El Jorullo

Birds to Watch: Unspecified

Location: Puerto Vallarta » Jalisco 

GPS:  /    ALT: 2611.5 ft

Very near Puerto Vallarta in the Cuale River Basin, we found a well-preserved semideciduous forest in spite of human activities in the area, the elevation above sea level ranges between 98 m and 650 m.

El Jorullo

This basin is also an important contribution to good quality water for the city of Puerto Vallarta. This territory is easily accessible by unpaved for nature lovers and is the home of a population of Military Macaw, within this basin we can find their roost at night, feeding and reproduction sites. Although the precise sites where these activities are made by the macaws are ​​inaccessible, we can see the Military Macaw on flights to and from them and in some places of feeding in the area. We’ll access the area by vehicle, with various walking stops of easy level at strategic birding hotspots at varying altitudes, where you can observe birds and other signs of wildlife.

In March, the breeding season is over, and with leaving nesting areas scattered throughout the region, the Military Macaw populations gather at smaller sites, and we can see them in greater numbers around the Jorullo, or in the afternoon, when approaching their roost at night, after the last visit to their favorite trees to feed.

Examples of some exciting species we may encounter include, but are not limited to: Grey Hawk (Buteo nitidus); West Mexican Chachalaca (Ortalis poliocephala, endemic); White Winged Dove (Zenaida asiática); Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis); Military Macaw (Ara militaris, endangered species); Lilac- crowned Parrot (Amazona finshi, endemic and endangered species); Squirrel Cuckoo (Piaya cayana); Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila); Elegan Trogon (Trogon elegans); Citreoline Trogon (Trogon citroleus, endemic); Russet-crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus,cuasi-endemic); Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana); Golden-cheeked Woodpecker (Centurus chrysogenys); Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus); Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephylus guatemalensis); Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus); Maked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata); Black-throated Magpie-jay (Calocitta colliei, endemic); San Blas Jay (Cyanocorax sanblasianus, endemic); Sinaloa Wren (Thryothorus sinaloa, endemic); Rufous-baked Trush (Turdus rufopalliatus, endemic); Yellow-winged Cacique (Cacicus melanicterus, endemic); Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus pustulatus) and maybe with a little luck we can hear the Laughing falcon (Herpetotheres canchinnans) an uncommon raptor bird but with a very conspiscuos voice.

Difficulty rating: 1