonly found along the shores of Ixtapa are seabirds. Drawn by the bountiful fishing opportunities provided by the Pacific Ocean, numerous seabird species nest on islands just offshore or rest along the beaches.
Brown Pelican
One of the most familiar seabirds in Ixtapa is the Brown Pelican. Reaching lengths of up to 54 inches (137 cm) and weighing up to 8 pounds (3.6 kg), the Brown Pelican is a large seabird marked by its massive throat pouch used for catching fish. They can often be spotted plunging headfirst into the ocean to catch prey. Though they range widely along shorelines from southern California down to Chile, the beaches of Ixtapa provide excellent feeding habitat for the Brown Pelican. They like to rest on piers and rock jetties.
Blue-footed Booby
Distinguished by their bright blue feet and intricate courting rituals, Blue-footed Boobies are a popular sight off the coast of Ixtapa. They breed in large colonies on offshore islands, but will also rest on beaches and piers around Ixtapa. Snatching fish by diving from heights of up to 80 feet (24 m), the Blue-footed Booby populations are quite stable in the region.
Magnificent Frigatebird
With an imposing wingspan approaching 7 feet (2 m), the Magnificent Frigatebird is the most widespread seabird likely to be encountered in Ixtapa. Males are all black with a reddish throat pouch, while females have a white underside. They acquire food by swooping down to pluck prey from the ocean surface, robbing other birds, and even snatching bait directly from fishing lines. Visitors to Ixtapa can witness their remarkable aerial agility.
Shorebirds
In addition to seabirds, the beaches of Ixtapa attract many migratory shorebird species. Shorebirds are medium in size or smaller, typically with long legs and bills adapted for probing sand and mudflats for invertebrates. Here are some shorebirds commonly seen around Ixtapa:
Whimbrel
A large shorebird at 15-19 inches (38-48 cm) long with a long downcurved bill, the Whimbrel breeds in the subarctic north and migrates down the Pacific coastline to overwinter. Ixtapa serves as an important wintering site, where they forage on fiddler crabs and other invertebrates in the wrack zone and sandy portions of the beach. They emit a distinctive whistling sound.
Ruddy Turnstone
Named for their habit of flipping over stones and seaweed to uncover prey, Ruddy Turnstones breed in the arctic tundra worldwide. In winter, they migrate down the Pacific coast, including to Ixtapa’s beaches. They have sturdy wedge-shaped bills adapted for prying and probing. Look for their rusty patch on their upper back.
Sanderling
Perhaps the most active foragers along Ixtapa’s sandy beaches are the Sanderlings. Moving rapidly in little bursts, Sanderlings dart back and forth following the edge of waves washing up on shore. Their constant scurrying leaves zig-zagging tracks in the sand. They probe for crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates left behind by the receding waves. They are pale and gray/white in color.
Marbled Godwit
The Marbled Godwit is a large shorebird, up to 19 inches (48 cm) long, with a long slightly upturned bill perfect for deep probing into muddy sand or wet mudflats. They breed in the central plains of North America and winter along the Pacific coast down to Mexico. In Ixtapa, scan for them in wetter areas of beach or near estuaries using their bills to probe deeply for crabs and other prey.
Wading Birds
The wetlands, marshes, and estuaries surrounding Ixtapa attract many species of long-legged wading birds, including herons, egrets, and ibises. These birds slowly stalk shallow water hunting for fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. Some waders commonly seen include:
Great Blue Heron
The largest heron in North America at over 4 feet (1.2 m) tall with a wingspan exceeding 6 feet (1.8 m), the Great Blue Heron is a common sight along the shores of Ixtapa. They move slowly and methodically through shallow water hunting for fish and will also stand motionless waiting to ambush prey. Their blue-gray plumage can blend well into the water.
