Cumbres de Monterrey National Park

🇲🇽 Mexico

🐻 Black Bear Sierra Madre
🌍 #269 Global · 3.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #50 in North America #116 in Tropical Forest
Nuevo León, Mexico 836 spp. recorded

Cumbres de Monterrey is pine and oak on the limestone ridges above the city, and it is one of the few places in Mexico where American black bears are met regularly — recorded on nearly half of all visits, with a November peak.

25.497° N   100.379° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

10–20% · With luck
Allen's Squirrel ★
LC Endemic

Allen's Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus alleni

30–40% · Possible
White-nosed Coati ★
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

30–40% · Possible
Mexican Jay ★
LC

Mexican Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aphelocoma wollweberi

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Green Jay
LC

Green Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocorax yncas

50–60% · Likely
Black-crested Titmouse
LC

Black-crested Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus atricristatus

50–60% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

50–60% · Likely
White-winged Dove
LC

White-winged Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida asiatica

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

40–50% · Likely
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
LC

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes aurifrons

40–50% · Likely
Carolina Wren
LC

Carolina Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryothorus ludovicianus

40–50% · Possible
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
LC Endemic

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polioptila caerulea

30–40% · Possible
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus calendula

30–40% · Possible
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

10–20% · With luck
Allen's Squirrel ★
LC Endemic

Allen's Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus alleni

30–40% · Possible
White-nosed Coati ★
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Red-bellied Squirrel
LC

Red-bellied Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus aureogaster

20–30% · Possible
Rock Squirrel
LC

Rock Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Otospermophilus variegatus

20–30% · Possible
White-tailed Deer
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

10–20% · With luck
Virginia Opossum
LC

Virginia Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis virginiana

10–20% · With luck
Collared Peccary
Endemic

Collared Peccary

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pecari tajacu

10–20% · With luck
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

5–10% · With luck
Ringtail
LC Endemic

Ringtail

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Bassariscus astutus

5–10% · With luck
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

5–10% · With luck
Gray Fox
LC Endemic

Gray Fox

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

5–10% · With luck
Eastern Cottontail
LC Endemic

Eastern Cottontail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sylvilagus floridanus

5–10% · With luck
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
LC Endemic

Black-tailed Jackrabbit

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Lepus californicus

5–10% · With luck
Mexiko-Prariehund

Mexiko-Prariehund

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cynomys mexicanus

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Mexican Jay ★
LC

Mexican Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aphelocoma wollweberi

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Green Jay
LC

Green Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocorax yncas

50–60% · Likely
Black-crested Titmouse
LC

Black-crested Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus atricristatus

50–60% · Likely
Clay-colored Thrush
LC

Clay-colored Thrush

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus grayi

50–60% · Likely
Turkey Vulture
LC

Turkey Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cathartes aura

50–60% · Likely
Great-tailed Grackle
LC Endemic

Great-tailed Grackle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Quiscalus mexicanus

50–60% · Likely
White-winged Dove
LC

White-winged Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida asiatica

50–60% · Likely
Great Kiskadee
LC

Great Kiskadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pitangus sulphuratus

40–50% · Likely
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
LC

Golden-fronted Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes aurifrons

40–50% · Likely
Carolina Wren
LC

Carolina Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryothorus ludovicianus

40–50% · Possible
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
LC Endemic

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Polioptila caerulea

30–40% · Possible
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus calendula

30–40% · Possible
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

West Gulf Rough-scaled Lizard

West Gulf Rough-scaled Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus cyanogenys

10–20% · With luck
Rose-bellied Lizard
LC

Rose-bellied Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus variabilis

10–20% · With luck
Common Spotted Whiptail
LC

Common Spotted Whiptail

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aspidoscelis gularis

10–20% · With luck
Mediterranean House Gecko
LC

Mediterranean House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus turcicus

10–20% · With luck
Texas Spiny Lizard
LC

Texas Spiny Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus olivaceus

10–20% · With luck
Texas Alligator Lizard
LC

Texas Alligator Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Gerrhonotus infernalis

10–20% · With luck
Northern Cat-eyed Snake
LC

Northern Cat-eyed Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Leptodeira septentrionalis

10–20% · With luck
Texas Coralsnake
LC Endemic

Texas Coralsnake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Micrurus tener

10–20% · With luck
Crevice Swift
LC Endemic

Crevice Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus torquatus

10–20% · With luck
Spiny Softshell Turtle
LC

Spiny Softshell Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Apalone spinifera

10–20% · With luck
Graphic Spiny Lizard
LC

Graphic Spiny Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus grammicus

5–10% · With luck
Pond Slider

Pond Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys scripta

5–10% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Gulf Coast Toad
LC

Gulf Coast Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Incilius nebulifer

20–30% · Possible
Small-eard Hyla
LC Endemic

Small-eard Hyla

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rheohyla miotympanum

10–20% · With luck
Rio Grande Leopard Frog
LC

Rio Grande Leopard Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates berlandieri

5–10% · With luck
Mexican Smilisca
LC

Mexican Smilisca

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Smilisca baudinii

5–10% · With luck
Giant Marine Toad
LC

Giant Marine Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Rhinella horribilis

5–10% · With luck
Camp's Chirping Frog
LC

Camp's Chirping Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus campi

<5% · Rare
Red-spotted Toad
LC

Red-spotted Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Anaxyrus punctatus

<5% · Rare
Couch's Spadefoot
LC

Couch's Spadefoot

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Scaphiopus couchii

Insufficient data
Long-Footed Frog
LC Endemic

Long-Footed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus longipes

<5% · Rare
Mexican Spadefoot
LC

Mexican Spadefoot

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Spea multiplicata

<5% · Rare
Barking Frog
LC

Barking Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Craugastor augusti

<5% · Rare
Western Narrow-mouthed Toad
LC

Western Narrow-mouthed Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Gastrophryne olivacea

<5% · Rare

Animal Events

🐻

Black Bears before the Cold

OctNov

American black bears feed heavily through the canyons before winter, at their most recorded of the year.

American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

10–20% · With luck
🐿️

Squirrels and Coatis in Spring

MarApr

Allen's squirrels and white-nosed coati bands are active across the oak woodland.

White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

30–40% · Possible
Allen's Squirrel
LC Endemic

Allen's Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus alleni

30–40% · Possible
🐦

Jays and Lizards in Autumn

SepOctNov

Mexican jays and acorn woodpeckers work the pines while blue spiny lizards bask on the rock.

Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

30–40% · Possible
Mexican Jay
LC

Mexican Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aphelocoma wollweberi

30–40% · Possible
West Gulf Rough-scaled Lizard

West Gulf Rough-scaled Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus cyanogenys

10–20% · With luck

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
American Black Bear
10–20
5–10
10–20
10–20
10–20
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
Allen's Squirrel
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
White-nosed Coati
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
Mexican Jay
10–20
10–20
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
Green Jay
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Black-crested Titmouse
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
Clay-colored Thrush
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
Turkey Vulture
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
Great-tailed Grackle
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
White-winged Dove
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
Great Kiskadee
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
Carolina Wren
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
50–60
60–70
40–50
10–20
5–10
<5
5–10
20–30
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
5–10
<5
<5
<5
<5
40–50
60–70
80–90
Acorn Woodpecker
30–40
10–20
20–30
10–20
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
Animal Events
🐻 Black Bears before the Cold
🐿️ Squirrels and Coatis in Spring
🐦 Jays and Lizards in Autumn

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐻 Black Bear Sierra Madre

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
526
🐒 Mammals
147
🦎 Reptiles
129
🐸 Amphibians
34
836 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
24 Threatened 166 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
47%
📊
Coverage (190 species at ≥5% of 836 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
23%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
129
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
5
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
8

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park?

The most likely sightings are Green Jay (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Black-crested Titmouse (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Clay-colored Thrush (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Turkey Vulture (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Great-tailed Grackle (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers) — among 836 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Cumbres de Monterrey National Park for wildlife?

December has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see American Black Bear in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park?

Yes — about 19% of wildlife watchers report a American Black Bear sighting in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, based on 202 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Allen's Squirrel in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park?

Yes — about 34% of wildlife watchers report a Allen's Squirrel sighting in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, based on 544 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White-nosed Coati in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park?

Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a White-nosed Coati sighting in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, based on 441 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mexican Jay in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park?

Yes — about 31% of wildlife watchers report a Mexican Jay sighting in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, based on 783 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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