Mexico Site
	Les Shulman BellaOnline's Mexico Editor

A "Real" Mexican Town
Do you have preconceived ideas as to what Mexico is really like? This article provides a descriptive example of one "real" Mexican community. The author concludes that all parts of Mexico are "real" but some are more real than others and one should discover it for themself.

Birdwatching in San Blas
The coastal and tropical village of San Blas, Nayarit is justifiably referred to as being a "birder's paradise." As an avid birdwatcher, it is a goal of mine to visit there every January to experience many of the over 300 species of birds that may annually occur there.

Canyon Wrens the Non-City City Bird
Canyon Wrens are visually distinctive and behaviorally unmistakable. Not only do they inhabit canyons, cliffs, and other rocky habitats, where I live they also are heard and seen on top of our town's slanted red-tiled roofs. Having heard their song just once probably you would remember it forever!

Conspicuous Violet-Crowned Hummingbirds
Where I live in Mexico, there are many species of hummingbirds. However, there is only one that I can consistently instantly recognize, the violet-crowned hummingbird. With snow white undersides, red bills with black tips, bluish-violet crowns, and bronze tails, they are a pleasure to behold.

Curve-Billed Thrashers Vocalizing Wonders
Curve-billed thrashers may not be close to being the most beautiful bird that occur in Mexico. Ok, except for their down-curving bill and vibrant orange or red/orange eyes, they can be said to be visually nondescript. However, they are among the country's most intricately melodic vocalizers.

Lively and Loud Golden-Fronted Woodpeckers
There are many lively and loud birds where I live in Mexico such as Western kingbirds, groove-billed anis, social flycatchers, and American coots. However, none are as active and noisy as the visually lovely and behaviorally fascinating golden-fronted woodpeckers aka "carpinteros frentidorados."

Military Macaws at El Mirador del Aguila
Military macaws are one of only two species of macaws that occur in Mexico. Viewing them in the wild allows one to experience their grandeur and true essence. El Mirador del Aguila in Nayarit is one of the best remaining locations in Mexico to see them in their natural environment.

Orange-Fronted Parakeets and Half-Moon Conures
Whether they are called orange-fronted parakeets, half-moon conures, or orange-fronted conures these physically and behaviorally fascinating birds are a delight to see, if not hear. No wonder they have been called "a big bird in a small body." Just ask Payno if you don't believe me!

Protecting Mexico's Endangered Parrots
The president of Mexico has recently signed into law a bill banning the capture and export of the country's 22 species of parrots and macaws. See what additional steps the country is supporting to protect, now and in the future, those intriguing, captivating, remarkable, and delightful birds.

Two Cuckoos, Anis and Roadrunners
Where I live in the Central Highlands of Michoacan occur two fascinating yet very different members of the cuckoo family, the groove-billed ani and the lesser roadrunner. One is extremely social and highly visible while the other is primarily solitary, elusive, and if seen at all, only fleetingly.

Vermilion Flycatchers an Eye-Catching Bird
There are over 400 species of flycatchers in North and South America. Most are drab in color and nondescript in appearance. That is not the case with the strikingly beautiful and brilliantly colorful vermilion flycatcher. Not only are they gorgeous, they also exhibit some fascinating behaviors.

What is Mexico's National Bird?
What is the national bird of Mexico? Of the 1070 known species of birds that call Mexico home, which bird is that nation's symbol? Is it the golden eagle, one of the largest raptors found in North America? Or is it the regal-looking crested caracara? Or could it be that they both should be?

Whimsical-Looking Green Kingfishers
Of all of the birds that occur in Churintzio, Michoacan, perhaps the most "exotic" of them all is the diminutive and whimsical-looking green kingfisher. For five or six months a year with unpredictable predictabilty, I am fortunate enough to see and hear one or two of them virtually daily.

Will Thick-Billed Parrots Survive?
Thick-Billed Parrots are one of 11 species of parrots in Mexico that are on the endangered list. Unique members of the parrot family, it is estimated that 500-2000 remain in the wild. Known to be in Arizona and New Mexico until the early 1900's, will they be seen in Mexico for many more mananas?