Check-list of The Birds of The State of Veracruz, México

A Partially Annotated and Taxonomic Checklist of

The Birds of The State of Veracruz, Mexico

By W. J. Schaldach, Jr. 1998-2003

 

Key to the letter symbols:

Biological Status:

NM =     northern migrant, wintering in the State.

P =          pelagic – normally seen well offshore, at sea.

R =          resident, presumed to be sedentary, with breeding populations.

R/NM =  species with resident populations in the State[nn1] , but many more individuals seen

                in  winter Nov.[nn2]  – March.

SR =       summer resident (intra-tropical migrant).  In some species, the bulk of the

               population withdraws, with a few winter records.  In others, WJS had no

               winter records.

T =          northern migrant, transient through the State.  (On passage usually late August  

                through October and again late March through May, often to early June).

                The northern migrants pass through the State all winter, moving on toCentral

                or South America.

V =          vagrant – storm-blown, over-shooting migrants, or notorious wanderers.

WS =

Habitat:

CF = in Los Tuxtlas:  sweet gum and evergreen oak zone; in western mountains (Sierra Madre Oriental) the zone above the humid tropical forest and below the arid pine-oak forest.

Co = coastal beaches, sand dunes, lagoons and estuaries, especially mud flats.

H = “humedales” = wetlands – swamps, marshes, swamp forest and mangroves, river banks, and lakes.

HF = humid evergreen forest, extending along the whole western mountains above the more or less arid coastal plain.

O = open areas = fields, overgrown pastures, with scattered shrubs & trees, tree hedgerows.

POF = forest above the humid tropical forest on the western mountains, heights varying between 1500 & 2720 ms.[nn3]   The higher forest consists mainly of pines, while the lower forest consists of mixed pine & oaks, with oaks predominating in the lowest zone.

RF = rainforest – only in S.E. (Los Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa regions).

S = mixed woodlands, second-growth, and thickets.  (Called “matas” in Veracruz).

 

Abundance[p4] :

a = abundant = more than 100 birds of a species in 8 hours.

c = common = more than 50 birds of a species in 8 hours.

fc[p5]  = fairly common = less than 30 birds of a species in 8 hours.

u = uncommon = less than 10 birds of a species in 8 hours.

r = rare = 1 – 3 birds of a species in 8 hours.

v[nn6]  = Good luck!  Remember always:  birds have wings and frequently use them!

 

Ornithologists:

AMNH =

ARP = Allan R. Phillips

D. & D. [p7] =

INIREB =

JNS =

KW = Kevin Winker

MAR =

The Minn. group =

MLZ = Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Los Angeles.

PEP = B. Patricia Escalante Pliego

PW =

RJO =

RSC =

RWD =

SH =

SNGH = Steven N. G. Howell

SW =

WB =

WJS = William J. Schaldach, Jr.

WR =

 

Explanation of some Spanish terms:

“norte” – Winds …

“pajarero” =

“suradas” – Winds which blow from the Gulf of Tehauntepec north, across the Isthmus Gap, after every strong “norte” ceases to blow.

Explanation of some Latin terms:

auctorum =

cf. = “compare” – used to indicate ? in scientific names

contra = “as opposed to …”, “in contradiction to …”

fide = faithfully reported by …

incertae sedis =

nec = not …

ordo novus = new Order

Typographical indications:

The abundance abbreviations are in ? font[p8] .

The habitat abbreviations are in ? font.

The biological abbreviations are in ? font.

Latin words have been italicized.

Spanish words have been quoted, except for the Spanish names of the birds[p9] .

The Spanish names of the birds are in Century Gothic font[p10] .

The English names of the birds are in Tahoma[p11]  font.

A discoverer’s name in parentheses indicates …[p12] 

 

Other abbreviations, acronyms and terms commonly used in this manuscript:

auct. (see auctorum under “Latin Terms” below)

FW =

m.[p13]  = meters

Minn. (see “The Minn. group” above)

pers. comm. = personal commentary.

“River of Raptors” = the annual migration of raptors in the late summer.  Because of the raptors’ reluctance to fly over water, and their preference to coast along the “thermals” more common to flatlands, the State’s unique geology provides it with one of the world’s most awesome displays of nature.  The mountains to the west and the coastline to the east cause a “bottleneck” through which literally thousands of North America’s migrating raptors pass daily during the August migration.

SL = sea level.

S. L. P. =

spec. = specimen

TBL = to be looked for.  More field study needed to determine status.

? = more field-work is needed for verification.

 

 

 

Order Tinamiformes

Family Tinamidae

 

1.           Tinamus major percautus Van Tyne 1935.  nec Tinamus major robustus Sclater and Salvin 1868, contra AOU 1983 & suppl.   Great Tinamou.  Tinamú Mayor.  R, r, RF only in the Tuxtla and Uxpanapa regions.  For use of this name, contra AOU 1983, see:  Distributional Check-List of the Birds of Mexico, Part I: 9, 1950; Wetmore 1943:  228; and Schaldach, Escalante, and Winker 1997:  94.  This southeastern Mexican subspecies is grayer throughout than robustus, with darker slate-blue legs.  It is very distinct.

2.           Crypturellus soui meserythrus (Sclater) 1860. Little Tinamou.  Tinamú Menor.  R, r, RF only in Tuxtla and Uxpanapa regions.  Endangered.    

3.           C. cinnamomeus sallaei (Bonaparte) 1856.  Thicket Tinamou.  Tinamú Canelo.  R, fc, RF, HF and S.

a.       C. c. mexicanus (Salvodir) 1895. North Veracruz R

4.           C. boucardi boucardi (Sclater) 1859.  Slaty-breasted Tinamou.  Tinamú Jamuey.  R, u, RF, only in Tuxtla and Uxpanapa regions.  Threatened.

 

Order Gaviiformes

Family Gaviidae

 

5.           Gavia immer ellasson Bishop 1921.  Common Loon.  Colimbo Común.  NM,V, r,   2 winter records:  Laguna Tamiahua and Lake Catemaco (published in Howell & Webb 1995:93).  Co & H.

 

Order Procellariiformes

Family Procellariidae

 

6.           Puffinus l’herminieri Lesson 1839.  Audubon’s Shearwater.  Pardela de Audubon.  P,V – 19 sightings by WJS off Tuxtla coast during 9 years of fishing.

7.           P. diomedea Cory’s Shearwater.  Pardela de Cory.  PV 1 record by WJS, at sea 15 kms. northeast. of Punta Roca Partida on 22 Sept. 1987.  This is a new record for Veracruz waters and only the 2nd record for Mexico.

8.           P. gravis Greater Shearwater.  Pardela Mayor.  PV 1 record by WJS at sea 17 kms. north-northwest of Punta Zapotitlan off the Tuxtla coast, August 1989.  This is apparently the 1st record for Veracruz waters and the 2nd for Mexico.

 

Family Oceanitidae, nec Hydrobatidiae, auctorum

 

9.           Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl) 1820.  Wilson’s Storm-Petrel.  Paiño de Wilson.  PV  WJS had a total of 19 sightings of this species in 9 years of commercial fishing off the Tuxtla coast, all between 28 July and 12 October; all after hurricanes.

Order Pelecaniformes

Suborder Phaethontes

Family Phaethontidiae

 

10.       Phaethon aethereus mesonatus Peters 1930.  Red-billed Tropicbird.  Rabijunco Piquirrojo.  PV.  WJS had only 5 sighting in 9 years, all in September and October and all after hurricanes.  These are probably the first records for this pelagic species in Veracruz waters.

 

Suborder Fregatae

Family Fregatidae

 

11.       Fregata magnificens rothschildi Mathew 1915.  Magnificent Frigatebird.  Fragata Magnífica.  R, fc, Co, breeds on Isla Terrón on Tuxtla coast, and on islands in lagunas on the whole Veracruz coast.

 

Suborder Pelecanes

Family Pelecanidae

12.       Pelecanus erythrorhynchus Gmelin 1789.  White Pelican.  Pelicano Blanco.  NM, fc, Co, WS on passage – Sept. – late May.

13.       P. occidentalis carolinensis Gmelin 1789.  Brown Pelican, Pelicano Café.  R, c, breeds in Veracruz only on Isla Terrón, off Tuxtla coast, and other islets in coastal lagoons such as Laguna Tamiahua.

 

Suborder Sulae

Family Sulidae

 

14.       Morus bassanus (Linnaeus) 1758.  Northern Gannet.  Bobo Norteño.  PV.  3 Veracruz coastal records:  Laguna Tamiahua (ARP), coastal central Veracruz (Ernesto Ruelas I), and off the coast of the Tuxtlas (WJS).

15.       Sula leucogaster (Boddaert) 1783.  Brown Booby.  Bobo Vientre-blanco.  P, rc visitor to Tuxtla coast waters in non-breeding season (Aug – April).  WJS had 33 sightings offshore while fishing, and 1 sighting from the beach at La Barra de la Laguna de Sontecomapan on 16 Sept., 1996, during the passage of hurricane Roxanne in the Gulf of Mexico.  R. J. Oehlenschlager had 1 sighting from the beach at Jicacal (on 4 Sept., 1974, reported in Winker, et. al. 1992: 701).  This was the first record for Veracruz waters.

16.       Sula dactylatra Lesson 1831.  Masked Booby.  Bobo Enmascarado.  PV – 25 WJS sight records:  29 July to 2 May off Tuxtla coast.  This species was recorded (1 sighting WJS) in Howell & Webb 1995: 122 for Veracruz coast.

17.       Sula sula sula  Linnaeus 1758.  Red-footed Booby.  Bobo Patirrojo.  PV – 1 record, 3 birds seen by WJS from Tuxtla coast after a hurricane on 18 Aug., 1989:   another new record for Veracruz waters.  (This species has nested on Arrecife Alacrán north of Yucatan Peninsula.)  Storm-blown vagrant.

 

Family Anhingidae

 

18.       Anhinga anhinga leucoptera (Vieillot) 1816.  Anhinga.  Anhinga Americana.  R/NM – fc, Coastal lagoons & lakes, large rivers.  Migrant flights seen on coast in fall & spring; flights often seen amid migrating hawk streams in the “River of Raptors” on the Veracruz coast.

 

Family Phalacrocoracidae

 

19.       Phalacrocorax olivaceus mexicanus (Brandt) 1837.    Nec P. brasilianus AOU et auctorum.  Neotropical Cormorant.  Cormorán Neotropical.  R/NM, Co, H, c. 

20.       P. auritus floridanus (Audobon) 1835.  Double-crested Cormorant.  Cormorán Bicrestado.  NM, u Oct. – end April.  Co, also on Lake Catemaco, and in Papaloapan Delta.

 

Order Ciconiiformes

Family Ciconiidae

 

21.       Mycteria americana  Linnaeus 1758.  Wood Stork.  Cigueña Americana.  NM, fc, notorious wanderer;  has bred in Coatzacoalcos marshes (WJS, RSC, and WR – March 1961.  TBL = breeding in marshes of Papalopoapan Delta?

22.       Jabiru mycteria (Lichenstein) 1819.  Jabiru.  Jabirú.  V – 3 records:  WJS = 1 at the Lerdo marshes, Sept. 1969, 1 at the marshes of the Río Chuniapan, an immature, on 2 September, 2001, with a group of birders, and 1 seen at a small coastal lagoon, Laguna La Mancha, north of Cardel by Ernesto Ruelas I of Pronatura.

 

Family Vulturidae, nec Cathartidae auctorum

 

23.       Cathartes aura aura (Linnaeus) 1758.  Turkey Vulture.  Aura Cabecirroja.  NM/T, abundant in fall migration in the “River of the Raptors.”  c, almost always seen flying.

a.       C. a. meridionalis Swann 1922, nec C. a. teter Friedman 1933, contra AOU et auctorum.  T – Sept. – Oct., April – May.[p14]   R, c – breeds in the State:  apparently non-migratory.[p15] 

24.       Coragyps atratus (Bechstein) 1793.  Black Vulture.  Zopilote, Nopo in Veracruz.  R, c, usually seen flying or perched in semi-open areas.

