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Field Guides Tour Report
Bolivia's Avian Riches 2014
Sep 6, 2014 to Sep 21, 2014
Dan Lane


Participant Terry Baltimore shared this delightful capture of the Scribble-tailed Canastero.

This year's Bolivia tour was memorable! After a pretty good visit to the Beni on the extension (or "pretension" as I think it should be called…it comes *before* the tour, after all!), we returned to Santa Cruz and enjoyed birding the open country around the airport and the Rio Pirai nearby. The next day we visited the Lomas de Arena, and despite the road being too soft for us to get to the sand dunes, we walked far enough in to get great views of the seriemas! Then after a fine Brazilian "por kilo" lunch, it was off to Laguna Volcanes. What must have been heavy rains in the previous month resulted in the lake here being higher than normal, which prevented us from seeing one or two things, but two Masked Ducks were nice, showing that they're hanging in there. A few nightbirds and foothill forest species rounded out the visit.

We continued west to Comarapa, the main city on the highway that is our base for exploring the "valles" region of dry intermontane habitats, where several of Bolivia's endemics exist. A day spent exploring these valles was rewarded with many of our targets, including seven Red-fronted Macaws and two Cream-backed Woodpeckers, among others! The following day we ascended the ridge by Comarapa, and the overcast conditions worked in our favor: amazing views of such skulkers as Giant Antshrike, Olive-crowned Crescentchest, and Rufous-faced Antpitta were astounding!

The next day we continued west, where rain prevented us from exploring Siberia more…but this worked in our favor, as we managed to reach sites where we could see Citron-headed Yellow-Finch and Brown-backed Mockingbird, and then enter Cochabamba city during daylight hours. Our unscheduled tour of the market street was entertaining, if slow. Cochabamba is an important hub for us, as we visit various sites nearby such as Cerro Tunari (where we get our first real experience with thin oxygen), the yungas (cloudforests) of the Chapare and Miguelito, and the wonderful Laguna Alalay, right in the city itself! At Cerro Tunari, the local endemic Cochabamba Mountain-Finch was particularly captivating and bold. In the yungas, we enjoyed cotingas such as Band-tailed Fruiteater and Carolyn's Chestnut-headed Cotinga, the friendly Bolivian Brush-Finch entertained us at close quarters, we encountered several flavors of chat-tyrant (a favorite of Terry's), and were awed by the striking Black-hooded Sunbeam! We spent several days enjoying these areas.

Then came the long drive to La Paz, broken up to some extent by feeding the poor beggar dogs on the roadside. Upon arriving in La Paz, we happily sank into our pillows at the end of the day! Two days birding the yungas between La Paz and Coroico were productive, and we enjoyed the Coroico Road…although happily it no longer has the stigma it used to since traffic has relocated to the new highway (even more true on this visit since the old road had been closed due to a landslide). Here, the perky and intriguingly named Scribble-tailed Canastero gave us a good looking-over, a lovely Hooded Mountain-Toucan showed well for us as it foraged on fruit, and the colorful Golden-olive Woodpecker showed well down near the lower elevations.

Our final morning allowed us some time to visit the Titicaca basin and see a few Altiplano birds (like the Titicaca Flightless Grebe and its chicks!) and sights before returning for a pizza lunch and preparing for our flights home.

I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I did, and that these memories will spur you on to visit more corners of South America with binoculars in hand! I hope to see you down there again soon!

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)


One of the best-looking birds of the tour was this Barred Fruiteater. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

GREATER RHEA (Rhea americana) – Only around Santa Cruz city.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
HOODED TINAMOU (Nothocercus nigrocapillus) – Heard at Miguelito. [*]
BROWN TINAMOU (Crypturellus obsoletus) – The tinamou we heard most on the more humid montane slopes. [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) [*]
SMALL-BILLED TINAMOU (Crypturellus parvirostris) [*]
RED-WINGED TINAMOU (Rhynchotus rufescens rufescens) – Several seen very well around the SC airport.
ANDEAN TINAMOU (Nothoprocta pentlandii) – One flew by us on Cerro Tunari.
WHITE-BELLIED NOTHURA (Nothura boraquira) – Great views at the SC airport and also at Lomas de Arena.
DARWIN'S NOTHURA (Nothura darwinii) – After chasing one around for a while in the altiplano, we managed to find it hunkered down, blending in perfectly with the surrounding grass! What a great sight!
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) – One pretty sad-looking bird at Alalay.
ANDEAN GOOSE (Chloephaga melanoptera)
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides alticola)
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis) – A small group flew over us at Lomas de Arena.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata garleppi)
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera orinoma)
RED SHOVELER (Anas platalea) – After A LOT of looking, we finally found a pair on Alalay!
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (WHITE-CHEEKED) (Anas bahamensis rubrirostris)
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Anas georgica spinicauda)
SILVER TEAL (Anas versicolor) – A rare duck in Bolivia, but it has been regular on Alalay, where we managed to find one again this year.
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera) – Formerly part of Speckled Teal, which has since been split into this and Andean Teal.
ROSY-BILLED POCHARD (Netta peposaca) – Another species that seems to be doing well at Alalay.
MASKED DUCK (Nomonyx dominicus) – Well, these little, scarce ducks have been drying up at Laguna Volcanes, but we still managed a couple there. Hope they pull through!
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii) – Great views of this cracid along the river by our hotel in the La Paz yungas.
DUSKY-LEGGED GUAN (BRIDGE'S) (Penelope obscura bridgesi) – Benita and Carlos did it again! Nice views of these drier-country cracids on our way to Comarapa!
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis) – A bird at Laguna Volcanes showed well.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
RUFOUS-BREASTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus speciosus loricatus) – After a covey caused us some tooth-gnashing at Laguna Volcanes, another was nearly as bad in the La Paz yungas... [*]
STRIPE-FACED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus balliviani) – A pair sang near our breakfast spot in the Cochabamba yungas. [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)


Giant Antshrike can be a real skulker, but this female gave us a great look. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – Several at Alalay, and others on Titicaca. [N]
TITICACA GREBE (Rollandia microptera) – Very nice views of this local endemic, including young that were riding on mama's (or daddy's?) back!
LEAST GREBE (Tachybaptus dominicus) – Seen at Laguna Volcanes and near Comarapa.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – Only at Alalay.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Another heron we only encountered at Alalay.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE-FACED IBIS (Plegadis chihi) – After one on the Rio Pirai, we had several at Alalay.
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi) – Reviewing photos, I'm pretty sure that the bird at Laguna Volcanes was this species, not the previous.
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus)
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus) – An impressively high individual was at Laguna Volcanes.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – Terry spotted a small group flying over at Corani Reservoir just in the nick of time!
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (TROPICAL) (Cathartes aura ruficollis) – A bird that somehow survived as an 'everyday' bird on the tour!
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus) – Carlos spotted our first at Laguna Volcanes, and Terry had our last at Corani Reservoir.
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – Tom spotted a distant bird at Laguna Volcanes. Nice job!
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
WHITE-TAILED KITE (Elanus leucurus leucurus) – A distant bird at the Mizque canyon mouth.
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea) – Carolyn got us on one of these lovely kites near Coroico.
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus)
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (RUFOUS-THIGHED) (Accipiter striatus erythronemius) – The Sharpie we saw was this form, which is the lowland SE South American form.
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis)
ROADSIDE HAWK (MAINLAND) (Rupornis magnirostris saturatus)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus) – Fine views of a close pair at the SC airport.
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – Formerly split into Red-backed and Puna hawks, but the status of these two 'species' has be questioned recently.
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius) – The flooding at Laguna Volcanes prevented us from seeing this crake. [*]
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus)
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinicus)
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
SPOT-FLANKED GALLINULE (Gallinula melanops) – Wow! What a great find! Possibly the first record for Cochabamba at Laguna Alalay!
RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons) – The population at Alalay seems pretty solid.
GIANT COOT (Fulica gigantea) – Happily, we spied one of these large coots at La Cumbre.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – Also called "Andean Coot".
WHITE-WINGED COOT (Fulica leucoptera) – A small group at Alalay suggested local breeding.
Aramidae (Limpkin)


Another real skulker we encountered was Olive-crowned Crescentchest. This lovely image was shared by participant Terry Baltimore.

LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris) – A few on the Rio Pirai were upstaged by several at Alalay.
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi) – A great way to start the day at La Cumbre!
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus) – Carlos nailed these sneaky sneedsnipe!
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – We saw this and the next only at Alalay. [b]
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) [b]
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – One of the most widespread of the migrant shorebirds we encountered. [b]
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER (Calidris bairdii) – True to form, we encountered the high Andean migrant at La Cumbre. [b]
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER (Calidris fuscicollis) – This and the next were only at the Rio Pirai.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos)
SOUTH AMERICAN SNIPE (Gallinago paraguaiae) – We flushed up at least two small snipe at Alalay that flew unlike Andean, and I therefore suspect they were this species, which would be quite a good record!
PUNA SNIPE (Gallinago andina) – Fine views of this high elevation small snipe on the way to Titicaca.
WILSON'S PHALAROPE (Phalaropus tricolor) – We encountered these migrants in the Altiplano. [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)


We tracked down species at an incredible range of elevations thanks to the Andes, including this stop in the relatively barren habitat above treeline. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – Easy enough around Laguna Volcanes.
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa) – Tom spotted our first one of these as we drove to La Paz.
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea) – Encountered at a few points in the more humid slopes. Bolivian montane birds sound rather distinctive, but are not a named form.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui) – A daily sighting until we left Cochabamba.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae)
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
LARGE-TAILED DOVE (Leptotila megalura) – Sometimes a difficult bird to see, we had good luck at Laguna Volcanes.
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon frenata) – A very fleeting view of this cloudforest species in the Cochabamba yungas.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
DARK-BILLED CUCKOO (Coccyzus melacoryphus) – A great sighting of this rather rare bird at the SC airport!
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) – Seen moderately at Laguna Volcanes.
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (Megascops watsonii) – A great view of this (usually lowland) species shortly after the last species!
YUNGAS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium bolivianum) – Great views of a rufous morph at Chuspipata.
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) [*]
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia)
Apodidae (Swifts)


Rufous-faced Antpitta can be incredibly challenging to see, but we got it! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
WHITE-TIPPED SWIFT (Aeronautes montivagus)
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
PLANALTO HERMIT (Phaethornis pretrei) – Seen at Laguna Volcanes.
GREEN VIOLETEAR (Colibri thalassinus) [*]
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)
WHITE-TAILED GOLDENTHROAT (Polytmus guainumbi) – Seen at the SC airport.
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis) – One of the highland hummers that raises its wings upon perching.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys inornata)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingii)
RED-TAILED COMET (Sappho sparganurus) – We certainly saw a lot of these, but it was hard work to get a good view of a fine male!
ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella) – At Cerro Tunari.
WEDGE-TAILED HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus adela) – Also at Cerro Tunari, but provided really nice views!
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
BLACK-HOODED SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis pamela) – Our first effort was 'meh' but we got some fine views of this striking Bolivian endemic at Corani Reservoir. [E]
COLLARED INCA (GOULD'S) (Coeligena torquata inca) – The buff-collared forms are sometimes split off and called "Gould's Inca".
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer) – Seen on several days.
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus) – Seen on two days.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas gigas) – A very swift-like hummer in flight.
GLITTERING-BELLIED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon lucidus)
WHITE-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia chionogaster hypoleuca) – The hummer we saw on the most days of the tour.
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps) – This and the next species were both at Miguelito.
CRESTED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus antisianus)
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota pilcomajensis) – Formerly called "Blue-crowned Motmot", but a split resulted in the birds east of the Andes being called "Amazonian". [*]
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
WHITE-EARED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus chacuru) – A great pair at Lomas de Arena.
SPOT-BACKED PUFFBIRD (CHACO) (Nystalus maculatus striatipectus) – Also at Lomas de Arena.
BLACK-STREAKED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila fulvogularis) – One of the first birds of the day at Miguelito.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
VERSICOLORED BARBET (Eubucco versicolor) [*]
Ramphastidae (Toucans)


Being able to look down on birds is one serious perk of roadside birding! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

EMERALD TOUCANET (BLACK-THROATED) (Aulacorhynchus prasinus atrogularis) – A surprise species we saw down near Coroico.
BLUE-BANDED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis)
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena cucullata) – After some searching, we enjoyed excellent (if a bit distant) views of this smashing toucan as it foraged in the crown of a Cecropia well below us on the "Death Road".
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
OCELLATED PICULET (Picumnus dorbignyanus) – The piculet of the foothills.
WHITE-WEDGED PICULET (Picumnus albosquamatus) – This was the piculet around Santa Cruz.
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus)
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
WHITE-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cactorum) – A species that, as the scientific name suggests, is partial to columnar cacti!
STRIPED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis lignarius) – Remarkably similar to our Ladder-backed Woodpecker, perhaps because it lives in similar habitat? We had several on our day around Mizque and also Cerro Tunari.
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus) – A bird at Lomas de Arena.
DOT-FRONTED WOODPECKER (Veniliornis frontalis) – This was a new bird for me, and very similar to the last species, but occurs in the dry forests in the SC foothills.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – Nice views of this attractive woodpecker above Coroico.
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii atriceps) [*]
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (Colaptes melanochloros) – We had the lowland form at Lomas de Arena.
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER (GOLDEN-BREASTED) (Colaptes melanochloros melanolaimus) – This highland form of the species is rather distinctive in plumage, and lives at very high elevations (over 3000m!). We first saw it at Cerro Tunari.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola)
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CREAM-BACKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus leucopogon) – Wow! An amazing day around Mizque, where we had TWO different females! The second really put on a great show!
Cariamidae (Seriemas)
RED-LEGGED SERIEMA (Cariama cristata) – Always a fun bird, and thankfully very responsive, which made our walk in for it worthwhile!
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – Nice views of this 'lead-colored falcon' at Lomas de Arena, as well as a view as we drove to La Paz.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
GRAY-HOODED PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aymara) – These cute parakeets showed well for us on several days.
BARRED PARAKEET (Bolborhynchus lineola) [*]
MONK PARAKEET (CLIFF) (Myiopsitta monachus luchsi) – I imagine that this form will be split off someday, and become a Bolivian endemic when it is.
YELLOW-CHEVRONED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chiriri)
BLACK-WINGED PARROT (Hapalopsittaca melanotis) [*]
RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus) – At breakfast at Miguelito.
SCALY-HEADED PARROT (Pionus maximiliani) – This one we had at the Lomas de Arena.
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus) – Up in the higher-elevation cloudforest in the Cochabamba yungas.
TURQUOISE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva)
SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenarius)
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius)


This rufous morph Yungas Pygmy-Owl gave us at great look at Chuspipata. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

GREEN-CHEEKED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura molinae) – A common parakeet in the Bolivian dry forests.
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Eupsittula aurea)
RED-FRONTED MACAW (Ara rubrogenys) – We spied at least seven of these rare macaws. They were a bit distant, but we were able to see all the markings quite well! [E]
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
BLUE-CROWNED PARAKEET (HIGHLAND) (Thectocercus acuticaudatus neumanni)
MITRED PARAKEET (Psittacara mitratus) – After the "introduced" birds at the hotel in Santa Cruz, we got to enjoy wild individuals at Laguna Volcanes.
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GIANT ANTSHRIKE (Batara cinerea) – Another unbelievable experience on the day we drove up to "Siberia"! A pair just gave us 30 minutes+ views in the open, singing, calling, posing... A-mazing! No doubt it was the cool, misty, overcast conditions that made them decide to discard their usually skulky ways...
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
RUFOUS-CAPPED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus ruficapillus) – Nice views on our day into the Mizque valley.
VARIABLE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus caerulescens) – We saw this species at a few sites, and some folks were able to appreciate its "variability"!
UPLAND ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus aroyae) – After being semi-skunked at Miguelito, we had far better luck near our hotel at Coroico.
BLACK-CAPPED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus atricapillus) – Nice views (after some work!) at Laguna Volcanes.
RUSTY-BACKED ANTWREN (Formicivora rufa) – Not too hard at the SC airport.
WHITE-BACKED FIRE-EYE (Pyriglena leuconota)
Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests)
OLIVE-CROWNED CRESCENTCHEST (Melanopareia maximiliani) – What a charmer, and what lovely looks!
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
UNDULATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria squamigera) – Fantastic! We got peeks at two different individuals at the Corani Reservoir.
SCALED ANTPITTA (Grallaria guatimalensis regulus) [*]
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula cochabambae) – Also at Corani reservoir.
RUFOUS-FACED ANTPITTA (Grallaria erythrotis) – Amazing views (without playback!) at our lunch spot on our first day into "Siberia"! [E]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)


This Red-crested Cotinga wasn't flaring its crest, but we weren't dissappointed to see this beauty. (Photo by participant Terry Baltimore)

TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) – Seen on two separate days, once in Siberia, and again in the Cochabamba yungas.
BOLIVIAN TAPACULO (Scytalopus bolivianus) – The one with the white forehead blaze we saw at Miguelito.
PUNA TAPACULO (Scytalopus simonsi) – Impressive to find this one at Cerro Tunari! I'd not encountered it there before!
DIADEMED TAPACULO (Scytalopus schulenbergi) – After playing with us a few times, we eventually had some reasonable looks at this one at Chuspipata.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
SHORT-TAILED ANTTHRUSH (Chamaeza campanisona) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COMMON MINER (ALTIPLANO) (Geositta cunicularia titicacae) – Easy to identify by the lack of a driver's license.
PUNA MINER (Geositta punensis) – Luckily, this rather local and scarce species has been faithful at that one spot on the drive from Cochabamba to La Paz.
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (AMAZONIAN) (Sittasomus griseicapillus viridis)
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) – Nice views at Laguna Volcanes.
OLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus triangularis bangsi) – This one we enjoyed at Miguelito.
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus) – At the SC airport.
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris) – One of the more distinctive-looking woodcreepers and common in the dry "valles" of Santa Cruz.
MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
ROCK EARTHCREEPER (Ochetorhynchus andaecola) – This one was at Cerro Tunari (after much work!).
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii) – We managed this species in flocks both in the Cochabamba and La Paz yungas.
BOLIVIAN EARTHCREEPER (Tarphonomus harterti) – Rather an understated endemic, we saw this one well on our day into the Mizque valley, and again on Cerro Tunari. [E]
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – At Alalay and Titicaca.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) – A pair showed fairly well at the foot of Cerro Tunari.
MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia striaticollis)
BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata) – Sneaky, but most got a view of the bird in the shrub beside us at our Siberia lunch stop.


The picturesque views in the Andes seem endless. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens) – Another sneaky one (you can pretty much use "sneaky" to describe most of these furnariids) that we saw at Miguelito.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger squamiger) – Fantastic views of this creeper in the Cochabamba yungas.
BROWN-CAPPED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura fuliginiceps)
TAWNY TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura yanacensis) – After working for one at Cerro Tunari, another threw itself into our lap at Pongo.
ANDEAN TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura andicola peruviana) – Also a Pongo, and a hard one!
RUFOUS-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus rufifrons) – Around SC.
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) – The common thornbird around Comarapa and Cerro Tunari.
SPOT-BREASTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus maculipectus) – This is a rare and local thornbird we managed to see well at the "Comet Cliff" above Comarapa.
GREATER THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ruber) [*]
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (CREAMY-BREASTED) (Asthenes dorbignyi dorbignyi) – Nice views above Comarapa.
SCRIBBLE-TAILED CANASTERO (Asthenes maculicauda) – A nice show put on by that very responsive bird at Pongo!
STREAK-THROATED CANASTERO (Asthenes humilis)
BLACK-THROATED THISTLETAIL (Asthenes harterti) – The one at Corani reservoir was a bit of work, but we saw the species better at Chuspipata. [E]
MAQUIS CANASTERO (Asthenes heterura) – Another canastero that took some work on Cerro Tunari, but eventually showed well.
LIGHT-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albiceps) – A truly lovely spinetail. We saw the buff-crowned birds in Siberia and Cochabamba, and the white-crowned birds in La Paz.
STRIPE-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca pyrrhophia)
SOOTY-FRONTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis frontalis) – An individual in the dry scrub that evening on the Tunal road was skulky.
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – One bird in Siberia just sat in the open for us to enjoy!
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens)
CABANIS'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis cabanisi fulviventris) – Too bad we heard this only, it's a subspecies endemic to Bolivia that may well be split off some day. [*]
OCHRE-CHEEKED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis scutata) – It took a bit of work, but eventually all saw this beauty on the walk down from Laguna Volcanes.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)


This cactus looks appears to be a very painful perch, but these Blue-crowned Parakeets don't seem to mind. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (SOUTHERN) (Camptostoma obsoletum bolivianum)
SUIRIRI FLYCATCHER (CHACO) (Suiriri suiriri suiriri) – After missing it in the eastern and Beni lowlands, we lucked into this gray and white Suiriri near Mizque.
BUFF-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus hellmayri)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys)
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris) – One of the few birds we added during that stop on the way to Cochabamba to fuel up and clean up the air filter...
YELLOW-BELLIED ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps) – One of the common elaenias in the mountains. Like Sierran, but without yellow below.
SMALL-BILLED ELAENIA (Elaenia parvirostris) – This one was in the eastern lowlands.
MOTTLE-BACKED ELAENIA (Elaenia gigas) – A big elaenia with 'devil horns' that we saw well near Coroico.
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae)
WHITE-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Serpophaga munda) – A fairly common small warbler-like tyrannulet we had in the drier foothills of SC.
MCCONNELL'S FLYCATCHER (Mionectes macconnelli) – A bird showed for us as we walked out from our hotel near Coroico.
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus) – This one was at the same place as the last.
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (ALBIDIVENTRIS) (Leptopogon superciliaris albidiventer)
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis)
BOLIVIAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius bolivianus)
SOUTHERN SCRUB-FLYCATCHER (Sublegatus modestus)
PLAIN TYRANNULET (Inezia inornata)
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – A real smart-lookin' bird we enjoyed at Alalay and Titicaca!
TAWNY-CROWNED PYGMY-TYRANT (Euscarthmus meloryphus)
GREATER WAGTAIL-TYRANT (Stigmatura budytoides) – Well named, and quite endearing!
YUNGAS TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus spodiops) – A bird at Miguelito showed for most, but was a bit troublesome...
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
OCHRE-FACED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus plumbeiceps) – This little stinker gave us a run for our money, but most caught a glimpse after some work.
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (MATO GROSSO) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens pallescens)
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea bellicosa)


The setting at Laguna Volcanes (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus) [*]
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans latirostris)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (SOUTHERN) (Pyrocephalus rubinus rubinus)
WHITE-WINGED BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus aterrimus) – We enjoyed watching this handsome tyrant perform its flight display on Cerro Tunari.
HUDSON'S BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus hudsoni)
SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) – This was on Cerro Tunari at lower elevations.
CINEREOUS GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola cinereus) – The most common of the ground-tyrants on the tour.
WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons) – The largest of the ground-tyrants, and found on the bog with the seedsnipe.
OCHRE-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola flavinucha) – Well-named, we saw them on Cerro Tunari.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – This one we saw at the Puna Miner spot.
CINNAMON-BELLIED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola capistratus) – A rather rare ground-tyrant we managed to see at Cerro Tunari!
RUFOUS-BELLIED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes fuscorufus) – We spotted this large tyrant in the rain in the Cochabamba yungas.
RUFOUS-WEBBED BUSH-TYRANT (Polioxolmis rufipennis)
CROWNED CHAT-TYRANT (KALINOWSKI'S) (Ochthoeca frontalis boliviana) [*]
GOLDEN-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca pulchella) – Fair looks around breakfast (after the rain) in the Cochabamba yungas.
SLATY-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (MAROON-BELTED) (Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris thoracica)
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis)
D'ORBIGNY'S CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca oenanthoides) – This was one that Alberto really enjoyed!
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys)
RUFOUS CASIORNIS (Casiornis rufus) – Seen our first two days around SC.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus) – Bolivia is the only place where this flycatcher gets so high in elevation.
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) – This and the next were both around Coroico.
VARIEGATED FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus varius)


Guide Dan lane caught this handsome White-tailed Hawk in flight.

TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana) – Fair movement of these elegant migratory kingbirds by SC.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BAND-TAILED FRUITEATER (Pipreola intermedia) – We enjoyed this colorful cotinga in the Cochabamba yungas.
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata) – Terry spotted this lovely item on the "Death Road".
WHITE-TIPPED PLANTCUTTER (Phytotoma rutila)
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus)
CHESTNUT-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rufaxilla) – Carolyn's sharp eyes pulled out this stonker of a cotinga! Great job!
Pipridae (Manakins)
YUNGAS MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia boliviana) – Seen both on the road below Laguna Volcanes and Miguelito. We had far better views at the latter site.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata) [*]
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) – Similar to the species that is so familiar here in North America, but the birds we saw near Coroico were the 'chivi' form, which is the austral migrant form.
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas) – Birds in South America, the forms here are sometimes split from the Middle American birds and called "Inca Jay".
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax cyanomelas)
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)
PALE-FOOTED SWALLOW (Orochelidon flavipes) – A nice collection perched well for us at our lunch site in the Cochabamba yungas.
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina)
ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon andecola) – We saw this flying over the pond at La Cumbre.
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata) – What is typically a swallow of Amazonian rivers was present over the river by our hotel near Coroico.
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
SOUTHERN MARTIN (Progne elegans) – Seen at the Mizque.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) [b]
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis)
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis) [*]
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus unicolor)
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis) – This noisy wren is hard to see well, but most caught a glimpse of it in the woods near Laguna Volcanes.


This Pearled Treerunner came in close for some fantastic views in the Cochabamba yungas! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

FAWN-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus guarayanus) [*]
FULVOUS WREN (Cinnycerthia fulva) – A family group came into view below the pygmy-owl on the "Death Road".
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucophrys)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola saturata) – Unlike the birds in the Beni, those in the dry valleys were bluish below.
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (WHITE-CAPPED) (Cinclus leucocephalus leucocephalus)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
SLATY-BACKED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus fuscater) [*]
SPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus dryas) – A bird was skittish, but showed for many in the low cloudforest growth at our Cochabamba yungas site.
WHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes leucotis) – A fine bird that perched well for us at Miguelito.
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas) – This was a bit of a surprise for me at Coroico.
RUFOUS-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus rufiventris)
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus) – Remember that tail-wag!
SLATY THRUSH (Turdus nigriceps) – A very attractive thrush we enjoyed in Siberia.
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater fuscater)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (ANTHRACINUS) (Turdus chiguanco anthracinus)
GLOSSY-BLACK THRUSH (Turdus serranus)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus) – This and the next were at Lomas de Arena.
WHITE-BANDED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus triurus)
BROWN-BACKED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus dorsalis) – Carlos managed to spot this as we drove towards Cochabamba.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
SHORT-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus furcatus) – In the drier grass on our morning near Titicaca.
CORRENDERA PIPIT (Anthus correndera) – In the wet marsh the same morning.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (SOUTHERN) (Geothlypis aequinoctialis velata) – This one we saw well at the SC airport area.


Tropical Parula (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (BOLIVIAN) (Basileuterus tristriatus inconspicuus) – A recent paper has suggested that this species be split into several, and the Bolivian bird is one of the species to be split off.
CITRINE WARBLER (Myiothlypis luteoviridis euophrys) – This high-elevation warbler has several rather well differentiated subspecies that will likely be split some day (their voices are strikingly different).
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signata)
TWO-BANDED WARBLER (Myiothlypis bivittata) – This feller was another stinker that took a lot of work to see well.
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
BROWN-CAPPED REDSTART (Myioborus brunniceps) – Most common in the drier Andes such as Siberia.
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLACK-FACED TANAGER (Schistochlamys melanopis) – Only at the SC airport.
ORANGE-BROWED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus calophrys) – A pretty flashy tanager (for one with no metallic colors, particularly!) that we enjoyed at Chuspipata.
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps)
BLACK-GOGGLED TANAGER (Trichothraupis melanops) – A goofy name, but we got fair views at Laguna Volcanes.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Buthraupis montana montana) – This goliath of a tanager showed well on the "Death Road".
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii)
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris)
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus somptuosus flavinuchus) – The loud song of the southern form of this species is evidence that it should really be split from those from Cusco north.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Dubusia castaneoventris) – A great view of this fine tanager at Siberia.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – One of the few really colorful birds in the dry valleys of the SC foothills.
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala)
GREEN-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara argyrofenges) – Also called "Straw-backed Tanager" we had nice views at Miguelito.
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER (Tangara vassorii atrocoerulea)
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala) – A fine tanager we enjoyed at Miguelito.
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)
GIANT CONEBILL (Oreomanes fraseri) – This often difficult study of gray, rufous, and white showed exceptionally well on Cerro Tunari.
GRAY-BELLIED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa carbonaria) [E]
DEEP-BLUE FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa glauca)
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea)
BLACK-HOODED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus atriceps)
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis)
MOURNING SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus fruticeti)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor)


Andean Guan (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus)
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus) – This was in the same dry altiplano grass as the Short-billed Pipit.
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – The world's highest-nesting bird. Luckily, we didn't have to go that high to see it!
GRAY-CRESTED FINCH (Lophospingus griseocristatus) – Like a titmouse with a finch bill.
BOLIVIAN WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza boliviana) – A lucky view of one at breakfast on Cerro Tunari!
RUFOUS-SIDED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza hypochondria)
RINGED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza torquata)
BLACK-CAPPED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza melanoleuca)
COCHABAMBA MOUNTAIN-FINCH (Compsospiza garleppi) – A very captivating endemic that showed very well for us on Cerro Tunari! [E]
BRIGHT-RUMPED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis uropygialis)
CITRON-HEADED YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteocephala) – Thanks to Cal for spotting this rare finch we've missed for several years!
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens)
SAFFRON FINCH (PELZEN'S) (Sicalis flaveola pelzelni)
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola) – Nice views in the grassland at the SC airport.
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (WESTERN) (Embernagra platensis olivascens) – This form is the montane form (species?) that is somewhat duller, larger, and different-voiced from those we saw in the Beni.
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
WHITE-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila leucoptera bicolor)
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens)
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis)
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata) – Not an entirely fair name, since the male has a nice pink bill and rufous vent.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
DULL-COLORED GRASSQUIT (Tiaris obscurus) – By comparison, this one is fairly named.
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – The males with their flaming bills are eye-catching!
RUFOUS-BELLIED SALTATOR (Saltator rufiventris)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)


Smiles all around, thanks to another successful run around bird-rich Bolivia. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)

SAFFRON-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon flavirostris) [*]
WHITE-BROWED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon torquatus) – Formerly part of Stripe-headed Brush-Finch, which has since been split.
BOLIVIAN BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes rufinucha) – This has been called "Rufous-headed Brush-Finch" but changed names when the larger species of that name was split up. This form, now, is endemic to Bolivia. [E]
FULVOUS-HEADED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes fulviceps) – After a few false starts, we finally reeled this lovely brush-finch in at Cerro Tunari.
GRASSLAND SPARROW (Ammodramus humeralis)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus flavopectus) – Formerly "Common Bush-Tanager" but now known to be a brush-finch, not a tanager.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (Piranga flava)
BLACK-BACKED GROSBEAK (Pheucticus aureoventris) – An attractive relative of Rose-breasted and Black-headed grosbeaks.
ULTRAMARINE GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa brissonii) – A very attractive grosbeak we enjoyed in the dry valleys.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
CHOPI BLACKBIRD (Gnorimopsar chopi) – The random whistling from this bird followed us as far as Laguna Volcanes.
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – This bird looks and acts very like our Red-wing, but has no red.
BOLIVIAN BLACKBIRD (Oreopsar bolivianus) – For a long time, Bolivia's only endemic genus, but research shows it may be best put into Agelaioides with the next species. [E]
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD (Agelaioides badius)
SCREAMING COWBIRD (Molothrus rufoaxillaris) – We saw a bird at Lomas de Arena that I thought was this species, but doubted it because I wasn't sure it should be there. I have since found out that they breed there, and now feel comfortable including it on the list.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
VARIABLE ORIOLE (CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED) (Icterus pyrrhopterus pyrrhopterus) – Formerly part of Epaulet Oriole before that species was split
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – The common high elevation oropendula
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris) – This species and the next were above Coroico.
BRONZE-GREEN EUPHONIA (Euphonia mesochrysa)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster) [*]
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea) [*]
YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN (Spinus xanthogastrus) – Joyce spotted this excellent little finch above Coroico.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus)
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus) – A really lovely siskin that, unfortunately, lives at super-high elevations.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

MAMMALS
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus) – We enjoyed the jumping skills of a large troop at the edge of the Rio Pirai.
WHITE-EARED TITI MONKEY (Callicebus donacophilus) [*]
NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO (Dasypus novemcinctus) – One at dusk at Laguna Volcan.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) [I]
BOLIVIAN SQUIRREL (Sciurus ignitus)
MONTANE CAVY (Cavia tschudii) – Several around the edge of Laguna Alalay afforded good views of this wild guinea pig.
SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN VISCACHA (Lagidium viscacia) – Like a squirrel crossed with a rabbit, we found ourselves watched by several at Pongo near La Paz.
CULPEO FOX (Pseudalopex culpaeus)
Herps
GIANT AMEIVA (Ameiva ameiva)
GOLDEN TEGU (Tupinambis teguixin)


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS


Totals for the tour: 442 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa