Oaxaca Birding, Mexico Birdwatching Expeditions
9 Days Birding Package
Tour Dates
All Year Round
Arrival
Oaxaca Airport
Departure
Huatulco Airport
Tour Type
Private
Oaxaca Birding Tour: A Spectacular Birdwatching Expedition
Oaxaca is a true paradise for bird lovers, boasting an incredible range of ecosystems—from the misty highlands of the Sierra Norte to the lush lowlands along the Pacific Coast. This biodiversity hotspot is home to a stunning variety of endemic and migratory bird species, making it an essential destination for ornithologists, nature enthusiasts, and avid birdwatchers.
This meticulously crafted itinerary takes you through Oaxaca’s diverse landscapes, showcasing some of the region’s most sought-after birds, including the Red Warbler, Rose-bellied Bunting, and Orange-breasted Bunting. These vibrant species are the highlights of this unforgettable journey.
Below is a detailed day-by-day itinerary designed to immerse you in Oaxaca’s extraordinary birdlife and natural beauty.
Day 1: Arrival in Oaxaca – Welcome to Your Oaxaca Birding Adventure
Upon landing at Oaxaca International Airport, your expert birding guide and driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Take time to relax before enjoying a delicious welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you will first taste Oaxaca’s world-renowned cuisine.
Day 2: Birdwatching at Benito Juárez Eco-Touristic Center & Yagul Archaeological Site
🔹 05:30 AM – Start the day with coffee and light snacks before heading to Presa Piedra Azul (Blue Rock Dam). This region’s mix of riparian zones and mixed forests is an ideal habitat for the White-throated Towhee, Slate-throated Redstart, and Black-vented Oriole. Watch for the striking Belted Kingfisher as it hunts over the water.
🔹 Mid-morning – Travel towards Benito Juárez Village, with birdwatching stops. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Benito Juárez Eco-Touristic Center in the Sierra Norte Mountains. The high-altitude pine and oak forests provide refuge for some of Oaxaca’s most endemic and photogenic birds, including the Red Warbler, Dwarf Jay, and Garnet-throated Hummingbird.
🔹 Afternoon – Journey to the Yagul Archaeological Site, where ancient ruins meet semi-arid scrubland, creating an excellent birding habitat. Notable species include the Grey-breasted Woodpecker, Boucard’s Wren, and Beautiful Hummingbird. You may also encounter the Rufous-capped Warbler, a species well adapted to these dry landscapes.
Day 3: Exploring La Cumbre Ixtepejí & Ex-Hacienda Aranjuez
🔹 05:00 AM – Set out early for La Cumbre Ixtepejí, a prime birding location in the Sierra Norte’s cloud and pine-oak forests. This rich habitat is home to the elusive Aztec Thrush, Bumblebee Hummingbird, and Mountain Trogon. Keep your binoculars ready for the dazzling Amethyst-throated Hummingbird, a gem of the cloud forest.
🔹 Breakfast stop: Enjoy a meal at Colibrí Restaurant, where the open decks provide fantastic opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitat.
🔹 Afternoon: Return to Oaxaca City with stops at Ex-Hacienda Aranjuez. The semi-arid landscapes and cultivated fields attract species like the Vermilion Flycatcher, Oaxaca Sparrow, and Rufous-backed Robin.
Day 4: Monte Albán & Cabañas Puesta del Sol
🔹 05:30 AM – Head to the UNESCO-listed Monte Albán, a breathtaking archaeological site within a dry forest and shrubland ecosystem. This habitat is ideal for spotting the Ocellated Thrasher, Blue Mockingbird, Slaty Vireo, and Pileated Flycatcher.
🔹 Afternoon – Travel to Cabañas Puesta del Sol in the Sierra Norte, where beautifully maintained gardens attract species such as the Northern Pygmy-Owl, Bumblebee Hummingbird, and Blue Jay. Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner at the lodge.
Day 5: San José del Pacífico – Pluma de Oro
🔹 Early morning birding at Cabañas Puesta del Sol, followed by a scenic drive through El Manzanal, a prime location for highland birds. One standout species here is the radiant Red Warbler, considered one of Oaxaca’s most striking endemic species. Other highlights include the Golden Vireo and Grey-barred Wren.
🔹 Afternoon – Continue to Pluma de Oro, a hotspot for highland birding. Look for the Middle American Screech-Owl, Blue-capped Hummingbird, and Red-headed Tanager. The area is also home to the Dwarf Jay, making it a dream location for serious birders.
Day 6: Pluma de Oro – Juchitán de Zaragoza
🔹 Morning – Further birding in the highland pine-oak forests of Pluma de Oro, with chances to see the Golden-crowned Warbler and Red Warbler.
🔹 Transfer to Juchitán de Zaragoza – Upon arrival, enjoy birdwatching at Laguna Superior, a coastal lagoon attracting waterbirds like the Roseate Spoonbill, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, and American White Pelican.
🔹 Mangrove birding: Visit the mangroves of Santa María Xadani, where species such as the White-throated Magpie and Ferruginous Pygmy Owl thrive.
Day 7: Ojo de Agua – Huatulco
🔹 Morning birding at Tolistoque Ojo de Agua, a mix of riparian and semi-arid habitats. Target species include the Rose-bellied Bunting, Citreoline Trogon, and Lesser Roadrunner.
🔹 Afternoon – Travel to Canal Tangolunda in Huatulco, a tropical dry forest home to the striking Orange-breasted Bunting, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, and Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird.
Day 8: Pelagic Birding & Huatulco National Park
🔹 Pelagic adventure – Embark on a 5-hour offshore birding tour to spot seabirds such as the Galapagos Shearwater, Nazca Booby, and Tahiti Petrel.
🔹 Huatulco National Park – Continue exploring one of Mexico’s most biodiverse coastal parks, home to species like the Russet-crowned Motmot, Citreoline Trogon, and Red-breasted Chat.
Day 9: Final Birding Tour & Departure
🔹 Farewell birdwatching session in Huatulco National Park, a last chance to spot Oaxaca’s unique avian treasures before transferring to Bahías de Huatulco Airport for your departure.
Join the Ultimate Oaxaca Birding Tour!
This expertly guided Oaxaca Birding Expedition offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience one of Mexico’s richest birdwatching destinations. From highland forests to coastal lagoons, this journey is filled with endemic species, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable encounters.
📍 Book your Oaxaca Birding Tour today and discover the extraordinary avian diversity of this spectacular region!
