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Rufous-crested Coquette is always a favorite, and a view like this at Amazonia Lodge was one big reason why! (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
The Manu area of Peru is one of the world's richest sites for sheer biodiversity. The amount of life present within the park itself is astonishing, especially considering that it ranges from above treeline to the Amazon lowlands. In birds alone, it is estimated that Manu National Park contains about 1000 species! That's more than are found on several of the continents of this planet! Our tour was primarily designed to find and observe the birds that are found in the mountainous portion of the Manu area.
Our tour gave us memorable views of large and/or colorful species such as Razor-billed Curassow, Golden-headed Quetzal, Andean Cock-of-the-rock (including one in the hand!), Versicolored Barbet, Paradise Tanager, Rufous-crested Coquette, Silver-beaked Tanager, Scarlet Macaw, King Vulture, Hoatzin, Lyre-tailed Nightjar, and Great Potoo. One look at the bird list will show that certainly about half of the species therein are drab and/or skulky birds that are not easily seen but require patience and concentration -- this is typical of tropical forest avifaunas anywhere in the world. Because these species usually live in understory, they are predisposed not to travel widely, and thus are highly likely to have geographic barriers fragment their distributions and render them regional specialties. Thus our particular interest in seeing them. Some of these made it onto the "favorites list" including: Bamboo Antshrike, Lanceolated Monklet, Striolated Puffbird, Trilling Tapaculo (even though we only heard it), and Amazonian Antpitta. Then there were experiences that will remain in our memories: riding shotgun to Alejandro in the bus, birding from the Amazonia Lodge veranda, the early mornings at Wayqecha, and views over the river from Amazonia Lodge.
The highlands of Manu and the nearby, more arid Cusco area have their share of unique avifauna. In the arid valleys around the city, we were able to see waterbirds around Huacarpay Lakes, the local and endemic Bearded Mountaineer and Rusty-fronted Canastero. Everywhere there are Rufous-collared Sparrows, birds that easily grab one's attention with their constant movement and sheer numbers. On opposite slopes, the drier and wetter ones of the last range before we enter the Manu area, one can compare the stark contrast between the windward slopes that are regularly buffeted by fog and rain, and those on the leeward slopes where the main source of water is the brooks that drain the higher elevations. On the former site, the endemic Marcapata Spinetail is the member of genus Cranioleuca that is present. On the latter slope, the genus is represented by Creamy-crested Spinetail. Such is an example of the extreme niche specialization in habitats at the same elevation that allow the incredible "species packing" of the Amazonian slope of the Andes.
Having encountered more than 400 species on our tour, we found almost half of the bird species present in the region, an impressive tally by any measure -- and this without venturing far out onto the megadiverse lowlands of the Madre de Dios drainage. In addition, we saw several mammals, especially monkeys, and other marvels of beauty that nature, in all her splendor, has placed here in this remote corner of the world. Manu is not a site one is likely to forget. Indeed, it is places like Manu that make ecotourism such a rewarding pastime. I hope you enjoyed the visit and will return to Peru to see more of the beauty of this large and very varied country!
Good birding and "baile con Dios"! [Wait... that last part doesn't sound right...]
--Dan
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)
Our female Lyre-tailed Nightjar on her day-roost -- it doesn't get much better than this! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
GREAT TINAMOU (Tinamus major) [*]
CINEREOUS TINAMOU (Crypturellus cinereus) [*]
LITTLE TINAMOU (Crypturellus soui) [*]
BROWN TINAMOU (Crypturellus obsoletus) [*]
UNDULATED TINAMOU (Crypturellus undulatus) – The only tinamou we saw on the tour... one on the jeep track.
BLACK-CAPPED TINAMOU (Crypturellus atrocapillus) [*]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
BRAZILIAN TEAL (Amazonetta brasiliensis) – Thanks to Diana's sharp spotting, we enjoyed this species that has only recently invaded Peru, but is clearly doing well in the country!
YELLOW-BILLED PINTAIL (Anas georgica)
YELLOW-BILLED TEAL (OXYPTERA) (Anas flavirostris oxyptera)
RUDDY DUCK (ANDEAN) (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea)
Cracidae (Guans, Chachalacas, and Curassows)
Gould's Jewelfront is placed in the genus Heliodoxa with the "brilliants," but it has a fantastic pattern all its own and is one of the finer rainforest hummers. (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
ANDEAN GUAN (Penelope montagnii)
SPIX'S GUAN (Penelope jacquacu) [*]
BLUE-THROATED PIPING-GUAN (Pipile cumanensis)
WATTLED GUAN (Aburria aburri) [*]
RAZOR-BILLED CURASSOW (Mitu tuberosum) – Benedict got us on this great bird as we hiked the jeep track.
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
STARRED WOOD-QUAIL (Odontophorus stellatus) – Heard from the hill above Amazonia most evenings. [*]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
WHITE-TUFTED GREBE (Rollandia rolland) – Getting harder to see at Huacarpay, so it was heartening to have them there.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
That 'stump' is actually an Andean Potoo! (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
SNOWY EGRET (Egretta thula)
LITTLE BLUE HERON (Egretta caerulea) – Both at Huacarpay and also down at Atalaya.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
PUNA IBIS (Plegadis ridgwayi)
BLACK-FACED IBIS (BRANICKII) (Theristicus melanopis branickii) – Often difficult to come across, we had nice looks on the drive across the drier country as we approached Manu.
Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
BLACK VULTURE (Coragyps atratus)
TURKEY VULTURE (Cathartes aura)
GREATER YELLOW-HEADED VULTURE (Cathartes melambrotus)
KING VULTURE (Sarcoramphus papa) – Becky got us on a nice adult over the tower at Amazonia Lodge.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (Elanoides forficatus)
BLACK HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus tyrannus) – A pair circling over the road near Patria then perched, allowing nice looks.
BLACK-AND-WHITE HAWK-EAGLE (Spizaetus melanoleucus) – Always nice to see!
BLACK-AND-CHESTNUT EAGLE (Spizaetus isidori) – Becky spotted first a young bird way upslope from us as we hiked towards La Union, then later an adult circling with a Solitary Eagle below San Pedro! Nice job!
DOUBLE-TOOTHED KITE (Harpagus bidentatus)
PLUMBEOUS KITE (Ictinia plumbea) – Seen most days at Amazonia.
CINEREOUS HARRIER (Circus cinereus) – A bird or two coursing over Huacarpay was nice.
SOLITARY EAGLE (Buteogallus solitarius) – Becky, our raptor spotter, got us on a bird circling with a Black-and-chestnut Eagle!
ROADSIDE HAWK (Rupornis magnirostris)
VARIABLE HAWK (Geranoaetus polyosoma) – We got to see just how variable this species is with pale and dark morphs and young birds.
WHITE HAWK (Pseudastur albicollis) – Becky spotted a lovely soaring bird over the tower.
WHITE-THROATED HAWK (Buteo albigula) – A few flying birds were upstaged by a perched individual.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
GRAY-NECKED WOOD-RAIL (Aramides cajaneus) – Great views of this eye-catching rail as it came in to steal some rice from the tables at Amazonia only to get chased off by chachalacas.
UNIFORM CRAKE (Amaurolimnas concolor) [*]
BLACKISH RAIL (Pardirallus nigricans) [*]
PLUMBEOUS RAIL (Pardirallus sanguinolentus) – One of the more easily seen rails.
COMMON GALLINULE (Gallinula galeata)
Variable Hawk -- dark morph (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
TAWNY-THROATED DOTTEREL (Oreopholus ruficollis ruficollis) – A great find, we very much enjoyed these (probable) austral migrants as they started heading south to Patagonia to breed.
ANDEAN LAPWING (Vanellus resplendens)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
LESSER YELLOWLEGS (Tringa flavipes) – Birds that decided not to migrate north this year... How smart of them!
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
ANDEAN GULL (Chroicocephalus serranus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
SPOT-WINGED PIGEON (Patagioenas maculosa) – The high-elevation dry slope pigeon we saw as we drove toward Manu.
BAND-TAILED PIGEON (Patagioenas fasciata)
PLUMBEOUS PIGEON (Patagioenas plumbea)
RUDDY PIGEON (Patagioenas subvinacea)
EARED DOVE (Zenaida auriculata)
Great Potoo -- sometimes it's hard to believe that the hair-rising growl-scream we hear at night comes from what looks like a large fluffball during the day! (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
WHITE-TIPPED DOVE (BRASILIENSIS GROUP) (Leptotila verreauxi decipiens)
GRAY-FRONTED DOVE (Leptotila rufaxilla)
Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
HOATZIN (Opisthocomus hoazin)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
LITTLE CUCKOO (Coccycua minuta) – After some effort, a pair came in at Amazonia.
SQUIRREL CUCKOO (Piaya cayana)
SMOOTH-BILLED ANI (Crotophaga ani)
Strigidae (Owls)
TAWNY-BELLIED SCREECH-OWL (AUSTRAL) (Megascops watsonii usta) – Nice views at Amazonia Lodge.
YUNGAS PYGMY-OWL (Glaucidium bolivianum) [*]
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
BAND-WINGED NIGHTJAR (Systellura longirostris) – A bird at Wayqecha was nice.
Rufous-capped Thornbill is all about the crown and "beard," and to highlight these features we couldn't have had much better views of this high-elevation hummer. (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
LYRE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Uropsalis lyra) – After enjoying the day-roosting female, it was cool to see the male in all his glory as well!
Nyctibiidae (Potoos)
GREAT POTOO (Nyctibius grandis) – I love listening to that growl and knowing its source!
COMMON POTOO (Nyctibius griseus) [*]
ANDEAN POTOO (Nyctibius maculosus) – How lucky that we could enjoy a bird on its day perch on three separate days!
Apodidae (Swifts)
CHESTNUT-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne rutila)
WHITE-COLLARED SWIFT (Streptoprocne zonaris) – We enjoyed the dense screaming bunches, but the perched birds under the bridge also were a delight to see!
SHORT-TAILED SWIFT (Chaetura brachyura)
GRAY-RUMPED SWIFT (Chaetura cinereiventris)
The overview of high-elevation forest from our perch at Wayqecha (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
LESSER SWALLOW-TAILED SWIFT (Panyptila cayennensis)
FORK-TAILED PALM-SWIFT (Tachornis squamata)
Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN (Florisuga mellivora) – A bold and very agressive hummer at the Amazonia feeders.
GREEN HERMIT (Phaethornis guy)
KOEPCKE'S HERMIT (Phaethornis koepckeae) – Brief but good views of this endemic at Amazonia.
WHITE-BROWED HERMIT (Phaethornis stuarti) – We were in the midst of a lek on the hill trail above Amazonia, and one briefly showed.
SPARKLING VIOLETEAR (Colibri coruscans) – Common at feeders in the mountains.
BLACK-EARED FAIRY (Heliothryx auritus) – A brief visit at the flowers at Amazonia was nice.
AMETHYST-THROATED SUNANGEL (Heliangelus amethysticollis)
RUFOUS-CRESTED COQUETTE (Lophornis delattrei) – One of the favorites around the flowers at Amazonia.
PERUVIAN PIEDTAIL (Phlogophilus harterti) – Great views of this sneaky understory hummer below San Pedro.
SPECKLED HUMMINGBIRD (Adelomyia melanogenys)
LONG-TAILED SYLPH (Aglaiocercus kingi) – The long-tailed hummer of the humid slope (compare to the next).
A Golden-headed Quetzal showing off its decorative wing coverts to great effect! (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
RUFOUS-CAPPED THORNBILL (Chalcostigma ruficeps) – Great views of this small high-elevation hummer around Wayqecha.
BEARDED MOUNTAINEER (Oreonympha nobilis) – Good views of this endemic around Huacarpay and the start of the Manu road.
TYRIAN METALTAIL (Metallura tyrianthina smaragdinicollis)
BUFF-THIGHED PUFFLEG (Haplophaedia assimilis) – Not quite as colorful as Eriocnemis pufflegs, but still nice to see!
SHINING SUNBEAM (Aglaeactis cupripennis) – An agressive hummer near treeline.
BRONZY INCA (Coeligena coeligena) – One of the drabber hummers around.
COLLARED INCA (GOULD'S) (Coeligena torquata omissa) – The buff-collared form from southern Peru to Bolivia is sometimes split and called "Gould's Inca" (C. inca).
VIOLET-THROATED STARFRONTLET (Coeligena violifer) – Seen on four days at higher elevations.
CHESTNUT-BREASTED CORONET (Boissonneaua matthewsii) – Common at high elevations, we saw it at Wayqecha.
BOOTED RACKET-TAIL (Ocreatus underwoodii annae)
GOULD'S JEWELFRONT (Heliodoxa aurescens) – A very handsome hummer at the Amazonia feeders.
VIOLET-FRONTED BRILLIANT (Heliodoxa leadbeateri) – Common at San Pedro.
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT (Heliomaster longirostris) – This one made only a few brief visits to the feeders at Amazonia.
Though the split hasn't yet been officially accepted by the SACC, the "Striolated" Puffbird we saw is recognized as Western Puffbird (Nystalus obamai) by ebird and the Clements World Checklist. (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
AMETHYST WOODSTAR (Calliphlox amethystina) – Steve photographed a male at the flowers at Amazonia.
BLUE-TAILED EMERALD (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)
VIOLET-HEADED HUMMINGBIRD (Klais guimeti) – A couple were around the flowers at Amazonia Lodge.
GRAY-BREASTED SABREWING (Campylopterus largipennis) – The largest hummer we encountered in the lowlands.
FORK-TAILED WOODNYMPH (Thalurania furcata)
MANY-SPOTTED HUMMINGBIRD (Taphrospilus hypostictus) – A rather toned down hummingbird we enjoyed at Cock-of-the-Rock.
SAPPHIRE-SPANGLED EMERALD (Amazilia lactea)
GOLDEN-TAILED SAPPHIRE (Chrysuronia oenone) – One of the most common hummingbirds at the feeders and flowers at Amazonia Lodge.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
GOLDEN-HEADED QUETZAL (Pharomachrus auriceps) – Some lovely views of this quetzal (and who doesn't love quetzals?).
BLACK-TAILED TROGON (Trogon melanurus)
AMAZONIAN TROGON (Trogon ramonianus)
BLUE-CROWNED TROGON (Trogon curucui)
MASKED TROGON (Trogon personatus) – The highland species of Trogon.
Momotidae (Motmots)
AMAZONIAN MOTMOT (Momotus momota) – Part of the Blue-crowned Motmot until that species was split up recently.
ANDEAN MOTMOT (Momotus aequatorialis) – Many great views of this lovely species, which has been considered part of Blue-crowned Motmot or called "Highland Motmot" until recently.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
AMAZON KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle amazona)
GREEN-AND-RUFOUS KINGFISHER (Chloroceryle inda) – A great view of this rather difficult-to-see kingfisher at the cocha at Amazonia Lodge.
Bucconidae (Puffbirds)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED PUFFBIRD (Bucco macrodactylus) – A pair of this attractive puffbird was on one of our walks around Amazonia Lodge.
STRIOLATED PUFFBIRD (Nystalus striolatus) – Becky and Diana's sharp eyes spotted this canopy-living puffbird as we crossed the Atalaya Ridge. Bret Whitney has described the western Amazonian population (so, the one we saw) a different species: Nystalus obamai (that's right, after the current US president!). So far, the AOU South American committee has not accepted this as a separate species, but on technicalities...
SEMICOLLARED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila semicincta) – A bird in the hill forest above Amazonia Lodge was a nice find.
BLACK-STREAKED PUFFBIRD (Malacoptila fulvogularis) – Spotted purely by chance above San Pedro.
LANCEOLATED MONKLET (Micromonacha lanceolata) – After searching for a while, we enjoyed a pair that posed well.
BLACK-FRONTED NUNBIRD (Monasa nigrifrons) – A common river-edge puffbird we saw most days around Amazonia.
SWALLOW-WINGED PUFFBIRD (Chelidoptera tenebrosa) – Diana spotted this rather unusual puffbird as we birded the bamboo near Amazonia Lodge.
Galbulidae (Jacamars)
BLUISH-FRONTED JACAMAR (Galbula cyanescens) – Nice views of this species below San Pedro as well as other sites.
Capitonidae (New World Barbets)
VERSICOLORED BARBET (Eubucco versicolor) – A couple of views of this very colorful mini-toucan.
Ramphastidae (Toucans)
Andean Motmot (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
CHESTNUT-TIPPED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus derbianus) – One brief view of a bird near the Quita Calzon bridge.
BLUE-BANDED TOUCANET (Aulacorhynchus coeruleicinctis) – The high-elevation green toucanet.
GRAY-BREASTED MOUNTAIN-TOUCAN (Andigena hypoglauca) – After the 'one that got away' on our first day driving to Manu, we had a nice view of this colorful toucan as we headed up to Wayqecha.
CHESTNUT-EARED ARACARI (Pteroglossus castanotis) – Benedict spotted this edge-habitat toucan.
WHITE-THROATED TOUCAN (Ramphastos tucanus cuvieri)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
FINE-BARRED PICULET (Picumnus subtilis) – A diminutive woodpecker that is nearly endemic to Peru and not hard around Amazonia Lodge.
YELLOW-TUFTED WOODPECKER (Melanerpes cruentatus) [*]
LITTLE WOODPECKER (Veniliornis passerinus) – While perhaps not so little compared to (for instance) Downy Woodpecker, it is pretty small for South American woodpeckers.
GOLDEN-OLIVE WOODPECKER (Colaptes rubiginosus) – A 'forest flicker' that we encountered around San Pedro.
CRIMSON-MANTLED WOODPECKER (Colaptes rivolii) – A very attractive flicker we saw near treeline.
ANDEAN FLICKER (Colaptes rupicola) – Steve spotted this high elevation woodpecker as we headed back to Cusco.
CRIMSON-CRESTED WOODPECKER (Campephilus melanoleucos)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
Many-spotted Hummingbirds like to sit at apical branches usually...but when they are dominated at feeders, they'll choose lower perches, even tree ferns as this one did. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
RED-THROATED CARACARA (Ibycter americanus) – Seen as we crossed the Atalaya Ridge.
MOUNTAIN CARACARA (Phalcoboenus megalopterus)
AMERICAN KESTREL (Falco sparverius) – Found in the drier habitats near Cusco.
BAT FALCON (Falco rufigularis)
Psittacidae (Parrots)
GOLDEN-PLUMED PARAKEET (Leptosittaca branickii) – A surprising finding at such a low elevation, but--true to their behavior--they were perched in a Podocarpus!
WHITE-EYED PARAKEET (Aratinga leucophthalma)
DUSKY-HEADED PARAKEET (Aratinga weddellii)
CHESTNUT-FRONTED MACAW (Ara severus)
SCARLET MACAW (Ara macao) – A pair flew close overhead while we were on the tower at Amazonia Lodge.
BLUE-HEADED MACAW (Primolius couloni) – Distant flybys on the Atalaya Ridge.
ANDEAN PARAKEET (Bolborhynchus orbygnesius) – Just a flock of dots flying overhead up in the higher cloudforest.
COBALT-WINGED PARAKEET (Brotogeris cyanoptera)
SPECKLE-FACED PARROT (PLUM-CROWNED) (Pionus tumultuosus tumultuosus) – Higher elevation than the next species.
BLUE-HEADED PARROT (Pionus menstruus) – Several around the yard at Amazonia Lodge.
SCALY-NAPED PARROT (Amazona mercenarius) – The high-elevation Amazona parrot.
Thamnophilidae (Typical Antbirds)
BAMBOO ANTSHRIKE (Cymbilaimus sanctaemariae) – Nice views of this barred species around Amazonia Lodge.
GREAT ANTSHRIKE (Taraba major) [*]
CHESTNUT-BACKED ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus palliatus) – Nice views of this attractive antshrike in the lower foothills.
Purplish Jay (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
UNIFORM ANTSHRIKE (Thamnophilus unicolor) – A great experience with a pair at La Union... also (it so happens) the southernmost locality for the species.
BLUISH-SLATE ANTSHRIKE (Thamnomanes schistogynus) – One of the leaders of understory flocks around Amazonia Lodge.
ORNATE ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla ornata meridionalis) – Played cat-and-mouse with us in the bamboo scrub below San Pedro.
RUFOUS-TAILED ANTWREN (Epinecrophylla erythrura) – Part of the understory flock on the hill above Amazonia Lodge.
PYGMY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula brachyura)
STRIPE-CHESTED ANTWREN (Myrmotherula longicauda) – The 'black-and-white warbler' of antbirds.
GRAY ANTWREN (Myrmotherula menetriesii menetriesii) [*]
YELLOW-BREASTED ANTWREN (Herpsilochmus axillaris) – A flock follower we enjoyed below San Pedro.
DOT-WINGED ANTWREN (Microrhopias quixensis albicauda) – Nice looks at this fancy antbird at the Atalaya Ridge.
STRIATED ANTBIRD (Drymophila devillei) – Great looks at this Guadua bamboo specialist on the Atalaya Ridge!
YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLING-ANTBIRD (Hypocnemis subflava collinsi)
GRAY ANTBIRD (Cercomacra cinerascens) [*]
WHITE-BACKED FIRE-EYE (Pyriglena leuconota)
WHITE-BROWED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus leucophrys)
BLACK-FACED ANTBIRD (Myrmoborus myotherinus)
SILVERED ANTBIRD (Sclateria naevia) – It took at least two visits to the cocha, but we eventually had nice looks at this water-edge species.
WHITE-LINED ANTBIRD (Percnostola lophotes)
CHESTNUT-TAILED ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza hemimelaena)
Gray-necked Wood-Rail (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
SOOTY ANTBIRD (Myrmeciza fortis) [*]
SPOT-BACKED ANTBIRD (Hylophylax naevius) – Distant views of a bird in the hill forest above Amazonia.
BLACK-SPOTTED BARE-EYE (Phlegopsis nigromaculata) [*]
Conopophagidae (Gnateaters)
SLATY GNATEATER (Conopophaga ardesiaca) – Two views of this skulky species were nice!
Grallariidae (Antpittas)
RED-AND-WHITE ANTPITTA (Grallaria erythroleuca) – Rather nice views from above of this endemic.
RUFOUS ANTPITTA (Grallaria rufula occabambae) – Bloody thing! [*]
AMAZONIAN ANTPITTA (Hylopezus berlepschi) – A nice scope view early in our stay at Amazonia Lodge.
THRUSH-LIKE ANTPITTA (Myrmothera campanisona) [*]
Rhinocryptidae (Tapaculos)
RUSTY-BELTED TAPACULO (Liosceles thoracicus) – Nice views of this lowland tapaculo at Amazonia Lodge.
TRILLING TAPACULO (Scytalopus parvirostris) [*]
WHITE-CROWNED TAPACULO (Scytalopus atratus) – Not white-crowned here, but we saw it as we ascended up the road to San Pedro.
Formicariidae (Antthrushes)
BLACK-FACED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius analis) – Nice looks at a bird at Amazonia Lodge.
RUFOUS-BREASTED ANTTHRUSH (Formicarius rufipectus) [*]
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds and Woodcreepers)
This Tawny-throated Dotterel was one of several we saw that likely were getting ready to head breeding grounds in the southernmost reaches of the continent. (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
OLIVACEOUS WOODCREEPER (Sittasomus griseicapillus) – There are many different-sounding subspecies within this species that will likely be split at some point. Here, the subspecies is amazonus.
WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Glyphorynchus spirurus)
CINNAMON-THROATED WOODCREEPER (Dendrexetastes rufigula) – Seen among the trees in the yard of Amazonia Lodge.
BLACK-BANDED WOODCREEPER (Dendrocolaptes picumnus) – Also seen among the trees in the yard of Amazonia Lodge.
STRONG-BILLED WOODCREEPER (Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus) – Seen well as part of the cacique-jay flock up high.
OCELLATED WOODCREEPER (TSCHUDI'S) (Xiphorhynchus ocellatus brevirostris) – Brief views of this woodcreeper in the flocks on the hill above Amazonia.
BUFF-THROATED WOODCREEPER (LAFRESNAYE'S) (Xiphorhynchus guttatus guttatoides)
OLIVE-BACKED WOODCREEPER (Xiphorhynchus triangularis)
RED-BILLED SCYTHEBILL (Campylorhamphus trochilirostris) – This species is often very difficult to see, so we were lucky to have extended looks at one at Amazonia!
MONTANE WOODCREEPER (Lepidocolaptes lacrymiger)
SLENDER-BILLED XENOPS (Xenops tenuirostris) – In the flatland older second growth at Amazonia.
PLAIN XENOPS (Xenops minutus) – Part of the flocks on the hill above Amazonia.
STREAKED TUFTEDCHEEK (Pseudocolaptes boissonneautii)
PALE-LEGGED HORNERO (Furnarius leucopus) – Strutting around Amazonia's lawn like they owned the place!
WREN-LIKE RUSHBIRD (Phleocryptes melanops) – It took a while, but we eventually saw this well-named furnariid.
DUSKY-CHEEKED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabazenops dorsalis) – A bird in the Guadua bamboo near San Pedro behaved well.
BUFF-FRONTED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Philydor rufum bolivianum) – Several views at Amazonia Lodge.
MONTANE FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Anabacerthia striaticollis) – We enjoyed watching one of these as it seemed to be digging a nest cavity into a Cecropia!
BUFF-BROWED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Syndactyla rufosuperciliata) [*]
BUFF-THROATED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Automolus ochrolaemus) – Reasonable views of this widespread foliage-gleaner on the Atalaya Ridge.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED FOLIAGE-GLEANER (Automolus rufipileatus)
BLACK-BILLED TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes melanorhynchus) – Curses! [*]
STRIPED TREEHUNTER (Thripadectes holostictus) – Seen on three days, which is pretty good for this skulky species!
SPOTTED BARBTAIL (Premnoplex brunnescens) – Often very skulky, but we managed to draw one out into the open briefly.
PEARLED TREERUNNER (Margarornis squamiger) – A lovely furnariid that joins flocks in mid- and upper-elevations.
SCRIBBLE-TAILED CANASTERO (Asthenes maculicauda) – A great name, and we managed to see this streaky grassland bird on the Tres Cruces road.
PUNA THISTLETAIL (Asthenes helleri)
RUSTY-FRONTED CANASTERO (Asthenes ottonis) – The birds at Huacarpay are becoming pretty hard to draw out, but we eventually got one to poke its head up out of the dense brush.
PLAIN SOFTTAIL (Thripophaga fusciceps)
MARCAPATA SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca marcapatae)
CREAMY-CRESTED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca albicapilla) – One of our last species of the tour... and the one that held up lunch as we headed back to Cusco... but it didn't get away!
Cinnamon Flycatcher (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
SPECKLED SPINETAIL (Cranioleuca gutturata)
AZARA'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis azarae) – We got this annoying bird out of the way our first day on the humid slope!
DARK-BREASTED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis albigularis) – Johnny spotted a well-hidden bird in the open country around Patria.
CABANIS'S SPINETAIL (Synallaxis cabanisi) – Usually very skulky, but a pair showed remarkably well for us!
PLAIN-CROWNED SPINETAIL (Synallaxis gujanensis) – Often hopping on the lawn at Amazonia like a sparrow.
Tyrannidae (Tyrant Flycatchers)
WHITE-BANDED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus stictopterus)
WHITE-THROATED TYRANNULET (Mecocerculus leucophrys) – Common flock-followers in high-elevation flocks.
TUFTED TIT-TYRANT (Anairetes parulus) – A pair of these lovely tyrants showed well for us as we ascended to treeline.
YELLOW-CROWNED TYRANNULET (Tyrannulus elatus) – "Hee-hew!"
FOREST ELAENIA (Myiopagis gaimardii) – A canopy species in lowland forest.
MOTTLE-BACKED ELAENIA (Elaenia gigas) – We saw a few of these at Amazonia Lodge.
SIERRAN ELAENIA (Elaenia pallatangae) – The common elaenia in much of the mountainous part of the tour.
STREAK-NECKED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes striaticollis)
OLIVE-STRIPED FLYCATCHER (Mionectes olivaceus)
SEPIA-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon amaurocephalus)
Andean Cock-of-the-rock is always a fantastic bird to see well in the wild, but we also got to see one in the hand when lodge staff brought a male that was temporarily dazed after hitting a window. (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
INCA FLYCATCHER (Leptopogon taczanowskii) – A Peruvian endemic that was in flocks at upper- middle elevations.
MARBLE-FACED BRISTLE-TYRANT (Phylloscartes ophthalmicus) – Like a mini-version of Slaty-capped Flycatcher.
MOTTLE-CHEEKED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes ventralis) [*]
CINNAMON-FACED TYRANNULET (Phylloscartes parkeri) – A very attractive little tyrannulet that was only described to science in 1997 and named in honor of Ted Parker. We had fantastic views!
BOLIVIAN TYRANNULET (Zimmerius bolivianus)
SLENDER-FOOTED TYRANNULET (Zimmerius gracilipes)
ORNATE FLYCATCHER (Myiotriccus ornatus) – A very attractive tyrant we encountered over the creeks in lower foothill habitats.
MANY-COLORED RUSH TYRANT (Tachuris rubrigastra) – A handsome tyrant we enjoyed at Huacarpay.
RUFOUS-HEADED PYGMY-TYRANT (Pseudotriccus ruficeps) – Fine views of this high-elevation tyrant on the trail by Wayqecha.
RINGED ANTPIPIT (Corythopis torquatus) – This Ovenbird-like tyrant showed moderately well on the hill above Amazonia.
SHORT-TAILED PYGMY-TYRANT (Myiornis ecaudatus) – It took us a bit of work to see this little bird... and when we did, I believe I heard neck bones crunching!
SCALE-CRESTED PYGMY-TYRANT (Lophotriccus pileatus) – Common in the roadside second growth around San Pedro, where its police-whistle calls are pervasive.
Violet-headed Hummingbird (Photo by participant Steve Wakeman)
JOHANNES'S TODY-TYRANT (Hemitriccus iohannis) – One of our first birds at Amazonia Lodge, this one eventually came in and showed well in the creekside growth.
YELLOW-BROWED TODY-FLYCATCHER (Todirostrum chrysocrotaphum) – Very small tyrant that we enjoyed on the Atalaya Ridge.
OLIVACEOUS FLATBILL (Rhynchocyclus olivaceus) – A brief, poor view at Amazonia Lodge.
YELLOW-MARGINED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias assimilis)
GRAY-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias poliocephalus)
YELLOW-BREASTED FLYCATCHER (Tolmomyias flaviventris) – Very yellow and usually in second growth, such as along roadsides.
CINNAMON FLYCATCHER (Pyrrhomyias cinnamomeus) – A cute, doll-eyed tyrant that likes cliffs.
BRAN-COLORED FLYCATCHER (Myiophobus fasciatus) [*]
SMOKE-COLORED PEWEE (Contopus fumigatus)
BLACK PHOEBE (Sayornis nigricans) – The South American form of this species is subspecies latirostris, sometimes split from North American birds and called 'White-winged Phoebe'.
VERMILION FLYCATCHER (Pyrocephalus rubinus) – The form here in Amazonia is strictly austral migrant nominate rubinus, which sound quite distinct from coastal and northern birds.
SPOT-BILLED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola maculirostris) – This diminutive ground-tyrant was at the edges of Huacarpay Lakes.
RUFOUS-NAPED GROUND-TYRANT (Muscisaxicola rufivertex) – A few of these attractive ground-tyrants were at the edges of Huacarpay Lakes.
Sparkling Violetear (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
RUFOUS-WEBBED BUSH-TYRANT (Polioxolmis rufipennis) – We saw this in the high open plane where the dotterels were.
SLATY-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (MAROON-BELTED) (Ochthoeca cinnamomeiventris thoracica) – This is rather a fetching species found in humid canyons.
RUFOUS-BREASTED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca rufipectoralis) – Rather common near treeline.
BROWN-BACKED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca fumicolor) – A treeline species on the humid slope.
WHITE-BROWED CHAT-TYRANT (Ochthoeca leucophrys) – In the dry high elevation habitats around Cusco.
LONG-TAILED TYRANT (Colonia colonus) – Rather a unique tyrant we enjoyed around Amazonia Lodge.
DULL-CAPPED ATTILA (Attila bolivianus) – Also called 'White-eyed Attila', we saw this at the Brazilian Teal spot near Patria.
GRAYISH MOURNER (Rhytipterna simplex) – This mini-Screaming Piha was at Amazonia Lodge.
DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus tuberculifer)
SHORT-CRESTED FLYCATCHER (Myiarchus ferox) – The common Myiarchus flycatcher of lowland open country.
GREAT KISKADEE (Pitangus sulphuratus)
SOCIAL FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes similis) –
GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER (Myiozetetes granadensis)
LEMON-BROWED FLYCATCHER (Conopias cinchoneti) – One of the 'kiskadee-types' that is found in foothills and always perches at the tops of trees.
GOLDEN-CROWNED FLYCATCHER (Myiodynastes chrysocephalus)
STREAKED FLYCATCHER (SOLITARIUS) (Myiodynastes maculatus solitarius) – This form is sometimes split off as 'Solitary Flycatcher' and has rather a distinct call.
CROWNED SLATY FLYCATCHER (Empidonomus aurantioatrocristatus) – We had one sighting of this austral migrant around the cocha at Amazonia.
TROPICAL KINGBIRD (Tyrannus melancholicus)
Cotingidae (Cotingas)
BAND-TAILED FRUITEATER (Pipreola intermedia)
BARRED FRUITEATER (Pipreola arcuata)
RED-CRESTED COTINGA (Ampelion rubrocristatus) – Steve spotted this high elevation cotinga as we passed over the slope from Manu to the Paucartambo drainage.
ANDEAN COCK-OF-THE-ROCK (Rupicola peruvianus) – After some distant views of this lovely bird, the staff of Paradise Lodge brought a stunned male to us while we descended the road, giving several folks (Steve most memorably) some joy in being able to handle and have close views.
AMAZONIAN UMBRELLABIRD (Cephalopterus ornatus) – Johnny caught a glimpse of this large cotinga, but sadly, it eluded most of the group.
PLUM-THROATED COTINGA (Cotinga maynana) – A pair in the canopy of trees on the Atalaya Ridge.
BARE-NECKED FRUITCROW (Gymnoderus foetidus) – A bird at the cocha at Amazonia was nice.
Pipridae (Manakins)
YUNGAS MANAKIN (Chiroxiphia boliviana) [*]
ROUND-TAILED MANAKIN (Ceratopipra chloromeros) – Nice views of this handsome bird near the tower at Amazonia.
BAND-TAILED MANAKIN (Pipra fasciicauda) [*]
WING-BARRED PIPRITES (Piprites chloris) – Thanks to John for spotting this one.
Tityridae (Tityras and Allies)
Magpie Tanagers are common in the foothills on our route, and almost always found in pairs or small groups. (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
BARRED BECARD (Pachyramphus versicolor)
WHITE-WINGED BECARD (Pachyramphus polychopterus) – A nest right on the edge of the Amazonia Lodge grounds. [N]
PINK-THROATED BECARD (Pachyramphus minor) [N]
Vireonidae (Vireos)
BROWN-CAPPED VIREO (Vireo leucophrys) – Very like our Warbling Vireo... but in the Andes, obviously.
RED-EYED VIREO (Vireo olivaceus) – Seen most days at lower elevations. These were probably austral migrants.
DUSKY-CAPPED GREENLET (Hylophilus hypoxanthus) [*]
TAWNY-CROWNED GREENLET (Hylophilus ochraceiceps) [*]
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
WHITE-COLLARED JAY (Cyanolyca viridicyanus) – A lovely high-elevation jay.
GREEN JAY (Cyanocorax yncas) – Also split off Middle American birds and called "Inca Jay" by some.
PURPLISH JAY (Cyanocorax cyanomelas)
VIOLACEOUS JAY (Cyanocorax violaceus) – Rarer than the last in the lower elevations.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
Mountain Caracara (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
PALE-FOOTED SWALLOW (Orochelidon flavipes) – We saw this rare and local swallow on the day we left Amazonia Lodge to head to San Pedro.
BROWN-BELLIED SWALLOW (Orochelidon murina) – Normally found above treeline.
WHITE-BANDED SWALLOW (Atticora fasciata) – This and White-winged are river specialists.
SOUTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis)
WHITE-WINGED SWALLOW (Tachycineta albiventer)
Troglodytidae (Wrens)
SCALY-BREASTED WREN (Microcerculus marginatus) – Some playback drew this skulker nearly to our feet on the roadside.
GRAY-MANTLED WREN (Odontorchilus branickii) – Thanks to Johnny for spotting this rare wren!
HOUSE WREN (Troglodytes aedon) – One of the most versitile birds in the New World, found from Canada to Tierra del Fuego and from desert to Amazonia to the puna.
MOUNTAIN WREN (Troglodytes solstitialis)
SEDGE WREN (Cistothorus platensis) – Lots of moxy in this bird. We enjoyed our long looks at it in the paramo at Tres Cruces.
THRUSH-LIKE WREN (Campylorhynchus turdinus) – An amazing sound coming from such a relatively unassuming source!
MOUSTACHED WREN (Pheugopedius genibarbis) – These liked playing cat-and-mouse with us. I think we all saw them eventually.
FULVOUS WREN (Cinnycerthia fulva) – We saw this high-elevation wren with a pretty voice near the tunnels.
Hoatzin (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
CHESTNUT-BREASTED WREN (Cyphorhinus thoracicus) [*]
Polioptilidae (Gnatcatchers)
TAWNY-FACED GNATWREN (Microbates cinereiventris) [*]
Cinclidae (Dippers)
WHITE-CAPPED DIPPER (Cinclus leucocephalus leucocephalus) – Dippers are always a treat, so we enjoyed spotting this species at La Union.
Donacobiidae (Donacobius)
BLACK-CAPPED DONACOBIUS (Donacobius atricapilla) – Formerly thought to be a mockingbird relative, then a wren, and finally an Old World warbler. It is now thought that this unique bird, with its prairie-chicken like neck sacs and tail-shaking duets, is in its own family.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ANDEAN SOLITAIRE (Myadestes ralloides) – Nice looks overhead at La Union.
SPOTTED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH (Catharus dryas) [*]
WHITE-EARED SOLITAIRE (Entomodestes leucotis) [*]
HAUXWELL'S THRUSH (Turdus hauxwelli) – After hearing several we saw a few (finally) at Amazonia Lodge.
CREAMY-BELLIED THRUSH (Turdus amaurochalinus) – One male at Amazonia lodge was an austral migrant.
BLACK-BILLED THRUSH (Turdus ignobilis) – The common thrush in the yard at Amazonia Lodge.
White-necked Jacobin (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
CHIGUANCO THRUSH (Turdus chiguanco) – The common thrush on the dry side of the Andes, but we encountered some on the humid side as well.
GLOSSY-BLACK THRUSH (Turdus serranus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
PARAMO PIPIT (Anthus bogotensis) – One of the last birds of the trip, we enjoyed this high-elevation species on the Tres Cruces road.
Parulidae (New World Warblers)
TROPICAL PARULA (Setophaga pitiayumi)
THREE-STRIPED WARBLER (Basileuterus tristriatus) – A common member of flocks around San Pedro with a distinctive crescendo voice.
CITRINE WARBLER (Myiothlypis luteoviridis euophrys) – In Peru, there are three distinct subspecies of this high-elevation warbler. The form here in Manu is the southern form euophrys. Interestingly, on the Abra Malaga tour just before, we saw a different form: signatus!
PALE-LEGGED WARBLER (Myiothlypis signata)
BUFF-RUMPED WARBLER (Myiothlypis fulvicauda) – Much like a waterthrush in behavior.
TWO-BANDED WARBLER (Myiothlypis bivittata) – Similar to the next species, but largely confined to Guadua bamboo.
GOLDEN-BELLIED WARBLER (GOLDEN-BELLIED) (Myiothlypis chrysogaster chrysogaster) – Similar to the previous species, but usually in understory of humid forest.
Golden Tanagers resemble lumps of molten metal in the forest. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
SLATE-THROATED REDSTART (Myioborus miniatus)
SPECTACLED REDSTART (Myioborus melanocephalus) – An endless song. Take a breath!
Thraupidae (Tanagers and Allies)
RED-CAPPED CARDINAL (Paroaria gularis) – I cannot get over the irony that this cardinal is a tanager, whereas the North American 'tanagers' are actually related to Northern Cardinal.
MAGPIE TANAGER (Cissopis leverianus) – Well named, and common in the foothills here.
BLACK-CAPPED HEMISPINGUS (WHITE-BROWED) (Hemispingus atropileus auricularis) – This form (apparently endemic to Peru) is sometimes split off as a separate species: White-browed Hemispingus.
SUPERCILIARIED HEMISPINGUS (URUBAMBAE) (Hemispingus superciliaris urubambae) – This species has yellow and white-bellied forms. Here, it has a yellow belly.
OLEAGINOUS HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus frontalis) – Named for its 'olive oil' color, we encountered this species at San Pedro.
BLACK-EARED HEMISPINGUS (BLACK-EARED) (Hemispingus melanotis berlepschi)
DRAB HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus xanthophthalmus) – Drab though it may be, this species is a tough one to encounter, and it has the interesting habit of perching on the tips of leaves in the canopy.
THREE-STRIPED HEMISPINGUS (Hemispingus trifasciatus) – Often a difficult bird to encounter, so we were lucky!
RUST-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Thlypopsis ruficeps)
WHITE-SHOULDERED TANAGER (Tachyphonus luctuosus)
WHITE-WINGED SHRIKE-TANAGER (Lanio versicolor) – A member of the flocks in the hill forest above Amazonia.
MASKED CRIMSON TANAGER (Ramphocelus nigrogularis) – These smart-looking tanagers put on quite a show for us at the feeding tray at Amazonia.
SILVER-BEAKED TANAGER (Ramphocelus carbo)
HOODED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Buthraupis montana) – The world's largest tanager, nearly jay-sized. We enjoyed it on several days.
GRASS-GREEN TANAGER (Chlorornis riefferii) – This bird's green color is quite arresting!
SCARLET-BELLIED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus igniventris igniventris) – Quite an eye-catching species of upper montane habitats.
BLUE-WINGED MOUNTAIN-TANAGER (Anisognathus somptuosus flavinuchus) – This species consists of two rather distinctive groups, best defined by vocalizations: the form found from here and to the south and east into Bolivia has a song very different from those found from the Rio Urubamba (just to the west) and north.
Ornate Flycatcher (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
GOLDEN-COLLARED TANAGER (Iridosornis jelskii) – A lovely tanager that is rare and limited to treeline vegetation.
BLUE-AND-YELLOW TANAGER (Pipraeidea bonariensis) – One of the few tanagers one can find in the drier habitats around Cusco.
ORANGE-EARED TANAGER (Chlorochrysa calliparaea) – Similarly colorful as a Tangara tanager, and often joins flocks with them. We enjoyed it around San Pedro.
BLUE-GRAY TANAGER (Thraupis episcopus)
PALM TANAGER (Thraupis palmarum)
BLUE-CAPPED TANAGER (Thraupis cyanocephala)
BLUE-NECKED TANAGER (Tangara cyanicollis)
SPOTTED TANAGER (Tangara punctata)
BLUE-AND-BLACK TANAGER (Tangara vassorii atrocoerulea) – The highest elevation of the Tangara tanagers.
BERYL-SPANGLED TANAGER (Tangara nigroviridis)
PARADISE TANAGER (Tangara chilensis) – One of the most gaudy of birds, yet plenty common from San Pedro down into the lowlands.
BAY-HEADED TANAGER (Tangara gyrola)
GOLDEN-EARED TANAGER (Tangara chrysotis) – A fairly rare and found in a narrow elevation band, this smart-looking tanager put on a good show for us at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge.
SAFFRON-CROWNED TANAGER (Tangara xanthocephala lamprotis)
GOLDEN TANAGER (Tangara arthus) – A striking bird, somewhat like a lump of molten metal in the cloudforest.
SWALLOW TANAGER (Tersina viridis) – Nearly a cotinga-like tanager.
BLACK-FACED DACNIS (Dacnis lineata)
YELLOW-BELLIED DACNIS (Dacnis flaviventer)
BLUE DACNIS (Dacnis cayana)
PURPLE HONEYCREEPER (Cyanerpes caeruleus)
GREEN HONEYCREEPER (Chlorophanes spiza)
CINEREOUS CONEBILL (Conirostrum cinereum)
CAPPED CONEBILL (Conirostrum albifrons sordidum) – Like a black warbler.
MOUSTACHED FLOWERPIERCER (ALBILINEA) (Diglossa mystacalis albilinea) – Nice views of this sharp bird at the Tres Cruces road.
BLACK-THROATED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa brunneiventris)
The intricate patterns on this Black Hawk-Eagle's wings were mesmerizing. (Photo by guide Dan Lane)
MASKED FLOWERPIERCER (Diglossa cyanea) – A blue flowerpiercer that is found at higher elevation than the last.
PERUVIAN SIERRA-FINCH (Phrygilus punensis)
BLUE-BLACK GRASSQUIT (Volatinia jacarina)
BLACK-AND-WHITE SEEDEATER (Sporophila luctuosa) – A single female along the road near La Union.
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SEED-FINCH (Oryzoborus angolensis)
BAND-TAILED SEEDEATER (Catamenia analis) – Common in the dry higher elevation habitats around Cusco.
BANANAQUIT (Coereba flaveola) – The name seems fitting. We never saw one near a banana!
BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR (Saltator maximus)
SLATE-COLORED GROSBEAK (Saltator grossus) [*]
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CHESTNUT-CAPPED BRUSH-FINCH (Arremon brunneinucha) – A bird at higher elevations that played hard to get for some.
PECTORAL SPARROW (Arremon taciturnus) – Nice views of this handsome sparrow at Amazonia.
BLACK-FACED BRUSH-FINCH (Atlapetes melanolaemus)
YELLOW-BROWED SPARROW (Ammodramus aurifrons) – One on river-edge habitat along the Madre de Dios.
RUFOUS-COLLARED SPARROW (Zonotrichia capensis) – Yup.
COMMON CHLOROSPINGUS (SOUTHERN PERU) (Chlorospingus flavopectus peruvianus) – The chlorospingi were thought to be tanagers for most of their existence, but recent genetic studies has shown that they are in fact related to New World sparrows!
SHORT-BILLED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus parvirostris) – The higher elevation of the two yellow-throated chlorospingi.
YELLOW-THROATED CHLOROSPINGUS (Chlorospingus flavigularis) – This was the species common around San Pedro.
Cardinalidae (Cardinals and Allies)
WHITE-WINGED TANAGER (Piranga leucoptera) – Like a Scarlet Tanager with wingbars!
CARMIOL'S TANAGER (Chlorothraupis carmioli) [*]
Icteridae (Troupials and Allies)
YELLOW-WINGED BLACKBIRD (Agelasticus thilius) – Something like our North American Red-winged Blackbird that inhabits temperate marshes in the highlands of southern Peru (such as Huacarpay) south to Patagonia.
ORANGE-BACKED TROUPIAL (Icterus croconotus) – A large and garish oriole we enjoyed in the lowlands.
MOUNTAIN CACIQUE (BOLIVIAN) (Cacicus chrysonotus chrysonotus) – A bird that has been the focus for a bit of taxonomic attention: northern yellow-shouldered forms have been split form this southern black-shouldered form (the latter called Southern Mountain Cacique, C. leucoramphus). But personally, I see no evidence to support this split!
Masked Trogon (Photo by participant Steve Wakeham)
RUSSET-BACKED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius angustifrons) – The most common of the oropendulas on the tour.
DUSKY-GREEN OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius atrovirens) – The highest-elevation of the oropendulas.
CRESTED OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius decumanus)
OLIVE OROPENDOLA (Psarocolius bifasciatus) – One seen over the Rio Alto Madre de Dios.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
GOLDEN-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia chrysopasta)
BRONZE-GREEN EUPHONIA (Euphonia mesochrysa) – In the flock at San Pedro.
ORANGE-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia xanthogaster) – The most common of the euphonias on the tour.
RUFOUS-BELLIED EUPHONIA (Euphonia rufiventris)
BLUE-NAPED CHLOROPHONIA (Chlorophonia cyanea) – This attractive relative of euphonias was around San Pedro.
HOODED SISKIN (Spinus magellanicus) – This is the siskin from higher and drier elevations (such as around Cusco).
OLIVACEOUS SISKIN (Spinus olivaceus) – We had this species on day 4. I admit to using circular logic to identify this from Hooded Siskin: if it's from below about 2500m on the humid slope, it's probably Olivaceous.
MAMMALS
COMMON SQUIRREL MONKEY (Saimiri sciureus) – A troop around the cocha at Amazonia was entertaining.
BOLIVIAN SQUIRREL (Sciurus ignitus) – The common squirrel in the cloudforest.
SOUTHERN AMAZON RED SQUIRREL (Sciurus spadiceus) – The large squirrels around the yard at Amazonia.
BROWN AGOUTI (Dasyprocta variegata) – One or two were occasionally present in the yard at Amazonia.
TAYRA (Eira barbara) – Johnny caight a glimpse of this weasel relative.
NEOTROPICAL OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) – Ali spotted this relative of northern hemisphere otters as we were looking for Brazilian Teal near Patria.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Totals for the tour: 430 bird taxa and 6 mammal taxa