If you are a foreign resident looking to make Mexico your second home, you are not alone. According to an article at www.vallartadaily.com, Mexico is the second home to over 350 species of migratory birds. While you might be looking for a warm winter retreat, many of these birds are heading to Mexico for mating!

Mexico’s Feathered Foreign Residents

Migration amongst birds is common, and more than 350 types of birds, with millions of years of evolution behind them, make sure they arrive to their second home in Mexico each year. Most of these birds migrate south from various parts of the United States of Canada, enjoying the warmer winter climates that Mexico offers.

Birds Form Part of Mexico’s Heritage

The article at www.vallartadaily.com suggests that Mexico has a deep relationship with birds, which it has kept since pre-Hispanic times through song, stories and art. Even when you look at the Mexican flag, the symbol of the republic is that of a eagle sat on a nopal cactus eating a serpent.

Domestic and Foreign Residents

According to www.vallartadaily.com migratory birds in Mexico can be divided into four general types: snowbirds (winter residents), summer residents, those in transit, and migrants that join resident populations.

Snowbirds

Just as Mexico affectionately calls the people who live in Mexico during the winter months, snowbirds are those that come for winter. A good example is the golden cheeked warbler of Texas, and there are around 200 other bird species.

Summer Residents

Summer is less popular than winter with only around 30 species of birds that spend summer in Mexico, like the lucifer hummingbird. These birds tend to prefer to spend winter even further south.

Birds In transit

There are another 35 species that tend to mate in northern Mexico then head to Central and South America. For example, the pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melantos) does its breeding in Alaska and Northern Canada, passing Mexico to spend winter in South America.

Migratory Birds that Join Year Round Residents

A less well known category of migrant birds are those that migrate to join residents that spend the whole year in Mexico. There are around 140 such species, including diver birds that do this.

Mexico’s Role in Migration

Mexico is one of the most important counties when its comes to migratory birds as it acts like a funnel allowing passage to Central and South America. As such, Mexico has a responsibility to protect its forests and popular sites for migratory birds so as to protect its foreign residents, no matter how temporary their stay.