Field Guides
Home Tours Guides News About Us FAQ Contact Us
Field Guides Tour Report
Machu Picchu & Abra Malaga, Peru II 2013
Aug 8, 2013 to Aug 17, 2013
Jesse Fagan


Some of the spectacular mountain scenery on the east slope of Abra Malaga. (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)

A really fun trip with an enjoyable friendly group. Thanks, Don & Peg, Steve & Cindy, I hope you all had a memorable time. Avian highlights included my closest Andean Geese to date, Bearded Mountaineer along the towering cliffs of the Urubamba River, very good (in the scope) White-tufted Sunbeam, Giant Hummingbird (probably more spectacular than seeing it perched was watching it fly!), Bar-bellied Woodpecker (often missed), three species of tapaculos (not bad), the endemic White-browed Tit-Spinetail in the Polylepis forest, Junin Canastero (!! missed 90% of the time !!), five species of ground-tyrants, Masked Fruiteater, Inca Wren (because we did visit Machu Picchu and it is a Peruvian endemic), a pair of Plushcaps, and Versicolored Barbet (not the best looks, but still a fantastic bird).

Overall, the weather cooperated allowing for spectacular viewing of the Andes (crank up the saturation and contrast!) and our overcast day at Machu Picchu was a blessing in disguise. Speaking of Machu Picchu, incredible, eh? As well, I hope you don't forget our hike below the ruins through the Mandor Valley or our moments spent up at Condor Lookout within the Polylepis forest. Lastly, thanks so much to Lucretia who always does an excellent job as our local guide and interpreter.

I hope to see you all again soon. Bird on.

--Jesse Fagan aka 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


BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga melanoptera) – We had probably my best views of this species just a few meters from our bus. Incredible luck. It appeared to be a male/female pair since one individual (the male?) was considerably larger than the other.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata) – We counted 26 on the train ride to Aguas Calientes.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – Several nice looking drakes at Huaypo Lake.
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica) – Seen at both Huacarpay and Huaypo lakes.
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna) – The highland teal with a spectacular blue bill.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (Anas flavirostris) – Also known as Speckled Teal for the spots on the underparts. Seen well at several spots including at nearly 14,000 feet near the pass.
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – This subspecies is resident to the Andes. Seen well at Huaypo Lake.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii) – Several in the Aguas Calientes area.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – At least three in breeding plumage were along the edge of Huaypo Lake.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – Good numbers along the Urubamba this year.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – Four birds around Huacarpay Lake. "Huacarpay" in Quechua means "white heron."


Part of the incredible complex of ruins at Machu Picchu; a visit here is always a trip highlight! (Photo by guide Jesse Fagan)

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – A few on the drive to Ollantaytambo on the first day.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – One adult was in the willow grove along the edge of Huacarpay Lake.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi) – Numerous in the Sacred Valley and at the pass.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – Seen several times around the pass at Abra Malaga. Their honking in flight had a goose-like quality.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – A highlight for most was seeing this species soaring along the edge at Condor Lookout. The emblematic bird of Peru!
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – Several over the marshes at Huacarpay Lake.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris) [*]
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – Seen at several different places on the tour. The ones at the pass are of the "Puna" Hawk variety.
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – This large raptor was seen a few times at Huacarpay Lake (including a juvenile perched in a tree) and again on the east slope of Abra Malaga.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – Fairly common in the marshy areas at Huacarpay Lake and again on our return trip to Cusco.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata) – Huacarpay and Huaypo lakes.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – Also known as Andean Coot. Seen at Huacarpay and Huaypo lakes.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens) – Common on this tour.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – Seen every day of the tour. A couple in breeding plumage at our picnic lunch spot below the pass were fun to watch.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Common. Every day.
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa) – Good numbers around. Especially easy on the hotel grounds in Ollantaytambo. In flight, their white wing crescents make them appear a lot like White-winged Doves (or West Peruvian Doves!).
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – Several on the east slope of Abra Malaga. The subspecies here is albilinea of the "White-necked" South American group.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – Fairly common in different places on this tour. Especially in the drier Sacred Valley.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae) – Seen well at Huacarpay Lake.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi) – Several on the hotel grounds in Aguas Calientes.
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon frenata) – Nice looks at a pair visiting the compost pile on the grounds at Inkaterra hotel.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra) [*]
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – Three over the pass at 14,500 feet was pretty amazing.
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus) – Several flocks over Aguas Calientes on consecutive days.
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus) – A few along the Urubamba River.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus) – Both species of violetear were pretty common especially in the Aguas Calientes area. Sparkling was slightly more common than Green, however.
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys) – One in the Mandor Valley, but seen very well.
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingi) – Seen well a few times including males on the hotel grounds at Aguas Calientes.
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia nuna) – One male was visiting the garden grounds at Ollantaytambo.
BEARDED MOUNTAINEER (Oreonympha nobilis) – We had one along the Urubamba River on our first day. A spectacular endemic! [E]
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina) – Fairly common on the east slope of AM.
SCALED METALTAIL (Metallura aeneocauda) – Unfortunately, this one was all too brief. It blasted in and perched for just a second or two, only long enough to identify it. Not seen well by everybody.
WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis castelnaudii) – This endemic was seen very well in the scope around Penas. [E]
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer) – A couple on the east slope. Obvious in flight with their bright tawny tail flashes.
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus) – Seen a few times around Penas and again on the east slope of AM. A large hummingbird.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii) – This was the common species to the feeders at Inkaterra.
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii) – A female was seen in the Mandor Valley.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas) – One was a regular visitor in the hotel garden in Ollantaytambo.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant) – This tiny hummingbird was seen a couple of times in the Aguas Calientes area. We had one male during our visit to the Machu Picchu ruins!
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster) – Common on the hotel grounds at Ollantaytambo.
GREEN-AND-WHITE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia viridicauda) – Very similar to the previous species, but this endemic prefers the more humid forest around Aguas Calientes, where it is very common at the Inga trees. [E]
Momotidae (Motmots)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis) – Seen well a few times in the Aguas Calientes area. We had one tree with 6 individuals!
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
VERSICOLORED BARBET (Eubucco versicolor) – A male was seen all too briefly in the Mandor Valley. A very good bird.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus) – Good looks in the Mandor Valley.
BAR-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis nigriceps nigriceps) – Excellent find on the east slope of AM. A responsive male. Missed most trips.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – Despite being lumped into the "Golden-olive" complex, these South American populations looks and sound very different from Central American birds. More taxonomic work is needed here.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola) – Pretty common on the drier slope of AM.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – Seen most days up near the pass.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Several around Huacarpay Lake and in the Sacred Valley.
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – A pair on the cliff face over the Urubamba River was pretty cool.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – One over the hotel at Ollantaytambo. This was a large female.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
MITRED PARAKEET (Aratinga mitrata) – Great looks at several flocks around Aguas Calientes.
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus) – We chased a flock down into a fruiting Inga tree on the hotel grounds at Inkaterra. Awesome looks.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens) – A cooperative pair was seen in the Mandor Valley.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STRIPE-HEADED ANTPITTA (Grallaria andicolus punensis) – Wonderful looks at Maxima's house. She has this on her backyard list!
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula occabambae) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) – Glimpsed by a few on the east slope of AM.
PUNA TAPACULO (Scytalopus simonsi) – Seen by most as it jumped across the small stream near Maxima's house. Heard a few other times.
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi) – Seen by most on the group on the east slope of AM.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans) – A couple in the Mandor Valley.
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Awesome looks at a close bird on our drive back to Cusco. Nice.
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – Common on the drier (west) slope of AM.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) – We saw a couple on our train ride to Aguas Calientes.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger) – Good looks at two different individuals in the east side flocks.
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis) – One in the Polylepis forest.
WHITE-BROWED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura xenothorax) – This endemic was seen very well in the Polylepis forest on our final morning. [E]
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) – Very nicely on the dry slopes of Huacarpay Lake.
LINE-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes urubambensis) – We had to work at it, but we eventually caught up with a very cooperative bird below the pass. Sat right up for us!
JUNIN CANASTERO (Asthenes virgata) – This endemic we found in the puna grassland on the west slope. It was giving a short mewing call that with playback we were able to draw it in for a closer look. A very nice find for us.
STREAK-BACKED CANASTERO (Asthenes wyatti) – Very near the Junin Canastero, but we were able to get excellent looks at it. It also eventually sang for us.
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis) – A cooperative pair in the boulder strewn short glass approached close.
PUNA THISTLETAIL (Asthenes helleri) – Wow. Such a great experience having this bird approach the group and sing. We almost had trouble focusing our bins because it was TOO close.
RUSTY-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes ottonis) – This endemic was seen very well at Huacarpay Lake. One of my best looks ever with a group. Can be a difficult skulker most of the time. [E]
MARCAPATA SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca marcapatae) – Several in mixed species flocks on the east slope. [E]
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) – This endemic was seen a couple of times around Maxima's house. It generally gave us fits, however. [E]
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – Several in the Mandor Valley.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus) – Very good looks in the humid subtropical forest on the east slope.
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys) – Fairly common on the east slope. The white throat really stands out.
ASH-BREASTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes alpinus) – Seen well in the Polylepis forest above the pass.
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris) – A pair down low in the scrub along the edge of Huacarpay Lake.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – Seen up higher in the scrub around Maxima's house.
UNSTREAKED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes agraphia) – This endemic was seen well (preening in the early morning sun!) on the east slope. [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster) [*]
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps) – Numerous around Huacarpay Lake in the drier scrub.
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae) – A couple in the Aguas Calientes area and again on the east slope. Very similar to White-crested Elaenia.
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea) – Common along the Urubamba River.
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis) – One on the grounds at Inkaterra.
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis) – Fairly common around Aguas Calientes.
SCLATER'S TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias sclateri) – Slightly more common at Aguas Calientes than the previous species.
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias cinereiceps) – Singles in the canopy around Aguas Calientes. Heard more often than seen.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – Seen fairly well at Huacarpay Lake.
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum) – On the grounds at Inkaterra. We had a pair bomb in and perch just a few feet from our heads. Nice studies!
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus) – Several during our walk in the Mandor Valley.
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus) – Fairly common in the forest around Aguas Calientes. At least by voice, "pip pip pip pip!"
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris) – Seen most days along the Urubamba River.
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas) – At least two males and a female were seen in the salt flats along the edge of Huacarpay Lake.
SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) – A couple of distant birds seen in the scope in the agricultural fields at Huacarpay Lake.
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus) – Three in the boggy area below the Polylepis ridge. Good looks.
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) – One on our hike up to the Polylepis forest.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – Common along the edge of Huacarpay Lake. I counted at least 50 in the field.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora) – Several in the short grass on the west slope. A good bird to locate.
STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes striaticollis) – A pair were seen in the scope a few times on the east slope.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis) – One of the more common birds on the east slope.
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor) – Singles on the west slope and in the Polylepis forest.
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – We had this one in the drier scrub at Huacarpay Lake.
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis) – A pair above the hotel in Aguas Calientes. They sound real different from Central American birds.
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) – Several times in the canopy at Inkaterra hotel.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) – Just in the Aguas Calientes area.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata) [*]
MASKED FRUITEATER (Pipreola pulchra) – What luck finding a male on the grounds at Inkaterra. A very important endemic to find. [E]
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – At least three were seen perched in the open (as they do) on the east slope. In the scope you could appreciate the red crest.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus) – Two females were seen by some in the group just after breakfast while in Aguas Calientes.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor) – Fairly common in the Mandor Valley and again on the grounds at Inkaterra. A tiny becard.
Vireonidae (Vireos)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys) – A few were singing in the Mandor Valley. Seen every day while in Aguas Calientes.
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi) – This South American subspecies was seen a few times in Aguas Calientes. They are colder in appearance with darker eyes than our North American species.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – Seen most days of the tour. Range up to about 3800 meters.
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina) – Usually seen at higher elevations (not below 3800 meters). we had several around the pass.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – Seen every day of the tour.
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis) – A pair were foraging in the epiphytic growth on the east slope.
INCA WREN (Pheugopedius eisenmanni) – Finally caught up with this endemic on the east slope where it is slightly more common than below the ruins of Machu Picchu. [E]
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys) – Seen well in Aguas Calientes at several spots. Heard more often than seen, however.
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus) – Urubamba River. Five species of dippers in the world, one for each continent!
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides) – Heard quite a few times in the Aguas Calientes area. We did see several individuals, but had to work at it!
WHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes leucotis) [*]
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater) – At higher elevations on either side of the pass.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco) – Common in the Sacred Valley and also at Aguas Calientes where it is less common.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
PARAMO PIPIT (Anthus bogotensis) – Nice looks at a displaying bird at our picnic spot just below the pass.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi) – We saw a number of them in the Aguas Calientes area.
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signata) – We missed them in the Mandor Valley, but a cooperative pair was in the bamboo on the east slope (with the Parodi's Hemispingus).
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata) – Common in the understory on the Inkaterra grounds. A lovely songster.
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus) – One of the most common birds in the Aguas Calientes area.
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus) – We missed this species in the Mandor Valley (where much less common than the previous species), but caught up with several in mixed species flocks on the east slope of AM.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
SLATY TANAGER (Creurgops dentatus) – Nice studies of a male-female pair in the Mandor Valley.
PARODI'S HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus parodii) – Happy to find this local endemic on the east slope. Just a pair, but it was enough. Nice comparisons with Pale-legged Warbler. [E]
OLEAGINOUS HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus frontalis) – I had never had them on the grounds of the Inkaterra, but we found a small group in bamboo near the end of the trail.
THREE-STRIPED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus trifasciatus) – A pair at eye level (looking down slope at the top of the canopy!) while birding on the east slope.
RUFOUS-CHESTED TANAGER (Thlypopsis ornata) – One seen well in the bamboo on the east slope.
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps) – Fairly common at various places including Aguas Calientes and again on the more humid east slope.
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus) – This was an unusual find. One male seen well in the Mandor Valley. A first for the tour and a lifer for Lucretia.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo) – Several in the Mandor Valley.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus) – The most common tanager to the feeders at Inkaterra. These Andean birds show a lot of white in the wing.
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum) – Daily to the feeders at Inkaterra.
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala) – We saw a couple on the east slope. A sharp looking tanager somewhat similar in appearance to the next (more common) species.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thraupis bonariensis) – Seen most days. The females are especially drab. We found out that the males head-on look surprisingly like Peruvian Sierra-Finches!
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris) – Seen well several times on the east slope. This is the most common mountain-tanager found on this tour.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota) – One in the Mandor Valley, all too briefly in the scope.
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix) – Seen a few times coming to the fruit feeders at Inkaterra.
SILVERY TANAGER (Tangara viridicollis) – Several to the Inkaterra fruit feeders most days. Also in mixed species flocks around Aguas Calientes.
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis) – This sharp looking Tangara was seen in most flocks and at the feeders in Aguas Calientes.
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis) – A good one that we spotted behind the Inkaterra hotel. Unfortunately, it didn't stick around long.
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala) – This lovely Tangara visited once or twice to the Inkaterra feeders.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana) – Seen on the Inkaterra grounds feeding on the Inga flowers.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum) – Quite common on the drier slope of AM and on the hotel grounds at Ollantaytambo.
CAPPED CONEBILL (Conirostrum albifrons) – Seen a few times in mixed species flocks at Aguas Calientes. The males look very different from the females.
WHITE-BROWED CONEBILL (Conirostrum ferrugineiventre) – Just on in a mixed species flock on the east slope.
TIT-LIKE DACNIS (Xenodacnis parina) – Seen well a couple of times during our time at AM.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris) – Several were singing and seen well in Ollantaytambo and again on the east slope.
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides) – A few times in the garden at the hotel in Ollantaytambo.
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea) – One singing on the east slope was a nice surprise.
PLUSHCAP (Catamblyrhynchus diadema) – A difficult one to find. We had a pair foraging in the bamboo on our first hour of birding the east slope. Missed most trips.
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis) – This sharp looking finch was seen well at Maxima's house.
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor) – Both Plumbeous and Ash-breasted sierra-finches were common on the drier west slope. Plumbeous seemed slightly more common. We had good studies and comparisons of both species.
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – We caught up with this species a few times on the west slope of AM. Seen about 50% of the time.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Poospiza caesar) – This endemic was foraging in the open at Maxima's house. One of my favorites. She has quite a yard list! [E]
BLACK-AND-WHITE SEEDEATER (Sporophila luctuosa) – A couple of females in the Mandor Valley and again on the grounds of the Inkaterra hotel.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – Common at Huacarpay Lake.
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata) – Seen a couple of times on the drier west slope. Not common, however, and missed some years.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – Fairly common in the drier Sacred Valley.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha) – Seen well on the grounds at Inkaterra. Their white throats really stand out in the dark understory. Also heard singing on the east slope.
GRAY-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon assimilis poliophrys) – What Don saw while taking some personal time on the east slope. ;-) We tried a few other times to get one for the group, but couldn't find them!
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Seen most days.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava lutea) – A couple of times to the Inkaterra feeders.
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris) – I was surprised to find this one in the Mandor Valley. Rare at this site.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – Common in the marshes at both Huacarpay and Huaypo lakes.
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – Fairly common in the Aguas Calientes area. It visited the feeders a few times.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris) – A regular to the fruit feeders at Inkaterra.
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea) – We had a pair visit once to the fruit feeders at Inkaterra. Always a nice one to see.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus) – Seen most days of the tour.

MAMMALS
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta variegata) – Seen at the compost pile on the grounds of Inkaterra.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS


Totals for the tour: 191 bird taxa and 1 mammal taxa