I remember returning to my open east cape palapa in the springtime years ago and finding at least seven different species of nesting birds who took up
residence over the winter.
It was a great daily show of parent birds coming and going, and occasionally an opportunistic, non-venomous gopher ? snake crawling up the pole
looking for a meal. I tried to redirect this snake without doing any damage when I could.
It was a daily entertaining show for the springtime, until the chicks took off on their own. Thanks to all here.
tehag - 2-5-2017 at 06:38 PM
Kenn Kaufman's Field Guide to the Birds of North America. It has almost all of what occurs here, is well designed, and fits in a cargo shorts pocket.
Field Guide to Mexican Birds by Roger Tory Peterson
Most North American guidebooks include part of Mexico and Canada.
I have the Petersen Birds of Mexico, and a lot of the common birds in Baja are not included. The Petersen book is outdated anyway.
Go with the Sibley or National Geographic but make sure the area you are visiting is included.danaeb - 2-6-2017 at 05:18 PM
I've found this list comprehensive, and use it in conjunction with Sibley's "Birds of Western North America".
I have been using Stokes Field Guide to Birds of N.A. 2010. The only guidebook that is all photos. But it is not very portable for hiking at 5.3 x 8.2
x 1.5". Weighs 3 lbs.
While we are at it, can anyone identify this bird? Seems to be a grackle or magpie. Travels in flocks of 8-12. Loves my cissus grapes. Notice the very
broad bill, unlike a grackle. All black. It has a long tail. Maybe a black version of a Bronzed Cowbird? Not in my book that I can find.
Black Bird
AtlinSouth - 2-7-2017 at 09:31 AM
Hi,
From Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Western North America The bird is a Groove-billed Ani. Fits all your description.BigOly - 2-7-2017 at 09:38 AM
