For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.
See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.
We found this marvelously cryptic Ladder-tailed Nightjar dozing on a river island. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Our Amazonian adventure was action-packed, and we managed to experience a lot in one week. The weather was drier than usual, which gave us the chance to spend a lot of time looking for birds and every other creature that crossed our path. One of the strengths of Sacha Lodge is the comfort: wonderful facilities deep in the rainforest make this trip easy. Early delicious breakfasts, good trails, lovely creeks to travel by canoe, and of course the stunning towers.
The tropical rainforest in the Amazon is remarkably rich with avian treasures, from manakins, hermits, cotingas, and umbrellabirds, to parakeets, tanagers, and nunbirds. Even the names are amazing!
A lot of surprises were around, and one of them was when Katy found a Common Potoo sitting on a fence at the Quito airport... really! The multiple Amazonian Umbrellabirds in a single tree was a great sight, as was a Blue-throated Piping-Guan. The iridescent turquoise colors of the Plum-throated and Spangled cotingas made choosing the best a real challenge. The patient Wire-tailed Manakin male provided us with an incredible view. The funky, strange-looking Hoatzins were out of this world. The excitement of Oscar when he found the Great Potoo along the river was contagious. The sound made by the hundreds and hundreds of Cobalt-winged Parakeets, Orange-headed Parrots, and Scarlet Macaws was quite something. When they took off -- it was even better! The incredible song of the Screaming Piha was superb.
It was not just birds along the way. The Common Squirrel Monkeys jumping all over the place, plus calling frogs, snakes, lizards, and turtles added to an unforgettable experience.
To conclude, I have to say that we all had a great time. Thank you all for choosing Field Guides and for joining me on this tour. I hope birding will bring us back together again. Also, I want to say gracias to Oscar and Walter, our local guide and helper who helped make the trip such a success.
A big hug,
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
A rainbow of Scarlet Macaws at the clay lick was stunning. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) [*]
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) – One flew along the boardwalk but they were very vocal during the entire trip
VARIEGATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus variegatus) [*]
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu)
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) – There was one almost all week in Pilchecocha Lake.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
ZIGZAG HERON (Zebrilus undulatus) [*]
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – One figured out that it's easy to get a meal being close to the new swimming pool.
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius)
Our welcoming talk was in a remarkably relaxing setting and yet, it was terribly exciting to be launching our Amazonian adventure. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) [*]
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – A few adults of this species were seen in flight.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
PEARL KITE (Gampsonyx swainsonii)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
CRESTED EAGLE (Morphnus guianensis) – It was superb to see this rare eagle from the metal tower.
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
SLENDER-BILLED KITE (Helicolestes hamatus)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens)
SLATE-COLORED HAWK (Buteogallus schistaceus)
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
This singing male Blue Dacnis was one of many colorful delights we encountered. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius) – Two of them flew across the canal when we were setting off into the lake near the lodge.
GRAY-BREASTED CRAKE (Laterallus exilis) – We had to chase them but we enjoyed success when one came close on the island during our visit. They are so small.
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) [*]
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
PIED LAPWING (Vanellus cayanus)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex) – Seen along the Napo River by some of our group.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
Participant Kathleen John caught this gorgeous Many-banded Aracari striking a pose.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
BLUE GROUND-DOVE (Claravis pretiosa) [*]
SAPPHIRE QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon saphirina) [*]
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon montana)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) [*]
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin) – Hoatzins have such great personality and it is always good fun to watch them.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREATER ANI (Crotophaga major)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) [*]
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) [*]
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) – A pair was seen along the trail to the metal tower.
SPECTACLED OWL (Pulsatrix perspicillata) [*]
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SAND-COLORED NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles rupestris)
LADDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis climacocerca) – We had great views of this bird blending into the vegetation when we visited the river island.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis)
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) – Katy found one of these from the check-in lounge of the airport the day that we were going to Coca. No idea what he was doing there!
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
RUFOUS-BREASTED HERMIT (Glaucis hirsutus)
WHITE-BEARDED HERMIT (Phaethornis hispidus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis bourcieri) – Excellent scope views allowed for a great study of its distinctive bill (for a hermit).
GREAT-BILLED HERMIT (Phaethornis malaris) – The stunning red color under its bill was special to see, especially when it was calling.
BLACK-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis atrimentalis)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
BLACK-BELLIED THORNTAIL (Discosura langsdorffi)
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
GOULD'S JEWELFRONT (Heliodoxa aurescens)
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)
OLIVE-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Leucippus chlorocercus) – This one is a specialty of the river islands.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) [*]
GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
BLACK-THROATED TROGON (Trogon rufus)
This handsome male Wire-tailed Manakin was definitely a highllight. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) – Great scope views.
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii) [*]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea)
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-NECKED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus hyperrhynchus) – The Kapok Tower enabled our face to face encounter with this canopy bird. I am so glad Sacha offers these towers!
PIED PUFFBIRD (Notharchus tectus)
COLLARED PUFFBIRD (Bucco capensis) [*]
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons)
WHITE-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa morphoeus)
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa) – Very common along the Napo River.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
WHITE-EARED JACAMAR (Galbalcyrhynchus leucotis)
WHITE-CHINNED JACAMAR (Galbula tombacea)
PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax)
GREAT JACAMAR (Jacamerops aureus) – This big jacamar was seen along the Providencia Trail on the south bank of the Napo River.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
SCARLET-CROWNED BARBET (Capito aurovirens)
GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
LETTERED ARACARI (Pteroglossus inscriptus)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
MANY-BANDED ARACARI (Pteroglossus pluricinctus)
IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara)
GOLDEN-COLLARED TOUCANET (Selenidera reinwardtii)
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
LAFRESNAYE'S PICULET (Picumnus lafresnayi)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
RED-STAINED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis affinis)
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii) – This was seen in Quito.
SPOT-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Colaptes punctigula)
SCALE-BREASTED WOODPECKER (Celeus grammicus)
CREAM-COLORED WOODPECKER (Celeus flavus) – We had fantastic views of the most wanted woodpecker on the trip, and there's no better place to see them than the Kapok Tower.
RUFOUS-HEADED WOODPECKER (Celeus spectabilis) – This rare woodpecker was seen on one of the islands close to the Napo River.
CHESTNUT WOODPECKER (Celeus elegans)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
The bird activity and view from the Kapok Tower had all of us smiling. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus) [*]
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Scope views of one eating breakfast on the bank of the Napo River.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera) – Hundreds of them at the clay lick.
ORANGE-CHEEKED PARROT (Pyrilia barrabandi)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus) – A few were eating clay on the bank of the Napo River.
YELLOW-CROWNED PARROT (Amazona ochrocephala)
MEALY PARROT (Amazona farinosa)
ORANGE-WINGED PARROT (Amazona amazonica) – We saw them only flying, but good looks at the yellow cheek.
BLACK-HEADED PARROT (Pionites melanocephalus)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura melanura)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
RED-BELLIED MACAW (Orthopsittaca manilatus)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna) – Only one seen in flight but the light was so good that the view was superb.
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao) – At least nine came to drink the mineral water in the clay lick, what a show...
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
What a thrill to see a Crested Owl on its day roost so well. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) [*]
PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus) [*]
MOUSE-COLORED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus murinus)
CASTELNAU'S ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus cryptoleucus) [*]
DUSKY-THROATED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes ardesiacus)
PLAIN-THROATED ANTWREN (Isleria hauxwelli)
MOUSTACHED ANTWREN (SHORT-BILLED) (Myrmotherula ignota obscura)
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii) – A male was seen along the boardwalk to the lodge during our days out to the Napo River.
DUGAND'S ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus dugandi) – This canopy antwren is normally hard to get, but with some work we managed to see a nice male from the Kapok Tower.
PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)
YELLOW-BROWED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis hypoxantha) – This antbird behaved and looked more like a warbler than an antbird. It was seen nicely in Yasuni National Park.
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens) [*]
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE ANTBIRD (Myrmochanes hemileucus) – The young river island was a perfect place to see this species.
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia)
PLUMBEOUS ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes hyperythrus)
SPOT-WINGED ANTBIRD (Myrmelastes leucostigma)
WHITE-SHOULDERED ANTBIRD (Akletos melanoceps)
SOOTY ANTBIRD (Hafferia fortis) [*]
WHITE-CHEEKED ANTBIRD (Gymnopithys leucaspis)
DOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax punctulatus)
[SPOT-BACKED] ANTBIRD (NEW SPECIES) (Hylophylax [naevius] sp. nov.?)
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata) [*]
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
CHESTNUT-BELTED GNATEATER (Conopophaga aurita)
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
RUSTY-BELTED TAPACULO (Liosceles thoracicus) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
BLACK-TAILED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus caudacutus)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula)
LONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Nasica longirostris) – This bird with the very impressive bill was seen very well from the dining room.
AMAZONIAN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes certhia) [*]
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus)
STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus obsoletus) – Very common along the creeks.
ELEGANT WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus elegans) [*]
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus)
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
LESSER HORNERO (Furnarius minor) – Another island specialty that was seen well on our island adventure.
CINNAMON-RUMPED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor pyrrhodes) [*]
PARKER'S SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpecula) – There was a pair of these spinetails nesting on the river island. [N]
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis)
WHITE-BELLIED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis propinqua)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) [*]
GRAY ELAENIA (Myiopagis caniceps)
Hoatzins are as charismatic and bizarre as they come along South American waterways. Photo by participant Kathleen John.
MOTTLE-BACKED ELAENIA (Elaenia gigas) – This bird is so cool with the two little horns sticking out of the head; a pair was on the island.
RIVER TYRANNULET (Serpophaga hypoleuca)
OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
LESSER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura napensis)
SPOTTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum maculatum)
YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (RIVERINE) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens insignis) [*]
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris) – We saw one nesting just before we went to see the parrots. [N]
WHISKERED FLYCATCHER (WHISKERED) (Myiobius barbatus barbatus)
EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus virens)
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus fuscatior)
WILLOW FLYCATCHER (Empidonax traillii)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – This was in Quito.
DRAB WATER TYRANT (Ochthornis littoralis)
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
RUFOUS-TAILED FLATBILL (Ramphotrigon ruficauda)
CINNAMON ATTILA (Attila cinnamomeus)
CITRON-BELLIED ATTILA (Attila citriniventris) [*]
BRIGHT-RUMPED ATTILA (Attila spadiceus) [*]
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
We didn't even have to leave the dining room to see this Long-billed Woodcreeper. Photo by participant Kathleen John.
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
DUSKY-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes luteiventris)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes maculatus)
SULPHUR-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes luteiventris)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
EASTERN KINGBIRD (Tyrannus tyrannus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata) – Stunning shows of males and females from the Kapok Tower.
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus) – At least 7 were displaying along the Napo River.
PLUM-THROATED COTINGA (Cotinga maynana)
SPANGLED COTINGA (Cotinga cayana)
SCREAMING PIHA (Lipaugus vociferans) – Not the most colorful bird but I always like the call, and I am sure that you agree with me.
Pipridae (Manakins)
DWARF TYRANT-MANAKIN (Tyranneutes stolzmanni)
BLUE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix coronata)
ORANGE-CROWNED MANAKIN (Heterocercus aurantiivertex)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
WIRE-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra filicauda) – We did well with manakins but this was the winner. We could even see the wires on its tail.
STRIPED MANAKIN (WESTERN) (Machaeropterus regulus striolatus)
GOLDEN-HEADED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra erythrocephala)
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris) [*]
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
BLACK-CROWNED TITYRA (Tityra inquisitor)
WHITE-BROWED PURPLETUFT (Iodopleura isabellae)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
BLACK-CAPPED BECARD (Pachyramphus marginatus)
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor) – A pair was seen well from the Kapok Tower; we could even see the pink throat on a male.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) – Some people saw this shy wren walking across an open spot for few seconds.
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)
CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya) [*]
WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta) [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
LONG-BILLED GNATWREN (Ramphocaenus melanurus)
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Participant Kathleen John caught this White-throated Toucan peeking.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) – We had one on a nest which was great to see. [N]
LAWRENCE'S THRUSH (Turdus lawrencii) – This species is the one that was confusing us all the time, they can mimic almost everything in the rainforest.
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater) – Very common in Quito.
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis) – Seen a couple of times along the trails.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)
ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER (Thlypopsis sordida) – Great looks when we were on the island.
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (Eucometis penicillata)
FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus cristatus)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – Male and female were seen in Quito.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SCRUB TANAGER (Tangara vitriolina)
MASKED TANAGER (Tangara nigrocincta)
TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana) – We did well with tanagers, especially from the Kapok Tower. This is one of the many that we saw there.
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis) – Not common but a few were seen during our visits to the towers.
OPAL-RUMPED TANAGER (Tangara velia)
Black-capped Donacobius were a joy to see and hear around the lagoon. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
OPAL-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara callophrys)
GREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana) – Great photos of male and female from the Kapok Tower.
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra)
SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea)
GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster)
BLUE-BLACK GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa cyanoides)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RED-BREASTED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella militaris) – Almost the last new bird seen in the lowlands, this is the one that we saw from the waiting room in Coca's airport.
ORIOLE BLACKBIRD (Gymnomystax mexicanus)
Giant Otters are reliably observed at Sacha and are always entertaining. Photo by participant Kathleen John.
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
EPAULET ORIOLE (MORICHE) (Icterus cayanensis chrysocephalus)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela) – Big groups were nesting close to the lodge.
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cyanocephala)
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
MAMMALS
LONG-NOSED BAT (Rhynchonycteris naso) – A few roosting under the dining room.
BLACK-MANTLE TAMARIN (Saguinus nigricollis)
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus)
SPIX'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus vociferans)
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch)
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus) – We saw them well, but the most impressive memory was when they were howling on the day of the big storm....what a loud noise.
WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)
COMMON WOOLLY MONKEY (Lagothrix lagotricha)
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus) – Walter spotted one on the tree top.
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis) – There was the usual pair that show up very quickly
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Other wildlife that we saw:
Spectacled caiman
Caiman Lizard
Yellow spotted river turtle
Amazon thorny tailed iguana
Poison dart frog
Chonta (Mussurana) snake
Tarantula
Totals for the tour: 310 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa