BIRDS OF THE SIERRA DE TUXTLA
ROBERT
T
HE
F.
IN VERACRUZ,
MEXICO
ANDRLE
Sierra de Tuxtla is a small mountain range which forms an isolated
topographic uplift from the nearly level Gulf coastal plain of southern
Veracruz about 90 km southeast of Veracruz city (Fig. 1). Within the
Sierra is one of the most extensive humid tropical forest areas in Mexico.
The region’s
varied habitats not only provide suitable ecological conditions
for many bird migrants
(Andrle,
1966)
but support an abundance of re-
sident species. This paper deals with the Sierra’s
nontransient bird species
and attempts to analyze briefly their composition and affinities, distribution
and abundance, and some aspects of their ecology. Since Sclater’s (1857
a,b) reports appeared on birds collected near San AndrCs Tuxtla and
Sontecomapan, and Nelson and Goldman secured specimens in the region
in 1894, apparently the only published ornithological studies have been those
by Wetmore (1943) on part of the western section, by Davis (1952) on a
small area south of Lake Catemaco, and by Edwards and Tashian (1959)
on the section about Coyame.
My investigations were carried out in short
periods in 1951, 1952, and 1960, and during about eleven months residence
in 1962.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE
SIERRA DE TUXTLA
The Sierra is a volcanic range about 4,200 square km in area whose four
largest volcanoes culminate an uplift that in most directions slopes gradually to the coastal plain. Exceptions to this are where long ridges form
headlands at the Gulf and where Cerros Tuxtla and Blanco, two outlying
volcanoes, interrupt the descent to the lowlands (Fig. 2). The northwestern
massif, centered on Volcin
by medium
San Martin
Tuxtla,
has a surface characterized
to small-sized, cratered cones and rounded
among ridges, valleys, and undulating terrain.
hills interspersed
The line of cones extending
from Volcan San Martin southeast across the north side of the Lake Catemaco
basin merges into the southeastern massif dominated by Volcin
Santa Marta.
There deep gorges and dissected lava ridges radiate toward the coast, while
broad ridges and narrow valleys lead southward from the peaks. The Sierra
is a well-watered region with Lake Catemaco lying in a large basin partially
bordered by volcanic cones and hills, Bahia Sontecomapan on the Gulf, about
ten scattered crater lakes, and many permanent streams.
For study purposes I set the inland border
of the
Sierra
100 m contour. The more abrupt descent to the Gulf and the
of the range to the coastline make sea level there a practical
for avifaunal analysis.
163
at
general
about
the
proximity
delimitation
THE
164
CLIMATE,
WILSON
BULLETIN
VEGETATION,AND
Vol.
June 1967
79, No. 2
LIFE ZONES
The Sierra’s climate is influenced by northeast trade and continental winds,
northers, occasional easterly waves, and by the moderating effects of the
Gulf. Its large volcanoes and their subsidiary cones and ridges form a
front about 50 km long that is an orographic barrier to air masses from the
Gulf and inland. The resultin g orographic precipitation and that from convection give the range a generally humid character, although drier conditions exist in the rain shadow on the inland slopes and along the Gulf.
Mean annual precipitation
ranges from about 1,700 to over 4,000 mm, the
complex topography affecting local amounts and intensity.
During the rainy
season from May to November and at times in the dry season the mountains
above 700 m are often cloud covered.
Although
the warm
persistent cloud cover, and extensive forests contribute
Gulf
water,
toward temperature
moderation (mean annual recorded 24.2 C) , minimum temperatures, especially during northers, can be fairly low (6-10 C) and freezing does occur
infrequently at upper altitudes.
High rainfall and warm temperatures support the development of luxuriant
vegetation, much of it comparatively
homogeneous humid forest.
Yet vol-
canism and weathering have formed a varied topography that interacts with
changes in soil type, depth, and moisture to cause considerable local structural
complexity in plant formations.
Such variability is increased in much of the
Sierra by expanding human modification of vegetation creating seral stages
that provide diverse habitats for birds (Fig. 3). Figure 4 shows the general
distribution of vegetation types except for restricted areas of tropical
semideciduous forest on the inland slopes and lowland valley and swamp
forest occupying small sections in stream valleys on the Gulf side.
Rain forest (Fig.
stratification
previously.
structure
5j
occupies a large part of the Sierra and varies in
and height with change in altitude and the factors mentioned
Although here I designate it as rain forest, in many places its
is more like
Beard’s
(1944:138)
than his optimum rain forest formation.
“Evergreen
Seasonal Forest”
At higher altitudes the humid forest
resembles his “Lower Montane Rain Forest,” “Montane Rain Forest,” and
“Elfin Woodland” formations. Some of the canopy tree genera in the Sierra’s
tall
rain
forest are Bernoullia,
Pithecollobium,
Talauma,
Brosimum,
and Virola.
Dussia,
Ficus,
Ilex,
Phoebe,
Vines, air plants, climbers, and tree
buttressing are conspicuous. Ab ove about 1200 m the transition
occurs to
a lower forest that becomes elfin and more moss-covered on crater walls and
peak ridges (Fig. 6).
Miranda
and Hernandez
(1963))
however, classify the
tall, humid forest in the Sierra as “selva alta perennifolia,”
which they equate
with Beard’s optimum rain forest. The montane types, including cloud forest
and the elfin woodland, they designate as “selva mediana o baja perennifolia.”
Kobrrt
Ankle
F.
BIRDS
OF VERACRUZ
FIG. 1. Drainage system and principal
roads, trails, and urban centers.
165
peaks of the Sierra de Tuxtla
Although there is not sufficient precipitation
in relation to
data available for the Sierra
to make a complete analysis of vegetation under the Holdridge (1947) system,
probably none of the range’s humid forest can be placed in his “Rainforest”
formations.
Forest”
Most of this forest should be classified in his “Tropical
category with that at higher
tropical Wet” or “Subtropical
Moist”
Moist
altitudes being placed in the “Subformations.
An open, pine and oak woodland with pines (Pinus oocarpa)
chiefly on
the ridges and oaks more on the ravine and valley sides occurs on the southern slopes of the Volcin
Santa Marta massif (Fig. 7).
Remnants of tropical
semideciduous forest (“Selva alta o mediana subcaducifolia” of Miranda
Hernandez)
and
and extensive oak woodlands interspersed with tree savanna lie
at lower elevations to the south. Sweet gum (Liquidambar
styraciflua)
occurs
sporadically in the humid forests of both massifs and north of the Lake
Catemaco basin, but large stands (“bosque
caducifolia”
of Miranda
and
Hernandez) exist only on the upper southern slopes of the Volcan Santa
Marta section where they merge at their upper edge into montane rain forest.
Deforestation has resulted in a great expansion of open country with grasslands and weedy fields broken by tree rows, forest remnants, and occasionally
palms or patches of palm forest.
The Sierra
de Tuxtla
lies entirely
within
the Tropical
Life
Zone.
The
THE
FIG. 2.
WILSON
BULLETIN
General elevation pattern of the Sierra de Tuxtla
showing key heights.
Humid Upper (Subtropical)
and Lower Tropical Zones encompass mostly
the rain and cloud forests and some of the nonforested terrain. The Arid
Division of the Lower Tropical Zone extends into the Sierra from the inland
side, including
principally
the semi-open palm-forest-grass
areas, oak and
tropical semideciduous forests, the savannas and some of the pine-oak section.
My investigations show that in regard to the avifauna there are no distinct
life zone boundaries in the Sierra, and the demarcation between Humid Upper
and Lower Tropical Zones is definitely transitional as evidenced by altitudinal
mixing
of avian forms.
The arid part of the Lower Tropical
Zone is not
strongly indicated by the avifauna, comparatively few species occurring that
can be considered typical of this division.
role of temperature in life zone definition
From an altitudinal viewpoint the
here is apparently minimized by
the small relief and relatively low latitude of the range.
NONTRANSIENT
Historical
BIRDS
background, composition, and affinities.-The
Sierra de Tuxtla
has been available for permanent avian colonization since its final emergence
from the sea and uplift during the Pliocene.
At this time probably
some
modern bird genera became well established, and the range’s
avifauna very
likely
the avifauna’s
contained a pronounced
tropical
element.
However,
BIRDS
OF VERACRUZ
167
FIG. 3. Sierra landscape near Cerro Blanco, one which supports many species of
habitat B. In the background are forested Volcin San Martin Tuxtla and subsidiary
mountains.
composition during the late Tertiary
and Pleistocene is necessarily speculative
because, like other parts of Mexico and Central America,
fected by the fauna1 mixing
the Sierra was af-
of northern and southern elements that possibly
increased after closing of the water gaps between North and South America
and cooling of the climate in North America in the Pleistocene. Even during
lowered temperatures of Pleistocene glacial stages, however, it seems unlikely that the Sierra’s climate ever became cooler than warm temperate.
From the Eocene to the Pleistocene and in the latter’s
was probably tropical
interglacial
stages it
Th erefore, though tropical vegetation elements may have been less abundant during the Pleistocene, and the
Upper Tropical
(Dorf,
1959:185).
Life Zone probably
descended in elevation
195033583, it seems certain that the Sierra’s
completely displaced.
(see Griscom,
avifauna at this time was not
When the climate ameliorated
after the final glacial
stage and humid tropical vegetation was able to attain its present northward
extent and abundance, bird species of the Upper Tropical Zone in the Sierra
were then restricted to higher altitudes and more suitable conditions were
afforded
for northward
dispersal into the range of Lower Tropical
birds from the Central American lowlands.
for most of the range’s
Zone
It is probable that the avifauna,
history since its volcanic formation,
has consisted
THE
168
WILSON
.I,lne196i
BULLETIN
Vol.
Gulf
FIG. 4.
Of
i9,
ix”.
2
Mexico
Principal vegetation types of the Sierra de Tuxtla.
mainly of forest-adapted species. Only in the comparatively short time since
it has been occupied by humans has a major transformation
occurred to the
preponderance of nonforest types evidenced by the present avifaunal
com-
position.
Nontransient
species (including
those that are known to breed or may
possibly do so) recorded in the Sierra de Tuxtla number 251, representing
58 families.
Since there are suitable nesting habitats for those not known to
breed and their ranges in Mexico either encompass the Sierra or are not far
distant, it is probable that some breed at present. The family represented in
the Sierra by the largest number of species (26)
is the Tyrannidae.
other families among the highest in number of species are:
(13))
Columbidae
and Fringillidae
(13))
(14).
Trochilidae
(14))
Icteridae
(14))
The six
Accipitridae
Thraupidae
(14)
Almost one-third of all the families are represented
by only one species each.
On the basis of Mayr’s
(1946)
can bird fauna, the Sierra’s
analysis of the history of the North Ameri-
nontransient
avifauna can be divided into six
elements. Species of probable North American
and Old World
origin total
about 67 in contrast to the essentially southern origin of the Panamerican
and South American elements, represented by a total of about 111 species.
Almost half of the species comprising these last two elements are characteristic
of the humid tropical
forest which formed
a medium
for their
dispersal
BIRDS OF VERACRLZ
169
FIG. 5. Interior of montane rain forest along old road at 650 m elevation southeast
of La Victoria. Upper Tropical Zone birds, such as Grofrygort lawrencii,
Turdus assimilis, and Chlorospingus opthalmicus, arr fairly numerous here.
THE WILSOi!
170
BULLETIN
FIG. 6. Crater of Volc6n San Martin Tuxtla covered by cloud forest. Relatively few
birds inhahit the elfin type predominant here. Virw is from 1600 m elevation toward
northwest whvrc clouds from the Gulf are beginning to mote OCR thr mn:c.
The avifauna is also composed of a large number of species i’701
northward.
in the Widely
Distributed
and Pantropical
elements of unknown or uncertain
origin (27 per cent of the nontransients).
Apart from these last two elements.
however, species of probable Neotropical
origin predominate
in the Sierra in comparison to those with northern
reflecting the principally
(44 per cent)
affinities
(26 per cent),
tropical character of this portion of the nontransient
avifauna.
Systematic
lists by habitat.-The
difficulty
in relating species to particular
habitats is increased by the fact that many are not restricted to one type and
that humid and drier areas are not well defined.
Streak-headed
rain
Woodcreeper
forest but also frequently
Some other species regularly
tailed
Sabrewing
(Piculus
sis),
i Lepidocolaptes
in tropical
(Campylopterus
is primarily
associated.
in
and oak forest.
Attila
curvipennisi
) Golden-olive
Woodpecker
Woodpecker
i Phloeoceastes
guatemalen-
(Attila
have assigned each species to the major
small numbers frequents
occurs regularly
semideciduous
found in at least two habitats are the Wedge-
rubiginosus) , Pale-billed
and Bright-rumped
As an example of this, the
souleyetii)
spadiceusi . In the following
The H ouse Sparrow
primarily
lists I
habitat in the Sierra with which it
(Passer
domesticus),
the large towns, is excluded.
which in
The six
BIRDS
OF VERACRUZ
171
FIG. 7. Pine forest on southeastridges of Volcln Santa Marta at 800 m altitude.
Birds are more numerous in adjacent ravines where gum-oak and rain forest occur.
In the background is cloud-covered Volclin San Martin Pajapan.
habitats are based on distinctive vegetation formations and associations and
upon the existence of water bodies.
Included
after each species is an abbreviation
indicating
its relative
ob-
servable abundance in the Sierra as a whole based on sight and/or sound
record or collecting in its preferred habitat during several hours of field
work.
Admittedly,
attempts to be quantitative
in this regard are difficult.
However, the following categories (modified from Loetscher, 1941) are based
only on the numbers of birds that might be recorded by a competent observer
and do not purport to show actual abundance of each species. But I believe
that in most cases the category to which a species is assigned fairly
closely
corresponds with its real abundance.
Abundant (A) : over 150 recorded every da)Very common (VC) : 75-150 recorded every day
Common (C) : 15-75 recorded every day
Fairly common (FC) : 5-15 recorded every day
Rather uncommon (RU) : 3-8 recorded but not every day
Uncommon (U):
l-5 recorded, but frequently not observed for one or a few days at
a time
Very uncommon (VU) : 1-5 recorded in one to three months and usually not observed
for one to three weeks at a time
THE WILSON
172
1967
June
BULLETIN
Vol.
io,
No.
2
Rare CR) : lessthan 10 recordedper year and not recorded at all for varying, sometimesprolongedperiods
Very rare (VR) : recorded from one to three or four times in the region and likely
to occur again.
Altitudinal
ranges after each species are in meters above sea level. A hyphen
before or after a single elevation or the limits of a species’ range indicates
that it possibly occurs beyond the altitude(s)
given.
A dagger following; a
species name indicates that it occasionally frequents a more humid or drier
habitat as the case may be. First records for the Sierra, as here delimited,
that have not, to my knowledge, been previously published (55)
by an asterisk. Eisenmann (1955)
are marked
h as b een followed here and elsewhere in
the paper for most species’ common and technical names.
Habitat A-Tropical
rain forest Cmontaneand coastal lowland) and cloud forest-
82 species.
Tinamus major U O-850
Crypturellus soui U O&800
Crypturellus boucardi FC P250-900
C
‘ hondrohierax
uncinatus VR 300
Accipiter bicolor VR 400
Leucopternis albicollist RU O-900
*Spizaetus tyrannusi
VR O-850
*Micrastur
semitorquatus 17 S1300
*Micrastur
ruficollis RU 500-1500Crax rubra RU O-900
Penelope purpurascens FC O-1400Odontophorus guttarus FC 300-1300
Columba speciosa RU -350-800
Columba nigrirostris FC &750
Leptotila verreauzi? C O-1100
Leptotila plumbeiceps FC O-750
Geotrygon lawrencii FC 35&1400Geotrygon montana RU O&900*Bolborhynchw
Zineola VR 800Pionopsitta haematotist
R MO-550
Otus guatemalae t U O-1100
Pulsatriz perspicillata
VR OCiccaba zlirgatat FC cl660
Phaethornis superciliosus FC O-850
Phaethornis longuemareus RU O-550
Campylopterus hemileucurus RU 0-1500*Colibri thalassinus U 650-800
*Lampornis amethystinus VR -1280Trogon massena U O-500
Trogon collaris FC &1660
Trogon violaceust FC O-1200
Hylomanes momotula R -750
Momotus
momotat
FC O-1200
prasinus RU 400-1660
Celeus castaneus VU o-600
Aulacorhynchus
Phloeoceastes
guatemalensist
li O-950
VU G-800
Sittasomus griseicapillus FC -900
Dendrocolaptes
certhia U -850
Xiphorhynchus
flavigastert
FC O&1300
Lepidocolnptes souleyetiit RU -8OODendrocincla
anabatina
U 900-1660
U 70&1200Automolus ochrolaemus FC OS1400
Xenops minutus U O-850
Formicarius analis FC O-950
Grallaria guatimcrlensis R 0-800Piprn mentalis VU O-850
Empidonnx flavescens RU 900-1660
.liyiobius sulphureipygius
VU O-600
“Onychorhynchus
mexicanus R O-650
Platyrinchw
mystaceus RU O-850
Tolmomyias sulphurescenst U O-750
Rhynchocyclus
brevirostris RU 500-1200
Oncostoma cinereigulare VU O-850
*Omithion
semiflavum R 0-800*Leptopogon
amaurocephalus
VR 300
Pipromorpha
oleaginea RU -950
Cyanocorax yncast FC 250-1300
Lepidocolaptes
Anabacerthin
Henicorhina
Turdus
affinis
variegaticeps
leucostica
C 0-1500-
assimilis C 300-1300-
R 130&1660
FC 400-1660
Catharus mexicanus FC 450-1400~‘Smaragdolanius
pulchellus R O-800
Hylophilus ochraceiceps RU O-900
*Turdus
injuscatus
Myadestes
unicolor
Kobm
Andrlr
F.
BIRDS OF VERACRUZ
Hylophilzzs
deczzrtatus
Cyanerpes
Parula
cyaneust
pitiayumi?
Myioborzzs miniatus
FC O-850
c O-950
FC -150-950
FC 600-1250-
Bnsilezrterus culicivorus
Basileuterus
Cklorophonia
“Euphonia
U
belli
C O&1000
7581660
VR 300@750P
VU -700~
occipitalis
gouldi
Pirangn
173
leucoptera
u 450-1000~
KU o-1100
Lanio uurantius VU 0650
Eucometis penicillata U -650
Chlorospingus opthalnicus
FC
Habia
rubicnt
Caryothruustes
Cyanocompsa
Atlupetes
poliogaster
cyanoides
brunneinuchn
500-1660
C O-850
RU O-850
FC 400-1660
Habitat B-Humid forestedge.thickets. bush and tree rows and fields in humid areas93 species.
“Harpagus
bidentatus VR 300
Tityrzz semifasciatnf FC O-1250
Buteo mczgnirostrist FC O-850
“Tityra inquisitor? VU O&700Buteo nitidus?_ RU O-950
Tyrnnnus meluncholicust
C o-950
Herpetotheres
cachinnanst VU O-650
Legatus leucophaius RU O&900
F&o
albigularis TVU O-800Myiodynnstes
luteiventrist
FC O-950
Ortalis vetulai_ VU O-1000
Myiodynastes mnculatus RU O-750
Columba flavirostrist
C O-1660
Megarhynchus pitanguat
FC O-850
Columbigallina
minuta VR -40s
Myiozetetes similist C O-850
Columbigallina
Claravis
talpacoti
pretiosa
U
Arutinga
astect C O-750
Amazona
autumnalist
“Coccyzus
Piaya
minor
cayanat
Crotophagn
Tapera
C O-800
O-950
Nyctibeus
C O&700
VR 625
RU O-750
szzlcirostris? C O-650
VU O-350
brasilianumt
RU O-750
griseusi R O-800
Nyctidromus
albicollist
C O-950
FC O-1200
U O-650
“Puphosia helenczet VU 600P
Chlorostilbon
canivetiit RU O-800
Amazilia candida FC O-1100
Amazilia tzacatlt FC O-800
G
‘ albula
ruficaudu U &50Pteroglosszzs torquatusi
RU g-600
Ramphastos sulfurmust
FC O-1250
Piculus rubiginosus RU -1660
Campylopterus
curvipennis
Anthracothorax
prevostiit
Centurus
aurifronsi_
C O-lOOO-
VU O-800
Veniliornis fumigatus VU O-800
Synallzzxis erythrothoraxt
FC O-750
Taraba major VR O-300
Thamnophilzzs doliatust FC O-850
“Cotinga amabilis VR 300
Attilrr spndicezzst RU O-950
Pnchyramphus
major? R O-1250
Platypsaris aglaiaet RU O-750
Centurus
pucherani
sulphuratust
Myiarchus
naeviat
Glaucidium
Pitangus
C O-850
FC O-750
FC O-1300
U P150P700
U O-850
VU O-600
!?Iyinrchus tyrannulus~
Contopus
Eluinea
tuberculifert
cinereust
flnvogastert
Myiopagis
viridicntat
Psilorhinus
morioi
Compylorhynchus
Thryothorus
Troglodytes
Turdus
C O-800
FC O-650
FC O-1250
U P100-850
zonatust
maculipectus~
musculus
gray21 C O-950
VU O-850
U O-600Vireo olivaceust C O-1250
Coerebzz flavaola RU O-1100
Chnmnethlypis poliocephalat
FC O-750
Brzsileuterzzs rufifrons FC O-950Zarhynchus wagleri VR -306
Gymnostinops montezuma FC O-650
Amblycercus
holosericeust
FC O-600
Psomocolux oryzivorus VU O-600
Tangavius aeneust FC O-700
Cassidix mexicanus~ VC O-800
Dives divest C O-700
Icterus prosthemelast
RU O-750
Zcterus wagleri VR 500
*Icterus cucullatus R OP
Zcterus mesomelas U O-650
“Euphonia musica VR 500-850Ezzphonia affinist RU 350
Euphonin lnutat FC O-850
Ramphocaenus
Cyclarhis
rufiventrist
gujanensist
THE
174
WILSON
Thruupis uirensi_ FC O-750
Thraq~is abbast C o-850
Phlogothraupis
Habia
sanguinolenta
gutturalist
atriceps? C O-900
Saltator
mnximus VU O-650
Richmondena
Tiaris
RU O--650
Sporophila
:‘S
‘ pinus
Jme
11167
7Y. No. 2
VU O-650
FC O-750
parellinat
olivaceat
Volatinia
torqueolat
jacarina’i
C O-750
C 0650--
U ~200~900
FC &850
rufescenst FC O-950
psnltriat
Arremenops
FC O-750
RU O-850
Sabtator coerulescenst
Vol.
Cyanocompsa
FC O-850
Saltator
BULLETIlU
Aimophila
rufivirgatusi
cardinalist
Habitat C-Semideciduous
forest and edge, thickets, hush and tree rows and fields in
drier areas-20 species.
Crypturellus
cinnamomeust
RU OG800
Dryocopus lineat&
U O&700
“CoRnus virginianust
FC O-800
Dendrocopos scalarist U O&700
Zenaida asiaticat R O-600
Pyrocephalus rubinusi VU O-400
Scnrdafella incat R O-450
Muscivora tyrnnnust VU O-700
Columbigallina
passerinat VR 350
“Cumptostoma
imberbet U O-400
“‘ Coccyzus americanus U -lo&200
Uropsila Zeucogastrat KU O-600
“Rhinoptynx
clamatort
VR -150-300
“Mimus polyglottos VR 400
Amazilia yucatanensisi
U O-400
“Polioptila
caerulea RU O&200
“Heliomaster
longirostrist
U O&800
lclerus gularist U O-700
Trogon citreolust FC O-700
“‘ Sturnella
magna.1 VR -250
Habitat
“Amazilia
D-Pine-oak
forest (also in other forest types and edge)&4 species.
FC -50&850“Parus atricristatus VU -150jormicivorus C O-850Icterus rhrysater U 0-750-
cyanocephala
“Melanerpes
Habitat
E-Humid
and drier
open areas (widely
habitat)-14
species.
Sarcoramphus papa VU O-900
Coragyps stratus VC O-1660
Cathartes aura RU O-1660
Elanus leucurus VU O-750
“Buteo trlbonotatus VR -400
*Bate0 brachyurus VR O-800
Polyborus cheriway RU O-750
ranging
or not assignable to a
particular
Habitat
F-Water
“Podiceps
dominicus
podiceps
acutipennis
Chaetara
Prognr
R O-500
zonaris FC O&1000
Streptoprocne
vu&
chalybra
Stelgidopteryz
C O&1100
U O-800
r-uficollis FC O-800
with lakes, ponds, streams, swamps
species.
C 0400
FC O&400
Pelecanus occidentalis U O-350
Phalacrocorax
olivaceus A O-400
“Anhinga anhinga R O&IQ0
Fregata magnificens FC O-400
Butorides virescens FC O-650
*‘Florida
caerulea U O-650
*Casmerodius albus R O-350
Leucophoyx thula A O-450
“Bubulcus ibis U O-450
“Hydranassa
tricolor VU O-350
Nycticornx nycticornx FC O-600
Podilymbus
alba VU -150600
“Chordeiles
bodies (associated primarily
and marshes) -37
VU O-600
Falco jemoralis
“Tyto
VU O-350
“Nyctnn,assa
violacea
“Ixobrychus
exilis VR 350
VR 350
VR 350
Eudocimus nlbus VR O“Lkndrocygna
autumnalis R 350
Rostrhamus sociabilis RU O-350
Buteogallus anthracinus RU O-1100
“Hypomorphnus
urubitinga U O-800
“Aramus guarauna VR O(‘Amaurolimnus
concolor VR OAramides cajanea R O“Laterallus
ruber VR 350
Cochlear-ius cochlearius
“Mycteria
americana
Rubert
AlKIrk
F.
BIRDS
OF VERACRUZ
VR 350
RU Op
Jncanaspinosa FC O-350
“Charadrius
collaris RU 0
“Chnradrius
wilsonia U 0
Ceryle torquata FC O-350
“Porphyrula
Area1
U o-350
RU O-350
Chloroceryle aenen VU O-450
Sayomisnigricans U 200-500Iridoprocne nlbilineu FC O-400
mnrtinicu
“Heliornis
‘
fulica
distribution
and
175
relative
Chioroceryle
amazona
Chloroceryle
americana
observable
the 82 species
abundance.-Of
listed in habitat A, 16 (18.5 p er cent) were found to frequent drier habitats;
in contrast, 66 (70.9 per cent) of the 93 species associated with habitat B
range at times into drier areas. The low percentage of species inhabiting rain
and cloud forest that enter drier habitats indicates the restricted ecological
requirements of this portion of the avifauna.
A comparison of the species’
observable abundance in habitats A and B, the two encompassing most of
the Sierra, shows that about 48 per cent of the species in the latter habitat
are fairly common to abundant, but only 35 per cent of those in the former
type are classed similarly. Th is contrast is apparent through the range, and,
though the actual difference may be offset somewhat by greater difficulty
of observation in forest, corresponds with my observations of the relationship
in other tropical areas. Oft en some species of habitat B enter the rain forest
or frequent natural or man-made openings, which are numerous in the Sierra.
Many species of this habitat are very irregularly
the Bronzed
(Sporophila
Cowbird
torqueoh),
(Tangaviu,s
aeneus
distributed.
Some, such as
) and White-collared
gather in flocks and may be entirely
Seedeater
absent from
many suitable sections. In habitat B. as well as in other types where seral
communities
exist, cutting,
burning,
and livestock grazing
are important
factors influencing bird movement and distribution.
Species primarily
associated with habitat C seem to be even less abundant
than those of habitats A and B, only two of the 20 being classed as fairly
common. The Red-billed Azurecrown (Arnazilia
cyanocephala)
and Acorn
Woodpecker
(Melanerpes
formicivorus)
of the pine-oak habitat also range
upward to more open ridges near the gum forest and to lower elevations in
tropical semideciduous and oak forests. Most of the widely ranging species
are not common, but the White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne
zonaris)
and
Vaux’s
birds)
Swift
(Chaetura
vauxi)
as does the Black Vulture
often congregate in flocks (about
(Corngyps
atratus)
10-200
when feeding or sight-
ing food. The largest flock of these vultures I have seen in the Sierra was 220
near Santiago Tuxtla.
Many species primarily
associated with water bodies
also range into forest edge and open country some distance from water.
hawks Buteogallus
anthracinus
and Hypomorphnus
urubitinga
The
particularly
do this. A few small marshes on Lake Catemaco and Bahia Sontecomapan
are frequented by members of the Ardeidae and Rallidae.
(Pelecanus
occidentalis)
and Magnificent
Frigatebird
The Brown Pelican
(Fregata
magnificens)
176
THE
WILSON
BULLETIN
FIG. 8. Air view of Volcin Santa Marta massif from the Gulf side showing large
extent of montane forest. Deforestation is progressing upwards in some valleys. This
wilderness area and a similar one on the northwestern massif would make excellent
parks or natural reserves.
occur inland over the Sierra,
especially
during
northers,
and apparently
breed at its base in a small colony on Isla Terr6n in the Gulf off Punta Rota
Partida.
Continuing
deforestation and prevention of forest regeneration
in many
places by new settlements are resultin g in considerable expansion in area1
range and increase in overall abundance of nonforest species at the expense
of forest birds. Yet this trend has apparently not occurred as rapidly as it
has in other parts of Veracruz because difficulty of access to parts of the
Sierra has permitted much forest habitat to remain essentially undisturbed
by man. In this regard the excellent potential of the Sierra as a region where
a large national park or rain forest preserve could well be established has
been brought out by Shelford (1941),
Leopold (1959).
previous report to the Mexican authorities
Altitudinnl
distribution.-Since
and the author in a
(Fig. 8).
the Sierra’s
relief is small compared to
that of most other Mexican mountain ranges, and consequently its vertical temperature gradient (normal lapse rate) not great, it seems that temperature is
not an important factor affecting the normal altitudinal ranges of birds. A few
species’ adaptability permits their vertical ranges to extend over the maximum
Kdlert
F
BIRDS
AndrlP
relief
of the Sierra.
OF VERACRUZ
177
Most forms, however, usually occur within
smaller
elevation limits and are to a considerable degree controlled by the distribution
of forest formations and the secondary vegetation modified chiefly by man.
The elevation ranges of species inhabitin, v rain and cloud forest indicate
that almost two-thirds do not normally ascend above about 1,000 m. Species
observed regularly above this altitude are those which occur through either
the entire altitudinal
Zone.
extent of the Sierra or mainly in the Upper Tropical
The occurrence of some Upper Tropical
Purplish-backed
(Myadestes
unicolor),
Zone species, such as the
Zawrencii) , Slate-colored Solitaire
Quail-D ove (Geotrygon
and Slate-throated
Redstart
(Nyioborus
miniatus
j,
commonly below 1,000 m, frequently below 600, and occasionally below 450
in the months of the northern winter and summer indicates their ecological
adaptability
and reflects the ill-defined
nature of the Upper Tropical
Zone
lower limit in the Sierra.
Al so, as Wetmore (1943:223-224)
pointed out,
such species tend to descend lower here than in the mountains of Central
America probably because of being affected in the winter and early spring
months by lower temperatures brought
about by northers usually accom-
panied by heavy rain.
Since the majority
of nontransients
normally
are found
in the Lower
Tropical Zone usually well below 1,000 m, the comparative number of birds at
higher elevations is greatly restricted. The variety of resident species above this
altitude is also curtailed by the presence of only one habitat type, unbroken forest and the fact that only about 10 per cent of the Sierra’s
land area lies above
750 m. On the inland side of the range deforestation allows species associated
with both humid and drier nonforest habitats to ascend to much higher altitudes
than is possible on the Gulf slopes. The upper altitudinal
limits of some of
these species would be even higher if they were not blocked by the forest.
The altitude ranges for species in the habitat lists are based on my observations and those of other investigators.
They are approximate altitudes within
which each species was normally recorded and do not mean that the species
does not exceed these limits occasionally.
Actually, the normal upper limits
of some species, such as the Scaled Antpitta
lGraZlaria
guatimulensis),
are
probably higher than is indicated.
Notes on ecology and breeding.-The
(1959:328-330)
observations of Edwards and Tashian
on the ecology and abundance of birds in rain forest and
forest edge around Coyame in the months of June and July are generally
similar to my own made in the same habitat types in the Sierra.
As expected,
however, I found that abundance and habitat preferences of some species
vary with the seasons and other factors such as meteorological phenomena
and food availability.
The presence of flowering
and in forest edge or open areas markedly
plants in forest openings
influenced the local abundance
THE
17s
WILSON
and distribution of hummingbirds.
June196i
BULLETIN
Vol. 79, No. 2
I found that they were often as abundant
in number and variety of species in forest edge and open sections as they
were in the forest interior.
At no time did I discover any great concentrations
at flowers as did Lowery
and Dalquest
Although
Edwards
(Amazilia
candida),
and Tashian
(1959)
(1951)
in the Veracruz
lowlands.
listed the White-bellied
Emerald
and Yellow-billed Cacique (Amblycercus holosericeus)
rain forest species, I observed them more frequently in edge,
9s interior
openings, and low, secondary growth.
Red-legged Honeycreepers (Cyanerpes
cyaneus), though often feeding in the tops of trees within the rain forest,
frequently forage in forest edge and in open places with scattered large trees.
Particularly
attractive
to them are the orange-red
flowers
of Bernoullia
flammea, a large rain forest tree that is sometimes left standing in the open
when forest is destroyed.
I have counted as many as 70 honeycreepers in
the top of one of these trees when it was in bloom in early April.
Fruiting of trees in forest and open areas is a great attraction throughout
the year for many species, influencin, w their local distribution and constituting
an important
element in the avian ecology of the Sierra.
quest (1951:635)
Chlorophonia
Lowery and Dal-
report the collection of two specimens of the Blue-crowned
(Chloruphonia
occipitalis)
species) near San AndrCs Tuxtla
species, particularly
from such a tree (probably
in January
the Yellow-winged
1948.
Tanager
ubbas) , were
(Thraupis
also feeding there. I have observed Yellow-throated Euphonias
Zauta) , Scrub Euphonias
(Euphoniu
affdnis) , Olive-throated
(Arutingu
Robins
astec) ,
(Turdus
montezuma)
Clay-colored
Robins
(Turdus
assimilis) , and Montezuma
Ficus
Several other tanager
gruyi),
Oropendolas
(Euphoniu
Parakeets
White-throated
(Gymnostinops
in fairly high numbers in such fruiting trees. Among the many
tree species utilized in this regard by the birds are Ficus costaricana, Ficus
glabrura, and Mirundaceltis monoica, three in which I have noted especially
large concentrations.
