Cozumel IS One Of The Best Places To Go Bird Watching

Cozumel IS One Of The Best Places To Go Bird Watching

by Frank D. Gardner

Despite being a small island of Mexico located in the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel is widely known as an amazing tourist spot. The island holds a wide variety of birds along with other animals, both endemic inhabitants and migratory avian visitors, a number of which are decreasing. Every year, countless birdwatchers come to explore the island and see interesting and beautiful birds.

Among the rarest endemic birds is the Cozumel Thrasher which is determined to be nearly extinct. This bird belongs to the mockingbird family. It has brown and white with a long, curved bill which is said to make a complex, scratchy warbling. After the Hurricane Gilberto hit the island last September 1988, there was a rapid decline of the species' population. The most up-to-date reports of sightings were in 2006, soon after two more perilous hurricanes hit the island.

Endemic Birds

One other endemic bird that also belongs in the list of several endangered species is the Great Curassow. This is a huge, pheasant-like bird that may weigh approximately 6.8-11 pounds or 3.1-4.8 kilograms. The male is black with a curly crest, yellow knob on its bill while its female counterpart actually has three morphs - barred, rufous, and dark. These birds are a few of the biggest of their kind, and frequently mate to other breeds which results to hybrids.

Migratory Birds on Cozumel

Of course, not all birds in this beautiful island are endemic. There are some species that make use of migration patterns. This provides additional bonuses for birdwatchers which come at the proper time, as they can see a wider selection of incredible birds throughout their stay.

Among these species is the American Flamingo. It's the only flamingo which generally inhabits North America. And before was known as the Caribbean Flamingo till these were found living in the Galapagos. Between May and August, they lay a single egg, and it takes between 28 to 32 days from the moment it starts incubation till the time that it hatches. The chick is brought up by each parents till they reach sexual maturity six years after that. These birds are one of the longest living birds as they have a life expectancy of 40 years.

The Lesser Nighthawk is another special bird that migrates to Cozumel. The adults have a dark grayish-brown color with gray and white patterning. The male comes with a white throat, but the female's throat has a light brown shade. Without nest around them, these birds lay two eggs on the bare ground. The female then incubates the eggs until finally they hatch 20 days after that.

Cozumel is also a home to Black Skimmers. These tern-like sea birds are white and black having a bright orange beak they make use of to catch food once they skim across the water, therefore giving them their name. The non breeders have light brown bellies while the breeding adults have darker coloring. The chicks seem like the adults, however possess a white speckle pattern above their wings. During the day, feeding occurs exclusively, because the adults go on looking expeditions during the night.

One can find much more attractive birds, both native and migratory to Cozumel as well as hybrids. Cozumel is one best place to see colorful and interesting birds. Experienced birdwatchers and those that enjoy watching birds are bound to have an interesting bird watching experience in this island.



<a href="http://www.onejungle.com/about-us">Duende Tours</a> operates active tours to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. For more information on birding see the <a href="http://www.onejungle.com/travel-resources/articles/birding">bird watching articles</a> at Onejungle.

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