Arrecife Alacranes National Park

Birds

Arrecife Alacranes National Park is also an important habitat for numerous bird species, particularly seabirds that rely on the reef and its islands for nesting and feeding.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
A familiar sight along the coast, brown pelicans are expert fishers that dive from the air to catch their prey. They are social birds that often gather in large groups on sandy shores.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
With their long wings and forked tails, magnificent frigatebirds are powerful fliers. Males are known for their bright red throat pouches, which they inflate to attract mates.

Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra)
One of the largest seabirds in the park, masked boobies have striking white plumage with black facial markings. They nest on the islands and plunge-dive for fish in the surrounding waters.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Often seen flying over the reef, royal terns are elegant birds with a distinctive black crest and sharp orange beak. They primarily feed on small fish.

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)
These dark-colored seabirds are known for their strong bonds with their mates. They nest in colonies on rocky outcrops, using their sharp beaks to catch small fish and squid.

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
A migratory shorebird, the ruddy turnstone can be seen foraging along the sandy beaches of the park. They are easily recognizable by their striking black, white, and orange plumage.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
A skilled predator, the osprey is often seen soaring above the reef, searching for fish. They have powerful talons and keen eyesight, making them excellent hunters.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
With its long legs and striking white feathers, the great egret is a graceful wader found along the park’s shallow waters. It feeds on fish and small crustaceans.

Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)
A highly migratory seabird, the sooty tern spends most of its life flying over the ocean. They nest in large colonies on the islands, raising their chicks in the safety of the reef.

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
Recognizable by their unique bill, black skimmers use their elongated lower mandible to skim the water’s surface for fish. They are often seen at sunset, hunting in groups.

Arrecife Alacranes National Park is a haven for marine and birdlife, making it a vital conservation area and a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.

Wildlife

Arrecife Alacranes National Park, located off the coast of Yucatán, Mexico, is the largest reef system in the southern Gulf of Mexico. This marine park is home to a diverse range of marine species, including vibrant fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals. The coral reefs, seagrass beds, and open waters create a thriving ecosystem for many fascinating marine creatures.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The green sea turtle is one of the most iconic species in Arrecife Alacranes. These turtles are often seen grazing on seagrass beds around the reef. They are known for their smooth, olive-colored shells and their long migrations between feeding and nesting grounds.

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Recognizable by their strikingly patterned shells, hawksbill turtles play a crucial role in maintaining the health of coral reefs. They primarily feed on sponges, which helps balance the reef ecosystem.

Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)
A nocturnal predator, the nurse shark is often found resting in caves or on the sandy ocean floor during the day. They have a distinctive elongated body and barbels around their mouths that help them locate prey in the sand.

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
The world’s largest fish, the whale shark, occasionally visits Arrecife Alacranes to feed on plankton. These gentle giants can grow up to 40 feet long and are known for their spotted patterns.

Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
Graceful swimmers with distinctive spotted patterns, spotted eagle rays are commonly seen gliding over the reef. They use their flat, wing-like fins to propel themselves through the water, often leaping out of the sea when startled.

Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus itajara)
A massive reef fish, the goliath grouper can weigh over 800 pounds. Despite their size, they are relatively docile and often found near shipwrecks or rocky outcroppings.

Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula)
This brightly colored fish is known for its aggressive territorial behavior. Its vibrant blue and yellow patterns make it a striking sight in the reef, where it uses its strong jaws to feed on sea urchins.

French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru)
One of the most colorful fish in the park, the French angelfish has a deep black body with bright yellow edges on its scales. They are often seen in pairs and are known for their curiosity around divers.

Caribbean Reef Octopus (Octopus briareus)
A master of disguise, this intelligent cephalopod can change color and texture to blend in with its surroundings. It is a nocturnal hunter, feeding on crustaceans and small fish.

West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)
Occasionally seen in the park’s waters, the West Indian manatee is a gentle, slow-moving marine mammal. These herbivores graze on seagrasses and are an important species for maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems.

Birds

Arrecife Alacranes National Park is also an important habitat for numerous bird species, particularly seabirds that rely on the reef and its islands for nesting and feeding.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
A familiar sight along the coast, brown pelicans are expert fishers that dive from the air to catch their prey. They are social birds that often gather in large groups on sandy shores.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
With their long wings and forked tails, magnificent frigatebirds are powerful fliers. Males are known for their bright red throat pouches, which they inflate to attract mates.

Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra)
One of the largest seabirds in the park, masked boobies have striking white plumage with black facial markings. They nest on the islands and plunge-dive for fish in the surrounding waters.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)
Often seen flying over the reef, royal terns are elegant birds with a distinctive black crest and sharp orange beak. They primarily feed on small fish.

Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus)
These dark-colored seabirds are known for their strong bonds with their mates. They nest in colonies on rocky outcrops, using their sharp beaks to catch small fish and squid.

Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
A migratory shorebird, the ruddy turnstone can be seen foraging along the sandy beaches of the park. They are easily recognizable by their striking black, white, and orange plumage.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
A skilled predator, the osprey is often seen soaring above the reef, searching for fish. They have powerful talons and keen eyesight, making them excellent hunters.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
With its long legs and striking white feathers, the great egret is a graceful wader found along the park’s shallow waters. It feeds on fish and small crustaceans.

Sooty Tern (Onychoprion fuscatus)
A highly migratory seabird, the sooty tern spends most of its life flying over the ocean. They nest in large colonies on the islands, raising their chicks in the safety of the reef.

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
Recognizable by their unique bill, black skimmers use their elongated lower mandible to skim the water’s surface for fish. They are often seen at sunset, hunting in groups.

Arrecife Alacranes National Park is a haven for marine and birdlife, making it a vital conservation area and a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.