The southern Mexican state of Chiapas is where you will find many spots perfect for bird watching.  One of these spots is the Lacandon rain forest, where you can go to the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve.  The Reserve was designated in 1979 as the first biosphere reserve in Mexico, which protects more than 1,200 square miles, and is home to nearly 350 bird species (which comprises nearly a third of the country’s total), along with more than 3,400 plant species and more than 100 species of mammals (such as endangered jaguars, ocelots and tapirs).  Some of the rare birds you will find here are quetzal, scarlet macaw, harpy eagle, king vulture, and muscovy duck, all of which are threatened with extinction.

 Last year, Mountain Travel Sobek began a new wildlife-focused trip that includes active exploration of Montes Azules and other nature areas, guided boating trips along the reserve’s rivers, hiking jungle paths lined with 200-foot ceiba trees, and visits to Maya archaeological sites.  You can also take part in swimming in the water falls, “crocodile wrestling” (where you can help scientists catch, measure and tag crocodiles for a local conservation program), staying with indigenous communities, and interaction with local researchers who work on ongoing biosphere conservation efforts.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 9:08 am and is filed under Mexico, Birdwatching. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.