Unusual sightings of toucans and trogons in urban areas of the Yucatán Peninsula

By Yucatan Times on January 25, 2018

The finding of trogons and toucans in urban areas of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan during 2017, launched a protocol of contingency and an investigation into the migration of more than 400 birds to the city, which conclusions were announced on December.

According to a statement from the Conacyt Information Agency on January 11, the birds founded in the cities presented a fatigue condition, and the death of at least one hundred of them warned about the possibility of an alteration in their habitat, caused by the climate change and human activity.

In an interview, biologist Gisela Maldonado Saldaña, director of Kanantik and member of the State Committee for Wildlife Quintana Roo, explained that the birds reported are distributed in medium and high forests of the Yucatan Peninsula and rarely approach coastal or urban areas, because the type of food they require is only found in the rainforest.

However, during 2017, many sightings of these species were recorded, especially in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Holbox, Mahahual and Bacalar. “We observed erratic flights, they were too close to urban areas. Some were of these specimens were found trapped inside supermarket stores and other high-ceiling buildings, because they entered when the doors were open and then they could not exit” he said.

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Yucatan counts with 50% of all bird species in Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula is the home to 50% of the birds species recorded in Mexico, it is a privileged region with great potential in the world for scientists and birdwatchers.

According to a study by the Organizing Committee of the Tho Bird Festival, 226 species that can be seen in the region are considered Nearctic-Neotropical migratory, coming from northern latitudes to spend the winter in warmer habitats and with higher food availability. Even, some of them use the Yucatan Peninsula as a rest area to continue their journey to southern latitudes.

In Yucatan, 465 species have been identified, including 20 orders, 70 families and 272 species, according to monitoring works performed in the state by national and foreign specialists, and yet, there is evidence of new species.

Out of the total, 236 species are considered local residents, where 213 are 100% Yucatecans, they breed and spend their entire life in the state, while the remaining 23 are permanent residents, but have small migratory populations.

This natural richness has made the “nature tourism” a major economic activity in Yucatan, where for more than a decade, efforts have been made to consolidate it as a serious offer for the domestic and international tourism.

One of these efforts is the Toh Bird Festival, which just concluded last November 24, to promote Yucatan as nature tourism destination based on the observation of birds.

Also, various activities have been implemented like photography and drawing contests, conferences and workshops on topics related to birds given by local and foreign experts, photographic exhibitions, bird watching workshops and the Marathon of the bird xoc chich.

Continued:  http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2012/12/yucatan-counts-with-50-of-all-bird-species-in-mexico/