Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca

🇲🇽 Mexico

🐦 Ruby-crowned Kinglet's Cloud Forest Song
🌍 #283 Global · 2.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #53 in North America #120 in Tropical Forest
Mexico, Mexico 703 spp. recorded

Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca sits within the rugged mountain highlands of central Mexico, protecting a cool tropical pine forest shaped by steep volcanic ridges and dense evergreen canopies. Winding dirt footpaths cross through towering fir trees and damp leaf litter, where the habitat transitions from high-altitude woodland to shaded ravines.

19.583° N   100.259° 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

White-eared Hummingbird ★
LC

White-eared Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Basilinna leucotis

70–80% · Very likely
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ★

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus calendula

60–70% · Likely
Mexican Violetear ★
LC

Mexican Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri thalassinus

40–50% · Likely
Mountain Horned Lizard ★
LC Endemic

Mountain Horned Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phrynosoma orbiculare

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Yellow-eyed Junco
LC Endemic

Yellow-eyed Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco phaeonotus

70–80% · Very likely
House Finch
LC Endemic

House Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haemorhous mexicanus

40–50% · Likely
Slate-throated Redstart
LC

Slate-throated Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myioborus miniatus

40–50% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

40–50% · Likely
Townsend's Warbler
LC

Townsend's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga townsendi

40–50% · Likely
Red Warbler
LC Endemic

Red Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cardellina rubra

40–50% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

40–50% · Likely
Orange-crowned Warbler
LC

Orange-crowned Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leiothlypis celata

40–50% · Likely
Brown-backed Solitaire
LC

Brown-backed Solitaire

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myadestes occidentalis

40–50% · Likely
Michoacan Stream Salamander
EN Endemic

Michoacan Stream Salamander

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ambystoma rivulare

40–50% · Likely
Vermilion Flycatcher
LC

Vermilion Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pyrocephalus rubinus

40–50% · Likely
Golden-crowned Kinglet
LC

Golden-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus satrapa

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Ringtail
LC Endemic

Ringtail

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Bassariscus astutus

Insufficient data
Bobcat
LC Endemic

Bobcat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Lynx rufus

Insufficient data
Rock Squirrel
LC

Rock Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Otospermophilus variegatus

Insufficient data
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

Insufficient data
White-nosed Coati
LC Endemic

White-nosed Coati

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nasua narica

5–10% · With luck
Eastern Cottontail
LC Endemic

Eastern Cottontail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sylvilagus floridanus

Insufficient data
Mexican Vole
LC

Mexican Vole

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Microtus mexicanus

Insufficient data
bee shrew
LC

bee shrew

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cryptotis parva

Insufficient data
Mexican Free-tailed Bat
LC

Mexican Free-tailed Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Tadarida brasiliensis

Insufficient data
Gray Fox
LC Endemic

Gray Fox

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Insufficient data
Hooded Skunk
LC

Hooded Skunk

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Mephitis macroura

Insufficient data
Smoky Pocket Gopher
LC Endemic

Smoky Pocket Gopher

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cratogeomys fumosus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

White-eared Hummingbird ★
LC

White-eared Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Basilinna leucotis

70–80% · Very likely
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ★

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus calendula

60–70% · Likely
Mexican Violetear ★
LC

Mexican Violetear

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colibri thalassinus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Yellow-eyed Junco
LC Endemic

Yellow-eyed Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco phaeonotus

70–80% · Very likely
House Finch
LC Endemic

House Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haemorhous mexicanus

40–50% · Likely
Slate-throated Redstart
LC

Slate-throated Redstart

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myioborus miniatus

40–50% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

40–50% · Likely
Townsend's Warbler
LC

Townsend's Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga townsendi

40–50% · Likely
Red Warbler
LC Endemic

Red Warbler

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cardellina rubra

40–50% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

40–50% · Likely
Orange-crowned Warbler
LC

Orange-crowned Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Leiothlypis celata

40–50% · Likely
Brown-backed Solitaire
LC

Brown-backed Solitaire

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Myadestes occidentalis

40–50% · Likely
Vermilion Flycatcher
LC

Vermilion Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pyrocephalus rubinus

40–50% · Likely
Golden-crowned Kinglet
LC

Golden-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus satrapa

40–50% · Likely
Common Raven
LC

Common Raven

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corax

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mountain Horned Lizard ★
LC Endemic

Mountain Horned Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Phrynosoma orbiculare

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Mexican Brown Snake
LC Endemic

Mexican Brown Snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Storeria storerioides

30–40% · Possible
Crevice Swift
LC Endemic

Crevice Swift

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus torquatus

20–30% · Possible
Graphic Spiny Lizard
LC

Graphic Spiny Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus grammicus

20–30% · Possible
Mexican Highlands Gartersnake
LC Endemic

Mexican Highlands Gartersnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis pulchrilatus

20–30% · Possible
Dusky Rattlesnake
LC Endemic

Dusky Rattlesnake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Crotalus triseriatus

10–20% · With luck
Middle American Gopher Snake
LC

Middle American Gopher Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pituophis lineaticollis

10–20% · With luck
Transvolcanic Alligator Lizard
LC Endemic

Transvolcanic Alligator Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Barisia imbricata

10–20% · With luck
Lined Tolucan Ground Snake
LC Endemic

Lined Tolucan Ground Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Conopsis lineata

Insufficient data
Rough-necked Alligator Lizard

Rough-necked Alligator Lizard

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Barisia rudicollis

Insufficient data
Longtail Alpine Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Longtail Alpine Garter Snake

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Thamnophis scalaris

Insufficient data
Guerreran Arboreal Alligator Lizard
EN Endemic

Guerreran Arboreal Alligator Lizard

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Abronia deppii

Insufficient data
Mexican Bull Snake
LC Endemic

Mexican Bull Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pituophis deppei

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Michoacan Stream Salamander
EN Endemic

Michoacan Stream Salamander

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ambystoma rivulare

40–50% · Likely
Bell's False Brook Salamander
LC Endemic

Bell's False Brook Salamander

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Isthmura bellii

20–30% · Possible
Canyon Tree Frog
LC

Canyon Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Dryophytes arenicolor

10–20% · With luck
Mountain Treefrog
LC Endemic

Mountain Treefrog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dryophytes eximius

10–20% · With luck
Northern Streamside Tree Frog
LC Endemic

Northern Streamside Tree Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Sarcohyla hapsa

Insufficient data
Ridged Treefrog
LC Endemic

Ridged Treefrog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Dryophytes plicatus

Insufficient data
Montezuma Leopard Frog
LC Endemic

Montezuma Leopard Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Lithobates montezumae

Insufficient data
American Bullfrog

American Bullfrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates catesbeianus

Insufficient data
Pine Toad
LC Endemic

Pine Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Incilius occidentalis

Insufficient data
Plateau Toad
LC Endemic

Plateau Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus compactilis

Insufficient data
Showy Leopard Frog
LC Endemic

Showy Leopard Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates spectabilis

Insufficient data
Peters' Shiny Peeping Frog
LC Endemic

Peters' Shiny Peeping Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eleutherodactylus nitidus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Monarch Butterfly Winter Arrival and Clustering

DecJanFeb

During the winter months monarch butterflies descend onto the oyamel fir forest, forming dense clusters that create a spectacular orange‑white carpet; the Ruby‑crowned Kinglet is often heard singing nearby as it forages among the insects attracted to the butterflies.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Regulus calendula

60–70% · Likely
🐸

Amphibian Emergence and Rainy Season Activity

JunJulAug

The onset of the rainy season triggers the emergence of the Michoacan Stream Salamander from its aquatic habitats, where it breeds in fast‑flowing streams while the forest comes alive with amphibian calls.

Michoacan Stream Salamander
EN Endemic

Michoacan Stream Salamander

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ambystoma rivulare

40–50% · Likely
🐦

High‑Altitude Foraging and Raptor Migration

OctNovDec

As raptors migrate south, the Yellow‑rumped Warbler intensifies its foraging in the upper canopy, providing a crucial food source for passing birds of prey and highlighting the park's role as a migratory corridor.

Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

40–50% · Likely

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
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
White-eared Hummingbird
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
50–60
60–70
80–90
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
20–30
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Mexican Violetear
60–70
60–70
20–30
40–50
20–30
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
20–30
30–40
30–40
Mountain Horned Lizard
5–10
5–10
50–60
5–10
5–10
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
5–10
5–10
5–10
Yellow-eyed Junco
70–80
80–90
40–50
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
40–50
60–70
70–80
House Finch
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
Slate-throated Redstart
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Yellow-rumped Warbler
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
20–30
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
60–70
60–70
Townsend's Warbler
50–60
50–60
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
60–70
60–70
Red Warbler
40–50
50–60
20–30
40–50
40–50
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
30–40
American Robin
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
50–60
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
20–30
Orange-crowned Warbler
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
10–20
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
40–50
20–30
Brown-backed Solitaire
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
20–30
40–50
30–40
Michoacan Stream Salamander
50–60
50–60
10–20
10–20
40–50
40–50
50–60
10–20
50–60
30–40
30–40
10–20
Vermilion Flycatcher
40–50
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
Golden-crowned Kinglet
50–60
50–60
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
20–30
30–40
50–60
Animal Events
🐦 Monarch Butterfly Winter Arrival and Clustering
🐸 Amphibian Emergence and Rainy Season Activity
🐦 High‑Altitude Foraging and Raptor Migration

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 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Moderate
🐦 Ruby-crowned Kinglet's Cloud Forest Song

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
447
🐒 Mammals
140
🦎 Reptiles
76
🐸 Amphibians
40
703 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
22 Threatened 208 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
51%
📊
Coverage (166 species at ≥5% of 703 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
24%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (12 bird)
46% Global avg
0%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
95
🌟
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
0
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
16

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?

The most likely sightings are White-eared Hummingbird (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Yellow-eyed Junco (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Ruby-crowned Kinglet (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), House Finch (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers), Slate-throated Redstart (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers) — among 703 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca for wildlife?

February 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 White-eared Hummingbird in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?

Yes — about 74% of wildlife watchers report a White-eared Hummingbird sighting in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, based on 139 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?

Yes — about 64% of wildlife watchers report a Ruby-crowned Kinglet sighting in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, based on 119 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mexican Violetear in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?

Yes — about 44% of wildlife watchers report a Mexican Violetear sighting in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, based on 83 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Mountain Horned Lizard in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca?

Yes — about 28% of wildlife watchers report a Mountain Horned Lizard sighting in Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca, based on 12 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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