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A common
hummingbird of Ecuador's southwest, the Amazilia Hummingbird
comes in two forms here: this lowland form, and a
whiter-bellied highland form sometimes split off as Loja
Hummingbird, A. alticola. (Photo by tour participant Brian
Stech)
This was yet another SW Ecuador trip packed full of spectacular highlights and surprises, the biggest bird surprise being the Buff-browed Foliage-gleaner that we found on the lower slopes of the Tapichalaca reserve, way out of its known range. This is a bird that had previously only been known in Ecuador from a record or two right along the Peruvian border! Many folks sign up for this tour for the chance at seeing the superb Jocotoco Antpitta; believe it or not "Superb Antpitta" was actually one of the name candidates! We indeed had superb views of this beast; seeing it is now not at all the chore it once was. Now? Hike in along the trail, have a seat on the bench, and they come running in to gobble down some jumbo-sized worms. What a show! Before this you had to pray that one would answer in the hopes of even just getting a quick glimpse.
The weather surprises weren't quite as pleasant, causing huge numbers of landslides in the deep SW that prevented us from visiting a few key spots, such as the highland Tumbesian areas around Utuana reserve. The rains came about a month early this year, and they were particularly intense; in hindsight I actually count ourselves lucky because if we had run the trip about a week or two earlier, the road conditions would probably have made passage throughout SW Ecuador a complete nightmare! The countless landslides that we drove by were a testament to this. But we made the best of it, seeing nearly all of the targets anyway; the weather elsewhere (i.e., at Tapichalaca, Buenaventura and Yungilla) was quite accommodating really. Hey, Ecuador (and the rest of the Neotropics) can be a rainy place.
Bird song and responsiveness seemed down in the deciduous forests of the SW, and I chalk it up to the early rains. It was not at all bad, but a few species that are usually more reliable and responsive this time of the year - like Rufous-necked Foliage-gleaner, Watkin's Antpitta, and Pale-headed Brush-Finch - gave us a hard time. Most of the others, on the other hand, were as cooperative as usual!
This tour has evolved quite a bit over the last few years with respect to the quality of the accommodations; I still remember the days when we would have to stay in basic (and noisy) hostels in Macara, or hotels, some quite nice, really, but distant from the dandy birding areas at Buenaventura and Tapichalaca. To have the Jocotoco lodges, like Urraca, Umbrellabird, and Tapichalaca, in place, is really a treat... there is nothing better than staying on-site where it is quiet and the birds are only a step away! So, I really do have to plug the Jocotoco Foundation for doing such an awesome job of setting up these birding paradises, and for creating a conservation movement that any country in the neotropics would be wise to follow.
So now comes my short list of hand-picked highlights that I thought really shone and made the trip particularly special. I already mentioned a few, but I can't help throwing out some more(!): Gray-backed Hawk numerous times at Buenaventura; some sensational psittacids, like Golden-plumed, El Oro, and White-necked Parakeets... and don't forget that Red-faced Parrot; a long list of hummers, but I just have to single out that gorgeous Glowing Puffleg; that comical Chestnut-naped Antpitta at the Tapichalaca worm feeder that kept slipping; our final hour Elegant Crescentchests; that lovely pair of Chestnut-crested Cotingas; two male Long-wattled Umbrellabirds "booming" at the Buenaventura lek at very close range; displaying Club-winged Manakins; those handsome White-tailed Jays feeding young; and a pair of Silvery Tanagers in perfect light. This is only the tip of the iceberg, so read on!
With this, I'll sign off and leave it to the list that follows. But first I have to thank my favorite driver, Edgar, for doing such an incredible job of driving so capably on all of those winding roads, and for always getting us there in a safe and timely fashion. The final "thank you" goes out to all of you for being great companions in the field and for rolling so well with the punches, and for coming down here and appreciating the beauties of Ecuador. Here's to you!
--Mitch
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
Tinamidae (Tinamous)
PALE-BROWED TINAMOU (Crypturellus transfasciatus) – We sure tried, and heard them all over
the place in the southwest, but tinamous are so hard to call
in and require a lot of time... unless you get lucky.
[*] ANDEAN TINAMOU
(Nothoprocta pentlandii) – Heard numerous times in the hills of the
Catamayo Valley. [*]
Anhimidae (Screamers)
HORNED SCREAMER (Anhima cornuta) – Some decent, if somewhat distant, scope
views from the roadside at Manglares-Churute. Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna autumnalis) – Nice scope views at Manglares-Churute.
FULVOUS
WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna
bicolor) – Ditto!
COMB DUCK (Sarkidiornis melanotos) – Found in small numbers in Ecuador. We had
a few few fly up in nice light for good looks at
Manglares-Churute-
MUSCOVY DUCK
(Cairina moschata) – Fairly common at Manglares-Churute,
during our productive stop there.
WHITE-CHEEKED
PINTAIL (WHITE-CHEEKED) (Anas
bahamensis rubrirostris) – A
few groups at Manglares-Churute.
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and
Curassows)
RUFOUS-HEADED CHACHALACA (Ortalis erythroptera) – Brain inadvertently got us onto this one
at Cerro Blanco when he was pointing out a different bird!
Later on we had wonderful views at Buenaventura where they
come to the fruit feeders. BEARDED GUAN
(Penelope barbata) – A fairly range-restricted species of
southern Ecuador and northern Peru. We had some quality
studies at Cajanuma and Tapichalaca.
CRESTED GUAN
(Penelope purpurascens) – Quick views at Buenaventura... they are
skittish!
SICKLE-WINGED GUAN
(Chamaepetes goudotii fagani) – Nice looks at this wide-ranging guan at
Buenaventura.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
RUFOUS-FRONTED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus erythrops) – We sure tried! [*]
Ciconiidae (Storks)
WOOD STORK (Mycteria
americana) – The ole
"Woodstock", which we had nice in-flight views of at
Manglares-Churute. Fregatidae (Frigatebirds)
MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD (Fregata magnificens) Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus brasilianus)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Among the
smallest of the New World raptors, the dainty Pearl Kite
is nonetheless a fierce little predator. Lizards beware!
(Photo by tour participant Brian Stech)
GREAT EGRET
(AMERICAN) (Ardea alba
egretta)
SNOWY EGRET
(Egretta thula thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON
(Egretta caerulea)
CATTLE EGRET
(IBIS) (Bubulcus ibis ibis)
STRIATED HERON
(SOUTH AMERICAN) (Butorides
striata striata)
BLACK-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON (AMERICAN) (Nycticorax
nycticorax hoactli)
YELLOW-CROWNED
NIGHT-HERON (Nyctanassa
violacea)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
WHITE IBIS (Eudocimus
albus) ROSEATE SPOONBILL
(Platalea ajaja) – Nice scope views of this rosy species at
Manglares-Churute!
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) TURKEY VULTURE
(Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
HOOK-BILLED KITE (Chondrohierax uncinatus) – Larry spotted a very distant one that
Dorothy and I got onto briefly at Jorupe. SWALLOW-TAILED
KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
– Seen seven days running.
PEARL KITE
(Gampsonyx swainsonii magnus) – Craig spotted this one for us on the
first day out on the Santa Elena Peninsula for some nice
views where there ended up being a pair perched on the
powerlines.
WHITE-TAILED KITE
(Elanus leucurus) – On our second day out over
Manglares-Churute.
SNAIL KITE
(Rostrhamus sociabilis sociabilis)
– Common in marshy areas of the western
lowlands.
PLUMBEOUS KITE
(Ictinia plumbea) – Daily around Buenaventura.
BLACK-CHESTED
BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus
melanoleucus australis) –
Pretty regular in the highlands on the second half of our
trip. This chunky eagle can easily be recognized by its
thick wings and short tail, that almost seem to meet.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
(PLAIN-BREASTED) (Accipiter
striatus ventralis) – Some
got a look at this Accipiter when it came up to soar at
Cajanuma.
BICOLORED HAWK
(BICOLORED) (Accipiter bicolor
bicolor) – Not an easy bird
to find, but we ran into one for nice looks near that ugly
landslide above Macara for nice perched views.
CRANE HAWK
(BLACKISH) (Geranospiza
caerulescens balzarensis) –
Nice looks on our first day when one flew by at Cerro
Blanco.
BARRED HAWK
(Leucopternis princeps) – We had a flyby at Buenaventura.
GRAY-BACKED HAWK
(Leucopternis occidentalis) – Some fantastic views of this
range-restricted, and handsome species at Buenaventura.
GREAT BLACK-HAWK
(Buteogallus urubitinga urubitinga)
– A soaring bird at Buenaventura was a
plus!
SAVANNA HAWK
(Buteogallus meridionalis) – Common out in the drier western lowlands.
HARRIS'S HAWK
(HARRIS'S) (Parabuteo
unicinctus harrisi) – A few
times in the west.
ROADSIDE HAWK
(Buteo magnirostris)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK
(NORTHERN) (Buteo platypterus
platypterus) [b]
GRAY HAWK (Buteo nitidus) – A couple of them in the west for decent
views.
VARIABLE HAWK
(Buteo polyosoma) – Quick views in the highlands north of
Loja.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
CARUNCULATED CARACARA (Phalcoboenus carunculatus) – The story as to what is happening with
the caracaras in the central Ecuadorian highlands has still
yet to be resolved, because it seems that the southern
Mountain Caracara and the northern Carunculated Caracara
might be interbreeding there, causing a bit of id confusion.
I have seen in the past what look to me like clean Mountain
Caracaras around Saraguro, but the bird that we saw looked
to me like a Carunculated. I have also seen birds that seem
to be intermediate! I would seem to me that there might be a
zone of contact. At any rate, we had good looks at this bird
in the Saraguro area. CRESTED CARACARA
(Caracara cheriway cheriway) – Pretty common in the drier western
lowlands, but we only managed to see it once in the Jorupe
area.
LAUGHING FALCON
(Herpetotheres cachinnans) – Good looks at a couple of vocalizing
birds at Jorupe.
AMERICAN KESTREL
(COLOMBIAN) (Falco sparverius
peruvianus)
BAT FALCON
(Falco rufigularis) – Some got on one at Jorupe.
PEREGRINE FALCON
(Falco peregrinus) – Seen on three days this tour.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
RUFOUS-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides axillaris) [*] PLUMBEOUS RAIL
(Pardirallus sanguinolentus) [*]
PURPLE GALLINULE
(Porphyrio martinica) – Feeding about along the edges of a
roadside pond near Santa Rosa.
Aramidae (Limpkin)
LIMPKIN (Aramus
guarauna guarauna) – A few at
Manglares-Churute. Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
COLLARED PLOVER (Charadrius collaris) – A couple around Manglares-Churute.
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus peruvianus) – One flew over at Manglares-Churute.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (BLACK-NECKED)
(Himantopus mexicanus mexicanus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
WATTLED JACANA (Jacana jacana scapularis) – Common along roadside marshes. Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) [b] SOLITARY SANDPIPER
(Tringa solitaria) [b]
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata) [b]
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) [b]
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
LAUGHING GULL (Leucophaeus atricilla) [b] FRANKLIN'S GULL
(Leucophaeus pipixcan) – Not too uncommon on inland lakes during
the boreal winter. [b]
GULL-BILLED TERN
(Gelochelidon nilotica)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I] PALE-VENTED PIGEON
(Patagioenas cayennensis) – Fairly common in the western lowlands.
BAND-TAILED PIGEON
(WHITE-NECKED) (Patagioenas
fasciata albilinea) – The
common pigeon of the highlands.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON
(Patagioenas plumbea chapmani) – Good looks at one at Buenaventura.
RUDDY PIGEON
(BERLEPSCH'S) (Patagioenas
subvinacea berlepschi)
[*]
EARED DOVE
(Zenaida auriculata hypoleuca)
ECUADORIAN
GROUND-DOVE (Columbina
buckleyi) – For a bird that
is quite common in the western lowlands, it sure took us a
while to get good looks at them when we spotted a small
group along the roadside not far from Jorupe.
CROAKING
GROUND-DOVE (Columbina
cruziana) – Prefers drier
habitats than the previous species; this was the one with
the bright yellow around the bill.
BLUE GROUND-DOVE
(Claravis pretiosa) – It was a nice treat to have seen a small
group of this often reclusive species during our first
morning of birding at Cerro Blanco.
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE
(DECOLOR) (Leptotila verreauxi
decolor) – A common dove in
SW Ecuador, where they can often be seen trotting along
roadsides.
WHITE-THROATED
QUAIL-DOVE (Geotrygon frenata)
– Quail-doves are a notoriously
difficult group to see well, so it was nice to seen one
visiting a feeder at Tapichalaca for such nice looks!
Psittacidae (Parrots)
GOLDEN-PLUMED PARAKEET (Leptosittaca branickii) – A loud and large parakeet of Andean
temperate forests, and different enough from any other to
deserve being placed in its own genus. Tapichalaca has to be
the best spot in the country for this one, and we had some
spectacular encounters. This is one of my favorites, maybe
because it is such a hallmark species for the mysterious
highland woodlands; you always know that if this species is
present, other good stuff will be too! EL ORO PARAKEET
(Pyrrhura orcesi) – One of Ecuador's few endemics. While not
particularly loaded with multiple colors - it is actually
one of the drabber species of its genus - this one is
range-restricted, being found only in the very humid cloud
forests of SW Ecuador; a habitat that has been severely
affected by human activities. Luckily the Jocotoco
Foundation stepped in and preserved some critical tracts of
land for it to continue breeding successfully. Our local
guide marched us right up to an active nest box for some
fabulous studies. It took a little bit of waiting, but it
was well worth it! Field Guides's very own Rose Ann Rowlett
was actually one of the co-discoverers.
WHITE-NECKED
PARAKEET (Pyrrhura albipectus)
– Up until relatively recently, very
little was known about this species, and it was thought for
a long time to be an Ecuadorian endemic; not too long ago it
was found over the border into Peru... they stole another
endemic from us, just like the Jocotoco Antpitta! This
species inhabits a small area of the eastern foothills,
where it screeches about in small groups and nests in boxes
put out for them in the lower elevations of the Tapichalaca
reserve. We had some memorable views right along the
roadside there!
RED-MASKED
PARAKEET (Aratinga
erythrogenys) – The common
Aratinga of the drier zones of the west slope.
PACIFIC PARROTLET
(Forpus coelestis) – The common parrotlet of the SW that we
saw well numerous times. The mix of greens, blues and soft
grays of this one make it a really handsome species.
GRAY-CHEEKED
PARAKEET (Brotogeris
pyrrhoptera) – While this one
also occurs in extreme NW Peru, the bulk of this species'
range lies within the SW of Ecuador, so its conservation
here is critical. Luckily, they still seem to be pretty
common, even right around Guayaquil city, but parrots can
take population dives pretty quickly. We had our first good
looks at this one on our first day around Cerro Blanco.
RED-FACED PARROT
(Hapalopsittaca pyrrhops) – Wow, this really turned out to be quite a
fine trip for special psittacids. In my opinion, this
species may be more at risk than any of the others we saw
due to the large-scale clearing of its temperate,
intermontane forest habitats; you could just see how ravaged
these forests are getting when driving from Loja to Cuenca!
At least they are still hanging on in some healthy forest
patches, such as around Saraguro, where we enjoyed some
wonderful views at a spectacular group of this parrot! Aside
from small populations, what makes this one particularly
hard to find is that they have the habit of staying quiet
during the day as they feed about quietly.
RED-BILLED PARROT
(Pionus sordidus corallinus) – Fly-overs in the Tapichalaca area.
BRONZE-WINGED
PARROT (Pionus chalcopterus)
– Fairly common around Buenaventura.
This is an usually-plumaged parrot in that its base color is
a deep blue, not green.
RED-LORED PARROT
(SALVIN'S) (Amazona autumnalis
lilacina) – A pair wheeled in
and landed for us at Cerro Blanco for scope studies.
SCALY-NAPED PARROT
(Amazona mercenaria) – Flybys at Tapichalaca.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta gracilis) – A responsive pair not far from the lodge
at Buenaventura, where they sneaked about in the undergrowth
of some roadside shrubbery. SQUIRREL CUCKOO
(NIGRICRISSA) (Piaya cayana
nigricrissa) – Funny that we
never actually even caught a glimpse! [*]
STRIPED CUCKOO
(Tapera naevia naevia) [*]
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI
(Crotophaga ani) – Common in secondary habitats around
Buenaventura.
GROOVE-BILLED ANI
(Crotophaga sulcirostris) – Since we spent most of our lower
elevation birding in drier habitats, this was the common ani
of the trip.
Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)
BARN OWL (AMERICAN) (Tyto alba contempta) – We had a quick flyby of one during a
pre-dawn drive north from Loja. Strigidae (Owls)
PERUVIAN SCREECH-OWL (Megascops roboratus pacificus) – This rascal just got away from us!
[*] SPECTACLED OWL
(Pulsatrix perspicillata chapmani)
– Vocal at Jorupe, but not responsive
at all... [*]
This tour
features a number of rare and/or local parrot species,
including the very local El Oro Parakeet, endemic to a
narrow belt of montane forest in SW Ecuador. (Photo by
tour participant Brian Stech)
ANDEAN PYGMY-OWL
(Glaucidium jardinii) – Awesome scope studies at a responsive
bird in the high temperate forests of Acacana, when it
perched right up for us!
PERUVIAN PYGMY-OWL
(Glaucidium peruanum) – Craig spotted our first one at Cerro
Blanco... we were all sorry that Craig had to go home so
early in the trip; aside from his great companionship, we
just knew that he would have found some great stuff for us!
BLACK-AND-WHITE
OWL (Ciccaba nigrolineata)
– Responsive at Buenaventura, but wary;
all we got visually was one flying away!
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON PAURAQUE (Nyctidromus albicollis) – Nesting right along the roadside at
Buenaventura. [N] Apodidae (Swifts)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne rutila brunnitorques)
– A common swift found from the
foothills all the way up through to the highlands. WHITE-COLLARED
SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
– The large swift, found in most
habitats.
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT
(TUMBES) (Chaetura brachyura
ocypetes) – The Birds of
Ecuador splits this one out from the Short-tailed Swift...
who knows!? We had them in-flight from the porch at Jorupe,
where they are pretty regular.
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT
(ASH-RUMPED) (Chaetura
cinereiventris occidentalis) –
Common around Buenaventura.
LESSER
SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila
cayennensis) – This one has a
nest right up under the the roof of one of the cabins at
Buenaventura... not sure if it was active though. We had
some nice in-flight views of them there.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora) – Daily at Buenaventura's feeders, and a
common hummer throughout Central and South America. BAND-TAILED
BARBTHROAT (Threnetes ruckeri)
– One surprised us at Buenaventura for
quick looks.
WHITE-WHISKERED
HERMIT (Phaethornis yaruqui)
– Common around Buenaventura.
LONG-BILLED HERMIT
(BARON'S) (Phaethornis
longirostris baroni) – In
small numbers at Buenaventura.
WEDGE-BILLED
HUMMINGBIRD (Schistes
geoffroyi albogularis) – Good
looks at Buenaventura.
BROWN VIOLETEAR
(Colibri delphinae) – Loud and common at Buenaventura's
feeders.
SPARKLING
VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans
coruscans) – A common
highland hummer that we saw well on the last three days of
the trip.
PURPLE-CROWNED
FAIRY (Heliothryx barroti)
– A striking hummer that we saw at
Buenaventura.
AMETHYST-THROATED
SUNANGEL (AMETHYST-THROATED) (Heliangelus
amethysticollis laticlavius) –
A beautiful little hummer that we saw commonly at
Tapichalaca's feeders.
LITTLE SUNANGEL
(Heliangelus micraster) – Also known as the Flame-throated
Sunangel. We had many fine views at Tapichalaca's feeders.
PURPLE-THROATED
SUNANGEL (Heliangelus viola)
– Pretty common in the temperate
forests around Loja.
GREEN THORNTAIL
(Discosura conversii) – Awesome at Buenaventura's feeders!
SPECKLED
HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia
melanogenys maculata) – A few
at the Tapichalaca feeders.
LONG-TAILED SYLPH
(Aglaiocercus kingi mocoa) – Common in the Tapichalaca area... what a
tail!
VIOLET-TAILED
SYLPH (Aglaiocercus coelestis
aethereus) – Had this one on
one day at Buenaventura!
RUFOUS-CAPPED
THORNBILL (Chalcostigma
ruficeps) – Not much of a
feeder bird, but we had good looks at them just down the
road from the lodge at Tapichalaca.
RAINBOW-BEARDED
THORNBILL (Chalcostigma
herrani) – We had one come in
briefly in the Saraguro area.
TYRIAN METALTAIL
(Metallura tyrianthina tyrianthina)
– Common around Tapichalaca.
GLOWING PUFFLEG
(Eriocnemis vestita smaragdinipectus)
– Just love that glowing rump;
Tapichalaca!
SHINING SUNBEAM
(Aglaeactis cupripennis) – The orange hummer that we had well in the
highlands of the Saraguro area.
BRONZY INCA
(Coeligena coeligena) – Seen during our roadside birding in the
lower part of the Tapichalaca reserve.
BROWN INCA
(Coeligena wilsoni) – Brian spotted this one for us a
Buenaventura.
COLLARED INCA
(COLLARED) (Coeligena torquata
fulgidigula) – Common around
Tapichalaca.
BUFF-WINGED
STARFRONTLET (Coeligena
lutetiae) – I think Brian
might have been the only one to get onto this one at
Tapichalaca.
RAINBOW
STARFRONTLET (Coeligena iris
iris) – A stunning hummer of
southern Ecuador, that we had wonderful views of a few
times.
MOUNTAIN
VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya
lafresnayi saul) – Quick
views of one in flight near Saraguro when we spotted one at
the forest edge one morning.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED
CORONET (Boissonneaua
matthewsii) – Common and
aggressive at Tapichalaca's feeders.
FAWN-BREASTED
BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa
rubinoides aequatorialis) –
In small numbers at Tapichalaca's feeders.
GREEN-CROWNED
BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa jacula
jamesoni) – One of the larger
hummers at Buenaventura's feeders.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD
(Patagona gigas peruviana) – We lucked into nice views of one in the
dry Ona Valley - where it fed on Agave flowers - during our
drive from Loja to Yungilla.
LONG-BILLED
STARTHROAT (Heliomaster
longirostris albicrissa) – A
few around Buenaventura.
PURPLE-COLLARED
WOODSTAR (Myrtis fanny fanny)
– Quick views of a female during our
drive from Jorupe to Loja via Catacocha as the Sozoranga
route was blocked!!!
WHITE-BELLIED
WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus
mulsant) – Regular in small
numbers at Tapichalaca's feeders. This little guy has a
pot-bellied look about it.
LITTLE WOODSTAR
(Chaetocercus bombus) – Good looks at female plumaged bird at
Yungilla.
GREEN-CROWNED
WOODNYMPH (EMERALD-BELLIED) (Thalurania
fannyi hypochlora) –
Wonderful views at Buenaventura's feeders. Just love those
intense greens and purples!
AMAZILIA
HUMMINGBIRD (AMAZILIA) (Amazilia
amazilia dumerilii) – Common
in the dry and deciduous forests of the western lowlands and
foothills.
AMAZILIA
HUMMINGBIRD (LOJA) (Amazilia
amazilia alticola) – Some
split this highland form of the Amazilia Hummingbird out as
a separate species. Who knows if this is a valid taxon to
species as characters seem to overlap a bit sometimes! We
had some nice views of this form though in the dry valleys
south of Loja city.
ANDEAN EMERALD
(Amazilia franciae) – The snowy bellied hummer that was a
regular at Buenaventura's feeders.
RUFOUS-TAILED
HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia tzacatl)
– Another common bird at Buenaventura.
VIOLET-BELLIED
HUMMINGBIRD (Damophila julie)
– This can be a tricky hummer to nail
down, but it has now become regular at Buenaventura's
feeders.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps auriceps) – Hey, I never met a quetzal I didn't like!
We had some nice views at both Buenaventura and Tapichalaca.
ECUADORIAN TROGON
(Trogon mesurus) – Common and vocal in the Jorupe area. This
one is a mostly accepted split from the Black-tailed Trogon;
this one has a pale iris, among other minor differences.
GARTERED TROGON
(Trogon caligatus) – A member of the Violaceous Trogon group,
this one occurs on the west slope here. We had this on one
day at Buenaventura, where it inhabits the humid forests.
COLLARED TROGON
(COLLARED) (Trogon collaris
virginalis) – Good looks up
the road from Umbrellabird lodge at Buenaventura.
MASKED TROGON
(Trogon personatus temperatus) – Some got onto this high elevation trogon
at Cajanuma before it got away.
Momotidae (Motmots)
WHOOPING MOTMOT (ARGENTICINCTUS)
(Momotus subrufescens argenticinctus)
– Split from the Blue-crowned Motmot,
representing this group on the west slope. We had some nice
looks in the deciduous forests at Jorupe. RUFOUS MOTMOT
(Baryphthengus martii) – Nicely at Buenaventura.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
RINGED KINGFISHER (Megaceryle torquata) Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
BARRED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus radiatus) – It took a couple of tries, but we finally
got one to come close enough for quality scope studies at
Buenaventura. WHITE-WHISKERED
PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila
panamensis) – Good looks in
the forest at Buenaventura not far from the lodge.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
RED-HEADED BARBET (Eubucco bourcierii) – A flashy barbet that we saw with a flock
in the lower stretches of Tapichalaca reserve. Ramphastidae (Toucans)
EMERALD TOUCANET (BLACK-THROATED)
(Aulacorhynchus prasinus cyanolaemus)
– We caught them moving through with a
flock at Tapichalaca. GRAY-BREASTED
MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena
hypoglauca lateralis) – Good
thing we got them at Cajanuma during our morning there,
because there was no sign of them at Tapichalaca this visit!
COLLARED ARACARI
(STRIPE-BILLED) (Pteroglossus
torquatus erythropygius) –
Fairly common around Buenaventura, where they often come
right up to the lodge to eat bananas.
BLACK-MANDIBLED
TOUCAN (CHESTNUT-MANDIBLED) (Ramphastos
ambiguus swainsonii) – Now
often lumped with the Black-mandibled Toucan... darn! This
large-billed toucan was seen well a couple of times at
Buenaventura.
CHOCO TOUCAN
(Ramphastos brevis) – Slightly smaller than the previous
species, and with more black in the bill; voices differ
dramatically as well. We had them well a couple of times at
Buenaventura.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
ECUADORIAN PICULET (Picumnus sclateri) – Seen nicely on our first outing of the
trip at Cerro Blanco. OLIVACEOUS PICULET
(Picumnus olivaceus) – Nice looks at this tiny woodpecker
relative at Buenaventura.
SMOKY-BROWN
WOODPECKER (Picoides
fumigatus) – On the lower
slopes of Tapichalaca.
SCARLET-BACKED
WOODPECKER (Veniliornis
callonotus) – Fairly common
in the dry forests of the west, and a really handsome
woodpecker.
GOLDEN-OLIVE
WOODPECKER (RUBRIPILEUS) (Colaptes
rubiginosus rubripileus) – We
had them once in the Buenaventura area.
CRIMSON-MANTLED
WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii
brevirostris) – One of the
most beautiful woodpeckers of them all. We had good looks at
Cajanuma.
GUAYAQUIL
WOODPECKER (Campephilus
gayaquilensis) –
Buenaventura.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TAWNY-THROATED LEAFTOSSER (Sclerurus mexicanus) – Pretty good looks at Buenaventura up the
road from the lodge. This understory species can be a tricky
one to see well. PALE-LEGGED
HORNERO (PACIFIC) (Furnarius
leucopus cinnamomeus) –
Common in drier areas in more open country. Horneros are
well known for making mud nests the size of a soccer ball.
AZARA'S SPINETAIL
(Synallaxis azarae ochracea) – Seen a couple of times in the highlands;
this is the common highland spinetail in Ecuador.
It may be a
widespread species in Ecuador, but a Red-billed Scythebill
is always a spectacular sight, even more enjoyable when
seen from the dinner table! (Photo by tour participant
Brian Stech)
SLATY SPINETAIL
(Synallaxis brachyura) [*]
BLACKISH-HEADED
SPINETAIL (Synallaxis tithys)
– Some excellent looks at Jorupe where
we even had one right next to its stick nest.
WHITE-BROWED
SPINETAIL (Hellmayrea gularis
gularis) – Great looks along
the trail to the Jocotoco Antpitta at Tapiachalaca.
LINE-CHEEKED
SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca
antisiensis antisiensis) – In
the highlands up around Sozoranga during an afternoon foray
to higher elevations from Jorupe.
MOUSE-COLORED
THISTLETAIL (Asthenes
griseomurina) – Super looks
right along the roadside on our way back north from
Tapichalaca.
RUFOUS-FRONTED
THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus
rufifrons) – We called in a
responsive pair near Valladolid.
SPOTTED BARBTAIL
(Premnoplex brunnescens) – Some got onto this one at Buenaventura
before it slipped away into the undergrowth.
PEARLED TREERUNNER
(Margarornis squamiger perlatus)
– Pretty common with the mixed flocks
at Tapichalaca.
STREAKED
TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes
boissonneautii orientalis) –
A large flock-following furnariid that we saw well north of
Loja near Saraguro.
SCALY-THROATED
FOLIAGE-GLEANER (SPOT-BREASTED) (Anabacerthia variegaticeps temporalis)
– With the flocks at Buenaventura.
MONTANE
FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia
striaticollis) [*]
BUFF-BROWED
FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla
rufosuperciliata) – Maybe not
the flashiest bird of the trip, but certainly the biggest
surprise. This species was - previous to our sighting - only
known from the Cordillera del Condor further east and right
on the Peru border, so it was quite a range extension! We
had some good looks and even got some nice recordings for
proof! Tapichalaca.
RUFOUS-NECKED
FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla
ruficollis) – This one took
some searching, but we finally found a close foraging birds
right up from the cabins along Jorupe's trails.
STRIPED
WOODHAUNTER (CENTRAL AMERICAN) (Hyloctistes
subulatus virgatus) – On our
last morning at Buenaventura during some birding up the road
from the lodge.
HENNA-HOODED
FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Hylocryptus
erythrocephalus) – Pretty
common around Urraca Lodge at Jorupe reserve where we had
some fine views of one on our first morning there.
STREAKED XENOPS
(Xenops rutilans guayae) – Common with flocks in the west in both
humid and drier forests.
PLAIN-BROWN
WOODCREEPER (PLAIN-BROWN) (Dendrocincla
fuliginosa ridgwayi) – In
small numbers at Buenaventura.
OLIVACEOUS
WOODCREEPER (PACIFIC) (Sittasomus
griseicapillus aequatorialis) –
A small woodcreeper that we saw well at Jorupe. This one
will likely be split many ways in the future, so keep an eye
on all of the different forms you might have seen throughout
the neotropics. This pacific form, for instance, sounds
nothing like birds on the other side of the Andes in the
Amazon.
WEDGE-BILLED
WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus
spirurus pectoralis) – The
smallest of the woodcreepers. We found them a few times at
Buenaventura.
SPOTTED
WOODCREEPER (BERLEPSCH'S) (Xiphorhynchus
erythropygius aequatorialis) –
Common with the flocks at Buenaventura.
STREAK-HEADED
WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes
souleyetii) – Common in
deciduous and transitional woodlands of the west.
MONTANE
WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes
lacrymiger aequatorialis) –
Replaces the previous species at higher elevations on more
humid forest.
RED-BILLED
SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus
trochilirostris thoracicus) –
Nice looks at Jorupe right from the dining room... what a
bill!
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major transandeanus) – Excellent views at a male right near the
lodge at Buenaventura. CHAPMAN'S
ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus
zarumae zarumae) – I thought
we were going to miss this one due to all of the landslides
that made getting to some of the better spots for this
species impossible, but we pulled a pair out of the hat in
some roadside montane forest not far from Catacocha as we
made our way to Loja.
COLLARED ANTSHRIKE
(Thamnophilus bernardi) – Nice looks at this flashy antshrike at
Jorupe.
WESTERN
SLATY-ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus
atrinucha atrinucha) – Seen
well on our first afternoon at Buenaventura.
UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE
(Thamnophilus unicolor unicolor)
– Sneaky devils that inhabit the
understory of humid hilly and montane forest. We had to work
them a bird, but finally got some looks at Buenaventura.
RUSSET ANTSHRIKE
(TAWNY) (Thamnistes anabatinus
intermedius) – A pair with a
flock at Buenaventura as they moved through the canopy.
PLAIN ANTVIREO
(Dysithamnus mentalis aequatorialis)
– I think our best experience with this
one was when we stumbled upon a pair attending a tiny
fledgling along the trails at Jorupe. I bet you'll never see
one of these again soooo close!
CHECKER-THROATED
ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla
fulviventris) [*]
SLATY ANTWREN
(Myrmotherula schisticolor schisticolor)
– Common with the understory flocks at
Buenaventura.
CHESTNUT-BACKED
ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza exsul)
– Seen by a few on our last morning at
Buenaventura when a pair skulked through the undergrowth.
IMMACULATE ANTBIRD
(Myrmeciza immaculata macrorhyncha)
– Richard had brief views at
Buenaventura.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
SCALED ANTPITTA (Grallaria guatimalensis regulus) [*] CHESTNUT-CROWNED
ANTPITTA (Grallaria
ruficapilla connectens)
[*]
WATKINS'S ANTPITTA
(Grallaria watkinsi) – Despite some serious looking, and even
hearing them quite close, these guys were tough to see this
year. Richard was the only member of our party to see one...
nice going! Jorupe area.
JOCOTOCO ANTPITTA
(Grallaria ridgelyi) – Only first detected in the late 90's, and
a find that rocked the birding world! The spin-off effects
of the discovery of this antpitta have been amazing, as we
saw on this trip, with the creation of numerous reserves
throughout Ecuador to protect some of its rarest bird
species and other wildlife. Seeing the Jocotoco Antpitta
used to be very difficult, but now Franco - one of the park
guards at Tapichalaca - has a family group tamed down to
come in and gobble up worms only feet away... thrilling!
CHESTNUT-NAPED
ANTPITTA (Grallaria nuchalis
nuchalis) – We had awesome
views of one very nervous bird right at the worm feeding
spot for the Jocotoco. As it is smaller than the Jocotoco,
it really has to get in and out quick, or it risks a romping
from the those big boys! It was so nervous that it even lost
its balance and slid a couple of times.
RUFOUS ANTPITTA
(Grallaria rufula rufula) – Very nice views of this temperate forest
species at Cajanuma one birdy morning.
SLATE-CROWNED
ANTPITTA (SLATE-CROWNED) (Grallaricula
nana nana) [*]
CRESCENT-FACED
ANTPITTA (Grallaricula
lineifrons) – Even when in
the right spot with a responsive bird, you need some luck to
see this little critter! Its window of response is usually
pretty narrow, so if you don't see the exact spot where it
pops in or jumps through initially, it is already too late;
it often responds once and then vanishes. And since you
can't move around much (it is cramped in that hole and the
bird is wary), it is just a matter of having chosen the
correct angle! We were pretty lucky, because at least it did
come in for us. Most folks did see it move when it hopped
through, but it was Richard, Bryan and Dorothy that got the
stellar looks at the right moment!
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
OCELLATED TAPACULO (Acropternis orthonyx infuscatus) – We sure tried! [*]
ASH-COLORED
TAPACULO (Myornis senilis)
– We had one creep through right in
front of us at the Crescent-faced Antpitta spot!
BLACKISH TAPACULO
(PACIFIC) (Scytalopus latrans
subcinereus) [*]
LONG-TAILED
TAPACULO (Scytalopus
micropterus) [*]
ECUADORIAN
TAPACULO (Scytalopus robbinsi)
– This is very range-restricted species
of SW Ecuador, inhabiting only a narrow belt of foothill
cloud forest. In addition to having a small range, it is
also brutally difficult to see - or even detect - most of
the time. We did manage to glimpse one that popped in for us
at Buenaventura a couple of times.
CHUSQUEA TAPACULO
(Scytalopus parkeri) – Nice looks at this fairly recently
described species at Cajanuma and Tapichalaca.
Melanopareiidae (Crescentchests)
ELEGANT CRESCENTCHEST (Melanopareia elegans elegans) – I was afraid that we were doomed to miss
this one after only hearing at some of my best spots, but we
pulled another hat trick at our last opportunity at a little
patch we know about south of Loja for nice views! Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (SOUTHERN)
(Camptostoma obsoletum sclateri)
WHITE-BANDED
TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus
stictopterus stictopterus) –
With flocks at Cajanuma.
WHITE-THROATED
TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus
leucophrys rufomarginatis) –
Only managed a quick flyby!
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT
(Anairetes parulus) – Nice looks at this sprite little tyrannid
north of Loja in the Saraguro area.
MOUSE-COLORED
TYRANNULET (TUMBES) (Phaeomyias
murina tumbezana) – Pretty
common in the deciduous forests west of Loja.
With nearly 40
species of hummingbirds seen on the tour, it's a bit tough
to choose a favorite, but the sparkling little
Violet-bellied Hummingbird has got to be a contender!
(Photo by tour participant Brian Stech)
GREENISH ELAENIA
(GREENISH) (Myiopagis
viridicata implacens) – Nice
looks a couple of times on our first day of birding at Cerro
Blanco.
YELLOW-BELLIED
ELAENIA (Elaenia flavogaster
semipagana) – Seen first in
the disturbed woodlands below Umbrellabird Lodge at
Buenaventura.
WHITE-CRESTED
ELAENIA (WHITE-CRESTED) (Elaenia
albiceps griseigularis) – A
common elaenia of the highlands, usually in drier habitats.
HIGHLAND ELAENIA
(Elaenia obscura) – A hefty elaenia species, and not a common
bird at all in Ecuador. We chased down one bird for nice
looks down below Tapichalaca one afternoon.
SIERRAN ELAENIA
(ANDEAN) (Elaenia pallatangae
pallatangae) – Fairly common
the highlands in the Loja area.
OLIVE-STRIPED
FLYCATCHER (Mionectes
olivaceus hederaceus) –
Common in the lower growth at Buenaventura.
OCHRE-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER (Mionectes
oleagineus) – We had one at
Buenaventura.
SLATY-CAPPED
FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon
superciliaris) – Pretty
common with the flocks at Buenaventura.
VARIEGATED
BRISTLE-TYRANT (Phylloscartes
poecilotis) – We caught a few
moving through with a roadside mixed flock one afternoon at
Tapichalaca. The one with the buffy wingbars.
SOOTY-HEADED
TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias
griseiceps)
BLACK-CAPPED
TYRANNULET (Phyllomyias
nigrocapillus nigrocapillus) –
Common with the flocks at Cajanuma.
GOLDEN-FACED
TYRANNULET (LOJA) (Zimmerius
chrysops flavidifrons) – A
couple of times at Buenaventura. The Birds of Ecuador splits
this form out, calling it the Loja Tyrannulet.
ORNATE FLYCATCHER
(Myiotriccus ornatus stellatus) – A beautiful little flycatcher that we saw
many times at Buenaventura.
BRONZE-OLIVE
PYGMY-TYRANT (Pseudotriccus
pelzelni annectens) [*]
RUFOUS-HEADED
PYGMY-TYRANT (Pseudotriccus
ruficeps) [*]
TAWNY-CROWNED
PYGMY-TYRANT (Euscarthmus
meloryphus fulviceps) – In
the dry habitats west of Loja, where it is a common bird.
SCALE-CRESTED
PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus
pileatus squamaecrista) –
Buenaventura.
BLACK-THROATED
TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus
granadensis pyrrhops) – We
had one responsive pair for nice looks at Tapichalaca.
COMMON
TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum
cinereum sclateri) – Common
in secondary habitats around Buenaventura.
YELLOW-OLIVE
FLYCATCHER (EQUATORIAL) (Tolmomyias
sulphurescens aequatorialis) –
Seen well first at Cerro Blanco.
WHITE-THROATED
SPADEBILL (Platyrinchus
mystaceus albogularis) – Most
folks got onto this one in the understory at Buenaventura.
CINNAMON
FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias
cinnamomeus pyrrhopterus) – A
few at Tapichalaca.
ORANGE-BANDED
FLYCATCHER (Nephelomyias
lintoni) – Nicely in the
inter-Andean forests north of Loja where this species
forages in the canopy in large groups.
SULPHUR-RUMPED
FLYCATCHER (Myiobius
sulphureipygius aureatus) – A
few of this yellow-rumped, understory species at
Buenaventura.
BRAN-COLORED
FLYCATCHER (BRAN-COLORED) (Myiophobus
fasciatus crypterythrus)
GRAY-BREASTED
FLYCATCHER (Lathrotriccus
griseipectus) – An
inconspicuous bird that can be easily overlooked, but with
knowledge of its voice and habitat, it isn't too hard to
find; we had good looks at them at both Cerro Blanco and
Jorupe.
SMOKE-COLORED
PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus
zarumae)
TROPICAL PEWEE
(TUMBES) (Contopus cinereus
punensis) – This bird of
Tumbezia is sometimes split from the other forms of Tropical
Pewee. We had them well at Jorupe.
BLACK PHOEBE
(WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis
nigricans angustirostris)
VERMILION
FLYCATCHER (VERMILION) (Pyrocephalus
rubinus piurae)
RUFOUS-TAILED
TYRANT (Knipolegus poecilurus)
– We connected with this uncommon
tyrant on the slopes below Tapichalaca one morning right
along the roadside.
BLACK-BILLED
SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis
montanus solitarius) – It was
poor light, but the looks weren't bad. What was most
interesting was to see this more common species next to the
rarer White-tailed for comparison during a dawn stop north
of Loja.
WHITE-TAILED
SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis
albicauda) – A very local
species that seems to prefer scrubby and even denuded
habitats. We had good looks at dawn north of Loja.
STREAK-THROATED
BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes
striaticollis striaticollis) –
Nearing Cuenca, we jumped off of the bus for scope views of
this central valley species.
MASKED
WATER-TYRANT (Fluvicola
nengeta atripennis) – Fond of
wet areas and even pastures in open habitats of the west. We
had good looks on our drive from Guayaquil to Buenaventura.
YELLOW-BELLIED
CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca diadema
gratiosa) [*]
RUFOUS-BREASTED
CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca
rufipectoralis obfuscata) –
Good looks at this canopy chat-tyrant at Tapichalaca... the
one with the big white brow.
BROWN-BACKED
CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca
fumicolor brunneifrons) – The
high elevation chat-tyrant here in Ecuador that we saw well
in the Saraguro area at the edge of high temperate forest.
LONG-TAILED TYRANT
(Colonia colonus) – Valladolid area below Tapichalaca.
DUSKY-CAPPED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
tuberculifer nigriceps) – The
common Myiarchus throughout much of Ecuador.
SOOTY-CROWNED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
phaeocephalus phaeocephalus) –
Fairly common in the deciduous Bombax forests of the SW.
PALE-EDGED
FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus
cephalotes) – An east slope
Myiarchus that we saw in the Tapichalaca area.
BOAT-BILLED
FLYCATCHER (TUMBES) (Megarynchus
pitangua chrysogaster) –
Fairly common in the west where found in a variety of
habitat types.
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER
(TUMBES) (Myiozetetes similis
grandis) – Most common in
open habits on both slopes.
GOLDEN-CROWNED
FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes
chrysocephalus minor) –
Buenaventura.
BAIRD'S FLYCATCHER
(Myiodynastes bairdii) – Fairly common in dry habitats of the SW.
We saw them first west of Guayaquil out on the Santa Elena
Peninsula.
STREAKED
FLYCATCHER (STREAKED) (Myiodynastes
maculatus chapmani) – Seen on
our first day out at Cerro Blanco.
PIRATIC FLYCATCHER
(Legatus leucophaius) – A lowland and foothill bird of humid
areas.
SNOWY-THROATED
KINGBIRD (Tyrannus
niveigularis) – Plenty of
fine studies out on the Santa Elena Peninsula on our first
day. This one is much more cleanly marked than the Tropical
Kingbird.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD
(Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
A handsome male
Green-and-black Fruiteater peers out from the canopy of a
fruiting tree. (Photo by tour participant Brian Stech)
BARRED FRUITEATER
(Pipreola arcuata arcuata) [*]
SCALED FRUITEATER
(Ampelioides tschudii) – Nice looks at a responsive bird at
Buenaventura.
CHESTNUT-CRESTED
COTINGA (Ampelion rufaxilla)
– A very local species in Ecuador,
occurring in humid forest on the east slope. I had never
seen this one in Ecuador so was thrilled when a pair popped
up onto the treetops below eye level for staggering looks.
Tapichalaca reserve.
LONG-WATTLED
UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus
penduliger) – It worked well
to get into Umbrellabird Lodge (Buenaventura) early from
Guayaquil so that we could go run down the trail and look
for the... Long-wattled Umbrellabird! We had fantastic luck,
seeing two really close males as they called and perched
about at a lek.
Pipridae (Manakins)
GOLDEN-WINGED MANAKIN (Masius chrysopterus coronulatus) [*] CLUB-WINGED
MANAKIN (Machaeropterus
deliciosus) – As the
scientific name implies, this is indeed one delicious
manakin! It was great to have them displaying around us
right up the road from Umbrellabird Lodge!
WHITE-BEARDED
MANAKIN (Manacus manacus)
– Some good looks at Buenaventura as
they displayed in the undergrowth.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata nigriceps) – Fairly common around Buenaventura.
BARRED BECARD
(Pachyramphus versicolor versicolor)
– We did well on becards this trip.
This one we saw with a flock at Tapichalaca.
SLATY BECARD
(Pachyramphus spodiurus) – The key becard to get on this trip, and
we had them well right next to their thick, ball-like nests
at Jorupe.
BLACK-AND-WHITE
BECARD (Pachyramphus
albogriseus guayaquilensis) –
Also seen at a nest; Jorupe.
ONE-COLORED BECARD
(Pachyramphus homochrous homochrous)
– A large becard that we saw a few
times in the Jorupe area.
Vireonidae (Vireos)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys josephae) – Fairly common with montane, humid forest
flocks. RED-EYED VIREO
(RESIDENT CHIVI) (Vireo
olivaceus griseobarbatus)
LESSER GREENLET
(GRAY-HEADED) (Hylophilus
decurtatus minor) – Pretty
common with the flocks at Buenaventura.
RUFOUS-BROWED
PEPPERSHRIKE (YELLOW-BACKED) (Cyclarhis
gujanensis virenticeps) –
Mostly heard, but Richard got a look at one in the Jorupe
area.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
TURQUOISE JAY (Cyanolyca turcosa) – This all blue and black jay was seen well
at Cajanuma. WHITE-TAILED JAY
(Cyanocorax mystacalis) – While first seen at Cerro Blanco on our
first day, we had our best looks at this striking jay at
Jorupe where there were adults attending young.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (CYANOLEUCA)
(Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca)
PALE-FOOTED
SWALLOW (Orochelidon flavipes)
– This forest based swallow can be
tricky to id, but we had some in decent light right at the
Cajanuma headquarters where some could even make out the
rusty throat.
BROWN-BELLIED
SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina)
– The common high elevation swallow.
SOUTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx
ruficollis uropygialis) –
Regular at Buenaventura.
GRAY-BREASTED
MARTIN (Progne chalybea
chalybea)
BROWN-CHESTED
MARTIN (Progne tapera)
– A few along the roadside near Puerto
Jeli.
BARN SWALLOW
(AMERICAN) (Hirundo rustica
erythrogaster) [b]
CHESTNUT-COLLARED
SWALLOW (Petrochelidon
rufocollaris aequatorialis) –
This species often nests right in the steeples and eaves of
the town churches in the SW. We saw this phenomenon at close
range one afternoon in the Macara area for nice views..
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
FASCIATED WREN (Campylorhynchus fasciatus pallescens)
– The common arboreal wren of the SW
deciduous and dry forests. We saw them many times and heard
their alarming calls daily in the right habitats. RUFOUS WREN
(Cinnycerthia unirufa unibrunnea)
– A common temperate forest wren that
we saw well at Tapichalaca, where they roam around in family
groups.
PLAIN-TAILED WREN
(Pheugopedius euophrys) – An incredible songster which often belts
out its loud dueted song. We had some exceptional views at
Cajanuma.
WHISKERED WREN
(Pheugopedius mystacalis mystacalis)
– Most got onto the pair at
Buenaventura that sneaked through the bamboo undergrowth.
SPECKLE-BREASTED
WREN (SPECKLE-BREASTED) (Pheugopedius
sclateri paucimaculatus) –
Common around Jorupe.
BAY WREN (SOUTH
AMERICAN) (Cantorchilus
nigricapillus nigricapillus) –
Alan and I got a quick view at Buenaventura.
SUPERCILIATED WREN
(Cantorchilus superciliaris) – Not an uncommon bird in the dry and
deciduous forests of the SW, but it can be a really chore to
see well! We did however get a pair to pop up for nice looks
near Jorupe one morning in some roadside habitat.
HOUSE WREN
(SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon
albicans)
MOUNTAIN WREN
(Troglodytes solstitialis solstitialis)
– Good looks at the arboreal, forest
wren at Cajanuma.
GRAY-BREASTED
WOOD-WREN (Henicorhina
leucophrys hilaris) – A very
loud and vocal wren of the humid forest understory in a wide
range of elevations. We had them for good looks a couple of
times at Buenaventura.
SONG WREN (Cyphorhinus phaeocephalus phaeocephalus)
– And it was so close! [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
TROPICAL GNATCATCHER (WHITE-BROWED)
(Polioptila plumbea bilineata) – Almost always the first bird on the scene
to mob after playing the pygmy-owl song! Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides) [*] SLATY-BACKED
NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (SLATY-BACKED) (Catharus fuscater fuscater) [*]
SPOTTED
NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus
dryas) – Good looks in the
understory at Buenaventura.
PALE-EYED THRUSH
(Turdus leucops) – We scoped a singing male at Buenaventura.
PLUMBEOUS-BACKED
THRUSH (Turdus reevei)
– A common forest bird of the SW
deciduous forests that was particularly common around
Jorupe.
ECUADORIAN THRUSH
(Turdus maculirostris) – Common in more open habitats in the SW.
MARANON THRUSH
(Turdus maranonicus) – We had one or two in some roadside
habitat below Tapichalaca, near the town of Valladolid. This
right at the northernmost known range for this species.
GREAT THRUSH
(Turdus fuscater gigantodes)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH
(Turdus chiguanco chiguanco) [*]
GLOSSY-BLACK
THRUSH (Turdus serranus
fuscobrunneus) – We had one
female plumaged bird at Tapichalaca.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
LONG-TAILED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus longicaudatus) – Another common bird of open country in
the SW. Parulidae (New World Warblers)
MASKED YELLOWTHROAT (BLACK-LORED)
(Geothlypis aequinoctialis auricularis)
– We scoped a responsive bird at the
Yungilla reserve for good looks. OLIVE-CROWNED
YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis
semiflava semiflava) – Pretty
common in the pastures at Buenaventura.
A specialty of
the Tumbes region, the Chapman's Antshrike is closely
allied with the widespread and familiar Barred Antshrike,
with which it was once considered conspecific. This is a
female. (Photo by tour participant Brian Stech)
BLACKBURNIAN
WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
– Only saw this on one day! [b]
THREE-STRIPED
WARBLER (Basileuterus
tristriatus) – With the
understory flocks at Buenaventura.
THREE-BANDED
WARBLER (Basileuterus
trifasciatus nitidior) – The
SW representative of the previous species, inhabiting
montane wet and semi-humid forests. We had good looks at
them on several days as they moved with mixed flocks.
CITRINE WARBLER
(Myiothlypis luteoviridis luteoviridis)
– Good looks at Tapichalaca.
BLACK-CRESTED
WARBLER (Myiothlypis
nigrocristatus) – Common in
second growth habitats in humid montane areas.
BUFF-RUMPED
WARBLER (Myiothlypis
fulvicauda) – Most got onto
this one at Buenaventura.
GRAY-AND-GOLD
WARBLER (Myiothlypis fraseri
ochraceicrista) – The form
with the more orange coronal streak that we saw at Cerro
Blanco.
GRAY-AND-GOLD
WARBLER (Myiothlypis fraseri
fraseri) – This southern form
has the yellow coronal streak, and was the bird that we saw
around Jorupe.
RUSSET-CROWNED
WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronatus
castaneiceps) – A common
montane warbler of humid forests that we saw at Tapichalaca.
SLATE-THROATED
REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
– A common flock bird in humid forests
of foothill and subtropical zones.
SPECTACLED
REDSTART (Myioborus
melanocephalus) – Tends to
replace the previous species at higher elevations, such as
in humid temperate forests. We had this one we a few times
at Cajanuma and Tapichalaca.
Coerebidae (Bananaquit)
BANANAQUIT (Coereba
flaveola intermedia) –
Abundant at Buenaventura where they hit the feeders all day
long! Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
BLACK-FACED TANAGER (Schistochlamys melanopis) – We called this one up near Valladolid for
good looks. We were right at the northernmost range for this
species. BLACK-CAPPED
HEMISPINGUS (BLACK-CAPPED) (Hemispingus
atropileus atropileus) – We
hit a cooperative group of this large understory hemispingus
for really nice views at Tapichalaca.
BLACK-HEADED
HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus
verticalis) – A peculiar (and
beautiful) hemispingus that forages with flocks right up in
the crowns of stunted trees in temperate forest. We had a
couple of groups of them at Tapichalaca where they seem to
be particularly numerous.
GRAY-HOODED BUSH
TANAGER (RUBRIROSTRIS) (Cnemoscopus
rubrirostris rubrirostris) –
A mixed flock bird that constantly flicks its tail as it
forages about. We had some really nice looks at them at
Tapichalaca.
RUFOUS-CHESTED
TANAGER (Thlypopsis ornata
media) – Some got onto this
one at Yungilla.
BLUE-BACKED
CONEBILL (Conirostrum
sitticolor sitticolor) – With
the flocks at Cajanuma.
WHITE-SHOULDERED
TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus
panamensis) – In the lower
part of the Buenaventura reserve.
SILVER-BEAKED
TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo
carbo) – In some roadside
habitat below Tapichalaca where they are common.
FLAME-RUMPED
TANAGER (LEMON-RUMPED) (Ramphocelus
flammigerus icteronotus) –
Abundant at Tapichalaca.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER
(Thraupis episcopus quaesita) – We saw both forms: the west duller west
slope bird, and the Amazonian form with the large white
shoulder patches.
PALM TANAGER
(Thraupis palmarum) – Daily at Buenaventura.
BLUE-CAPPED
TANAGER (Thraupis
cyanocephala) – A few popped
up for us at Cajanuma.
HOODED
MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Buthraupis
montana cucullata) – The
large mountain-tanager with the red eye, that we saw at
Cajanuma.
LACRIMOSE
MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus
lacrymosus caerulescens) –
Pretty common in subtropical and temperate forests on the
east slope. The one with the yellow "teardrop" spot on the
face.
SCARLET-BELLIED
MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus
igniventris erythronotus) –
Seen in the humid, high elevation forests around Saraguro.
This is really a stunner!
GRASS-GREEN
TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii
riefferii) – An Andean, humid
forest classic! We had some outstanding views at this
colorful and chunky tanager at Cajanuma and Tapichalaca.
BUFF-BREASTED
MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Dubusia
taeniata taeniata) [*]
GOLDEN-CROWNED
TANAGER (Iridosornis
rufivertex rufivertex) – Most
tanagers tend to inhabit higher strata in the forest, but
this one prefers the lower growth, spending much of its time
near the ground as it forages along actively with mixed
flocks. We lucked into good looks at this one at Cajanuma as
we birded our way up the road to the headquarters.
FAWN-BREASTED
TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota
venezuelensis) –
Buenaventura.
PARADISE TANAGER
(Tangara chilensis) – This one just has to be seen to be truly
appreciated! I mean, how could such colors have evolved? We
had this one with the canopy flocks down below Tapichalaca
as we birded down towards Valladolid.
GOLDEN TANAGER
(Tangara arthus) – Most common with the flocks at
Buenaventura.
SILVER-THROATED
TANAGER (Tangara icterocephala
icterocephala) – Craig and I
had the first good looks at this at Buenaventura, but
everybody else caught up with it the next day.
FLAME-FACED
TANAGER (Tangara parzudakii)
– A heavy-set Tangara that we saw with
the flocks at the lower end of the Tapichalaca reserve.
Another real stunner of a tanager!
RUFOUS-THROATED
TANAGER (Tangara rufigula)
– With the flocks at Buenaventura, and
right at the extreme southernmost end of its known range.
BAY-HEADED TANAGER
(BAY-AND-BLUE) (Tangara gyrola
nupera) – A wide ranging
tanager in the humid foothills and lowlands of South and
Central America.
GOLDEN-NAPED
TANAGER (Tangara ruficervix)
– On one day at Buenaventura.
BLUE-NECKED
TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
– This one should be called
"Blue-headed Tanager"... it is not just the neck that is
blue! Common around Buenaventura.
BLUE-AND-BLACK
TANAGER (Tangara vassorii
vassorii) – The high
elevation Tangara. The color of this species reminds me of
the color of pool chalk. We had them with the flocks at
Tapichalaca.
SILVERY TANAGER
(Tangara viridicollis fulvigula)
– Called "Silver-backed Tanager" in the
Birds of Ecuador. We had some nice looks at this handsome
tanager a few times, such as in the Sozoranga area one
afternoon.
BLACK-FACED DACNIS
(Dacnis lineata) – We saw the western bird at Buenaventura
that the Birds of Ecuador calls the "Yellow-tufted Dacnis",
and splits out as a different species.
GREEN HONEYCREEPER
(Chlorophanes spiza exsul) – Regular at the Buenaventura feeders. This
is a common and wide ranging bird of the neotropics, but a
real looker!
SWALLOW TANAGER
(Tersina viridis) – This distinctive tanager was seen on one
day at Buenaventura.
STREAKED SALTATOR
(Saltator striatipectus flavidicollis)
– The unstreaked race found west of the
Andes that was common around Jorupe.
STREAKED SALTATOR
(Saltator striatipectus peruvianus)
[*]
BLACK-COWLED
SALTATOR (Saltator nigriceps)
– A gorgeous species of saltator with a
bright coral-colored bill! We had some nice studies of them
in the montane forests around Sozoranga.
BUFF-THROATED
SALTATOR (Saltator maximus
maximus) – Common at
Buenaventura.
BLACK-WINGED
SALTATOR (Saltator atripennis)
– A west slope species that we
encountered at Buenaventura.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and
Allies)
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus ocularis) – A mostly gray finch of drier habitats.
BAND-TAILED
SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus
alaudinus) – Nice looks at
this yellow-billed species in the Catamayo Valley, west of
Loja.
BLUE-BLACK
GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina
peruviensis)
VARIABLE SEEDEATER
(Sporophila corvina corvina)
BLACK-AND-WHITE
SEEDEATER (Sporophila
luctuosa) – Not always an
easy one to find, but we had them in the deciduous forests a
few times.
YELLOW-BELLIED
SEEDEATER (Sporophila
nigricollis)
PARROT-BILLED
SEEDEATER (Sporophila
peruviana devronis) – A bird
of the very dry western lowlands that tracked down out on
the Santa Elena Peninsula on our first day.
DRAB SEEDEATER
(Sporophila simplex) – And it is drab, save for the two whitish
wingbars! We had them in the central valley scrub of the
Catamayo Valley.
CHESTNUT-THROATED
SEEDEATER (Sporophila telasco)
– Common in the west in pastures and
other cleared habitats.
THICK-BILLED
SEED-FINCH (Oryzoborus
funereus) – Buenaventura.
DULL-COLORED
GRASSQUIT (Tiaris obscurus
pauper) – Probably the
dullest bird of the trip! Apart from the paler mandible,
there isn't much going for this one!
GLOSSY
FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa
lafresnayii) – The all black
flowerpiercer with the bluish shoulder patch.
WHITE-SIDED
FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa
albilatera schistacea) –
Foraging about at Tapichalaca.
BLUISH
FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa
caerulescens) [*]
MASKED
FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea
dispar) – The common highland
flowerpiercer; the one with the red eye and black mask.
SAFFRON FINCH
(SAFFRON) (Sicalis flaveola
valida) – A common bird in
the SW!
CRIMSON-BREASTED
FINCH (Rhodospingus cruentus)
– Out in the dry scrub of the Santa
Elena Peninsula.
ORANGE-BILLED
SPARROW (Arremon
aurantiirostris santarosae) –
In the undergrowth at Buenaventura.
BLACK-CAPPED
SPARROW (Arremon abeillei
abeillei) – Common in the
undergrowth at Cerro Blanco and Jorupe.
GRAY-BROWED
BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon assimilis
nigrifrons) – A member of the
Stripe-headed Brush-Finch complex; this group was split up
recently, leaving the Gray-browed as the representative in
Ecuador. We had stellar views at Buenaventura.
BLACK-STRIPED
SPARROW (Arremonops
conirostris striaticeps) – He
pulled one along the roadside at Buenaventura.
PALE-NAPED
BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes
pallidinucha papallactae) – A
handsome brush-finch that we saw at Cajanuma and
Tapichalaca.
TRICOLORED
BRUSH-FINCH (CHOCO) (Atlapetes
tricolor crassus) – We hit a
group of this west slope species at Buenaventura for nice
views.
YELLOW-BREASTED
BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes
latinuchus) – The subspecies
with the white patch in the wing found in southern Ecuador.
WHITE-WINGED
BRUSH-FINCH (WHITE-WINGED) (Atlapetes
leucopterus dresseri) – Up in
hills during some roadside birding above Macara. The form
that we saw often shows much white in the head often causing
confusion with the next species.
WHITE-HEADED
BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes
albiceps) – Pretty common in
small numbers around Urraca Lodge at Jorupe. We had some
nice looks at this range restricted species.
It might not be
the flashiest bird we saw, but the Tumbes Sparrow is one
of only 3 species named for the Tumbesian region (along
with Tumbes Hummingbird and Tyrant) and the only one of
the three to occur quite widely in Ecuador. (Photo by tour
participant Brian Stech)
TUMBES SPARROW
(Rhynchospiza stolzmanni) – Common and vocal in the Acacia scrub of
the Catamayo Valley.
RUFOUS-COLLARED
SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis)
COMMON
BUSH-TANAGER (NORTHERN ANDES) (Chlorospingus
ophthalmicus phaeocephalus) –
Pretty common at Buenaventura with the mixed flocks.
SHORT-BILLED
BUSH-TANAGER (Chlorospingus
parvirostris) – A couple of
groups along the roadside at the lower end of the
Tapichalaca reserve. This one has the more orange sides of
the throat.
YELLOW-THROATED
BUSH-TANAGER (YELLOW-THROATED) (Chlorospingus
flavigularis marginatus) – A
few at Buenaventura.
ASHY-THROATED
BUSH-TANAGER (ASHY-THROATED) (Chlorospingus
canigularis paulus) – A
common canopy bush-tanager that we saw well on three days at
Buenaventura.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
HEPATIC TANAGER (HIGHLAND) (Piranga flava lutea) – One male at Buenaventura. WHITE-WINGED
TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera
ardens) [*]
OCHRE-BREASTED
TANAGER (Chlorothraupis
stolzmanni) – One of the best
identification features of this species is the lack of
marks! We got one of this chunky "tanager" to respond quite
well at Buenaventura for nice looks; note that this and the
birds in the genus Piranga are now placed in the cardinal
family.
GOLDEN-BELLIED
GROSBEAK (Pheucticus
chrysogaster chrysogaster) –
Common in the drier habitats.
BLUE SEEDEATER
(Amaurospiza concolor) – A bamboo loving species that was quite
common and vocal at Yungilla; this has to be one of the best
spots I have seen for this one.
BLUE-BLACK
GROSBEAK (Cyanocompsa
cyanoides) – In the
undergrowth at Buenaventura.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella bellicosa bellicosa) – A handsome meadowlark of dry habitats.
SCRUB BLACKBIRD
(Dives warszewiczi warszewiczi) – Common and noisy even right in Guayaquil.
GREAT-TAILED
GRACKLE (Quiscalus mexicanus)
– Seen during our travels from
Guayaquil to Buenaventura.
SHINY COWBIRD
(Molothrus bonariensis)
WHITE-EDGED ORIOLE
(Icterus graceannae) – This Tumbesian oriole was a common sight
at Jorupe.
YELLOW-TAILED
ORIOLE (Icterus mesomelas
taczanowskii) – Widely
overlaps with the previous species, but also known to occur
in more humid habitats further north in Ecuador.
YELLOW-BILLED
CACIQUE (Amblycercus
holosericeus) – We called in
a a cooperative foraging pair along the trail at
Tapichalaca. This can be a tricky, bamboo understory species
to see well.
MOUNTAIN CACIQUE
(GOLDEN-SHOULDERED) (Cacicus
chrysonotus leucoramphus) –
Nice looks at this loud canopy cacique at Cajanuma.
SCARLET-RUMPED
CACIQUE (PACIFIC) (Cacicus
uropygialis pacificus) – Once
at Buenaventura when we whistled in a responsive group not
far from the lodge.
YELLOW-RUMPED
CACIQUE (WESTERN) (Cacicus
cela flavicrissus) – The form
west of the Andes, that sounds very different from Amazonian
birds.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and
Allies)
ORANGE-CROWNED EUPHONIA (Euphonia saturata) – Good looks at Buenaventura. THICK-BILLED
EUPHONIA (THICK-BILLED) (Euphonia
laniirostris hypoxantha) –
The most commonly seen euphonia of the trip. The one with
the yellow that runs right up to the base of the bill.
BRONZE-GREEN
EUPHONIA (Euphonia mesochrysa)
– Some got onto this one in the eastern
foothills below Tapichalaca as they moved with a flock.
ORANGE-BELLIED
EUPHONIA (Euphonia
xanthogaster) – Most common
around Buenaventura.
YELLOW-BELLIED
SISKIN (Spinus xanthogastrus
xanthogastrus) – This one has
the all black hood and chest; Buenaventura for nice scope
views.
HOODED SISKIN
(Spinus magellanicus) – A few times in the highlands.
SAFFRON SISKIN
(Spinus siemiradzkii) – This one came and went all too quickly
when it perched high up in a tree in nice light near Jorupe.
Too bad it got away before I could get everybody into
position to see it! This Tumbesian siskin can be a really
tough bird to find, so even finding one was lucky!
OLIVACEOUS SISKIN
(Spinus olivaceus) – Foothill forests below Tapichalaca.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I] MAMMALS
MANTLED HOWLER
MONKEY (Alouatta palliata)
– Much more often heard than seen, but
we had some nice looks at this monkey species at
Buenaventura where they occur in small numbers.
HOFFMANN'S
TWO-TOED SLOTH (Choloepus
hoffmanni) – Sloths can
always be a challenge to see, for obvious reasons, be had
some really nice luck with this mostly nocturnal species on
two days at Buenaventura... I couldn't believe the amazing
spot that our local guide made of this one from the moving
bus!
RED-TAILED
SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
– Alan had one at Buenaventura.
GUAYAQUIL SQUIRREL
(Sciurus stramineus) – Common around Cerro Blanco and
Buenaventura. Looks quite similar to a Fox Squirrel.
CENTRAL AMERICAN
AGOUTI (Dasyprocta punctata)
– Common around the Buenaventura lodge.
SOUTH AMERICAN
COATI (Nasua nasua) – Commonly raiding bananas around the lodge
at Buenaventura.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 440 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa