Introduction:

Mexico concentrates around 11 % of the world’s bird species, of which 20 % are endemic to the country, with the highest number concentrated in the Western region.

Objective:

To analyze composition, diversity and avifaunal distribution along an elevation gradient in Western Mexico.

Methods:

The research was done in the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve. We recorded seen or heard bird species in 28 fixed count points along a 1 000 m elevation gradient. Comparative richness and sampling completeness were determined with interpolation and extrapolation curves. Belts were compared with Non-Parametric Multi-Response Permutation. Correlations and indirect ordinations were used to analyze changes in richness and abundance.

Results:

We recorded 129 species (estimate: 96 % completeness): 19 endemics to Mexico, 13 in some risk category, and 21 considered indicators. Elevation determined the distribution and abundance of species, and the lower elevational bands, had the highest richness and abundance values.

Conclusion:

The highest species richness and abundance were recorded at lower elevations, with a significant change in composition and type of indicator species by belt. The numbers of endemic and at-risk species remained constant with elevation.