Two months in the past, I wrote about seeing one in every of Mexico’s actually particular endemic birds: the Aztec Thrush. This chook magnificence is kind of refined. However it’s uncommon, well-camouflaged, not site-loyal, and virtually at all times silent. It may possibly solely be discovered, as of this writing, in 594 eBird lists, which might place it excessive on most birders’ want record. I reside inside the coronary heart of its slightly restricted vary, however till this 12 months, had solely seen this species thrice. I steered that any of our readers who go to Morelia NOT ask me to indicate them Aztec Thrushes, as I had no thought how you can produce additional sightings on demand.
As I discussed in that early February submit, I had simply gone to a forest that was severely burnt the earlier spring. I knew I’d see numerous Grey Silky-Flycatchers there, as they love burnt-over forests. What I didn’t anticipate was an equal improve within the incidence of American Robins. And that these Robins could be accompanied by a pair of Aztec Thrushes, which gave me some lovely photographs.
So this week, I went again to the identical burnt forest, to see whether or not I may need lastly discovered a habitat that would encourage these Aztec Thrushes to cool down for some time.
One change had occurred since my first go to. Two months additional away from our “wet” season (which wasn’t very wet in any respect, this 12 months), the burnt space’s large bloom of Salvias had ended, and many of the super-abundant hummingbirds seen in that first go to had moved on. However the Robins and Silky-Flycatchers definitely hadn’t. I couldn’t presumably have counted them precisely as they wheeled overhead, however I definitely noticed many dozens of every.
The Silky-Flycatchers had been extra colourful than I had ever seen. Contemplating the month, I believe it’s a intercourse factor.
However had been there any Aztec Thrushes? Effectively, I can’t provide any nice photographs. However the numbers converse for themselves. Right here is Aztec Thrush #1:
#2:
#3:
And #4:
If you wish to see good photographs of Aztec Thrushes, you’ll be able to see a number of in my February submit.
These birds had been all seen fairly removed from each other. So I can say with some confidence that if I hadn’t seen all of them, I would definitely have seen some. In truth, I don’t doubt that I missed a number of.
So, it seems that possibly you CAN ask for an Aztec. All you want is a big swath of significantly burnt forest. Sadly.
The forest, by the best way, is already exhibiting many indicators of latest life. The pines’ survival technique appears to be to die within the hearth, after which have an astonishing crop of latest seedlings the next 12 months. Different bushes, particularly oaks, survive by sprouting from their burnt trunks, or within the worst situation, from the roots. I’ll be certain to observe this forest’s restoration over the following few years.
I had gone to this website particularly on the lookout for my fifth encounter with Aztec Thrushes. However I definitely didn’t anticipate to additionally see a small flock of Cedar Waxwings, an advanced species right here in Mexico. I noticed them as soon as within the spring of 2018, fifteen occasions within the irruption spring of 2021, and final spring gave me one other three sightings. However this was my very first sighting this spring. Maybe Waxwings are one other fire-loving species?
I’ll end with a pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks, female and male. Not the perfect photographs, however definitely pretty birds.
