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Field Guides Tour Report
Machu Picchu & Abra Malaga, Peru 2016
Jul 9, 2016 to Jul 18, 2016
Pepe Rojas

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.


The narrow, forked tail of an adult male Green-tailed Trainbearer can be more than twice the length of its body! Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

Our tour to the famous Abra Malaga (Malaga Pass) and Machu Picchu was characterized by unusually dry and cold conditions, which have been the predominant conditions in the Andes this winter.

We started our tour at Huacarpay Lake, where we headed as soon as we'd landed in Cusco. Here, we enjoyed great views of waterfowl, including Yellow-billed Pintail, and Cinnamon, Puna, and Yellow-billed teal. Other interesting birds in the area were Bare-faced Ground-Doves, Blue-and-Yellow Tanagers, Andean Negrito, Andean Lapwing, Cinereous Harrier, Giant Hummingbird, and Mountain Caracara, among others. After lunch, we headed to the Sacred Valley, to our nice hotel at Inca town of Ollantaytambo, where some folks got the chance to see a Bearded Mountaineer, our first endemic bird of the trip. Not a bad way to start the tour!

We woke up early the next morning in order to be ready for our trip to Machu Picchu. I'm not certain how many times I have now visited this amazing site, but each time I feel butterflies in my stomach. It's such a magical place! During our train ride, we were nicely distracted by sightings of White-capped Dippers and Torrent Ducks along the Urubamba river course, which parallels most of the track. Our final tally was 31 Torrent Ducks -- what a record! Once at the ruins, our guide Lucrecia did an amazing job (as she always does), leading us around the ruins, sharing her vast knowledge, and explaining the latest hypotheses about the site. At one point, I managed to bring into view a pair of Inca Wrens that responded in a spectacular way to my tape. I believe that the best way to see this bird is at the ruins of Machu Picchu. Afterwards, we headed to our lovely hotel in Aguas Calientes to relax and enjoy some birding around the hotel grounds.

During the rest of our time in this area, we birded a combination of the Mandor Valley, Aguas Calientes and our hotel grounds, all of which are very productive areas. As a result of our efforts, we scored great views of Fasciated Tiger-Heron, Golden-headed Quetzal, Andean Motmot, Blue-banded Toucanet, Ocellated Piculet, Speckled-faced Parrot, Variable Antshrike, plus astonishing views of a male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock at our hotel grounds -- not to mention the many species of tanagers and hummingbirds we scored at the feeders!

Back at Ollantaytambo, we were conveniently located for our explorations of the Malaga Pass area. In the following days, we birded the dry western slope, the pass itself and the wet eastern slope. Our time here produced a number of species that well represented the variety in elevation of the different habitats we visited: Andean Geese, Crested Ducks, Variable Hawk, Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Spot-winged Pigeons, Amethyst-throated Sunangel, Tyrian and Scaled metaltails, the endemic White-tufted Sunbeam, Great Sapphirewing, Puna Tapaculo, Red-crested Cotinga, Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager, and Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch (another endemic), among others.

This was a great trip indeed, and I want to thank you all for the great times and memories. For me, it was an honor to share part of my beloved Peru with you. I was also very lucky to have the company of Lucrecia, an old friend who shared her amazing knowledge with us. I look forward to seeing you again sometime in another part of the world. In the meantime, stay healthy and bird a lot.

Peace, love and joy,

Pepe

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


The Andean Lapwing is typically a conspicuous resident in its altiplano habitat. We saw ours around Huacarpay Lake. Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

BIRDS
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga melanoptera) – Our first excursion to the east side of the pass produced four of these lovely geese. We added another pair later.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata) – We recorded 31along the Urubamba River during our train ride to Machu Picchu. Nice!
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – At Huacarpay Lake, and later at the other lake we visited on our way back to Cusco.
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica) – Ditto.
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna) – Ditto.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (Anas flavirostris) – This used to be call Speckled Teal.
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – We found this species at the second lake we visited on our way back to Cusco.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii) – We scored this bird during our hike in the Mandor Valley.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – A lovely little grebe that was seen at the second lake.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – We scored some individuals at the lake we visited out of the town of Chincheros, which is famous for its textiles and Sunday market.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
FASCIATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma fasciatum) – We got lucky with this one. During our hike to the Mandor Valley we saw a subadult on the river. We even had great scope views of it!
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi) – Quite common. Our first sightings were at Huacarpay Lake, but later we saw them several times at different places.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – Another bird we saw only once, at Huacarpay Lake.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris) – Seen and heard around the Mandor Valley.
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – This species used to be split into Red-backed and Puna hawks, but they are now lumped together again as Variable Hawk.
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – This species was quite abundant this year; it must be a good year for them.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – It took a while before we had proper looks at this bird.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata) – Common indeed!
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – AKA Andean Coot.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens) – We had very nice views of some reflected on the water at Huacarpay Lake.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – We had two at Huacarpay Lake that responded pretty well to my tape.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – Every day in the right habitat.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) – Not a common bird in this area (since it is more of a lowlands species), but it has been recorded here before.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae) – At Huacarpay, Lucrecia pointed out some of these birds sitting on a wall.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi) – Around the Pueblo Hotel.


The enigmatic Bearded Mountaineer is one of Peru's endemics. Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon frenata) – Seen only once briefly on the Pueblo Hotel grounds. Unfortunately, it took cover quickly and disappeared from our view before we all could get it. Darn it!
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – Surprisingly, we only saw this bird in the Huacarpay area.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – We came across a kettle of these while birding on the east slope of the pass.
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus) – A common feeder visitor at the Pueblo Hotel -- actually a bully of a hummer!
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans) – At the Pueblo Hotel feeders as well, and no less of a bully either.
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis) – Seen on the east slope of the pass.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys) – One seen during our outing to the waterfalls in Mandor.
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia nuna) – Seen at our hotel in Ollantaytambo and in the Huacarpay area.
OLIVACEOUS THORNBILL (Chalcostigma olivaceum) – We had great views of a female of this rather seldom-seen species on the day we went hiking in the Polylepis forest.
BEARDED MOUNTAINEER (Oreonympha nobilis) – On our hotel grounds in Ollantaytambo. [E]
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina smaragdinicollis) – Another hummer we saw during our visit to east side of the pass.
SCALED METALTAIL (Metallura aeneocauda) – Ditto.
SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis caumatonota) – On the drier west slope of the Andes.
WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis castelnaudii) – Same with this one, but let me tell you that this species was quite abundant this year, compared with other years. [E]
BRONZY INCA (Coeligena coeligena) – We had one briefly during our hike from the waterfalls in Mandor.
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer) – This species prefers the higher elevations we visited.
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus) – Ditto.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii) – A common hummer around the feeders at the Pueblo Hotel.
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii) – We enjoyed great views of both male and female at the feeders of the Pueblo Hotel.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas) – This largest of hummingbird species was seen in the Huacarpay Lake area.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant) – Isn't it amazing how small this species is? It flies like a bumblebee, and manages to sneak in to the feeders and to get away from the bullies just in time.
GREEN-AND-WHITE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia viridicauda) – A common bird around the feeders at the Pueblo Hotel. [E]
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps) – We scored dynamite views of a male sitting quietly during our hike to the waterfalls.
Momotidae (Motmots)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis) – This lovely bird was seen at our hotel grounds.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
BLUE-BANDED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis) – This bird was also scored on the hike to the waterfalls.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus) – Surprisingly, we only had one encounter with this little bird on our way to Mandor.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – It is the most common woodpecker in the area. Seen and heard pretty well.


The 15th-century Inca citadel of Machu Picchu continues to fascinate travelers. Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola) – We enjoy great views of this bird in the high, dry part of the pass.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – These birds were seen almost every day.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Ditto.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus) – Another great bird to get! We scored this parrot perched very low during our hike in the Mandor Valley.
SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenarius) – We had some flying by; unfortunately, they were hard to see. [*]
MITRED PARAKEET (Psittacara mitratus) – This species on the other hand, was more common; unfortunately they were not quite cooperative, since they didn't perch!
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens) – Another bird we saw during our hike to the Mandor valley, closer to the old train station.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STRIPE-HEADED ANTPITTA (Grallaria andicolus punensis) – It was just impossible to get into view any of the individuals we tried for. And believe me, WE TRIED!!! [*]
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula occabambae) – This one also came close, but not close enough! [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) [*]
PUNA TAPACULO (Scytalopus simonsi) – On the other hand, this tapaculo gave those punk antpittas a lesson in good manners and behavior by showing pretty well (even in the open!) by the creek. Amazing!
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans) – One seen as we birded the fruit gardens at the Pueblo Hotel.
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Another bird that was surprisingly hard to get into view.
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – This bird was seen on each day that we visited the higher elevations.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) – This one was seen at least twice. It is more restricted to streams than the previous congener.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger) – On the east side of the Malaga pass we had the only mixed flock of the whole trip; this bird responded to my tape so well that it almost flew into my face!
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis) – Don't you love when birds respond quickly and well to the tape?
WHITE-BROWED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura xenothorax) – What a treat! We were hiking in a patch of Polylepis, and this was the first of the Polylepis specialists that we found foraging in a tree. [E]
LINE-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes urubambensis) – This was one of the canasteros that responded and came out to the open to allow some good views of it.
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis) – And this was the other.
PUNA THISTLETAIL (Asthenes helleri) – At the Polylepis forest, we had a brief look at one of these on our way back.
MARCAPATA SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca marcapatae) – Another great bird (which, by the way, is also an endemic) that we scored in the small flock we found above San Luis. [E]
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) – This Peruvian endemic responded very well and allowed great views on the dry side of the Andes. [E]
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – A common spinetail throughout its range.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – We saw this little gem around Maxima's house.
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps)


The Andean Cock-of-the-Rock is Peru's unofficial national bird. Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae) – The common Elaenia at higher elevations.
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea) – We had our best looks at this little bird around the Pueblo Hotel.
SCLATER'S TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias sclateri) – Seen every day around Aguas Calientes and the Pueblo Hotel.
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias cinereiceps) – Another bird we saw almost every day around the Pueblo Hotel. We actually found one building a nest! [N]
PLUMBEOUS-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias plumbeiceps)
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – This is without any doubt a heck of a colorful tyrant!
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum) – We scored this bird on the Pueblo Hotel grounds.
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris) – Seen almost every day by the river in the Aguas Calientes area.
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas) – We enjoyed very nice views of these lovely birds around the Huacarpay area.
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus) – We saw this species in the highest part of the pass.
WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons) – ....And this one as well.
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) – And this one too.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis) – We saw this one on the east side of Abra Malaga.
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor)
D'ORBIGNY'S CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca oenanthoides) – Ian sent me a picture of a chat-tyrant that turned out to be this species. Somehow, it went undetected on the day, but it was photographed and identified. Thanks Ian!
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – Nice bird and easy to see on the dry side of the Andes.
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) – Heard first but seen well later. Remember its squeaky toy-like call?
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – Perhaps one of the least colorful of the cotingas, but hey, a cotinga is a cotinga!
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus) – We had been walking around the gardens for a while, looking for this species. Finally, at the least expected place, Paula spotted a nice male that stayed for quite a long time, allowing great views. This, by the way, is the unofficial "official" bird of Peru.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor) – We scored a nice pair in the orchard, part of a flock that was foraging in the area.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GREEN JAY (INCA) (Cyanocorax yncas yncas) [*]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
PALE-FOOTED SWALLOW (Orochelidon flavipes)
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – An every day bird.


The Peruvian Sierra-Finch has adapted well to humans, often living within villages or semi-agricultural areas. Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis) [*]
INCA WREN (Pheugopedius eisenmanni) – Nicely seen at the Machu Picchu ruins, at one of the spots I knew from years past. [E]
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys) – Heard first and seen by everybody later.
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus) – We scored our first pair in the Huambutio area. Later, we saw this species every day along the Urubamba River by Aguas Calientes.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides) – Mostly heard-only, but seen by Paula.
WHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes leucotis) – This bird was also seen by some and heard by others.
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater) – This bird was seen mostly on the humid side of Abra Malaga.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco) – I wonder if its named should be the Common Thrush instead of Chiguanco Thrush? Perhaps the Common Chiguanco Thrush? Just a thought!
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi) – This little gem was seen well around the Pueblo Hotel and Aguas Calientes.
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus) [*]
CITRINE WARBLER (Myiothlypis luteoviridis) – We scored this species as part of the small flock we had below San Luis.
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus) – Another common yet lovely bird that is part of mixed flocks.
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus) – Same here but at higher elevations.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
SUPERCILIARIED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus superciliaris) – This was the only species of Hemispingus that we found during our trip.
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus) – Beverly scored a male around the Pueblo Hotel.
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris) – At least one pair in the mixed flock we saw below San Luis.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota) – We saw this bird during our hike in the Mandor Valley.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – This tanager likes dry areas and we scored our first views around the Huacarpay Lake area -- a dry area indeed!
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala) – Seen around the Aguas Calientes, Mandor, MAPI area.
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix) – Seen at the feeders at the Pueblo Hotel.
SILVERY TANAGER (Tangara viridicollis) – Ditto.
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis) – Same here, though we also had great looks at a pair feeding on some avocado fruits in the Mandor Valley.
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala) – Another regular at the fruit feeders.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana) – Ditto.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum) – This species of conebill likes the dry areas of the Andes, such as the Huacarpay area and Penas.


We scored a couple of Black-backed Grosbeaks during the tour: one at Ollantaytambo and a second around Penas. Photo by participant Ian Resnick.

BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor) – On the other hand, this large and colorful conebill likes a more humid, forest environment.
WHITE-BROWED CONEBILL (Conirostrum ferrugineiventre) – Ditto.
GIANT CONEBILL (Oreomanes fraseri) – We had excellent looks at this bird in the Polylepis forest we visited in the highest part of Abra Malaga.
TIT-LIKE DACNIS (Xenodacnis parina) – We had this species on the eastern side of Abra Malaga.
MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa mystacalis) – Ditto.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris) – Bev and John spotted the first pair. Later, everybody got great views of this bird.
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides) – This flowerpiercer likes also more of a dry environment, like the area surrounding Huacarpay Lake.
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea) – This bird was seen on the humid side of Abra Malaga.
PLUSHCAP (Catamblyrhynchus diadema) – What good luck we had with this bird! I spotted one perched out at the open, and it stayed for the longest time, allowing even scope views... just memorable!
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis) – We saw a pair around Huacarpay Lake and others later around the Malaga pass area.
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor) – Seen around Maxima's house.
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus) – Ditto.
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – Ian and I had the first views of this species. Later, everybody else caught up with it.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Poospiza caesar) – We had a pair that responded splendidly to my tape at one of my old sites. [E]
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – The commonest seedeater of the trip.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – First seen at Huacarpay Lake.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GRAY-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon assimilis) – We saw a responsive individual on the eastern side of the pass.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Almost every day.
SHORT-BILLED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus parvirostris) [*]
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris) – At the hotel in Ollantaytambo, we scored our first bird. Later, around Penas, we got our second.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – Common and abundant around Huacarpay Lake.
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – The only oropendola species we saw during the tour.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris) – Common at the fruit feeders at the Pueblo Hotel.
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea) – It was a treat to see these birds building a nest in the Pueblo Hotel's gardens. [N]
THICK-BILLED SISKIN (Spinus crassirostris) – We had a flock flying by the day we went to the highest point of Abra Malaga.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
MAMMALS
WHITE-EARED OPOSSUM (Didelphis albiventris) – One individual seen by Ian.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – During our drive to Ollantaytambo, we saw an individual from the road.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This is a list of the birds we saw during the afternoon we birded around Lima:

Peruvian Pelican

Peruvian Booby

Neotropic Cormorant

Snowy Egret

Black Vulture

American Kestrel

Blackish Oystercatcher

Kelp Gull

Belcher's (Band-tailed) Gull

Inca Tern

West Peruvian Dove

Surf Cinclodes

Vermilion Flycatcher

Scrub Blackbird

Blue-and-white Swallow

Totals for the tour: 167 bird taxa and 2 mammal taxa