A Field Guides Birding Tours Report
Holiday at San Isidro, Ecuador 2022
November 19-28, 2022 with Rudy Gelis guiding
Our birding holiday was characterized by mostly clear weather as we sampled a wide range of habitats of the Andes in northern Ecuador. We searched inter-Andean scrub near Quito, above-treeline paramo of Antisana and Papallacta, high Andean forest of Guango Lodge, mid-elevation cloud forest of the San Isidro area, and foothill forest of the Loreto Road. Highlights were numerous and diverse. We were spell-bound by Spectacled Bear and Mountain Tapir.
We watched Andean Condors soar above their lofty, white-washed, stony perches. The snow-capped and glacial Antisana Volcano was the backdrop of panoramic vistas. Our driver, Edgar, drove us across paramo habitat above 12,000 feet where a pair of Andean Ibis foraged and took to majestic flight. Our first hummingbird feeders, of Tambo Condor, attracted many species including two biggies: Giant Hummingbird and Great Sapphirewing. Minutes down the road from the feeders, a Spectacled Bear lumbered across grassy and shrubby mountainside vegetation. Carunculated Caracara and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle added to our raptor list. The successful Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe search the next day, at nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, also netted nice surprises. A Tawny Antpitta carried long, pale tufts of grass in its bill to a hidden nest area in the dense scrub. As we were about to hit the pavement, another Spectacled Bear made a roadside appearance. Two bears in as many days was an auspicious beginning!
Andean rivers and forest provided us with hours of fruitful searches. At Guango Lodge, we tracked down Torrent Ducks that we watched glean for aquatic food amongst the slippery rocks of whitewater rapids. The thundering Hollin waterfall area hosted Green-fronted Lancebill, which braved the waterfall spray as it perched on an overhanging branch. A female Andean Cock-of-the-Rock gathered nest material from a mossy, epiphyte-laden branch. An endangered Mountain Tapir was seen next to the river of the Torrent Duck pair and, incredibly, it was not to be the only tapir of the trip.
Hummingbird feeder activity mesmerized us. At Guango Lodge, a Sword-billed Hummingbird wielded its lance-like bill while tiny White-bellied Woodstars whirred around like bees. Free time at San Isidro meant pondering the bullying by Chestnut-breasted Coronets and admiring the Long-tailed Sylph males’ wonderfully colored tails. A salt-lick near the veranda attracted a second Mountain Tapir that everyone spotted one late evening.
We put ourselves in position to survey forest for birds, whether by stopping at strategic roadside sites with decent habitat or by giving forest trails a try. Near Baeza, we tracked down a male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock and called in a skulking Long-tailed Tapaculo. The Guacamayos area was alive with activity on the two occasions we stopped here. Slate-crowned Antpitta showed up to defend territory, and a family group of White-capped Tanagers perched overhead in taller trees as the fog began to cloak the forest. At the Guacamayos parking lot overlook, we had studies of goodies such as Green-and-black Fruiteater, Grass-green Tanager, Lacrimose Mountain-Tanager, Streaked Tuftedcheek, Pearled Treerunner, and Turquoise Jay. Another side road, at Vinillos near Cosanga, was important for great scope views of a male Golden-headed Quetzal.
We had excellent luck in the foothill zone of a day-trip to the Loreto Road. Here were close views of Spotted Tanager and Golden-eared Tanager, and all of us had views on a few occasions of a superb Paradise Tanager. Luck stayed with us on our nocturnal quests as well. Three Night Monkeys emerging at dusk, Black-banded Owl seen from the San Isidro veranda on a nightly basis, Rufous-bellied Nighthawk flying overhead for good viewing near the Yanayacu Research Station, plus Andean Potoo on its sallying post and a singing male Lyre-tailed Nightjar flying right before our eyes made for great closers to productive days of birding.
Thanks for traveling with us, it was a pleasure guiding the tour!
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)
Exceptional views of a pair, made by all as we watched from bridge at Guango Lodge.
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Anas georgica spinicauda)
ANDEAN TEAL (ANDEAN) (Anas andium andium)
ANDEAN DUCK (Oxyura ferruginea)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii brooki)
WATTLED GUAN (Aburria aburri)
A pair seen flying across the road on the afternoon outing to the Sierra Azul area; heard most evenings and early mornings at San Isidro.
