Hundred-year changes in the avifauna of the Valley of Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico

Abstract

Species lists were compiled for the Valley of Mexico from the nineteenth century and from 1950-present. Of a total of 401 species, 228 were documented to be present in both time periods, 111 were detected only in recent observations, and 62 were detected only in the nineteenth century. Composition of species detected in one time period and not the other was similar (aquatic, montane, migratory); however a number of records for the nineteenth century indicate the presence of an aquatic avifauna associated with large lakes. Indeed, 14 species in this aquatic avifauna are otherwise absent or poorly represented in interior Mexico, suggesting that the Valley of Mexico was a unique natural area. Introduced exotic species were numerous in both time periods, with a surprising number of failed opportunities for establishment of populations

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Huitzil Revista de Ornitología Mexicana
Consejo Internacional para la Preservación de las Aves, Sección México
editor1@huitzil.net.
ISSN (Versión impresa): 1870-7459
MÉXICO
2006
A. Townsend Peterson / Adolfo G. Navarro Sigüenza
HUNDRED-YEAR CHANGES IN THE AVIFAUNA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO,
DISTRITO FEDERAL, MEXICO
Huitzil Revista de Ornitología Mexicana, junio, año/vol. 7, número 001
Consejo Internacional para la Preservación de las Aves, Sección México
Xalapa, Verazruz, México
pp. 4-14
Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina y el Caribe, España y Portugal
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
http://redalyc.uaemex.mx

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Hundred-year changes in the avifauna of the Valley of
Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico
A. Townsend Peterson
1
and Adolfo G. Navarro-Sigüenza
2
1
Natural History Museum, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 USA.
2
Museo de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 70-399, México,
D.F. 04510 México.
A b s t r a c t
Species lists were compiled for the Valley of Mexico from the nineteenth century and from 1950-present. Of a total of 401
species, 228 were documented to be present in both time periods, 111 were detected only in recent observations, and 62
were detected only in the nineteenth century. Composition of species detected in one time period and not the other was
similar (aquatic, montane, migratory); however a number of records for the nineteenth century indicate the presence of an
aquatic avifauna associated with large lakes. Indeed, 14 species in this aquatic avifauna are otherwise absent or poorly
represented in interior Mexico, suggesting that the Valley of Mexico was a unique natural area. Introduced exotic species
were numerous in both time periods, with a surprising number of failed opportunities for establishment of populations.
Keywords: Faunal change, introductions, local extinctions, history of ornithology.
R e s u m e n
Cambios de 100 años en la avifauna del Valle de México, Distrito Federal, México
Se compilaron listas de especies para el Valle de México tanto del siglo XIX como del presente. De un total de 401
especies, 228 se documentaron como presentes en ambos periodos, 111 fueron detectadas solamente por observaciones
recientes y 62 fueron detectadas solamente en el siglo XIX. La composición de especies detectada en un periodo y no en el
otro fue en general similar (especies montanas, acuáticas y migratorias); sin embargo, varios registros del siglo XIX indican
la presencia de una avifauna acuática asociada a grandes lagos. De hecho, 14 especies en esta avifauna acuática están o
ausentes o pobremente representados en el centro de México en la actualidad, sugiriendo que el Valle de México fue un
área natural única. Las especies exóticas introducidas han sido numerosas en ambos periodos, con un número sorprendente
de eventos fallidos de establecimiento de poblaciones.
Palabras clave: cambio de fauna, introducciones, extinciones locales, historia de la ornitología.
R è s u m è
Un siècle de changement de l'avifaune de la vallée de Mexico
Des listes d'oiseaux du 19 éme siècle et de 1950 jusqu'à nos jours ont été relevées. Sur les 401 espèces répertoriées 228
seulement ont été découvertes durant les deux périodes, 111 résultent d'observations actuelles et 62 sont exclusives au 19
éme siècle. La composition des espèces observées seulement au cours d'une période donnée restent identiques (aquatiques,
de montagne et migratrices) cependant le nombre d'observations au cours du 19 éme révèle la présence d'une avifaune
aquatique associée aux grands lacs. Parmi elles, 14 espèces aquatiques sont actuellement rares ou en voie d'extinction dans
le centre du Mexique, ce qui permet de penser que la vallée de Mexico était un site ornithologique naturel exceptionnel. Les
espèces introduites sont nombreuses au cours de chaque période avec un surprenant nombre d'échecs dans l'établissement
de populations viables.
Mots cléts: changement faune, introductions, extinctions, histoire de l'ornithologie.