25.       Cathartes b. burrovianus  Cassin 1854.  Yellow-headed Vulture.  Aura Cabeciamarilla.  SR, fc, mainly coastal = late Feb. to early Nov.

26.       Sarcorhamphus papa (Linnaeus) 1758.  King Vulture.  Zopilite Rey, Rey Nopo in Veracruz.  Now extinct in Veracruz State except for a small part of the Uxpanapa region.  It was mainly a humid tropical forest bird, eliminated by forest destruction.

 

Order Cuculiformes

Family Cuculidae (follows Olson 1985)

 

27.       Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (Wilson) 1811.  Black-billed Cuckoo.  Cuco Piquinegro.  T, u, Aug. – Nov., late April – 5 to 7 June.  Winters in South America.  WS on passage. 

28.       C. a. americanus (Linnaeus) 1758.  Yellow-billed Cuckoo.  Cuco Piquiamarillo.  T, fc.  WS late Aug. – early Dec. and late April to mid-June.  No breeding record yet in the State, but TBL in extreme North.  Winters in South America.  WS on passage.

29.       C. minor continentalis Van Rossem 1934.  Mangrove Cuckoo.  Cuco Manglero.  R, fc. S, scarce in mangroves!

30.       Piaya cayana thermophila  Sclater 1859.  Squirrel Cuckoo.  Cuco Ardilla.  R. c., RF edge, S, mainly lowlands (to 1250 m. in the State).

31.       Crotophaga s. sulcirostris  Swainson 1827.  Groove-billed Ani.  Garrapatero Pijuy.  R, c to a.  O, especially in cow pastures.

32.       Tapera naevia excellens Sclater 1857.  Striped Cuckoo.  Cuco Rayado.  SR, fc. – March to late Oct.  RF, S.  No winter records, at least in Tuxtla region.  WJS has recorded the first host species from Mexico (a domed nest of Synallaxis erythrothorax) in a manuscript currently in progress, “The Avifauna of the Tuxtla region, Veracruz.”  May withdraw only to Uxpanapa region, where 1 seen in mid-Dec. (Pronatura).

33.       Dromococcyx phasianellus rufigalaris  Lawrence 1867.  Pheasant Cuckoo.  Cuco Faisán.  SR.  RF, S.  fc March to November.  No winter records, at least in Tuxtla region.  May withdraw to only Uxpanapa region – 1 record (mid-Dec.) by Pronatura.

34.       Geococcyx v. velox (Wagner) 1836.  Lesser Roadrunner.  Correcaminos Menor.  R, u, o.  Known only from the type and sightings by WJS and Pronatura ornithologists in open grassy areas on the SSW flank of Pico de Orizaba, above the city of Orizaba.

 

Order Falconiformes

Family Falconidae

 

35.       Polyborus plancus audubonii Cassin 1865.  Audubon’s Caracara (Crested Caracara = AOU).  Cacaracara Común.  R. fc. O, S, WS – to 2000 m. in W. mountains.

36.       Daptrius americanus guatemalensis Swann 1921.  Red-throated Caracara.  Comecacao.  Formerly r. R., now extinct in Veracruz State and most of Central America.  (See Howell & Webb, 1995:  212.)

37.       Herpetotheres cachinnans chapmani Bangs and Penard 1918.  Laughing Falcon.  Halcón Guaco.  R, fc.  HF, edge.  RF edge, S, O.; WS to 1500 m.  Still fairly common in southeast.

38.       Micrastur ruficollis guerilla Cassin 1848.  Barred Forest-falcon.  Halcón-selvatico Barrado.  R. u. HF, RF.  Only inside the forest.  Now endangered in Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa regions.  Scarce due to forest destruction.

39.       M. semitorquatus naso Lesson 1842.  Collared Forest-falcon.  Halcón-selvatico Collarejo.  R. u – fc.  HF, RF, S.  Often seen in second-growth forest.  Not endangered yet?

40.       Falco peregrinus anatum Bonaparte 1838.  Peregrine Falcon.  Halcón Peregrino.  NM. Fc. WS, to 2500 m. in western mountains, but most common in coastal lowlands = Co.

41.       F. mexicanus Schlegel 1843.  Prairie Falcon.  Halcón Pradeño.  NM. R. O.  Although not shown on the map (Howell & Webb 1995: 219), the Pronatura ornithologists; Sergio Aguilar, Ernesto Ruelas, Octavio Cruz, Jorge Montejo, and also WJS have many sightings in Central Veracruz, from Jalapa south to Fortín.  We deem it a very uncommon winterer, or vagrant, from the plateau.

42.        F. columbarius columbarius Linnaeus 1758.  Merlin.  Esmerejón.  NM, u – r in winter, often seen in small flocks in transient periods:  28 Sept. to 4 Nov. – 25 March to 30 April.  Most winter in Central America.

43.       F. femoralis septentrionalis Todd 1916.  Aplomado Falcon.  Halcón Aplomado.  R. u., O, often H (marshes).  This is another species threatened by man’s agricultural activities.  See map in Howell & Webb 1995: 217 to see the extent of its lost range.

44.       F. deiroleucus Temminck 1825.  Orange-breasted falcon.  Halcón Pechirrufo.  SR, r.  No winter records.  O, H, S.  WJS had 35 sightings in 33 years in Los Tuxtlas between 11 March and 29 August.  Winker et al. 1992: 703 recorded the species for the first time in Veracruz State.  (sighting: 4 March 1985.)

45.       F. rufigularis petoensis Chubb date?.  Bat Falcon.  Halcón Murcielaguero.  R, fc, RF, HF, S edges, O. breeds in mid-Dec. to fledglings seen in first flight in mid-February.

46.       F. s. sparverius Linnaeus 1758.  American Kestrel.  Cernícalo Americano.  NM, fc. O, WS 16 Sept. – 8 May.

a.       F. s. paulus Howe and King 1902.  V – 1 specimen recorded near Jalapa, 14 Oct. 1946.  See Loetscher 1955:  25 – 26.

 

Order Accipitriformes ordo novus – new Order

Pandionidae

(See Olson 1985)

47.       Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmelin) 1788.  Osprey.  Aguililla Pescadora.  NM, fc. Co H. 10 July – 27 May in Los Tuxtlas (WJS).

a.       P. haliaetus ridgwayi Maynard 1888.  V, but has nested and raised fledglings once at Laguna Sontecomapan.  The genus Pandion is known from Early Oligocene (Fayûm, Egypt).

 

Family Accipitridae

 

48.       Elanus leucurus leucurus Vieillot 1819.  White-tailed Kite.  Milano Coliblanco.  SR; fc, r in winter; bulk of population withdraws in August – Sept.  Spring arrival date in numbers is 6 March, 1939 (Wetmore, 1943) and 10 March 1988 (WJS) H, O.  Nec E. l. majusculus Bangs and Penard 1920 – which WJS considers a synonym.

49.       Elanoides f. forficatus (Linnaeus) 1758.  Swallow-tailed Kite.  Milano Tijereta.  T, u.  Migrant flights in fall in the “River of Raptors” (Coast of Veracruz).  Few spring records – North American populations winter in South America. 

50.       Leptodon cayennensis mexicanus (Swann) 1922.  Gray-headed Kite.  Milano Cabecigris.  R., u.  RF, HF, S.  Now endangered in Los Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa regions.  See Schaldach, Escalante, and Winker, 1997, for maintenance of Swann’s name as a valid subspecies.

51.       Chondrohierax uncinatus uncinatus (Temminck) 1822.  Hook-billed Kite.  Milano Piquiganchudo.  R, now uncommon in whole State(?) due to habitat loss.  RF edge, S, including mangroves, H.

