Amar Aves Birdwatching Tulum

Amar Aves Birdwatching Tulum Birdwatching tours and multi-day trips
Miguel Amar | Founder & Guide
Yucatán • Oaxaca • Chiapas • Veracruz
Private & custom trips
📍Tulum

Precision, power, and perfect timing.A striking record of an Osprey in active foraging flight, talons engaged and prey a...
08/05/2026

Precision, power, and perfect timing.

A striking record of an Osprey in active foraging flight, talons engaged and prey aligned head first, a behavior that reduces drag and reflects the species’ highly specialized piscivorous adaptations.

Widely distributed across every continent except Antarctica, Ospreys are long distance migrants and among the most efficient fish hunting raptors. Their reversible outer toe and spiny foot pads provide a secure grip on slippery prey, while their plunge diving technique enables remarkable capture precision.

A masterclass in fishing efficiency and raptor adaptation.

Photograph by captured during one of our field observation.


19/03/2026

Photo taken on our last trip to Cozumel.

Rather inconspicuous, it is often overlooked and more often detected by voice than appearance, a quiet but constant presence of island birdlife.

A characteristic Caribbean species, the Caribbean Elaenia occurs mainly across Caribbean islands and nearby coastal islands of Mexico and Central America. A resident lowland bird, it thrives in warm, stable island habitats where year-round food resources are available. Its flexible diet, feeding on insects and small fruits, allows it to succeed in woodland, scrub, and secondary growth typical of Caribbean landscapes.

Discover Cozumel’s unique birdlife with us. Book your trip to Cozumel:

https://mexicokantours.rezdy.com/catalog/496778/bird-watching/?agentCode=REDES


09/03/2026

A peaceful encounter with a White-collared Peccary.

Birdwatching goes beyong seeing and identifying birds. It is a practice of stillness, learning to be quiet, present, and respectful within a living landscape. When we move mindfully, animals sense that calm. They feel safe. And sometimes, they allow us into their world.

The White-collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu) moves through the forest guided by scent, awareness, and strong social bonds. Recognizable by the pale “collar” across its shoulders, this widespread Neotropical mammal ranges from the southern United States through Mexico, Central and South America. Living in cohesive groups, they play an important ecological role in tropical forests, feeding primarily on fruits, seeds, roots, and other plant material, influencing seed survival and forest regeneration.

Despite their resilience, White-collared Peccaries are sensitive to disturbance and remain only where they feel calm and secure. Their presence is often a sign of relatively intact habitat. Moments like this remind us that mindful birdwatching is not only about observing wildlife, but about becoming a peaceful presence, still enough that the forest continues its life around us.


26/02/2026

Expert birdwatchers have brain differences that may underlie their remarkable ability to identify unfamiliar birds and suggest that birdwatching can reshape the brain in much the same way as learning a language or a musical instrument does.

Although I’m not a photographer, there are some opportunities you just can’t miss.Ruddy Woodcreeper - Dendrocincla homoc...
12/02/2026

Although I’m not a photographer, there are some opportunities you just can’t miss.

Ruddy Woodcreeper - Dendrocincla homochroa seen in Coba.


Meet the Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis), a charming little canopy-dweller whose full title takes more...
13/11/2025

Meet the Rufous-browed Peppershrike (Cyclarhis gujanensis), a charming little canopy-dweller whose full title takes more time to say than the bird takes to dart through the trees!

The rufous-browed peppershrike is a passerine bird in the vireo family with a rich, melodic voice that often gives away its presence long before it’s seen. Its name comes from the rufous eyebrow that marks its face and the shrike-like bill that inspired its nickname, “peppershrike.”

Despite its loud and cheerful song, this species isn’t easy to spot. It spends much of its time high in the canopy, moving slowly and deliberately as it forages for insects, spiders, and the occasional small lizard. Patient observers who follow its whistled refrain may be rewarded with a fleeting glimpse through the leaves; a small but satisfying triumph in the treetops.

Some of the most common birds can be the most difficult to find on social media.While rare and colorful species often st...
21/10/2025

Some of the most common birds can be the most difficult to find on social media.

While rare and colorful species often steal the spotlight, some of the most interesting birds are the thriving generalists.

From the Great-tailed Grackle practically found everywhere to the Tropical Mockingbird with its gorgeous complex song and the lively Social Flycatcher. These species make the most of human made constructions, making them the most accessible connection we have with our feathered friends.

As a guide, I always share a few interesting facts about generalist birds during tours as we’re sure to see them!

Pictures:
1. Social flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
2. Brown Jay (Cyanocorax morio)
3. Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus)
4. Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
5. Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
6. Golden-fronted Woodpecker, female (Melanerpes aurifrons)

Would you like to share some interesting facts about these birds?

Each year, between 4 and 6 million raptors undertake one of the most remarkable migrations on Earth. Known as the “River...
11/10/2025

Each year, between 4 and 6 million raptors undertake one of the most remarkable migrations on Earth. Known as the “River of Raptors,” this area of the Gulf of Mexico forms a natural bottleneck that channels the migration between the coastline and the foothills of the Sierra Madre, creating a breathtaking wildlife spectacle and vital ecological phenomenon: raptors follow thermals and ridgelines, conserving energy while connecting ecosystems across continents.

Thanks to long-term monitoring by Pronatura Veracruz Asociación Civil this migration is one of the best-documented in the world, with over 25 species recorded each season. Daily counts and outreach programs help track population health, climate impacts, and habitat vulnerability, inspiring conservation across the Americas.

This World Migratory Bird Day, we celebrate these extraordinary travelers and our shared responsibility to protect this critical ecological process.

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Cada año, entre 4 y 6 millones de rapaces atraviesan Veracruz en una de las migraciones más impresionantes del planeta, conocida como el “Río de Rapaces”. Esta región del Golfo de México forma un cuello de botella natural entre la costa y las estribaciones de la Sierra Madre, canalizando el paso de las aves. Además de ser un espectáculo, esta migración es un fenómeno ecológico vital: las rapaces siguen corrientes térmicas para conservar energía mientras cruzan continentes, conectando ecosistemas.

Gracias al monitoreo de largo plazo de Pronatura Veracruz, esta migración es de las mejor documentadas del mundo, con más de 25 especies registradas cada temporada. Sus conteos y programas de divulgación nos ayudan a entender la salud poblacional, los impactos del clima y la vulnerabilidad de los hábitats, e inspiran la conservación en toda América.

En este Día Mundial de las Aves Migratorias, celebramos a estos extraordinarios viajeros y la responsabilidad compartida de proteger este proceso ecológico.

At first glance Becards may resemble flycatchers, but they actually belong to a different family: Tityridae. Some of the...
23/09/2025

At first glance Becards may resemble flycatchers, but they actually belong to a different family: Tityridae. Some of these stout-billed birds of the genus Pachyramphus are widespread, others are more localized.

They are found throughout tropical and subtropical Americas, from Mexico and Central America down through South America. Their habitats range from montane forests to dry or semi‐open woodlands, forest edges and tropical forests. Their diet is composed primarily of insects, but they also choose fruit and berries.

Many becard species display sexual dimorphism, with males and females looking noticeably different. Juveniles often resemble females, and plumage pattern, including throat patches and cap colors, can vary depending on their geographic range, making identification in the field a welcomed challenge even for experienced birders.

Swipe through the photos to see how varied these beautiful birds can be. Have you ever spotted a becard? If so which one?

Species highlights:

1. Grey-collared Becard (Pachyramphus. major) Male: far harder to spot, usually tucked into mixed flocks high in the canopy.
2. Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) Female: the northernmost species, reaching Texas and Arizona.
3. Rose-throated Becard (Pachyramphus aglaiae) Male
4. Grey-collared Becard (Pachyramphus. major) Female

Photos taken during out multi-day birdwatching trip of the Yucatan by our customer Rob Arnold.

We often think that tossing an apple core or other organic food out of the car window is harmless because it will simply...
08/09/2025

We often think that tossing an apple core or other organic food out of the car window is harmless because it will simply biodegrade. But think twice.

Even a small food scrap can attract mammals to the roadside, increasing the chance of roadkill and, in turn, draws raptors to feed, putting them dangerously close to traffic. Vehicle collisions are among the leading causes of death for birds of prey, surpassing habitat loss or poaching.

One simple action can make a difference: keep all food waste inside the car until it can be disposed of properly. And if you see a raptor on the side of the road, slow down. With some awareness and caution, we can help raptors and human alike be safer on our roads.

Roadside hawk by our guest Arthur Lee
Bat Falcon, Grey Hawk (juv) by our guest Rob Arnold

Magnificent, rare, and found only in one region of the world. The Ocellated Turkey: A Jewel of the Yucatán Peninsula.The...
29/08/2025

Magnificent, rare, and found only in one region of the world. The Ocellated Turkey: A Jewel of the Yucatán Peninsula.

The Ocellated Turkey (Meleagris ocellata) is a dazzling turkey and its feathers are the reason why.

Its plumage is full of microscopic structures that bend and reflect light, producing the metallic greens, coppers, and blues we see in the forest. This effect is called iridescence, a phenomenon also found in hummingbirds and peacocks.

Its tail feathers are tipped with striking “ocelli”, round, eye-like spots that give the species its name. During courtship, males spread their tails and show off these patterns, signaling strength and vitality to potential mates.

Endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula, Belize, and northern Guatemala, the Ocellated Turkey reminds us that nature’s artistry is built on science: those glowing feathers aren’t pigments, but light being bent and reflected.

Photos taken on our birdwatching tour of Coba by Rob Arnold.

Address

Avenida Tulum S/N. Entre Orion Y, C. Centauro Sur, Centro
Tulum
77760

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 20:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 20:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 20:00
Thursday 08:00 - 20:00
Friday 08:00 - 20:00
Saturday 08:00 - 20:00
Sunday 08:00 - 20:00

Telephone

+529841407870

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