HUITZIL (2006) 7: 4-14
Change is a ubiquitous process in biology—
environmental change on the longest (evolutionary) time
scales has probably generated large portions of biological
diversity via vicariant processes (Noonan 1988, Patton et
al. 1990). On shorter (ecological) time scales, processes of
change are rearranging species’ distributions in response
to, for instance, global climate change (King and Leemans
1990, Inouye et al. 2000, Walther et al. 2002) or human-
induced land use changes (Chávez-León 1993, Klink et al.
1993, Bethke and Nudds 1995). Hence, understanding
biological implications of these agents of change is an
important step towards a predictive understanding of
patterns of biological diversity.
Because most events of change are longer-scale
phenomena than the careers of individual investigators,
tests and documentation of their effects are not
straightforward. Indeed, examples for which old
information (prior to change) is available are not common
(Jehl and Johnson 1994). Although interpretation of
patterns of change is usually complex, such investigations
can reveal fascinating patterns of species turnover,
invasion, sampling bias, and extinction (Goodman and
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Gonzales 1989), and yet very few examples exist owing to
the scarcity of adequate data sets.
The Valley of Mexico—roughly the present
Mexico City metropolitan area—is a fascinating arena for
such questions. An ecological jewel at the time of the
Spanish Conquest, the region consisted of a series of
interconnected lakes of varying salinity, surrounded by
forested mountains. Moreover, because of its destiny to
become the capital of Mexico, the Valley of Mexico counts
with a rich history of faunal study. Mexico had an active,
modern, and well-published group of systematists and
biologists in the nineteenth century (Trabulse 1983) that
left an excellent record of publications regarding the biota
of the region (Peterson 1998). Since that period, the region
has seen a number of environmental changes: sinking
valley-bottom topography, creation of canyons by erosion,
and migration of treeline higher in elevation as a result of
urban warming, as well as dramatic changes in human
populations and land use patterns have all characterized
recent decades and centuries (Palma et al. 1999). Hence,
sufficient information and interest exists to demand a
before-and-after view of avifaunal composition.
The purpose of the present contribution is to
present a preliminary analysis of avifaunal changes in the
Valley of Mexico, in a region that has seen both drastic
changes over the last century and sufficient early
exploration to permit analysis. We draw comparisons of
the known modern avifauna (Wilson and Ceballos-
Lascuráin 1993) with that of the latter half of the
nineteenth century, based both on scientific publications of
that time (most in Mexican scientific journals) and on a
broad survey of specimen records (Peterson et al. 1998).
These comparisons are particularly relevant given the
massive modifications that have taken and are taking place
in the region with rapidly expanding human populations.
Methods
This paper focuses on changes in avifaunas in the
Distrito Federal in the Valley of Mexico. This region has
the uncertain distinction of having been modified from a
beautiful valley holding vast wetlands and other natural
habitats to the largest metropolitan area in the world
(Navarro and Benítez 1999). It was also an easy focus of
early scientific collectors, so extensive specimen material
and other documentation are available from the nineteenth
century (Peterson et al. 1998).
The Atlas of Mexican Bird Distributions (Navarro
et al. 2003, in prep.) is a centralized database summarizing
known information on the distributions of the 1000+
species of birds occurring in Mexico. It summarizes the
specimen holdings of 33 scientific collections (see
acknowledgments), and includes more than 350,000
specimens from 36,000 unique localities (Peterson et al.
1998). Spanning years from 1814 to present, this database
provides a unique resource for assessing avifaunal change.
We omitted from consideration those specimens that were
labeled as being taken from ‘near Mexico City,’ or the like,
as such locality descriptors are known to be variable at best
in their reliability (Dickerman 1965).
A seriously underappreciated body of scientific
literature was produced by a little-known group of
scientists in Mexico in the past century. Personages such as
the Dugés brothers, Alfonso Herrera (father and son),
Manuel María Villada, François Sumichrast, Rafael
Montes de Oca, José María Velasco, and others formed a
vibrant community of biologists. They described new
species (e.g., Amazilia tzacatl, Pharomachrus mocinno,
Claravis pretiosa, Anas diazi), developed studies of
ecology and behavior, and contemplated mechanisms of
evolution. Most of their work was published in the
Mexican journal La Naturaleza, as well as the Anales del
Museo Nacional (Sumichrast 1881, Villada 1873, 1897,
Herrera 1890a, b, 1895). We surveyed all numbers of these
journals for papers relevant to the birds of the Mexico City
area. For recent information (i.e. the last two or three
decades), a useful summary has been published (Wilson
and Ceballos-Lascurain 1993), which was supplemented
with recent specimen information. Other sources (e.g.,
Leopold 1965) were reviewed, but key information was
often vague (e.g., Anas platyrhynchos occurred ‘in the
past’ in the Valley of Mexico).
Information from these sources—the scientific
literature and specimen data—was compared between prior
to 1900 and after 1950. Species documented in one time
period but not in the other were listed and analyzed in
terms of ecological and distributional characteristics. We
broadly classified species as aquatic (associated to
wetlands), montane (associated to highlands), or migratory
based on our own experience with Mexican birds.
Results and particular discussion
Of a total of 401 species, 228 were detected both
in the nineteenth century and in recent decades, 111 were
detected in recent decades but not in the nineteenth
century, and 62 were detected in the nineteenth century
and not since (see Appendix). Among species detected
only recently, 6 represented species introduced and
established in the region in the twentieth century (Bubulcus
ibis, Columba livia, Aratinga canicularis, Amazona
oratrix, Sturnus vulgaris, and Passer domesticus). Of the
remaining recent-only species, 31 were aquatic species, 14
were montane species, and 32 were migratory species. The
others 28 species represent montane and submontane
native species of more open areas associated to human
transformation of habitat (e. g. Molothrus aeneus,
Volatinia jacarina), possibly coming from nearby dryer
regions.
Sixty-two species were documented in the
nineteenth century, but are not known from recent years.
These species included 10 that are exotics, or probable
introductions or released pets (Aratinga nana, Ara
militaris, Myadestes unicolor, Cyanerpes cyaneus,
Amblycercus holosericeus, Padda oryzivora,
Caryothraustes poliogaster, Cacicus melanicterus, Turdus
grayi, and, Serinus canarius); several of these species were
noted as escapees or introductions by the nineteenth
century ornithologists. Another important component were
14 aquatic species attracted by the large lake system (e.g.,
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Aramides cajanea, Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Stercorarius
parasiticus, Phalaropus tricolor, Grus canadensis).
Indeed, the records on this list that are most surprising
(e.g., Gavia stellata, Stercorarius parasiticus) were
specific subjects of papers documenting the unusual
records. The avifauna also included a near-endemic
species, Quiscalus palustris, which went extinct in the first
decades of the twentieth century (Peterson 1998). Of the
remaining XIX century-only species, 14 were aquatic, 5
montane, 14 migratory, and 3 more undefined. Finally, and
most intriguing, a record of Gymnogyps californianus, now
extirpated from Mexico, was carefully documented and
distinguished from other vultures (Herrera 1890a).
Comparing the two lists of species detected in one
time period but not in the other in greater detail, we tallied
species as aquatic, montane, or migratory in their habits.
No significant differences existed between the two lists in
this respect (3 x 2 contingency test, χ2 = 0.38, df = 2, P >
0.05). This result suggests that the very different sampling
regimes behind the two lists (primarily oriented around
collecting in the nineteenth century, bird-watching in
recent decades) did not end up sampling the avifauna in
qualitatively different manners, and indeed that no
detectable biases were present.
Particularly interesting is the perspective that such
comparisons provided on the knowledge of species’
geography. For four species, all aquatic, the Valley of
Mexico in the nineteenth century provided possible new
southernmost distributional records (Gavia stellata and
Podiceps auritus both not previously known south of
Sonora, Phalacrocorax pelagicus and Aythya marila both
not previously known south of Sinaloa). For five other
species, the Valley of Mexico in the nineteenth century
provided the only known or one of very few occurrences
inland from the coastal plains of Mexico (Stercorarius
parasiticus, Aramides cajanea, Aramus guarauna,
Charadrius wilsonia, and Limosa fedoa). Finally, for five
additional species, the Valley of Mexico records are at the
southern and/or interior margin of the species’ known
distribution (Branta canadensis, Lophodytes cucullatus,
Grus canadensis, Phalaropus tricolor, and Larus
californicus).
The presence of Elanus leucurus in the Valley of
Mexico in the nineteenth century (described as accidental,
in winter) suggests that its recent range expansions in the
New World (Eisenmann 1971) were not the cause of its
presence in the Valley of Mexico, and that individuals
have occurred in the valley during at least 100 yr. Turdus
rufopalliatus has also been suggested to represent a recent
arrival in the Valley of Mexico (Howell and Webb 1995);
lack of nineteenth-century records for that species does not
permit us to refute this idea. Finally, a surprising number
of species is seen as introduced in the Valley of Mexico;
many of these introductions failed, and populations did not
persist.
Species Accounts.—Ten species on the
nineteenth-century-only list merit further comment.
