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Birding the high alpine grasslands at Abra Malaga in search of ground-tyrants, canasteros, and more. (Photo by tour participant John Keith)
I couldn't have asked for a better group of people. I especially enjoyed our time before and after the tour, where some folks were able to visit with me in Lima for a few days. Indeed, an easy, compatible, and fun bunch of people. I hope to do it again soon with you. Reunion tour?!
This year we had very nice weather (Veronica was looking magnificent every day and it wasn't too cold most mornings, right?) and the birds cooperated. Though we never found the "mega" flock on the east slope, we did find some flocks with the help of the pygmy-owl tape. Nearly 200 species of birds ain't bad, but what really counts are those specialty birds and endemics. We had a bunch. Great birds like Inca Wren below the ruins, Creamy-crested Spinetail, Black-and-chestnut Eagle nearly as soon as we stepped off the train in Aguas Calientes, White-browed Tit-Spinetail in the Polylepis (another endemic), and the cooperative Black-streaked Puffbird in the towering Mandor Valley. The tops for the group, however, included Andean Condor, Masked Fruiteater, and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, a yard bird for Maxima's which took top vote-getter. A quality week of birding!
You also tried alpaca and cuy (guinea pig) and we drank a few pisco sours. Don't forget Machu Picchu with Lucretia leading the way. I would like to thank Lucretia for her excellent work and guiding. Always a pleasure. All in all, a memorable Peruvian experience, I hope.
Bird On.
--Jesse Fagan a.k.a. Motmot (from Lima, Peru)
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides)
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata)
BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Anas discors)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (Anas flavirostris)
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
A denizen of open country high in the Andes, the Ochre-naped Ground-Tyrant is among the most easily recognizable of the many ground-tyrant species. (Photo by tour participant Marshall Dahl)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi)
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE (Spizaetus isidori)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens)
PUNA PLOVER (Charadrius alticola)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon frenata)
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (Tyto alba)
Strigidae (Owls)
The compost pile at our Machu Picchu hotel has been excellent for White-throated Quail-Dove, an otherwise shy and retiring species that can be tough to see well. (Photo by tour participant Marshall Dahl)
YUNGAS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium bolivianum) [*] Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra) [*]
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus)
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingi)
BLUE-MANTLED THORNBILL (Chalcostigma stanleyi)
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
SAPPHIRE-VENTED PUFFLEG (COPPERY-NAPED) (Eriocnemis luciani sapphiropygia)
SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis)
WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis castelnaudii) [E]
COLLARED INCA (GOULD'S) (Coeligena torquata omissa)
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer)
SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Ensifera ensifera)
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii)
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii)
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas) [*]
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant)
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster)
GREEN-AND-WHITE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia viridicauda) [E]
Momotidae (Motmots)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BLACK-STREAKED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila fulvogularis)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
A view of part of the magnificent complex of ruins at Machu Picchu, deservedly one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World." (Photo by tour participant Marshall Dahl)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus) [*] GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus)
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
MITRED PARAKEET (Aratinga mitrata)
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens)
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STRIPE-HEADED ANTPITTA (Grallaria andicolus punensis)
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula occabambae) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) [*]
PUNA TAPACULO (Scytalopus simonsi)
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi)
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii)
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops)
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris)
With the ever-changing taxonomy of motmots, this bird has had several monnikers over the years, but is currently known as Andean Motmot until further notice. (Photo by tour participant Marshall Dahl)
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger)
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis)
WHITE-BROWED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura xenothorax) [E]
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps)
LINE-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes urubambensis)
STREAK-BACKED CANASTERO (Asthenes wyatti)
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis)
RUSTY-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes ottonis) [E]
MARCAPATA SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca marcapatae) [E]
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) [E]
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
ASH-BREASTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes alpinus)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus)
UNSTREAKED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes agraphia) [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster) [*]
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps)
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis)
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris)
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis)
SCLATER'S TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias sclateri)
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias cinereiceps)
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus)
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris)
The high elevation lakes and marshes between Cuzco and Ollantaytambo are home to a good variety of waterfowl and other wetland specialties, including Crested Duck, Plumbeous Rail, and the stunning Many-colored Rush-Tyrant. (Photo by tour participant John Keith)
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas) SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris)
TACZANOWSKI'S GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola griseus)
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha)
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex)
RUFOUS-BELLIED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes fuscorufus)
CROWNED CHAT-TYRANT (KALINOWSKI'S) (Ochthoeca frontalis spodionota)
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor)
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
MASKED FRUITEATER (Pipreola pulchra) [E]
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus)
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus)
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
The delightful Tufted Tit-Tyrant is a curious and often confiding little bird we regularly encounter on Abra Malaga's dry western slope. (Photo by tour participant Marshall Dahl)
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis) INCA WREN (Pheugopedius eisenmanni) [E]
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
PARAMO PIPIT (Anthus bogotensis)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signata)
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
SUPERCILIARIED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus superciliaris)
OLEAGINOUS HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus frontalis)
THREE-STRIPED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus trifasciatus)
RUFOUS-CHESTED TANAGER (Thlypopsis ornata)
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thraupis bonariensis)
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Delothraupis castaneoventris)
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix)
SILVERY TANAGER (Tangara viridicollis)
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum)
CAPPED CONEBILL (Conirostrum albifrons)
WHITE-BROWED CONEBILL (Conirostrum ferrugineiventre)
GIANT CONEBILL (Oreomanes fraseri)
TIT-LIKE DACNIS (Xenodacnis parina)
MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa mystacalis)
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides)
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea)
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Poospiza caesar) [E]
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis)
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha)
WHITE-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon torquatus) [*]
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava lutea)
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus)
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta variegata)
Totals for the tour: 196 bird taxa and 1 mammal taxa