Nature/Adventure/Ecotourism

Mexico is known for exceptional biodiversity and wealth of bird species. Thanks to its diverse natural setting, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo as always has been rich in native and migratory birds with more than 320 species cataloged in the area. Whatever your level of birding expertise, early in the morning you will certainly enjoy hearing the songs of countless birds.

Birdings is particularly good from sunrise until about 10am, and in late afternoon until sunset when there is a flurry of activity and sounds, especially in the lagoons while certain species make all the necessary preparations to perch for the night.

Ixtapa's ecology-sensitive master plan has preserved the land of the Palma Real Golf Course, originally a coconut plantation. It remains a protected nature sanctuary where birding is excellent. Other special areas include the tree-lined grassy area of Paseo Ixtapa Avenue that runs along the Hotel Zone, the nearby residential area of Ixtapa, and the trajectory of the Ciclopista (bicycle path) that runs up the coast along the Aztlan nature reserve to Playa Linda where there is a wildlife lagoon.

There is exceptional bird activity in Zihuatanejo Bay as well as in the orchards and forested area behind La Ropa Beach.

The impressive rock formations offshore from Ixtapa, and Morros de Potosi, the spectacular guano-covered rock islets down the coast, are also home to many species of sea birds.

The following species are usually spotted by birders (bring your binoculars and camera with zoom lens):

Black Vulture, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Brown Booby, Brown Pelican, White Pelican, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Fish Hawk, Golden Vireo, Carpintero Woodpecker, Golden-Cheeked Woodpecker, Great White Egret, Reddish Egret, Snowy Egret, Great-Tailed Grackle, Green Heron, Blue Heron, Tricolor Heron, Groove-Billed Ani, Inca Dove, Roseate Spoonbill , Ruddy Ground Dove, White-Winged Dove, Laughing Gull, Magnificent Frigatebird, Neotropic Cormorant, Northern Cardinal, Royal Tern, Social Flycatcher, Tyrant Flycatcher, Stripe-Headed Sparrow, Turkey Vulture, Tyrant Flycatcher, West Mexican Chachalaca, White-Throated Magpie, Yellow-Winged Cacique, Wood Stork