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This singing Moustached Flowerpiercer put on a tremendous show for us. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Peru, it may come as no surprise, is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a country of so many contrasts, be they geographic, cultural, or natural. This tour allows us to see some of the most dramatic of these contrasts, from the humid cloudforests of the Amazonian slope to the dry puna and Polylepis forest. Not to mention the contrast in oxygen count between sea-level and 15,000 feet elevation! Most of us noticed this whether we wanted to or not!
The ruins of Machu Picchu and nearby Ollantaytambo were an inspiration to witness first-hand. These incredible feats of human engineering (using pre-Columbian technology--no wheels or beasts of burden!) are breath-taking monuments to imagination and human know-how...and also still very much a mystery. Lucretia gave us a very pleasant tour of Machu Picchu (while I excused myself to try to buy missing clothing and gear... ahem), one of the only Incan cities not discovered and destroyed by the conquistadors.
Of course, it was the birds that really drew us to this magnificent place! And we saw many, ranging from the small and drab (but no less exciting!!) tyrannulets, and the bumblebee-like White-bellied Woodstar to the gaudy Andean Cock-of-the-rock, and the huge Andean Condor, one of the world's largest flying organisms. In between these extremes were an additional nearly two hundred-odd species. It's hard to pick only a handful of favorite or most memorable memories (as revealed by the "three favorites" list our last night!), so many were great. Among the most memorable, however, were the gaudy Andean Cocks-(and hens)-of-the-rock, high on many of our lists of sights, as was the lovely Beryl-spangled Tanager gorging itself on berries amid a flock of other Tangaras. Another colorful bird that ranked high was the diminutive Many-colored Rush-Tyrant. The exotic Lyre-tailed Nightjar, pulling those long banners along behind him, also was inspiring. The flocks at Aguas Calientes and Abra Malaga hosted some other favorites: Pearled Treerunners, Masked Fruiteater, Inca Wren, and Blue-gray Tanager. The Paramo Pipit received a vote despite its decided lack of bright colors, as did Andean Flicker...a woodpecker that may pass its life never pecking wood! Finally the odd aerial display we saw of Violet-throated Starfrontlet was etched into the memories of some! Certainly non-bird experiences also made the charts: the Polylepis forest, the ruins at Machu Picchu (of course!), the sight of Nevado Veronica at dawn, and the bizarre Cuy dinner in Cusco!
I hope these experiences will have whetted your appetite for more experiences in this wonderful country...there is still so much to see! Perhaps we'll be able to explore it further together. Until then, I wish you all great birding!
Baile con Dios!
--Dan
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
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
Barred Becard (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga melanoptera) – Seen most days we crossed Abra Malaga.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata) – A pretty good show, with 20+ on our train ride down to Aguas Calientes! Always one of the highlights of this tour!
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera)
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (Anas bahamensis) – Seeing this duck on lakes in Cusco is a fairly recent phenomenon, it had always been a coastal bird in Peru until recently.
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (Anas flavirostris)
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – Still conspecific with North American Ruddies despite looking different.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii) – Some views of this large gamebird around Aguas Calientes were nice.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
STRIPE-FACED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus balliviani) [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland)
SILVERY GREBE (JUNINENSIS) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis) – A rare species, but we managed to spot one on Laguna Piuray.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – A lone, lost bird on Laguna Huaypo was nice!
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
FASCIATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma fasciatum) – One or two luck folks spotted this nice heron.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi)
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – Great views of a flock of these often rare high-elevation ibis!
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
The branickii subspecies of Black-faced Ibis was an uncommon treat. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – Another raptor that performed well for us at Huacarpay and Huaypo.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – Comprising the former Red-backed and Puna hawks, I find it far easier to call them Variable, and save myself the trouble of trying to distinguish them (which is nearly impossible in my opinion!).
WHITE-THROATED HAWK (Buteo albigula) – John B. spied this fairly rare raptor.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – One the othe world's easiest rails to see!
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata) – The large ones in the Andes are subspecies garmani.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – Also called Andean Coot. They seem to be declining on Huacarpay, but doing fine on Piuray and Huaypo.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) – Considered conspecific with the northern Black-necked because of the hybrids in the Lima area.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens) – Large numbers at Abra Malaga suggest that there is some sort of migration in this species.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
We came upon good numbers of Andean Lapwings at Abra Malaga. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon frenata) – Luckily, we managed to get views at the gully at the Aguas Calientes hotel.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
This cooperative Blue-naped Chlorophonia was some serious eye candy. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) [*]
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus)
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus) – A nice group over the Urubamba near Huacarpay.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREAT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris) – Agua Calientes is at the high end of the elevational distribution of this species, but I'm certain this is what it is. By the way, in Birds of Peru, it's called Long-tailed Hermit (P. superciliosus)... it's actually not clear to which species western Amazonian populations are more closely related!
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans) – The most common of the violetears in the area.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingi) – A bird at the at Aguas Calientes was nice.
ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella) – Brief views of a bird at the Polylepis patch were all we got.
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia nuna) – In the garden at Ollantaytambo.
PURPLE-BACKED THORNBILL (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) – A great sighting of a female on the humid slope of Abra Malaga was cause for smiles!
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis castelnaudii) – Good views of this Peruvian endemic on the dry side of Abra Malaga. [E]
BRONZY INCA (Coeligena coeligena) – Marsha and John R. spotted this bird at Aguas Calientes.
COLLARED INCA (GOULD'S) (Coeligena torquata omissa) – Buff collared birds are sometimes considered a separate species and called 'Gould's Inca'.
Here is the "Gould's" subspecies of Collared Inca. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii) – THE common hummer at the Aguas Calientes feeders.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas) – One seen high up the hill above Huacarpay.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant) – I love the 'Jettsons scooter' sound the male's wings make!
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster) – This and the next species are nearly indistinguishable, and sound very similar. I suspect they will be found to be conspecific at some point. This one was at Ollantaytambo.
GREEN-AND-WHITE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia viridicauda) – This one was around the ruins at Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes. [E]
Momotidae (Motmots)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis) – Great views of this handsome species at Aguas Calientes.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus) – In flocks around the Mandor valley.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – Thanks to Sue for spotting this lovely woodpecker!
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – A surprising sighting at Abra Malaga!
Psittacidae (Parrots)
MITRED PARAKEET (Aratinga mitrata) – Usually in big flocks around Aguas Calientes.
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus) – Thanks to Sue and Claire for spotting our first one of these!
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens)
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STRIPE-HEADED ANTPITTA (Grallaria andicolus punensis) – One of the easiest antpittas in the world to see!
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula occabambae) – Heard at close quarters, but a real stinker to see (which we didn't)! [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
Most antpittas are a nightmare to get a good look at but not the Stripe-headed Antpitta. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi) – We got to see this recently-described tapaculo (named by FG's own Bret Whitney!) in that little gully just off the road near treeline on the humid side of Abra Malaga.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops)
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – Part of the former Bar-winged Cinclodes, but that has now been split into three species... this is the 'central' one.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger)
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis) – Showed well in the Polylepis.
WHITE-BROWED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura xenothorax) – One of the first of the Polylepis specialists we saw. [E]
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) – Stinkers. [*]
LINE-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes urubambensis) – Lovely views of this smart-looking canastero at Abra Malaga.
JUNIN CANASTERO (Asthenes virgata) – This was the canastero that flew right up to us as we descended from the Polylepis.
STREAK-BACKED CANASTERO (Asthenes wyatti) [*]
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis)
PUNA THISTLETAIL (Asthenes helleri)
RUSTY-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes ottonis) – Took some work, but we eventually had this around Huacarpay. [E]
MARCAPATA SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca marcapatae) – A very attractive spinetail we enjoyed in the bamboo on the humid slope of Abra Malaga. [E]
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) – On the drier slope of Abra Malaga. [E]
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – Great views of this often very skulky (but common) bird!
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
Paramo Pipit (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
ASH-BREASTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes alpinus) – More like a redstart than a flycatcher!
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus)
UNSTREAKED TIT-TYRANT (Uromyias agraphia) – These little fellers always put on a great show! [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
Masked Fruiteater was definitely a tour highlight. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis) – One of several of the illustrious tyrannulets we enjoyed around Aguas Calientes.
SCLATER'S TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias sclateri)
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias cinereiceps) – This was one of the last birds we saw on our walk to Mandor. It has the habit of raising one wing over its back.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – A lovely bird that puts yellowthroats to shame!
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (ANDES) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens peruvianus) – Only recently discovered here, this is near the southern end of the distribution of this form of Y-o Fly. As it turns out, the species is overdue to be split up into several, at which point, 'peruvianus' will probably be a species unto itself.
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris)
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus)
TACZANOWSKI'S GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola griseus) – I htink I called this 'Cinereous G-Ty' in the field up near the Polylepis, but this is the form that occurs (and breeds, I belive) in the area.
SLATY-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (MAROON-BELTED) (Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris thoracica) – A lovely tyrant that never fails to please.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor) – This was the treeline chat-tyrant we saw on both sides of Abra Malaga.
D'ORBIGNY'S CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca oenanthoides) – Similar to the last, but only seen where the school is above Penas.
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys)
Line-fronted Canastero (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) – It took some doing, but eventually we got this montane relative of Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher at Aguas Calientes.
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius) – Another Sulphur-belly relative that may breed in the Urubamba valley as well.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata) [*]
MASKED FRUITEATER (Pipreola pulchra) – After a mediochre experience with this endemic on the Mandor walk, we started heading back and heard another, which popped right up in our faces! Lovely! [E]
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – A curious cotinga we enjoyed at Abra Malaga.
CHESTNUT-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rufaxilla) – Distant views, but a rare and much-desired cotinga we enjoyed above the hotel at Aguas Calientes!
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus) – Great views of this much-desired cotinga!
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor) – This lovely becard performed well!
Vireonidae (Vireos)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
PALE-FOOTED SWALLOW (Orochelidon flavipes)
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – One of the few birds encountered every day of the tour.
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis)
INCA WREN (Pheugopedius eisenmanni) – A fantastic show put on for us by a family group below the ruins at MP. [E]
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus) – At least 10 seen on the train ride down to Aguas Calientes.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
Our train ride was very productive for White-capped Dipper. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
WHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes leucotis) – Better views were had of this solitaire. Which is good, because it's the nicer-looking one anyway!
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
PARAMO PIPIT (Anthus bogotensis) – Performed well in the 'paramo' at Abra Malaga.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
Citrine Warbler (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
CITRINE WARBLER (Myiothlypis luteoviridis) – I was surprised to find out on my next tour to Manu that the subspecies (euophrys) there is different from the one here (striaticeps)!
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signata)
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLACK-CAPPED HEMISPINGUS (WHITE-BROWED) (Hemispingus atropileus auricularis) – A nice show by a family group of this charming hemispingus.
PARODI'S HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus parodii) – Fantastic! This endemic put on a nice show for us! [E]
SUPERCILIARIED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus superciliaris)
OLEAGINOUS HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus frontalis) – A family group at Aguas Calientes showed off their brilliant olives well.
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps)
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris) – Always a crowd-pleaser!
CHESTNUT-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Dubusia castaneoventris) – Similar to the next species, but usually much higher.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota) – A pair on the Mandor walk brightened up the morning.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum) – About as high as this species gets anywhere!
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix) – The funny-looking Indigo Buntings at the feeders at Aguas Calientes.
SILVERY TANAGER (Tangara viridicollis) – Also called "Silver-backed", and common at Aguas Calientes.
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
It was great to see the endemic Parodi's Hemispingus so well. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis) – An attractive tanager we enjoyed on the Mandor walk.
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala) – The show-stopper at the Aguas Calientes feeders.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum) – Present around Huacarpay and other drier habitats at higher elevation.
BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor)
CAPPED CONEBILL (Conirostrum albifrons) – The 'black warbler' we saw in flocks around Aguas Calientes.
TIT-LIKE DACNIS (Xenodacnis parina) – Numbers of this sometimes rare bird were evident around Penas and the humid side of Abra Malaga.
MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa mystacalis) – A great experience enjoying a singing bird at close quarters was memorable.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides) – In the garden at Ollantaytambo.
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea)
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
Cinerous Harrier (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – One of the highest-breeding birds in the world!
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Poospiza caesar) – Great views of this local endemic at Penas. [E]
BLACK-AND-WHITE SEEDEATER (Sporophila luctuosa) – The seedeaters we saw around Aguas Calientes and the ruins.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata)
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha)
GRAY-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon assimilis) – The recently-split Stripe-headed Brush-Finch has resulted in about four or so species. This is the one from eastern Colombia to southern Peru.
CUZCO BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes canigenis) – An odd, dark sooty brush-finch that we enjoyed on the humid slope of Abra Malaga. As far as I know, it's entirely endemic to the department of Cusco! [E]
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Yup.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava lutea)
GOLDEN-BELLIED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – Raiding the feeders at Aguas Calientes.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
It's easy to see how Thick-billed Euphonia got its name when you get looks this good. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea) – Both sexes are candy-colored, but the males are particularly eye-catching!
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus) – One bird (!) at Abra Malaga was a nice save!
MAMMALS
GUINEA PIG (Cavia aperea) – Also called 'cavy' and in Quechua: "cuy". We enjoyed the presentation at the hotel at the square in Cusco... oh, but some folks saw a wild one, too!
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta variegata)
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium peruanum) – These always look hung over.
MONTANE BAMBOO RAT (Dactylomys peruvianus) – One dead beside the road was quite a find!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 197 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa