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The Altiplano, south of Puno. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
This was our inaugural tour to big Southern Peru. I must say it was a resounding success. We were able to see a huge part of the country often omitted from many itineraries, experiencing the vastness of the Altiplano, floating in a dinghy on Lake Titicaca, and doing barrel rolls over the famous Nazca lines. Even the longer drives along the Pacific Coast where we saw vertical cliff faces plunging down into the ocean, the Pan-American highway snaking along its edge, were quite memorable (Lima traffic not so memorable!). Arequipa offered us a bit of colonial history, as did Cusco, center of the Inca Empire.
But we came for the birds, really. We had no shortage of choices, but it was the spectacle that was your favorite. In keeping with our "Grande Peru" theme, the 35,000 Franklin's Gulls on the beach at Villa created the biggest impression. We saw maybe 300,000 total that day, and I am sure every time we now see a Franklin's Gull we will be reminded of that experience in Lima. And you can't come to Peru without seeing a condor, right? However, I never would have predicted seeing three birds feeding on a dead Vicuna at Pampas Galeras! Truly awesome. Inca Terns, Black-faced Ibis, and Aplomado Falcon were all mentioned as highlights, and even the canasteros (my personal favorites) seemed to find a place in your heart.
Thanks to you all as a fun group, and to our steady driver, Carlos! I hope to see you all again soon. All the best for a birdy 2016 (did you enjoy the pisco sours?!).
Jesse Fagan (aka Motmot) from Lima, Peru
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)
TACZANOWSKI'S TINAMOU (Nothoprocta taczanowskii) – We flushed one during our paramo stop just past Abra La Raya. A very rare and local bird.
Andean Tinamou at Lomas de Lachay. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
DARWIN'S NOTHURA (Nothura darwinii) – Betsy had the honor of flushing this species during our stomp along the road north of Puna. Good bird.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
ANDEAN GOOSE (Oressochen melanopterus) – Good numbers once we left Cusco and pretty common on the Altiplano.
CRESTED DUCK (Lophonetta specularioides) – Also good numbers around Puno and Arequipa in the highland ponds.
TORRENT DUCK (Merganetta armata) – Singles on the river during our drive back from Abancay to Cusco.
CINNAMON TEAL (Anas cyanoptera) – Mostly around Lima, especially at Villa marshes.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) – Took us all by surprise, but only the second confirmed record for the country! A drake was seen with a female Cinnamon Teal at Mejia marshes.
WHITE-CHEEKED PINTAIL (Anas bahamensis) – Also around Lima, especially good numbers at Ventanilla.
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica) – Our first were at Huacarpay Lakes outside of Cusco.
PUNA TEAL (Anas puna) – A sharp looking duck with a bright blue bill. It was common at most highland ponds.
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (Anas flavirostris) – Not super common, but we had good numbers on the Altiplano south of Puno.
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea) – A handful at Ventanilla, then again around Arequipa and Mejia marshes.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – Just one at Mejia, but it was in breeding plumage. Very nice looking grebe.
The Titicaca Grebe is endemic to the lake. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
PIED-BILLED GREBE (Podilymbus podiceps) – A few were seen at Villa marshes south of Lima, where they breed.
GREAT GREBE (Podiceps major) – A large, striking grebe seen at Ventanilla and again at Villa marshes.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
CHILEAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – Surprising, but our first was a Playa San Pedro south of Lima, first spotted by Joanne. We later had good numbers and studies around Arequipa and Puno.
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (Spheniscus humboldti) – We studied several from the beach at Playa San Pedro.
Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
PERUVIAN BOOBY (Sula variegata) – Good numbers from Playa San Pedro (thousands breeding on the rocky islands) and again at Mejia marshes.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) – Good numbers throughout the tour.
RED-LEGGED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) – This striking cormorant was seen from the beach at Playa San Pedro and Pucusana.
GUANAY CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii) – Hundreds offshore at Playa San Pedro.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
PERUVIAN PELICAN (Pelecanus thagus) – This large pelican was seen offshore along the coast of Lima and again in the south around Mejia marsh.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
Lake Titicaca as seen from our hotel in Puno. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula) – Good numbers around Lima.
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – Around Lima at Ventanilla and Villa and again in the south at Mejia.
TRICOLORED HERON (Egretta tricolor) – Just one at Mejia Marsh.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Not many, but seen around Lima and on the drive south to Puno.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) [*]
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Good numbers around Mejia and Nazca.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi) – Common throughout the tour in the highlands.
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – A group favorite. This lovely ibis was seen on our drive south to Puno.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus) – Common in Lima.
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura) – Not as numerous as the previous, but also seen in good numbers around Lima and Arequipa.
We had wonderful encounters with Andean Condor including three feasting on a dead Vicuna. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – Good looks at a male over Mejia Marsh.
HARRIS'S HAWK (Parabuteo unicinctus) – Lots in the palm trees around Villa Marshes. Many of these individuals are escapees from the falcony trade.
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – Our first were at Ampay, but later around Puno in the Altiplano and Colca.
BLACK-CHESTED BUZZARD-EAGLE (Geranoaetus melanoleucus) – Lots of immatures at Lomas de Lachay, but we eventually caught up with adults in the Colca Valley.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – Nice looks at Villa.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata) – Fairly common in most wetland sites on the tour.
RED-FRONTED COOT (Fulica rufifrons) – Just one (but that was enough!) at Mejia Marsh.
GIANT COOT (Fulica gigantea) – A species found only in the highlands. We saw them regularly around Puno and Arequipa.
SLATE-COLORED COOT (Fulica ardesiaca) – Very common throughout the tour. Sometimes called "Andean Coot."
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
PERUVIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus superciliaris) – This odd-looking shorebird was seen in good numbers at Ventanilla. Around a dozen!
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-NECKED STILT (WHITE-BACKED) (Himantopus mexicanus melanurus) – We saw the resident white-backed variety nicely at Mejia Marshes.
ANDEAN AVOCET (Recurvirostra andina) – A very nice looking bird. We had a couple of encounters in the highlands, but our best looks were probably at the picnic lunch spot, Lagunillas.
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus palliatus) – Lots at Villa Marshes where they breed.
BLACKISH OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus ater) – A pair on the beach at Puerto Inca were a nice surprise (and our only ones).
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – A few on the beaches around Lima.
We saw Gray-breasted Seedsnipe quite well in the highlands near Chivay. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
SNOWY PLOVER (Charadrius nivosus) – We were happy to find this species on our picnic lunch spot at Puerto Inca.
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (Charadrius semipalmatus) – Large numbers were at Ventanilla.
KILLDEER (Charadrius vociferus) – Lima area and Mejia.
Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes)
RUFOUS-BELLIED SEEDSNIPE (Attagis gayi) – A few of you saw this species in flight during our stop near the Colca Valley.
GRAY-BREASTED SEEDSNIPE (Thinocorus orbignyianus) – Awesome close views of a male feeding along the bog edge in the Colca Valley.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER (Actitis macularius) – Singles along the beach.
GREATER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa melanoleuca) – Singles around Lima and again at Lake Titicaca.
WILLET (Tringa semipalmata) – Good numbers at Playa San Pedro. We weren't close enough to determine Eastern or Western.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – Slightly less common than Greater, but equally common at different wetland sites.
WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Large numbers on the beach at San Pedro and Villa, again at Mejia.
HUDSONIAN GODWIT (Limosa haemastica) – A nice surprise was finding four non-breeding individuals at Ventanilla.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Good numbers around Lima.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – At least 200 individuals on the beach at Playa San Pedro.
LEAST SANDPIPER (Calidris minutilla) – We picked out a few within the big Semipalmated Sandpiper flock at Ventanilla. Overall browner with yellow legs.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER (Calidris pusilla) – Large numbers in the shallow pools at Ventanilla.
Western Sandpiper (l.) with Semipalmated at Ventanilla. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
PUNA SNIPE (Gallinago andina) – Three flushed in the paramo near Abra La Raya.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus) – Good numbers throughout the tour including down on the coast at Ventanilla. Several were in breeding plumage and looked somewhat similar to the nearby Franklin's Gulls.
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – On the coast around Lima.
GRAY GULL (Leucophaeus modestus) – Not many. A couple of Playa San Pedro and again on the beach at Mejia.
FRANKLIN'S GULL (Leucophaeus pipixcan) – What a spectacle! We found roughly 35,000 on the beach at Villa and estimated 300,000 individuals for the day. All were migrating south along the beach. Amazing.
BELCHER'S GULL (Larus belcheri) – Seen well at Playa San Pedro and Ventanilla.
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus) – Not many, but seen on both days around Lima.
PERUVIAN TERN (Sternula lorata) – This small dark gray tern was seen flying up and down the beach at Playa San Pedro. Like a Least Tern with short, quick choppy wingbeats.
LARGE-BILLED TERN (Phaetusa simplex) – Very rare to find this species at Lake Titicaca. Few records for the area away from the Amazon.
INCA TERN (Larosterna inca) – A spectacular looking tern seen well at Pucusana.
ELEGANT TERN (Thalasseus elegans) – Good numbers at Ventanilla.
BLACK SKIMMER (Rynchops niger) – Surprisingly, just two offshore at Playa San Pedro. I expected more, but maybe there was no room for the Franklin's Gulls?
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Every day of the tour. [I]
This is what 35,000 Franklin's Gulls look like. Villa Marshes, Lima, Peru. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
CROAKING GROUND-DOVE (Columbina cruziana) – Fairly common along the coast including near Jesse's house in Lima.
BARE-FACED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia ceciliae) – Our first were at Huacarpay, but also again in the south.
BLACK-WINGED GROUND-DOVE (Metriopelia melanoptera) – These were common around the lookout in the Colca Valley.
WEST PERUVIAN DOVE (Zenaida meloda) – Just around Lima and further south at Nazca; only on the coast.
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata) – Common in the south.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GROOVE-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga sulcirostris) – A few south of Lima again at Ampay.
Strigidae (Owls)
PERUVIAN PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium peruanum) – Fantastic looks at dusk outside the town of Chivay. Landed on the powerpole and later on the powerline!
BURROWING OWL (Athene cunicularia) – Several standing outside burrows at Lomos del Lachay.
SHORT-EARED OWL (Asio flammeus) – Such a nice surprise at Lomas de Lachay. Very local and rare in Peru along the coast.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
The lovely Inca Tern at Pucusana. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Apodidae (Swifts)
ANDEAN SWIFT (Aeronautes andecolus) – Seen well below eye-level in the Colca Valley.
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans) – Just one (oddly) in the coastal lowlands at Lomas de Lachay.
ANDEAN HILLSTAR (Oreotrochilus estella) – A few were around the feeders at the Ampay visitors center.
BEARDED MOUNTAINEER (Oreonympha nobilis) – This special endemic was seen in flight and hovering (all too briefly) at tobacco trees along Huacarpay Lake. [E]
TYRIAN METALTAIL (SMARAGDINICOLLIS) (Metallura tyrianthina smaragdinicollis) – Several along the Ampay trails.
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer) – One briefly perched along the trail at Ampay.
MOUNTAIN VELVETBREAST (Lafresnaya lafresnayi) – One male in the Abancay area.
GIANT HUMMINGBIRD (Patagona gigas) – One at Huacarpay, but common around the lookout in the Colca Valley.
PURPLE-COLLARED WOODSTAR (Myrtis fanny) – Seen well at Lomas de Lachay, and again around Nazca. Several at the aqueducts showed nicely their purple collar.
OASIS HUMMINGBIRD (Rhodopis vesper) – Just one at Lomas, but good numbers in the Nazca area.
PERUVIAN SHEARTAIL (Thaumastura cora) – Also feeding at flowers during our day at Lomas de Lachay, but also again in Nazca.
AMAZILIA HUMMINGBIRD (Amazilia amazilia) – At Lomas de Lachay and again in Nazca.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
We saw Aplomado Falcons a couple of times on the tour, and none better than this pair at Lampa. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola) – Everyone was happy with this species. Striking appearance. Good looks on the Altiplano.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus) – Fairly common in the south.
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Most days of the tour.
APLOMADO FALCON (Falco femoralis) – A highlight for many. Superb looks at two birds perched on the ground near Lampa.
PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – A couple around Lima on the coast. Again in the Colca Valley soaring with the condors.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
MOUNTAIN PARAKEET (Psilopsiagon aurifrons) – Two near the parking lot perched in trees at Lomas de Lachay.
ANDEAN PARAKEET (Bolborhynchus orbygnesius) [*]
PACIFIC PARROTLET (Forpus coelestis) – Introduced into the Nazca area where we saw a small group. [I]
MITRED PARAKEET (Psittacara mitratus) – A group of 15 or so were on the hotel grounds in Nazca.
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
UNDULATED ANTPITTA (Grallaria squamigera) – Nice looks for some at this difficult species along the trails at Ampay.
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
COASTAL MINER (Geositta peruviana) – Common along the entrance road at Lomas de Lachay. [E]
SLENDER-BILLED MINER (Geositta tenuirostris) – Several seen during our drive in the Altiplano south of Puno.
COMMON MINER (Geositta cunicularia) – Several seen on the Altiplano where they can look very much like the next species.
Buff-breasted Earthcreeper is an "mbj" or "medium brown job." This one was seen in the Colca Valley. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
THICK-BILLED MINER (Geositta crassirostris) – We found a few individuals while exploring the rocky cliffs at Pampas Galeras. [E]
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – Along the shores of Lake Titicaca. We had nice looks in the marsh grass during our morning looking for the grebe.
WHITE-THROATED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia albigula) – A pair at Pampas Galeras.
