The birds of Isla Contoy National Park

Mexico has its fair share of national parks in every part of the country. It enables flora and fauna to flourish in a protected sanctuary safe from harmful human interaction and pollution. As such, the Mexican federal government has designated protected natural zones to aid in the conservation of ecological hotspots.

The National Commission of Protected Areas (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Protegidas, CONAMP, for its acronym in Spanish) is the federal body in charge of managing and safeguarding national parks in the country and. This commission has granted Isla Contoy the status of a protected natural zone since 1961.

This natural area is protected by park rangers and the Mexican government and is home to a large number of species. Birds are the most abundant and researched animals on the island.

This National Protected Area amidst the Mexican Caribbean is home to amazing wildlife.

Isla Contoy: A birding paradise

With its tiny landmass, it may come as a surprise that Isla Contoy does have a huge bird population, harboring about 173 bird species, each one with different characteristics, ranging from dazzling vibrant colors to amusing behavior that each bird displays.

As such, Isla Contoy is considered the best sea-bird sanctuary of the Mexican Caribbean, a true gem from where you can enjoy birding in a place where you don’t need to walk large distances to sightsee birds perching on the trees. 

But, (because there is always a but) don't expect a bird watching tour attached to your Isla Contoy experience since the real purpose of the sanctuary is taking care of the species more than give the tourists a bird show.

Isla Contoy bird sanctuary status gives birds a safe place to place a nest and recover their strength on their way to faraway lands. Thus, this island is of the utmost importance to keep the migratory bird population steady.

What types of birds can you find on Isla Contoy?

MOST COMMON BIRDS IN ISLA CONTOY

Coming to Isla Contoy means that you will be amazed by the sheer number of bird species in the place. You may want to join a qualified park ranger that can answer all your questions regarding the wildlife of Isla Contoy.

COMMON SPECIES IN THE ISLAND

• Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

If you are into big birds, you’ll be delighted to meet the brown pelicans, known for eating fish, amphibians, and crustaceans, by diving swiftly into the sea. These birds are huge, and their size makes them especially easy to spot from far away. They are true protagonists. Thus, you will always see them perching on piers or at the top of tall structures.

• Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
  
  

Another of the most abundant species in the park. During the breeding season, the male double-crested cormorant will certainly catch your attention with their completely black jacket with a small double crest of white feathers in the head. They are known to live in Mexico, the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Caiman Islands.

Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Hawks are known to live on land, but this hawk, the Osprey, depends on bodies of water to gather food and hunt. They are known to be found in every continent except Antarctica. Watch how swiftly they can hunt and eat fish from the sea and nearby lagoons.

• Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

You don’t need to travel further away to see spoonbills. These uniquely colored birds will sure contrast from their environment, with their sheer pink plumage, long legs, and a big bill. They can sleep standing and like to stay in salty environments.

• Green heron (Butorides virescens)

These relatively small birds measure about 44 cm, their necks are pulled tight against their bodies, making them look neckless, but, oh surprise! That neck can reach double its size, something fun to watch if you can spot them. You can find these birds in all of Mexico and the eastern United States.

• Reddish egret (Egretta rufescens)

These birds can reach around 82 cm in length and a 125 cm wingspan and weighing about 1 kg. Due to their graceful and lightning-fast hunting skills, they are known as the Tyrannosaurus rex of shallow waters, eating everything on their path including fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects. This species is subject to special protection because it is one of the scarcest herons in North America and is particularly sensitive to coastal development.

• Least Tern (Sterna antillarum)

These small cute birds with a fashion eyeshadow are known for the black band that surrounds their heads. Their nests are placed over the beach sand and can blend easily with it. The chicks usually roam on the beach while their parents return with small fish to feed.

These birds are only found in the Caribbean including the coasts of Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and other smaller islands. Unfortunately, this bird is endangered by hunting and loss of habitat, but also because they tend to crash into man-made structures. Fortunately, they are safe on Isla Contoy.

MIGRATORY BIRDS

• Brown booby (Sula leucogaster)

These birds travel vast regions to nest, their uniquely colored blue eggs are hatched in Mexico and the Caribbean. They are known to use sea debris as a building block for their nest, so expect to see them built with plastics and driftwood more often than actual nest twigs.

• Sooty tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)

It is a bird measuring about 40 cm with a black head below the eyes and wears a white feather scarf. It usually spends long periods at sea, and in the cold season, it approaches tropical areas. They can live for up to 32 years.

• Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The Peregrine falcon can be found all over the world. They fly south when the winter strikes the Northern Hemisphere. They can weigh up to 1 kg. They are known to be avid hunters of pigeons, doves, songbirds, and shorebirds. Some of them have adapted to living in a human environment. The peregrine falcon reaches speeds up to 400 km/h when swooping down to hunt its prey.

• Merlin (Falco columbarius)

These birds can be found all over the Northern Hemisphere. They travel south to avoid winters. They feed on all sorts of smaller birds, including chicks, and are known to thrive in harsh environments. The female is larger than the male, and their nest is usually a small hole in the ground or old nests of other birds.

BIRD NESTING ZONES IN ISLA CONTOY

Check out the bird nesting areas in Isla Contoy National Park.

• Dead Lagoon Aviary
• The Old Port Lagoon
• The Central Aviary (Near the entrance)
• The Heron Lagoon
• The Southern Aviary

DON’T MISS THE CHANCE

In addition to bird watching in Isla Contoy, you will be able to see all types of animals on both land and sea. The wildlife of Isla Contoy features a wide range of fish species and reptiles that will mesmerize you with their glimmering colors and unique shapes.

Isla Contoy is surrounded by a vibrant coral reef that will compliment the bird sanctuary experience, head into the sea to experience both marine flora and fauna.

If you want to learn much more about the birds of the Caribbean, you can visit Isla Mujeres National Park to enjoy another form of bird watching in an ecological and sustainable environment. 

Make sure to book your trip to Isla Contoy beforehand because the island can only receive an intake of 200 people a day to keep wildlife as undisturbed as possible.

Isla Contoy will sure meet your expectations! Make sure to come prepared with a good camera to snap all the pictures you can from this amazing bird sanctuary surrounded by a pristine coral reef.