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The Sacred Valley through which runs the Urubamba River all the way down to Aguas Calientes. We stayed along its banks in Ollantaytambo. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
We really couldn't have asked for a better trip. The most perfect weather, Veronica in all her glory (especially bathed in that orange morning light), fun train rides, long hikes, Machu Picchu, pisco sours, Maxima's house (and those warm potatoes), and beautiful birds and incredible views. Peru is a stunning place. I had a wonderful time sharing my second home with you. I hope it was memorable and you can visit again soon. Thanks to our local crew of Lucrecia and Carlos, plus all the hotel staff and help we received along the way.
Birding highlights? Many. Y'all loved the Andean Motmot and the curious Cusco Brushfinches. John picked Andean Condor as one of his tops (hard to go wrong there) and Jerry liked the active Parodi's Hemispingus flock we encountered. Toby was blown away by the cooperative Andean Tinamou (me, too!). Jim Henson Studios, however, took top honors for their creation of the Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.
Thanks for a rockin' good time. All the best for the remaining 2018. Good birding.
Jesse Fagan (aka motmot) from Lima, Peru
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
ANDEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta pentlandii fulvescens) – Awesome close looks at a bird we accidentally cornered on the slopes of Huacarpay Lake. Not often you see a tinamou so well!
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Oressochen melanopterus) – A beautiful bird we saw well at the pass. In fact, there was a pair as so often is the case. The white really stands out against the puna "Ichu" grassland landscape.
So, why not start here? This fantastic photo by participant Dixie Sommers was taken in the Aguas Calientes area.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata) – How many did we count on the train ride in?
PUNA TEAL (Spatula puna) – The teals and pintail on the tour were all seen at Huacarpay and Huaypo lakes. We did have Yellow-billed Teal at the pass one day.
CINNAMON TEAL (Spatula cyanoptera)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (Anas flavirostris)
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – The resident (South American ) Ruddy Duck; males have all back heads.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii) – Small numbers in the Aguas Calientes area.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – One at Huacarpay Lake, and a couple more at Huaypo. Looks a lot like Eared Grebe (with a silver fan), but actually in a different genus.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – One at Huacarpay Lake was a good pickup for us. These are non-breeding visitors to the region.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – On the Urubamba River.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
FASCIATED TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma fasciatum) – Always good to find this species along the river. Missed 50% of the time. Nice work!
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Small numbers in the Urubamba River near Aguas Calientes.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Small numbers in the ag fields between Cusco and Ollantaytambo.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi) – Common in the Sacred Valley and at higher elevations near the pass.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – A lovely species that we saw a few times around the pass including at our lunch spot with Veronica as a backdrop.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – YES! Awesome experience as we watched a group of adults and immatures circling on early morning thermals (from Maxima's house!) with Veronica looming in the background.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – Cruzing over the tall marsh at Huacarpay Lake.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris) [*]
Creamy-crested Spinetail is a showy Peruvian endemic. Photo by participant Dixie Sommers.
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – The ones we saw at higher elevations near the pass would be "Puna" Hawks. This subspecies, G. p. fjelsai, is sometimes split based on morphology and body size, plumage differences, and lack of intergradation with other subspecies.
WHITE-THROATED HAWK (Buteo albigula) – An uncommon raptor on this tour that we saw during our hike in the Mandor Valley.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – Cool bird. Seen well at Huacarpay Lake.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata) – Both gallinule and coot were seen at the two big lakes visited on this tour.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens) – Seen most days at Abra Malaga.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – Most were in non-breeding plumage, but a few individuals had black heads. Most thought it was a bit odd to see gulls at 14,000 ft.!
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa) – This large native pigeon was seen around Ollantaytambo. In flight, it shows white crescents in the wing.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae) – Good numbers around Huacarpay Lake.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi) – This species was along the tracks in the Mandor Valley.
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon frenata) – Could we have gotten much better looks at a quail-dove?!
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – In Lima and around Cusco.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris) – MIke and Wendy were woken up by this species at 2 am! [*]
All aboard! Our train to Aguas Calientes and, eventually, to Machu Picchu! Photo by Dixie Sommers.
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra) – Kate and I made the early morning trek down to the tracks along the Urubamba River to watch this species glide along the rock escarpment.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – In the Sacred Valley and along the east slope of AM.
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus) – One of the few birds we actually saw at the Machu Picchu ruins. They were also common in the Mandor Valley and around Aguas Calientes.
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus) – Good to catch up with this species in the Sacred Day on our first day's drive to Ollantaytambo.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
LESSER VIOLETEAR (Colibri cyanotus) – At the Inkaterra feeders for nice comparisons with the next species.
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis) – One responded to our pygmy-owl tape on the east slope of AM.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys) – Good numbers during our walk in the Mandor Valley. One or two were visiting the Inkaterra feeders, too.
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingii) – Seen a few times on the Inkaterra grounds.
GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia nuna) – A female was seen on our first day on the grounds of our Ollantaytambo hotel.
TYRIAN METALTAIL (SMARAGDINICOLLIS) (Metallura tyrianthina smaragdinicollis) – Small numbers on both slopes of Abra Malaga.
WHITE-TUFTED SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis castelnaudii) – This Peruvian endemic we found in good numbers on the drier west slope of AM. We had it in the scope a few times, but never for very long! [E]
COLLARED INCA (GOULD'S) (Coeligena torquata omissa) – This sharp looking hummingbird was seen by a few lucky ones feeding at Heliconia on the grounds of Inkaterra.
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer) – Small numbers on the east slope of AM. The large, dark hummingbird with the buffy tail.
SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Ensifera ensifera) – One was feeding at large tubular flowers on the east slope of AM. Always a good one to see!
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus) – We watched the dog fight a few times!
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii) – An aggressive hummer that guards the feeders at Inkaterra.
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii) – A female (with her brown booties) was a regular visitor to the Inkaterra feeders. A male eventually put in an appearance much to the liking of our group.
Light strikes the Sun Temple at Machu Picchu. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas) – One at Huarcarpay Lake flew around our heads looking more like a bat or a small falcon!
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant) – This tiny hummingbird was feeding on the Inga flowers at Inkaterra.
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster) – The common hummingbird on the grounds of Pakaritampu.
GREEN-AND-WHITE HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia viridicauda) – Very similar to the previous species, but this endemic was seen around Aguas Calientes at lower elevations and in more humid forest. [E]
Trogonidae (Trogons)
MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus) – A couple of birds on the grounds of Inkaterra.
Momotidae (Motmots)
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis) – We had awesome looks at this species along the trails of Inkaterra.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BLACK-STREAKED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila fulvogularis) – This local and uncommon species was seen in the Mandor Valley. A pair seen well perched over the tracks.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
VERSICOLORED BARBET (Eubucco versicolor) – A beautiful species that we thankfully encountered during our walk in the Mandor Valley.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
BLUE-BANDED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus) – This tiny woodpecker was seen a few times in the Mandor Valley where it seems to be pretty common.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – Seen on the grounds of Inkaterra.
The spectacular Gould's Inca was seen at Inkaterra feeding on Heliconia flowers. Photo by participant Dixie Sommers.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola) – A cool looking (pretty wild, right?) woodpecker that was feeding in open country around the AM pass.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – Seen in the Sacred Valley and again around Abra Malaga.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Perched on powerlines and telephone polls in the Sacred Valley. These are resident birds.
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – We lucked out seeing this species perched on a telephone pole near the Pakaritampu Hotel as we waited for a pygmy-owl to respond.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus) – Good looks on the grounds of Inkaterra around the pool area.
MITRED PARAKEET (Psittacara mitratus) – Big flocks flying around the high mountains of Aguas Calientes.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens) – One was seen foraging quietly in the mid-canopy along the Mandor Valley tracks. Another was heard at the Inkaterra compost.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
STRIPE-HEADED ANTPITTA (Grallaria andicolus punensis) [*]
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (SOUTH PERUVIAN) (Grallaria rufula occabambae) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) [*]
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi) [*]
Guides Jesse Fagan and Lucrecia talk with Maxima below Cerro Veronica. Photo by Dixie Sommers.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans) – Common in the Mandor Valley.
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Really great looks at a skulky bird in the marsh at Huacarpay Lake. Looks like a Sedge Wren.
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – Common on the dry west side of Abra Malaga.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger) – A pair were in a mixed-species flock on the east slope of AM.
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis) – One was seen on the snowy ridge in the Polylepis forest.
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) – A good bird to see in Peru. We had a pair in the pepper bushes at Huacarpay Lake.
LINE-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes urubambensis) – Just over the Abra Malaga pass. This species prefers small bushes mixed within the puna grassland.
JUNIN CANASTERO (Asthenes virgata) – This endemic was seen on the dry west slope of AM in the Ichu bunch grass. [E]
STREAK-BACKED CANASTERO (Asthenes wyatti) – This species and the previous shared the same habitat.
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis) – We eventually coaxed one up the rocky slope for good views.
PUNA THISTLETAIL (Asthenes helleri) – Seen in the stunted Yungas forest on the east slope of AM.
RUSTY-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes ottonis) – Good numbers around Huacarpay Lake. Endemic to Peru. [E]
MARCAPATA SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca marcapatae) – This arboreal spinetail, endemic to Peru, was in the Yungas forest on the east slope of AM. [E]
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) – An awesome looking endemic species seen at Maxima's restaurant. [E]
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – A pair in the Mandor Valley.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus) – A small flycatcher that was seen on the east slope of AM.
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys) – Just one oddly on the east slope of AM.
The endemic Parodi's Hemispingus was seen on the humid east slope of Abra Malaga. This fine photo was taken by participant Dixie Sommers.
ASH-BREASTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes alpinus) – A Polylepis specialist seen on the snowy ridge at the pass. This one had the white outer tail feathers.
UNSTREAKED TIT-TYRANT (Uromyias agraphia) – A cute endemic that popped up into view for us. It was almost too close for binoculars. [E]
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster) – One in the Mandor Valley.
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps) – In the pepper bushes around Huacarpay Lake.
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae) – A pair were seen and heard near our lunch spot on the east slope of AM.
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea) – On the Urubamba River near Aguas Calientes.
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis) – One in the big flock near the waterfall in the Mandor Valley.
INCA FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon taczanowskii) – This endemic was the flock leader in the big flock near the waterfall in the Mandor Valley. [E]
MARBLE-FACED BRISTLE-TYRANT (Phylloscartes ophthalmicus) – A pair on our hike back from the waterfall.
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis) – These were pretty common in the Aguas Calientes area.
SCLATER'S TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias sclateri) – Also very common (at least by voice) in the Aguas Calientes area.
BLACK-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias nigrocapillus) [*]
ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias cinereiceps) – Small numbers around Aguas Calientes and Mandor Valley. Heard more often than seen.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – Brief looks in the Huacarpay marsh.
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum) – One at the helipad put in an appearance.
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (ANDES) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens peruvianus) – A pair seen and heard at the waterfall hike entrance.
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus) – Small numbers in the Aguas Calientes area.
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus) – Seen well at the Inkaterra helipad.
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris) – Most days on the Urubamba River at Aguas Calientes.
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus) – A female was out of place down along the tracks at the entrance to our waterfall hike. Just Martha and Jesse.
SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) – One in the field at Huacarpay Lake was a good one to get.
TACZANOWSKI'S GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola griseus) – On our last day at the pass.
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) – Seen at the pass on our last day. Both this species and the previous like highland bogs.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – Several in the plowed fields around Huacarpay Lake.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora) – Small numbers on the dry west slope of AM.
Another great endemic seen on the east slope was this Cusco Brushfinch. Photo by Dixie Sommers.
SMOKY BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes fumigatus) – One doing sallies and hover flying on the ridge near Maxima's house.
RUFOUS-WEBBED BUSH-TYRANT (Polioxolmis rufipennis) – A pair was seen down on the humid east slope of AM.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis) – Seen on both slopes of AM.
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor) – Fairly common along the scrubby edge on the east slope of AM.
D'ORBIGNY'S CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca oenanthoides) – A good bird to get. Pretty common in the right habitat (we counted seven individuals). They prefer scattered bushes on the dry west slope of AM.
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – One was at Penas.
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) – Common (by voice at least) on the grounds of Inkaterra. Also seen well in the Mandor Valley.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) – Common at Aguas Calientes.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
MASKED FRUITEATER (Pipreola pulchra) [E*]
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – Seen a few times on both slopes of AM.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus) – Wow. Awesome experiences with this species in the Mandor Valley and on the grounds of Inkaterra.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor) – Mixed with flocks in the Mandor Valley a few times.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi) – Resident to South America and some individuals here could be ausral migrants. They have dark (not red) eyes and a "colder" appearance than temperate birds.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GREEN JAY (INCA) (Cyanocorax yncas yncas) – Mike's favorite bird!
The group listens about the history of Machu Picchu from local guide, Lucrecia. Photo by Dixie Sommers.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – Common in Aguas Calientes.
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina) – At higher elevations like Ollantaytambo and at the pass.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – An "everyday" bird.
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis) – Good looks at singing birds on the east slope of AM.
SEDGE WREN (PUNA) (Cistothorus platensis minimus) – A new bird for Jesse at this site on the east slope of AM, but somewhat expected.
INCA WREN (Pheugopedius eisenmanni) [E*]
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys) – Heard (lots) and seen in a few times in Aguas Calientes.
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus) – Good numbers and looks this time along the Urubamba River.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides) – The lovely ethereal song was heard each morning during our stay in Aguas Calientes.
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater) – At higher elevations above Ollantaytambo where pretty common. Much bigger than the next species.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco) – Common in the Sacred Valley.
An Andean woman who lives below the majestic Cerro Veronica. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
PARAMO PIPIT (Anthus bogotensis) – A pair were foraging along the puna grass for better-than-normal looks.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi) – Common at Aguas Calientes.
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus) – A trio were seen on our waterfall hike.
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signata) – A pair during our hike along the Mandor Valley.
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata) – Common on the grounds of Inkaterra and in the Mandor Valley.
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus) – The most common warbler in the Aguas Calientes area.
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus) – Good numbers this year. Seen at Aguas Calientes and again on the east slope of AM.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
SLATY TANAGER (Creurgops dentatus) – A pair was seen on our Mandor Valley hike.
PARODI'S HEMISPINGUS (Kleinothraupis parodii) – Awesome looks at a group foraging in bamboo on the east slope of AM. They responded super well (dashing across the road and posing just above eye-level)! [E]
OLEAGINOUS HEMISPINGUS (Sphenopsis frontalis) – Similar to the previous species, but seen in humid forest along the Mandor Valley.
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps) – What's this yellow bird with the orange head?
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris) – This one was a hit with our group.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota) – One in the Mandor Valley was a very nice surprise. Often missed on tour.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – Small numbers around Huacarpay Lake.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus) – Very common at the Inkaterra feeders.
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum) – Less common than the previous species, but also a regular visitor to the Inkaterra feeders.
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala) – Just one on the grounds of Inkaterra.
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (RUSTY-NAPED) (Tangara ruficervix inca) – The next three species were all regular visitors to the Inkaterra feeders (as well as being seen during our Mandor Valley hike).
SILVERY TANAGER (Tangara viridicollis)
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis) – Uncommon, so nice to see it in the Mandor Valley.
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala) – Seen well several times in the Aguas Calientes area.
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana) – Small numbers, but seen everyday at Aguas Calientes.
BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor)
CAPPED CONEBILL (Conirostrum albifrons) – Seen on our Mandor Valley hike.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum) – On the grounds of the Pakaritampu. A confusing small warbler-like bird..
TIT-LIKE DACNIS (Xenodacnis parina) – Seen on the east slope of AM. Not regular (40% of the time?) so a good pick-up for us.
MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa mystacalis) [*]
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris) – Around the Pakaritampu Hotel and again higher-up near AM.
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides) – They like the ornamental flowers on the grounds of the Pakaritampu.
BLUISH FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa caerulescens) – A rare flowerpiercer that we saw briefly on the east slope of AM.
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea) – Just one on the tour, but usually a bit more common.
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis) – Mostly immatures were seen this year.
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Idiopsar speculifer) – Duke-Duke-Duke-Duka-Finch-Finch-Finch...
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Geospizopsis unicolor) – Large, rotund and dark (at least the males). This species was slightly more common than the next species, but both were seen in good numbers.
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Geospizopsis plebejus)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Poospiza caesar) – An awesome looking endemic we saw well at Maxima's house. [E]
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens) – This species was hanging out on rooftops in Ollantaytambo.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – Around Huacarpay Lake. The banded tail is obvious in flight.
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata) – Good numbers in the open areas above Maxima's house.
DULL-COLORED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris obscurus) – Everyone seemed to like this name for some reason?
Our group after our hike to the snowy ridge in search of Polylepis specialties. Thanks for a great trip!
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – Good numbers in the Sacred Valley.
Passerellidae (New World Buntings and Sparrows)
SHORT-BILLED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus parvirostris) – Seen super well on the waterfall hike.
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (Arremon brunneinucha) – One at the compost pile showed well.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Most days on the tour.
CUZCO BRUSHFINCH (Atlapetes canigenis) – It had been years since I had seen this species on the tour. Great find! A Peruvian endemic. [E]
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava lutea) – One was seen in the Mandor Valley.
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris) – On the grounds of the Pakaritampu and at the helipad.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – Crazy sounds they make!
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – In the marshes of Huacarpay and Huaypo lakes.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris) – A regular visitor to the Inkaterra feeders.
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster) – We lucked out when a male visited the Inkaterra feeders where it is not regular.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus) – Just one female at Huacarpay Lake. Surprised we didn't see more.
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus) – A group was flying around during our photo-op on the way back to Cusco.
MAMMALS
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta variegata) – Several at the compost spot.
NORTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium peruanum) – "Hey, Jesse, I saw a funny looking rabbit..."
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 196 bird taxa and 2 mammal taxa