The Sierra Madre del Sur pine–oak forests occupy an area of 61,200 square kilometers (23,600 sq mi), within the states of Michoacán, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.

The pine–oak forests occupy the higher slopes of the Sierra Madre del Sur range, which runs east and west parallel to Mexico's southern Pacific Coast.

Predominant tree species are Quercus magnoliifolia, Q. castanea, Q. obtusata, Pinus herrerae, P. pseudostrobus, P. pringlei, P. ayacahuite, P. rzedowskii, and Arbutus xalapensis.

Other native birds include the amethyst-throated hummingbird (Lampornis amethystinus), Steller's jay (Cyanocitta stelleri), ruddy foliage-gleaner (Clibanornis rubiginosus), russet nightingale-thrush (Catharus occidentalis), and collared towhee (Pipilo ocai).

Protected areas in the ecoregion include the Zicuirán-Infiernillo and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán biosphere reserves, General Juan Álvarez National Park, Boquerón de Tonalá Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Omiltemi Ecological State Park, and the Campo Verde, Iliatenco, Cafetal San Juanito (Pluma Hidalgo), Cafetal Soconusco, Cerro Azul, Concepción Vista Hermosa, El Corozal, and El Borbollón, La Pandura y La Yerbabuena voluntary conservation areas.