Avifauna associated with a home garden in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: Identify the birds associated with a family garden in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico and know which ones use cultivated plants as a food resource.

Methodology: As part of the project “Fauna associated with cultivated plants in the south-southeast region of Mexico”, 36 field trips were carried out, six hours per day (6:00 – 10:00 and 16:00-18:00) in the period from March 2022 to April 2023, in a home garden in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico. The birds were observed with binoculars, photographed with digital cameras and identified with field guides.

Results: We observed 67 species of birds belonging to 14 orders and 28 families. Of these species, 14 are migratory, 3 endemics and 4 subject to special protection in Mexico. Additionally, we recorded 21 species of birds feeding on 22 species of cultivated plants. The plant resource most used by birds were fruits (16), followed by nectar (5) and young leaves (1). The plant species most consumed by birds were Manilkara zapota L., Carica papaya L. and Spondias purpurea L., which were used by 3 species of birds each. The bird that consumed the most cultivated plants was the Melanerpes aurifrons Wagler, which fed on 5 species.

Study limitations: It was not possible to specifically identify two species of birds: Contopus sp. and Myarchus sp.

Conclusions: This study contributes to the knowledge of birds associated with home gardens in Valladolid, Yucatan and constitutes a basis for future studies on bird-plant trophic interactions in Mexico.