BUFF-BREASTED EARTHCREEPER (Upucerthia validirostris) – A responsive bird posed for photographs near the lookout in the Colca Valley.
CREAM-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes albiventris albiventris) – Fairly common in the Puno area.
WHITE-WINGED CINCLODES (Cinclodes atacamensis) – Just a couple on the Altiplano and again during our drive to the Colca Valley. A difficult bird at times to separate from the previous species.
SURF CINCLODES (Cinclodes taczanowskii) – Seen well on top of the tin roof at Pucusana! A Peruvian endemic. [E]
RUSTY-CROWNED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura pileata) – This endemic was seen at Pampas Galeras in the small patches of Polylepis. [E]
STREAKED TIT-SPINETAIL (Leptasthenura striata) – Seen well in the Colca Valley foraging in the small bushes along the edge of the road.
STREAK-FRONTED THORNBIRD (Phacellodomus striaticeps) – Seen at Huacarpay Lake.
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (Asthenes dorbignyi) – Seen well in the Colca Valley where fairly common nesting in the columnar cactus.
CREAMY-BREASTED CANASTERO (DARK-WINGED) (Asthenes dorbignyi arequipae) – This particular subspecies was seen briefly in the Polylepis forest at Pampas Galeras.
STREAK-BACKED CANASTERO (Asthenes wyatti) – A pair were in the paramo near Abra La Raya.
PUNA CANASTERO (Asthenes sclateri) – We had a pair perched up singing within the moonscape habitat of the Altiplano.
Cactus Canastero is a Peruvian endemic. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
CANYON CANASTERO (Asthenes pudibunda) – Seen below the Condor Lookout in the Colca Valley.
RUSTY-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes ottonis) – This endemic was heard a few times in Ampay and seen again at Huacarpay. [E]
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) – A nice looking bird seen well at Ampay. Also endemic to Peru. [E]
CACTUS CANASTERO (Pseudasthenes cactorum) – We did a long walk out into the coastal desert to find this endemic living amongst the columnar cactus. [E]
APURIMAC SPINETAIL (Synallaxis courseni) – A very local endemic seen well at Ampay. [E]
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
SOUTHERN BEARDLESS-TYRANNULET (Camptostoma obsoletum) – A good bird to find so far south in Nazca.
PIED-CRESTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes reguloides) – Nice looks during our first morning at Lomas de Lachay.
YELLOW-BILLED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes flavirostris) – Several small groups in the Ampay Forest.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – Another cool hairdoo. Seen in the Polylepis forest at Lampa on our way to Puno.
WHITE-CRESTED ELAENIA (Elaenia albiceps) – Good numbers in the Nazca lowlands. This particular subspecies is the resident (coastal), E. a. diversa.
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae) – Good studies in the Ampay Forest where it was quite common.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – Really nice looks in the tall cattail marsh at Villa.
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus) – Several along the cliff faces at Ampay Forest.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – Fairly common around Lima (including the dark morph) and again in the Nazca area.
ANDEAN NEGRITO (Lessonia oreas) – Good numbers on the flat boggy plains on our way to the Colca Valley.
White-crested Elaenia, of the resident coastal form, was one we saw well in Nazca. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
PUNA GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola juninensis) – A few on the Altiplano and again in the highlands around Chivay.
WHITE-FRONTED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola albifrons) – Good numbers in the highlands around Chivay.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – One at Huacarpay and again at Chivay.
BLACK-BILLED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis montanus) – We may have had this species early on at Lampa, but it was confirmed with better studies at the Condor Lookout.
WHITE-TAILED SHRIKE-TYRANT (Agriornis albicauda)
STREAK-THROATED BUSH-TYRANT (Myiotheretes striaticollis) – One at Ampay Forest.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis) – Also one at Ampay Forest.
D'ORBIGNY'S CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca oenanthoides) – A few in the Polylepis forest at Lampa.
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – A few different individuals.
SHORT-TAILED FIELD TYRANT (Muscigralla brevicauda) – We managed to sneak our way in to the area where you find these birds. It was worth the 20 soles.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer) [*]
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus) – Just in Lima.
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – Several at Ampay Forest.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) – Common in the lowlands.
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina) – Common in the highlands.
ANDEAN SWALLOW (Orochelidon andecola) – Seen on the Altiplano and on our road trip to Chivay.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Good numbers at Ventanilla.
Fresh cebiche and tiradito, world-famous Peruvian cuisine. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – Most days of the tour.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
GREAT THRUSH (Turdus fuscater) – Seen both days around Abancay.
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco) – Common throughout the tour, but also on the coast at Lomas de Lachay.
Mimidae (Mockingbirds and Thrashers)
LONG-TAILED MOCKINGBIRD (Mimus longicaudatus) – Lima and Nazca. This species is only found along the coast, but the Lima city proper population is probably introduced.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
SHORT-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus furcatus) – One bird singing on the Altiplano.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus) – One in the Ampay Forest.
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps) – Several in the scrubby edge along the trail in the Ampay Forest.
WHITE-LINED TANAGER (Tachyphonus rufus) – Very strange finding this species at Ampay. It is normally found on the more humid east slope.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – Common in the Abancay region.
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum) – Fairly common at different sites on the tour.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris) – Several at the Ampay Forest.
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis) – This lovely bird was seen during our time at Puno, especially on the Altiplano.
The view from the Ampay Forest looking down to the town of Abancay. It was at this site that we saw the very localized endemic, Apurimac Spinetail. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
PLUMBEOUS SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus unicolor) – Seen on our drive to Chivay in the highland bogs.
WHITE-THROATED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus erythronotus) – This uncommon and local species was seen on the Altiplano.
ASH-BREASTED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus plebejus) – Common in the Puno/Arequipa area.
BAND-TAILED SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus alaudinus) – A male was seen on the coast at Lomas de Lachay, but also again around Arequipa and Nazca.
WHITE-WINGED DIUCA-FINCH (Diuca speculifera) – Several foraging on the highland bogs near Chivay.
SLENDER-BILLED FINCH (Xenospingus concolor) – A juvenile seen in Nazca had us scratching our heads.
COLLARED WARBLING-FINCH (Poospiza hispaniolensis) – Good numbers at Lomas de Lachay and again in Nazca.
PUNA YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis lutea) – This bright yellow bird really stood out amongst the others of the Altiplano.
A highland bog as we approached the town of Chivay. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
GREENISH YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis olivascens) – Seen very well singing at the Condor Lookout.
GRASSLAND YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis luteola) – Small flocks were at Playa San Pedro south of Lima.
RAIMONDI'S YELLOW-FINCH (Sicalis raimondii) – Singing at a roadside stop on our way down to Mejia marshes. [E]
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina) – In the Nazca lowlands where fairly common.
PARROT-BILLED SEEDEATER (Sporophila peruviana) – This seedeater really does have a honking bill. Seen well (many dozens) in the Nazca lowlands.
CHESTNUT-THROATED SEEDEATER (Sporophila telasco) – Just a couple at Lomas (where singing) and again at Nazca.
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – Good numbers in the Abancay region.
PLAIN-COLORED SEEDEATER (Catamenia inornata) – On our drive to Puno.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola) – In Lima where introduced. [I]
STREAKED SALTATOR (Saltator striatipectus immaculatus) – The subspecies around Nazca (immaculatus) lack any real streaking below.
GOLDEN-BILLED SALTATOR (Saltator aurantiirostris) – Common in the Ampay area.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Nearly every day of the tour we were taking "roofies."
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
GOLDEN GROSBEAK (Pheucticus chrysogaster) – A pair during our day at Pampas Galeras.
The famous "hummingbird" seen during our flight over the Nazca Lines. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
PERUVIAN MEADOWLARK (Sturnella bellicosa) – Good numbers in the fields along the Peruvian coast.
SCRUB BLACKBIRD (Dives warszewiczi) – In Nazca where we saw a couple on the hotel grounds.
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – Along the shores of Lake Titicaca.
SHINY COWBIRD (Molothrus bonariensis) – Around Lima and again in Nazca.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus) – Singles or pairs on various days.
BLACK SISKIN (Spinus atratus) – Large numbers at Lampa and Puno.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Fairly common in the cities and towns, but mainly absent from the highlands. [I]
MAMMALS
GUINEA PIG (Cavia aperea) – One was seen at Huacarpay Lake.
Vicuna is one of the most beautiful creatures on the face of the planet. Photo by guide Jesse Fagan.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus) – Several pods offshore at Playa San Pedro.
CULPEO FOX (Pseudalopex culpaeus) – This awesome creature was seen being chased by an angry mom vicuna. Pampas Galeras.
MARINE OTTER (Lontra felina) – Rare to find this creature. Seen fairly well at Pucusana.
SOUTHERN SEA LION (Otaria byronia) – One was glimpsed offshore at Playa San Pedro where there was also a dead one on the beach.
VICUNA (Vicugna vicugna) – This elegant creature was seen in good numbers on the Altiplano and again at Pampas Galeras.
WHITE-TAILED DEER (Odocoileus virginianus) – One seen climbing the slopes above Huacarpay.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 211 bird taxa and 8 mammal taxa