Great Egret
With all white plumage and a yellow bill, the slender Great Egret makes for a striking sight as it wades through estuaries and along shorelines. They breed in Mexico and can be resident in Ixtapa year-round. Around 3 feet (1 m) tall, they’re adept at spearing fish with their long necks and bills.
Roseate Spoonbill
The flamboyantly colored Roseate Spoonbill, with pink and red plumage and a paddle-shaped bill, can be found year-round in coastal wetlands around Ixtapa. As they sweep their bills side-to-side underwater, they sift out shrimp and small fish. Forming small flocks, they roost and nest in shrubs and short trees on islands.
Wood Stork
The Wood Stork is a highly specialized wader with a bald head and thick downcurved bill adapted for tactile feeding. They breed in Mexico and occur year-round in Ixtapa’s wetlands. Using their bills almost like forceps, they hunt fish, frogs, crabs, and other aquatic animals by feel while wading through water.
Aerial Hunting Birds
Ixtapa’s skies and open habitats host birds of prey including hawks, falcons, and kites that hunt on the wing. Their excellent vision and aerial agility allow them to swoop down to snatch up prey. Some raptors commonly seen include:
Osprey
This large raptor, sometimes known as the fish hawk, is a specialist at hunting fish and occurs worldwide near large bodies of water. In Ixtapa, look for Osprey soaring over nearshore waters scanning for fish. Upon sighting prey, they enter a steep dive before impacting the water feet-first to snatch up fish. They have white undersides and brown upperparts.
Peregrine Falcon
The Peregrine Falcon can achieve speeds over 200 mph (320 km/h) in its signature hunting stoop or dive, making it the fastest animal on Earth. A medium-sized but powerful falcon, the Peregrine occurs in Ixtapa year-round preying on other birds like pigeons and shorebirds. Watch for them rocketing through the skies over beaches and wetlands.
White-tailed Kite
This graceful lightweight raptor has a pale gray body contrasting with black wingtips and a white tail. The White-tailed Kite breeds in open habitats throughout Mexico. In Ixtapa, scan open grassy areas near shore for them hovering in place whilethey scan for rodents and small birds before dropping down to snatch prey.
Crested Caracara
The Crested Caracara is a large raptor endemic to Mexico and Central and South America. With a large bill and bare yellowish face, they inhabit open grasslands where they feed on carrion and prey like snakes, lizards, and rodents. In Ixtapa, they are sometimes seen walking on beaches scanning for food.
Parrots
The humid tropical climate of Ixtapa supports several species of colorful parrots that frequently raise young in tree cavities. Their loud squawks will alert birdwatchers to their presence. Some parrots seen in Ixtapa include:
Lilac-crowned Parrot
The national bird of Mexico, the Lilac-crowned Parrot has bright green plumage with a lilac/blue crown and red shoulder patches. They forage for seeds, fruits, and flowers in forest areas. Nesting in tree cavities, groups emerge at dusk to roost communally.
Yellow-headed Parrot
As their name suggests, Yellow-headed Parrots have a vibrant yellow head contrasting with a green body. They form large flocks that loudly forage for seeds and fruits in forest canopies, often near shorelines. Listen for their distinctive squawking cries.
White-fronted Parrot
Marked by a white band across its forehead and around its eyes, the White-fronted Parrot occurs in flocks foraging across Ixtapa’s forested landscapes. They consume seeds, fruits, blossoms, and sometimes insect larvae extracted from trees.
Orange-fronted Parakeet
The smallest parrot in Ixtapa, the Orange-fronted Parakeet reaches just 11 inches (28 cm) in length. Despite its small size, its bright plumage makes it stand out, with orange markings on its forehead, wings, and tail. They travel in small flocks through trees searching for fruit.
Hummingbirds
Ixtapa’s flower gardens and forests teem with diminutive hummingbirds zipping from bloom to bloom. Their unique flying ability and nectar-feeding lifestyle fills an important niche. Some hummingbirds found around Ixtapa include:
Rufous Hummingbird
This feisty hummingbird has bright orange plumage on its back and belly with some iridescent green on its head and neck. One of the few hummingbird species that migrates, they breed as far north as Alaska yet overwinter along Mexico’s Pacific coast, including Ixtapa.
Cinnamon Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird marked by cinnamon-brown coloring on its back, the Cinnamon Hummingbird is a Mexican endemic that resides year-round in Ixtapa’s coastal forests. Watch for them using their long bills to extract nectar from ornate tubular blossoms.
Bumblebee Hummingbird
The smallest bird species in the world, Bumblebee Hummingbirds reach just 2 inches (5 cm) in length. Fat little round birds, they get their name from their buzzing wingbeats. They feed on nectar from small flowers using their tiny bills.
White-bellied Emerald
With a bright green back and white underbelly, the White-bellied Emerald frequents forest understories and edge habitats. This species occurs year-round in southern Mexico’s humid forests. Watch for their curved bills probing ornate blooms.
Songbirds
Various species of familiar perching songbirds inhabit Ixtapa’s gardens, scrublands, forests, and urban areas. Their songs and colorful plumages make them favorite sightings. Some songbirds to watch for include:
House Sparrow
Associated with human habitations, the House Sparrow is an abundant fixture around Ixtapa’s hotels and in town. Males have a gray crown, black bib, and rufous cheeks and wings, while females are plain grayish-brown. They chirp loudly while foraging in groups.
Great-tailed Grackle
With males having iridescent black plumage and long keel-shaped tails, Great-tailed Grackles are large conspicuous songbirds of open habitats. They frequent parks and beaches scavenging for food scraps or probing the ground for crustaceans and small crabs.
Orange-breasted Bunting
Males of this species have brilliant orange undersides with a turquoise head and green back. They frequent scrubby habitats around Ixtapa where they forage for seeds and fruits. Listen for the males ringing song given from an open perch.
Clay-colored Thrush
A medium-sized thrush with buff-colored upperparts and heavily spotted underparts, the Clay-colored Thrush frequents forest and edge habitats. Often seen rummaging through leaf litter on forest floors probing for insects. Listen for its beautiful flutelike song.
Owls
Several species of owls also inhabit Ixtapa’s various habitats. These nocturnal predators use acute hearing and vision to hunt small mammals, birds, and insects at night. Some owls found in Ixtapa include:
Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
A tiny owl reaching just 6 inches (15 cm) in length, the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl inhabits forest edges and dense scrub. Its long tail and rounded head lack ear tufts. Its rusty coloration provides camouflage when perched motionless during the day.
Mottled Owl
A medium-sized owl marked by brown mottled coloration, the Mottled Owl inhabits tropical forests hunting at night for small mammals and birds. Pairs defend nesting territories centered on tree cavities. Their repetitive hoots identify these nocturnal predators.
Eastern Screech-Owl
Despite its name, this small owl emits a haunting, mournful whinny rather than a screech. Found in urban areas and open woodlands, they hide in tree cavities during the day. Variously colored gray, brown, and rufous morphs exist.
Striped Owl
With vertical black stripes on its breast and horizontal barring on the belly, the Striped Owl is aptly named. A medium-large owl of forest interiors, they hunt by night preying on rodents, frogs, and insects. Pairs defend nest sites in tree hollows.
Conclusion
This overview covers some of the most notable bird species that may be encountered in and around Ixtapa, Mexico. Seabirds, shorebirds, waders, raptors, parrots, hummingbirds, songbirds, and owls all find prime habitat in Ixtapa’s picturesque setting of beaches, wetlands, scrublands, and forests. For birders and nature enthusiasts visiting Ixtapa, spotlighting some of the area’s common birds will help detect and identify these charismatic species. Just a small sample of Ixtapa’s remarkable diversity of over 300 resident and migratory bird species, these birds provide opportunities to observe fascinating behaviors and glimpse unique natural beauty.