A Field Guides Birding Tours Report

Cloudforests of Ecuador: All the Best of the Wild Northwest 2023

July 24-August 3, 2023 with Willy Perez guiding

It was fantastic to be back in the Cloud Forest; the last tour that I did was in 2019. I have to say that luckily everything was the same or even better than before. We left San Jose de Puembo early morning, and our first visit was Zuro Loma, a nice reserve with some of the highland birds, especially hummingbirds. The best ones were Mountain Velvetbreast and the most wanted for some people, the Sword-billed. Our next destination was Maquipucuna, but to get there we drove down the Old Nono Mindo road, where we saw the most wanted birds of the trip, Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan and the unique Toucan Barbet. The birding at Maquipucuna was done just around the lodge. They have put some feeders besides the lodge and they were very active with Red-headed Barbets, Motmots, and very nice colorful Tanagers. The river outside the lodge was a really nice place to hang around, and It was very productive. Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper, Torrent Tyrannulet and White-necked Jacobin bathing were part of the show. The trails and the forest at Maquipucuna produced great stuff like Scaled Fruiteater, Barred Hawk, Barred Puffbird, and Metallic-green Tanager just to mention a few. In our way from Maquipucuna to Sachatamia (which was our second lodge), the upper part of the Bellavista lodge gave us the chance to see different set of birds like Crested Quetzal, Grass-green Tanager, Green-and-black Fruiteater and the amazing Giant Earthworm that was a true GIANT.....

We used Sachatamia as our base to explore the best hotspots for birding in the Northwest of Pichincha Province, but the first morning we just stayed at the lodge with a very early start to see some of the feeders near the lodge. The feeders were very productive and before breakfast we saw 5 species of Woodcreepers, Chestnut-capped Brush-Finch (which was one of the favorite birds for some people), Masked Trogon and several species of flycatchers. Also the hummingbird feeders are possibly the best in the area, with Velvet-purple Coronet, Brown Inca, White-booted Racket-tail and the incredible Violet-tailed Sylph.

Every day was different, and we went to Amagusa Reserve and the birds there were also magic, including Moss-backed Tanager, Black Solitaire, Zeledon's Antbird, Rose-faced Parrot, Glistening-green and Rufous-throated tanagers. Our trip to The Umbrellabird Lek was also stunning, with a couple of males showing off; the visit to Milpe Reserve was almost too short because of the rain, but we managed to see possibly the most wanted bird of the trip, Speckled Nightingale Thrush! A pair was just foraging along the trail before the rain, and they made my day...

The visit to Silanche was also really good, especially the tower. Scarlet-breasted, Scarlet-thighed and Black-faced dacnis were feeding on a nearby tree, followed by Orange-fronted Barbet, Cinnamon Woodpecker and many other cool birds. To finished the week, the last day we went to visit Angel Paz (The Antpitta whisper) reserve and it was incredible. 5 species of Antpittas including Maria (the giant) plus Rufous breasted Antthrush, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, Toucan Barbet, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk and many Cock-of-the-Rock at the Lek.

We had an incredible trip, and for me it was a really pleasure to share this trip with you, so thank you so much for coming.

Also I would like to thank Edgar our driver, who as usual managed to deal with the muddy and steep roads.

A big hug for all of you from Dorset and I hope that I will see you soon.

—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


Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata colombiana)

A male seen at Maquipucuna

YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Anas georgica spinicauda)

A nice surprise at the airport

ANDEAN TEAL (ANDEAN) (Anas andium andium)

Another surprise at the pond close to the airport

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)

CRESTED GUAN (Penelope purpurascens)

WATTLED GUAN (Aburria aburri)

They were very vocal everywhere, but we saw one at Maquipucuna

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

RUFOUS-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus erythrops) [*]

DARK-BACKED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus melanonotus) [*]

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)

Nice views of this bird from the tower at Silanche

RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon montana)

Seen by the lucky people who were at the front along the main trail in Maquipucuna

WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (DECOLOR) (Leptotila verreauxi decolor)

PALLID DOVE (Leptotila pallida)

Several coming to the feeders at Maquipucuna

WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon frenata bourcieri) [*]

EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata hypoleuca)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)

STRIPED CUCKOO (Tapera naevia)

SQUIRREL CUCKOO (NIGRICRISSA) (Piaya cayana nigricrissa)

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

RUFOUS-BELLIED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis rufiventris)

Rodrigo showed us a roosting bird at La Paz de las Aves the last day

LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra lyra)

A nice male roosting at the same place that we saw the Giant Antpitta

Apodidae (Swifts)

WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)

GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (OCCIDENTALIS) (Chaetura cinereiventris occidentalis)

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora)

Stunning views of this common bird along the trip

WHITE-WHISKERED HERMIT (Phaethornis yaruqui)

TAWNY-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis syrmatophorus)

STRIPE-THROATED HERMIT (Phaethornis striigularis)

GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL (Doryfera ludovicae ludovicae)

WHITE-THROATED DAGGERBILL (Schistes albogularis)

SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans coruscans)

BROWN VIOLETEAR (Colibri delphinae)

LESSER VIOLETEAR (ANDEAN) (Colibri cyanotus cyanotus)

PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)

We saw them few times but the best one was at the pizza place, where we saw one through the scope

GREEN THORNTAIL (Discosura conversii)

SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (MACULATA) (Adelomyia melanogenys maculata)

VIOLET-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus coelestis coelestis)

GREEN-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia nuna gracilis)

Seen by some people in the gardens of San Jose hotel

TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)

SAPPHIRE-VENTED PUFFLEG (SAPPHIRE-VENTED) (Eriocnemis luciani luciani)

SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis cupripennis)

The orange looking hummingbird that came sometimes at Zuro Loma

BROWN INCA (Coeligena wilsoni)

BUFF-WINGED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena lutetiae)

MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya lafresnayi saul)

SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Ensifera ensifera)

BUFF-TAILED CORONET (Boissonneaua flavescens tinochlora)

VELVET-PURPLE CORONET (Boissonneaua jardini)

WHITE-BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii melanantherus)

PURPLE-BIBBED WHITETIP (Urosticte benjamini)

FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa rubinoides)

GREEN-CROWNED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula jamersoni)

EMPRESS BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa imperatrix)

WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant)

PURPLE-THROATED WOODSTAR (Philodice mitchellii)

WESTERN EMERALD (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus melanorhynchus)

Seen by some at the San Jose hotel

CROWNED WOODNYMPH (GREEN-CROWNED) (Thalurania colombica verticeps)

RUFOUS-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD (RUFOUS-TAILED) (Amazilia tzacatl jucunda)

ANDEAN EMERALD (Uranomitra franciae viridiceps)

PURPLE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Polyerata rosenbergi)

BLUE-CHESTED HUMMINGBIRD (Polyerata amabilis)

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)

A pair seen at the pond close to the airport

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens)

Nice views of several birds just at the entrance of Zuro Loma

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum brasilianum)

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

CATTLE EGRET (WESTERN) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Pandionidae (Osprey)

OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)

Great looks of a bird flying at the pond close to the airport

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

HOOK-BILLED KITE (HOOK-BILLED) (Chondrohierax uncinatus uncinatus)

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)

Several birds flying, along the way on the trip

GREAT BLACK HAWK (Buteogallus urubitinga)

BARRED HAWK (Morphnarchus princeps)

Always flying but very decent views at Maquipucuna

ROADSIDE HAWK (NORTHERN) (Rupornis magnirostris magnirostris)

BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)

Strigidae (Owls)

CLOUD-FOREST PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium nubicola)

It was hard to find this tiny owl, but we managed, and scoped it at Sachatamia

ANDEAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium jardinii) [*]

Trogonidae (Trogons)

GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps auriceps)

CRESTED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus antisianus)

Great looks of a male at Bellavista on our way to Sachatamia

BLUE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon comptus)

WHITE-TAILED TROGON (Trogon chionurus)

COLLARED TROGON (COLLARED) (Trogon collaris virginalis)

MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus assimilis)

Momotidae (Motmots)

RUFOUS MOTMOT (Baryphthengus martii semirufus)

BROAD-BILLED MOTMOT (BROAD-BILLED) (Electron platyrhynchum platyrhynchum)

Bucconidae (Puffbirds)

BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus)

Seen a couple of times but the best look was in our way out from Silanche

WHITE-WHISKERED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila panamensis)

Capitonidae (New World Barbets)

ORANGE-FRONTED BARBET (Capito squamatus)

RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii aequatorialis)

Semnornithidae (Toucan-Barbets)

TOUCAN BARBET (Semnornis ramphastinus ramphastinus)

Ramphastidae (Toucans)

CRIMSON-RUMPED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus sexnotatus)

PLATE-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena laminirostris)

This stunning bird was seen in our way to Maquipucuna along the Old Nono Mindo road

COLLARED ARACARI (PALE-MANDIBLED) (Pteroglossus torquatus erythropygius)

YELLOW-THROATED TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos ambiguus swainsonii)

CHOCO TOUCAN (Ramphastos brevis)

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

OLIVACEOUS PICULET (Picumnus olivaceus harterti)

This very small woodpecker gave us a show at Maquipucuna

BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes pucherani)

RED-RUMPED WOODPECKER (Dryobates kirkii)

Seen from the tower at Silanche

GUAYAQUIL WOODPECKER (Campephilus gayaquilensis)

CINNAMON WOODPECKER (Celeus loricatus)

GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus)

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus semitorquatus)

BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis petoensis)

Scope views of this nice bird at Maquipucuna

Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)

ROSE-FACED PARROT (Pyrilia pulchra)

RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus corallinus)

BRONZE-WINGED PARROT (Pionus chalcopterus)

This dark parrot was seen few times especially at Maquipucuna

SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenarius)

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)

BLACK-CROWNED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus atrinucha)

UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus unicolor unicolor)

A gray male was spotted along the Bellavista road

RUSSET ANTSHRIKE (TAWNY) (Thamnistes anabatinus intermedius)

PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis aequatorialis)

CHECKER-THROATED STIPPLETHROAT (Epinecrophylla fulviventris) [*]

SLATY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula schisticolor schisticolor)

DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (BOUCARD'S) (Microrhopias quixensis consobrina)

CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTBIRD (SHORT-TAILED) (Poliocrania exsul maculifer) [*]

ESMERALDAS ANTBIRD (Sipia nigricauda)

A nice Choco endemic that we saw at Maquipucuna.

ZELEDON'S ANTBIRD (CHOCO) (Hafferia zeledoni berlepschi)

Grallariidae (Antpittas)

GIANT ANTPITTA (Grallaria gigantea hylodroma)

MOUSTACHED ANTPITTA (Grallaria alleni andaquiensis)

It was a bit shy but eventually one came out to grab a worm offer by Rodrigo

CHESTNUT-CROWNED ANTPITTA (Grallaria ruficapilla ruficapilla)

YELLOW-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaria flavotincta)

We had to try twice for this species, but hard work paid off eventually, and it was a joy to see it

EQUATORIAL ANTPITTA (Grallaria saturata)

OCHRE-BREASTED ANTPITTA (Grallaricula flavirostris mindoensis)

Rodrigo had to work hard to show us this very small antpitta, but eventually it was a success

Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)

NARI–O TAPACULO (Scytalopus vicinior) [*]

SPILLMANN'S TAPACULO (Scytalopus spillmanni) [*]

Formicariidae (Antthrushes)

RUFOUS-BREASTED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius rufipectus)

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)

PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (PLAIN-BROWN) (Dendrocincla fuliginosa ridgwayi)

WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)

STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (ANDEAN/NORTHERN) (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus promeropirhynchus)

BLACK-STRIPED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus lachrymosus)

Stunning views of a bird eating a frog at Silanche

SPOTTED WOODCREEPER (BERLEPSCH'S) (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius aequatorialis)

MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger aequatorialis)

PLAIN XENOPS (MEXICANUS GROUP) (Xenops minutus littoralis)

PACIFIC TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes johnsoni)

PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (PACIFIC) (Furnarius leucopus cinnamomeus)

SCALY-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (SPOT-BREASTED) (Anabacerthia variegaticeps temporalis)

LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla subalaris)

BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Dendroma rufa)

STRIPED WOODHAUNTER (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Automolus subulatus assimilis)

SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens brunnescens)

PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger perlatus)

RED-FACED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca erythrops erythrops)

SLATY SPINETAIL (Synallaxis brachyura nigrifumosa)

Pipridae (Manakins)

WHITE-BEARDED MANAKIN (Manacus manacus) [*]

CLUB-WINGED MANAKIN (Machaeropterus deliciosus)

Cotingidae (Cotingas)

GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER (Pipreola riefferii)

ORANGE-BREASTED FRUITEATER (Pipreola jucunda)

A nice colorful male showed up on our way out from Amagusa

SCALED FRUITEATER (Ampelioides tschudii)

RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus)

A pair was seen our first day in Zuro Loma

ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus sanguinolentus)

PURPLE-THROATED FRUITCROW (Querula purpurata)

Male and female came to the tower at Silanche

LONG-WATTLED UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus penduliger)

It was worth it to get up early in the morning to go to see this bizarre bird

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)

MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)

BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor versicolor)

CINNAMON BECARD (Pachyramphus cinnamomeus cinnamomeus)

WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus dorsalis)

Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill, Royal Flycatcher, and Allies)

TAWNY-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius villosus)

SULPHUR-RUMPED FLYCATCHER (Myiobius sulphureipygius aureatus)

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

WHITE-THROATED SPADEBILL (WESTERN) (Platyrinchus mystaceus albogularis) [*]

STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis)

SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris)

BRONZE-OLIVE PYGMY-TYRANT (ANNECTENS/BERLEPSCHI) (Pseudotriccus pelzelni annectens)

We spend some time chasing this small flycatcher that we eventually had a good look at

BLACK-CAPPED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis atricapillus)

The smallest passerine, with no tail, that we saw from the tower at Silanche

SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus)

COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)

BLACK-HEADED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum nigriceps)

Great views of this small colorful flycatcher again from the tower at Silanche

ORNATE FLYCATCHER (Myiotriccus ornatus)

SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (SOUTHERN) (Camptostoma obsoletum sclateri)

WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus poecilocercus)

WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus stictopterus)

YELLOW TYRANNULET (Capsiempis flaveola magnirostris)

We had great views of this nice flycatcher that lives in the bamboo at Maquipucuna

YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)

TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea cinerea)

SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps)

ASHY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias cinereiceps)

CHOCO TYRANNULET (Zimmerius albigularis)

FLAVESCENT FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus flavicans flavicans)

An small flycatcher with broken eye ring that we saw along the Bellavista road

MOUSE-GRAY FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus crypterythrus)

Split from Bran-colored Flycatcher; we saw this species at Maquipucuna

SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)

BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans angustirostris)

VERMILION FLYCATCHER (OBSCURUS GROUP) (Pyrocephalus rubinus piurae)

Great looks of male and female at San Jose hotel

MASKED WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola nengeta atripennis)

Several of them at the fish farm when we were looking for the kingfishers that never showed

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)

BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (TUMBES) (Megarynchus pitangua chrysogaster)

RUSTY-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes cayanensis hellmayri)

SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (TUMBES) (Myiozetetes similis grandis)

GOLDEN-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes hemichrysus minor)

Split from Golden-crowned; they were present several times along our trip

TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus)

Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

BLACK-BILLED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis nigrirostris atrirostris)

Some feeding on moths at Amagusa

SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO (PALE-LEGGED) (Vireolanius leucotis mikettae)

LESSER GREENLET (GRAY-HEADED) (Pachysylvia decurtata minor)

BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)

CHIVI VIREO (RESIDENT) (Vireo chivi griseobarbatus)

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

TURQUOISE JAY (Cyanolyca turcosa)

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (CYANOLEUCA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca)

BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina murina)

This are the swallows that we saw at Zuri Loma

WHITE-THIGHED SWALLOW (Atticora tibialis minima)

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon albicans)

WHISKERED WREN (Pheugopedius mystacalis mystacalis) [*]

BAY WREN (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Cantorchilus nigricapillus nigricapillus)

Stunning views of a pair at Amagusa from the balcony

RUFOUS WREN (Cinnycerthia unirufa unirufa)

SHARPE'S WREN (Cinnycerthia olivascens olivascens)

GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (ANDEAN) (Henicorhina leucophrys leucophrys)

Cinclidae (Dippers)

WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (WHITE-BELLIED) (Cinclus leucocephalus leuconotus)

A bird feeding along the river at Maquipucuna

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides)

SPECKLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus maculatus maculatus)

BLACK SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes coracinus)

It was superb to see this true Choco endemic bird eating moths at Amagusa

ECUADORIAN THRUSH (Turdus maculirostris)

GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater quindio)

GLOSSY-BLACK THRUSH (Turdus serranus fuscobrunneus)

A female came to eat some worms left after the Chestnut crowned Antpitta was fed by Rodrigo

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

YELLOW-COLLARED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia flavirostris)

WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)

A male seen at Silanche from the tower

THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)

This is the one with the yellow going up below the bill on the males

ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)

Males with black throat

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

YELLOW-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (YELLOW-THROATED) (Chlorospingus flavigularis marginatus)

DUSKY CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus semifuscus semifuscus)

GRAY-BROWED BRUSHFINCH (Arremon assimilis)

ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (AURANTIIROSTRIS GROUP) (Arremon aurantiirostris occidentalis)

CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (CHESTNUT-CAPPED) (Arremon brunneinucha frontalis)

RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (RUFOUS-COLLARED) (Zonotrichia capensis costaricensis)

TRICOLORED BRUSHFINCH (CHOCO) (Atlapetes tricolor crassus)

YELLOW-BREASTED BRUSHFINCH (YELLOW-BREASTED) (Atlapetes latinuchus spodionotus)

Some were bathing at Zuro Loma

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (PACIFIC) (Cacicus uropygialis pacificus)

SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis)

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

OLIVE-CROWNED YELLOWTHROAT (OLIVE-CROWNED) (Geothlypis semiflava semiflava)

Seen briefly at Maquipucuna

TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)

THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (DAEDALUS) (Basileuterus tristriatus daedalus)

BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda semicervina)

A pair were every morning along the river at Maquipucuna

RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata elata) [*]

SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)

Mitrospingidae (Mitrospingid Tanagers)

DUSKY-FACED TANAGER (Mitrospingus cassinii cassinii)

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera ardens)

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

BLACK-EARED HEMISPINGUS (WESTERN) (Sphenopsis melanotis ochracea)

WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Loriotus luctuosus panamensis)

TAWNY-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus delatrii)

FLAME-RUMPED TANAGER (LEMON-RUMPED) (Ramphocelus flammigerus icteronotus)

The most common bird of the trip

MOSS-BACKED TANAGER (Bangsia edwardsi)

When you see this species the name is really spot on

BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Sporathraupis cyanocephala cyanocephala)

It was nice to see this species taking a bath at Zuro Loma

GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii riefferii)

SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN TANAGER (SCARLET-BELLIED) (Anisognathus igniventris erythrotus)

BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN TANAGER (BLUE-WINGED) (Anisognathus somptuosus cyanopterus)

BUFF-BREASTED MOUNTAIN TANAGER (BUFF-BREASTED) (Dubusia taeniata taeniata)

Again another nice tanager at Zuro Loma

FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota venezuelensis)

GLISTENING-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis)

We were blown away by the green color of these birds, just stunning

BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (BLUE-GRAY) (Thraupis episcopus quaesita)

PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)

RUFOUS-THROATED TANAGER (Ixothraupis rufigula)

Just a couple came to eat some bananas at Amagusa

GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Chalcothraupis ruficervix)

BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER (Stilpnia heinei)

GOLDEN-HOODED TANAGER (Stilpnia larvata)

Scope views of a bird on our way out from Silanche

BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Stilpnia cyanicollis)

BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis)

METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER (Tangara labradorides labradorides)

RUFOUS-WINGED TANAGER (Tangara lavinia lavinia)

It was nice to see this species close to the next one so we could compare and see the difference between them

BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)

FLAME-FACED TANAGER (YELLOW-FACED) (Tangara parzudakii lunigera)

One of the favorite tanagers for some people

GOLDEN TANAGER (AURULENTA GROUP) (Tangara arthus goodsoni)

SILVER-THROATED TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala icterocephala)

SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis occidentalis)

Males and females were catching insects at Maquipucuna

BLACK-FACED DACNIS (YELLOW-TUFTED) (Dacnis lineata aequatorialis)

SCARLET-THIGHED DACNIS (Dacnis venusta fuliginata)

BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana baudoana)

SCARLET-BREASTED DACNIS (Dacnis berlepschi)

PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)

GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)

GOLDEN-COLLARED HONEYCREEPER (Iridophanes pulcherrimus aureinucha)

Very decent scope views of a male along the road at Amagusa

SCARLET-BROWED TANAGER (Heterospingus xanthopygius berliozi)

It was wonderful to see this beautiful tanager from the tower at Silanche

BLUE-BACKED CONEBILL (Conirostrum sitticolor sitticolor)

WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa albilatera albilatera)

INDIGO FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa indigotica)

MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (CYANEA GROUP) (Diglossa cyanea cyanea)

BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina peruviensis)

THICK-BILLED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila funerea)

VARIABLE SEEDEATER (VARIABLE) (Sporophila corvina ophthalmica)

BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)

DULL-COLORED GRASSQUIT (Asemospiza obscura pauper)

BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus maximus)

BLACK-WINGED SALTATOR (Saltator atripennis)


MAMMALS

BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)

RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)

CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)

KINKAJOU (Potos flavus)


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Also we saw:

Simons Dwarf Squirrel (Microsciurus simonsi)

Gem Anole (Anolis gemmosus)

Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)

Giant Earth Worm (Martiodrilus crassus)

And so many Orchids

Totals for the tour: 278 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa