Cancun in September (1 Viewer)

[Goat2]

Okay I’m only a birder as a part of being an overall “naturalist” rather than looking for “lifer records”.
We are heading to Mexico for the first time in Sept and wonder if the Sibley guide to Western North America will suffice for the majority of birds I’m likely to spot?
If not what is the recommended Mexico equivalent please?

 

[Bitis]

Okay I’m only a birder as a part of being an overall “naturalist” rather than looking for “lifer records”.
We are heading to Mexico for the first time in Sept and wonder if the Sibley guide to Western North America will suffice for the majority of birds I’m likely to spot?
If not what is the recommended Mexico equivalent please?

I was in Mexico last year for the first time and used "Birds of Mexico and Central America" by Ber van Perlo. It's a good book and pretty small for that many birds, so you can also take it with you in the field. The drawings aren't always the best, but all in all it's pretty good. I used it in combination with the Merlin App, there you can download "bird packs" by region, so in your case e.g. "Mexico: Yucatan Peninsula".
I can also recommend the book "Travellers' Wildlife Guide to Southern Mexico" by Les Beletsky. It also covers other animal groups (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, ...) and also a little geography, plants, climate, natural reserves, ecotourism, conservation, ... .

 

[Goat2]

I was in Mexico last year for the first time and used "Birds of Mexico and Central America" by Ber van Perlo. It's a good book and pretty small for so many birds, so you can also take it with you in the field. The drawings aren't always the best, but all in all it's pretty good. I used it in combination with the Merlin App, there you can download the "bird packs" by region, so in your case e.g. "Mexico: Yucatan Peninsula".
I can also recommend the book "Travellers' Wildlife Guide to Southern Mexico" by Les Beletsky. It also covers other animal groups (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, ...) and also a little geography, plants, climate, natural reserves, ecotourism, conservation, ... .

Many thanks will have a hunt round Waterstones and then the Net

 

[Jos Stratford]

Okay I’m only a birder as a part of being an overall “naturalist” rather than looking for “lifer records”.
We are heading to Mexico for the first time in Sept and wonder if the Sibley guide to Western North America will suffice for the majority of birds I’m likely to spot?
If not what is the recommended Mexico equivalent please?

If you combine your Sibley with the free Merlin app with Mexico's birds downloaded, it is certainly enough.

 

[Jos Stratford]

(I actually used the Merlin app more than the "Birds of Mexico and Central America" that I also had with me)

 

[Bitis]

Many thanks will have a hunt round Waterstones and then the Net

You are very welcome! Enjoy your trip, I really loved it there 🙂

 

[Bitis]

(I actually used the Merlin app more than the "Birds of Mexico and Central America" that I also had with me)

I think I also used Merlin more and a lot of times it was easier to identify the birds with the app, but I also really loved the combination of this book and the app.

 

[Jos Stratford]

I think I also used Merlin more and a lot of times it was easier to identify the birds with the app, but I also really loved the combination of this book and the app.

Exactly my experience 👍

 

[njlarsen]

Regarding field guide for Yucatan, this was discussed recently in this thread, starting from post #137 and at least the next 10 posts:

Best bird guides by region...Central and South America

The second edition of Garrigues and Dean will be your best bet. https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Costa-Rica-Tropical-Publications/dp/0801479886/ Also available en español. How up-to-date is it?

www.birdforum.net

Niels

 

[Popeyethesailor]

I went to Cancun last year and only used the Merlin App it was very good, the Magnificent Frigate Birds were quite impressive!

 

[Goat2]

Many thanks to all of yo for the information.
Frigate birds !! I really now cannot wait until September
Cheers all!

 

[Goat2]

Regarding field guide for Yucatan, this was discussed recently in this thread, starting from post #137 and at least the next 10 posts:

Best bird guides by region...Central and South America

The second edition of Garrigues and Dean will be your best bet. https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Costa-Rica-Tropical-Publications/dp/0801479886/ Also available en español. How up-to-date is it?

www.birdforum.net

Niels

Thanks will try and trace, not exactly an expert at this