Although for several of these records, specimens are
mentioned, most are likely to have been housed in the
Museo Nacional (Herrera 1895), most of which material
has been lost (Barrera 1968).
Gavia stellata.—Villada (1883) mentioned a subadult male
Colymbus glacialis, which is a name referable to
this species, in the Museo Nacional. Villada
provided a detailed description of the bird,
including plumage coloration and measurements,
and provided careful comparisons with other
Gavia spp. (G. immer was also detected),
particularly G. pacifica. This species was
described as of accidental occurrence in the
Valley of Mexico, and was found following a
storm. At present, this species is known to winter
irregularly south to northwestern Mexico only
(AOU 1998), so this record represents a first
record for central Mexico, and the southernmost
record for the species.
Phalacrocorax pelagicus.—This species was listed as
‘accidental’ by Herrera (1890a). The record of
this species was compared carefully by Herrera
with the characteristics of other cormorant
species; as such, it reflects his care in the
identification—perhaps given the oddity of the
record, this record could best be considered to be
hypothetical. This summary of status is correct, as
the species has not been otherwise recorded south
of Sinaloa.
Gymnogyps californianus.—Herrera (1890a) described this
species as very uncommon, saying that “I am
inclined not to believe that it is resident in the
Valley” (translation ours). He stated that the
species had only been seen in winter, and
carefully distinguished it from other vultures
(Cathartes and Coragyps) that would be present.
Although this record may best be described as
difficult to believe, the description is convincing
and little room exists for confusion. We present
this record for further contemplation in view of
more information that may eventually emerge.
Aramus guarauna.—Herrera (1890a) described this
species as very uncommon, stating that he only
knew of a few specimens collected at the Laguna
de Texcoco, all in December. The species is
unmistakeable, and this record is the first in
Mexico that is not from the coastal plains.
Stercorarius sp..—Villada (1883) mentioned 2 male
specimens of S. parasiticus, one in adult plumage
and one in subadult plumage. Indeed, the Museo
Nacional listed two specimens, numbers 1414 and
1415, which are there identified as S. pomarinus;
although the catalog did not provide any
information that specifically ascribes them to the
Valley of Mexico, it did mention their accidental
occurrence in the Valley of Mexico (Herrera
1895). Herrera described it as accidental in the
Valley of Mexico, and stated that the species was
collected following a storm. He described the
plumages and measurements of the two
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specimens in careful detail, and distinguished
these specimens as S. parasiticus on the basis of
the very elongate and attenuated central rectrices
(10 cm longer than rest of tail). This record would
be the first inland record of the genus in central or
southern Mexico, although inland records are well
known from farther north (AOU 1998).
Nyctibius jamaicensis.—Herrera (1890b) listed this species
as quite rare in the Valley of Mexico in winter in
coniferous forests, where it was quite difficult to
collect. Although this description (in particular
the mention of coniferous forests) may seem
suspect, Sumichrast (1881) provided additional
detail: one bird was found near Mexico City in
1855 just after a big storm. Hence, although
Herrera appears to have generalized overmuch,
given the unmistakeable nature of the species, and
Sumichrast’s detailed comment, this record
represents a first record of this species for Mexico
outside of the coastal plain.
Trogon melanocephalus.—Herrera (1890b) listed this
species for the Valley of Mexico. Although
seemingly an odd record that might better be
discounted, Saussure (1875) provided additional
detail, stating that although most trogons are
restricted to the lowlands, only T. mexicanus and
T. melanocephalus ascend to higher elevations.
This record clearly lacks detail necessary for full
acceptance, but is also certainly of interest, as it
would represent the only known occurrence of the
species from outside of the coastal plains.
Chloroceryle aenea.—Sumichrast (1881) mentioned
Ceryle cabanisi from the Valley of Mexico, but
without any details. This record would be the first
inland record for the species in Mexico, although
it does occur inland farther south in its
distribution. Because no detail was provided for
the record, we can only present the record for
contemplation.
Dendroica carbonaria.—This record is of uncertain
meaning. The species was described by Audubon,
and most likely refers to immature D. tigrina
(AOU 1998). Although the realization of the
synonymous nature of this species was probably
less universal at the time of the record, even D.
tigrina would be most surprising in the Valley of
Mexico, so the meaning of this record is
uncertain.
Quiscalus palustris.—The Valley of Mexico is the type
locality of this species, although the provenance
of the type specimen has been disputed
(Dickerman 1965). The evidence behind the
Valley of Mexico records—which is excellent—
has been treated elsewhere, with the conclusion
that ample indications exist of the presence of this
species in the Valley of Mexico, and that earlier
concerns as to the provenance of the type were
unfounded (Peterson 1998).