SICKLE-WINGED GUAN (Chamaepetes goudotii tschudii)
Mary & Richard had good views from San Isidro of a roosting individual, and on another evening, while owling, we all had mostly unsatisfactory glimpses of one arriving to its roost site in a Cecropia near the Yanayacu Research Station.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (WHITE-NECKED) (Patagioenas fasciata albilinea)
One fly-by and one perched in the distance for a moment only; this widespread species seen by just a handful of us, on the Guango Lodge to San Isidro bus ride.
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea bogotensis)
RUDDY PIGEON (RUDDY) (Patagioenas subvinacea ogilviegranti)
COMMON GROUND DOVE (Columbina passerina quitensis)
The small ground-dove for those who carefully searched the San Jose hotel grounds near airport.
BLACK-WINGED GROUND DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata hypoleuca)
Abundant, medium-sized dove, San Jose hotel and rest of inter-Andean valley.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (AMAZONIAN) (Piaya cayana mesura)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
COMMON NIGHTHAWK (Chordeiles minor)
A silent individual, flying over scrub behind San Jose airport hotel our first morning before breakfast; ca. 50-100m away from us.
RUFOUS-BELLIED NIGHTHAWK (Lurocalis rufiventris)
One superb observation of this bird, nicely illuminated by our flashlight, as it made several flights right over our heads, as we were owling near the Yanayacu Research Center.
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (RUFOUS-NAPED) (Systellura longirostris ruficervix)
One perched in the day on last afternoon at the rainy Papallacta Pass; if you braved the rain, you saw it well and several photos were taken.
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra lyra)
A stellar observation of the singing male with its long tail, that gave us a show by flying above us and at eye-level near dusk; female nearby and seen.
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
ANDEAN POTOO (Nyctibius maculosus)
We were prepared for this one: we were in position of a known spot where this species likes to sally for prey from a jutting Cecropia stump, just as night settled.
Apodidae (Swifts)
WHITE-CHESTED SWIFT (Cypseloides lemosi)
Several seen in a loose flock near San Isidro; flying low enough for photos.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne rutila brunnitorques)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris)
Seen several times; most memorable were the numerous groups (screams of swifts) flying over Guacamayos parking lot in the early morning. Probably 200-300 individuals all-told.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
TAWNY-BELLIED HERMIT (Phaethornis syrmatophorus columbianus)
GRAY-CHINNED HERMIT (GRAY-CHINNED) (Phaethornis griseogularis griseogularis)
GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL (Doryfera ludovicae ludovicae)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans coruscans)
TOURMALINE SUNANGEL (Heliangelus exortis)
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (MELANOGENYS GROUP) (Adelomyia melanogenys melanogenys)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingii mocoa)
ECUADORIAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus chimborazo jamesonii)
BLACK-TAILED TRAINBEARER (Lesbia victoriae victoriae)
A few males in the inter-Andean habitats we sampled.
BLUE-MANTLED THORNBILL (Chalcostigma stanleyi stanleyi)
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina)
VIRIDIAN METALTAIL (ECUADORIAN) (Metallura williami primolina)
Poor views of a distant, perched individual near Papallacta hotsprings.
SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis cupripennis)
BRONZY INCA (Coeligena coeligena obscura)
COLLARED INCA (COLLARED) (Coeligena torquata torquata)
MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya lafresnayi saul)
SWORD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD (Ensifera ensifera)
Good views of this big-schnozzed species, several times, at the Guango feeders.
GREAT SAPPHIREWING (Pterophanes cyanopterus peruvianus)
BUFF-TAILED CORONET (Boissonneaua flavescens flavescens)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii)
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (PERUVIAN) (Ocreatus underwoodii peruanus)
GREEN-BACKED HILLSTAR (Urochroa leucura)
BLACK-THROATED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa schreibersii)
Jan was the only participant who saw a male at the Hollin waterfall feeders.
FAWN-BREASTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa rubinoides cervinigularis)
VIOLET-FRONTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa leadbeateri)
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas peruviana)
We watched this at feeders while we watched Andean Condors at Tambo Condor near Antisana.
