Cozumel, Q.R. — For the first time in the island’s history, Cozumel authorities report the sighting of a jabiru stork. The Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC), through the Center for Conservation and Environmental Education (CCEA), made the first documented record of the Jabiru Stork on the island Wednesday.
“The discovery was made possible thanks to timely reports from community members who alerted FPMC staff, confirming the presence of this majestic bird,” the Fundación de Parques y Museos de Cozumel (FPMC) said in a statement Thursday.
Biologist Rafael Chacón Díaz, the Director of the CCEA, says the jabiru stork is listed as an Endangered Species under Mexican Official Standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.
He said according to the specialized platform eBird, only two sightings of the jabiru have been recorded so far this year in the state of Quintana Roo. One recording was in January near Tulum and another in April in Mahahual.
For Cozumel, he said this sighting represents the first historical record for the island which underscores the environmental value of the island territory as a potential refuge for endangered species.
Natural resources manager Paulina Sabido Villanueva explained that the jabiru stork is one of the largest aquatic birds in the Americas. It grows to 140 centimeters in length and is distinguished by its imposing presence of white plumage, a neck with a reddish stripe at the base and a black head and beak.
Its natural habitat is wetlands, swamps, and flooded fields, although it often nests in tall trees and coexists with other wading birds. He said that this species’ diet consists of vertebrates and invertebrates, such as fish, reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods, making it a key component of aquatic ecosystems.
Its distribution ranges from the southeastern United States to Argentina, and in Mexico, it is found on the Yucatán Peninsula, as well as in the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Chiapas.
This sighting not only enriches scientific knowledge about the distribution of this species, but also reinforces Cozumel’s strategic role in protecting biodiversity. It also highlights the importance of citizen participation in wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.
