| Isla Pajaros
- Bird Island - Holbox Island, Mexico |
This island is located 30 minutes by boat from Holbox. Isla
Pajaros is only 200 feet (60 meters) wide and is home to a variety
of birds.
Since many of those birds are in danger of extinction, there are
some viewing terraces and walkways to see and protect the birds.
On the island, you can admire flamingos, pelicans, ducks and other
species. This is one of the few places where you can admire the
birds in their natural environment.
Isla Pajaros Tour
The birders' destination of choice is Isla Pajaros "Bird Island "
(also called Tan Island), a small island in the shallow area of the
Yalahao Lagoon. Isla Pajaros is covered by cacti, mangrove and brush
all used as a refuge to thousands of marine birds.
One of the few islets in the bay composed of solid ground, in this
case a mixture of driftwood, seashells and guano, Isla Pajaros is a
protected wildlife sanctuary which can only be reached by boat. To
protect the island's fragile ecosystem, no humans are allowed to
walk on the island.
Of the 520 bird species known to exist in the Yucatan, at least 155
feed, nest or rest in Holbox some time during the year. The birds
have learned that here, at least, man is no threat, making it
possible to approach these wild and beautiful creatures for the kind
of close up view every wildlife enthusiast lives for. Some birds
live year round on Isla Pajaros, and others come for a temporary
winter stay. At any time of the year you can see birds nesting and
mother birds feeding their young.
The more populous bird species include the frigate birds, white
ibis, snowy egrets, double crested cormorants, reddish egrets,
roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, gray pelicans, boat billed
herons, the occasional wood stork, and of course flamingos. Many of
these birds reproduce on the island, it is common to see many nests
in the bushes.
Around 40,000 flamingos visit Isla Pajaros from April to October to
feed. With the cooler winds of October, the birds migrate to Brazil
where they spend the winter. The flamingos eat little red crabs,
which is where they get their pink colored feathers. Their nests,
built in the Rio Lagartos Reserve, are tall cones made of mud.
Because of their long legs, female flamingos lay their bluish and
pink speckled eggs standing up.
The island is also home to iguanas, boa constrictors and other
snakes, a variety of insects, horseshoe crabs and other diverse
creatures. Visitors will also see a variety of plant life including
mangroves, bromeliads, ciricotes, cacti, and orchids growing wild.
Isla Pajaros is a short boat ride from the pier on Holbox Island.
Birds can be seen all day, but the real thrill comes at sunset when
all the species in residence flock back to the island to roost.
Isla Pajaros
- Bird Island - Holbox Island, Mexico
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