52.       Busarellus n. nigricollis (Latham) 1790.  Black-collared Hawk.  Aguililla Canela.  R, r. u.  H.  This species is a Kite (Fide Olson 1985).

53.       Harpagus bidentatus fasciatus Lawrence 1868.  Double-toothed Kite.  Milano Bidentado.  R, now rare and endangered, due to habitat loss.  HF, RF – from Presidio region S.E.

54.       Rostrhamus sociabilis major Nelson and Goldman 1933.  Snail-kite.  Gavilán Caracolero.  R, now u in Tuxtlas and elsewhere, due to habitat loss, plus, in Los Tuxtlas by swamp drainage and direct competition by man for its main food, the Apple Snail (Pomacea).

55.       Ictinia misisippiensis (Wilson) 1811.  Mississippi Kite.  Milano de Misisipi.  NM, F – A = fc.  Seen in small flocks, to 100&; seen every fall in small flights amid or over the “River of Raptors” in central coastal Veracruz.  Winters in South America Late Aug. – Mid. October; April – 20 May.  (WJS)  Under the International Rules of Zoological Taxonomy, nobody has the right to change original spellings nor genders, contra AOU.

56.       Ictinia plumbea  (Gmelin) 1788.  Plumbeus Kite.  Milano Plomizo.  SR, fc March – Oct., no winter records; winters in South America.  RF edge, HF edge, S, A.

57.       Accipiter bicolor fidens Bangs and Penard 1918.  Bicolored Hawk.  Gavilán Bicolor.  SR, r, at least in Tuxtlas.  RF, HF, S.  Seldom seen outside forest.  Some winter on Pacific Coast, in Oaxaca (WJS sightings) lat March – Oct.

58.       Accipiter cooperii (Bonaparte) 1828.  Cooper’s Hawk.  Gavilan de Cooper.  NM, fc, S, O.  Earliest date in Tuxtlas: 17 Sept – latest 30 May, WJS.  Seen more often in open than following species.

59.       Accipiter striatus velox (Wilson) 1812.  Sharpshinned Hawk.  Gavilán Pajarero.  NM, fc.  2 Oct. – 28 April.  WS in transit, winters in RF, HF, S.

a.       A. s. suttoni Van Rossem 1939.  R – u, POF, western mountains – Mt. Orizaba, Cofre de Perote, near Huayacocotla, SW of Zacualpilla (WJS).

60.       Buteogallus a. anthracinus Deppe 1830.  Common Black Hawk.  Aguililla Negra Menor.  R, c.  S, near water; H, Co.

61.       B. urubitinga ridgwayi (Gurney) 1884.  Great Black Hawk.  Aguililla Negra Mayor.  R, u to fc.  H; S, Co.  More common in drier areas of Veracruz.

62.       Leucopternis albicollis ghiesbreghti (Dubus) 1845.  White Hawk.  Aguililla Blanca.  R, now rare and endangered in Tuxtlas and Uxpanapa region due to loss of habitat = RF, formerly often seen over S and HF, now extinct in southern central Veracruz?

63.       Parabuteo unicinctus harrisii (Audubon) 1837.  Harris’ Hawk.  Aguililla de Harris.  NM, it is an uncommon and irregular winter visitant (Contra Howell & Webb 1995:195, who apparently had no records in the State.) Ernesto Ruelas, Jorge Montejo, Sergio Aguilar, Octavio Cruz, and WJS had numerous sightings in winter in central Veracruz – Jalapa region south to Fortín, and WJS had 28 sightings in the Tuxtla region, always in O.

64.       Buteo nitidus plagiatus (Schlegel) 1862.  Gray Hawk.  Aguililla Gris.  R, fc.  RF, HF, S, O, H.

65.       Buteo magnirostris griseocaudus (Ridgway) 1874.  Roadside Hawk.  Gavilán Chapulinero.  R, c.  WS, includes O and H. ranges rarely to 2000 m.  Most common on coastal lowlands.  This is the most common resident hawk in the State.

66.       Buteo lineatus texanus Bishop 1912.  Red-shouldered Hawk.  Gavilán Pechirrojo.  </