General discussion
Several complications make analyses of the sort
attempted herein difficult. First and foremost is that of the
nature of the information that we summarize.
Unfortunately, the specimens on which many of the
records reported in the older Mexican literature appear no
longer to exist, which removes the possibility of
rechecking identifications that could clear up some
questions. La Naturaleza and other nineteenth century
sources can of course be somewhat less explicit and clear
than would be expected by modern standards, and older
nomenclature can at times further complicate
interpretations. Nonetheless, we feel that the information
contained in these older sources offers an interesting
perspective on questions that are otherwise difficult to ask.
A second consideration is that of nondetections—
that is, in one time period or the other, failure to detect
species causes apparent appearance or disappearance of
species that have been present the entire time. In the
present analysis, non-detections are probably of little
importance in recent decades, but are of particular concern
in the nineteenth-century list. Because we pieced together
the latter list from specimens and mentions in the
literature, gaps certainly exist: e.g., non-detection of
Aphelocoma californica, which is known in the Distrito
Federal from specimens as early as 1941 (Museum of
Vertebrate Zoology 93460), and has doubtless been present
all along. Other challenges, perhaps of lesser importance,
but worthy of mention, include older names (e.g.,
Colymbus glacialis, Asio accipitrinus, Myiarchus magister,
Parus meridionalis, etc.), and past taxonomic confusions
(e.g., Plegadis falcinellus with P. chihi, Rallus longirostris
with R. elegans). Each of these complications required
careful inspection and consultation of taxonomic resources
for correct resolution.
The differences between the two lists (recent
decades only, nineteenth century only) are nevertheless
quite intriguing. The nineteenth-century list holds several
species not represented on the recent list. Two classes of
species are worthy of detailed comment. First, aquatic
species are clearly better represented, particularly species
that would be found in association with large, open bodies
of water (e.g., Gavia spp., Stercorarius parasiticus,
Phalacrocorax pelagicus). The differences between the
two lists as regards these 14 aquatic taxa can clearly be
attributed to the draining of the large lakes of the Valley of
Mexico, which began with a first drainage canal finished in
1605, and finished with the completion of the Gran Canal
in 1875 (Ezcurra 1998, Navarro and Benítez 1999).
Reduction of the extent of all of the lakes, destruction of
associated marsh habitats, and complete elimination of
several lakes all have contributed to these changes.
However, other 28 species of aquatic birds are detected
only in recent surveys. These include several species of the
genera Calidris and Charadrius, therefore suggesting that
identification aids for such difficult groups were scarce in
the nineteen century, and these taxa are now recorded due
to improvements of its taxonomic knowledge.
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Whereas the disappearance of aquatic species was
perhaps expected at the outset of this analysis, the second
component—exotic species—was less anticipated. Fully
10 nineteenth-century species either were noted as exotics
that had escaped from captivity (e.g., Serinus canarius) or
are most likely escapes (e.g., Myadestes unicolor, which is
still a popular cage bird because of its fantastic song). This
early introduction pressure in Mexico suggests that a
considerable number of introductions have failed, perhaps
because several were of tropical species (e.g., Cyanerpes
cyaneus) not likely to survive in the Valley of Mexico’s
montane climate. The few introductions that have
succeeded (e.g., Eurasian species, Aratinga canicularis,
Amazona oratrix) have been of species that have some
north-temperate or montane component to their native
distributional areas.
This analysis—particularly the conclusions
regarding the loss of an aquatic avifauna in the Valley of
Mexico—re-emphasizes the dimensions of the loss of
biotic richness associated with the dramatic growth of
Mexico City. The Valley of Mexico was until relatively
recently a unique aquatic ecosystem in central Mexico, and
much of that biological richness has been lost. Replication
of this type of study in other well-sampled regions would
be most informative; particularly attractive candidates
could include Chilpancingo and surroundings in Guerrero,
the Cape region and surroundings of La Paz in Baja
California Sur (Peterson et al. 1998).
Acknowledgments
We thank the numerous students and
colleagues who have assisted in the assembly of the Atlas
database, which was key to these analyses: Hesiquio
Benítez, Octavio Rojas, Luis Antonio Sánchez, Erick
García, Alejandro Gordillo, and very especially Claudia
Abad and Rosa Salazar. Thanks also to Armando Butanda
for providing access to the Historical collection at the
Library of the Instituto de Biología, UNAM. The following
scientific collections kindly made data and specimens
available to us for study and use in this study: American
Museum of Natural History; Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia; Bell Museum of Natural History; British
Museum (Natural History); California Academy of
Sciences; Carnegie Museum of Natural History; Canadian
Museum of Nature; Denver Museum of Natural History;
Delaware Museum of Natural History; Fort Hays State
College; Field Museum of Natural History; Iowa State
University; University of Kansas; Los Angeles County
Museum of Natural History; Natuurhistorische Museum;
Louisiana State University Museum of Zoology; Museum
of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; Moore
Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College; Museum
Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle; Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology, Berkeley; Museo de Zoología, Facultad de
Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México;
University of Nebraska; Royal Ontario Museum; San
Diego Natural History Museum; Southwestern College;
Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collections; University of
Arizona; University of British Columbia Museum of
Zoology; University of California Los Angeles;
Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo;
United States National Museum of Natural History;
Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology; and Peabody
Museum, Yale University. This study was funded by
CONACyT (R-27961), CONABIO (V-009),
SEMARNAT-CONACYT Sectorial Funds C01-0265, and
PAPIIT-UNAM (IN-214200 and 233002).
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Recibido: 17 de marzo del 2005; Revisión aceptada: 16 de enero del 2006.
Editor asociado: Thomas Dietsch
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Appendix. Summary of species known from the Valley of Mexico, both via recent records and via nineteenth-century
records (Desfontaines 1871, Dugés 1869, Herrera 1890 a, b, Sánchez and Villada 1873, Villada 1873, 1897). Species listed
in boldface are likely introductions, and do not represent native populations. Species names followed by asterisks are
discussed in detail in the Species Accounts section.
Orden Record
Family
Species After
1950 XIX
century
Gaviiformes
Gaviidae
Gavia immer x x
G. stellata* x
Podicipediformes
Podicipedidae
Tachybaptus dominicus x
Podilymbus podiceps x x
Podiceps auritus x
P. nigricollis x
Pelecaniformes
Pelecanidae
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos x x
P. occidentalis x
Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocorax brasilianus x x
P. pelagicus* x
Anhingidae
Anhinga anhinga x x
Ciconiiformes
Ardeidae
Botaurus lentiginosus x x
Ixobrychus exilis x x
Ardea herodias x x
A. alba x x
Egretta thula x x
E. caerulea x
E. tricolor x
Bubulcus ibis x
Butorides virescens x x
Nycticorax nycticorax x x
Nyctanassa violacea x
Threskiornithidae
Plegadis chihi x x
Ajaia ajaja x x
Cahartidae
Coragyps atratus x x
Cathartes aura x x
Gymnogyps californianus* x
Anseriformes
Anatidae
Dendrocygna autumnalis x x
D. bicolor x x
Anser albifrons x x
Chen caerulescens x
Branta canadensis x
Cairina moschata x
Aix sponsa x x
Anas diazi x x
A. strepera x x
A. americana x x
A. discors x x
A. cyanoptera x x
A. clypeata x x
A. acuta x x
A. crecca x x
Aythya valisineria x x
A. americana x x
A. collaris x x
A. marila x
A. affinis x x
Bucephala albeola x x
Lophodytes cucullatus x
Oxyura jamaicensis x x
Falconiformes
Accipitridae
Pandion haliaetus x x
Elanoides forficatus x
Elanus leucurus x x
Circus cyaneus x x
Accipiter striatus x x
A. cooperii x
Asturina nitida x
Buteogallus anthracinus x
Parabuteo unicinctus x
Buteo platypterus x
B. swainsoni x x
B. albicaudatus x x
B. jamaicensis x x
Falconidae
Polyborus cheriway x x
Falco sparverius x x
F. columbarius x x
F. peregrinus x
Galliformes
Odontophoridae
Dendrortyx macroura x
Callipepla squamata x
Colinus virginianus x
Cyrtonyx montezumae x x
Gruiformes
Rallidae
Rallus elegans x x
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R. limicola x
Aramides cajanea x
Porzana carolina x x
Porphyrula martinica x x
Gallinula chloropus x x
Fulica americana x x
Aramidae
Aramus guarauna* x
Gruidae
Grus canadensis x
Charadriiformes
Charadriidae
Pluvialis squatarola x x
P. dominica x
Charadrius alexandrinus x
C. wilsonia x
C. semipalmatus x
C. vociferus x x
Recurvirostridae
Himantopus mexicanus x x
Recurvirostra americana x x
Jacanidae
Jacana spinosa x
Scolopacidae
Tringa melanoleuca x
T. flavipes x x
T. solitaria x x
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus x
Actitis macularia x
Bartramia longicauda x x
Numenius americanus x x
Limosa haemastica x
L. fedoa x
Arenaria interpres x x
Calidris mauri x
C. minutilla x x
C. bairdii x
C. melanotos x
C. himantopus x
Limnodromus scolopaceus x
Gallinago gallinago x x
Phalaropus tricolor x x
P. tricolor x x
P. lobatus x
P. fulicaria x
Laridae
Stercorarius parasiticus* x
Larus atricilla x x
L. pipixcan x
L. delawarensis x
L. californicus x
Sterna maxima x
S. forsteri x
Chlidonias niger x
Rynchops niger x x
Columbiformes
Columbidae
Columba livia x
Zenaida asiatica x x
Z. macroura x x
Columbina inca x x
C. passerina x x
Psittaciformes
Psittacidae
Aratinga astec x
A. canicularis x
Ara militaris x
A. macao x x
Amazona oratrix x
Cuculiformes
Cuculidae
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus x x
C. americanus x x
Geococcyx velox x x
Crotophaga sulcirostris x
Stringiformes
Tytonidae
Tyto alba x x
Stringidae
Otus flammeolus x x
O. kennicottii x
O. trichopsis x x
Bubo virginianus x x
Glaucidium gnoma x x
Micrathene whitneyi x x
Athene cunicularia x
Strix varia x
Asio otus x
A. flammeus x x
Aegolius acadicus x x
Caprimulgiformes
Caprimulgidae
Chordeiles acutipennis x x
C. minor x
Nyctidromus albicollis x
Caprimulgus vociferus x x
Nyctibiidae
Nyctibius jamaicensis* x
Apodiformes
Apodidae
Cypseloides niger x
Streptoprocne rutila x
S. semicollaris x x
Chaetura vauxi x x
Aeronautes saxatalis x
Trochilidae
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Colibri thalassinus x x
Chlororostilbon auriceps x
Cynanthus latirostris x x
Hylocharis leucotis x x
Amazilia beryllina x x
A. violiceps x x
Lampornis amethystinus x
L. clemenciae x x
Eugenes fulgens x x
Tilmatura dupontii x
Calothorax lucifer x x
C. pulcher x
Archilochus colubris x x
A. alexandri x
Calypte anna x
Stellula calliope x
Atthis heloisa x x
Selasphorus platycercus x x
S. rufus x x
S. sasin x
Trogoniformes
Trogonidae
Trogon melanocephalus* x
T. mexicanus x x
T. ambiguus x
Coraciiformes
Alcedinidae
Ceryle alcyon x x
Chloroceryle americana x
C. aenea* x
Piciformes
Picidae
Melanerpes formicivorus x x
Sphyrapicus varius x x
Picoides scalaris x x
P. villosus x x
P. stricklandi x x
Colaptes auratus x x
Lepidocolaptes leucogaster x
Passeriformes
Formicariidae
Grallaria guatimalensis x x
Tyrannidae
Camptostoma imberbe x
Myiopagis viridicata x
Mitrephanes phaeocercus x x
Contopus cooperi x x
C. pertinax x
C. sordidulus x x
Empidonax flaviventris x
E. alnorum x
E. albigularis x
E. minimus x
E. hammondii x x
E. wrightii x x
E. oberholseri x x
E. affinis x x
E. occidentalis x x
E. fulvifrons x x
Sayornis nigricans x x
S. phoebe x
S. saya x x
Pyrocephalus rubinus x x
Myiarchus tuberculifer x
M. cinerascens x x
M. crinitus x
M. tyrannulus x x
Myiozetetes similis x
Myiodynastes luteiventris x
Tyrannus melancholicus x
T. vociferans x x
T. verticalis x
T. tyrannus x
T. forficatus x
Laniidae
Lanius ludovicianus x x
Vireonidae
Vireo griseus x
V. bellii x
V. plumbeus x
V. solitarius x x
V. huttoni x x
V. gilvus x
Corvidae
Cyanocitta stelleri x x
Cyanocorax yncas x
Cyanocorax sp. x
Aphelocoma californica x
A. ultramarina x
Corvus corax x x
Alaudidae
Eremophila alpestris x x
Hirundinidae
Tachycineta bicolor x x
T. thalassina x x
Stelgidopteryx serripennis x x
Riparia riparia x
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota x x
Hirundo rustica x x
Paridae
Poecile sclateri x x
Baeolophus wollweberi x
Aegithalidae
Psaltriparus minimus x x
Sittidae
Sitta carolinensis x x
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S. pygmaea x x
Certhiidae
Certhia americana x x
Troglodytidae
Campylorhynchus
megalopterus x x
Salpinctes obsoletus x x
Catherpes mexicanus x x
Thryomanes bewickii x x
Troglodytes aedon x x
T. brunneicollis x x
Cistothorus platensis x
C. palustris x x
Cinclidae
Cinclus mexicanus x x
Regulidae
Regulus satrapa x x
R. calendula x x
Sylviidae
Polioptila caerulea x x
P. albiloris x
Turdidae
Sialia sialis x x
S. mexicana x x
Myadestes occidentalis x x
M. unicolor x
Catharus aurantiirostris x x
C. occidentalis x x
C. frantzii x
C. ustulatus x
C. guttatus x x
Hylocichla mustelina x
Turdus grayi x
T. assimilis x x
T. rufopalliatus x
T. migratorius x x
Ridgwayia pinicola x x
Mimidae
Mimus polyglottos x x
Toxostoma longirostre x x
T. ocellatum x x
T. curvirostre x x
Melanotis caerulescens x x
Sturnidae
Sturnus vulgaris x
Motacillidae
Anthus rubescens x x
A. spragueii x x
Bombycillidae
Bombycilla cedrorum x x
Ptilogonatidae
Ptilogonys cinereus x x
Phainopepla nitens x x
Peucedramidae
Peucedramus taeniatus x x
Parulidae
Vermivora pinus x
V. peregrina x
V. celata x x
V. ruficapilla x x
V. virginiae x
V. crissalis x
Parula superciliosa x x
P. americana x
Dendroica petechia x x
D. pensylvanica x
D. magnolia x
D. virens x x
D. fusca x
D. graciae x
D. coronata x x
D. nigrescens x x
D. townsendi x x
D. occidentalis x x
D. carbonata* x
D. auduboni x
Mniotilta varia x x
Setophaga ruticilla x
Protonotaria citrea x
Helmitheros vermivorus x
Seiurus aurocapillus x
S. noveboracensis x
S. motacilla x x
Oporornis philadelphia x
O. tolmiei x
Geothlypis trichas x x
G. nelsoni x
G. “trichas” melanops x
Wilsonia citrina x
W. pusilla x x
W. canadensis x
Cardellina rubrifrons x
Ergaticus ruber x x
Myioborus pictus x x
M. miniatus x x
Basileuterus rufifrons x x
B. belli x x
Icteria virens x x
Thraupidae
Piranga flava x x
P. rubra x x
P. ludoviciana x x
P. bidentata x
Cyanerpes cyaneus x
Emberizidae
Volatinia jacarina x
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Sporophila torqueola x x
Diglossa baritula x x
Sicalis luteola x
Atlapetes pileatus x x
Buarremon virenticeps x x
Melozone kieneri x
Pipilo chlorurus x x
P. maculatus x x
P. fuscus x x
Aimophila mystacalis x
A. botterii x
A. ruficeps x
Oriturus superciliosus x x
Spizella passerina x x
S. pallida x x
S. atrogularis x x
Pooecetes gramineus x x
Chondestes grammacus x x
Passerculus sandwichensis x x
Ammodramus bairdii x
A. savannarum x
Melospiza melodia x x
M. lincolnii x x
Zonotrichia leucophrys x
Calcarius ornatus x
Xenospiza baileyi x
Junco phaeonotus x x
Cardinalidae
Caryothraustes poliogaster x
Cardinalis cardinalis x x
C. sinuatus x
Pheucticus ludovicianus x
P. melanocephalus x x
Guiraca caerulea x x
Passerina cyanea x x
P. versicolor x x
P. ciris x x
Icteridae
Agelaius phoeniceus x x
Sturnella magna x x
Xanthocephalus
xanthocephalus x x
Euphagus cyanocephalus x x
Quiscalus mexicanus x x
Q. palustris* x
Molothrus aeneus x
M. ater x x
Icterus spurius x x
I. cucullatus x
I. pustulatus x
I. graduacauda x x
I. gularis x
I. galbula x
I. bullockii x
I. abeillei x x
I. parisorum x x
Amblycercus holosericeus x
Cacicus melanicterus x
Fringillidae
Carpodacus cassinii x
C. mexicanus x x
Euphonia elegantissima x x
Loxia curvirostra x x
Carduelis pinus x
C. notata x
C. psaltria x x
Serinus canarius x
Coccothraustes abeillei x
C. vespertinus x x
Passeridae
Passer domesticus x
Estrildidae
Padda oryzivora x
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