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We saw many Rufous-throated Tanagers at Amagusa. These tanagers are common in their range, but the range is small, so we were happy to see these coming to the banana feeders. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
The cloud forest is not a habitat that everyone knows, but it is a superb and unique place to watch wildlife, and this trip to the cloud forest of western Ecuador was wonderful yet again. We started in Yanacocha on the western side of the Pichincha volcano so we could enjoy the most amazing views of the upper forest plus the volcano. Here, we had fantastic views of some of the birds that you cannot believe even exist, like the Sword-Billed Hummingbird.
We stayed in only two lodges and both offered us comfort, great food and super hosts, but more importantly the birds were superb. In Maquipucuna, birds were everywhere; Rufous Motmots, Torrent Ducks, White-capped Dippers, and even Squirrel Cuckoo for Leslie, were all very close to the lodge. The trails in the forest were great for some skulkers, like Plain Antvireo, White-backed Fire-Eye and Zeledon's Antbird, that all showed up nicely for us. We also managed to see some of the big birds like Crested and Wattled Guans, including the Wattled displaying. The Bellavista area was full of nice birds but the most impressive one was Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan, and for Dan, the Grass-Green Tanager. Sachatamia surprised us with a very impressive Crested Owl, Golden-headed Quetzal and a large number of hummingbirds around the lodge.
We had to drive at times to see some of the most unique birds in the world; for sure, one of them was the male Long-wattled Umbrellabird display that Danny and Kevin enjoyed the most. At night, the birding was great with Black-and-White Owl, and an incredible Lyre-tail Nightjar even perched there! We went to the Mashpi road, where there were a lot of colorful birds. Just to mention some, Moss-backed, Glistening-green, Golden, Flame-faced, Rufous-throated tanagers which were all over, but a bird that a few people enjoyed, especially David, was the colorful male Orange-breasted Fruiteater. The Cock-of-the-Rock lek was in full swing with many males dancing, and of course we enjoyed meeting Angel Paz, the Antpitta whisperer, who showed us 3 species of antpittas plus Dark-backed Wood Quail.
We had a full-on week of birding and we kept you very busy, but more importantly, we had a great time enjoying and watching some of the most wonderful birds in the cloud forest of Ecuador. I want to thank all of you for doing this trip with me and I hope that I will see you soon watching more birds.
All the best,
Willy.
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
Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan was one of the favorite birds, and we had great views of this one along the Bellavista Road. Video by participant Danny Shelton.
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui harterti) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata colombiana) – A pair gave us the most incredible show on how to deal with the rapids at Maquipucuna.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii)
CRESTED GUAN (Penelope purpurascens) – A few around Maquipucuna; it is always nice to see these big birds that have been hunted for many years, and are now they are slowly coming back to the area.
WATTLED GUAN (Aburria aburri) – Great scope views across the valley in Maquipucuna.
SICKLE-WINGED GUAN (Chamaepetes goudotii)
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
RUFOUS-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus erythrops) [*]
DARK-BACKED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus melanonotus) – Angel showed us a family that came to eat bananas.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (WHITE-NECKED) (Patagioenas fasciata albilinea)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
DUSKY PIGEON (Patagioenas goodsoni) – Scope views of one at Silanche.
COMMON GROUND-DOVE (Columbina passerina quitensis)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (DECOLOR) (Leptotila verreauxi decolor)
Sachatamia was the place for hummingbirds! Here's a picture of the group watching the feeders intently, waiting to see what beautiful bird will come next. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
PALLID DOVE (Leptotila pallida)
WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon frenata bourcieri) – A quick view by some people during our hike to Santa Lucia.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata hypoleuca)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (NIGRICRISSA) (Piaya cayana nigricrissa) – Some people really enjoyed this common and widespread species, and to be honest, it's a really cool bird to watch, especially when it is running on branches like a squirrel.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra lyra) – We were treated with the most incredible views of a male that came flying, and also landed on a branch near us; what a killer shot that we had.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (OCCIDENTALIS) (Chaetura cinereiventris occidentalis)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis cayennensis) – Nice looks at several birds at Silanche.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)
WHITE-WHISKERED HERMIT (Phaethornis yaruqui) – We saw this large hermit at Maquipucuna.
GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL (Doryfera ludovicae ludovicae) – Some people managed to see one from the bridge at Maquipucuna.
BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae)
LESSER VIOLETEAR (ANDEAN) (Colibri cyanotus cyanotus)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans coruscans)
Glistening-green Tanagers were among the many species we saw on the Mashpi Road. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
GORGETED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus strophianus) – We saw one along the Bellavista road.
GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (MACULATA) (Adelomyia melanogenys maculata)
VIOLET-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus coelestis coelestis) – Sachatamia had several males with an amazing long tail.
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
PURPLE-BACKED THORNBILL (Ramphomicron microrhynchum microrhynchum) – We had super views of a male our first day at Yanacocha.
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
SAPPHIRE-VENTED PUFFLEG (SAPPHIRE-VENTED) (Eriocnemis luciani luciani)
GOLDEN-BREASTED PUFFLEG (Eriocnemis mosquera)
SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis cupripennis)
BROWN INCA (Coeligena wilsoni)
BUFF-WINGED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena lutetiae) – The hummingbird at Yanacocha with a buffy patch on the wing.
MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya lafresnayi saul)
SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Ensifera ensifera)
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus cyanopterus) – The biggest hummingbird that we saw on the trip and they were very numerous at Yanacocha.
VELVET-PURPLE CORONET (Boissonneaua jardini)
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (WHITE-BOOTED) (Ocreatus underwoodii melanantherus) – Everyone enjoyed watching this superb hummingbird at Sachatamia.
PURPLE-BIBBED WHITETIP (Urosticte benjamini)
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa rubinoides)
GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula jamersoni)
EMPRESS BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa imperatrix)
PURPLE-THROATED WOODSTAR (Calliphlox mitchellii) – The one that looked like a bumble-bee.
WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus) – A colorful male at San Jose hotel.
CROWNED WOODNYMPH (NORTHERN GREEN-CROWNED) (Thalurania colombica verticeps)
ANDEAN EMERALD (Amazilia franciae viridiceps)
PURPLE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia rosenbergi)
RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (RUFOUS-TAILED) (Amazilia tzacatl jucunda)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-THROATED CRAKE (RUFOUS-FACED) (Laterallus albigularis albigularis) [*]
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
CATTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
These Torrent Ducks show why they are so-named; it's amazing how they can handle these rapids! Participant Danny Shelton took this great video of the pair at Maquipucuna.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE (Spizaetus isidori) – One was flying near the lodge at Sachatamia.
BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps)
ROADSIDE HAWK (NORTHERN) (Rupornis magnirostris magnirostris)
GRAY-LINED HAWK (Buteo nitidus blakei) – Seen a couple of times at Silanche.
SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus brachyurus)
Strigidae (Owls)
CRESTED OWL (Lophostrix cristata) – It was fantastic to see one roosting at Sachatamia.
MOTTLED OWL (Ciccaba virgata) [*]
BLACK-AND-WHITE OWL (Ciccaba nigrolineata) – We found one along the road to Mindo.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps auriceps)
BLUE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon comptus) – Fantastic views of this nice bird in Milpe.
COLLARED TROGON (COLLARED) (Trogon collaris virginalis)
MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus assimilis)
This wonderful view illustrates why the region is called "cloud forest"! We enjoyed many great views like this during our tour. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
Momotidae (Motmots)
RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii semirufus)
BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (BROAD-BILLED) (Electron platyrhynchum platyrhynchum)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana cabanisii) – There was one at the fish farm near Maquipucuna.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus) – Great looks at this unique bird at Maquipucuna.
WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis)
LANCEOLATED MONKLET (Micromonacha lanceolata) – This small puffbird showed nicely in Maquipucuna.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
RUFOUS-TAILED JACAMAR (BLACK-CHINNED) (Galbula ruficauda melanogenia)
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
ORANGE-FRONTED BARBET (Capito squamatus) – Super looks at a male and female in Silanche.
RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii aequatorialis)
Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)
TOUCAN BARBET (Semnornis ramphastinus ramphastinus) – A nice pair at Angel's place.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus sexnotatus)
PLATE-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena laminirostris) – This colorful Choco endemic was seen along the Bellavista road.
COLLARED ARACARI (PALE-MANDIBLED) (Pteroglossus torquatus erythropygius)
YELLOW-THROATED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii)
CHOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos brevis)
This Barred Puffbird was watching us closely, but he even sang a little for us! Guess we weren't too scary! Video by participant Danny Shelton.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)
SMOKY-BROWN WOODPECKER (Dryobates fumigatus fumigatus)
POWERFUL WOODPECKER (Campephilus pollens pollens) – A fantastic pair was seen on our way to Angel's house.
GUAYAQUIL WOODPECKER (Campephilus gayaquilensis)
LINEATED WOODPECKER (Dryocopus lineatus)
CINNAMON WOODPECKER (Celeus loricatus) – A very responsive male came close to us at Silanche.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
AMERICAN KESTREL (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Falco sparverius aequatorialis)
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis petoensis) – One was perched near the fish farm at Maquipucuna.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus corallinus)
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (BLUE-HEADED) (Pionus menstruus rubrigularis)
BRONZE-WINGED PARROT (Pionus chalcopterus) – Great views of a pair feeding at Maquipucuna.
PACIFIC PARROTLET (Forpus coelestis)
MAROON-TAILED PARAKEET (CHOCO) (Pyrrhura melanura pacifica)
RED-MASKED PARAKEET (Psittacara erythrogenys)
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha)
PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis aequatorialis)
PACIFIC ANTWREN (Myrmotherula pacifica) – We had to work a bit but we were rewarded when a pair came close.
WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (WHITE-FLANKED) (Myrmotherula axillaris albigula)
SLATY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula schisticolor schisticolor)
Moss-backed Tanagers were another species we saw very well along the Mashpi Road. This is another special bird of the cloud forests in Ecuador and Colombia. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
DUSKY ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides tyrannina)
WHITE-BACKED FIRE-EYE (PACIFIC) (Pyriglena leuconota pacifica)
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (SHORT-TAILED) (Poliocrania exsul maculifer)
ESMERALDAS ANTBIRD (Sipia nigricauda)
ZELEDON'S ANTBIRD (CHOCO) (Hafferia zeledoni berlepschi) – David spotted one that was following the army ants; we waited a bit and everyone managed to see them well.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED ANTPITTA (Grallaria ruficapilla ruficapilla)
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaria flavotincta)
TAWNY ANTPITTA (WESTERN) (Grallaria quitensis quitensis)
OCHRE-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaricula flavirostris mindoensis)
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
OCELLATED TAPACULO (Acropternis orthonyx infuscatus) [*]
BLACKISH TAPACULO (BLACKISH) (Scytalopus latrans latrans)
NARINO TAPACULO (Scytalopus vicinior) [*]
SPILLMANN'S TAPACULO (Scytalopus spillmanni) – The only tapaculo that we saw really well.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (PLAIN-BROWN) (Dendrocincla fuliginosa ridgwayi)
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
Here is one of the Orange-breasted Fruiteaters that were nesting at Amagusa. Video by participant Danny Shelton.
NORTHERN BARRED-WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes sanctithomae) – This was a surprise; we saw one at 1600 meters above sea level, way higher than the normal altitude for them, which is the lowlands.
STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (ANDEAN/NORTHERN) (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus promeropirhynchus)
BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus) [*]
SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (BERLEPSCH'S) (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius aequatorialis)
STREAK-HEADED WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii esmeraldae)
MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger aequatorialis)
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (PACIFIC) (Furnarius leucopus cinnamomeus) – Great looks at a pair getting in and out of a nest.
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor rufum)
SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (SPOT-BREASTED) (Anabacerthia variegaticeps temporalis)
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla subalaris)
STREAK-CAPPED TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes virgaticeps) – Nice looks at this secretive bird from the hide in Sachatamia.
STRIPED WOODHAUNTER (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Automolus subulatus assimilis) [*]
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens brunnescens)
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger perlatus) – The prettiest of the furnariidae that we saw on the trip.
RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops erythrops)
SLATY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis brachyura nigrifumosa)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
BROWN-CAPPED TYRANNULET (Ornithion brunneicapillus)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (SOUTHERN) (Camptostoma obsoletum sclateri)
WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus poecilocercus)
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus stictopterus)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys rufomarginatus)
Here is the group getting an up-close look at a female Golden-collared Honeycreeper. Look closely, and you can just see the bird perched on the railing. Photo by guide Willy Perez.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus aequatorialis) – On our way back to Quito, we did a stop where we saw a pair of these flycatchers.
YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola magnirostris)
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (WHITE-CRESTED) (Elaenia albiceps griseigularis)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea cinerea)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris)
SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps)
CHOCO TYRANNULET (Zimmerius albigularis)
ORNATE FLYCATCHER (Myiotriccus ornatus)
BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis atricapillus) – This super-small flycatcher was seen at Silanche.
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus) [*]
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)
BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps) [*]
WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL (WESTERN) (Platyrinchus mystaceus albogularis)
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
We watched this lovely pair of Toucan Barbets at Angel's place. Video by participant Danny Shelton.
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans angustirostris)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (OBSCURUS GROUP) (Pyrocephalus rubinus piurae) – Few at the gardens of San Jose hotel.
STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes striaticollis striaticollis)
MASKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola nengeta atripennis)
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (BROWN-BACKED) (Ochthoeca fumicolor brunneifrons)
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis hellmayri)
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus minor)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (NORTHERN) (Myiodynastes maculatus chapmani)
SNOWY-THROATED KINGBIRD (Tyrannus niveigularis)
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER (Pipreola riefferii) – Superb views of a male at Angel's reserve.
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata arcuata) [*]
ORANGE-BREASTED FRUITEATER (Pipreola jucunda) – A wonderful pair was seen nesting at Amagusa.
SCALED FRUITEATER (Ampelioides tschudii)
Birding in downtown Mindo is pretty easy; we got many of our target birds there! Photo by guide Willy Perez.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus sanguinolentus) – Angels place was full of nice males displaying, what a show!
LONG-WATTLED UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus penduliger) – At least one male was seen in full display the morning that we visit the lek.
Pipridae (Manakins)
WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus) [*]
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)
CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus cinnamomeus)
BLACK-AND-WHITE BECARD (Pachyramphus albogriseus)
ONE-COLORED BECARD (Pachyramphus homochrous)
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
LESSER GREENLET (GRAY-HEADED) (Pachysylvia decurtata minor) [*]
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)
CHIVI VIREO (RESIDENT) (Vireo chivi griseobarbatus)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
BEAUTIFUL JAY (Cyanolyca pulchra) – Some people managed to see this bird close to Tandayapa village.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (CYANOLEUCA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca)
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina murina)
WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW (Atticora tibialis minima)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) [*]
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon albicans)
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis solstitialis)
SEDGE WREN (PARAMO) (Cistothorus platensis aequatorialis)
BAND-BACKED WREN (Campylorhynchus zonatus brevirostris) – A pair was seen on our way back from the Umbrellabird spot.
BAY WREN (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Cantorchilus nigricapillus nigricapillus)
RUFOUS WREN (Cinnycerthia unirufa unirufa)
SHARPE'S WREN (Cinnycerthia olivascens olivascens)
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (ANDEAN) (Henicorhina leucophrys leucophrys)
Yanacocha was the first place we visited, where we enjoyed a hike in the cloud-forest, and got to see Sword-billed Hummingbirds and others. Photo by participant Danny Shelton.
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
TAWNY-FACED GNATWREN (Microbates cinereiventris cinereiventris)
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (WHITE-BELLIED) (Cinclus leucocephalus leuconotus) – Fantastic views at Maquipucuna.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides)
SPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (SCLATER'S) (Catharus dryas maculatus) – Very vocal at Maquipucuna but never showed up. [*]
ECUADORIAN THRUSH (Turdus maculirostris)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater quindio)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
ORANGE-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia saturata)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Euphonia cyanocephala pelzelni)
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)
YELLOW-BELLIED SISKIN (Spinus xanthogastrus)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus capitalis) – Some were seen at San Jose.
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
YELLOW-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (YELLOW-THROATED) (Chlorospingus flavigularis marginatus)
DUSKY CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus semifuscus semifuscus)
BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW (Arremonops conirostris striaticeps)
This little Ochre-breasted Antpitta show itself so nicely for us! It's so cute here, where you can see the little wiggle that they do. Video by participant Danny Shelton.
GRAY-BROWED BRUSHFINCH (Arremon assimilis)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (AURANTIIROSTRIS GROUP) (Arremon aurantiirostris occidentalis)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (CHESTNUT-CAPPED) (Arremon brunneinucha frontalis) – A pair was seen nicely close to the lodge at Sachatamia.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (RUFOUS-COLLARED) (Zonotrichia capensis costaricensis)
TRICOLORED BRUSHFINCH (CHOCO) (Atlapetes tricolor crassus)
YELLOW-BREASTED BRUSHFINCH (YELLOW-BREASTED) (Atlapetes latinuchus spodionotus)
WHITE-WINGED BRUSHFINCH (WHITE-WINGED) (Atlapetes leucopterus leucopterus)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (PACIFIC) (Cacicus uropygialis pacificus)
YELLOW-TAILED ORIOLE (Icterus mesomelas taczanowskii) – Great views of this colorful bird in Silanche.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)
GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus oryzivorus)
SCRUB BLACKBIRD (Dives warczewiczi warczewiczi) – Few around Sachatamia.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT (OLIVE-CROWNED) (Geothlypis semiflava semiflava)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (DAEDALUS) (Basileuterus tristriatus daedalus)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda semicervina)
GOLDEN-BELLIED WARBLER (CHOCO) (Myiothlypis chrysogaster chlorophrys) – A nice pair came close when we visited Milpe.
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata elata)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus ruficoronatus)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera ardens)
The Long-wattled Umbrellabird lek was one of the highlights of the tour. This male was in full display; what an impressive bird! Video by participant Danny Shelton.
OCHRE-BREASTED TANAGER (Chlorothraupis stolzmanni)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
SUPERCILIARIED HEMISPINGUS (SUPERCILIARIED) (Thlypopsis superciliaris nigrifrons)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus panamensis)
TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (LEMON-RUMPED) (Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus)
MOSS-BACKED TANAGER (Bangsia edwardsi) – Very common along the Mashpi road.
BLACK-CHESTED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Cnemathraupis eximia chloronota)
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii riefferii) – We managed to find some for Dan close to Bellavista.
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (SCARLET-BELLIED) (Anisognathus igniventris erythrotus)
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (BLUE-WINGED) (Anisognathus somptuosus cyanopterus)
BLACK-CHINNED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus notabilis) – Few seen along the Mashpi road.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota venezuelensis)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (GREEN-MANTLED) (Pipraeidea bonariensis darwinii)
GLISTENING-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis) – Many were seen at Amagusa; what a handsome bird.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (BLUE-GRAY) (Thraupis episcopus quaesita)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala cyanocephala)
RUFOUS-THROATED TANAGER (Ixothraupis rufigula) – Amagusa had many of these superb tanagers eating bananas.
GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix)
BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER (Tangara heinei)
SCRUB TANAGER (Tangara vitriolina) – The car park at San Jose worked well again for this interesting tanager.
The Golden-collared Honeycreeper is uncommon, but we found several at Amagusa. Guide Willy Perez got this wonderful portrait of one of these unusual birds.
GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Tangara larvata fanny)
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER (BLUE-AND-BLACK) (Tangara vassorii vassorii)
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis)
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
FLAME-FACED TANAGER (YELLOW-FACED) (Tangara parzudakii lunigera)
BLUE-WHISKERED TANAGER (Tangara johannae) – Nice looks at one bird in a mixed flock at Silanche.
GOLDEN TANAGER (AURULENTA GROUP) (Tangara arthus goodsoni)
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala icterocephala)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis occidentalis)
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (YELLOW-TUFTED) (Dacnis lineata aequatorialis) – The tower at Silanche worked well for this one.
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
GOLDEN-COLLARED HONEYCREEPER (Iridophanes pulcherrimus aureinucha) – This species is very rare in the west, but a few were eating bananas at Amagusa.
GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira guirina)
BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor sitticolor) – At least a pair seen at Yanacocha.
CAPPED CONEBILL (BLUE-CAPPED) (Conirostrum albifrons atrocyaneum)
GLOSSY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa lafresnayii)
INDIGO FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa indigotica) – Great scope views of this Choco endemic at Amagusa reserve.
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea cyanea)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina peruviensis)
THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila funerea)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER (VARIABLE) (Sporophila corvina ophthalmica)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis vivida)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus maximus)
BLACK-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator atripennis)
MAMMALS
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
WHITE-NOSED COATI (Nasua narica) – A group of 4 were seen on our way down from Santa Lucia. [b]
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 285 bird taxa and 3 mammal taxa