WHITE-BELLIED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus mulsant)
GORGETED WOODSTAR (Chaetocercus heliodor)
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti guimeti)
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata viridipectus)
MANY-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Taphrospilus hypostictus)
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone oenone)
GLITTERING-THROATED EMERALD (Chionomesa fimbriata fluviatilis)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
SOUTHERN LAPWING (Vanellus chilensis)
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens)
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi latreillii)
For the small group (Bob, Mary, Richard) who braved the high mountain pass on our second day: we lucked into a pair we spotted from near the bus at the Papallacta antenna towers.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius)
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Nannopterum brasilianum)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GREAT EGRET (AMERICAN) (Ardea alba egretta)
One from the hotel near the airport, on first day; Richard and I may have been the only ones to see this species.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
ANDEAN IBIS (Theristicus branickii)
2 spotted and watched for several minutes as they foraged; Antisana paramo.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
ANDEAN CONDOR (Vultur gryphus)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus melanoleucus)
Soaring near Loreto road.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (PLAIN-BREASTED) (Accipiter striatus ventralis)
A quick view of a low-flying (appeared to be hunting) bird, our afternoon drive up the Bermejo River road.
ROADSIDE HAWK (NORTHERN) (Rupornis magnirostris magnirostris)
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus)
San Jose airport hotel, early first morning.
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma)
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus australis)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK (NORTHERN) (Buteo platypterus platypterus)
Strigidae (Owls)
GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)
Singing/heard-only, early afternoon at the rainy Papallacta pass on our last day.
BLACK-BANDED OWL TYPE (Ciccaba sp. nov. 1)
One or two seen most evenings at the veranda, during and after dinner at San Isidro.
RUFOUS-BANDED OWL (Ciccaba albitarsis)
Mary heard this one on few occasions at San Isidro.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps auriceps)
Long scope views of this one, at Vinillos near Cosanga.
CRESTED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus antisianus)
Heard only, late afternoon near Sierra Azul.
MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus personatus)
Most days from San Isidro veranda.
MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus temperatus)
Guango Lodge.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
COPPERY-CHESTED JACAMAR (Galbula pastazae)
In the Cocodrilos vicinity; one vocal bird did not show.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
SOUTHERN EMERALD-TOUCANET (ANDEAN) (Aulacorhynchus albivitta albivitta)
Great views of 3-4 in treetop, Bermejo road.
BLACK-BILLED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena nigrirostris spilorhynchus)
Rudy was the only one to get a glimpse of a distant, vocal bird. We did our best to try to lure it in, to no avail.
CHANNEL-BILLED TOUCAN (Ramphastos vitellinus)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
YELLOW-VENTED WOODPECKER (Dryobates dignus baezae)
Dave and Jan had a restful morning at San Isidro and showed us all superb photos of this species, spotted by just them from the veranda.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (GOLDEN-OLIVE) (Colaptes rubiginosus buenavistae)
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (CRIMSON-MANTLED) (Colaptes rivolii brevirostris)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
COLLARED FOREST-FALCON (Micrastur semitorquatus semitorquatus)
Mary and Richard had a late afternoon forest-trail walk at San Isidro and their diligence paid: we had excellent views of this bird.
CARUNCULATED CARACARA (Phalcoboenus carunculatus)
YELLOW-HEADED CARACARA (Milvago chimachima)
Excellent scope views, roadside near Loreto road.
AMERICAN KESTREL (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Falco sparverius aequatorialis)
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
RED-BILLED PARROT (Pionus sordidus corallinus)
Distant, flying birds only counted because Rudy could ID them by voice.
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (Pionus tumultuosus)
Nice scope views of a pair near Sierra Azul.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (BLUE-HEADED) (Pionus menstruus menstruus)
SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenarius)
As per usual, this species seen flying and calling, high in the sky.
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Psittacara leucophthalmus callogenys)
Mary saw a few screeching individuals flying over, Loreto road.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
LINED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus tenuepunctatus)
Superb views of a male, for those with the wherewithal to attempt birding from the roadside with traffic zooming by, near Loreto road.
STREAK-HEADED ANTBIRD (Drymophila striaticeps)
Good views of this bamboo-skulker.
WESTERN FIRE-EYE (BLACK-BELLIED) (Pyriglena maura castanoptera)
If you count this one, it is a stretch: the song was loud and clear, over-and-over, but the bird was a fleeting a dark, large antbird in dense understory vegetation near Baeza.
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys leucophrys)
Loud and unmistakable, but just heard, at the Lined Antshrike/zooming traffic spot.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
WHITE-BELLIED ANTPITTA (Grallaria hypoleuca castanea)
Two being fed earthworms at San Isidro.
TAWNY ANTPITTA (WESTERN) (Grallaria quitensis quitensis)
SLATE-CROWNED ANTPITTA (SLATE-CROWNED) (Grallaricula nana nana)
Everyone with a camera has photos to prove it: superb views of a pair, Guacamayos trail, bamboo understory.
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
LONG-TAILED TAPACULO (Scytalopus micropterus)
All saw this shy skulker. Many participants photographed this one, near Baeza.
BLACKISH TAPACULO (BLACKISH) (Scytalopus latrans latrans)
Several vocal during the trip, but did not show.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
TYRANNINE WOODCREEPER (Dendrocincla tyrannina tyrannina)
One seen all by its lonesome, Guacamayos forest trail.
STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (ANDEAN/NORTHERN) (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus promeropirhynchus)
OLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus triangularis triangularis)
MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger aequatorialis)
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii orientalis)
Excellent views of a responsive bird at Guacamayos parking lot.
CHESTNUT-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albidiventris albidiventris)
STOUT-BILLED CINCLODES (Cinclodes excelsior excelsior)
LINEATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla subalaris mentalis)
Mary saw a few field marks of this skulker, on the afternoon San Isidro forest-trail walk with Richard.
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens brunnescens)
Rudy tried to call this one in, vocal at Guacamayos and Baeza, but no luck seeing either time.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger perlatus)
ANDEAN TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura andicola andicola)
if you braved the high Papallacta pass on the successful seedsnipe search, you saw this.
MANY-STRIPED CANASTERO (Asthenes flammulata flammulata)
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis rodolphei)
Would not budge from its dense vegetation hiding spot.
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae media)
RUFOUS SPINETAIL (UNIRUFA) (Synallaxis unirufa unirufa)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
GREEN-AND-BLACK FRUITEATER (GREEN-AND-BLACK) (Pipreola riefferii chachapoyas)
Wonderful views of several, Guacamayos parking lot.
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus)
The seedsnipe crew (Bob, Mary, Richard) were rewarded with great views of this species in the scrubby paramo near the antennas of Papallacta Pass.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus aequatorialis)
A female with nesting material at Hollin waterfall, plus a male at the Cocodrilos stop and another male from our forest walk near Baeza.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
MASKED TITYRA (Tityra semifasciata fortis)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor versicolor)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus tenebrosus)
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis columbianus)
RUFOUS-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon rufipectus)
RUFOUS-CROWNED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Poecilotriccus ruficeps)
This gets voted Cute-imous maximus by all, seen by all, esp. at Guango, where a pair was almost close enough to reach out and touch.
COMMON TODY-FLYCATCHER (CINEREUM GROUP) (Todirostrum cinereum peruanum)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (OLIVE-FACED) (Tolmomyias flaviventris viridiceps)
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (ANDEAN) (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus pyrrhopterus)
CLIFF FLYCATCHER (CLIFF) (Hirundinea ferruginea sclateri)
Rated by some as best bird in its habitat.
HANDSOME FLYCATCHER (Nephelomyias pulcher bellus)
WHITE-TAILED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus poecilocercus)
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus stictopterus)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys rufomarginatus)
SULPHUR-BELLIED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus minor)
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus)
Regurgitating white mistletoe seeds, Loreto road.
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (WHITE-CRESTED) (Elaenia albiceps griseigularis)
TORRENT TYRANNULET (Serpophaga cinerea cinerea)
GOLDEN-FACED TYRANNULET (GOLDEN-FACED) (Zimmerius chrysops chrysops)
FLAVESCENT FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus flavicans flavicans)
OLIVE-CHESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus cryptoxanthus)
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER (Contopus cooperi)
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus ardosiacus)
WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE (Contopus sordidulus)
BLACK PHOEBE (WHITE-WINGED) (Sayornis nigricans angustirostris)
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (OBSCURUS GROUP) (Pyrocephalus rubinus piurae)
PLAIN-CAPPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola alpinus alpinus)
SMOKY BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes fumigatus fumigatus)
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis obfuscata)
Seen only by a few of us (Richard/Mary).
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (BROWN-BACKED) (Ochthoeca fumicolor brunneifrons)
Seen by everyone who had the seedsnipe at the Papallacta Pass antenna area.
PALE-EDGED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus cephalotes cephalotes)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (SOCIAL) (Myiozetetes similis similis)
LEMON-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Conopias cinchoneti cinchoneti)
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus minor)
On ebird, this is Golden-bellied Flycatcher.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus melancholicus)
A favorite bird for at least one of us.
Vireonidae (Vireos, Shrike-Babblers, and Erpornis)
BLACK-BILLED PEPPERSHRIKE (Cyclarhis nigrirostris nigrirostris)
OLIVACEOUS GREENLET (Hylophilus olivaceus)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys leucophrys)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
TURQUOISE JAY (Cyanolyca turcosa)
GREEN JAY (INCA) (Cyanocorax yncas yncas)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus)
Heard by all, but just Richard had a glimpse on Loreto road.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (CYANOLEUCA) (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca cyanoleuca)
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina murina)
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis ruficollis)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (SOUTHERN) (Troglodytes aedon musculus)
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis solstitialis)
GRASS WREN (PARAMO) (Cistothorus platensis aequatorialis)
PLAIN-TAILED WREN (PLAIN-TAILED) (Pheugopedius euophrys longipes)
A duet heard in roadside bamboo in the Sierra Azul area.
GRAY-BREASTED WOOD-WREN (ANDEAN) (Henicorhina leucophrys leucophrys)
Seen by some of us, esp. at Sierra Azul area.
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (WHITE-BELLIED) (Cinclus leucocephalus leuconotus)
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
TROPICAL MOCKINGBIRD (TROPICAL) (Mimus gilvus tolimensis)
Airport hotel area.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (VENEZUELENSIS/CANDELAE) (Myadestes ralloides venezuelensis)
SWAINSON'S THRUSH (Catharus ustulatus)
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (AMAZONIAN) (Turdus ignobilis debilis)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater quindio)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
PARAMO PIPIT (BOGOTENSIS GROUP) (Anthus bogotensis bogotensis)
One displaying/singing in the paramo of Antisana.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
GOLDEN-RUMPED EUPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanocephala pelzelni)
THICK-BILLED EUPHONIA (Euphonia laniirostris)
Hollin waterfall area.
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster brevirostris)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus capitalis)
OLIVACEOUS SISKIN (Spinus olivaceus)
Passerellidae (New World Sparrows)
SHORT-BILLED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus parvirostris huallagae)
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (NORTHERN ANDES) (Chlorospingus flavopectus phaeocephalus)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons aurifrons)
ORANGE-BILLED SPARROW (Arremon aurantiirostris)
Near Loreto road jct.
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSHFINCH (CHESTNUT-CAPPED) (Arremon brunneinucha frontalis)
Mary and Richard saw this at Guango Lodge, by the blind/hide.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (RUFOUS-COLLARED) (Zonotrichia capensis costaricensis)
SLATY BRUSHFINCH (SLATY) (Atlapetes schistaceus schistaceus)
PALE-NAPED BRUSHFINCH (Atlapetes pallidinucha papallactae)
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (RUSSET-BACKED) (Psarocolius angustifrons angustifrons)
SCARLET-RUMPED CACIQUE (SUBTROPICAL) (Cacicus uropygialis uropygialis)
MOUNTAIN CACIQUE (GOLDEN-SHOULDERED) (Cacicus chrysonotus leucoramphus)
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (SOUTH AMERICAN) (Setophaga pitiayumi alarum)
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER (Setophaga fusca)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (THREE-STRIPED) (Basileuterus tristriatus baezae)
BLACK-CRESTED WARBLER (Myiothlypis nigrocristata)
RUSSET-CROWNED WARBLER (Myiothlypis coronata orientalis)
CANADA WARBLER (Cardellina canadensis)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus ballux)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus ruficoronatus)
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
SUMMER TANAGER (Piranga rubra rubra)
SCARLET TANAGER (Piranga olivacea)
GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster chrysogaster)
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus leverianus)
WHITE-CAPPED TANAGER (Sericossypha albocristata)
As the fog rolled in, a family group decided to pay us a visit on the Guacamayos forest trail.
BLACK-EARED HEMISPINGUS (BLACK-EARED) (Sphenopsis melanotis melanotis)
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus)
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo carbo)
HOODED MOUNTAIN TANAGER (Buthraupis montana cucullata)
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii riefferii)
LACRIMOSE MOUNTAIN TANAGER (PALPEBROSUS GROUP) (Anisognathus lacrymosus palpebrosus)
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN TANAGER (BLUE-WINGED) (Anisognathus somptuosus baezae)
GOLDEN-CROWNED TANAGER (Iridosornis rufivertex rufivertex)
Superb views of 2 or 3, on the seedsnipe morning, behind Papallacta hotsprings area.
FAWN-BREASTED TANAGER (Pipraeidea melanonota venezuelensis)
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (GREEN-MANTLED) (Rauenia bonariensis darwinii)
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (WHITE-EDGED) (Thraupis episcopus coelestis)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum melanoptera)
SPOTTED TANAGER (Ixothraupis punctata zamorae)
BLACK-CAPPED TANAGER (Stilpnia heinei)
SCRUB TANAGER (Stilpnia vitriolina)
MASKED TANAGER (Stilpnia nigrocincta)
Loreto road, perched out in the open and seen well, flew away before we could photograph it; normally found at lower elevation.
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Stilpnia cyanicollis caeruleocephala)
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER (BLUE-AND-BLACK) (Tangara vassorii vassorii)
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis nigroviridis)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis chilensis)
GOLDEN-EARED TANAGER (Tangara chrysotis)
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala venusta)
FLAME-FACED TANAGER (FLAME-FACED) (Tangara parzudakii parzudakii)
GOLDEN TANAGER (PULCHRA GROUP) (Tangara arthus aequatorialis)
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis occidentalis)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
GOLDEN-COLLARED HONEYCREEPER (Iridophanes pulcherrimus pulcherrimus)
Mary skipped breakfast on last day and scored this one: a male, feeding from the orange flowers of Erythrina/coral tree relative.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (OCHRACEOUS) (Conirostrum cinereum fraseri)
GLOSSY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa lafresnayii)
BLACK FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa humeralis aterrima)
WHITE-SIDED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa albilatera albilatera)
RUSTY FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa sittoides decorata)
DEEP-BLUE FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa glauca tyrianthina)
BLUISH FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa caerulescens media)
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (CYANEA GROUP) (Diglossa cyanea cyanea)
BLACK-BACKED BUSH TANAGER (Urothraupis stolzmanni)
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA FINCH (Geospizopsis unicolor geospizopsis)
GRAY-HOODED BUSH TANAGER (RUBRIROSTRIS) (Cnemoscopus rubrirostris rubrirostris)
SAFFRON FINCH (Sicalis flaveola)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina splendens)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila castaneiventris)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Sporophila angolensis torrida)
CAQUETA SEEDEATER (Sporophila murallae)
BLACK-AND-WHITE SEEDEATER (Sporophila luctuosa)
YELLOW-BELLIED SEEDEATER (Sporophila nigricollis vivida)
RED-CRESTED FINCH (Coryphospingus cucullatus)
BANANAQUIT (CONTINENTAL) (Coereba flaveola intermedia)
BLUE-GRAY SALTATOR (Saltator coerulescens azarae)
MAMMALS
NIGHT MONKEY SP. (Aotus sp.)
3 seen as they emerged in the evening at San Isidro.
BRAZILIAN RABBIT (Sylvilagus brasiliensis)
RED-TAILED SQUIRREL (Sciurus granatensis)
BLACK AGOUTI (Dasyprocta fuliginosa)
SPECTACLED BEAR (Tremarctos ornatus)
2 bears seen; one foraging in the heath/Ericaceae of shrubby and grassy paramo near Tambo Condor of Antisana; a second one seen much closer, roadside, Papallacta Pass on seedsnipe morning.
MOUNTAIN TAPIR (Tapirus pinchaque)
2 tapirs seen; one foraging, late evening along pipeline trail at Guango; a second one seen at the salt-lick at San Isidro in the evening.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus)
Some dozens at Antisana.
Totals for the tour: 261 bird taxa and 7 mammal taxa