Field Guides
Home Tours Guides News About Us FAQ Contact Us
Field Guides Tour Report
Bolivia's Avian Riches 2018: Bountiful Beni Extension
Sep 23, 2018 to Sep 28, 2018
Dan Lane & Micah Riegner


We had five days to enjoy this remarkable part of Bolivia, and we found some great birds! Photo by guide Dan Lane.

It’s been two years since I last led a tour to the Beni, but it felt great to be back! This region, the lesser-known sibling of the Pantanal, is no less incredible in its birdlife, its awe-inspiring numbers of large waders, its herds of capybaras, its value as a stopover site for migrant shorebirds, swallows, and others, and its “wow” factor of surprising one with yet another aspect of its natural wealth. It was once an inland sea, and still effectively becomes one for several months out of the year (not while we’re there, mind you)… and it is also home to some curious endemism. All around, it’s a pretty fascinating place, and I really love birding here!

The Beni is large expanses of open, seasonally flooding grassland, higher hummocks of semi-deciduous woodland, semi-open palm stands, and gallery forest along the more permanent waterways. It has little in the way of real relief (at least that is perceptible in the dry season), but this mixture of habitats results in a surprisingly high diversity of birds. And that’s what brought us here! The crown jewel, as far as birders are concerned, is the highly endangered and range-restricted Blue-throated Macaw, which is only found in palm “islands” scattered about the center of the Beni. This macaw was only “rediscovered” in the 1990s, when conservationists went undercover to follow the chain of the illegal pet trade to find the source of birds appearing on the black market. That led to these lonely palm islands in the Beni, and shortly thereafter, conservation groups such as ARMONIA began a campaign to preserve this species, which is down to approximately 300 individuals in the wild. We wish them well!

Meanwhile, the Beni is also home to several other endemic forms, some presently considered species, and others that likely will be once they are sufficiently studied. These include the difficult Unicolored Thrush (which we failed to encounter), the nominate form of Plain Softtail, the resident form of Velvet-fronted Grackle, and, it seems, a population of greenlet that has largely remained under the radar. Add to this the afore-mentioned concentrations of large waders, the flocks of seedeaters, and the wide assortment of curious finch-tanagers, tyrants, furnariids, raptors, and others, and you will have an appreciation for why the Beni should be a destination for any world birders. I hope you, having now been, will agree with that assessment! I certainly enjoyed sharing those few days with you exploring this amazing place, and hope we will have another opportunity to meet up and bird again in the near future!

Until then, live easy and bird hard!

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)
GREATER RHEA (Rhea americana)
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) – Thanks to Micah's sharp eyes, we got good looks at this often secretive tinamou along the road near our lodging.


These Blue-throated Macaws at la Esperancita were very calm compared to their neighbors, the Blue-and-yellow Macaws, but that allowed us to get a really good look at these highly endangered parrots. Photo by guide Micah Riegner.

Anhimidae (Screamers)
SOUTHERN SCREAMER (Chauna torquata) – This was one of the more desired species at the start of the extension. I think we saw it sufficiently well.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Only on the last day.
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
MUSCOVY DUCK (Cairina moschata) – Both wild and barnyard varieties.
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis) – At least a brazilian of 'em!
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis) – Great views along the river.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
MAGUARI STORK (Ciconia maguari) – There's something sinister in their expression.
JABIRU (Jabiru mycteria) – Many seen! One we enjoyed watching had a full gullet, but was still trying to force down a chunk of long-dead catfish... eventually realizing it was disgusting and dropping it.
WOOD STORK (Mycteria americana) – Huge numbers.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
ANHINGA (Anhinga anhinga)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
RUFESCENT TIGER-HERON (Tigrisoma lineatum)
COCOI HERON (Ardea cocoi) – Quite the show of these along the Rio Ibare on our boat ride!
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Also dense on the Ibare.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)


White-naped Xenopsaris was unexpected, but a welcome addition to our list. Photo by participant Jose Padilla-Lopez.

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
WHISTLING HERON (Syrigma sibilatrix) – Several along the roadsides. They remind me of a young girl that has gotten into her mother's makeup!
CAPPED HERON (Pilherodius pileatus)
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GREEN IBIS (Mesembrinibis cayennensis)
BARE-FACED IBIS (Phimosus infuscatus) – Also called Whispering Ibis.
PLUMBEOUS IBIS (Theristicus caerulescens) – The alarm clock of the Beni.
BUFF-NECKED IBIS (Theristicus caudatus)
ROSEATE SPOONBILL (Platalea ajaja) – Seen in generous numbers!
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
LESSER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes burrovianus) – The common vulture over the wide open spaces.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
GRAY-HEADED KITE (Leptodon cayanensis) – A great experience with a bird we called in while we were birding in the gallery forest.
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) – Briefly seen over the gallery forest.
BLACK-COLLARED HAWK (Busarellus nigricollis)
SNAIL KITE (Rostrhamus sociabilis)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea)
SAVANNA HAWK (Buteogallus meridionalis) – A handsome hawk with extensively rufous wings.
GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga) – Several seen well. One landed only a few feet from us in response to scold tape and stared at the playback setup with (one can only imagine) a look of confusion.
ROADSIDE HAWK (MAINLAND) (Rupornis magnirostris saturatus)
WHITE-TAILED HAWK (Geranoaetus albicaudatus)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUFOUS-SIDED CRAKE (Laterallus melanophaius) – A pair showed well in that big marsh as they ran across a gap in response to playback.
GRAY-COWLED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) – A regular sight along the roadsides, especially in the morning and evening.
ASH-THROATED CRAKE (Mustelirallus albicollis) [*]
PURPLE GALLINULE (Porphyrio martinica) – A young bird in that park near the airport. The Jacanas didn't exactly like it so near their young, huh?
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus guarauna)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris)


Participant Becky Hansen got this wonderful flight shot of two Toco Toucans.

Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana) – A common fixture around any water. Watching the dutiful father with his chicks by the airport was cute.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
UPLAND SANDPIPER (Bartramia longicauda) – A group of three birds flew over us while we were birding the big marsh. [b]
PECTORAL SANDPIPER (Calidris melanotos) [b]
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (Tringa solitaria) – Pretty common, and not always alone... [b]
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
YELLOW-BILLED TERN (Sternula superciliaris) – One along the Rio Ibare.
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex) – A large flock along the Ibare.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
PALE-VENTED PIGEON (Patagioenas cayennensis) – Not too uncommon around gallery habitats.
PICAZURO PIGEON (Patagioenas picazuro) – Common in open country.
RUDDY GROUND-DOVE (Columbina talpacoti)
PICUI GROUND-DOVE (Columbina picui)
RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon montana) [*]
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (Leptotila verreauxi)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla) – Replaces the previous species in gallery forest.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)


This Blue-throated Piping Guan was quite cooperative! Photo by guide Micah Riegner.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GUIRA CUCKOO (Guira guira) – Goofy pale anis.
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia) – Nice views of a singing bird.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
Strigidae (Owls)
TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba) [*]
FERRUGINOUS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium brasilianum) – Brought in by scold tape.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
NACUNDA NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles nacunda) – A small group flew over our lodge the first evening.
BAND-TAILED NIGHTHAWK (Nyctiprogne leucopyga) – Birds over the Rio Ibare began to sing after dark.
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
BUFF-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis subochraceus) – A curious individual approached us while we walked through the gallery forest.
BLACK-THROATED MANGO (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Amazilia fimbriata)
WHITE-CHINNED SAPPHIRE (Hylocharis cyanus) – A singing bird in the gallery forest.
GILDED HUMMINGBIRD (Hylocharis chrysura) – The most common hummer in the area.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus) – One in the gallery forest.


The Gray-eyed Greenlets in the Beni region may be a distinct species. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona) – Seen by larger waterways.
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana) – One our last day.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons) – A noisy flock in the gallery forest.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (Galbula ruficauda)
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)
TOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos toco) – Fine views of this stunning, largest of the toucans.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
WHITE-WEDGED PICULET (Picumnus albosquamatus) – Encountered most days.
WHITE WOODPECKER (Melanerpes candidus) – A flyby our last morning.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus)
CAMPO FLICKER (Colaptes campestris)
PALE-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Celeus lugubris) – A handsome crested woodpecker we saw on two days.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
CREAM-BACKED WOODPECKER (Campephilus leucopogon) – A quick flyby, but an unexpected surprise!
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
SOUTHERN CARACARA (Caracara plancus) – Daily.
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – A pair seen by one of the villages north of Trinidad.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
YELLOW-CHEVRONED PARAKEET (Brotogeris chiriri)
TURQUOISE-FRONTED PARROT (Amazona aestiva)
BLUE-WINGED PARROTLET (Forpus xanthopterygius)
PEACH-FRONTED PARAKEET (Eupsittula aurea) – Common, and seen daily.
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
YELLOW-COLLARED MACAW (Primolius auricollis) – Seen daily in small numbers.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna) – The larger, and more common, of the two blue and yellow macaws.
BLUE-THROATED MACAW (Ara glaucogularis) – A pair showed well at la Esperancita, but were quite boring... overshadowed by the antics of the nearby Blue-and-yellows. [E]
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)


Many of us wanted to find the unusual Southern Screamer, and we certainly did! Participant Becky Hansen got this great shot.

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) – Easy to see well in the area, unlike most other parts of their range.
BARRED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus doliatus)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus palliatus) [*]
MATO GROSSO ANTBIRD (Cercomacra melanaria) – A pair showed well our first afternoon.
BAND-TAILED ANTBIRD (Hypocnemoides maculicauda) – Two pairs in the gallery forest wagged their white-tipped tails sufficiently well.
BLACK-THROATED ANTBIRD (Myrmophylax atrothorax) – A pair was sneaky, but showed a bit, on our last morning at the poison dart frog spot.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (AMAZONIAN) (Sittasomus griseicapillus viridis)
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) – A pair in the gallery forest appeared to be attending an ant swarm.
GREAT RUFOUS WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes major) – A pair performed well for us at Esperancita.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus guttatus) [*]
STRAIGHT-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Dendroplex picus)
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) – A fancy-looking woodcreeper we enjoyed on the day north of Trinidad.
NARROW-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes angustirostris)
STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)
RUFOUS HORNERO (Furnarius rufus)


Brown-crested Flycatcher was a common sight on the extension. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

GREATER THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus ruber) – Daily.
PLAIN SOFTTAIL (Thripophaga fusciceps fusciceps) – This, the nominate form, is endemic to the Beni. It should be separated as a species apart from the other two forms. [E]
RUSTY-BACKED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca vulpina) – Nice views of this lake-edge specialist in the gallery forest.
RUFOUS CACHOLOTE (Pseudoseisura unirufa) – This jay-like furnariid was a common sight.
YELLOW-CHINNED SPINETAIL (Certhiaxis cinnamomeus) – Seen most days.
CHOTOY SPINETAIL (Schoeniophylax phryganophilus) – The Dickcissel of the spinetail world.
PLAIN-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis gujanensis inornata) – A pair performed fairly well in the gallery forest. This is the southern voice-type that will be separated from the northern as soon as I can write up the paper!
PALE-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albescens australis) – Catharin spotted our first one, with another our final morning.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum)
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola) – A pair in the gallery forest was interesting.
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) – In the forest of all places!
GREENISH ELAENIA (Myiopagis viridicata) – A bird at Esperancita.
LARGE ELAENIA (Elaenia spectabilis) – Wow, a pair building a nest our final morning was nice! I wonder if it's been documented breeding in the Beni before?
WHITE-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Serpophaga munda)
PLAIN TYRANNULET (Inezia inornata) – A warbler-like tyrannulet we saw on the last three days.
PEARLY-VENTED TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer)
RUSTY-FRONTED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus latirostris)
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum) – Common around our lodge.
YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum) – A bit surprising to encounter in gallery and semi-gallery forest.
YELLOW-OLIVE FLYCATCHER (MATO GROSSO) (Tolmomyias sulphurescens pallescens)
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus) [*]
EULER'S FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus euleri) – This striking dull olive flycatcher showed well in the gallery forest.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – A daily species. Probably to be separated from those west and north of the Andes because of voice and genetic differences.
HUDSON'S BLACK-TYRANT (Knipolegus hudsoni) – One our first evening and another our last full day.
YELLOW-BROWED TYRANT (Satrapa icterophrys) – A handsome tyrant we saw in the marshy area north of Trinidad.
GRAY MONJITA (Xolmis cinereus) – One of these mockingbird-like monjitas crossed the road in front of the bus and paused for a good view.
WHITE-RUMPED MONJITA (Xolmis velatus)
WHITE MONJITA (Xolmis irupero) – A striking bird, visible from a long way away!
BLACK-BACKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola albiventer)


Colorful Plush-crested Jays put on a nice show for us. Photo by participant Jose Padilla-Lopez.

WHITE-HEADED MARSH TYRANT (Arundinicola leucocephala) – A mini Bald Eagle.
CATTLE TYRANT (Machetornis rixosa) – The result of a cross of a mockingbird and a Tropical Kingbird.
DULL-CAPPED ATTILA (Attila bolivianus) – A pair showed well in the gallery forest.
RUFOUS CASIORNIS (Casiornis rufus)
SWAINSON'S FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus swainsoni) – A bird our first evening showed well.
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox)
BROWN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tyrannulus) – Nice views most days.
LESSER KISKADEE (Pitangus lictor) – A pair surprisingly high in the trees along the Ibare.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis) – The more common of the two Myiozetetes.
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis) – Only the day we were in the gallery forest.
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius)
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius) [*]
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER (Tyrannus savana)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus) – A funny-looking cotinga we saw on two days. I've not had them in Bolivia before, so that was a treat!
Pipridae (Manakins)
SULPHUR-BELLIED TYRANT-MANAKIN (Neopelma sulphureiventer) – Don't look like much, but it is a manakin.


We had a good view of this Brown Capuchin, one of five primate species that we saw on the tour. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

BAND-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra fasciicauda) – Little glowing embers flying around the understory of the gallery forest.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
BLACK-TAILED TITYRA (Tityra cayana)
WHITE-NAPED XENOPSARIS (Xenopsaris albinucha) – A surprise for the second time this tour! Nice!
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis) [*]
GRAY-EYED GREENLET (Hylophilus amaurocephalus) – Again, this is the poorly-known Beni population. I suspect that this will turn out to be an undescribed species.
RED-EYED VIREO (MIGRATORY CHIVI) (Vireo olivaceus chivi)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax cyanomelas)
PLUSH-CRESTED JAY (Cyanocorax chrysops)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED MARTIN (Progne tapera) – The most common swallow in the area.
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer) – Mostly over open water.
WHITE-RUMPED SWALLOW (Tachycineta leucorrhoa) – A pair in a pasture north of Trinidad.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) [b]
CLIFF SWALLOW (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) [b]
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – Its everyday status held through the extension!
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus unicolor) [*]
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis) [*]
FAWN-BREASTED WREN (Cantorchilus guarayanus)
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
MASKED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila dumicola berlepschi) – Whiter below than those we saw in the dry valles.
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla) – An entertaining bird with that tail-wagging song display.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
PALE-BREASTED THRUSH (Turdus leucomelas) – Several at fruiting trees in the gallery forest.
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus)
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis) – The numbers in fruiting trees in the gallery forest suggested a migration event.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus saturninus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
YELLOWISH PIPIT (Anthus lutescens) – A singing male was performing its song flights over a pasture our first afternoon.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis aequinoctialis)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi) [*]
GOLDEN-CROWNED WARBLER (Basileuterus culicivorus)


Here is one of the pair of Great Rufous Woodcreepers we saw at Esperancita. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CRESTED CARDINAL (Paroaria coronata) – Daily.
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis) – Seen daily as well.
HOODED TANAGER (Nemosia pileata)
GRAY-HEADED TANAGER (GRAY-HEADED) (Eucometis penicillata albicollis) – A pair performed well in the gallery forest.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
SAYACA TANAGER (Thraupis sayaca)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana) – A pair in the gallery forest.
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira) – Also in the gallery forest.
LONG-TAILED REED FINCH (Donacospiza albifrons) – A fine performance from a pair in the marsh.
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
WEDGE-TAILED GRASS-FINCH (Emberizoides herbicola)
GREAT PAMPA-FINCH (EASTERN) (Embernagra platensis platensis) – This is the lowland form (nominate subsp), which is a bit grayer and has a different song compared to the highland birds we saw near Comarapa.
LINED SEEDEATER (Sporophila lineola) – A female bird our first afternoon looked about right to be this species (but females are worse than Empidonax!).


We saw a lot of Jabirus, including this one that was trying to swallow a large piece of catfish. Don't know what it was thinking, as it looks pretty full already! Photo by guide Dan Lane.

TAWNY-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila hypoxantha) – We had a nice flock of seedeaters near Puerto Almacen that included a few of these weakly-colored birds.
DARK-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila ruficollis) – This was the most numerous of the seedeaters at Puerto Almacen.
RUFOUS-RUMPED SEEDEATER (Sporophila hypochroma) – This was the more saturated-colored of the two rarer "capuchino" seedeaters we saw at Puerto Almacen.
GREAT-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila maximiliani) – A male our first afternoon and two females our last morning near our lodge.
DOUBLE-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila caerulescens) – One nice male was in the big mixed seedeater flock.
RUSTY-COLLARED SEEDEATER (Sporophila collaris) – A couple of pairs on three days.
RED-CRESTED FINCH (Coryphospingus cucullatus)
GRAYISH SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
WHITE-BROWED MEADOWLARK (Sturnella superciliaris) – Nice views on the day we were north of Trinidad.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)
YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)
VARIABLE ORIOLE (Icterus pyrrhopterus)
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus)
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)
VELVET-FRONTED GRACKLE (Lampropsar tanagrinus boliviensis) – Another strongly-differentiated subspecies that should be raised to species level... in which case, it is an endemic of Bolivia. [E]
SCARLET-HEADED BLACKBIRD (Amblyramphus holosericeus) – A darned good-lookin' bird! We enjoyed several in the marsh north of Trinidad.
CHOPI BLACKBIRD (Gnorimopsar chopi)
GRAYISH BAYWING (Agelaioides badius)
UNICOLORED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus cyanopus)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
PURPLE-THROATED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chlorotica)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]

MAMMALS
GREATER BULLDOG BAT (Noctilio leporinus) – The big fishing bats.
AZARA'S NIGHT MONKEY (Aotus azarae) – Seen during the day! So actually Azara's Day Monkey.
DUSKY TITI MONKEY (Callicebus moloch) – The form in the Beni is 'modestus'. Recent primatologists have gotten on a splitting bender, so this may be a distinct species now.
RED HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta seniculus) – Seen along the Ibare from our boat.
BLACK HOWLER MONKEY (Alouatta caraya) – No doubt, this was the howler we heard at our lodge.
BROWN CAPUCHIN (Cebus apella)
CAPYBARA (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) – Not rare!
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta variegata)


Wattled Jacanas were also in good supply, and we saw them wherever there was water. Photo by guide Dan Lane.

AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN (Inia geoffrensis boliviensis) – It was nice to see a group of these feeding along the Rio Ipurupuru north of Trinidad.
SOUTH AMERICAN COATI (Nasua nasua) – We saw several our first morning.
TAYRA (Eira barbara) – Seen our first morning.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Argentine Black-and-white Tegu (Salvator merianae): that huge lizard we saw along the tributaries of the Mamore.

Giant Ameiva (Ameiva ameiva): the green-backed lizard at the park before we went to the airport.

Neotropical Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus): The dead rattlesnake on the road.

Boa constrictor: Wow, was that a lovely animal!

Poison dart frogs (Ameerega sp.): What a weird place to find a whole cluster of those frogs! I'd never have guessed they'd be away from closed-canopy evergreen forest!

Amazon River Turtle (Podocnemis sp.)

Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare): I'm surprised to learn that caiman in Bolivia are not Spectacled, but rather another species! Spectacled are in northern and western South America, Yacare is in more open country south of the Amazon east to the Atlantic coast of South America.

Little Nightjar (Setopagis parvula): we found one freshly dead on the dirt road that led to the Blue-throated Macaws... how'd it die? Too bad we couldn't count it.


Totals for the tour: 236 bird taxa and 11 mammal taxa