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 pale blue
collar of this Hooded Mountain-Tanager is a clear mark of
the Bolivian, nominate subspecies. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Bolivia is a pretty amazing place. You can travel from Amazonian tributaries to dry chaco/Chiquitano habitat to semi-humid foothills, the unique “Valle” region (with its several endemics), the humid “yungas”, the Altiplano, and to the edge of the largest lake in South America (and the highest navigable lake in the world) all within a fairly small area. You can also do it and see some great birds along the way… and so we did! Our tour provided you with a cross section of this diverse, if unsung, country and we observed nearly 440 species of birds along the way.
We began in the Santa Cruz lowlands enjoying such things as Red-legged Seriema, White-eared Puffbird, and a surprise Stripe-backed Antbird, among others. As we entered the foothills, where the last gasps of Amazonia just reach their limits, we spied Masked Ducks, Military Macaws, and the smart Yungas Manakin. After that, we spent several days in the drier valleys near the border with Cochabamba to see some specialties such as Cream-backed Woodpecker, Red-fronted Macaw, Bolivian Earthcreeper, Stripe-crowned Spinetail, and Giant Antshrike, as well as several species of warbling-finch, before we ascended into the higher Andes in search of gems such as Olive-crowned Crescentchest, Spotted Nightingale-Thrush, and the incomparable Black-hooded Sunbeam. Then on to Cochabamba, where we visited Cerro Tunari with its two hillstars, many ground-tyrants, and fine views of Giant Conebill, among others. The humid slope of the Chapare was our first opportunity to explore the yungas fully, and we oohed and aahed over Huayco Tinamou, Great Sapphirewing, Black-winged Parrot, Black-streaked Puffbird, Band-tailed Fruiteater, and White-browed Brush-finch. After a long drive that got us onto the Altiplano and on to La Paz, we reentered the yungas there and were dazzled by Giant Coot, Yungas Pygmy-Owl, Hooded Mountain-Toucan, Scribble-tailed Canastero, Short-tailed Finch, Orange-browed Hemispingus, and the lovely Golden-collared Tanager. After a final day to Lake Titicaca to see its grebe, and to see the local Berlepsch’s Canastero, we bid each other farewell… but Willy I very much enjoyed your company, good humor, and enthusiasm, and we hope we can experience more of it again soon!
Until then, we wish you good birding!
Dan L.
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
Rheidae (Rheas)
GREATER RHEA (Rhea
americana) – Some distant
birds were seen at the SC airport, and others were seen at
Lomas de Arena the next day.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
HOODED TINAMOU (Nothocercus
nigrocapillus) [*]
BROWN TINAMOU (Crypturellus
obsoletus) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) – Keith spotted one as it crossed the road
at the SC Botanical Gardens, and all had good views.
TATAUPA TINAMOU (Crypturellus tataupa) – Marshall caught a glimpse of a bird as we
drove in to Laguna Los Volcanes.
RED-WINGED TINAMOU (Rhynchotus rufescens rufescens) – As usual, this large grassland tinamou
showed well at the SC airport.
Our group savored
a rare view of this Huayco Tinamou. (Photo by guide Dan
Lane)
ORNATE TINAMOU (Nothoprocta
ornata) – A bird beside the
road allowed us to corral it into view for y'all on the bus.
WHITE-BELLIED NOTHURA (Nothura boraquira) – A pair of birds were in the open at Lomas
de Arena.
DARWIN'S NOTHURA (Nothura darwinii) – Upon hearing a singing bird in the
altiplano, we managed to flush a bird for all to see.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Marshall spotted a few birds at Lomas de
Arena.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) – A single bird at Laguna Alalay.
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga
melanoptera) – A sheldgoose
(not a true goose) that lives a very high elevations.
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta
specularioides alticola)
RINGED TEAL (Callonetta
leucophrys) – A male at
Laguna Alalay was a surprising recovery of this usually
lowland bird that we missed at Santa Cruz. This was
apparently the first record from Cochabamba department!
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta
brasiliensis) – Seen around
Santa Cruz.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas
cyanoptera orinomus)
RED SHOVELER (Anas
platalea) – Three individuals
of this striking species were at Laguna Alalay.
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (WHITE-CHEEKED)
(Anas bahamensis rubrirostris)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (SOUTH AMERICAN)
(Anas georgica spinicauda)
PUNA TEAL (Anas
puna)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera) [N]
ROSY-BILLED POCHARD (Netta peposaca)
MASKED DUCK (Nomonyx
dominicus) – After seeing the
birds at Lagunas Los Volcanes, it was a surprise to see some
also at the pond near Pulquina!
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – Sometimes split as "Andean Duck" but
there is strong evidence for current free interbreeding of
North American and South American types in Colombia, which
is why these are still considered conspecific.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata) – I believe the chachalacas we saw at Lomas
de Arena were this species.
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope
montagnii)
DUSKY-LEGGED GUAN (BRIDGE'S) (Penelope obscura bridgesi) – Roland and I caught a glimpse of a bird
above Comarapa. Unfortunately it didn't stick around long.
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis) – One was visible at Laguna Los Volcanes.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
RUFOUS-BREASTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus speciosus loricatus) – Heard at Lagunas Los Volcanes. [*]
STRIPE-FACED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus balliviani) – Heard at Corani reservoir. [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland)
TITICACA GREBE (Rollandia
microptera) – Several birds
seen by scope on Titicaca.
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus
dominicus) – Several birds
seen well at Los Volcanes and at Pulquina
SILVERY GREBE (JUNINENSIS) (Podiceps occipitalis juninensis) – One on the pond at La Cumbre at La Paz.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – The most common of the flamingos in South
America, and the one least tied to saline lakes.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum) – A young bird at Los Volcanes was at the
upper edge of the species' elevational range.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea
alba)
A group photo
before we begin our "snipe" hunt...for seedsnipe, that is!
(Photo by guide Dan Lane)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus
ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides
striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix) – A peculiar and colorful heron that we
enjoyed the first few days.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis
ridgwayi)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis
cayennensis) – A bird at
Lomas de Arena was nice.
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus) – A lowland ibis that we saw at the Rio
Pirai.
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus) – Another lowland ibis we saw at the Rio
Pirai.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (ANDEAN) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – Roland spotted some very far birds at the
lake along the road to La Paz.
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps
atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (TROPICAL) (Cathartes aura ruficollis)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur
gryphus) – At least on a few
days we saw multiple individuals.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus) – Seen on several occasions, but the birds
that were just waking from their roost tree were special!
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus
sociabilis) – One at Lomas de
Arena.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia
plumbea)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – Seen on three days.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (Accipiter striatus) – Seen on three days. The one in the dry
habitats near Comarapa may have been the lowland
erythronemius ('Rufous-thighed Hawk'), whereas those seen at
higher elevation were certainly ventralis ('Plain-breasted
Hawk').
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo
unicinctus) – A single bird
seen at Laguna Alalay was nice.
ROADSIDE HAWK (Buteo
magnirostris saturatus) – The
birds through most of Bolivia are a rather different-looking
bunch from those in Amazonia and north: they have a
chocolate hood and pale orange barring below with rufous in
the tail. They blend into the more 'typical' gray Amazonian
birds in SE Peru, however.
WHITE-RUMPED HAWK (Buteo leucorrhous) – Several seen in flight.
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Buteo albicaudatus)
VARIABLE HAWK (Buteo
polyosoma) – This formerly
was two species: Red-backed and Puna hawks. Recent research
has resulted in severe murkiness in whether the two really
represent two taxa or if they are just parts of a single
cline in size from lowlands to highlands.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
BARRED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur ruficollis) – Wow, we played in a bird from a loooong
way away into some bushes (in clear view!) at a remarkable
elevation (over 2000m!) in Cochabamba.
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – The ravens of the Andes.
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus) – The common lowland caracara.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – One at Lomas de Arena was nice.
Cariamidae (Seriemas)
RED-LEGGED SERIEMA (Cariama cristata) – A pair galloping down the road ahead of
us were comical to see from the rear!
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius) – Several were calling around the edge of
Los Volcanes, and one showed quite well there.
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajanea)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus
sanguinolentus) – A
surprisingly colorful rail we saw well at Alalay.
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica) – Common at Los Volcanes.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata) – Until recently considered conspecific
with Common Moorhen of the Old World. Now, with the split,
the American birds return to their older name of gallinule.
RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons) – Only found in Bolivia in 2009, it seems
to be increasing every year at Alalay.
GIANT COOT (Fulica
gigantea) – Good views (when
the fog parted) near Sorata.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – Also called Andean Coot.
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus
guarauna)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus
resplendens)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris) – We saw several at the shores of Alalay.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) – Presently considered conspecific with the
North American Black-necked Stilt. Both forms occur around
Lima, Peru, where they hybridize.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana
jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii) – Remarkably, this species is most common
at high elevation in South America!
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
PUNA SNIPE (Gallinago
andina) – Nice views in
flight in the Altiplano.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor)
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi) – A small group spotted at La Cumbre by
Carlos and Roland simultaneously.
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus) – Thanks to David for finding our second
seedsnipe only minutes after we saw the previous one!
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus
serranus) – Well named!
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba
livia) – Seen *every* day!
The only species on the tour that was...
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata) – The common pigeon of highland humid
forest.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) – Birds in the Bolivian yungas sound
different than lowland or more northerly populations, but
it's not clear what this means yet; they seem to blend
vocally in southern Peru.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida
auriculata) – Weird dove
indeed! A write-in (ahem!)
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui) – Seen daily until we left the 'low
elevations' around cochabamba for the Altiplano.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
LARGE-TAILED DOVE (Leptotila megalura) – Thanks (again) to Roland for spying one
as we drove up Cerro Tunari.
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon frenata) – One was seen by a few folks as it burst
into flight near us on the Coroico Rd.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
GREEN-CHEEKED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura molinae)
MONK PARAKEET (CLIFF) (Myiopsitta monachus luchsi) – This population, endemic to Bolivia,
differs from the more widespread lowland forms by lacking
the light barring on the throat, and in nesting habits (on a
cliff amid bromeliads rather than in a huge stick nest on a
tree or post). A split is eminent, methinks.
GRAY-HOODED PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aymara) – A cute parakeet. They look like flying
lollipops.
BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (Aratinga acuticaudata neumanni) – The birds we saw in the dry interior
valleys around Comarapa.
BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata)
– The birds we saw over the SC
Botanical Gardens.
MITRED PARAKEET (Aratinga mitrata) – After seeing the introduced birds on our
hotel in SC, we saw real, wild birds at Los Volcanes.
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Aratinga leucophthalma)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Aratinga aurea)
Smashing views of
Red-fronted Macaws! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
MILITARY MACAW (Ara
militaris) – Willy spotted a
pair as they flew high over the Los Volcanes valley. Nice!
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius)
YELLOW-CHEVRONED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chiriri) – Amazingly variable in their habitat
breadth: from lowland gallery forest (in Beni) and open
chaco growth at Lomas de Arena, we saw them into the humid
foothills and then even the dry intermontane valleys of
western Santa Cruz!
BLACK-WINGED PARROT (Hapalopsittaca melanotis) – OK, I will admit I was impressed by the
sheer number of times we encountered this species. I was not
impressed by its never letting us see it for long, however!
RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus) – Roland pointed out that the pair of
Pionus parrots at the Miguelito road had red bills, and
weren't the next species. Thanks!
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani)
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus)
BLUE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva) – Sometimes called 'Turquoise-fronted'.
Common enough around Los Volcanes.
SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenaria)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira
guira)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) – Heard at Los Volcanes, but didn't want to
respond (it was a bit dark with no moon, so even if it
approached, it was hard to spot!). [*]
YUNGAS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium bolivianum) – Nice views of a brown morph at
Chuspipata.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum)
BURROWING OWL (Athene
cunicularia) – We saw the
smaller lowland form (probably cunicularia) and the much
larger highland form (juninensis) on the Titicaca altiplano.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
RUFOUS NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus rufus) – Keith was able to pick out this
Chuck-will's-widow like song at Los Volcanes. [*]
SCISSOR-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis torquata) – Good views of the long-tailed male at
Tambo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne rutila)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – I always love listening to these large
swifts swoosh past us on the Andean slopes as they did at
the Corani pipeline area.
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus) – Seen in more humid high-elevation
habitats.
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes
andecolus) – Found in drier
situations, such as Cerro Tunari.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
PLANALTO HERMIT (Phaethornis pretrei) – One showed well over the reeds at Los
Volcanes.
WEDGE-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Schistes geoffroyi) – An unexpected sighting at the bridge on
the Chapare road.
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus)
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis) – Mobbing the pygmy-owl at Chuspipata.
RED-TAILED COMET (Sappho sparganura) – What a lovely hummer! A full male really
makes you gasp!
ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella) – Seen on three days, the first was across
a valley on Cerro Tunari.
WEDGE-TAILED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus adela) – Nice views of a perched male at Cerro
Tunari.
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
Check out the
iridescent rump of this Black-hooded Sunbeam... (Photo by
guide Dan Lane)
COLLARED INCA (GOULD'S) (Coeligena torquata inca) – The buff-collared forms from Cusco, Peru,
south are sometimes split off as Gould's Inca.
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer)
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus) – Great views of several of these in aerial
combat over the treeline scrub at Corani reservoir.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas) – True to its name!
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon aureoventris)
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster hypoleucus) – The bird from southeasternmost Peru to
Argentina are a little different in tail pattern from the
nominate form of Peru, but they sound really different! I
think a split may be necessary here, too.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
CRESTED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus antisianus) – Great views of several, including one
feeding in a wild avocado near our breakfast spot at
Miguelito.
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
MASKED TROGON (Trogon
personatus submontanus)
[*]
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota pilcomajensis) – Blue-crowned Motmot has recently been
split up, mostly due to vocal differences. This is now the
widespread lowland species in much of South America.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) – This and the next species were seen at
the pond at the SC Botanical Gardens.
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea) – A real surprise was a female foraging
along drainage ditches near Tambo at an ungodly 1400m
elevation!
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-EARED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus chacuru) – Thanks to Keith for spotting this lovely
open-country puffbird!
SPOT-BACKED PUFFBIRD (CHACO) (Nystalus maculatus striatipectus) – A pair showed well the day we drove to
Saipina.
BLACK-STREAKED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila fulvogularis) – A pair was reluctant to show easily, but
most folks saw them, at Miguelito.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda) – Presently considered conspecific with the
Middle American forms, but the big gap coinciding with
Amazonia makes that relationship seem unlikely...
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
BLUE-BANDED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis) – Nice views at Miguelito.
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena cucullata) – Another great spotting by Keith was one
bird swooping across the valley at the Coroico Road,
allowing many of us to see it briefly in the scope.
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos
toco) – Only seen in flight
at the airport.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
Our
female Cream-backed Woodpecker adopts a prickly perch...
(Photo by guide Dan Lane)
WHITE-WEDGED PICULET (Picumnus albosquamatus) – The lower elevation piculet.
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cactorum) – As its scientific name suggests, this
species prefers sitting on cactus spines. Not sure what the
attraction is, myself...
STRIPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis lignarius) – Similar to the North American
Ladder-backed Woodpecker, a bird showed well for us on the
day we birded Saipina.
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros) – Seen at SC Botanical Gardens.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – A 'forest flicker' we enjoyed at
Miguelito.
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (GOLDEN-BREASTED)
(Colaptes melanochloros melanolaimus)
– The more golden-colored highland
populations have been split off by some authorities and
called 'Golden-breasted Woodpecker'.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes
rupicola) – A woodpecker that
doesn't need wood.
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes
campestris)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
CREAM-BACKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus leucopogon) – All right! Thanks to Roland and Elena for
spotting this pair of beauties! Not easy to see in Bolivia!
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COMMON MINER (ALTIPLANO) (Geositta cunicularia titicacae) – After a brief view at the mediocre
flamingo lake, we had great views near Sorata.
SLENDER-BILLED MINER (Geositta tenuirostris) – Our first miner. We saw it at Cerro
Tunari.
PUNA MINER (Geositta
punensis) – The miner on the
way from Cochabamba to the Altiplano.
ROCK EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus andaecola) – I often have to do a double-take with
this one's name. I swear I read "rock earthmover"!
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – Formerly part of Bar-winged, which has
been split into at least three species. The present species
is found from northern Peru to northern Argentina.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) – We had a pair along the lower river at
Cerro Tunari.
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius
rufus) – *Everywhere* except
the highest elevations.
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Very wren-like indeed. Our best views
were at Alalay.
BROWN-CAPPED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura fuliginiceps) – Not too hard at Cerro Tunari.
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis) – Took a bit more work, but eventually
showed well at Cerro Tunari.
CHOTOY SPINETAIL (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus) – A pair teased a mockingbird, but then
decided to take their ball and go home at Lomas de Arena.
SOOTY-FRONTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis frontalis) – Seen at a few sites, but best at Los
Volcanes.
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – Widespread and common in more humid
montane areas.
PLAIN-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis gujanensis certhiola) – Populations presently considered this
species found south of the Amazon are vocally identical to
'White-lored' (S. albilora), and there is a perfect cline of
plumages (contra Ridgely's comments in his books) that also
agrees with this. With luck, a publication suggesting that
they be moved from Plain-crowned to White-lored will come
out before too long.
OCHRE-CHEEKED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis scutata) – Related to the last (and sounds rather
like it), but more range-restricted. Nice looks at Los
Volcanes.
LIGHT-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albiceps) – We saw both subspecies: discolor was at
Siberia and Chapare, and albiceps on the Coroico road.
STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia) – An attractive, if not particularly
colorful, spinetail of drier habitats.
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (CREAMY-BREASTED)
(Asthenes dorbignyi dorbignyi) – A bit surprising to find it as low as
just above Comarapa, but more typical at Cerro Tunari.
BERLEPSCH'S CANASTERO (Asthenes berlepschi) – An endemic closely related to the last
species, but only found in the dry valley by Nevado Illampu
(the big snow-covered peak we drove by). [E]
Scribble-tailed
Canastero (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis)
BLACK-THROATED THISTLETAIL (Asthenes harterti) – A treeline canastero that we saw well at
Corani reservoir and the top of the Coroico road. [E]
MAQUIS CANASTERO (Asthenes heterura) – It took a while, but eventually we all
saw this rare and local canastero well at Cerro Tunari.
RUFOUS-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus rufifrons) – At Santa Cruz.
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) – Most obvious around Comarapa, but
widespread through the dry montane valleys.
SPOT-BREASTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus maculipectus) – A responsive bird on the Siberia ridge
was nice.
GREATER THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ruber) – A pair at Lomas de Arena rounded out the
thornbird list for the tour!
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger) – A handsome temperate forest furnariid
that we enjoyed at several sites.
BOLIVIAN EARTHCREEPER (Tarphonomus harterti) – Nice views on the drive to Saipina.
[E]
MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia striaticollis)
BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata) – A bird showed well near the Miguelito
pipeline.
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (AMAZONIAN) (Sittasomus griseicapillus viridis) – This species is due for a major taxonomic
revision. If this happens, it's not clear if this form will
remain part of the Amazonian group or be on its own; it's
pretty distinctive-sounding.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) [*]
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) [*]
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) [*]
OLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus triangularis bangsi)
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) – Distinctive with that white eyebrow and
throat.
MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger) – Well named!
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GIANT ANTSHRIKE (Batara cinerea) – It took some work (and two days), but we
eventually got great looks at this jay-sized antshrike! What
a beauty!
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) – Nice views at the SC Botanical Garden.
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus ruficapillus) – Found in drier habitats and often at
higher elevations.
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus palliatus) – A pair was reluctant to show really well,
but we still managed fair views at Los Volcanes.
Spot-breasted
Thornbird on the Siberia ridge (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
UPLAND ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus aroyae) – A tough one this year, partly because
half of the territory we have visited the past few years has
been burned and cleared, and partly because that pair seems
less interested in playback. Only a few folks caught a
glimpse as a result.
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus
mentalis)
STRIPE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Myrmorchilus strigilatus) – A nice surprise was a lone male at the SC
Botanical Gardens! It's been six years since I last had one
there (a female then). Too bad they weren't better
synchronized.
BLACK-CAPPED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus atricapillus) – A fetching little gnatcatcher-like
antbird of canopy.
WHITE-BACKED FIRE-EYE (Pyriglena leuconota) – A female responded best, but we heard the
male nearby at Los Volcanes.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
SHORT-TAILED ANTTHRUSH (Chamaeza campanisona) [*]
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
UNDULATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria squamigera) [*]
SCALED ANTPITTA (Grallaria guatimalensis regulus) [*]
WHITE-THROATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria albigula) [*]
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula cochabambae) – A bird responded well and showed for most
at the Corani reservoir.
RUFOUS-FACED ANTPITTA (Grallaria erythrotis) – Most folks got a look at this endemic
antpitta in the Chapare or Siberia. [E]
OCHRE-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaricula flavirostris boliviana)
– Lovely views of this charming little
bird while eating breakfast at Miguelito.
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
SLATY GNATEATER (Conopophaga ardesiaca) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) – A trilling experience (groan).
BOLIVIAN TAPACULO (Scytalopus bolivianus) – That white crown spot showed well for
some folks.
PUNA TAPACULO (Scytalopus
simonsi) – A tapaculo you can
scope!
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi) – It took a while, but we finally got
fairly good views at Chuspipata.
Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests)
OLIVE-CROWNED CRESCENTCHEST (Melanopareia maximiliani) – Farther away than it sounded, once we
spied it, it really showed well! Lovely bird!
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (SOUTHERN)
(Camptostoma obsoletum bolivianum)
SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER (Suiriri suiriri suiriri) – Suiriri is sometimes split into two
species, this is the white-bellied Chaco Suiriri under those
circumstances.
BUFF-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus hellmayri) – A tyrannulet, sure, but a nice one!
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – Nice views at Cerro Tunari.
MOUSE-COLORED TYRANNULET (Phaeomyias murina) – And just what color is 'mouse'?
SUBTROPICAL DORADITO (Pseudocolopteryx acutipennis) – Nice to see this bird displaying
(apparently) at Los Volcanes.
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps) – A highland elaenia similar to Sierran,
but lacks the yellow belly.
SMALL-BILLED ELAENIA (Elaenia parvirostris) – A few seen the first two days.
HIGHLAND ELAENIA (Elaenia obscura obscura)
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae)
WHITE-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Serpophaga munda)
STRANECK'S TYRANNULET (Serpophaga griseicapilla) – This is a recently-described form but
it's a common bird in northern Argentina and Bolivia (where
it is only a wintering bird, migrating south to breed). Its
story is a bit convoluted, but basically, the existence of
White-crested Tyrannulet is the wrench in the works.
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis)
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (ALBIDIVENTRIS)
(Leptopogon superciliaris albidiventer)
– Seen at the Miguelito pipeline area.
This taxon is very distinct vocally from the northern Andean
form, and overlaps with it in central Peru (separating by
elevation). Surely it should be split, but I'm not aware of
anything in the works.
TAWNY-RUMPED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias uropygialis) – A 'cute' tyrannulet we saw near the
Cotapata gas station.
BOLIVIAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius bolivianus) – Distinctive in its lack of any real
markings.
SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus) – Only found in southern scrub.
PLAIN TYRANNULET (Inezia inornata) – We saw this one at the SC Botanical
Gardens.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – A really snazzy tyrant that we enjoyed at
Alalay.
HAZEL-FRONTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Pseudotriccus simplex) – Another cutie we enjoyed at the Miguelito
area.
GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura budytoides) – The duets of these long-tailed tyrants
are charming efforts.
YUNGAS TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus spodiops) – Seen well at breakfast at Miguelito.
Nearly endemic to Bolivia.
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
OCHRE-FACED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps) – It would be cute if it wasn't for its
unfortunate vocalization.
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (MATO GROSSO)
(Tolmomyias sulphurescens pallescens)
– When this species is finally split
up, this form will probably be a species unto itself.
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea bellicosa) – Well named! We saw these at the cliffs
with the Monk (Cliff) Parakeets.
OCHRACEOUS-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Nephelomyias ochraceiventris)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris) – Less white on the belly and more on the
wing than North American birds.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (VERMILION) (Pyrocephalus rubinus rubinus) – These southern birds sound different from
northern birds (west of the Andes and into North America),
and probably will be split. Our colleague, Al Jaramillo, is
on the case...
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus)
YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT (Satrapa icterophrys) – An austral migrant. One was surprising at
over 3000m at Corani reservoir!
TACZANOWSKI'S GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola griseus) – Ground-tyrants are a tough bunch. We saw
this one on Cerro Tunari.
PUNA GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola juninensis) – This one we saw at La Cumbre in La Paz.
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus) – This one we also saw on the Altiplano and
at La Cumbre.
WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons) – One of the easier ones to identify
(simply by its huge size!), we saw it both at Tunari (where
it seemed out of place: no bog habitat) and La Paz (in bog
habitat).
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) – A handsome ground-tyrant we saw at La
Cumbre.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – A distinctive ground-tyrant we saw as we
approached the Altiplano from Cochabamba.
WHITE-BROWED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albilora) – One of the more common migrants we saw at
Tunari and La Cumbre.
STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes striaticollis) – One bird seen near the top of the Coroico
road.
RUFOUS-BELLIED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes fuscorufus) – An attractive tyrant we enjoyed in the
Chapare area.
RUFOUS-WEBBED BUSH-TYRANT (Polioxolmis rufipennis) – A high-elevation tyrant we saw twice on
the drive from Comarapa to Cochabamba.
GOLDEN-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca pulchella) – Took a while to warm up, but once it came
in, we saw it well in the Chapare. Thanks to Vivian for
spotting it first!
SLATY-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (MAROON-BELTED)
(Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris thoracica)
– Seen well just before lunch on the
Tablas Monte road.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – One seen at our lunch spot between
Cochabamba and the Altiplano.
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis
rixosa)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) – The first day we had a confusing
Myiarchus at the Rio Pirai by the airport that we decided
must be a juvenile of this species. It would be the nominate
subspecies there. The later views we had were in the Chapare
and La Paz Yungas, which would both have been the highland
form 'atriceps'.
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus
sulphuratus) – In Bolivia,
this widespread lowland species actually gets up above
2000m. The birds around Cochabamba are particularly odd in
being huge and very washed out yellow below.
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus) – A pair showed well at a distance by the
dipper bridge on the Chapare road.
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius) – Seen at Los Volcanes. The southern
subspecies solitarius is quite darkly streaked and has a
rather unique call when compared to other populations within
this species. I suspect a split will happen once the complex
is studied.
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus) – A bird or two were around Saipina in the
dry intermontane valleys. Apparently they breed here, but
most are farther east in the dry lowlands of the Chaco.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) – Unlike on most Neotropical tours, this
species wasn't a daily sighting on this tour; mostly in the
lowlands.
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana) – Several of these graceful bird were seen
at Lomas de Arena.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BAND-TAILED FRUITEATER (Pipreola intermedia) – Seen both in the Chapare and on the
Coroico Road.
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata) – After some work, we saw this fancy bird
on the Coroico Road.
WHITE-TIPPED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rutila) – Long thought to be in their own family,
it was Ted Parker's field experience that first alerted
taxonomists that plantcutters were cotingas. They whine like
babies, though.
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – A strange-looking bird that we saw well
at Siberia.
Pipridae (Manakins)
YUNGAS MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia
boliviana) – Great views of
this often-difficult bird at Los Volcanes.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra
semifasciata) – Who was that
masked tityra?
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus
versicolor)
Vireonidae (Vireos)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis) – A regular first responder to 'scold tape'
around Santa Cruz.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
WHITE-COLLARED JAY (Cyanolyca viridicyanus) – Great views of these lovely jays on the
Coroico Road.
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax
yncas) – South American
populations are often split from North American and called
"Inca Jay". We saw some well at Miguelito.
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax
cyanomelas) – This and the
next species were both rather common the first few days in
the lowlands and humid foothills.
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – The most common of the swallows.
TAWNY-HEADED SWALLOW (Alopochelidon fucata) – Seen over the Mizque valley.
PALE-FOOTED SWALLOW (Orochelidon flavipes) – Seen on several days over the humid
high-elevation forest.
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina) – Seen in open habitats above treeline.
ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon
andecola) – More common than
the last at truly high elevations.
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus unicolor) – What a strange song! We enjoyed seeing
and hearing this large wren at the SC Botanical Garden.
FULVOUS WREN (Cinnycerthia
fulva) – A nice find was a
pair of these loud and beautiful songsters on the Coroico
Road.
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis) – We saw this skulky wren at Los Volcanes.
FAWN-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus guarayanus) – Replacing Buff-breasted Wren in much of
northern Bolivia and the Pantanal, we saw some at the SC
Botanical Gardens.
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes
aedon) – Heard or seen most
days. This species has perhaps the broadest habitat
tolerances of any American bird!
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes
solstitialis)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola saturata) – The form in the Bolivian valleys is very
gray below (unlike the white-breasted form on the extension,
for example).
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus leucocephalus)
– A brief flyby at the bridge on the
Chapare Road.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides ralloides) [*]
SPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus dryas) – Smashing views of this stonking bird in
Siberia! I wouldn't have believed it would perform so well
if I hadn't seen it!
WHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes leucotis) – Roland spotted one at Miguelito that
allowed us nice views.
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris) – Common in Santa Cruz.
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus) – Common in much of lower and middle
elevations. Clearly, this is one of the most common (and
obvious) of the austral migrants we saw on the tour!
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus
fuscater fuscater) – Indeed
they are large. Great Thrush replaces Chiguanco in more
humid habitats.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco anthracinus) – Here in Bolivia, male Chiguanco Thrushes
have an orange eyering, which is the usual distinguishing
character elsewhere in their ranges.
GLOSSY-BLACK THRUSH (Turdus serranus)
WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis contemptus) – Willy spotted a bird at Los Volcanes that
we put in the scope.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus) – At Lomas de Arena.
WHITE-BANDED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus triurus) – Roland got us on one at Lomas de Arena.
BROWN-BACKED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus dorsalis) – Jean's sharp eyes spied our target as we
were leaving Cochabamba.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
SHORT-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus furcatus) – Nice views of one singing in the drier
altiplano.
CORRENDERA PIPIT (Anthus correndera) – Seen shortly after the last in marshy
altiplano.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (SOUTHERN) (Geothlypis aequinoctialis velata) – A couple in the marshes at Los Volcanes.
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus inconspicuus)
– Here in Bolivia, the bird sounds
quite distinctive from elsewhere in the Andes. My friend,
Andres Cuervo (and associates) recently published a paper
showing that this species may best be considered several. If
split, inconspicuus would probably be one of these species!
CITRINE WARBLER (Myiothlypis luteoviridis euophrys) – The Bolivia form, euophrys, is quite
distinct in voice and plumage from the rest of the species
(in which there are another two distinctive forms!).
Probably another split somewhere down the line...
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signatus)
TWO-BANDED WARBLER (Myiothlypis bivittatus) – Nice views at Los Volcanes.
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus) – One seen by the dipper bridge in the
Chapare.
BROWN-CAPPED REDSTART (Myioborus brunniceps) – A handsome 'whitestart' that seems
equally at home in humid forest as in semidesert!
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
A dawn-singing
Orange-browed Hemispingus seen well by our group (Photo by
guide Dan Lane)
THREE-STRIPED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus trifasciatus) – Another rare hemispingus of southern Peru
and Bolivia that we saw well.
ORANGE-HEADED TANAGER (Thlypopsis sordida)
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps)
BLACK-GOGGLED TANAGER (Trichothraupis melanops) – A plain-colored, yet fancy, tanager we
saw at Los Volcanes.
BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor)
WHITE-BROWED CONEBILL (Conirostrum ferrugineiventre)
GIANT CONEBILL (Oreomanes
fraseri) – Great looks of
this unique tanager at Cerro Tunari!
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo) – Birds in much of Bolivia are blacker
(especially females) than in Amazonia, and sound a little
different.
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis
sayaca) – Seen most days
until we ascended to high elevation.
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis
palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thraupis bonariensis) – One of the few truly colorful birds of
the dry valleys.
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Buthraupis montana montana) – These large and beautiful tanagers put on
a fine show at Cotapata.
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris)
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus somptuosus flavinuchus)
– Birds from Manu, Peru, into Bolivia
sing unique loud songs entirely unlike any other forms of
this species. Clearly, a split is warranted.
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii) – Brief views in the Chapare and La Paz
Yungas of this smashing bird.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Delothraupis castaneoventris) – A singing individual put on a nice show
in the Chapare.
GOLDEN-COLLARED TANAGER (Iridosornis jelskii) – Only just out of arm's reach, we enjoyed
fantastic views of this much-desired montane tanager!
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota)
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala) – Elena first spied these attractive
Tangaras at Miguelito.
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix)
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER (Tangara vassorii atrocoerulea)
GREEN-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara argyrofenges) – Also called "Straw-backed Tanager" by
some authors, this is a rare and much-desired species.
Happily, it seems reliable at Miguelito. I hope the
continued habitat clearing there won't affect that!
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis
cayana)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SALTATOR (Saltator rufiventris) – Great views at the foot of Cerro Tunari.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – The common saltator at many sites on the
tour.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies)
BLACK-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus atriceps)
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
The large bill on
this finch makes clear that it's a Short-tailed! (Photo by
guide Dan Lane)
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – This is the highest-nesting bird in the
world!
GRAY-CRESTED FINCH (Lophospingus griseocristatus)
BOLIVIAN WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza boliviana) – Roland's sharp eyes got us on a pair at
Torrecillas in the Siberia area, which was good, as we
missed it at Tunari!
RUFOUS-SIDED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza hypochondria)
RUSTY-BROWED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza erythrophrys) – Spied at Siberia. A hard species!
BLACK-AND-RUFOUS WARBLING-FINCH
(BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT) (Poospiza
nigrorufa whitii) – Wow,
after wondering for years where this species is on the tour,
we finally saw it above Comarapa! Nice!
RINGED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza torquata)
BLACK-CAPPED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza melanoleuca)
COCHABAMBA MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Compsospiza garleppi) – Several of this endemic seen fleetingly
at Tunari and our lunch spot the day we drove to La Paz.
[E]
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata)
MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa mystacalis) – Spotted by Roland at Coroico.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris)
GRAY-BELLIED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa carbonaria) – A rather common endemic. [E]
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea)
BRIGHT-RUMPED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis uropygialis)
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens)
SAFFRON FINCH (PELZEN'S) (Sicalis flaveola pelzelni)
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteola)
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (Embernagra platensis olivascens)
SAFFRON-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon flavirostris) [*]
WHITE-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon torquatus) – The Stripe-headed Brush-Finch has been
split into several species. This is the southernmost, and is
nearly an endemic of Bolivia (just barely crosses the border
into Peru).
BOLIVIAN BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes rufinucha) – Part of the broader Rufous-naped
Brush-Finch, but now that that has been split up, this form
is now endemic to Bolivia. [E]
FULVOUS-HEADED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes fulviceps) – Nice views at the bottom of Cerro Tunari.
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons) – A pair at the dipper bridge on the
Chapare road at 1900m seemed remarkably high.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – "Write-in!"
COMMON BUSH-TANAGER (Chlorospingus ophthalmicus) – This is a widespread species found from
southern Mexico to Argentina in the mountains; it is due for
a major splitting frenzy, probably resulting in 6-10
species. If so, probably the three Bolivian forms
(bolivianus from La Paz, fulvigularis from Cochabamba, and
argentinus from Santa Cruz) will likely be part of the same
species. They are easily distinguished by eye, however.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava) – Sometimes split into three species:
Middle American, Highland, and Lowland. Our sightings were
of the Highland form.
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris) – I hope everyone got to see this bird
eventually... Anyone...?
ULTRAMARINE GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa brissonii) – Some pretty good looks at the pond at our
lunch spot on the drive back from Saipina.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
CHOPI BLACKBIRD (Gnorimopsar chopi)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius)
BOLIVIAN BLACKBIRD (Oreopsar bolivianus) – Amazingly, we missed this endemic at the
Mizque canyon, but handily picked it up at Tunari. [E]
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD (Agelaioides badius)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus
bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus
oryzivorus)
VARIABLE ORIOLE (Icterus pyrrhopterus pyrrhopterus) – Formerly part of Epaulet Oriole (I.
cayanensis), but now separated.
MOUNTAIN CACIQUE (BOLIVIAN) (Cacicus chrysonotus chrysonotus) – Often split from 'Northern Mt. Cacique'
and called 'Southern Mt. Cacique'. However, there is a
significant blend zone in central Peru. One split I don't
think is well-reasoned.
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – A higher-elevation oropendula we saw well
at Miguelito.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica) – "Pee pee".
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster) – Willy spotted a female at Miguelito,
which we scoped.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus
magellanicus)
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus
atratus) – What a lovely
siskin! Too bad it has to live soooo high up!
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer
domesticus) – Yup, even here
in Bolivia!
MAMMALS
SILVERY MARMOSET (Callithrix argentata) – With the next species near Santa Cruz,
but didn't stick around long.
A Dusky
(White-eared) Titi Monkey near Santa Cruz city is curious
about our group. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus
apella) – At the SC Botanical
Gardens.
CAPE HARE (Lepus
capensis) – Apparently, this
species, from Africa, has been introduced onto the
Altiplano. Whose brilliant idea was that?! We had to
chuckle, though, when one sprinted across the marsh at the
Correndera Pipit spot. [I]
BOLIVIAN SQUIRREL (Sciurus ignitus)
CAVY SP. (Cavia
tschudii) – A wild guinea
pig, it was seen on several days during the tour.
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta
variegata) – A large rodent
we saw at Los Volcanes.
LONG-TAILED WEASEL (Mustela frenata) – Some lucky folks caught a glimpse of this
weasel in the Chapare. Nice!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)
Totals for the tour: 433 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa