The Sierra Madre Occidental, or “Mother Mountain Range of the West”, extends over 800 miles (1283 km.) along the western side of the Mexican mainland and spans part of the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Zacatecas, Nayarit and Jalisco. It’s the most rugged of the four mountain systems of México. The range averages approximately 130 miles (210 km.) in width and over 6,000, feet (1828m) above sea level. A few of the higher peaks exceed 10,000 feet (3048m) elevation. The highlands of north west Mexico are the former territory of the now considered extinct Imperial Woodpecker, a magnificent animal and worldwide the largest of his family. This bird used to inhabit the virgin forests of tall pines and oak, above an altitude of about 6,560 feet (2000m) . Some scientists however presume that a few live fossils might still remain in remote and unexplored areas.In the Sierra Madre Occidental, depending on the altitude, we can find different habitats as, pine and pine/oak forest. These habitats are particularly rich for rare, endemic and threatened birds. One of Mexico´s most remarkable birds is the Tufted Jay, found nowhere else. It’s range is restricted to a relatively small area of the western mountains where the three states of Sinaloa, Durango and Nayarit merge. This majestic jay inhabits the pine/oak forests, and seems to prefer the steep barrancas that occur between approximately 4,000, (1219m) and 7,500 (2133m) feet elevation.Mexico has acquired worldwide fame for its endemic birdspecies. The great majority of them are to be found in the central part of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Endemic to the region are the following birds: Tufted Jay, Thick- billed Parrot, Eared Quetzal (Trogon), Mountain Trogon, White -eared Hummingbird, Berylline Hummingbird, Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Bumblebee Hummingbird, White-striped Woodcreeper, Spotted Wren, Golden-browed Warbler, Crescent- chested Warbler, Red Warbler, Rufous-Capped Warbler, Fan-Tailed Warbler, Red-headed Tanager, Black-headed Siskin, Hooded Grosbeak, Grey- collared Becard, Sinaloa Martin, Aztec Thrush, Rufous-backed Thrush, Russet Nightingale- Thrush, Blue Mockingbird, White-naped Swift, Brown-backed Solitaire, Black-vented Oriole, Rufous-Capped Brushfinch, Eared Poorwill, Sierra Madre Sparrow.Other species of interest in these unique habitats are the Solitary Eagle, Military Macaw, Steller’s Jay, American Robin, Bridled Titmouse, Band-tailed Pigeon, Slate-Throated Redstart, Painted Redstart, Red–faced Warbler, Olive Warbler, Northern Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Greater Pewee, Mountain (Northern) Pigmy-Owl, Chestnut-collared Swift and White-throated Swift.
The climate provides pleasant birding conditions almost year round. Rainy periods occur from July to October.
