Hometown: Alamos, Sonora
Mario, another lifelong Alamos resident, started working for Álamos-based tour company Solipaso at the ripe old age of 17 in facility maintenance and construction. In less than two years, he had become a master plumber, electrician, mason, and general contractor and was running things at El Pedregal for Solipaso owners David and Jennifer MacKay. Keen for learning new things, Mario caught the birding bug from watching David and working with Armando as our second boatman on the Rio Mayo. Mario is the first graduate of the intensive Sonoran Joint Venture Bird Guide Training Program and has worked on the Southern Sonora Breeding Bird Survey as a transect compiler. A bit on the shy side at first, Mario warms up quickly and has the most contagious laugh in Sonora. He leads a number of full and half day birding outings in Alamos and is lead guide for the Saturday bird walks run by Alas de Alamos. You can also meet Mario on one of Solipaso’s Rio Mayo Float trips or on their Yecora Alamos trip.
| Skill | Level |
|---|---|
| Bird Identification | ★★★★ |
| Professional Development | ★★★★★ |
| Bird Guide Experience | ★★★★ |
| Natural and Cultural History Interpretation | ★★★★ |
| Bilingual Ability | ★★★ |
The guides highlighted on this website, working closely with Site Coordinators from Pronatura Noroeste, have completed various levels of certification and have proven themselves to be capable, responsible, and trustworthy leaders.