Such trees not only attract birds from
considerable
distances and from different habitats but also draw species inhabiting
forest
understory and low thickets to upper levels where they normally do not occur.
Members of the Columbidae
especially are attracted when ripe fruits fall
to the ground.
Flocks of forest birds occur throughout the year in the Sierra, but there
is a marked decrease in this activity in late February
species start to breed.
and March as more
In March many species commence nest building, and
in April and early May the breedin g cycle reaches a high level in numbers
of individuals
involved.
From mid-May
through June young birds out of
the nest are very conspicuous. B ree d’mg activity continues through July and
August involving
lesser numbers of birds, but thereafter
a marked decline
takes place and more flocking occurs through the months of the northern
Robert
Andrle
F.
BIRDS
fall and winter.
OF VERACRUZ
179
I have not observed nesting activity from November through
January in the Sierra, but some species may breed then because specimens
collected during
this period have apparently
been in breeding
condition.
A pronounced breeding season as well as an earlier and more prolonged one
than in more northern
(18”3O’N).
areas would be expected at the Sierra’s
latitude
The incubation phase of the cycle seems to be at a maximum in
April at a time when rainfall
is very low, severe northers have ceased, and
average daily temperatures are high.
An increase in vocalization by most species also takes place in March and
April;
this is especially noteworthy among the Columbidae after mid-April.
This vocal period continues into the summer and early fall with lessening
intensity until by early November most species have ceased singing and do
not call so frequently.
Endemism.--Possibly
interchange of Upper Tropical
Zone birds between
the Sierra and inland mountains took place during the lowered elevation of
this Zone in the Pleistocene, since there is no geological evidence that the
Sierra
was ever connected to other ranges by a highland.
The physical
isolation of the Sierra by lowlands has apparently heen of sufficient duration
to permit subspecific differentiation in a few Upper Tropical Zone forms.
The five endemic birds that Wetmore
Tuxtla
and Volcin
Campylopterus
Myioborus
San Martin
curvipennis
miniatus
Tuxtla
(1943225)
excellens, Empidonax
molochinus,
recorded
are Geotrygon
Cerro
carrikeri,
flavescens imperturbatus,
and Atlapetes brunneinucha
Friedmann et al., 1950; Miller et al., 1957).
from
lawrencii
apertus
Lowery and Newman
(see
(1949:8)
later described another, Chlorospingus opthalmicus wetmorei, from specimens
All these forms except Empidonax
and Carriker.
collected by Wetmore
flavescens are well distributed in humid forest through the range. The normal
minimum altitudinal limits of four vary from about 300 to 600 m above sea
level. The minimum limit of the fifth (E. flavescens) is about 900 m, and
the sixth (C. curvipennis)
Despite the relatively
ranges to sea level.
low altitudes reached regularly
by most of these
birds, the ecological isolation and the subspecific differentiation
of all except
the last mentioned seems to have been assured by their adaptation to high
humidity
conditions, somewhat cooler temperatures than exist in lowlands,
and a montane rain forest environment.
lowlands on the inland
Humid and drier forest types in the
sides of the Sierra
differ
in structure and plant
composition from this montane forest and apparently do not provide suitable
habitats for the endemics. Such vegetation conditions have probably existed
for a long time and thus have served as an effective isolating barrier.
C. curuipennis excellens has been recorded in lowlands outside the Sierra
near Jesus Carranza
(Lowery
and Dalquest, 1951:583).
This is not unex-
THE
180
WILSON
June 196i
Vol. 79, No. 2
BULLETIN
petted since it occurs to sea level at the base of the Sierra and moves readily
outside forest habitat.
differentiation
gradually
It is possible that this hummingbird,
after undergoing
in suitable isolating conditions at high altitudes in the Sierra,
adapted to nonforest habitats thereby
range to the lowlands, particularly
enabling it to extend its
where more humid
conditions exist as
in the Coatzacoalcos basin.
Wetmore remarked on the survival of Upper Tropical Zone endemic birds
on VolcLn San Martin Tuxtla in spite of the recent volcanic activity there.
The only disturbances of record in the Sierra are the eruptions on this volcano in the early 16th century, in 1664 and 1793.
Apparently
these caused
From my observations and from the
only local changes in the vegetation.
nature of similar volcanic action it does not seem likely that disturbances
since the development of the range’s
montane forest have been extensive
enough to destroy simultaneously all habitat required by the endemics. The
forested ridge north of Lake Catemaco provides a route for passage between
the massifs and may have been a factor in the endemics’ survival during
periods of volcanic activity.
The existence of a pine area in the Sierra,
isolated by almost 250 km
from any similar habitat, suggests the possibility of endemism in its characteristic birds. However, none has been discovered so far, and the probable
fairly recent development of this vegetation plus the fact that species typical
of it are known to range into other habitat types and down to sea level would
seem to minimize the chance of this occurring.
NOTESON
Least
Lake
Grebe
(Podiceps
dominicus)
Catemaco,
Bahia
Sontecomapan,
few are seen in summer,
habitat
is better.
The
1962, their
abundance
Pied-billed
maximum
at this time
except
calling
go elsewhere
40 birds
suggesting
and
vigorous
but
pursuit
to breed
on the
months.
during
late
the
Tisatal
nesting
Lake
on 31 March
the region.
less numerous
the same water
and June there
near
on
Since
side of
through
It frequents
group
where
is generally
May
lakes.
west
movement
species
numbers
crater
300 on Laguna
a general
among
in small
small
counted
was about
of nesting,
on
probably
at times in the summer
I found no evidence
siderable
I
occurs usually
occasionally
(P od’lL ym bus podiceps) .-This
Grebe
than P. dominicus,
bodies.
1960,
I recorded
grebe
and
most individuals
On 27 March
Catemaco.
SELECTED SPECIES
.-This
Playa
Azul
was conon
Lake
Catemaco.
Cormorant
Olivaceous
Catemaco
breed
revealed
there,
and I suspect that
the abundance
Catemaco
lake,
olivaceus) .--Several
of small
the large
fish in the lake.
breeding.
numbers
The
often
maximum
searches
Local people
present
about
are attracted
number
I
Green Heron
there
observed
only
the Rio San And&
by
on Lake
of the
were many more present.
(Butorides
Catemaco,
Lake
said they do not
was about 350 on 10 June 1962, but since this count covered only part
I judge
of Lake
(Phalacrocorax
no sign of these cormorants
and
virescensl.-.4t
I noted
others
least a dozen birds frequented
at various
shore points
and
where a dam forms a pond near the lake outlet.
near
the west shore
Catemaco
On 24 March
on
1960.
Robprt
A”dl-k
BIRDS OF VERACRUZ
F.
a pair
were building
Azul,
and they
and some
a nest high
appeared
broken
in a large
in April.
eggs in this area in early
also nesting on the Rio San And&.
April
tree on the Lake
to be incubating
April
Nearly
full
I
Catemaco
discovered
shore at Playa
several
1962, at which
time
dead
young
the herons
grown young were at Playa
were
Azul
on 14
and in early May.
Snowy
breed
(Leucophoyx
Egret
Catemaco
through
the year,
on Isla Tenaspi
Egret
(Bubulcus
near
Lake
mally
they
are composed
in frequency
on the north
there
of less than
Cerro
Mono
50 birds;
and
islands
in fields
where
of
Lake
nearby.
I saw about
Catemaco
and August
the
winter
and
spring
and occasionally
however,
Some
350 birds,
months
elsewhere.
on 17 February
In the past several years
Blanc”.
exilis).-I
in
Sontecomapan
and numbers
(Ixobrychus
side of Lake
in July
occur
and Bahia
of occurrence
Least Bittern
shores
forage
side of the lake
i&).-Flocks
Catemaco
150 near
the
sometimes
a dozen almost full grown young on 10 June 1962.
fields
were about
inhabit
flocks
on the northwest
several nests, and about
Cattle
t/~&).-Many
and small
in
Nor-
1962,
there
they have increased
in and near the Sierra.
observed three
in the marsh
on 10 June 1962.
1963, and collected
Dickerman
at the Arroyo
Agrio
saw one to four birds
two on 9 August.
They
probably
breed
in this place.
Hook-billed
lands
Kite
near Tres
DOS Amates
Kite
served by Axtell
Hawk
are by Edwards
on Cerro
phase bird
possibly
There
only
Coyame
in late
in the
secured
low-
a male
near
record
is a bird
closely
forest
ob-
above DOS
shore of Lake
above Ocotal
Chico
on 11 October
on 25 October
movement
Three
1962.
tree
soaring
over
this species.
1962,
phase individual
and I noted
Dickerman
reported
1963 north-northeast
of this
hawk
and by
in a small
hawks
and I saw a dark
phase bird on 12 and 16 August
seems to be an autumn
1962.
1962, were very probably
Catemaco
rare
of 1954,
one as it perched
on 20 September
on 28 March
of this apparently
in the summer
1962.
observed
(Ehteo brachyurus).-Phillips
Hawk
a light
collected)
albonotatus).-I
at 400 m elevation
over the northwest
species only
in the edge of rain
only records
near
(1959:328)
(imm.
(Buteo
the forest west of Coxcoapan
Short-tailed
this
for Phillips,
bidentatus).-The
at 350 m altitude
bicolor).-The
and Tashian
Blanc”
found
1960.
(Accipiter
Hawk
.-I
collecting
1961.
(Harpugus
near DOS Amates
Zone-tailed
uncinatusl
Ramirez,
and the author
on 17 March
Bicolored
Ramirez
but A.
on 5 December
Double-toothed
Amates
(Chondrohierax
Zapotes,
a light
a dark
and
of Sontecomapan.
species over the
Sierra
and
adjacent
lowlands.
White
Hawk
(Leucopternis
albicollis).-On
12 April
small snake over the forest near DOS Amates.
what like that of a Red-tailed
at 520 m on Cerro Cintepec
hawk
also frequents
Black
(Spizaetus
1962, in the
primary
forest on the inland
tyrannus).-One
forest
below
was reported
the
Cumbres
Another,
also in heavy forest, was seen by Phillips,
on 18 October
Barred
countered
call
Forest-Falcon
in heavy
imitation.
An
1962, at about
(Micrastur
humid
immature
forest
female
repeatedly
ruficollis)
and
could
secured
600 m.
emitted
.-This
I collected
13 mm.
on 21 April
Dickerman
at
Dickerman,
One
bird
be
about
This
was
almost
by
about
18
at the
scream.
decoyed
1962,
on
800 m
and the author
I observed
a loud, harsh
falcon
sometimes
by
de Bastonal
Cintepec
in November
A female
a
some-
slope of the Sierra.
elevation.
base of the Sierra
scream
1962, had an ovary measuring
on Cerro
inland
one was seen carrying
gave a hoarse
but less sharp and not as loud.
on 24 September
semideciduous
Hawk-Eagle
August
Hawk
1960,
It repeatedly
always
squeaking
5 km
enor
southwest
THE WILSON
182
of Sontecomapan,
patch
was in breeding
conspicuous.
remains
A male
of a small
condition
taken
passerine
in the
places in the Sierra
13 mm was collected
the larger
in its stomach.
Uniform
adult
on 15 August
quality.
with
That
less volume
ruficollis
of M.
collected
M.
with
ark,
also
only
record
call of
a woodwind
but
species.
of this
Sontecomapan
15 and
downward
than the call of the other
in Bahia
in wide-
The
with
slurred
the
was se-
testes
Carizal.
downward
brood
had
semitorquatus
A male
aorr slurred
concolor).-The
testes enlarged
and
an 11 mm ovary
sea level at the Rio
is a loud
pitch
with
I also found
prolonged
and a higher
developed
at 500 m on 4 May
be decoyed.
1962, near
(Amaurolimnus
Crake
male with
1962.
Junr 1967
79, No. 2
\~ol.
one egg well
A female
and it also could
species is a loud, somewhat
instrument
shorter,
with
same locality
cured in the same place on 3 December
spread
BULLETIIC
rail
is an
on 15 February
rare
1963,
by Ramirez.
Red
Rail
heard
(Laterallm
calling
September
Gallinule
the Arroyo
marsh
Pigeon
contained
(Columba
fruits
at a time.
Common
Dickerman
collected
to have
and
Davis
(1952:315)
been
again
on 3
a male
with
from
Quail-Dove
emphatic
shoots.
doves singly
or in pairs
times they would
fairly
lawrencii)
last syllable
call
from
14 mm
The crop
is a fairly
quality.
more
only
.-This
than
I found
one or two
11 to 17 June
Sierra
u;ho whb-00,
in
a
often
rapidly
I secured a male in breeding
be decoyed
on the ground
condition
On 1 October
and
on 19 April
is
fairly
part
of the
Dickerman
found
at 500 m altitude.
The nest was a loose
by several
pale pinkish
could
is that
and under-
the first
downward.
of Sontecomapan
supported
dove
the ground
forest about 2.7 m above a trail.
and they
record
endemic
principally
slurred
5 km southwest
Its one egg was a plain,
at 500 m.
pigeon’s
never
.-The
inhabiting
on vines and twigs
come walking
of Sontecomapan
on 9
Tuxtla.
soft, low-pitched
and the
in secondary
long bamboo
but
passe&a)
(Geotrygon
1962, about
platform
15 and
at 670 m.
or bugle-like
30 to 40 daily
San And&
the Sierra,
Its call is distinctive-a
It was on a hillside
reported
forest
testes
Tuxtla
This
resonant
rain
(Columbigallina
(1857a:205)
a nest on 11 October
at the edge of
one at this place
Catemaco.
forest through
second note more
but intertwined
through
south of Lake
Purplish-backed
in a field
reported
oxyphyllaria.
but characteristic
places
Ground-Dove
common in rain
Barred
were feeding
Dickerman
Pseudolmedia
a slight
by Sclater
was taken
1962.
speciosa) .-I
of the tree
with
coffee plantation
branch.
by
and 9 August,
1963.
species in scattered
story.
22 July
1962, in the rain forest north of Volciin San Martin
loud hoo-o’o-hoo
reported
was reported
between
martinica).-Two
on 11 June
and 3 September
Scaled
birds
rail
marsh
(Porphyrula
Agrio
on 25 April
this
Agrio
1963.
Purple
August
ruber).-This
at Arroyo
color.
crossed and slanted,
I usually
by call
found
imitations.
sometimes
fly
these
At
such
up to a low
1960, about 4 km southwest
1962, an immature
female
with
ovary 12 mm
in the same area.
Parakeet
by Phillips
(Bolborhynchus
above Ocotal
lineola).-The
only
Chico on 7 December
records
are five
birds
reported
1962, and one on 11 December
in the
same area.
Brown-hooded
has been
and
Tashian
the Sierra.
Catemaco
parrots
Parrot
reported
(Pionopsitta
only
by
(1959:328)
The largest
basin
and
Davis
near
Coyame.
numbers
about
south of Soteapan
that
haematotis)
(1952:315)
Parrots
(Amazonct
Sontecomapan.
probably
.-This
south
species apparently
of
appear
au~umnnlis)
Phillips
were Amazona
Lake
Catemaco
to be generally
is rare
and
uncommon
occur on the north
reported
seeing
ochrocephala.
and
Edwards
at
in
side of the
least
three
Kohcrt
BIRDS OFVERACRUZ
F
Andtl~
Yellow-billed
Cuckoo
and tropical
and 3 July 1%2.
enlarged.
(Cocc~zus
semideciduous
Mangrove
collected
Cuckoo
(Coccyzus
Spectacled
Owl
(Pulsatrix
by Sclater
Striped
Owl
minor) .-The
a large
Barrosa
Sierra.
only
record
in
the
had
the
ovary
only
I
observed
is a bird
record
oak
slightly
about 8 km north of San And&
.-The
c/amator).-I
on 16 June 1962.
grasshopper
were reported
perspicillnta)
near
of the
birds
on 16 and 17 June
is from
on 6
Tuxtla.
Sontecomapan
(185733227).
(Rhinoptynx
forest at Barrosa
on 17 June
among cornfields
several
side of the range
the species nests in this part
June 1962, at 62.5 m in thickets
reported
observed
forest on the southern
A female
Possibly
nmericnnus).-I
183
as well
by Phillips
collected
a female
Its stomach contained
as small
pieces of coarse grass.
to have been collected
in
remains
open,
A female
by Ramirez
semideciduous
of a small rodent
near
and
and two young
DOS Amates
in early
1963.
Green
forest
Violetear
on the
collected
two
forest
Coquette
and
males
December
(Paphosia
adjacent
on 16 May
Red-billed
humid
and
Azurecrown
Santa
on the northwest
with
massif
in the montane
between
forest
650
1962,
hummingbirds
in the
and
Ocotal
and
Phillips
were
rain
800 m and
seen only
area
where
collected
three
cyanocephaln)
.-Although
may account
for the five specimens
Catemaco
I
in
collected
females
in
Carizal
on 26 August
Jacamar
not far from
other places on the lower
Antshrike
(Taraba
Sontecomapan
and
(Galbula
taken
amethystinas)
by Lamb
that
it
presumably
1953.
.-The
only
forest on Volcan
record
San Martin
is a
Tuxtla
1962.
ruficauda).-I
observed
the coast, but I expect
Gulf
this species only
in pines, the fact
from 29 July to 2 August
(Lampornk
ovary 3 mm that I secured in the rain
Rufous-tailed
I found
above about. 500 m mostly
Hummingbird
at 1,280 m elevation
Great
23 October
side of Lake
Amethyst-throated
from
Tuxtla
helenae) .-These
montane
(Amazilia
Marta
occurs in other habitats
Rio
this species only
1962.
in the Volcrin
female
found
San Martin
a pair on 4 and 6 June 1962.
Black-crested
pine
thahsinus) .-I
(Colibri
south slope of Volcrin
that
this
species
only
near
the
it also occurs in low numbers
at
slopes.
major).-The
Ramirez,
only records are those by Sclater
who
collected
a pair
near
(1857a:203)
DOS Amates
in late
De-
cember 1962.
Lovely
(Cot&a
Cotinga
and an immature
amabilis)
.--Phillips
on 7 and 8 January
reported
that
Ramirez
1961, near DOS Amates,
collected
an adult
the only records
I know
of for the Sierra.
Brown-crested
investigating
Flycatcher
a hollow
tree on the lake
(IMyiarchas
tyrannulus).-On
about 3.5 m above ground
shore at Playa
and on 13 May were carrying
Azul.
They
13 April
1962,
in the end of a broken
were
apparently
food to young in the nest.
incubating
Four
a pair
limb
were
of a large
in early
May
young were being fed out
of the nest on 27 May.
Sepia-capped
rare flycatcher
Southern
Flycatcher
is a female
House
Wren
(Leptopogon
(Troglodytes
does not record
this wren for Veracruz,
state.
Edwards
and Tashian
work.
I found it uncommon
it often frequents
Common
observed
nusculus)
.-Although
it about one-third
polyglottos)
only
the
of the time
only
Mexican
in their
I
this
Check-List
part
of the
1954 field
trees provide
mockingbird
of
1961.
parts of the Sierra
stumps and fallen
.-The
record
on 4 December
in the southern
areas in widespread
sections in which
(Mimus
.-The
at DOS Amates
it is to be expected
in semi-open
slash-burned
Mockingbird
nnaurocephalus)
secured by Ramirez
where
cover.
observed
in
THE
the Sierra
was one at Playa
individual
White-throated
Robin
rain
forest
At
as were
against
the
Ivory-billed
In
July
record
Black
possibly
(Turdus
the
female,
limit
the available
Barrosa
often
was
of this
list
Parula
and
(Miller
et
al.,
and central
Golden-crowned
the
.-I
most
1962.
I
and situated
could
grown
species
(1%0:85)
in
Central
America,
a male
not
young
I
de-
in the
(Atlapetes
noted
could
and
with
testes
on 26 August
alarm
small
pitiayumi)
in
find
the
this
no pub-
seven nests
each
1962.
3.5 mm
Another
in the same place.
areas
warblers
1957:243244)
of cloud
warbler
male
habitually
forest
in
bird,
Two
others
the
Sierra
in
(Bus&uterus
sing late
the
species
but
into
resident
condition
the
The
as only
culi&orus).-I
Tuxtla
in a dome
The
breeding
near
morning
Mexican
casual
in
and
Checknortheast
Veracruz.
San Martin
rootlets.
is a widespread
in
most species are quiet.
records
and southern
.-This
a singing
on hot days when
surface
in
flavigasterl , Red-legged
Skutch
on 5 June
found
1962.
It
open section of the forest among leaves and low herbaceous
over the entire
I
Brush-Finches
common
Tuxtla
The
collected
These
Warbler
fine
a nest
at 750 m elevation.
two-thirds
that
collected
San Martin
(Paruln
leaves, grasses, and rootlets
with
discovered
for this species.
forests.
on 16 June
I
Tuxtla
(Xiphorhynchus
species
elevations.
Warbler
drier
the forest on Valcdn
lined
was a typical
not in forest habitat.
infuxatus)
habitat
1962,
Chestnut-capped
It is of interest
lower
in the afternoon
Oaxaca
It
30 cm DBH.
feeding
was callin g and exhibiting
seen at slightly
humid
of a tree
were
assimilis
at 1600 m on Volcin
were
Tropical
robins
and
of the nesting
Robin
forest
5 June
San Martin
Woodcreepers
that he observed were apparently
in
a norther.
by a vine and small branches,
trunk
cyaneus) ,
T.
rain forest on the volcano.
the
time
(Cyanerpes
brunneinucha).
assimilis) .-On
rain forest on Volcan
ground
its contents.
Honeycreepers
elfin
Jung 1967
79, No. 2
T-01.
1960, during
of green moss, supported
3.5 m above
lished
on 2 April
(Turdus
of montane
It was constructed
termine
Azul
BULLETIN
of this species.
the understory
about
WILSON
three
shape with
eggs were
concentrated
plants.
the interior
near
at
730
m
Construction
with
was of
reddish-brown
the large
end.
One
in
in an
7.5 cm in diameter
pinkish-white
in a ring
a nest
was on the ground
and
flecks
measured
18 by 13 mm.
Chestnut-headed
Oropendola
this species from
Amates
San And&
(Zarh~nchus
Tuxtla,
on 14 and 23 November
wagleri)
and Ramfrez
1961.
Apparently
( 18576:228)
.-&later
collected
the
a female
reported
and male
species is very
rare
at DOS
and
local
in the Sierra.
Wagler’s
Lake
Oriole
Catemaco
list this oriole
view
(Icterus
in 1952,
for Veracruz,
of its known
Hooded
Oriole
Sontecomapan
Blue-hooded
collected
Ramirez
near
Although
it seems likely
that
cucullatus)
(Euphonin
Ocotal
Chico
species south
Check-List
occur
of
does not
there
in highlands
in
the west-central
Euphonia
(Euphonia
reported
four
birds
of
22
March
1960,
1962, above Colonia
Chico.
1963.
from
Phillips
lauta).-On
I
observed
Huatusco,
reported
1962.
Since the Mexican
was
eight
taken
Check-List
apparently
a pair
and another
about
Another
La Joya in Veracruz,
mountains
north
for the Sierra.
on 8 December
on 6 November
lists the species only
records outside
this
Mexican
it would
musica).-On
1962, above Ocotal
above
reported
the
.-Dickerman
1962, the only record
DOS Amates
Yellow-throated
(1952:315)
record.
saw a male on 20 March
on 30 October
a male
.-Davis
only
distribution.
(Zcterus
Euphonia
et al., 1957:298)
the first
overall
on 7 August
above DOS Amates,
individual
wag&)
the
and
by
(Miller
these are
of the state.
2 May
1962,
I
discovered
a nest
Rnhrrt
.i”<l,lt.
F.
BIRDS OF VERACRUZ
along the Lake
large,
Catemaco
horizontal
shape,
The
nest was thin
and contained
nest
which
four
on
22
Skutch
chosen
outside
woven
young two or three
May.
This
2 m above ground
by a large,
diameter
and loosely
(1954:248)
by this
Azul,
It was supported
17.7 cm in maximum
side.
the
shore at Playa
tree limb.
nest
with
tanager,
mentioning
fine
Two
fence
larger
He remarks
post
entrance
twigs,
and
tops,
than
being
the
frond,
on the
a few
grasses
fed out of
only
on the variety
palm
of a
and was oval in
of these were
considerably
gives measurements.
herb
a 5 cm diameter
of rootlets,
days old.
was
on the underside
pendent
and
one
for
of nest sites
holes
in
earth
banks.
Red-crowned
forest
ground
in the
rootlets,
were
fork
with
end where
neither
nests of this
8 May
twigs
faint
they
Skutch
at about
with
in open
exterior
brown
flecks
formed
a wreath.
(1954)
nor
species they
rubica) .-I
found
500 m altitude
of a sapling
and small
white
t Habia
Ant-Tanager
above DOS Amates
understory
dimensions
more
concentrated
(1961)
observed.
and
nest
It
and
female
more
was still
heavy
of
grasses,
The
four
at
the
pronounced
than
in
was 2 m above
was constructed
25 by 18 mm.
reported
The
1962.
of 10.2 by 12.7 cm.
One measured
Willis
a semi-pensile
on 5 May
eggs
large
It is of interest
three
eggs
incubating
in
in
this
that
the
20
nest
on
and four young about four or five days old were in it on 20 May.
SUMMARY
The
Sierra
Veracruz
This
de
Tuxtla
whose rich
paper
deals
is a small,
avifauna
with
the
comparatively
heretofore
status
low
of nontransient
birds
about 4,200 square km, and lists 251 species known
not previously
The
varied
Sierra’s
topography
base to interact
continental
Gulf
elevations,
A diverse
and
climate
numbers
the
in
southern
in restricted
entire
range,
to have been recorded,
habitats
and
ridges,
important
about
gorges,
elements,
chief
aspect of the
by the four
and
areas.
covering
including
valleys
of which
climate
major
55
is moderated
occasionally
by
warm
reach
Gulf
the
water,
provides
are
is the
volcanoes
trade
a
and
orographic
and
1,700 to over 4,000 mm annually,
temperatures
extensive
vegetation
cones,
climatic
formed
subsidiary
being
freezing
frequent
greatest
point
at
clouds
on
forests.
cover exists owing
by man over more than half
extensive
An
the barrier
Although
the
plant
homogeneous
with
ranges from
slopes.
the mountains,
of volcanic
and northers.
from
Precipitation
on the
high
winds
resulting
peaks.
in
range
only
reported.
physical
rainfall
mountain
has been investigated
partly
the range.
typified
by rain
supports
much
of species are large
to vegetation
Fertile
volcanic
forest;
of
nonforested
this
the
destruction
and
soils contribute
comprises
sections and water
a more
one of the
two
supporting
important
Also
avifauna.
modification
toward
bodies,
chiefly
most
Lake
Cat-
Tropical
and
emaco and Bahia Sontecomapan.
The
Arid
latter
Sierra
lies entirely
divisions
to
avifaunal
present,
inland
slopes.
Fauna1 mixing
bird
Life
restricted
Boundaries
cooler
probably
occurred
and southern
than
warm
life in the range
vegetation
Tropical
of
Zone
with
to higher
these
Humid
parts
zones
are
Upper
of the
mountains
ill-defined
with
and the
respect
to
distribution.
of both northern
never
in the
the former
elements
composed of a large
in the Sierra
affinities
temperate,
even
was ever completely
caused by climatic
number
during
were represented.
during
the
displaced.
changes
its history
Pleistocene,
Shifting
also affected
of species in Widely
so that
Since its climate
Distributed
it
avian
is unlikely
of tropical
the avifauna.
forms
was probably
that
and northern
This
and Pantropical
is now
elements
THE WILSON
186
of unknown
or uncertain
origin,
predominate
in
comparison
26 members,
and six other
but apart
to those
June 1967
Vol. 79, No. 2
BULLETIN
from this, species of probable
with
families
with
are
outlined.
northern
affinities.
13 or 14 members
The
southern
origin
Tyrannidae,
with
each, comprise
almost
half
of the avifauna.
Six
major
associated
avian
with
aproximate
and increase
in total
and
the
largely
occur
below
of birds are human
The
long
given
of
relative
the
is resulting
breeding
governs
1,000
in
Among
though
and more prolonged
birds.
ranges
factors
The
of many
influencing
cover and flowering
having
than
and
area1 expansion
of forest
of plant
primarily
abundance
altitudinal
m.
alterations
season,
species
observable
species at the expense
formations
less well defined
are
their
deforestation
of nonforest
normally
of plants.
is expectedly
of
Continuing
of plant
majority
Lists
estimates
numbers
and distribution
fruiting
activity,
ranges.
and nature
abundance
and
including
elevation
distribution
species,
habitats
each
a peak
period
of
those in more northern
latitudes.
Differentiation
physical
aided
and
of
the
ecological
by dispersal
few
endemic
isolation.
in both
bird
Their
species
survival
was
despite
massifs and probably
assured
volcanic
permitted
in
the
action
by the
Sierra
by
was possibly
restricted
nature
of
Robert
C.
volcanic disturbances.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I extend
West
my thanks
and
Director
George
the
late
Carlos F. Ramirez,
of the U.S.
Gary
Byron
E.
and assistance.
M.
Harrell,
and her
me,
University,
Profs.
A.
I
colleagues
Robert
Starker
and
Mr.
G. Gil.
Walter
Mrs.
My 1960 work was supported
P.
Frederic
K.
by the Buffalo
Research
Council
Hall,
Allan
and
Wykes
Arroniz,
E. Rudd,
collections,
P. Edwards,
Nickell,
Mr.
T.
Othon
Dr. Velva
my plant
Davis,
Fred
persons in Mexico,
Beltrin,
Ernest
Drs.
and
to many
identified
to L. Irby
and
especially
Enrique
W. Dickerman,
Leopold,
am grateful
in 1962 by the National
Sciences (Subcontract
aided
State
I am indebted
Arellano,
H. Axtell,
N. Ross, A. J. Wright,
and the study
who
Louisiana
G. de la Crux, and Ing. Roberto
Museum,
E. Tashian.
persons
of
of Science.
Luis
Raphael
Drs. Harold
Richard
Jr.,
Museum
Ing.
National
I also thank
Hardy,
Lowery,
of the Buffalo
particularly
and
to the many
H.
R.
Mrs.
for
Phillips,
John
their
Lind,
interest
Society of Natural
of the National
and
John W.
Sciences
Academy
of
541.
LITERATURE
CITED
ANDRLE, R. F.
1966
North
American
Mexico.
migrants
in
the
Sierra
de
Tuxtla
of
southern
Veracruz,
Condor, 68 :177-184.
BEARD, J. S.
1944
Climax
vegetation
in tropical
America.
Ecology,
25:127-158.
DAVIS, L. I.
1952
Tropical
woods.
Sixteenth
changes
of the
Breeding-Bird
Census,
Audubon
Field
Notes,
6:31.4-315.
DORF,
E.
1.959
Climatic
Michigan,
past
and
present.
Contrib. Mm.
Paleontol.
Univ.
13:181-210.
EDWARDS, E. P., AND R. E. TASHIAN
1959
Avifauna
61:325-337.
of
the
Catemaco
basin
of
southern
Veracruz,
Mexico.
Condor,
Robert
Andrle
F
BIRDS OF VERACRUZ
187
EISENMANN, E.
1955 The species of Middle American birds. Trans. Linnaean. SOC. New York, 7.
FRIEDMANN, H., L. GRISCOM, AND R. T. MOORE
Coast Avifauna,
1950 Distributional check-list of the birds of Mexico. Pacific
No. 29.
GRISCOM, L.
Mm.
Camp. Zool.,
1950 Distribution and origin of the birds of Mexico. Bdl.
103:341-382.
HOLDRIDGE,L. R.
1947 Determination of world plant formations from simple climatic data. Science,
105 :x7-368.
LEOPOLD,A. S.
1959 Wildlife of Mexico; the game birds and mammals. Univ. of California Press,
Berkeley, California.
LOETSCHER,F. H., JR.
1941 Ornithology of the Mexican state of Veracruz with an annotated list of the
birds. Unpublished thesis. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N. Y.
LOWERY, G. H., JR., AND W. W. DALQUEST
1951 Birds from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Univ. of Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat.
Hist., 3:531-649.
LOWERY, G. H., JR., AND R. J. NEWMAN
1949 New birds from the state of San Luis Potosi and
Veracruz, Mexico. Oct. Papers Mus. Zool. Louisiana
MAYR, E.
1946 History of the North American bird fauna. l?‘ilson
MILLER, A. H., H. FRIEDMANN, L. GRISCOM, AND R. T. MOORE
1957 Distributional check-list of the birds of Mexico.
the Tuxtla Mountains
Stat? Univ., 22:1-10.
Bull.,
Pacific
of
58:3-41.
Coast
Avifauna,
No. 33.
MIRANDA, F., AND E. HERNAND~ZX.
1963 Los tipos de vegetation de Mexico y su clasificacion. Bol. Sot. Bot. Mexico,
28:29-179.
&LATER, P. L.
1857a List of additional species of Mexican birds, obtained by M. Auguste Salle
from the environs of Jalapa and San Andres Tuxtla. Proc. Zool. Sot. London,
Part 25:201-207.
18576 On a collection of birds received by M. Sal16 from southern Mexico. Proc.
Zool. Sot. London, Part 25:226-230.
SHELFOHD,V. E.
1941 List of reserves that may serve as nature sanctuaries of national and international importance, in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Ecology,
22:100-110.
SKUTCJI, A. F.
1954 Life histories of Central American birds. Pacific Coast Avifauna, No. 31.
1960 Life histories of Central American birds II. Pacific Coast Avifauna, No. 34.
WETMORE, A.
1943 The birds of southern Veracruz, Mexico.
Proc.
U.S.
Nat].
WILLIS, E.
1961 A study of nesting ant-tanagers in British Honduras.
BUFFALO MUSEUM
OF
SCIENCE,
BUFFALO,
NEW
YORK,
10
Mu.,
93:215-340.
Condor, 63:479-503.
MARCH
1966.