What is your favorite bird species?
Maroon-fronted Parrots are the best. We love them.
What is your name, and where do you live?
We are Marilyn and Leonardo from Kingfisher Birdwatching Nuevo León. We live in Monterrey (capital of Nuevo León state) in northeastern México.
What are the main regions or locations you cover as a bird guide?
Our main area for birding is Nuevo León, but we also lead tours in El Cielo Biosphere Reserve (Tamaulipas).
How long have you been bird guides?
Since 2017.
Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush
How did you get into bird guiding?
We got into birding when we were still biology students in the final year at university. Years later we started a project to promote birdwatching in Monterrey for locals and then we received our first group of tourists. It was then that we decided to dedicate ourselves to bird-watching tourism in our region.
Elegant Trogon
What are the aspects of being a bird guide that you like best? Which aspects do you dislike most?
We really enjoy taking tourists to stunning places in Nuevo León and showing them not only their target species but also the landscapes and culture. I, Marilyn, get very excited when I find the birds we are looking for – it feels like I see them for the first time. I enjoy sharing this passion and love for birds with people.
What are the top 5-10 birds in your region that you think are the most interesting for visiting birders?
- Maroon-fronted Parrot
- Worthen’s Sparrow
- Tawny-collared Nightjar
- Crimson-collared Grosbeak
- Blue-capped Motmot
- Blue-throated Mountain-gem
- Long-billed Thrasher
- Black-crested Titmouse
- Tamaulipas Pygmy Owl
- Altamira Yellowthroat
Can you outline at least one typical birdwatching trip in your area? Please briefly describe the locations, the key birds, and the approximate duration of such a trip
We offer different kinds of tours, from half days to multi-day tours. Half-day tours include visits to one or two spots in Monterrey city and surroundings:
- La Estanzuela Natural Park
- La Silla River Park
- Cumbres de Monterrey National Park
- San Ignacio Natural Preserve
- El Manzano Park
- Valley of Solitude
We suggest a minimum stay of 4 days to observe a large number of species, including the most important species of Nuevo León. Our tours can be customized by combining them with the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, extending it to a 6 to 8-day adventure.
Grey-collared Becard
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in your area?
Bring comfortable clothing and shoes, a hat, and insect repellent. The best season to visit the Northeastern region is from September to April, as during this time we have most of the migrants plus all of the year-round species.
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in birding with you, how can they best contact you?
Feel free to contact us at
- info@birdingmonterrey.com
- WA +52 81 3469 2006
- Facebook: Kingfisher Birdwatching Nuevo León
- Instagram: birdwatching.nl
They are fantastic guides! They are experts and truly spread their passion for observing birds in their habitat, in addition to being able to enjoy nature in those beautiful places. The best in Monterrey, Mexico
Excellent guides! In addition to being very professional, they share their knowledge about birds in a simple and fun way.
I highly recommend them !!!
Highly recommended!! Marilyn knows her stuff, she brought our group to hotspots where we had the best chance at seeing our target birds and she delivered! Bonus points for an unexpected field of long-billed curlew. Thank you for making our first Mexican birding experience so incredible, Marilyn!
I birded with them for 3 day and we never saw or heard a bird they couldn’t identify!! They are simply amazing att what they do!! They are also bilingual in Spanish and english making things even better!! I can not recommend them more!!
I am one of the people who likes jays and goes around the world looking for them. The Mexican Jay and Green Jay were at the top of my list, and I’m very thrilled that I was able to see them. Of course I like all birds, especially songbirds and we saw many of them too.
I spent 3 days with Marilyn and Leonardo. I went on a city tour with them, and they took me to taste authentic Mexican food.
Without a doubt, I will plan to go with them again to see the majestic Maroon-fronted Parrot.
Marilyn and Leonardo, here I come again.
I have gone birding with Marilyn and Leonardo on two different occasions years apart. We had two lovely trips in the mountains and wetlands outside Monterrey and saw dozens of species, including many lifers for me. They are extremely competent at what they’re doing and very friendly guides!
Excellent birding experience, every place they took me was above and beyond my expectations. They are very good with all the songs and calling them in by imitationing not playback, not to mention we saw all the endemic species and many more!!