Sixty years on: Birds of the Sierra del Carmen, Coahuila, Mexico, revisited

Abstract

The rugged peaks of the Sierra del Carmen, Coahuila, visible from the Chisos Mountains in Texas, have tempted birdwatchers for decades, yet few have accessed the range, and its avifauna is poorly known. Based primarily on our own observations, supplemented by the literature, museum holdings and eBird records, we present an updated list of the region's avifauna. This list comprises 301 species, 137 of which breed in the region. As in previous surveys, we found bird species characteristic of both the intermontane West and tropical mountains to the south. We confirm that the Sierra del Carmen is slightly less speciose than sky islands of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Nevertheless, it is the northernmost outpost or migratory stopover of several regionally and globally rare species, and could serve as a stepping stone for species moving north with climate change. Although not a centre of endemism, the Sierra del Carmen is a vital and unique region for avian diversity.