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Field Guides Tour Report
Jewels of Ecuador: Hummers, Tanagers & Antpittas I 2015
Jan 17, 2015 to Feb 3, 2015
Willy


One of the stars of the show for us, a fantastic Rufous-breasted Antthrush! (Photo by guide Willy Perez)

Another wonderful Jewels, my fourth since I joined with Field Guides, and fascinating as ever with many new and different things to see. What else would you expect in a country like Ecuador that provides all kinds of microclimates, and all kinds of terrain and elevation?

The Catamayo valley typically dry most of the year, was green and wet, and many birds of the Tumbesian region were very active. Areas of Podocarpus National Park (Cajanuma and Bombuscaro) with very easy access were full of the most colorful tanagers. Cajas National Park in Cuenca is the most distinctive birding spot for paramo in Ecuador, and this time was fantastic yet again. And in the north, Silanche was the most active place for birds in the all trip (even with a bit of rain). The birding was great during the whole tour.

There were a lot unpredictable highlights that make this trip special:

--64 species of Hummingbirds, the true Jewels, were fantastic, but let's mention the ones that were, well, WOW: Wire-crested Thorntail (the male), Sword-billed Hummingbird, Violet-tailed Sylph, and Rainbow Starfrontlet;

--the Gray Tinamou that came to eat corn at Copalinga -- shocking!

--the last-minute two Band-bellied Owls that came to the dining room just before breakfast at Copalinga;

--the pair of Giant Conebills digging under the bark of Polylepis trees in Cajas that stayed there forever were unique;

--the Crimson-bellied Woodpecker at Milpe was a good surprise;

--the tower at Silanche was the right place to see some of the Choco endemics -- t was very active, with such beauties as Gray-and-gold, Scarlet-browed, and Blue-whiskered tanagers;

--Angel Paz working his magic once again, with several male Cocks-of-the-rock displaying at the lek, followed by Giant, Yellow-breasted, Chestnut-crowned, and Ochre-breasted Antpittas; the family of Dark-backed Wood-Quail ( with 3 little chicks) that come to eat the bananas; and to finished the show, Rufous-breasted Antthrush and Ocellated Tapaculo that came to eat the worms;

--the crazy flock the day we moved down along the Loja-Zamora road, with unique tanagers like Vermilion, Blue-browed, Golden-eared, Flame-faced and Golden filling our afternoon with colors;

--the 3 species of mountain-toucans on the tour, with Black-billed and Plate-billed the best.

Another highlight of the tour, of course, was all of you who came along on the trip! You helped make the tour for me, and that, thank you! I hope that I will see you birding somewhere again soon. And, in closing, a special thank you to Edgar, our super driver who knows how to deal with his bus and the Ecuadorian roads!

Keep birding,

--Willy


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)
GRAY TINAMOU (Tinamus tao) – We almost fainted when this rare Tinamou came to eat corn at Copalinga.


It was fantastic to see this Gray Tinamou out in the open! (Photo by guide Willy Perez)

LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
ANDEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta pentlandii) – Very vocal at Catamayo valle but like any Tinamou hard to see. [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
ANDEAN TEAL (Anas andium)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
BEARDED GUAN (Penelope barbata) – Scarce, local and of limited distribution, this southern Ecuador specialty was seen twice in Cajanuma.
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii)
WATTLED GUAN (Aburria aburri) [*]
SICKLE-WINGED GUAN (Chamaepetes goudotii)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
RUFOUS-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus erythrops) [*]
DARK-BACKED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus melanonotus) – A family of five came to eat bananas at Angel's reserve.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
FASCIATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma fasciatum)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus) – Two birds were perched the day that we were coming out of Silanche.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (PLAIN-BREASTED) (Accipiter striatus ventralis)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)


A lovely male Crested Quetzal (Photo by participant Bernie Grossman)

VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus australis)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
VIRGINIA RAIL (ECUADORIAN) (Rallus limicola aequatorialis) – It showed up quickly for few good views at Llaviuco marsh edge.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi) – This very cryptic bird showed very nicely when we went to the antennas at Papallacta.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
SCALED PIGEON (Patagioenas speciosa)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
DUSKY PIGEON (Patagioenas goodsoni) – Everyone saw this Choco specialty when we went to Silanche.
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE (Columbina cruziana)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla)
PALLID DOVE (Leptotila pallida) [*]
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
Strigidae (Owls)
COLOMBIAN SCREECH-OWL (Megascops colombianus) [*]
BAND-BELLIED OWL (Pulsatrix melanota) – A pair of these large owls appeared just before breakfast the last morning at Copalinga.
CLOUD-FOREST PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nubicola) [*]
ANDEAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium jardinii)
PERUVIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium peruanum) – At least a pair at Catamayo valley.
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) [*]
"BLACK-BANDED" OWL TYPE (Ciccaba sp. nov. 1) – The San Isidro "mystery" owl is a beautiful species and a real treat! I have to say that it is so nice to have them there just at the car park in San Isidro.
RUFOUS-BANDED OWL (Ciccaba albitarsis) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
RUFOUS-BELLIED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis rufiventris) – A pair roosting during the day near the Cock of the Rock lek at Angel's place.
BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens)
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris) – Good views of a flying bird at the entrance of Cajanuma.
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra)
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus)
Apodidae (Swifts)
SPOT-FRONTED SWIFT (Cypseloides cherriei) – Some were flying when we were at Tony's house.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne rutila)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)


Buff-winged Starfrontlet, one of the many fine hummers we saw well (Photo by participant Bernie Grossman)

GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL (Doryfera ludovicae) – Great looks of this species feeding on a flower along the Loja Zamora road.
WEDGE-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Schistes geoffroyi)
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae)
GREEN VIOLETEAR (ANDEAN) (Colibri thalassinus cyanotus)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis) – This is the hummingbird that we saw when we were waiting for the big truck to be moved from the road.
TOURMALINE SUNANGEL (Heliangelus exortis)
LITTLE SUNANGEL (Heliangelus micraster)
PURPLE-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus viola)
WIRE-CRESTED THORNTAIL (Discosura popelairii) – We had great views of a male at the gardens in Copalinga.
GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii)
ECUADORIAN PIEDTAIL (Phlogophilus hemileucurus) – Some people saw this unique bird at Bombuscaro.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingii)
VIOLET-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus coelestis)
ECUADORIAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus chimborazo)
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae)
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia nuna)
BLUE-MANTLED THORNBILL (Chalcostigma stanleyi)
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
VIRIDIAN METALTAIL (Metallura williami)
VIOLET-THROATED METALTAIL (Metallura baroni) – One of the few truly Ecuadorian endemics that we saw at Cajas National Park.
GLOWING PUFFLEG (Eriocnemis vestita)
SAPPHIRE-VENTED PUFFLEG (Eriocnemis luciani)
GOLDEN-BREASTED PUFFLEG (Eriocnemis mosquera)
SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis)
BRONZY INCA (Coeligena coeligena)
BROWN INCA (Coeligena wilsoni)
COLLARED INCA (Coeligena torquata)
RAINBOW STARFRONTLET (Coeligena iris) – One of my favorites, this hummingbird was seen on the way to Loja from Catamayo and also at Cajanuma.
BUFF-WINGED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena lutetiae)
MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya lafresnayi)
SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Ensifera ensifera) – This bizarre hummer has to back up to sip from feeders.
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus)
BUFF-TAILED CORONET (Boissonneaua flavescens)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii)
VELVET-PURPLE CORONET (Boissonneaua jardini) – Another beauty of the trip that we saw in the west.
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii)
WHITE-TAILED HILLSTAR (Urochroa bougueri)
PURPLE-BIBBED WHITETIP (Urosticte benjamini)
BLACK-THROATED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa schreibersii)
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa rubinoides)
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula)
EMPRESS BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa imperatrix) – The largest of the brilliants was seen well at Angel's place.
VIOLET-FRONTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa leadbeateri)
PURPLE-COLLARED WOODSTAR (Myrtis fanny)
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant)
LITTLE WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus bombus)
PURPLE-THROATED WOODSTAR (Calliphlox mitchellii)
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus)
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti)
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (NORTHERN GREEN-CROWNED) (Thalurania colombica verticeps)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
MANY-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Taphrospilus hypostictus)
AMAZILIA HUMMINGBIRD (LOJA) (Amazilia amazilia alticola)
ANDEAN EMERALD (Amazilia franciae)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
BLUE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia amabilis)


The amazing Andean Cock-of-the-rock (Photo by guide Willy Perez)

PURPLE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia rosenbergi)
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps)
CRESTED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus antisianus)
BLUE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon comptus) – This Choco endemic was seen from the tower at Silanche.
WHITE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon chionurus)
COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)
MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus)
Momotidae (Motmots)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis aequatorialis)
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii)
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (BROAD-BILLED) (Electron platyrhynchum platyrhynchum)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus)
LANCEOLATED MONKLET (Micromonacha lanceolata) – We all saw this small puffbird when it responded by moving in to view along the Jenairo road.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
COPPERY-CHESTED JACAMAR (Galbula pastazae) – Great photos of this one at Zamora.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
ORANGE-FRONTED BARBET (Capito squamatus)
RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii)
Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)
TOUCAN BARBET (Semnornis ramphastinus)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
EMERALD TOUCANET (ANDEAN) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus albivitta)
CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus)
GRAY-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena hypoglauca)
PLATE-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena laminirostris)
BLACK-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena nigrirostris) – Great looks on the road to Las Caucheras.


Black-billed Mountain-Toucan (Photo by guide Willy Perez)

COLLARED ARACARI (PALE-MANDIBLED) (Pteroglossus torquatus erythropygius)
BLACK-MANDIBLED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii) [*]
CHOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos brevis)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LAFRESNAYE'S PICULET (Picumnus lafresnayi)
OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Picumnus olivaceus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)
SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER (Picoides fumigatus)
RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis kirkii)
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus)
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii)
CINNAMON WOODPECKER (Celeus loricatus) – Four of this only Celeus on the west slope of Ecuador were seen along the trail in Silanche.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CRIMSON-BELLIED WOODPECKER (Campephilus haematogaster)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CARUNCULATED CARACARA (Phalcoboenus carunculatus)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
BARRED PARAKEET (Bolborhynchus lineola) – We saw them only in flight.
RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus)
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (WHITE-CAPPED) (Pionus tumultuosus seniloides)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)
BRONZE-WINGED PARROT (Pionus chalcopterus)
SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenarius)
PACIFIC PARROTLET (Forpus coelestis)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura melanura)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
RED-MASKED PARAKEET (Psittacara erythrogenys)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major)
CHAPMAN'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus zarumae) – Male and female were seen along the upper road of Catamayo.
LINED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus)
UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus unicolor)
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)
CHECKER-THROATED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla fulviventris)
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus axillaris) [*]
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis)
STREAK-HEADED ANTBIRD (Drymophila striaticeps)
BLACKISH ANTBIRD (BLACKISH) (Cercomacra nigrescens aequatorialis) [*]
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza exsul) [*]
ESMERALDAS ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza nigricauda) [*]
ZELEDON'S ANTBIRD (CHOCO) (Myrmeciza zeledoni macrorhyncha)
Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests)
ELEGANT CRESCENTCHEST (Melanopareia elegans) – We worked very hard on this one and a few of us managed to see this sneaky little bird.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
UNDULATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria squamigera) [*]
GIANT ANTPITTA (Grallaria gigantea)
SCALED ANTPITTA (Grallaria guatimalensis) [*]
PLAIN-BACKED ANTPITTA (Grallaria haplonota) [*]
CHESTNUT-CROWNED ANTPITTA (Grallaria ruficapilla)
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaria flavotincta)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTPITTA (Grallaria hypoleuca) – An adult with a baby came to the worms at San Isidro.
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula)
TAWNY ANTPITTA (Grallaria quitensis)
OCHRE-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaricula flavirostris)
SLATE-CROWNED ANTPITTA (Grallaricula nana)
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
OCELLATED TAPACULO (Acropternis orthonyx) – I am so glad that finally we saw one well at Angel's reserve.


The view from the San Isidro dining room (Photo by participant Judith Dunham)

ASH-COLORED TAPACULO (Myornis senilis)
BLACKISH TAPACULO (BLACKISH) (Scytalopus latrans latrans)
BLACKISH TAPACULO (PACIFIC) (Scytalopus latrans subcinereus) [*]
NARI–O TAPACULO (Scytalopus vicinior) [*]
SPILLMANN'S TAPACULO (Scytalopus spillmanni) [*]
CHUSQUEA TAPACULO (Scytalopus parkeri)
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
RUFOUS-BREASTED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius rufipectus) – Pepito come to eat worms at Angel's reserve -- what a bird!
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus mexicanus)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus)
BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus)
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius)
OLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus triangularis)
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)
MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger)
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus)
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii)
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (PACIFIC) (Furnarius leucopus cinnamomeus)
CHESTNUT-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albidiventris albidiventris)
STOUT-BILLED CINCLODES (Cinclodes excelsior)
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor rufum)
SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (SPOT-BREASTED) (Anabacerthia variegaticeps temporalis)
MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia striaticollis)
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla subalaris)
UNIFORM TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes ignobilis)
STREAK-CAPPED TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes virgaticeps)
STRIPED WOODHAUNTER (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Automolus subulatus assimilis) [*]
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens)
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger) – The most handsome of the Furnariidae, this beauty was seen several times with mixed flocks.
ANDEAN TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura andicola)
WHITE-BROWED SPINETAIL (Hellmayrea gularis)
MANY-STRIPED CANASTERO (Asthenes flammulata)
WHITE-CHINNED THISTLETAIL (Asthenes fuliginosa)
MOUSE-COLORED THISTLETAIL (Asthenes griseomurina)
EQUATORIAL GRAYTAIL (Xenerpestes singularis) – We had great scope views of this unique species along the old Loja-Zamora road.
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops)
ASH-BROWED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca curtata)
LINE-CHEEKED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca antisiensis) – We had to work hard for this one, but close to the Oro verde hotel we managed to see a pair.
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae)
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis)
RUFOUS SPINETAIL (Synallaxis unirufa)
SLATY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis brachyura)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Ornithion brunneicapillus)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus poecilocercus)


Giant Conebill foraging on a Polylepis tree (Photo by guide Willy Perez)

WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
SULPHUR-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus minor)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – We saw this cutie with the long crest on the way to Papallacta.
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (TUMBES) (Phaeomyias murina tumbezana)
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola)
FOOTHILL ELAENIA (Myiopagis olallai)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps)
MOTTLE-BACKED ELAENIA (Elaenia gigas) – Great looks at its two-horned crest that looks like a tiny Harpy's head. We saw it during our birding on the Jenairo road in Zamora.
LESSER ELAENIA (Elaenia chiriquensis)
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris)
RUFOUS-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon rufipectus) [*]
MARBLE-FACED BRISTLE-TYRANT (Phylloscartes ophthalmicus)
ECUADORIAN TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes gualaquizae)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps)
BLACK-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias nigrocapillus)
CHOCO TYRANNULET (Zimmerius albigularis) – This species has been split from Golden-faced; we saw several at Milpe and Silanche.
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius chrysops)
ORNATE FLYCATCHER (Myiotriccus ornatus)
RUFOUS-HEADED PYGMY-TYRANT (Pseudotriccus ruficeps)
TAWNY-CROWNED PYGMY-TYRANT (Euscarthmus meloryphus)
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)
RUFOUS-CROWNED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus ruficeps)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (YELLOW-MARGINED) (Tolmomyias assimilis flavotectus)
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea)
SULPHUR-RUMPED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius sulphureipygius)
OLIVE-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus cryptoxanthus)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)


We had great views of Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe in the high-elevation open habitat at Papallacta Pass. (Photo by guide Willy Perez)

SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – Seen several times.
PLAIN-CAPPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola alpinus)
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus)
STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes striaticollis)
SMOKY BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes fumigatus)
RED-RUMPED BUSH-TYRANT (Cnemarchus erythropygius) – Our driver spotted this most-wanted large flycatcher the day that we were in Cajas.
MASKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola nengeta)
CROWNED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca frontalis) – Fantastic views of this handsome flycatcher at Yanacocha.
SLATY-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris)
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor)
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus) – A black-and-white male of this long-tailed beauty was seen on the Jenairo road.
SHORT-TAILED FIELD TYRANT (Muscigralla brevicauda)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer nigriceps)
PALE-EDGED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cephalotes)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER (Pipreola riefferii)
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata)
SCALED FRUITEATER (Ampelioides tschudii) – Using the scope we could see the pattern of this colorful bird.
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus)
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus sanguinolentus) – The lek at Angel's reserve was active with some males displaying.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus aequatorialis) – We had one at Bombuscaro with the orange color, which is the race of the east.
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus) – It was a fly-by but we saw it.
Pipridae (Manakins)
GOLDEN-WINGED MANAKIN (Masius chrysopterus)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
CLUB-WINGED MANAKIN (Machaeropterus deliciosus) – The display of this bird is quite something!
WHITE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Dixiphia pipra)
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala) – It was a nice surprise at Copalinga when a male was calling and perched for some time, so we could scope him.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
GREEN-BACKED BECARD (YELLOW-CHEEKED) (Pachyramphus viridis xanthogenys)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus dorsalis)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
OLIVACEOUS GREENLET (Hylophilus olivaceus)
LESSER GREENLET (Hylophilus decurtatus)
SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius leucotis) [*]
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
BLACK-BILLED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis nigrirostris)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
TURQUOISE JAY (Cyanolyca turcosa)
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas) – Many seen on the east slope during the trip.
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)


With that amazing long bill, a Sword-billed Hummingbird has to approach a feeder with care! (Photo by participant Bernie Grossman)

BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina)
WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW (Atticora tibialis)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWALLOW (Petrochelidon rufocollaris aequatorialis) – We did a tour in to Catamayo's downtown to see this nice swallow.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
WING-BANDED WREN (Microcerculus bambla) [*]
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis)
SEDGE WREN (POLYGLOTTUS GROUP) (Cistothorus platensis aequatorialis)
FASCIATED WREN (Campylorhynchus fasciatus)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus) [*]
PLAIN-TAILED WREN (Pheugopedius euophrys) – Most of the time we heard them, but some of our group managed to see them in Cajanuma -- what a nice duet that they do.
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya)
BAY WREN (Cantorchilus nigricapillus)
SUPERCILIATED WREN (Cantorchilus superciliaris)
RUFOUS WREN (Cinnycerthia unirufa) – They travel in big groups, and we saw one at Yanacocha.
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
TAWNY-FACED GNATWREN (Microbates cinereiventris)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (WHITE-BROWED) (Polioptila plumbea bilineata)
SLATE-THROATED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila schistaceigula)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus) – We saw dippers several times on the trip, but never diving.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides)
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) [b]
PLUMBEOUS-BACKED THRUSH (Turdus reevei)
PALE-VENTED THRUSH (Turdus obsoletus)
ECUADORIAN THRUSH (Turdus maculirostris)
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)
GLOSSY-BLACK THRUSH (Turdus serranus)
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
LONG-TAILED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus longicaudatus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MOURNING WARBLER (Geothlypis philadelphia) [b]
OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis semiflava)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca) [b]
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus)
THREE-BANDED WARBLER (Basileuterus trifasciatus)
BLACK-CRESTED WARBLER (Myiothlypis nigrocristata)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda)
GOLDEN-BELLIED WARBLER (CHOCO) (Myiothlypis chrysogaster chlorophrys)
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata)
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis) [b]
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
BLACK-CAPPED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus atropileus)
BLACK-EARED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus melanotis)
BLACK-EARED HEMISPINGUS (WESTERN) (Hemispingus melanotis ochraceus)
BLACK-HEADED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus verticalis)
GRAY-HOODED BUSH TANAGER (Cnemoscopus rubrirostris)
RUFOUS-CHESTED TANAGER (Thlypopsis ornata)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (Ramphocelus flammigerus)
VERMILION TANAGER (Calochaetes coccineus) – The name make sense, though you can add black to the mix, too. We had great sightings of this one along the Loja-Zamora road.
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Buthraupis montana)
BLACK-CHESTED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Cnemathraupis eximia)
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii)
LACRIMOSE MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus lacrymosus)
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris)
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus somptuosus)
BUFF-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Dubusia taeniata)
GOLDEN-CROWNED TANAGER (Iridosornis rufivertex) [*]
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis)
ORANGE-EARED TANAGER (Chlorochrysa calliparaea) – This small green beauty with an orange rump as well as an orange ear was with flocks at Bombuscaro and along the old Loja-Zamora road.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala)
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix)
BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER (Tangara heinei)
GRAY-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara palmeri) – They were moving quite a lot a Silanche.
SCRUB TANAGER (Tangara vitriolina)
MASKED TANAGER (Tangara nigrocincta) – Seen in the gardens at Copalinga.
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata)
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
SPOTTED TANAGER (Tangara punctata)
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER (Tangara vassorii)
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis)
METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER (Tangara labradorides) – This one is scarce and can be hard to find, so it was great to see it on the way to Mindo.
BLUE-BROWED TANAGER (Tangara cyanotis)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis) – These most colorful of all tanagers were around during our morning birding in Bombuscaro.
RUFOUS-WINGED TANAGER (Tangara lavinia)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
GOLDEN-EARED TANAGER (Tangara chrysotis)
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala)
FLAME-FACED TANAGER (Tangara parzudakii parzudakii)
GREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)
BLUE-WHISKERED TANAGER (Tangara johannae) – A great Choco endemic that came very close during our morning in the Silanche tower.
GOLDEN TANAGER (Tangara arthus)
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (YELLOW-TUFTED) (Dacnis lineata aequatorialis)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (BLACK-FACED) (Dacnis lineata lineata)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
GOLDEN-COLLARED HONEYCREEPER (Iridophanes pulcherrimus)
SCARLET-BROWED TANAGER (Heterospingus xanthopygius) – Males and females seen from the tower at Silanche.
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum)
BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor)
CAPPED CONEBILL (Conirostrum albifrons atrocyaneum)
GIANT CONEBILL (Oreomanes fraseri) – The king of the conebills; the species has a very specific relationship with Polylepis trees, where the birds look for food. We saw a pair doing just that at Cajas.
TIT-LIKE DACNIS (Xenodacnis parina) – This little specialist of Gynoxys trees was at the northern limit of its range where we saw it at Cajas.
GLOSSY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa lafresnayii)
BLACK FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa humeralis)
WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa albilatera)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides)
BLUISH FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa caerulescens)
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus)
SLATY FINCH (Haplospiza rustica)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
CHESTNUT-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila telasco) – They were common in the Catamayo valley.
DRAB SEEDEATER (Sporophila simplex)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (VARIABLE) (Sporophila corvina ophthalmica)
CAQUETA SEEDEATER (Sporophila murallae)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis)
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
DULL-COLORED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris obscurus)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
BLACK-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator atripennis)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris spectabilis)
GRAY-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon assimilis assimilis) – Split from Stripe-headed, this one occurs in the Andes from Venezuela and Colombia through Ecuador and Peru. We saw them a couple of times.
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris) [*]
TRICOLORED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes tricolor)
YELLOW-BREASTED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes latinuchus spodionotus) – This was formerly called Rufous-naped Brush-Finch; we saw several at Yanacocha.
YELLOW-BREASTED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes latinuchus latinuchus) – The nominate race, occurring in the Andes from se Ecuador to ne Peru, is the bird we saw at Cajanuma.
SLATY BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes schistaceus)
WHITE-WINGED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes leucopterus)
BAY-CROWNED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes seebohmi)
TUMBES SPARROW (Rhynchospiza stolzmanni)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – "Rufi" was almost everywere!
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus flavopectus)
DUSKY CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus semifuscus)
SHORT-BILLED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus parvirostris)
YELLOW-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (YELLOW-THROATED) (Chlorospingus flavigularis marginatus)
YELLOW-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (YELLOW-THROATED) (Chlorospingus flavigularis flavigularis)
ASHY-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus canigularis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) [b]
RED-HOODED TANAGER (Piranga rubriceps) – A group of at least five was seen with a flock at Cajanuma, which I think is the best place to see this bird in Ecuador.
GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella bellicosa) – On this tour they were very commun in the Catamayo valley.
SCRUB BLACKBIRD (Dives warszewiczi)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis) [b]
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE (Icterus mesomelas)
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (PACIFIC) (Cacicus uropygialis pacificus) – This species was seen from the Silanche tower.
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (SUBTROPICAL) (Cacicus uropygialis uropygialis) – This is the common one at San Isidro.
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
MOUNTAIN CACIQUE (GOLDEN-SHOULDERED) (Cacicus chrysonotus leucoramphus)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
ORANGE-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia saturata)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cyanocephala)
BRONZE-GREEN EUPHONIA (Euphonia mesochrysa)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea) – This small colorful bird showed nicely during the heavy rain at the Bombuscaro ranger's house.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia pyrrhophrys) [*]
YELLOW-COLLARED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia flavirostris) – This is a Choco endemic that we saw in Milpe.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
OLIVACEOUS SISKIN (Spinus olivaceus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)

MAMMALS
BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
KINKAJOU (Potos flavus)
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) [*]


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS


Totals for the tour: 529 bird taxa and 5 mammal taxa