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A common but charismatic Rufous-browed Peppershrike posed nicely for guide Dan Lane to capture this cover shot.
This was another wonderful visit to the Beni, a region of northern Bolivia that is the remnant of an inland sea or lake that drained through the Madeira Arch several hundred thousand years ago, but still fills with water during the wet season. In fact, the wet season of 2013-14 was one of record flooding! Happily for us (if not for the residents of the region), most signs of this flooding event were gone, and we were able to enjoy our visit unencumbered. Local guide Lyliam was her usual charming self, and despite perhaps somewhat rustic accommodations, we enjoyed (too much!) wonderful food and great birding!
The latter is particularly fine in this part of the world. As we saw, there is an impressive variety of habitats resulting in high diversity in this environment. Many birds we encountered are those also in the Pantanal of the Brazil-Bolivia-Argentina region, and the open water pans, the open palm savannas, and islands of low tree tangles certainly look just like those of the Pantanal. However, the Pantanal wetlands drain into the Rio Paraguay and thence into the Rio de la Plata (passing by Buenos Aires on its way to the Atlantic).
By contrast, the Beni wetlands drain into the Rio Mamore, which is a tributary of the Rio Madeira, one of the largest of the Amazonian tributaries. As a result, the Beni has a decidedly Amazonian flavor, particularly along the rivers that host gallery forest. Our last morning was in such gallery forest at La Habana and we enjoyed a little taste of it on our boat ride along the Rio Ipurupuru. In this habitat, we encountered Amazonian species such as Band-tailed Manakin, Dull-capped Attila, several antbirds, various woodcreepers, the odd Hoatzin, Black Hawk-Eagle, Blue-headed Parrot, several canopy tyrants, a trogon or two, and more.
By contrast, in the more open country, where visibility is better, we spied flocks of seedeaters and seed-finches (wow, that flock of Large-billed Seed-Finches was amazing!), lots of waterbirds, tyrants, lots of furnariids with their large and noticeable nests (such as the mud oven of the Rufous Hornero or the large stick nests of Greater Thornbird and Rufous Cachalote), and raptors. Two Long-winged Harriers and a young Crowned Eagle the day we drove from Trinidad to Cutal were particularly memorable! In all, it was a fine visit, even if we missed one of the headliners (Blue-throated Macaw). For the few days we were there, the diversity we enjoyed was staggering! I was pleased all the participants who signed up for the main tour also decided to do the extension. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I, and that we see each other again with binoculars around our necks somewhere down the road!
Good birding!
--Dan
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)
Catching up to this majestic Crowned Eagle when it perched was definitely a highlight. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
Anhimidae (Screamers)
SOUTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna torquata) [N]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – The more common of the two whistling-ducks we saw.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
ORINOCO GOOSE (Neochen jubata) – Terry got us on the first of these along the Rio Ipurupuru. Turns out that satellite tracking has shown that these birds probably breed in Manu and 'winter' in the Beni.
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata) – Another bird Terry spotted first.
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari) – The least numerous of the three storks, but arguably the best looking.
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria) – A flying fortress of a bird! At least one nest had a remarkable three young in it. [N]
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana) – Huge colony at Laguna La Verde was quite a sight. [N]
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga) – Gobs of these were along the Ipurupuru.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum) – A very common heron in the Beni. Our first evening, we enjoyed close views of both young and adult.
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
BOAT-BILLED HERON (Cochlearius cochlearius) – A species we spotted along the Ipurupuru, particularly as dusk fell.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus) – Also called 'Whispering Ibis'.
PLUMBEOUS IBIS (Theristicus caerulescens) – Often one of the first loud bird vocalizations predawn.
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja)
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) – One over La Habana was a nice sighting.
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis) – Mostly around the open water around Trinidad and between Trinidad and Cutal.
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
LONG-WINGED HARRIER (Circus buffoni) – Two birds in one day as we drove to Cutal was a great treat!
CRANE HAWK (Geranospiza caerulescens) – Several birds in the palm islands near Cutal allowed close approach.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)
CROWNED EAGLE (Buteogallus coronatus) – After hearing one at the 'shorebird fields' we spotted a youngster circling up the road and drove up to find it perched beside the road and allowing close approach! What a spectacular eagle!
ROADSIDE HAWK (MAINLAND) (Rupornis magnirostris saturatus)
This Savanna Hawk was extremely cooperative. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)
SUNBITTERN (Eurypyga helias)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) – Sometimes considered a separate species (White-backed) or a subspecies of the Old World Black-winged Stilt. Birds around Lima, Peru, hybridize extensively with Black-necked, which presumably is the reason for lumping the two.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis dominica) – One bird at the 'shorebird fields' didn't stick around for us to see well.
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) – Perhaps the most common sandpiper we encountered on the extension.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes)
STILT SANDPIPER (Calidris himantopus) – A small number at the 'shorebird fields' was nice.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis)
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris)
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex)
BLACK SKIMMER (CINERASCENS) (Rynchops niger cinerascens) – One bird flew by us, streaking across a few of the fill ponds along the road as it went.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
A couple of Long-tailed Reed-Finches effortlessly clasp a stalk. Seeing birds of this isolated population was a treat. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis)
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea) [*]
PLAIN-BREASTED GROUND-DOVE (Columbina minuta) – A rather rare dove of which we spotted three from the truck as we drove through the dry cerrado.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) – Unlike the previous species, we only had this one in the gallery forest at La Habana.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin) – After seeing several near Laguna Suarez, we saw many of these odd birds along the Ipurupuru.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) – We mostly heard this open country cuckoo, but saw one or two on our drive from Trinidad to Cutal.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus) – Lowland South American birds (subsp. nacuturu) look like North American birds, but have orange eyes and fewer notes in their song. We enjoyed views of a pair in the macaw palm island.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) – A bird that hung around the main house at Cutal showed well.
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda) – Several of these large nighthawks flew at dusk at Cutal.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
LITTLE NIGHTJAR (Setopagis parvula) – Seen on the tracks at Cutal.
SPOT-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis maculicaudus) – Heard at Laguna Suarez and Cutal. [N]
SCISSOR-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Hydropsalis torquata) – The most common nightjar at Cutal.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BUFF-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis subochraceus) – One at La Habana put in a show.
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi)
SWALLOW-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (Eupetomena macroura) – After a couple of quick glimpses, one checked out scold tape as we drove in to La Habana.
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
GILDED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis chrysura) – Perhaps the most common hummer in Beni, where it is throughout the open habitats.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) – A few showed well at La Habana.
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) – Always a snap to see at the Botanical Gardens.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda) – One along the Ipurupuru was nice.
AMERICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle aenea) – A lucky view our last day!
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons) – Carolyn and Cal were the first to spot these extroverted puffbirds.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda) – A daily occurrence.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
A responsive Scarlet-headed Blackbird, in all its brilliance, gave us a great look near Cutal. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco) – The world's largest toucan. We only got fleeting looks.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-WEDGED PICULET (Picumnus albosquamatus) – Encountered daily.
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus) – A peculiar woodpecker the moves in flocks across open country.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
GOLDEN-GREEN WOODPECKER (Piculus chrysochloros)
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (Colaptes melanochloros) – A flashy flicker species (even though it's not specifically called a "Flicker").
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris) – Similar to Andean Flicker, this species rarely drills in wood. Rather, it nests in terrestrial termite nests.
PALE-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Celeus lugubris) – This sharp crested woodpecker put on a great show for us at La Habana.
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus) – The ole' "Scaracara" is a common and widespread species here!
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – Seen on our drive to Cutal.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
YELLOW-CHEVRONED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chiriri)
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani siy) – The bold white eyering is one of the main characters of this parrot. We saw it at the SC Botanical Gardens.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus) [*]
TURQUOISE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva) – The common Amazon parrot in Beni.
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius)
GREEN-CHEEKED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura molinae) – Only around Santa Cruz.
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Eupsittula aurea)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
YELLOW-COLLARED MACAW (Primolius auricollis) – Nice looks at this diminutive macaw.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna) – Apparently one of the perps in the decline of Blue-throated Macaw... but still pretty nice to see.
RED-AND-GREEN MACAW (Ara chloropterus)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (Thectocercus acuticaudatus) – Only around the SC Botanical Garden.
MITRED PARAKEET (Psittacara mitratus) – On the extension, we saw only the feral birds on the wall of the SC hotel. [I]
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) – Amazingly easy to see in the Beni!
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus) – The most widespread antbird, and one which thrives in second growth and open places.
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus palliatus) – Most often a foothill species, but here in the Beni, they are found in gallery forest.
BOLIVIAN SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus sticturus) – After striking out around Santa Cruz, we enjoyed seeing this tail-wagger at La Habana.
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis) – Brief views of another usually foothill species at La Habana.
RUSTY-BACKED ANTWREN (Formicivora rufa) – A striking antwren we enjoyed as part of the scold call party on the drive in to La Habana.
MATO GROSSO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra melanaria) – A pair responded very well along the roadside at Trinidad.
BLACK-THROATED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza atrothorax) – A pair in the understory around the lake at La Habana was nice.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (AMAZONIAN) (Sittasomus griseicapillus viridis)
GREAT RUFOUS WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes major) – Well named, we saw this large woodcreeper on several days.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) – One of the most widespread woodcreepers in Amazonia (and tributaries that enter more open habitats such as the Beni).
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) – A widespread open-country woodcreeper.
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) – We enjoyed views of this peculiar woodcreeper on the drive to Cutal, and a few times there as well.
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) – One of the the more distinctive woodcreepers around, often boldly perching on fence posts in the open.
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (Furnarius leucopus) – More strongly tied to gallery forest here (otherwise, a widespread Amazonian species) than the Rufous, we saw it at La Habana.
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus) [N]
GREATER THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ruber)
PLAIN SOFTTAIL (Thripophaga fusciceps fusciceps) – Although the species (as it's currently recognized) is widespread in Amazonia, the nominate form is endemic to Beni, and will likely be split sometime in the future. [E]
RUSTY-BACKED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpina) – Pretty strictly found at the edge of bodies of water, we saw this arboreal spinetail along the Ipurupuru and the edge of the lake at La Habana.
RUFOUS CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura unirufa) – A bold, jay-like furnariid with the big stick nests.
CHOTOY SPINETAIL (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus) – The dickcissel of the spinetail world.
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus)
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens australis) – The most open-country of the spinetails, often in pure grass.
CINEREOUS-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis hypospodia) – A bird showed well at our scold call stop as we drove in to La Habana.
PLAIN-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis gujanensis inornata) – Nice views of this spinetail along the edge of the palm islands near La Verde. Very likely, this population will be shifted over to White-lored Spinetail, once a paper is published...
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) – Carolyn spotted this canopy flycatcher at La Habana.
LARGE ELAENIA (Elaenia spectabilis)
STRANECK'S TYRANNULET (Serpophaga griseicapilla) – For a long time considered part of White-crested Tyrannulet, then shown to be a different entity that was only described and named about four years ago or so.
SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus)
PLAIN TYRANNULET (Inezia inornata) – Replaces wood warblers in many forest patches in the area.
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (MATO GROSSO) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens pallescens) – This species will likely be split up in the years to come, so keep track of which forms you encounter.
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus)
FUSCOUS FLYCATCHER (FUSCOUS) (Cnemotriccus fuscatus bimaculatus) – A staggeringly attractive brownish understory flycatcher that we lucked upon at the SC Botanical Garden.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – Compared to the last, this one is pretty ho-hum. Birds east of the Andes sound quite different from those west of the Andes and into North America. Al Jaramillo is investigating.
HUDSON'S BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus hudsoni)
SPECTACLED TYRANT (Hymenops perspicillatus) – A lone female in the headlights of our truck was our only view this year.
YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT (Satrapa icterophrys)
WHITE-RUMPED MONJITA (Xolmis velatus) – The most common of the monjitas in the area.
WHITE MONJITA (Xolmis irupero) – A very lovely and distinctive monjita we enjoyed.
BLACK-BACKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola albiventer)
WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala) – We saw one of these distinctive water edge tyrants at about a mile's distance near the shorebird fields.
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa)
DULL-CAPPED ATTILA (Attila bolivianus) – Nice views of this tail-wagger in the gallery forest at La Habana.
RUFOUS CASIORNIS (Casiornis rufus) – Seen pretty well at SC Botanical Garden.
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni) – One was at the end of our walk at La Habana.
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – The same species we have in the Southwest US.
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) [*]
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis) – Very similar to the previous, but somewhat less common.
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Pipridae (Manakins)
SULPHUR-BELLIED TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma sulphureiventer) – Great views of this rather bland manakin.
BAND-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra fasciicauda) – Also seen well at La Habana, this one is much more eye-candyish.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
GREEN-BACKED BECARD (Pachyramphus viridis)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi) [*]
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax cyanomelas)
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
WHITE-RUMPED SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucorrhoa)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – North American migrants that had already arrived here (I'd been seeing them in Louisiana both before and after this tour!).
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus unicolor) – Unlike Amazonian birds, those from the Beni and Pantanal are unmarked.
FAWN-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus guarayanus) – Similar to the widespread Buff-breasted Wren, but has a distinctive call note.
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola berlepschi) – The birds here were whiter-bellied whereas those in the 'valles' region in the mountains are deeper bluish below.
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) – I believe one showed fairly well for us at La Habana.
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis aequinoctialis) [*]
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (Basileuterus culicivorus) – Seen well at the SC Botanical Garden and again at La Habana.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Paroaria coronata) – The irony isn't lost on me that this genus of 'cardinals' are tanagers, whereas the North American 'tanagers' are in fact cardinals!
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo) – In Bolivia this species is a lovely blackish color overall, with males showing a velvety deep red throat.
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)
CHESTNUT-VENTED CONEBILL (Conirostrum speciosum) – "These don't ever descend from the canopy"... famous last words...
LONG-TAILED REED FINCH (Donacospiza albifrons) – A really great experience with a pair of this unique species, with its disjunct population here in the Beni (the next nearest is in eastern Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina!).
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (EASTERN) (Embernagra platensis platensis) – Unlike the birds we saw in the mountains, these were the nominate lowland form.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
WHITE-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila leucoptera bicolor) – A common bird for us, the Beni form has a black back, whereas those farther north and east are gray.
TAWNY-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila hypoxantha) – A mixed seedeater flock the day we drove to Cutal contained a few individuals of this and the next two species.
DARK-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila ruficollis)
RUFOUS-RUMPED SEEDEATER (Sporophila hypochroma)
LARGE-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila crassirostris) – After comparing my photos, I am swayed that the incredible flock (150+!) we had around Trinidad was this species, not Great-billed. An amazing sight!
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens)
RUSTY-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila collaris) – A large-billed species we saw in small numbers.
RED-CRESTED FINCH (Coryphospingus cucullatus) – A pair popped up into glorious morning sun at the scold tape spot on the way in to La Habana.
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis) – A skulky one that we saw from the truck as it ran about in brush.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (BLACK-RUMPED) (Pheucticus aureoventris aureoventris) – A bit like an oversized Rose-breasted (but with yellow rather than red, of course) that we enjoyed around Santa Cruz.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
WHITE-BROWED BLACKBIRD (Sturnella superciliaris) – A red-breasted small meadowlark.
VELVET-FRONTED GRACKLE (Lampropsar tanagrinus boliviensis) – This species is widespread in western Amazonia, but this subspecies, which is much larger, is only found in Bolivia. We saw a lot of them on this visit! [E]
CHOPI BLACKBIRD (Gnorimopsar chopi) – The non-stop whistling we heard most places.
SCARLET-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Amblyramphus holosericeus) – A very responsive bird came right up to us in a 'papyrus' marsh near Cutal.
UNICOLORED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus cyanopus)
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD (Agelaioides badius)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
VARIABLE ORIOLE (Icterus pyrrhopterus) – Recently split from the widespread Epaulet Oriole, which is now mostly Amazonian.
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius) – Usually a very hard bird to see, but easy here!
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
MAMMALS
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus) – A fishing bat we saw over the Ipurupuru.
LESSER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio albiventris)
BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT (Tadarida brasiliensis)
BLACK HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta caraya) – We heard them often enough, and even caught one troop in mid-howl, when we got nice views! The females are a golden color.
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
BROWN-THROATED THREE-TOED SLOTH (Bradypus variegatus) – Three in the SC Botanical Gardens was nice!
SOUTHERN AMAZON RED SQUIRREL (Sciurus spadiceus) – This large squirrel was in the gallery forest at La Habana.
CAPYBARA (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris)
SOUTH AMERICAN COATI (Nasua nasua) – Lots of close sightings of this pack animal.
Herps
GIANT AMEIVA (Ameiva ameiva)
GOLDEN TEGU (Tupinambis teguixin)
SPECTACLED CAIMAN (Caiman crocodilus)
CANE TOAD (Bufo marinus)
YELLOW-HEADED SIDENECK TURTLE (Podocnemis unifilis) – I didn't notice it at the time, but the big turtle we picked up on the trail out to the macaw palm island had four neat holes in its shell, probably the marks from a jaguar's teeth!
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 246 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa