Ecoturismo

Festival de Aves de Yucatán

For its rich biodiversity, Yucatán is home to 436 of the 543 bird species registered for the Yucatán Peninsula, representing 50% of all birds reported throughout the country. This makes it an important region to visit for nature enthusiasts. Invariably, the main attraction is the only American flamingo colony in Mexico, made up of some 40,000 birds, and visitors come to admire their graceful movements amid the Yucatecan clatter which can be heard from quite a distance. The flamingos are endemic and predominantly inhabit the northern coast of the state. In addition, the state of Yucatán has traditionally served as the cultural center of the region and so is the perfect place to combine bird-watching with visits to the Mayan archeological zones and the rural communities where ecotourism is becoming increasingly popular among local naturalist guides.

The state of Yucatán is home to 11 of the 14 endemic bird species found in the region, and the approximately 100 endemic sub-species, including the Yucatán swallow. Among the species are: ocellated turkey (Meleagris ocellata), yellow-lored parrot (Amazona xantholora), Yucatán poorwill (Nyctiphrynus Yucatánicus), Yucatán nightjar (Caprimulgus badius), and Yucatán woodpecker (Melanerpes pygmaeus), among many others.

In light of this, in April 2002, the Yucatán State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and in coordination with conservationist organisms, municipal, state and federal dependencies, civil associations and private initiatives, set out to turn our state into a prime tourist destination for nature enthusiasts. Special focus is placed on bird-watching taking advantage of the abundant avifauna on the peninsula of Yucatán.

The Annual Yucatán Bird Festival was created under the same premise, under the name Toh, the Mayan name for the clock bird, or Turquoise-browed Motmot “Eumomota superciliosa”, which is associated with Mayan archeological sites.

The Annual Yucatan Bird "Toh" Festival has consolidated as a highly competitive tourism product in local, national and international markets, earning the approval of new tourist segments and heightened awareness and conservation of our biodiversity.

The Annual Yucatan Bird "Toh" Festival event brings together bird-watching enthusiasts, students and the general public through the organization of conferences, exhibitions, workshops, round tables and tourist excursions.

But best of all, a visit to the state of Yucatán to practice bird-watching in the company of specialized guides from local communities can be made at any time of the year and there is always the option to complement the trip with adventure and rural tourism activities.

For more information go to www.yucatanbirds.org.mx or call (999) 9303765 at the Ministry of Tourism of Yucatán.