A Field Guides Birding Tours Report

SE Ecuador: Orange-throated Tanager & Foothill Specialties 2024

February 15-24, 2024 with Willy Perez guiding

Field Guides Birding Tours
This beautiful Spangled Coquette was one of several males we saw at the Coquette Reserve on our way to Yankuam. What a way to start the tour! This great photo was taken by participant Jerzy Majka.

This was another successful tour to one of the very special places in Ecuador, the Cordillera del Condor and the Tepuis. These are some of the attractions in the area, but we went looking for the beautiful Orange-throated Tanager, as the name of the tour suggests. After an early flight from Quito, we landed in the picturesque valley of Catamayo where Edgar, our super driver, was waiting for us. It took us all day to get to Yankuam lodge, with several stops along the way, where we saw a Spangled Coquette male, one of the most attractive hummingbirds of the tour.

We stayed just at two lodges, with one night in between in the town of Yantzaza. Yankuam was simple but comfortable, with good food and sometimes even hot water, if you knew how to play with the taps. Saying that, you don't need hot water in the tropics. But we didn't go there for the comfort, we went there to see birds and that is what we did. The second day we went to Maycu reserve, and we were lucky enough to see a nice group of Orange-throated Tanagers the first morning, so that was less stress on our birding. But the place was full of mixed flocks and the two full days there were fantastic! We even managed to walk the Tepui trail (not to the top) the next day, where we saw some of the skulkers, including Coraya Wren, White-flanked Antwren, Zimmer's Antbird and Ocellated Woodcreeper.

On our way out from Yankuam to Santa Cecilia, the journey was full of activity. Several nice tanagers, including Green-and-gold, Bay-headed, Flame-crested, Yellow-bellied, and Paradise were seen, and even Bluish fronted Jacamar. Eventually, we managed to get to the high road to Santa Cecilia and the birding there was also incredible (especially after the rain)! We found a tree where Vermilion, Orange-eared, Golden and Beryl-spangled tanagers were feeding. Later in the day, we ended at Yantzaza for the night and got ready to go to El Zarza. The idea was to arrive there early, but with many birds along the way it was difficult not to stop. Eventually when we got to El Zarza, we had superb looks at the restricted Roraiman Flycatcher, the beautiful Yellow-throated Tanager, Uniform Antshrike, and the restricted Bar-winged Wood-Wren. After having our picnic lunch, we headed down toward Copalinga, where we stayed the other 3 nights.

The location of Copalinga is great and the gardens are super. Wire-crested Thorntail, Violet-headed Hummingbird and even Greenish Puffleg were coming to the Verbenas. We went to Podocarpus National Park were we saw Amazonian Umbrellabird, Cock-of-the-Rock, Coppery-chested Jacamar, and even Lanceolated Monklet. The old Loja-Zamora road was active too, with Torrent Ducks, White-capped Dipper, Yellow-breasted Antwren and many more.

The last day, we left Copalinga after breakfast and we birded mostly the old road from Loja to Catamayo, where we managed to see many Tumbesian species. It was like another world for birds, with all new ones, like Elegant Crescentchest, Black-and-white Tanager, Golden Grosbeak, Pacific Hornero, and Pacific Parrotlet, just to mention a few. We even had some time to pack up and get our flight to Quito in the afternoon.

Writing all of this, I feel that we did a lot in one week, and we saw a lot of birds, but more importantly, we just had a great week of birding. I would like to say thank you to you all for coming with me to one of the special places in Ecuador where we saw the Orange-throated Tanager.

—Un abrazo, 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


Tinamidae (Tinamous)

GRAY TINAMOU (Tinamus tao kleei)

Seen twice, one at the corn feeder at Copalinga, and the other one was a surprise! It was just walking along the orchid garden in Podocarpus National Park.

LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata)

A young bird was seen at Sabanilla River trying to work out the rapids.

Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)

SPECKLED CHACHALACA (Ortalis guttata)

Very common at Yankuam and Copalinga.

Odontophoridae (New World Quail)

MARBLED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus gujanensis)

Heard at Maycu reserve.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]

Field Guides Birding Tours
At Podocarpus National Park, we found this male Amazonian Umbrellabird. Participant Jerzy Majka captured the bird in display, showing his wattle.

BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)

PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)

The big pigeon with the pale eye.

RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)

Similar to the previous but with dark eye.

CROAKING GROUND DOVE (Columbina cruziana)

Nice looks at some birds in Catamayo valley.

RUDDY QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon montana)

Some people saw one of this species flying across the road at Maycu reserve.

WHITE-THROATED QUAIL-DOVE (Zentrygon frenata)

One bird came to feed on the corn at Copalinga.

EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)

A lot of them seen in the lowlands.

SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)

Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)

BLACKISH NIGHTJAR (Nyctipolus nigrescens)

We flushed one along the road to Paquisha and it landed on a tree fern where we had stunning scope views.

Apodidae (Swifts)

WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)

GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)

SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)

FORK-TAILED PALM SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)

Not very common in the area but it seems that they are showing up more this time.

Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)

GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)

GRAY-CHINNED HERMIT (Phaethornis griseogularis)

GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL (Doryfera ludovicae)

Nice looks at a bird feeding along the old Loja Zamora road.

SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans)

PURPLE-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus viola)

WIRE-CRESTED THORNTAIL (Discosura popelairii)

Some males and females feeding at the gardens of Copalinga.

SPANGLED COQUETTE (Lophornis stictolophus)

We were very lucky to see a couple of adult males feeding on the Verbena flowers at the Coquette Reserve.

ECUADORIAN PIEDTAIL (Phlogophilus hemileucurus)

Fantastic views of a bird along the Bombuscaro trail on our way to Podocarpus National Park.

SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys)

GREENISH PUFFLEG (Haplophaedia aureliae)

A very active bird was feeding on the Verbena flowers at Copalinga.

RAINBOW STARFRONTLET (Coeligena iris)

MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya lafresnayi)

PERUVIAN RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus peruanus)

We even saw the rackets of a male at Podocarpus.

GOULD'S JEWELFRONT (Heliodoxa aurescens)

Field Guides Birding Tours
This Yellow-throated Tanager posed nicely for us at El Zarza. Photo by participant Jerzy Majka.

VIOLET-FRONTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa leadbeateri)

The most common hummingbird of our trip.

LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris)

LITTLE WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus bombus)

A juvenile male was seen at the Coquette Reserve.

BLUE-TAILED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)

VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti)

The small hummingbird with a big white dot behind the eye that was always feeding the Verbena.

FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)

MANY-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Taphrospilus hypostictus)

AMAZILIA HUMMINGBIRD (WHITE-THROATED) (Amazilis amazilia alticola)

One individual was seen on our way down to Catamayo valley from Loja.

GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone)

GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Chionomesa fimbriata)

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

CHESTNUT-HEADED CRAKE (Rufirallus castaneiceps) [*]

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b]

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bulbulcus ibis)

Cathartidae (New World Vultures)

BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)

TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)

Several of these very stunning birds were seen along our trip.

BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus melanoleucus)

A couple of people saw this stunning eagle when we visit El Zarza Reserve.

DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)

ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)

BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus)

A flying bird was spotted at the upper road above Catamayo.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK (Buteo platypterus) [b]

SHORT-TAILED HAWK (Buteo brachyurus)

Strigidae (Owls)

TROPICAL SCREECH-OWL (Megascops choliba)

A very cooperative bird came to the gardens of Yankuam lodge.

BAND-BELLIED OWL (Pulsatrix melanota)

We had a couple of encounters with this species, but the one that we found on our way out of Yankuam was very bizarre, it seems that the bird was possibly an immature or possibly injured.

PERUVIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium peruanum)

Trogonidae (Trogons)

GREEN-BACKED TROGON (Trogon viridis)

BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)

COLLARED TROGON (Trogon collaris)

We saw nice males a couple of times at Maycu reserve.

Violet-fronted Brilliant was the most common hummingbird we saw, but we were still thrilled to see them. Participant Jerzy Majka captured this one as it perched. The video does a great job of showing how the colors of the head and throat change as the bird changes positions.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)

RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata)

AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)

GREEN KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle americana)

Bucconidae (Puffbirds)

LANCEOLATED MONKLET (Micromonacha lanceolata)

We managed to see one at the entrance of Podocarpus park; it took a while to find it but sharp eyes help.

Galbulidae (Jacamars)

BLUISH-FRONTED JACAMAR (Galbula cyanescens)

This handsome Jacamar was seen on our way out from Yankuam.

COPPERY-CHESTED JACAMAR (Galbula pastazae)

PURPLISH JACAMAR (Galbula chalcothorax)

Capitonidae (New World Barbets)

GILDED BARBET (Capito auratus)

LEMON-THROATED BARBET (Eubucco richardsoni)

This very colorful bird showed very well at Maycu on at least two days.

RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii)

Ramphastidae (Toucans)

CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis)

IVORY-BILLED ARACARI (Pteroglossus azara)

Another bird that is expanding to the area.

CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (YELLOW-RIDGED) (Ramphastos vitellinus culminatus)

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

LAFRESNAYE'S PICULET (Picumnus lafresnayi)

Several encounters with this tiny woodpecker that was always busy finding food.

YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus)

LITTLE WOODPECKER (Dryobates passerinus)

GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus)

CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii)

Fantastic views of a bird resting along the old road to Catamayo from Loja.

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

LAUGHING FALCON (Herpetotheres cachinnans) [*]

BLACK CARACARA (Daptrius ater)

AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius)

BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis rufigularis)

Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)

RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus)

BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus)

PACIFIC PARROTLET (Forpus coelestis)

This unique parrotlet was spotted the last day near the airport at Catamayo.

WHITE-NECKED PARAKEET (Pyrrhura albipectus)

This rare parakeet was very active at Copalinga, feeding around the lodge every day.

WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)

FASCIATED ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus lineatus) [*]

Field Guides Birding Tours
Guide Willy Perez captured part of the group at the Cordillera del Condor, where we had a magnificent view!

LINED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus)

We saw a pair of them at Maycu.

PLAIN-WINGED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus schistaceus)

UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus unicolor)

A nice looks of a male at El Zarza.

PLAIN ANTVIREO (Dysithamnus mentalis)

FOOTHILL STIPPLETHROAT (Epinecrophylla spodionota)

WHITE-FLANKED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula axillaris)

A nice male showed when we were walking the tepui trail at Maycu.

YELLOW-BREASTED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus axillaris)

This canopy antwren was very responsive when we visit the Old Loja Zamora road.

RUSTY-WINGED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus frater)

PERUVIAN WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis peruviana)

BLACKISH ANTBIRD (Cercomacroides nigrescens aequatorialis) [*]

WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys)

BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus) [*]

ZIMMER'S ANTBIRD (Sciaphylax castanea)

Great views of a pair at the Tepui trail.

COMMON SCALE-BACKED ANTBIRD (Willisornis poecilinotus) [*]

Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests)

ELEGANT CRESCENTCHEST (Melanopareia elegans)

Grallariidae (Antpittas)

THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]

Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)

WHITE-CROWNED TAPACULO (Scytalopus atratus atratus)

Some people had good views of this elusive tapaculo at Bombuscaro.

Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)

OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus)

LONG-TAILED WOODCREEPER (Deconychura longicauda)

We saw this woodcreeper the second day at Maycu.

PLAIN-BROWN WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla fuliginosa)

WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)

STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus)

We had a nice encounter with this big bird from the dining room of Copalinga. It just came and started to sing from a Cecropia tree in front of the dining room.

OCELLATED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus ocellatus)

Great looks at this nice woodcreeper when we visit the Tepui trail.

DUIDA WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes duidae)

STREAKED XENOPS (Xenops rutilans)

PACIFIC HORNERO (Furnarius cinnamomeus)

MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia striaticollis)

RUFOUS-TAILED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia ruficaudata)

Field Guides Birding Tours
We often focus on male birds, as they are usually more colorful, but the female Swallow Tanager is also very beautiful! This photo by participant Jerzy Majka shows a lovely female.

BLACK-BILLED TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes melanorhynchus)

SPECKLED SPINETAIL (Thripophaga gutturata)

We spent quite a while trying to see a couple of birds that were coming in and out of a nest, and finally we had good views to make sure that we were watching this species.

ASH-BROWED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca curtata)

DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis)

AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae)

Pipridae (Manakins)

BLUE-RUMPED MANAKIN (Lepidothrix isidorei)

Great scope views of a male at Podocarpus.

Cotingidae (Cotingas)

RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus)

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

A fantastic male was very quiet sitting near us at Podocarpus.

AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus)

It was crazy, because we saw the previous species and this one in the same place. A male Umbrella was even displaying and showing its wattle.

Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)

MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata)

GREEN-BACKED BECARD (YELLOW-CHEEKED) (Pachyramphus viridis xanthogenys)

BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)

CHESTNUT-CROWNED BECARD (Pachyramphus castaneus)

Very common during our days near Yankuam.

WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus tenebrosus)

Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)

WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris)

We had to work a bit to have decent views of this bird that was considered a Manakin before, but now it is a flycatcher.

OCHRE-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes oleagineus)

SLATY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon superciliaris)

RUFOUS-BROWED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes superciliaris)

It was nice to see this handsome flycatcher in the most southern part of its range.

ECUADORIAN TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes gualaquizae)

BLACK-AND-WHITE TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus capitalis)

GOLDEN-WINGED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus calopterus)

COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum cinereum)

YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum)

FULVOUS-BREASTED FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus fulvipectus)

YELLOW-OLIVE FLATBILL (Tolmomyias sulphurescens)

Field Guides Birding Tours
A striking male Red-crested Finch posed nicely for participant Jerzy Majka.

OLIVE-FACED FLATBILL (Tolmomyias viridiceps viridiceps)

CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus)

CLIFF FLYCATCHER (Hirundinea ferruginea)

We enjoyed watching this bird on the wires but also we had wonderful views of the Cordillera del Condor.

ORNATE FLYCATCHER (Myiotriccus ornatus)

TUMBES TYRANNULET (Nesotriccus tumbezanus tumbezanus)

YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)

FOOTHILL ELAENIA (Myiopagis olallai)

WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps)

TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea)

SOOTY-HEADED TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias griseiceps)

GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius chrysops)

FULVOUS-CROWNED SCRUB-TYRANT (Euscarthmus meloryphus)

This species has been changed or split several times, and I could't remember its name. We saw a pair along the road to Catamayo airport.

RORAIMAN FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus roraimae)

We had a great show of a pair that were very vocal the day that we went to El Zarza.

OLIVE-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus cryptoxanthus)

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)

BLACKISH PEWEE (Contopus nigrescens)

WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus) [b]

BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans)

LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus)

Common along the way and we never got tired watching the males catching insects.

DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (NIGRICEPS/ATRICEPS) (Myiarchus tuberculifer atriceps)

GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)

BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER (Megarynchus pitangua)

SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis)

GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)

LEMON-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Conopias cinchoneti)

GOLDEN-BELLIED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes hemichrysus)

PIRATIC FLYCATCHER (Legatus leucophaius)

TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)

Field Guides Birding Tours
This male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock was sitting quietly near the displaying Amazonian Umbrellabird at Podocarpus. Photo by participant Jerzy Majka.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)

RUFOUS-BROWED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis gujanensis)

OLIVACEOUS GREENLET (Hylophilus olivaceus)

SLATY-CAPPED SHRIKE-VIREO (Vireolanius leucotis) [*]

It was very common but we never properly saw it.

BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys)

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas)

VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)

Donacobiidae (Donacobius)

BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla)

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

GRAY-BREASTED MARTIN (Progne chalybea)

SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)

WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata)

Several birds were showing nicely close to the unique bridge above the Nangaritza river.

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca)

Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)

WHITE-BROWED GNATCATCHER (Polioptila bilineata bilineata)

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) [*]

HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon)

FASCIATED WREN (Campylorhynchus fasciatus)

Big wrens that were very noisy near Catamayo.

THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus)

CORAYA WREN (Pheugopedius coraya)

SUPERCILIATED WREN (Cantorchilus superciliaris) [*]

SHARPE'S WREN (Cinnycerthia olivascens)

WHITE-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucosticta) [*]

BAR-WINGED WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina leucoptera)

Stunning views of this unique bird at El Zarza.

Cinclidae (Dippers)

WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus)

Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)

LONG-TAILED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus longicaudatus)

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides) [*]

SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus) [b]

WHITE-NECKED THRUSH (Turdus albicollis)

We saw a bird feeding on Cecropia fruits one afternoon when we went to Podocarpus the second time.

PLUMBEOUS-BACKED THRUSH (Turdus reevei)

BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis)

Field Guides Birding Tours
Roraiman Flycatcher has a very odd distribution, and it is found in only a few locations in Ecuador. We were lucky and found this one at El Zarza. Photo by guide Willy Perez.

GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater)

CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco)

Along the road above Catamayo.

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea)

Some people saw this very colorful bird at Maycu.

WHITE-VENTED EUPHONIA (Euphonia minuta)

THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)

ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster)

BRONZE-GREEN EUPHONIA (Euphonia mesochrysa)

Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)

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

ASHY-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus canigularis)

YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons)

ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (SPECTABILIS) (Arremon aurantiirostris spectabilis)

Few times a bird came to the corn at Copalinga.

RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)

YELLOW-BREASTED BRUSHFINCH (Atlapetes latinuchus)

WHITE-WINGED BRUSHFINCH (Atlapetes leucopterus)

Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)

PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Leistes bellicosus)

The last bird that we saw when we were packing up to catch our flight back.

RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons)

CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)

SOLITARY BLACK CACIQUE (Cacicus solitarius)

It surprise me when one showed up nicely in our way to Paquisha.

YELLOW-RUMPED CACIQUE (Cacicus cela)

GIANT COWBIRD (Molothrus oryzivorus)

Parulidae (New World Warblers)

TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca) [b]

THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus)

BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda)

RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata)

CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis) [b]

SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)

Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)

SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra) [b]

White-necked Parakeet is another rare bird that we were able to see very well. A group of them fed on some fruit near the lodge at Copalinga, where participant Jerzy Majka got this great video!

SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea) [b]

WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera)

GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster)

AMAZONIAN GROSBEAK (Cyanoloxia rothschildii) [*]

Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)

MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus)

The large black and white tanagers that we saw several times.

BLACK-AND-WHITE TANAGER (Conothraupis speculigera)

FLAME-CRESTED TANAGER (Loriotus cristatus)

FULVOUS-CRESTED TANAGER (Tachyphonus surinamus)

WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)

FULVOUS SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio fulvus)

SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)

VERMILION TANAGER (Calochaetes coccineus)

Stunning tanager that we saw at Santa Cecilia.

ORANGE-THROATED TANAGER (Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron)

A group showed well the first day that we went to Maycu reserve.

BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN TANAGER (Anisognathus somptuosus)

YELLOW-THROATED TANAGER (Iridosornis analis)

Superb views of this colorful tanager at El Zarza.

ORANGE-EARED TANAGER (Chlorochrysa calliparaea)

BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)

PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)

YELLOW-BELLIED TANAGER (Ixothraupis xanthogastra)

SPOTTED TANAGER (Ixothraupis punctata)

GOLDEN-NAPED TANAGER (Chalcothraupis ruficervix)

MASKED TANAGER (Stilpnia nigrocincta)

BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Stilpnia cyanicollis)

BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis)

METALLIC-GREEN TANAGER (Tangara labradorides)

TURQUOISE TANAGER (Tangara mexicana)

PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis)

This beauty was seen several times during the trip.

BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)

Field Guides Birding Tours
Podocarpus National Park was a wonderful location near our lodge at Copalinga, and we saw some fantastic birds there. Here is the group, posed at the entrance to the park. Photo by guide Willy Perez.

GOLDEN-EARED TANAGER (Tangara chrysotis)

GREEN-AND-GOLD TANAGER (Tangara schrankii)

GOLDEN TANAGER (Tangara arthus)

SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis)

BLACK-FACED DACNIS (BLACK-FACED) (Dacnis lineata lineata)

YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)

BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)

PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)

GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)

GOLDEN-COLLARED HONEYCREEPER (Iridophanes pulcherrimus)

GUIRA TANAGER (Hemithraupis guira)

YELLOW-BACKED TANAGER (Hemithraupis flavicollis)

WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa albilatera)

DEEP-BLUE FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa glauca)

We had fantastic views of this species at Santa Cecilia.

SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)

BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)

CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)

CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis)

RED-CRESTED FINCH (Coryphospingus cucullatus)

BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola)

YELLOW-SHOULDERED GROSBEAK (Parkerthraustes humeralis)

This is a very special bird that we saw twice, even through the scope.

BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)

BLUISH-GRAY SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens)

BLACK-COWLED SALTATOR (Saltator nigriceps)

SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus)


MAMMALS

WHITE-FRONTED CAPUCHIN (Cebus albifrons)

A big family came just to say goodbye to us the last day at Copalinga.

RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)

BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)

TAYRA (Eira barbara)


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We also saw an Anole sp. Lizard, many hummingbird moths and a lot of butterflies including many morphos, but the best were the Malachite butterfly.

Totals for the tour: 280 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa